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Show Notes:

We tackle a question this week that catches many moms off guard when it comes to their birth process. “Why is my provider planning to give me a shot of Pitocin before I deliver my placenta?” We’re going to talk about all of your OPTIONS so you can make an informed decision.

[1:12] Our reviewer of the week is Mal1212 and she said: “I absolutely love learning about birth! I have had three babies (I’m pregnant with my fourth) and knew so little about the stages of birth, the options/rights that I have, and what I can do naturally on my own. I love how positive birth is portrayed and taught. I have gained confidence in my ability to give birth and other resources I can turn to for more support. Their birth course is amazing as well. Worth every penny!”

There is never a bad time to start learning about birth. Whether it’s your first baby or your fourth! I wish podcasts had been a thing when I had my first baby! I’ve learned so...

Are you overwhelmed with what to ask your provider, midwife, or hospital regarding what you want for your birth experience? Well, listen in! I walk you through what questions to ask, give background information behind those questions, and encourage you to educate and empower yourself to stand up for the birth you want.

Show Notes:

[1:11] Lulu2394, our reviewer of the week, says, “THE best podcast for birth preparation! I highly recommend this podcast to anyone expecting, and I highly recommend the course as well.” She felt empowered by the podcast and birth course to switch her provider at 32 weeks, and she was able to have the home birth she wanted. Her midwife and doula were impressed with the information she knew and how prepared she was for birth. All thanks to my Essential Birth!  

We love hearing stories about how the podcast empowers our listeners to make such important decisions for their birth experience. We promise the My Essential Birth Course...

I have had so many questions recently about testing positive for Group B Strep or GBS and the number one concern is, "Will this ruin the birth that I want?" I'm here to break down what GBS is, how it affects pregnancy and labor, ways that you can decrease your chances of testing positive, what happens if you choose to use antibiotics, and also options other than antibiotics should you test positive.

If you're a mom that is wanting to stay at home as long as possible before heading to your birth place, but if you test positive you definitely want the antibiotics, I talk about all of your options AND I want to encourage you right now that being GBS+ does NOT ruin any kind of birth you are aiming for! If you're reading along and have no idea what I'm talking about, that's ok and I know you're not alone.

When a mom tests positive for GBS she can choose to have or not have antibiotics during labor. Antibiotics are strongly encouraged by providers. Should you choose to have them, your...

You come up to your glucose test between week 24-28 during pregnancy and often there's only one option given - "The Glucose Drink." This drink is filled with artificial coloring, flavors, dextrose, brominated soybean oil (banned in Europe, Japan, and India....and also patented as a flame retardant in the United States). So, yes there are a few reasons moms want to look for another option.

If you're one of those moms, you're not alone! In fact, my guest for this week's episode, Jacquie Berg is a mom and was so taken back by what was being offered to her for this test during her own pregnancy, that she took matters into her own hands to create a solution.

This week we're talking about everything that goes into the testing, why it's done, how glucose is measured, and healthy alternatives for moms everywhere! PLUS we have a really neat GIVEAWAY for not just one mama - but FIVE.

Here's a little bit about Jacquie:

With 15 years of work in Endocrinology, Obstetrics and Medical Device...

This week I had the pleasure of having  incredible home birth midwife, Angie, LM, CPM,  join me on the podcast. Angie, from the Long Beach, CA area, gives us some insight into what the process of taking care of a mother during pregnancy and birth is like as a home birth midwife. We also went a little deeper into birthing during a pandemic as well as the importance of informed consent. Informed consent is so important to her and I know when you take a listen you will understand why and feel empowered to stand up for yourself.

It's true that when you birth at home you will be birthing unmedicated but it doesn't mean your midwife won't come prepared with life-saving medications, tools, knowledge, and skills to keep you and your baby safe. With so many misconceptions when it comes to home births, including the legitimacy and safety of the practice, Angie gives us the facts that can help tackle those misconceptions and may even have you looking up a local home birth midwife...

Dr. Nate Fox, a Maternal-Fetal Medicine (aka High-Risk) doctor, joins us to discuss how passionate he is about what he does as well and answers some questions from YOU! We hope you'll enjoy listening to a doctor who clearly respects women and the process of birth, and that you will use his example and the information he shares as information in finding the right provider for you.

Here are some of the questions that were answered in this interview:

• How did you get involved in birth work? What made you decide to specialize in high-risk?
• What is your overall birth philosophy? 
• What does a high-risk doctor do? Who do you see/most common diagnosis you deal with? Twins? Gestational Diabetes? Etc.
• What do you do when someone comes to you late in pregnancy - is there anything you do to make them more comfortable with the process, especially women who are switching from a midwifery model of care or are seeking a less medically-managed birth? 
• Talk to us about why...

So often we are told the benefits of procedures during pregnancy and birth, but how often are we given the risks associated with those procedures too? True informed consent means getting both and then being given the opportunity to consent or decline. The tricky part can be in not really understanding the options. How do you really know if you're getting all the information? Well, that's exactly what we break down for you in this episode!

Informed consent means that a provider explains the benefits and risks of a medication, procedure, (or lack of either), and then allows the mother to give consent.

Informed consent is NOT 

• making you afraid to say no
• telling you only the benefits and downplaying the risks
• telling the mother, "I'm going to do ______". For example, "I'm going to preform a vaginal exam on you."

Our Top Tips for Informed Consent

Since providers may fail to give proper informed consent, you need to remember to use your B.R.A.I.N so that you can get the...