Hayley Cava, a pelvic floor physical therapist and postural restoration certified provider, shares her experiences using GentleBirth for her second pregnancy and birth. She discusses the importance of movement throughout pregnancy and the benefits of being in a balanced state. Hayley also describes her journey into pelvic floor health and her passion for improving care for women postnatally and perinatally. She emphasizes the role of mindset and mindfulness in birth and the power of making...

In this episode, Tracy Donegan speaks with Grainne Byrne, Founder of Feel Norma, an online resource for women experiencing intimate health challenges such as vaginismus, pelvic floor issues, menopause, and painful sex. They discuss the need for holistic, intimate education and support for women and girls around the world. The conversation highlights the lack of education and support for women's sexual well-being, the importance of addressing psychosexual issues, and the impact of conditions...

In this conversation, Tracy Donegan speaks with Mamastefit Founder Gina Connolly about myths and misinformation surrounding exercise during pregnancy. They discuss the benefits of exercise, common fears and concerns, and the importance of listening to your body. Gina shares her journey of starting Mamastefit and the development of her programs and brand new book - Training for Two.

In this conversation, Tracy Donegan and Dr. Crystal Frazee discuss the importance of using mind-body practices to reduce burnout and navigate the challenges of being successful as a woman in today's society. They explore the concept of the 'perfection paradox' and how societal expectations can lead to stress and burnout. They also emphasize the importance of listening to our body's wisdom and using it as a guide in decision-making. The conversation highlights the signs of burnout and...

This episode's conversation explores Maria Velo Higueras recent research on women's experiences of freebirth/unassisted birth and the reasons behind their decision. It highlights the need for trust-building between women and healthcare providers and the importance of offering services that women will accept.

Dr. Sarah Buckley discusses oxytocin and its role in birth and breastfeeding. Synthetic oxytocin, used in medical interventions during birth, is chemically identical to natural oxytocin. However, it is unclear whether synthetic oxytocin crosses the blood-brain barrier and affects mental health. In this conversation, Dr. Sarah Buckley shares the effects of synthetic oxytocin and epidurals on labor and birth. They clarify that oxytocin does not cross the blood-brain barrier or the placenta in...

Rosemary Noonan shares her experiences with maternity services in Ireland and how storytelling through her art helped her navigate pregnancy loss and trauma. She discusses her journey to a VBAC and the challenges she faced, including difficulty accessing an ECV and a breach of confidentiality. Rosemary also talks about her passion for art and how it has been a healing resource for her and other women. She recently held an exhibition that focused on women's mental health and shared stories of...

In this episode, Tracy Donegan speaks with Caoimhe Whelan, an IBCLC, about her recently published research - Mothers' Emotional Experiences of Breastfeeding with Primary Low Milk Supply. The research highlights the emotional challenges faced by mothers and the importance of accurate information and compassionate support. The conversation covers topics such as the prevalence of primary low milk supply, the need for better education and support for breastfeeding difficulties, and the profound...

In this episode, Tracy Donegan interviews Alex Heath about the impact of birth trauma on women's health and the recent UK government's birth trauma report. The report, prompted by an MP's experience, aimed to understand why 30% of parents in the UK describe their birth as traumatic. However, the report failed to address key issues such as obstetric violence and the high rates of induction of labor. The conversation also highlights the medicalization of birth, the fear of litigation, and...

In this episode Kathy Donaghy shares her journey of finding her way back to herself and navigating motherhood and miscarriage. She discusses the importance of mindfulness and meditation in her life and how it helped her through difficult times. The conversation highlights the importance of saying no to things that don't align with one's values and priorities, and the power of finding what brings joy and practicing it regularly.

Jaimie Schrock shares her inspiring experiences of preparing for VBAC3 and the impact of using the GentleBirth program. She discusses her previous birth experiences, the use of the GentleBirth app during pregnancy, and the peaceful and blissful nature of her labor and birth. Tracy Donegan shares her personal birth experience and the impact it had on her work as a doula. She emphasizes the importance of mindset, relaxation, and trust in the birthing process. The conversation also covers the...

Kay Aubrey-Chimene, also known as the Light Lady, discusses the benefits of photobiomodulation and red light therapy. She shares her personal journey of using light therapy to heal her horse and herself, and highlights the diverse applications of light therapy in women's health, fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum care. Kay emphasizes the importance of targeted light therapy and the impact of different colors and wavelengths of light on cellular function and healing. She also addresses the...

Lisa Campbell shares her experiences of preparing for a vaginal birth after two cesareans (VBAC2). She discusses the challenges faced by VBAC moms in Ireland and the importance of feeling empowered and informed about birth choices. Lisa highlights the need for individualized care, support from healthcare providers, and the availability of options like the walking epidural. In this conversation, Tracy and Lisa also discuss the need for change in the Irish maternity system to prioritize...

In this episode, Dr. Sinead DuFour, a pelvic health physiotherapist, discusses the importance of women's pelvic floor health throughout their reproductive lives. She emphasizes the need for education and awareness about the pelvic floor, especially during pregnancy and postpartum. Dr. DuFour explains the benefits of seeing a pelvic health physiotherapist during pregnancy, even if there are no issues, and highlights the role of virtual visits in providing education and support. She also...

Tehseen O'Donnell shares her experience of giving birth without a midwife or medical personnel, known as free birth or unassisted birth. She explains that her decision was influenced by her dissatisfaction with the standard care provided by the medical system and her belief in the natural process of birth. Tehseen discusses the coercion and lack of informed consent she witnessed as a student nurse and doula, which further solidified her choice. She also highlights the constraints and...

In this episode, Susie Guarino shares her experience with the GentleBirth app and how she used mindfulness to support her mental health. Tracy Donegan and Susie discuss the importance of self-compassion and positive self-talk in motherhood and in life. They also discuss the importance of finding a supportive team and cultivating rituals and practices that promote self-care and well-being. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the power of self-compassion, mindfulness, and positive mindset in...

In this episode, Anne Marie Jensen, a Danish physiotherapist, shares her experiences using red light therapy (photo biomodulation) for fertility. She initially used laser therapy for her physiotherapy patients but was approached by a woman seeking fertility treatments. After six treatments, the woman became pregnant, sparking Anne Marie's interest in using laser therapy for fertility. She reached out to laser therapists worldwide and received positive feedback. Anne Marie explains that laser...

In this conversation, midwife Molly O'Brien discusses the importance of understanding the biomechanics of birth and how it can optimize positioning and labor for mothers. They also touch on the challenges faced by midwives in a medicalized birth system and the need for more physiological birth options. The conversation highlights the need for birth education that focuses on movement, trust in the body, and informed decision-making. The key takeaways include the importance of freedom to move...

In this podcast episode, Tracy Donegan interviews Adreanna Limbach, author of the book 'Tea and Cake with Demons: A Buddhist Guide to Feeling Worthy.' The conversation explores the motivation behind writing the book and the focus on worthiness. Limbach shares how her background in Buddhism and meditation has helped her navigate the transition to motherhood. The discussion also touches on the benefits of meditation in postpartum and the importance of protecting mental energy. The episode...

Dr. Marc Sklar, known as the fertility expert, discusses the role of age in fertility decisions and the importance of being a health detective. He emphasizes the need for balance and not always diving deeper into health issues. The conversation touches on the obsession with data gathering and the potential stress it can cause. Dr. Sklar also highlights the challenges faced by couples in different parts of the world when it comes to accessing fertility care. The discussion covers nutritional...

Dr. Kirsten Small discusses the lack of evidence and known harms of continuous monitoring in labor. She highlights the challenges of questioning established practices and the fear of litigation or professional reputation. Dr. Small also emphasizes the importance of informed consent and the need for alternative monitoring methods. Additionally, she addresses the concerns of VBAC mothers and the limited research on CTG monitoring specifically for this population. This conversation explores the...

Caoileann Appleby shares her frustrating experiences with Irish Maternity Services and her journey to a VBAC. She discusses the challenges she faced with accessing evidence-based care, the lack of discussion and options provided to her, and the difficulties she encountered during her recovery from her cesarean. Caoileann also highlights the mixed experiences she had with different healthcare providers and the struggles she faced with hyperemesis. She shares her determination to have a VBAC...

In today's episode, Tracy Donegan speaks with Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum about the importance of nurturing for infants and parents. They discuss the impact of early life experiences on mental health and the opportunity for building a foundation for lifelong well-being. They also explore the reciprocal relationship between parent and baby, highlighting the chance for reparenting and brain rewiring. The conversation touches on the still-face experiment, emphasizing the significance of responsiveness...