Yoga | Birth | Babies

Feeling unsure about parenting in the age of screens? Wondering how to manage screen time battles, choose appropriate apps and games for kids, or decide when to introduce screens to your child? If so, this episode is for you. To tackle this subject today on Yoga | Birth | Babies I have Ash Brandin, EdS. Ash is a public school educator of 14 years and the creator behind the educational Instagram account @TheGamerEducator. Since 2021, Ash has helped thousands of families make screen time work for everyone. Tune in as Ash shares realistic strategies for managing screen time, explores the three key tenets of their work, and breaks down what caregivers really need to know about video games and kids. Enjoy this insightful and empowering conversation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love

Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies we're diving into the relatable and often challenging topic of helicopter parenting. Joining me is Dr. Susan Landers, a neonatologist, breastfeeding expert, and author- who brings over 30 years of experience working in the NICU. Dr. Susan and I share an honest conversation, in which we cover how to recognize the signs of helicopter parenting, ways to set expectations with your child without hovering, and most importantly, how to foster independence- for both you and your child. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more abo

Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies we have one of my favorites: a community birth story. My guest today is Allie Dunbar. Allie is an Actor, writer, producer and entrepreneur from Toronto, Canada. She lives in New York City with her husband Hamish and their amazing baby boy Monty. Allie’s story is full of twists and turns: deciding to go to Canada to give birth, life in the NICU, and the transition into motherhood sooner than expected. I hope you enjoy our conversation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho

Today we are revisiting a popular episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies in which we dive into all things induction. My guest today is Marley Hall, a registered midwife, mother of five, and author of Midwife Marley’s Guide For Everyone – Pregnancy, Birth & The Fourth Trimester. She’s also a co-founder of NowBaby Live, which provides high quality antenatal education to expectant women and couples worldwide. In our conversation, Marley and I discuss the difference between induction and augmentation of labor, what the induction process entails, reasons it may be recommended- or simply suggested- and key questions to ask your provider when facing this decision. Enjoy this informative episode! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Y

Joining me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies is the brilliant Gina Conley — perinatal fitness trainer, seasoned birth doula, mother of four, and founder of MamasteFit. She’s also the author of Training for Two. She is also the author of Training for Two, a powerful resource that provides evidence-based strategies for movement, pelvic health, and birth preparation. In our rich and candid conversation, Gina opens up about her own journey through four pregnancies, sharing how each one transformed as her knowledge of prenatal fitness deepened. Together, we bust common prenatal exercise myths, dive into the often-misunderstood pelvic floor, and explore the fascinating world of pelvic biomechanics. If you are curious about what kind of strength training is beneficial for your pregnancy, birth, and beyond… this episode is for you. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide,

Parents today are bombarded with advice from every angle- social media, friends, family, and news sources. It can be nearly impossible to know who to trust and what advice to follow… And furthermore how to discuss it with your pediatrician. In this episode, we discuss how to sift through the endless parenting information, as well as how to build a strong relationship with your pediatrician. Joining me today on Yoga| Birth| Babies, I have Dr. Wendy Hunter. Wendy Hunter, MD is a pediatrician in San Diego, CA. She rounds on newborns at Scripps Hospital. Her podcast “The Pediatrician Next Door” mixes the science of medicine with the realities of parenting. We hope you enjoy this conversation! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and re

Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies, we have a special community birth story from Paige Host. Paige had been coming to PYC a lot during her pregnancy (and still is postpartum!) and served as a major support and friendly face to other students. Her story is inspiring as it revolves around the ideas of letting go of control and self-trust. Paige has lived in NYC for over a decade, where she met her husband. As a self-described nature nut, Central Park is Paige’s saving grace for grounding herself in the midst of city life. She loves to travel, run, listen to music, and be with friends and family. She is a new mother to her son, Landon! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect

"Failure to progress in labor. " Can we all agree this is a horrible name and can impact someone’s view of their ability to give birth! For years, birthing people have been expected to follow “Freidman’s Curve” a standard set by a trial of only 500 participants conducted nearly 50 years ago. Recently, ACOG has set new standards. Unfortunately many hospitals and practices have been slow to put these new standards into practice. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I am thrilled to bring back board-certified, practicing OB/GYN and mom of 2, Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins to discuss the parameters of “Failure to progress” and it’s impact unplanned cesareans. Nicole lays out what is considered “normal labor” and why it’s important not jump to declaring arrested labor before active labor starts at 6cm. She also shares factors that may be influencing longer labors and strategies care providers, nurses, and doulas have to help labor progress.  Resources: Due Dates & Induction with Dr. Nicole Calloway Rank

Did you know that a reported 1 out of 5 people who give birth experience PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders)? However, the professionals I have spoken to believe the number is closer to 1 in 3. Today we explore the world of PMADs- how to recognize the line between baby blues and PMADs, when it might be time to seek support, and where to find the help you need. Joining me today on Yoga| Birth| Babies, I have Sydney Pollack-Tobert. Sydney is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), certified perinatal mental health therapist (PMH-C), and a child therapist located on the Upper West Side. Sydney is a mom to one human baby and two dogs- and is a a proud alumn of Prenatal Yoga Center! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and re

Even if a medical intervention isn’t in your birth plan, you should still be educated on it; because, at the end of the day, no one can predict their birth!  Today is all about: epidurals. Joining me today on Yoga| Birth| Babies, I have Erin Capnerhurst. Erin is a wife, mother of three, and a Registered Nurse who has been supporting families through pregnancy and childbirth for 15 years in the hospital, clinic, and birth education settings. Most recently, Erin earned her Prenatal Yoga Teacher certification with the Prenatal Yoga Center!  Are there different types of epidurals? How should you push with an epidural? Is there only one position to push in when you get the epidural? Let’s dive in. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’

Joining me today to share her birth story on Yoga| Birth| Babies, I have Agathe. Originally from Paris, Agathe moved to New York City nine years ago, where she met her husband and, in November 2024, welcomed their baby girl. In this episode, Agathe opens up about the mindfulness practices she created throughout pregnancy in order to help navigate the anxiety she was experiencing during this time. Her embracing of these practices only extended into her birth and postpartum journeys. Agathe’s story is heartfelt, relatable and deeply inspiring, and I hope you enjoy listening to it. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with De

Today we’re diving into a topic I’ve wanted to explore for quite some time now: External Fetal Monitoring (EFM). I held off, however, because I wanted to ensure we had the right medical professional to guide us through this important conversation- and I’m thrilled to say that we do. To have this conversation today with me on Yoga| Birth| Babies I have Caroline Jones. Caroline is a certified nurse midwife practicing in New York City and a childbirth educator with The Parent Collective. She particularly enjoys supporting parents throughout postpartum, and she created the Postpartum Prep Workshop to proactively address common postpartum experiences and concerns.  Caroline lives in Westchester with her husband, toddler, and dog.  In this episode, Caroline draws from her extensive experience as a midwife to shed light on all things EFM. We discuss what it is, the pros and cons, the differences between intermittent and continuous monitoring, and more. We also delve into evidence-based research and explore whi

Newborn babies have some peculiar quirks, habits, and bodily functions. If you’re entering parenthood unfamiliar with what’s normal and what isn’t you might be scared or deeply concerned by things that are pretty routine for new babies.  To have this conversation today with me on Yoga| Birth| Babies I have Dr. Tracey Agnese. Tracey received her undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware.  She graduated from SUNY Downstate medical school and completed her pediatrics residency at NYU. As a Pediatrician and a mom, Dr. Agnese knows how difficult it is to have and care for a newborn baby. She also knows that new moms often neglect taking care of themselves and wants to help change that. Dr. Agnese sees patients in her private practice on the UWS and is also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).  In this episode, Dr. Agnese goes over many things from oddly colored baby poop, to irregular breathing patterns, to signs that something is really wrong and you should consult your

In today’s episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, we’re diving into some of the common—yet often overlooked—stressors of pregnancy. We explore everything from hormonal changes and PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders) to the profound life shifts that come with this transition. We also take a closer look at trauma-informed care: what it really means, how trauma is defined, and how to effectively communicate your needs to your care provider when it comes to support during birth. To have this conversation today with me on Yoga| Birth| Babies I have maternal health specialist Ja’Neen Jenkins. With a deep passion for supporting mothers through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, Ja’Neen integrates her expertise as a licensed mental health therapist, doula, and perinatal coach to provide compassionate, trauma-informed care. Ja’Neen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a Master’s in Teaching from Louisiana College in Pineville, and a Master of Science in Counselin

Today’s episode features one of my favorite kinds of conversations- a community birth story. It’s always such a joy to hear and share the birth stories of students I’ve had the honor of working with in class, throughout their pregnancies, and today’s story is no exception. To have this conversation today with me on Yoga| Birth| Babies I have Mia DiBiase. Mia is 33 years old and lives in Jersey City, NJ with her husband, their dog, and now their new baby. She works at Meta in advertising sales and enjoys staying physically active. Mia is also a PYC alum! What makes Mia’s story especially powerful is her experience with a rare and serious pregnancy complication called vasa previa, diagnosed early on. She opens up about the anxiety that came with this diagnosis, its toll on her mental health, and the steps she took to advocate for herself during pregnancy to gain clarity about what was happening in her body. This advocacy became a foundation of self-trust that supported her throughout her birth, through bo

What do you do when motherhood feels challenging—when it doesn’t come as naturally as you expected? This episode was inspired by honest conversations in my prenatal yoga classes, where some students shared fears about entering parenthood. One even admitted, “I don’t know if I’m very maternal.” That vulnerability struck a chord, and I knew we needed to explore it further. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I sit down again with Paige Bellenbaum, LCSW of The Motherhood Center, for a deep and heartfelt conversation. We talk about the emotional complexities of becoming a parent, especially when expectations and reality don’t align. We dive into the guilt, shame, and comparison that can arise during this transition—and how examining your own values can help shape a more authentic and supported experience of parenthood. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating, supporting, or anticipating the emotional journey into motherhood. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes

Today we are talking about stalling versus flow, in birth, and how your body’s balance, and alignment can play a major role in that process. What does it even mean to be balanced and aligned? To have this conversation today with me on Yoga| Birth| Babies I have Lindsay McCoy.  Lindsay McCoy is an exercise physiologist, an experienced birth doula, and a childbirth educator of 12 years. She combines her knowledge of biomechanics and functional movement with her knowledge of the childbirth process to help prepare the body for birth. She has worked in a clinical setting as an Exercise Physiologist and now works exclusively with the prenatal/postnatal population in private practice. She is the co-founder of the Body Ready Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum, a biomechanics based exercise program. She is also the co-founder of Body Ready Method®, a training for birth professionals. She has trained over 1200 birth professionals and supported 10K+ pregnant families. Her specialty is pelvic biomechanics for pregnancy a

Taking medication while breastfeeding, even taking something as common as Tylenol can be controversial. So what about parents on or who need to start taking medicine like Zoloft, Prozac or other psychotropic medications? Is it safe for both parent and new baby? Today we’re going to talk all about postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression medication and breastfeeding. There are lots of thoughts, stigmas, and fears about this, so I wanted to get to the bottom of breastfeeding your child while taking any sort of mood stabilizing medication. In today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I invited Heather ONeal and Maureen Farrel both midwives, lactation professionals, and hosts of an amazing podcast called The Milk Minute (which I am so excited that I got to be on, so make sure you listen to that)! These ladies have so much amazing information and we get into the nitty gritty. They talk about different types of medication, more popular brands for perinatal folks, how these medicines come into breastmilk, and all

Today, we’re diving into one of my favorite types of conversations- a community birth story. What makes this episode extra special is that it actually includes two birth stories. My guest reflects on both her first and second births, sharing how the challenges she faced during her initial pregnancy and postpartum experience shaped the decisions she made the second time around. To have this conversation with me today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Laura Moore. Laura is an Assistant Principal and former math teacher in the NYC department of Education. Even though she grew up in Texas, she feels more at home in NYC, having lived here for 14 years. She has been practicing yoga since 2018. She lives in Harlem with her husband Hal, 3.5 year old daughter Lucy and newborn son Hunter. In this episode, Laura opens up about the intentional changes she made going into her second birth- from choosing a different care provider to prioritizing her mental health and working through the trauma of her first pregnancy. Spoiler a

Many times, I hear my prenatal students express feeling disconnected from their care provider or uneasy about hospital policies. However, they’ve hired a doula in hopes that that will help them navigate and achieve the birth experience they want. Today, we’re diving into how and why birth preparation goes beyond simply hiring a doula. To have this conversation with me today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Bec Conant. Bec is a respected figure in Boston and New England for her expertise in prenatal care and yoga instruction spanning over two decades. Through her Om Births program, she empowers expecting individuals, guiding them through childbirth and easing their transition into parenthood. Bec is also the author of The Om Births Approach, which explores using yoga to prepare the body, mind, and spirit for birth. In this episode, Bec and I discuss the importance of investigation and education in childbirth. We both believe that true childbirth education and preparation starts with understanding your own birth d