Today we have the opportunity to sit down for an in depth look at postpartum care and how to prepare for this delicate time. Specifically how new parents can navigate and set expectations for your family’s and newborn’s sleep and feeding routine. How sleep affects your milk supply and your newborn’s sleep at night. Listen in on this expert interview, where I learned a few things myself and reviewed tricks to produce sufficient milk supply and newborn healthy feeding habits. You may want to take notes!

Melanie is a certified lactation educator at UCLA and owner of Melanie Wachsman Doula in Los Angeles, CA. She is a Gentle Sleep Educator and consultant and Sleep Savvy certified. You can find more information on her as a maternity expert at doulamellie.com IG @doula_mellie

00:00 Welcome to Episode Nine!

00:45 Introducing Melanie Wachsman Bingham

01:16 The Importance of Newborn Sleep

03:31 Melanie's Journey to Becoming a Doula

04:57 Balancing Sleep and Feeding for Newborns

10:33 Practical Tips for Newborn Sleep Routines

19:31 Managing Parental Sleep Deprivation

24:55 Navigating Cluster Feeding

26:12 The Benefits of Bedside Co-Sleepers

26:38 Understanding Baby's Primal Instincts

28:14 Finding the Right Sleep Setup

29:43 The Role of Partners and Support Systems

30:41 Personal Experiences with Sleep Training

36:25 Different Types of Nighttime Caregivers

45:55 Preparing for Baby's Arrival

50:08 Final Thoughts and Resources

More from Melanie:

Visit her website DoulaMellie.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @doula_mellie

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

Join us for the next Birth Plan Workshop!

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Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

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For the last 60-80 years an incision in the vaginal opening to help the baby come up has been used routinely, with some experts stating, there is no reason not to, so don’t even worry about it!

Yeah.. that was Dr Diethelm specifically, in 1938. Speeding up the pushing stage, helping mom out after pushing for a long time, worrying about the baby being held inside by the tight perineum, trying to avoid major tears by giving a smaller incision, all in the hopes to help out.

Medical and surgical interventions became popular in the 1920s as deliveries moved to the hospital, of course! Most with the best intentions in mind. They thought of a great idea, to use this procedure on everyone and with the help of forceps, totally eliminating the mom from having to push at all! Thanks!

But has the actual evidence held up this theory? Well get into it today! Take what you’ve learned and start the conversation with your provider, remember knowledge is power! Stay informed and stay healthy!

In this episode of the Birth Link Podcast, Colette discusses the topic of episiotomies in detail to help you navigate episiotomies for an empowered birth experience.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Update

00:13 Exciting New Ventures in Maternal and Newborn Care

01:42 The Importance of Birth Plans and Privacy

02:02 Hospital Experiences and Challenges

04:30 Protecting Your Space During Labor

05:37 Introduction to Episiotomies

07:07 History and Evolution of Episiotomies

14:20 Medical Perspectives and Practices

21:29 Conflicting Evidence and Modern Views

23:02 Episiotomy Risks and Recovery

23:16 Hospital Guidelines and Doctor Preferences

23:56 Infection and Pain During Sex

24:30 Severe Perineal Trauma and Fourth Degree Tears

26:15 Shortening the Second Stage of Labor

29:45 Shoulder Dystocia and Episiotomy

31:10 Restrictive Episiotomy Policies

38:18 Factors Increasing Episiotomy Risk

40:02 Factors Lowering Episiotomy Risk

41:22 Importance of Discussing Episiotomy with Your Provider

44:46 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Resources:

• [Fetal expulsion: Which interventions for perineal prevention? CNGOF Perineal Prevention and Protection in Obstetrics Guidelines].
• Riethmuller D, Ramanah R, Mottet N.
• Gynecol Obstet Fertil Senol. 2018 Dec;46(12):937-947. doi: 10.1016/j.gofs.2018.10.029. Epub 2018 Oct 28.
• PMID: 30377094 French.

Mayo Clinic, Labor and delivery, postpartum care; Episiotomy: when it’s needed, when it’s not

Selective versus routine uses of episiotomy for vaginal birth

Hong Jiang 1, Xu Qian 1, Guillermo Carroli 2,...

#1 Best selling author joins us today to speak about her new book The Fastest Way to Fat Loss After 40, a guide to mind, body and spiritual transformation. We touch on how we can use this valuable insight during hormonal changes in adolescence, fertility, pregnancy and postpartum to stay alive in our body’s healthiest potential.

As a registered dietitian and fitness specialist, Cynthia is 20 years into recovery from her own food and body relationship struggles. She has since taught women how to heal their relationship with food and bondage to sugar and discover their capacity to burn excess fat and rise above conventional norms of age-related weight gain and decline in health.

Cynthia graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a bachelor's degree in nutritional science. Following the completion of her bachelors degree she continued to receive her masters in Public Health, Health Education at California State University, Northridge where she also completed her dietetic internship within the college of Family and Consumer Sciences. She is also certified through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as a Health Fitness Specialist and Nutrition and Fitness Specialist. Cynthia is also an AFAA certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer.

Together, we explore Cynthia's new book, 'The Faster Way to Fat Loss After 40,' which provides insights into effective weight loss, hormone balance, and healthy living.

Diving into the importance of mental, physical, and spiritual health, fasting, detoxification, and how to optimize these aspects for better overall well-being, this episode provides practical tips for listeners on achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

02:43 Masterclass and Connecting with Cynthia Ray

04:06 Introducing Cynthia Ray and Her New Book

07:00 Cynthia's Background and Struggles

25:03 The Importance of Visualization and Mindfulness

35:35 Difference between Cleansing, Detoxing, and Fasting

37:11 Understanding Fasting and Its Benefits

37:36 Cleansing and Detoxing During Pregnancy

40:46 The Role of Oxytocin and Cortisol

43:50 Hormonal Hierarchy and Body Fat Loss

47:34 The Importance of Insulin and Blood Sugar

50:26 Fasting and Metabolic Flexibility

52:50 Hunger and Fasting Guidelines

54:54 Building Healthy Habits During Pregnancy

57:54 Fasting According to Your Menstrual Cycle

01:01:00 Final Thoughts and Advice

01:04:45 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

More from Cynthia Ray:

Grab her book: The Faster Way to Fat Loss After 40

Visit her Website CynthiaRay.com

Follow her on Instagram @cynthia_ray01

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

Join us for the next Birth Plan Workshop!

Join the newsletter for behind the scenes and episode insights you don't want to miss!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag...

We learned in Episode 4 the history of cord blood clamping and cutting after a baby is born, so now what are the ACOG recommendations and what do we think NOW regarding risks and benefits?

If the risks are so great, then is there a way for our non vigorous babies to receive the blood quickly, before needing to separate?

We will get into cord blood milking and what are the limitations around it. If you need that precious blood for a sibling though, with a blood disease or cancer, for example, what about collecting the blood? We can collect the blood to donate, save in a bank as insurance, or hope it's a match for a sick family member.

What happens after your baby is born has so many decisions that must be made, often way ahead of time. As with so many things in medicine, there are ethical dilemmas around these choices.

Join me in this episode to understand how to navigate your birthing options as well as the benefits and practices of cord blood banking, cord milking, and delayed cord clamping.

For more information on anything you heard today, check the resources below.

01:29 Improving Interview Skills and Seeking Feedback

02:15 The Importance of Feeling Heard in Healthcare

03:37 Bridging the Gap Between Natural and Medical Birth Practices

05:04 Exploring Cord Blood Benefits and Practices

06:47 Delayed Cord Clamping: Benefits and Practices

10:23 Risks and Considerations of Delayed Cord Clamping

15:50 Cord Milking: An Alternative in Emergencies

20:50 Ethical Dilemmas in Cord Blood Banking

26:33 Statistics and Research on Stem Cell Transplants

27:32 Family Medical History and Cord Blood Banking

29:09 Public vs. Private Cord Blood Banking

31:12 Preparing for Cord Blood Collection

33:26 Medical Recommendations and Ethical Considerations

36:20 Discussing Cord Blood Collection with Your Provider

41:28 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

43:28 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Topics

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join the Birth Link waitlist!

Join the weekly Birth Plan Workshop every Sunday!

Join us for the Childbirth Crash Course!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

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Colette welcomes Dr. Joselyn Rodriguez to discuss the significance of pelvic floor health, common postpartum issues, and practical tips for labor.

She enjoys working with moms at every phase of their lives, and her passion is to improve their movement and confidence in their bodies, teaching moms how to prep, how to push, and how to recover, effectively and appropriately.

As a board-certified orthopedic specialist, Dr. Joselyn provides a full body approach to helping women achieve their goals and specializes in prenatal care and labor preparation, postpartum care, and overall wellness.

With a unique focus on pelvic floor care, Dr. Joselyn helps women assess what matters most to them and supports them in working toward their goals.

Whether preparing for a more seamless labor and delivery, walking without pain, or being at their fittest level postpartum, Dr. Joselyn is dedicated to helping moms succeed. She believes an active mom is a healthy one who can participate physically and be present mentally.

Colette and Dr. Joselyn both emphasize the importance of preparation, education, and self-advocacy in minimizing trauma and ensuring a more positive birthing experience.

01:17 Finding Inspiration and New Mentors

03:14 Meeting Dr. Joselyn Rodriguez

09:04 The Importance of Self-Care and Advocacy

09:58 Dr. Joselyn's Background and Passion for Pelvic Floor Health

15:04 Common Issues and Tips for Pelvic Floor Health

20:11 The Role of Physical Fitness in Pregnancy and Postpartum

27:53 Challenging the Norms of Postpartum Care

29:11 The Importance of Proper Pushing Techniques

32:28 Pelvic Floor Therapy: A Game Changer

35:38 Empowering Women Through Education and Advocacy

40:57 The Impact of Birth Trauma and the Need for Change

45:07 Final Thoughts and Resources

More from Dr. Joselyn:

Visit her website www.jaept.com

Follow her on Instagram and TikTok: @thepelvictrainer

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join the Birth Link waitlist!

Join the weekly Birth Plan Workshop every Sunday!

Join us for the Childbirth Crash Course!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

Stay Connected:

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Time to start thinking about what’s in your birth plan… and some of the MOST important things to put on that plan are the options you have and may not know if RIGHT AFTER delivery.

Like, a minute after to be specific. You’re overwhelmed with emotion, exhaustion and awe of the new baby laying on your chest. The new face that you finally get to kiss, the new eyes you get to look into and the cute little hand you get to hold… while quite a few things are going on around you that you may have no clue about! Maybe I will name this series, The First 15! The first 15 minutes, what is happening and what conversation do you want to have with your provider beforehand.

Today we dive into cord clamping… and discover the history of immediate and delayed cord clamping. What has evidence shown over the last hundred years and where are we today?

To make the right choices, we need to understand the reason WHY. So let’s dive in!

This episode will help you understand delayed cord clamping, and its history, evidence, and current practices.

Discussing the historical context and evolution of cord clamping practices, the benefits and potential risks involved, and how these practices can be part of your birth plan, this episode also touches on the varying current practices and recommendations from medical organizations like ACOG and the WHO.

00:00 Introduction to the Birth Link Podcast

00:09 The First 15 Minutes After Birth

01:11 Delayed Cord Clamping: An Overview

02:10 History of Cord Clamping Practices

05:04 Modern Practices and Recommendations

29:56 Upcoming Topics and Workshops

31:45 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Resources from this episode:

Mayo Clinic Health System: Speaking of Health 6.30.22 Delayed umbilical cord clamping benefits baby, affects cord blood donation

NIH: National Library of Medicine; JR Soc Med. 2012 Aug; 105(8): 325-329. Doi: 10.1258/jrsm.2012.110316 PMCID: PMC3423128 | PMID: 22907549 Historical perspectives on umbilical cord clamping and neonatal transition; Candice L Downey and Susan Bewley

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join the Birth Link waitlist!

Join the weekly Birth Plan Workshop every Sunday!

Join us for the Childbirth Crash Course!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

Stay Connected:

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Today we welcome Sara to the podcast, a longtime friend and colleague, who shares an incredible and unexpected birth story with us.

Sara Kendryna has been a labor and delivery nurse for over 10 years working at a community hospital in Glendale, CA. In 2018, she went back to school at Cal State Fullerton to complete a 3 year Masters program where she became a certified nurse midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner.

She is now working with patients that have high risk pregnancies doing ultrasounds and fetal heart rate monitoring (NST testing). She also has two boys that are 3 and 1 years old. She always wanted a fast delivery, the first not being quite the opposite, but the second, making up for it in a big way! I couldn’t help but bring her one to share her exciting birth story with us!

This conversation highlights the unpredictable nature of childbirth, even for experienced medical professionals, and underscores the importance of trusting one's instincts and being prepared for anything.

Sara discusses her preparation for a smooth hospital delivery, the sudden onset of a precipitous labor, and practical tips for handling emergency births.

02:36 Introducing Sara: A Special Guest

05:11 Sara's Journey to Midwifery

06:04 Masterclass and Birth Stories

11:44 Sara's First Birth Story: Cole

14:26 Sara's Second Birth Story

25:34 Unexpected Car Birth

26:05 Doctor's Reaction and Precipitous Labor

26:42 Preparation for Quick Deliveries

28:50 Personal Birth Stories and Experiences

30:41 Handling Emergency Births

38:32 The Importance of Staying Calm

43:37 Final Thoughts and Advice

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join the Birth Link waitlist!

Join the weekly Birth Plan Workshop every Sunday!

Join us for the Childbirth Crash Course!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

Stay Connected:

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Dive into the crucial first moments after birth, focusing on APGAR scores and their history, baby massage, and newborn tips.

Joined by physical therapist and infant massage instructor, Dr. Penny Hicks, this conversation covers practical tips for new parents, particularly around infant massage techniques to help with common issues like gas.

Stay tuned for the end of this episode for an informative segment on the APGAR score system, where Colette dives deeper into APGAR scores, its history, and its current relevance.

This episode aims to provide valuable insights for expecting and new parents.

02:28 Interview with Penny Hicks: Baby Massage

04:07 Personal Updates and Detox Journey

07:52 Insights on Parenting and Infant Care

22:53 Listening to Your Heart: A Personal Journey

24:45 Tips for Relieving Baby's Gas

30:56 Understanding the APGAR Scoring System

33:33 The History and Impact of the APGAR Score

37:40 Modern Use and Limitations of the APGAR Score

44:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

More from Dr. Penny Hicks:

Foll her on Instagram @pennyjhicksdpt

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join the Birth Link waitlist!

Join the weekly Birth Plan Workshop every Sunday!

Join us for the Childbirth Crash Course!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

Stay Connected:

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FaceBook