What is a compound presentation and how can it make the birthing process potentially more challenging for both the one giving birth and baby? In this episode Chiropractor and Dynamic Body Balancing maven, Kristen Hosaka joins us! She shares absolutely fascinating insights into how she learned to identify compound presentations in utero, what to do to help baby, and why we should even consider how the baby is experiencing the birthing process and the lasting implications. Kristen explains...
In this episode, Adriana Lozada of the Birthful podcast joins us to jam out on all things physiological pregnancy prep and birth support. What does the term “physiological birth” even mean? How do our minds influence our physiology? How do chemicals influence our physiology? And, what is considered an intervention. Does more technology equal a “safer” birth? Is a home birth the only way to have a physiological birth? And, what is the role of the doula in supporting a physiological birth? Stat...
“There’s got to be more to it.” This is what physical therapist and PRI teacher Hayley Kava said to herself about pelvic floor care when she was dealing with her own pelvic floor health. Nuance is key when it comes to pelvic floor care, birth prep, birth support tools and really health in general. We are all unique beings and need unique solutions! Yet too often we slap the same quick fixes on everyone. Such as the kegel. Hayley talks about what she found to really help herself and other...
Today we are joined by Pelvic Health Occupational Therapist, Lindsey Vestal to talk all things myths and mysteries of the pelvic floor. We start with discussing what the pelvic floor really is and what it consists of. What is its actual job? Why is this area of the body so filled with shame, trauma and tension? Does it really get more loose down there post birth or is this just a myth? We discuss the role of the nervous system in pelvic floor health. What fear does to the birthing person...
In this episode we sit down and chat about birth advocacy, prenatal prep, postpartum healing and much more with experienced doula and BRM® Faculty, Denise Bolds!Denise shares her family history and what brought her into birth work. We discuss what is important to know for your client and for you as a doula, before going into a birth where you are not sure the doctor and the client are on the same page. How do we strategize for an optimal birth outcome? What do we do when we see the provider i...
Stress and trauma. We hear that we shouldn’t stress during pregnancy. That stress is bad for our health. But how can we take an action-based approach to stress and trauma reduction and nervous system regulation? What are the options provided for someone struggling with Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) apart from medications? How can we, as birth professionals, identify and encourage a client to seek support? Is there a way that we can *actually* address the poor maternal health ou...
Today we chat with Lauren Ohayon, creator of Restore Your Core® and co-creator of Body Ready Method®! This is a candid conversation about the embodied approach.How do we meet our clients where they’re at and empower them to experience new patterns in their body? And do it in a way that does not induce shame, blame and negative thought patterns. How do we shift the "right vs. wrong" narrative? Too often, we think we are suppose to rush in, take charge and “save” our clients. This puts them in ...
If you’ve been around the birth world for any amount of time you have likely heard of Spinning Babies®. Today Gail Tully, founder and visionary behind Spinning Babies® joins me at my home to talk all things physiological birth and shifting the paradigm. Gail is truly a trail blazer who has and continues to inspire the next generation of birth professionals, and parents to continue to stay curious, to learn and deepen their awareness, and to heal birth on earth.In this heart to heart episode, ...
What happens when two longtime birth and body workers get together and hit record? Magic, I tell you! Listen in on a very candid conversation on the evolution of birthwork, bodywork within different populations and demographics, breech baby and so much more! Adrienne Caldwell is faculty for the Body Ready Method® our professional training for birth pros and an absolute genius bodyworker. She has helped thousands of families prepare their bodies, find balance, and help breech babies find their...
On this episode of Pros Talk Pregnancy my husband Matt McCoy joins me to share all about our 4th (surprise!) birth. Our final birth story unravels as a completely unplanned pregnancy. After our 3rd baby was born with a critical congenital heart defect that required a lot of medical care including open heart surgery at 2 months old, we were surprised to find out we were expecting again.We had to work through the trauma of that 3rd birth experience going into our next experience. We talk throug...
Yes! You read that right, 43+ weeks pregnant and, true story, a news crew capturing the whole experience for the local news! In this episode I am joined by my husband, Matt Mccoy to share the story of our 3rd birth. This was my first birth after having become a birth professional. It was my longest pregnancy and birth process, but also the birth I consider my easiest birth (although, postpartum was a completely different story. But, that’s a story for a different day!).This story is real...
In this episode we talk all about birth partner support with my husband, Matt McCoy! We often forget about how overwhelming the journey to baby can be for the partners. Pregnancy, birth and recovery are huge physiological events and it’s really easy for birth partners to feel like a deer caught in headlights and freeze or sink into a corner when things get intense. Many partners want to be involved, but just don’t know how or what to do and just need a bit of extra support and encouragement.B...
On this episode Matt and I chat about our second birth and what a different birth experience it was. Have you ever had an experience that altered the course of your life so deeply and profoundly that you knew your life would not be the same without it? Our first birth wasn’t the experience we’d hoped for. And after this birth, in our own ways, we became obsessed with figuring out why and what could be done differently.Matt, as my birth partner, dived into research to learn more about how he c...
Join me and my amazing husband, Matt McCoy, as we recount the story of our first pregnancy and birth, from 2006/2007. Picture two young adults who thought they had it all figured out. Who figured “people have been having babies forever, I’m sure we’ll figure it out.” Who wanted a natural first birth, but didn’t really have a plan as to how to get there. At the time, I was finishing up my Exercise Science degree and was teaching almost every fitness class possible. From bootcamp to water ...
Have you ever heard of the flow state? Have you ever felt “in the zone?” That zone where you seem to have effortless momentum, where time seems to melt away and you are just flowing? Maybe you were running a race, writing, or doing artwork. Maybe you’ve also felt what it feels like to be out of “the zone”. Where everything just feels more challenging and you just can’t seem to find your flow. This is a researched state of being known as the flow state. Research has identified how to get ...
Have you ever thought or heard that the best way to have an easier birth is to stretch a lot? Or that flexibility = better birth? Sometimes being too flexible can actually create some problems. While yes, it is important to be mobile, there is a difference between mobility and flexibility. This episode is all about being “too flexible” during pregnancy. We are joined by Physical Therapist and creator of Train4Birth, Monika Patel.Did you know joint laxity increases by about 10% during pregnanc...
In this episode we talk about the twists and turns of becoming a parent with Nikki Johnston Beaudoin. Nikki is a Body Ready Method® pro, expecting mom, and collaborating author of the newly released The Mom Babes, An Anthology of Motherhood.Nikki gets really vulnerable as she talks through her unique journey to becoming a parent. She discusses her fertility, pregnancy, birth, and recovery journey. She sheds light on the taboo of discussing fertility issues openly and why she thought sharing h...
Navigating stress. Trauma. Drama… We all deal with it in one way or another. How do our lived experiences and that of our ancestors impact our bodies, our births, and even what we pass on to kids? When we are living in a prolonged state of stress it can become our baseline. Maybe we always feel rushed. Or on edge. This not only impacts our mental health, it impacts our physical health as well. And that of our children. Our brains are powerful. And learning how to hone the power of our brains ...
On this episode we speak to Amanda Gorman all about postpartum planning. While getting ready for a baby, oftentimes we miss one of the most important pieces of postpartum; planning for the 4th trimester. That immediate recovery time can be intense and incredibly overwhelming, especially if we aren’t ready for it. Having to care for a newborn baby within a day is a huge transition for many. We spend a good deal of time getting ready for birth, and that’s important too. However, not preparing a...
Let’s face it, we live in a culture that allows for fatphobia. Where mocking larger bodies is socially acceptable. A culture that glorifies a certain body type as the epitome of “health.” This has created a lot of issues in maternal health care, and healthcare as a whole. This also makes those living in larger bodies feel as if size correlates to health. This causes internalized fatphobia, thinking that all their ailments are due to their size. “Just lose weight,” they’re often told. The weig...