Dear Doula

TW: If you have lost a child, had birth complications, or know someone who has, please be aware that some of those themes will be discussed in this week's show.   Many of us dream of the day that you finally get to meet your baby. Labor and delivery is one of the most powerful, life-changing events not only for you, but for your family too. And so getting ready for that moment to make sure that you deliver a healthy baby, and that nothing happens to your baby during childbirth is so incredibly important.   Gina Mundy is a childbirth attorney and mother of three. After spending over twenty years analyzing the decisions made during childbirth, it is now her mission to share this information so that families around the world can experience safer childbirth.   I am delighted to speak with Gina in this episode about some of the insights from her one-of-a-kind book that blends together the realms of medicine and law:  A Parent's Guide to a Safer Childbirth. Listen in to discover some of the most common problems that occur during childbirth and how YOU can help prevent them. References    A Parent's Guide to a Safer Childbirth by Gina Mundy   Connect with Gina:   Visit Gina’s website Instagram: @GinaMundy   Facebook: Gina Mundy, Author  Linked In: Gina Mundy  Twitter: @ginamundy_   You can follow Brandi and her work @deardouapodcast on IG, @brandi_jordan_official IG, and send questions, comments and platitudes to [email protected]. Have a question you want Brandi to answer? Shoot her an email or a DM and she might include it on her next podcast episode! Audio Stamps   01:28 - Gina shares her journey to becoming an attorney that specializes in childbirth cases.   02:55 - We discover the most common factor in the childbirth cases Gina deals with.   07:33 - Brandi asks what Gina recommends with the use of Pitocin to enable a safer birth.   09:44 - Gina explains how busy labor and delivery units are preventing safe births and the importance of having a baby advocate.   11:47 - Brandi and Gina discuss the role of doulas in supporting parents by working alongside the delivery team.   18:00 -  We learn how every hospital system is so different and the importance of checking out the hospitals in which you went to birth if possible.   21:57 - We discover how the complications and the mistakes that Gina sees in childbirth cases typically occur after the patient's water has broken   26:13 - Brandi asks if Gina has seen evidence of the black maternal health crisis in the work that she does.   27:42 - Gina talks about the approach she took when writing her book. It is not about scaring people about what can go wrong, but how to make sure it goes right.    31:36 - Gina encourages us to be ready and have a plan for your birth so you can enjoy the moment you’ve been looking forward to.

If you’ve had a cesarean birth and get pregnant again, one of the questions I often get asked is, ‘Should I plan for another cesarean, or should I try to give birth vaginally?’ Choosing between a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and repeat cesarean is not an easy decision, with benefits and risks to both options. Joining me today to dig into this topic further is Melissa Dean, midwife and founder of the Casa Natal Birth and Wellness Center in the San Francisco Bay Area. Melissa has a breadth of knowledge when it comes to VBACs, so if you’re currently facing this dilemma (whether you're currently expecting or just curious about the options), Melissa’s insights will give you the clarity you need to make an informed decision.   References   IG: @casanatalbirthcenter  Website: www.casa-natal.com   FB: Casa Natal Birth Center YouTube: @casanatalbirthwellnesscent2244    You can follow Brandi and her work @deardouapodcast on IG, @brandi_jordan_official IG, and send questions, comments and platitudes to [email protected]. Have a question you want Brandi to answer? Shoot her an email or a DM and she might include it on her next podcast episode!   Audio Stamps   01:37 - Melissa explains more about the role of a midwife and busts some of the common  misconceptions.   03:20 - We find out how Melissa has merged midwifery with functional medicine practice.    04:46 - Brandi asks Melissa if there are instances when someone should not have a VBAC.   08:42 - Melissa explains how to tell what kind of incision you had for your cesarean.    09:56 - We learn the benefits of delivering vaginally after a C-Section.   12:19 - We hear Melissa’s recommendations for what to do in between pregnancies to make you more prepared to try for a vaginal birth in the future.   14:04 - Melissa shares what you should be doing during your pregnancy to make yourself more viable for VBAC.   17:33 - Find out the top foods that Melissa recommends to her clients, whether they're having a VBAC or not, that will make for a healthier pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.   21:13 -  Melissa tells us about the services that she provides as a midwife to childbearing (and not childbearing!) families.

The arrival of a new life is a momentous occasion that often brings joy, excitement, and a myriad of emotions. However, the perinatal and postpartum periods can also bring a host of mental health complexities that demand attention and understanding.   To help us understand the nuances of perinatal mental health, debunk some of the most common misconceptions around maternal mental health, and shed light on the intricacies that can impact the well-being of new parents, I invited licensed mental health therapist Elyse Springer to share her wealth of knowledge on this topic.   As the holidays fast approach, and people often start feeling the pressure to show up in ways that do not necessarily reflect how they're feeling inside, we hope this episode will normalize some of the challenges faced by many parents in this new chapter of life.     References Postpartum Support International (PSI) Return to Zero: H.O.P.E Maternal Mental Health Now  Love, Dad  Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health   Connect with Elyse:   Visit Elyse’s website   Follow Elyse on Instagram   You can follow Brandi and her work @deardouapodcast on IG, @brandi_jordan_official IG, and send questions, comments and platitudes to [email protected]. Have a question you want Brandi to answer? Shoot her an email or a DM and she might include it on her next podcast episode!   If you are looking for support with your children, you can reach out to us at The Cradle Company for more information on hiring a parenting or baby specialist.   If you appreciate Dear Doula, please take a minute to subscribe, rate and review!   Audio Stamps 01:18 - Brandi introduces today’s guest, licensed mental health therapist Elyse Springer. 02:34 - Elyse does some myth busting around perinatal and postpartum mood disorders 05:03 - Elyse defines postpartum psychosis 07:02 - We find out more about postpartum OCD 10:00 - Brandi asks Elyse how we can tell the difference between someone who is dealing with a mental health disorder like OCD or anxiety, and someone who has embodied the idea that extra worry signifies how much you love your child. 11:25 - Elyse explains what your ACE score is and why it’s important to know. 20:00 - We find out what the next steps are if you or someone you know is showing symptoms of a mental health disorder 25:57 - Elyse shares some of the resources that new parents should be aware of that provide support for issues related to mental health.

Ever found yourself tiptoeing out of your toddler’s room, hoping against hope that this will be the one bedtime where your little one blissfully succumbs to sleep? You’re certainly not alone–toddlerhood can be accompanied by a number of bedtime battles and this edition of the Baby Sleep Fairy Chronicles is here to help. If you’re struggling to navigate some of the most common toddler sleep problems like bedtime refusal, separation anxiety, or the crib-to-bed transition, this episode will arm you with proactive bedtime strategies that will ensure more restful nights for both toddlers and parents alike. References Twin Zzz’s: Mastering Sleep for Twins (“Sleep Fairy” Series) The Lie of a Good Night's Sleep ("Sleep Fairy" Series) The Night Owl Sings Nursery Rhymes   You can follow Brandi and her work @deardouapodcast on IG, @brandi_jordan_official IG, and send questions, comments and platitudes to [email protected]. Have a question you want Brandi to answer? Shoot her an email or a DM and she might include it on her next podcast episode!   If you are looking for support with your children, you can reach out to us at The Cradle Company for more information on hiring a parenting or baby specialist.   If you appreciate Dear Doula, please take a minute to subscribe, rate and review!