Welcome to The Birth Link, where we dive into the overwhelming and transformative experience of pregnancy, addressing your biggest fears, concerns, and need for connection among expecting mothers. I’m your host, Colette, a seasoned labor and delivery nurse and mother of two. This podcast is here to connect you with a community of fellow moms, expert advice, and reliable medical information. Each episode is designed to empower you with personal stories, practical tips, and the latest medical ...
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We’re exploring option from conception to childhood to help women take control of their fertility, birth experience, postpartum healing, and motherhood journey! This is a safe space for all parents to hear what the experts have to say and to hear from influencer parents and their take on parenthood! Join us for all things birth and parenthood for an empowering and educational walk with a birth and newborn expert and the found of Tranquility by HeHe Maternity Concierge, HeHe Stewart.
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What is Hypnobirth and Why It’s Right For You with Lynsey
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Lynsey McGillivray, owner of Born This Way Hypnobirthing, doula and registered midwife joins us this week from Scotland to discuss what hypnobirthing is. We dispel the myths and misconceptions that come with the name, and why it should be available to EVERY pregnant woman and her partner to utilize in birth. To work with Lynsey visit her website bo…
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Erythromycin and Your Newborn: Making the Decision
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Welcome to the world, now let us protect you! Learn more about one of the very first medications given to your baby, right after birth, to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis, or pink eye, specifically from gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae). Using the acronym once again, PIEDAY, we review the prophylactic treatment by considering the Problem, Incidence…
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Healing in Parenthood with Psychedelic Integration and IFS with Mendy McNulty
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Mendy McNulty is a dedicated mother of four and a skilled IFS and Psychedelic Integration Coach with over 16 years of experience in education and 4 years as a children’s pastor. She founded Self Led Integration, where she helps individuals navigate their inner world using the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Men…
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Vitamin K and The Newborn: Making a Decision When It Feels Like the Decision Has Been Made For You
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The First 15 Series continues as we discuss baby medications, specifically in today’s episode, Vitamin K Injection. This is a decision you will be making, whether you know it or not, for your baby and will be done pretty shortly after birth. Usually by your nurse after the first hour, or even in the recovery room while you are getting cleaned up in…
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Mental Health Changes During Pregnancy and Postpartum with Shoshie Askren
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Shoshie joins us as a mental health consultant and social worker with Family Tree Wellness in the Los Angeles Westside area. She provides mental health support for pregnancy, postpartum, fertility challenges, parenthood, trauma, loss and beyond. She works with a team of therapists both in person and virtually, who have extensive training and expert…
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Ep. 298: How Hospital Staff Can Compassionately Support Families After Fetal Loss with L&D RN, Heidi Nielsen
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Join HeHe and Labor & Delivery RN, Heidi Nielsen, to discuss the gap in care that exists within the hospital system when a fetal loss occurs. Many loss families report that their hospital staff did not deliver trauma-informed & compassionate care during the most dark of times. Heidi shares that nursing schools and the medical system does a very poo…
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297: Navigating Loss: A Stillbirth Journey, Personal Healing and Hope for Others with Ana Lepe Vick
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In this heartfelt episode, HeHe is joined by Ana Lepe Vick, a loss mom who courageously shares the story of her son, Owen, and her experience with preventable stillbirth. Together, they shed light on the disparities within the U.S. healthcare system and the critical gaps in care that may have saved Owen’s life if Ana’s concerns had been taken serio…
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Beyond the Clock: Exploring the Pros and Cons of the Golden Hour
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We continue in The First 15 Series by diving into what the hospital calls The Golden Hour, that precious time we can spend with our baby, bonding skin to skin with a limited amount of interruptions. We will discuss the benefits that have been proven during this time and the importance of a more hands off approach during this period. I will also dis…
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296: Adult Tongue Ties & the Release Process with Dr. Lizzie Sobel, DC
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Dr. Lizzie rejoins the show to delve into the specifics of adult tongue tie, its signs, and how chiropractic care can be a beneficial option for recovery. The discussion covers the anatomical and structural aspects of tongue ties, their impact on feeding in infants, and the potential benefits of body work before considering surgical interventions. …
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Ep. 295: Navigating Maternity Care Deserts & Midwifery in Mississippi with Amanda Smith in Mississippi with Amanda Smith, CPM, LM
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HeHe is joined by Amanda, a certified professional and licensed midwife in Mississippi, to discuss the challenges and intricacies of maternity care in a state with high birth-related statistics but limited healthcare options. They explore the current state of midwifery in Mississippi, including the types of midwives, their credentials, and the lack…
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Prepare for Breastfeeding Success During Pregnancy with Jaimie Zaki, IBCLC
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Jaimie Zaki is a military wife, mom of 5, nurse, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. After Jaimie struggled to breastfeed her oldest and experienced medical gaslighting by doctors and lactation consultants, she learned the secret to breastfeeding success wasn't about luck. It was about foundational knowledge, support, and self-a…
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Ep. 294: Everything You Need to Know about Epidurals with Labor Junkie RN
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In this episode, Labor Junkie RN joins us to dive deep into everything you need to know about epidurals. Listen along as they debunk common myths and provide crucial insights on epidurals. Understand the administration process, potential side effects, and the importance of informed consent. They dive into the details of epidural placement, the role…
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Placenta Encapsulation: History, Evidence, and Current Practices
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Are you a birth nerd interested in the first 15 minutes after birth and everything that happens within those first 15 minutes? Such as decisions you need to make and include in your birth plan. Then tune into this first 15 series for in depth knowledge on what’s going on within the first 15 minutes, the history, current practices, and YOUR options.…
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Why Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is Essential During Pregnancy with Dr. Rachael Cappuccino
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Today I’m welcoming Dr. Rachael Cappuccino to The Birth Link podcast! Rachael started Cappuccino Physical Therapy after the birth of her two children because she believes that an active lifestyle does not end with motherhood. Having experienced both a vaginal delivery and cesarean, Rachael understands the physical challenges that come from birth. T…
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Pitocin to Prevent Postpartum Hemorrhage, History and Current Practices
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The First 15 continues, closing out the triad of active management of the third stage of labor. To accompany cord clamping (now delayed 60 sec), cord traction and uterine massage. Doing our part to lower maternal death, the leading cause being hemorrhaging by including not only as a treatment, but as prevention. In the hospital, most providers choo…
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Newborn Sleep and Feeding Tips with Melanie Wachsman Bingham
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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 intervie…
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Ep. 293: The Golden Hour with Colette Wagholikar, L&D RN
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Join HeHe and Colette, also known as 'My Friends a Nurse,' as they delve into the concept of the 'golden hour'—the crucial time period immediately after childbirth. This episode covers what the golden hour entails, its benefits for mother and baby, and how to navigate potential challenges in a hospital setting. They also discuss important newborn a…
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Ep. 292: VBAC Water Birth with Jess Jaruczyk
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Jess shares her inspiring water birth story with HeHe on this episode of the podcast, marking the first time this topic is explored on the show. She recounts her journey from her first challenging labor to her triumphant fifth birth, a water birth of her baby boy. Jess delves into her experience with hospital births, including an emergency C-sectio…
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Episiotomies: History, Evidence and Current Practices
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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 bei…
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Ep. 291: How to Build Self-Advocacy Skills for Navigating the Hospital with Ellese Nickels, PFPT
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Join HeHe and Dr. Ellese Nickels as they dive into the complex world of birth options and healthcare navigation. Ellese, a pelvic floor physical therapist, shares her two vastly different birth stories—one in a local birth center during the pandemic and another in a hospital setting following startling ultrasound results. Together, they explore the…
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Ep. 290: Could Catheters be causing Unnecessary Cesareans? with Dr. Douglas Wood, OBGYN
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Dr. Wood joins the show to discuss his groundbreaking new invention aimed at reducing unnecessary C-sections. The conversation explores the evolving trends in epidural use, the importance of patient autonomy, and effective coaching during labor. Dr. Wood elaborates on the issues surrounding 'failure to progress' and introduces his innovative cathet…
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Ep. 289: Unpacking the Role of Ethics in Birth with Jennifer Dunatov
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Join HeHe and Dr. Jennifer Dunatov, an ethicist, in an eye-opening conversation about the vital role of ethics in childbirth. Discover what an ethicist does, how ethics consultations can support both patients and providers, and the complexities of navigating medical dilemmas in birthing spaces. Learn about real-life scenarios, the importance of pat…
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Losing Weight as Women, During Pregnancy, Postpartum and Over 40 with Cynthia Ray
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#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 die…
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Ep. 288: How Pitocin Impacts Labor: Evidence-Based Insights and Best Practices with Jen Atkisson, RN
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Join HeHe in an enlightening conversation with Labor & Delivery nurse Jen Atkisson, known as the 'Pitocin Queen,' as they dive deep into the controversial use of Pitocin in labor and delivery. In this episode, they discuss when and why Pitocin might be used, how to use it responsibly, and the critical importance of evidence-based practices. Jen sha…
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What Are Your Options: Cord Blood Banking, Cord Milking, or Delayed Clamping?
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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 …
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Ep. 287: Choosing an Egg Donor with Laura Watson
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Today, HeHe is joined by fertility coach, Laura Watson, to explore the conversation of growing your family through donor eggs, how to navigate that decision making process and what that process looks like! Laura shares the various routes families can consider when trying to find a donor, how to discover agencies in your area and how to talk to your…
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Ep. 286: The Role of Mitochondria in Fertility with Dr. Kalea Wattles
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Join HeHe as she sits down with Dr. Kalea Wattles to uncover the overlooked connection between mitochondrial health and fertility. In this episode, Dr. Wattles explains the fundamental role of mitochondria in cellular energy production and how it impacts ovulation, egg quality, and overall reproductive health. She delves into the significance of mi…
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Protecting Our Pelvis in Pregnancy and Beyond with Dr Joselyn Rodriguez
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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, effect…
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Ep. 285: Understanding Sperm Quality with Dr. Jessica Ryneic, OBGYN/REI
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Join HeHe as she sits down with Dr. Jessica Ryniec from CCRM Fertility of Boston to delve into the crucial topic of sperm quality and male fertility. In this episode, they discuss what sperm quality means, how sperm analysis is conducted, and the impact of lifestyle, supplements, and medications on sperm health. Dr. Ryniec also provides insights in…
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Ep. 284: Understanding Egg Quality with Ashe Milkovic
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Join HeHe as she welcomes Ashe to the show to dive into the latest insights on fertility, specifically focusing on egg and follicle quality. They discuss the science behind egg development, the impact of lifestyle and diet on fertility, and the critical role of follicle health. Ashe also debunks common myths and emphasizes the importance of underst…
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Understanding Delayed Cord Clamping: History, Evidence, and Current Practices
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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,…
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Ep. 283: Your Legal Rights & Informed Consent in Childbirth: Insights from Advocate & Lawyer Hermine Hayes-Klein
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Join HeHe as she delves into an important conversation with lawyer Hermine Hayes-Klein on the legal challenges and solutions surrounding informed consent and women's rights in childbirth. The episode discusses systemic flaws in the U.S. hospital system that often violate birthing individuals' rights and how these can be tackled. Hayes-Klein shares …
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Delivering in the Car: Sara’s Unexpected Birth Story
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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 sh…
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Ep. 282: Understanding Vasa Previa, VCI & MCI: Rare Umbilical Cord Insertions Explained with OBGYN, Nathan Riley
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Join HeHe and Dr. Nathan Riley as they delve into the complexities of Marginal Cord Insertion (MCI), Velamentous Cord Insertion (VCI), and Vasa Previa, rare conditions that affect the umbilical cord's attachment to the placenta. Dr. Riley explains these conditions in detail, discusses their implications for labor and delivery, and provides guidance…
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