She Found Motherhood Podcast

The experience of pain in labour is shaped by many factors - previous experiences, as well as emotional, physical, motivational, cognitive, social, and cultural circumstances. In this episode, Drs. Alicia and Sarah explore both medicinal and non-medicinal strategies for managing pain, with a special focus on epidurals (a topic we’re often asked about!). Understanding your options is key to making decisions that feel right for you, even when labour doesn’t go entirely according to plan. To support you, we’ve put together a free handout on the Risks and Benefits of Epidurals and How to Support Your Partner in Labour, along with related episodes on Hypnobirthing and Waterbirths. Subscribe to The Pregnancy to Parenthood Podcast Series! For the low, one-time cost of $47, get full access to over 40 informative episodes supporting you week by week, focused on the trimester and stage of pregnancy you are in. Tune in every week, or binge listen all at once and come back to the episodes you found most helpful as you move through pregnancy to parenthood! *This episode is a re-release. Original release date: April 19, 2023.

Have you ever scrolled past those dreamy photos of a glowing mama-to-be strolling through a field, toddlers trailing happily behind, or a newborn swaddled and sleeping like an angel - and thought, there’s no way my kids would sit still for that? Or maybe, “I’d love newborn photos, but right now just making it to the doctor feels like a win.” In this episode, Amanda from Island Roots Photography - who specializes in motherhood and family photography - pulls back the curtain and shares her perspective from behind the lens. She offers practical tips to take the stress out of maternity and family shoots, plus her best advice for capturing the kinds of images you and your children will treasure for a lifetime. Head over to Amanda's Island Roots Photography Instagram or website to book a session! Taking you from anxious and overwhelmed to confident during your childbirth experience: Pregnancy to Parenthood Online Prenatal Masterclass. *This episode is a re-release. Original release date: March 22, 2023.

You’ve probably had plenty of people give you advice on what to pack in your hospital bag - or maybe you haven’t even started thinking about it yet. Either way, this episode is for you! Drs. Sarah and Alicia have supported thousands of pregnant people through labour and delivery, and with five hospital births of their own, they’re sharing their Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know You Needed in Your Hospital Bag, all based on real, first-hand experience both as doctors and labouring mothers! Tune in to today’s episode and grab our FREE Essential Packing List! For any other must-have items mentioned - like an extra-long charging cable for Apple or Android - head over to our She Found Motherhood Amazon Store. Newborn Sleep 101 Online Course: Newborns are sweet little packages who tend to not like their parents to sleep! But we can help them sleep better and as a result parents can sleep better as well! *This episode is a re-release. Original release date: March 8, 2023.

You asked, and we answered all of your burning questions about Cesarean Sections! In this episode, Dr. Sarah and Alicia cover the ideal spacing between pregnancies after a C-section, what determines the type of wound closure used, and why some people might choose an elective C-section even when it isn’t medically required. Be sure to download our Birth Preferences Guide or sign up for our Birth Preferences Mini Course! For a deeper dive into everything from pregnancy and labor to postpartum and newborn care, check out our Pregnancy to Parenthood Masterclass, which includes five modules, expert interviews, a look inside birthing spaces, and so much more. And if you’re looking for more, here are some of the helpful episodes and resources we reference throughout the conversation: To TOLAC or not to TOLAC… That is the question! Twin Pregnancies C-Section Scar Recovery with Janette Yee Top 5 Reasons for Cesarean Birth Silicone Scar Sheets Download our FREE Perineal Massage Guide *This episode is a re-release. Original release date: February 22, 2023.

If you're a regular listener and follower of our Instagram account @She.Found.Motherhood, you know that every Sunday we do a Q&A with our community where we try to answer as many of your burning questions as we can—but we often don’t have the capacity to get through all of them! So we decided to answer your most frequently asked, crucial questions here on the podcast in what is part one of many in the series over the coming months. Enjoy! Check out the following for a bit of extra knowledge: Morning Sickness: The low down on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy Constipation & hemorrhoids in pregnancy | How to Treat Naturally at Home Download our Free Guide on Perineal Massage! Sign up for our FREE Birth Preferences Mini-Course to ensure you are as prepared as possible for your big day! *This episode is a re-release. Original release date: October 5, 2022.  

Today on the She Found Motherhood podcast, we’re joined by one of our favourite returning guests - Melissa Dessaulles (BScPT, BScKin), pelvic physiotherapist, founder of The Pelvic Floor Project Space, and mom of two! Dr. Alicia and Mel dive into what pelvic physio actually is, breaking down common misconceptions and shedding light on what happens during both prenatal and postpartum care. From back pain and hemorrhoids to the role of rest and early intervention, they explore why you don’t have to wait until six weeks postpartum to start healing - and how virtual sessions can make recovery more accessible than ever. Whether you're expecting, newly postpartum, or supporting someone who is, this episode is a must-listen. It’s not as scary (or invasive!) as you might think. Listen now and explore Mel’s work: Podcast: The Pelvic Floor Project Website: pelvicfloorprojectspace.com Subscribe to The Pregnancy to Parenthood Podcast Series! For the low, one-time cost of $47, get full access to over 40 informative episodes supporting you week by week, focused on the trimester and stage of pregnancy you are in. Tune in every week, or binge listen all at once and come back to the episodes you found most helpful as you move through pregnancy to parenthood! *This episode is a re-release. Original release date: August 24, 2022.

Let’s get straight to it - Drs. Alicia and Sarah have put together a list of 6 things nobody tells you about postpartum! Tune in to discover what to expect from the unexpected (yet completely normal). Be sure to check out the links they mention below for more helpful resources, guides, and tips. For more on some of the topics discussed, listen to our podcast episodes on Diastasis Recti in Pregnancy with Kim Vopni (The Vagina Coach) and Postpartum Pelvic Floor Recovery with Mel Desaulles from MommyBerries. And don’t miss our FREE Postpartum Checklist - packed with must-have products and practical essentials for the postpartum period. Plus, visit our She Found Motherhood Amazon Store for links to many of these great items! Ready to go from feeling anxious and overwhelmed to confident and prepared for your childbirth experience? Join our Pregnancy to Parenthood Online Prenatal Masterclass. *This episode is a re-release. Original release date: June 15, 2022.

Pregnancy can sometimes feel like a long nine months - but the arrival of baby (and all the planning that comes with it) often sneaks up faster than expected! One area that can catch many off guard is preparing for maternity leave. It’s a major pause in a person’s career, often at a pivotal moment, and transitioning into - and out of - it can be more complex than it appears. That’s exactly why today’s guest, Sonja Baikogli Foley, co-founded Maturn, Canada’s first comprehensive program designed to support self-identifying women through the full arc of maternity leave. Born from a desire to help women make this time intentional and empowering, Maturn offers guidance, tools, and community for a smoother transition. Join Sonja and Dr. Alicia as they explore how to prepare for maternity leave and reclaim this significant chapter with confidence and clarity. Consider becoming a Maturn Member! Canada’s first comprehensive program supporting mothers throughout their entire maternity leave with the *exact* tools, connections and compassionate resources required so you can transition back to work with greater ease and less self-doubt. Newborn Sleep 101: Newborns are sweet little packages who tend to not like their parents to sleep! But we can help them sleep better and as a result parents can sleep better as well!  *This episode is a re-release. Original release date: March 2, 2022.  

Maintaining some movement and exercise during pregnancy can help decrease aches & pains, prepares you for the physical act of labour, and can aid in postpartum recovery. But what about more intense work-out regimens or strength training? Dr. Alicia chats with Rebecca Tranter, registered massage therapist, Level 1 certified CrossFit trainer, and expectant mama-to-be about her pregnancy journey in strength training as well as an unexpected diagnosis in her 1st trimester.  If you have any questions for Rebecca, feel free to reach out at | IG: @rebeccatranter  E-Mail: rebeccaltranter@gmail.com | Gyms Rebecca coaches at: CrossFit Zone & Forge Victoria Other resources: Robyn Rayner, RMT and Pregnancy and Postpartum Coach: @taranis.mom.strong Brianna Battles: @pregnant.postpartum.athlete Mobility Movement: Great momma bear pregnancy series with a list of modifications for the gym. Taking you from anxious and overwhelmed to confident during your childbirth experience: Pregnancy to Parenthood Online Prenatal Masterclass. *This episode is a re-release. Original release date: February 2, 2022.

Feeling frazzled, overwhelmed, or just plain anxious all the time? You’re not alone - and this brand new She Found Motherhood Podcast episode is for you. Dr. Sarah Lea sits down with the incredible Rachel Mark - Registered Acupuncturist, Integrative Health Coach, and self-proclaimed body-nerd with degrees in Kinesiology, Acupuncture, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. What do these fields all have in common? They have formed Rachel's journey to deepening her understanding of the nervous system and the body's incredible interconnectedness in its ability to heal. Dr. Lea and Rachel unpack the trickle-down effect of constant stress and overwhelm, especially in motherhood, and share relatable, real-life insights alongside practical tools to help you shift from “always on” to more ease and balance between your sympathetic and parasympathetic states. For a deeper dive, be sure to check out Radiant Effect, an online somatic coaching community, and Rachel's Instagram, at RachelMark.ca and website!

As we've often said, education is a form of healthcare. When it comes to your pelvic health, the more you understand about the physiology of the area and the changes that occur during pregnancy and childbirth, the more empowered you’ll feel. Today, we’re speaking with Aliya Dhalla, a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, about the basic structure of the pelvic floor, how it changes during pregnancy, and how and when a physiotherapist can be helpful - even through remote consultations that equip you with the tools and knowledge to understand and heal your own body. You can learn more about Aliya’s work at boxwellness.co and follow her on Instagram at @boxwellnessco. Subscribe to The Pregnancy to Parenthood Podcast Series! For the low, one-time cost of $47, get full access to over 40 informative episodes supporting you week by week, focused on the trimester and stage of pregnancy you are in. Tune in every week, or binge listen all at once and come back to the episodes you found most helpful as you move through pregnancy to parenthood!

Today Dr. Alicia and Dr. Pip Houghton discuss a topic that is near and dear to their hearts - how to babyproof your relationship. The arrival of a newborn will undoubtedly create a new dynamic within your family unit, and while it brings great joy, we also run the risk of being blindsided by the challenges of this shift while also experiencing heightened stress due to increased responsibilities and lack of sleep. The best remedy is to have a discussion with your partner and lay out a plan before the arrival of baby - but it’s never too late! Listen to this podcast for four tips on how to go about it and what to address! Fair Play by Eve Rodsky Audiobook on Audible Buy on Amazon Newborn Sleep 101 Newborns are sweet little packages who tend to not like their parents to sleep! But we can help them sleep better and as a result parents can sleep better as well! 

There is a lot doctors and scientists still don’t fully understand about what includes labour, both pre and at term. But we do know that there are treatments that can reduce your chance of having a preterm birth, especially if you have had one in the past. Preterm birth can be especially traumatic for those living in remote communities which is why in our guests on today’s podcast, Drs. Kirsten Duckitt and Jennifer Kask, developed a prevention of preterm birth pathway in Northern Vancouver Island that is spreading to other remote communities. They share with us a moving story of a pregnant individual from a remote community who had her baby in their hospital, and break down the definitions and rates of preterm birth, risks to mama and baby, and how they can be decreased. Listen to our podcast on Being a NICU parent! Taking you from anxious and overwhelmed to confident during your childbirth experience: Pregnancy to Parenthood Online Prenatal Masterclass. *This episode is a re-release. Original release date: November 3, 2021.

Why do we even bother with car seats? Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of preventable death in children ages one through nine in Canada. Driving is one of the most dangerous things that we do, and most of us do it on a daily basis with our children in the mix. The good news is, child safety seats have been shown to reduce fatal injury by 71% for infants under 1 year, 54% for toddlers ages 1-4 years, and 45% for children ages 4-8 years - but they are only effective if used properly, and studies have shown that up to 90% of child restraints are installed or used improperly! Sean Linnenbruegger is the owner of Safe Seats, a Nationally CPSAC-Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician-Instructor (CPST-I), and the proud mum of two very busy boys, ages 6 and 10. Tune into today’s podcast with Sean and Dr. Alicia as they discuss many tips in detail, providing you with the skills and confidence to install and use your seats properly 100% of the time, and the peace of mind that you’re doing everything you can to keep your children as safe as possible in their car seat! Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada (CPSAC): Find a Tech Winter Safety & Car Seats - a helpful guide to winter attire that passes the (pinch) test! www.safeseatsottawa.com  FB: fb.com/SafeSeatsOttawa IG: @safeseatsottawa  Learn about tips & tricks for newborn sleep with She Found Health’s Newborn Sleep 101 Course!

When is the best time to start introducing my baby to solid foods? How will I know they are ready? What kind of foods should I give them? Is it better to offer whole foods, or purées? How long do I wait between introducing them to new foods? What about allergens!? HELP! If any of these questions have crossed your mind, today’s podcast is necessary listening! Dr. Alicia and Nita Sharda, BSc, a Registered Dietitian, and co-founder of Happy Health Eaters discuss all of the above and help you demystify the various guidelines and misinformation you may come across on the weird, wild web. Nita has also generously offered our listeners 15% off of their online course, Start Solids Confidently, helping parents feel confident about introducing their baby to solid food. Use the code SFH15 for 15% off at check-out! And be sure to check-out Happy Health Eaters on social media: IG: @happyhealtheaters  TikTok: @happyhealthyeaters Free download: 5 Feeding Fears Sign up for our FREE Birth Preferences Mini-Course to ensure you are as prepared as possible for your big day! Follow the links below!

How does your blood type affect your pregnancy? Join Drs. Sarah and Alicia on today’s podcast as they break down how your blood type may put your baby at risk - but don’t worry! This only occurs in a very specific circumstance that is found in a percentually low number of people. And with proper screening and treatment, the risks of any complications to your, your baby, and any future pregnancies is basically eliminated. Thanks for letting us geek out and share our love of the physiology of pregnancy with you - we hope you enjoy and learn something too! Subscribe to The Pregnancy to Parenthood Podcast Series! For the low, one-time cost of $47, get full access to over 40 informative episodes supporting you week by week, focused on the trimester and stage of pregnancy you are in. Tune in every week, or binge listen all at once and come back to the episodes you found most helpful as you move through pregnancy to parenthood!

Here’s the big secret we’re revealing at the start of today’s episode - every baby is unique! When it comes to sleep, what works for one baby might not work for another, even within the same family. Our guest, Valerie Groysman, a Registered Social Worker, M.S.W., R.S.W., and Infant + Child Mental Health Specialist, learned this firsthand with her own two babies and through counseling hundreds of families. Tune in to hear Valerie’s Top 5 Newborn Sleep Tips and learn why creating connection and peacefulness around sleep is so important for both you and your baby. For more insights, check out Wake Windows and Sleep Cues: Unlocking the Mysteries of Baby Sleep. Grab your free Baby Sleep Guide here! Or sign up for the Talkin' Sleep Baby Sleep Essentials Courses! Follow on Instagram: @talkin.sleep Visit: talkinsleep.com

Staying active during pregnancy isn't just for your overall health - it can also play a big role in how you experience labour. Evidence shows that regular physical activity can help shorten labour and better prepare your body for the physical demands of childbirth. After baby arrives, it’s all about rebuilding your strength, starting slow and steady, and adding new movements as your body heals. In today’s episode, we’re chatting with Robyn Rayner, a Registered Massage Therapist, CrossFit Level 2 Coach, and Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coach, about how to stay strong through pregnancy and the postpartum journey. Robyn offers actionable tips on how to approach fitness during these pivotal times, plus a deep dive into the importance of rehab and recovery after birth. Bonus: Robyn is offering our listeners an exclusive 25% discount on her virtual pregnancy and postpartum exercise program! To claim it, simply DM her on Instagram and let her know you heard about the deal on the She Found Motherhood Podcast! Find out more at: www.robynrayner.ca Follow Robyn on Instagram: @taranis.mom.strong

In this insightful, heartfelt, and engaging episosde, Dr. Sarah is joined in conversation with Eileen March, a former midwife turned intuitive coach, wild medicine energy healer, and "slow living witch" - a title that reclaims the connection to feminine wisdom and creating a culture of care for community. They delve deep into the profound importance of rest, exploring how societal pressures and personal beliefs about productivity impact our ability to rest and rejuvenate. Eileen shares her journey from midwifery to coaching with meaningful insight, emphasizing the vital need to reclaim rest as an inherent human right! They discuss actionable steps to incorporate rest into daily life, challenge the narratives that glorify busyness, and highlight the emotional aspects tied to rest, worthiness, and community. To learn more about Eileen, be sure to check-out her website, www.myluminouslife.ca, or her Instagram. For further reading, consider these recommendations from Eileen! Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey

Today’s episode is necessary listening for every prospective or current parent, grandparent, caretaker or even anyone who might be looking to add life-saving to their list of life skills! Because as me and Holly Choi - our wonderful and extremely knowledgeable guest on today’s podcast - conclude at the end of the episode, it's so important that everyone has some life saving skills for their family. Holly Choi is the Co-Owner of Safe Beginning First Aid, a Lifesaving Society-Certified First Aid Instructor, a CPSAC-Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician-Instructor, and dedicated mom to two daughters, ages 1 and 4. She shares with us her top four lessons parents need to know right off the bat. For example - did you know that even your newborn can roll themselves over (and off of a change table or bed)? Every parent makes mistakes and that’s only human, but tune in to today’s podcast to dispel common misconceptions, learn ways to reduce the risk of accidents, and for recommendations on how to make the safest environment possible for your baby, including checking out some of the great resources we discuss, below. Holly Choi | Co-Ownder + Instructor https://safebeginnings.ca/  IG: @safebeginnings Promo code20% off online courses: shefoundhealth Safer Sleep for My Baby: Helping Parents and Caregivers Create a Safe Sleep Plan Safer Infant Sleep: A practice support tool for healthcare professionals