You may be more aware of what you are eating during pregnancy, however, have you considered how nutrition may affect your birth and postpartum?  In today’s discussion we explore gut health and how your body works during the prenatal and postnatal phase.  We look at gut issues and the treatment for these issues.  We also dive into a conversation around bowel movements because this can tell you so much about your digestive health.  This is an informative discussion that will help you make the...

Do you find it harder to create friendships as an adult?  Today we talk about friendships and how they can be difficult to navigate, especially during parenthood.  Our guest discusses common conflicts that arise between parents as well as ways to better maintain these connections.  If you are a parent or an expectant parent, this conversation will shed light on why friendships are more complex during this phase.  Our guest Danielle, is easy to talk to and gives great advice for parents...

Have you considered how your endocrine system might affect your fertility or pregnancy?  Today we dive into the topic of endocrine disruptors and how they may adversely affect your system.   Although these endocrine disruptors are everywhere in our environment, the good news is there are ways to limit your exposure.  Our guest today shares practical tips that you can use immediately to limit your exposure to these environmental factors.  She gives great advice on how to find a healthy balance...

Have you considered using midwifery care for your birth?  Perhaps you have questions about what a midwife does or how they differ from a traditional OBGYN.  Today we are going to talk all about midwives.  I think midwives are fantastic, they hold a special place in my heart because my own births were attended by a midwife.  In this conversation we will dive deeper into the midwifery model of care.  What is a midwife?  What are some misconceptions around midwifery care?  How does midwifery...

We’re back with my favorite type of podcast episode, a birth story!  We’ve been able to create an amazing community of students here at PYC.  I see many of these students twice, sometimes three time a week.  I get to know them, hear their stories, listen to their concerns and I am able to share with them what I’ve learned.  Today we have Katie Lohiya, sharing her birth story.  She has been part of our PYC community since she was 13 weeks pregnant.  She attended class 2-3 times per week, even...

How does the health of the pelvic floor impact birth?  It is so important to have a healthy pelvic floor in order to have a functional birth and a healthy body.  This is one of my favorite topics!  If you’ve been a listener of Yoga| Birth| Babies, you know that anytime I have an opportunity to talk about the pelvic floor, I will bring an expert on to do so.  Not only have I picked the brain of many experts on this topic, I have taken multiple certifications focused on pelvic floor health....

Should you do strength training while pregnant?  Today we will talk about strength training for pregnancy, birth and beyond.  This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart because I believe that strength training can help prepare your body for birth, help you be more comfortable during pregnancy, and help you rehab postpartum.  In this conversation we will discuss common misconceptions about strength training during pregnancy, including safe practices, warning signs and when to return to...

Parents are you thinking about your child’s growth and development and how to help them hit their milestones?  Our guest today is an occupational therapist who focuses on sensory play for babies.  In this discussion she talks about why sensory play is important for your baby and how you can integrate it into your daily activities.  She reviews the different senses and shares that there are actually eight of them, I thought there were only five!  We also have a conversation about the...

Today we have a birth story from one of our community members Sydney Pollock.  I had the privilege of watching Sydney go through her whole pregnancy at PYC.  She started taking class very early in her pregnancy and the last class that she took was the day her water broke, two days before she was supposed to be induced!  Sydney shares her birth story with me and recounts the surprises that happened during her experience.   As we were talking about the highs and lows and some of the...

What is PCOS and how does it affect fertility?  Today we will discuss PCOS – Polycystic ovarian syndrome and how it impacts infertility and pregnancy.  If you have PCOS, this conversation will give you information on how to advocate for your best pregnancy.  As we dive into this topic, we will examine the role the environment plays on the endocrine system and on hormones in general.  After having this conversation, I actually went through my beauty products and cleaning supplies and got rid...

We have a beautiful birth story today, that I am excited to share with you!  Perhaps you are moving through your own pregnancy or birth experience right now and wondering what it will be like.  Something to think about as this story unfolds, is the importance of a flexible mind.   A student in class shared with me that she was feeling very tight in her hips and concerned that her tension would affect how she gave birth.  I told her that birth didn’t necessarily require a flexible body,...

Do you feel overwhelmed by all the parenting choices available now?  In today’s podcast we discuss feeling confident in your choices as a parent.  We have so much information at our fingertips in 2024, it can be challenging to sort it all out.  Perhaps you feel conflicted about where to find reliable information or maybe you are experiencing decision fatigue.   I’ve invited Sharon Mazel, internationally recognized pregnancy and parenting expert, to talk about how we can feel grounded and...

How would you like your partner to be involved during pregnancy and birth?  Today we dive into a conversation about birth partners and their role in supporting you through your birth experience.  We talk about how to prepare ahead of time by discussing the expectations and dynamics that influence both the emotional and physical aspects of birth and pregnancy.  Sometimes partners are nervous about being involved, however, in this conversation we highlight ways to help them get past that fear...

Today we have a community birth story.  I love sharing birth stories because they are inspiring and confidence building.  Listening to different scenarios and various journeys, releases the idea that birth has to happen in one way.  Today’s guest, Aly Grobeck, offers a wonderful story filled with humor and candidness.  I really appreciate Aly sharing how important it was for her to listen to her body and stand up for herself throughout her experience.  This is something we talk about in yoga,...

What is a doula and why would you want one?  In today’s episode we will discuss what a doula is, how they play a role in birth, and their ability to enhance what a partner can offer.  I was a labor and support doula for over ten years and know first-hand the benefits of using a doula. Doulas support every family and every type of birth, not just unmedicated births.  It’s not necessary to have one type of birth in mind to receive the assistance of a doula.  During this podcast we will talk...

Have you thought about how your relationship with your partner may be affected during the postpartum period?  Today’s podcast topic came from my students.  I noticed a heated conversation happening before my postnatal yoga class one day.  Several students had gathered together and were talking about how they felt anger and resentment towards their partners.  They felt like so much of the burden of being a new parent fell on their shoulders.  I observed rage, tears and deep emotions during...

Have you considered why you should have a vaginal exam during pregnancy and labor?  I often say your cervix is not a crystal ball, it’s not going to tell you when labor is going to start.  It’s something I see time and time again, students will come into class excited because they are a little dilated or discouraged because they are not.  My guest today is going to talk about the information we get from vaginal exams and how that will help you make decisions in pregnancy and labor.  She poses...

 Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more...

Do you struggle with how to handle postpartum visitors and setting boundaries? Setting boundaries isn’t the easiest thing to do for some either. Personally, I was never good at this. After stumbling upon an article written by our guest, I instantly knew more folks needed to think about this ahead of time! We’ll touch upon when to have visitors meet your newborn, vaccinations, how to communicate to folks that you are or aren’t ready for guests, is the new parent the host (NO!), and even ways...

Have you considered the different choices there are when feeding your baby?  Offering choices and education is something we value here at PYC.  Our job is to support your choices for birth, however you choose to birth.  When it comes to feeding baby, nevertheless, not all parents feel this support.  Many parents sense judgement from others when they opt for formula feeding or bottle feeding.  In this conversation, Jayne Freeman talks about the need to normalize formula feeding. She shares how...

Have you ever thought about what’s needed to prepare and recover from a cesarean birth? Whether you’re planning, have a scheduled cesarean or curious to know more, this information is valuable. We’ll discuss what to expect during a cesarean and how to create a cesarean birth plan. How to prepare the night before, what to wear to the hospital, what to do when you arrive and recovery on the other side of cesarean.  On this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, we welcome Amy Morrison to have this...

Does this scenario sound familiar to you? You have your baby and everything is going great the first few days or weeks. Suddenly your baby starts to cry and cry and cry. You try all different swaddles, ways to bounce your baby, wear your baby or soothe their tummy. During your visit to your pediatrician they tell you, “you have a colicky baby.” What does it mean to have a colicky baby? What are the misconceptions- gas, reflux, colic? Could it be affected by gut health? For those who have gone...

Today we have a very special birth and postpartum story to share. Many of you know, birth stories are one of my favorite kinds of episodes! In the words of my guest, “It was magical and so exciting.” Their postpartum story is so raw and vulnerable. The most exciting and challenging adventure she’s experienced is beginning motherhood. I am so appreciative of our guest for sharing honestly what they went through.  Today’s guest on Yoga| Birth| Babies is Maria Emilia, one of our PYC students....

It’s been estimated that 15%-20% of parents experience postpartum depression, anxiety and stress. Note that these are only the numbers of folks who have reported. The reality is these numbers can be rather larger than estimated. In understanding these statistics, we are going to discuss the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression, anxiety and stress and how we can seek help. Often experiencing this can feel isolating, overwhelming and anxiety inducing. We will talk about these common...