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The journey to becoming a parent is transformative, with every expecting family deserving compassionate, continuous support through pregnancy, birth and beyond. This intimate conversation with Gail Tupin, a certified birth and postpartum doula, unveils how professional birth support dramatically improves outcomes and experiences for new families.

When a doula is present at birth, intervention rates including C-sections measurably decrease – not because doulas provide medical care, but because they create a crucial buffer in the birthing environment. As Gail explains, doulas offer that essential "pause moment" between medical recommendations and parental decisions, allowing families to make choices from a place of confidence rather than fear. Unlike your medical team or even your closest loved ones, doulas bring an unbiased perspective and extensive experience with birth, creating space for parents to fully process their options.

The misconception that doulas only support unmedicated births prevents many families from accessing this valuable resource. Contrary to popular belief, doulas support all birth plans – including epidurals and cesarean births – by adapting their role to each family's unique needs and preferences. The support continues into the critical fourth trimester, where postpartum doulas help new mothers process their birth experiences while creating what Gail beautifully describes as a "sanctuary space" for recovery.

Though insurance coverage remains limited, some Medicaid programs now include doula services, and creative solutions like adding doula support to baby registries can make this care more accessible. Whether you're expecting your first baby or adding to your family, connecting with a doula whose personality and approach resonate with you could transform your birth experience. Reach out to Gail for a free consultation if you're in the Metro Detroit area, and discover how professional birth support might be the missing piece in your journey to parenthood.

Check out Gail's website: www.rooted-doula.com or follow her on IG & FB for helpful birth and postpartum content @rooted_doula

You can also find Gail providing pregnant and new mom support at Livingston County's premiere holistic

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Spilling the Milk: Breastfeeding Chats is a production of Whole Mama Michigan, LLC. If you're looking for evidence-based information and support around fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum, head to www.wholemamamichigan.com and join the email list to receive information on classes and services. And if you're local to Metro Detroit/Livingston County, come visit us at our first brick-and-mortar holistic perinatal wellness center opening spring 2025!!

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Podcast artwork for Seasons 1 & 2 by Staci Oswald aka my favorite designer EVER + mom of 2 bundles of boy energy. Music is Sprouting Leaves by Epidemic Sound found on Canva.

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Curious about how the mind-body connection can transform your childbirth experience? Dr. Samantha Vaive, an expert in childbirth psychology, uncovers the secrets of hypnobirthing and its surprising benefits beyond labor. From easing your dental anxiety to unraveling the societal myths of childbirth trauma, this episode promises to reshape your understanding of birth and mental health.

Join us as we navigate the terrain of postpartum intimacy, addressing the common pressures new parents face. Dr. Sam and I discuss the importance of honoring one's recovery journey and the power of setting boundaries. Discover creative ways to foster connection with your partner while healing physically and emotionally from birth and postpartum.

We also explore re the benefits and challenges of breastfeeding, the restorative power of prenatal yoga, how stress influences milk production and why sound therapy could be your new best friend in birth preparation.

Our Guest
Samantha Vaive, PhD, founder of Sound Birthing LLC and creator of the Mind-Body, Birth approach, is an expert in childbirth psychology. Her doctoral research explored improving the childbirth experience and birth outcomes. She is passionate about making anxiety-free childbirth accessible to everyone and helping those who wish to, succeed in human milk feeding. She also holds a Master's in Social Work from the University of Denver with a graduate certificate in animal-assisted social work. As well as a postgraduate certificate in sex therapy and sexual health education from the University of Michigan.

In addition to traditional academic qualifications, she has completed more than 500 hours of Yoga teacher training. She is a Wind Willow Sound Health certified sound therapist, with additional sound therapy training completed through Sage Sound Academy and Dr. John Beaulieu.

She is deeply committed to social justice and has worked as both a political activist and elected official fighting systemic barriers. She sits on several boards in the community and volunteers at a wildlife rescue. She has been a potter for over 20 years and enjoys hiking in her free time.

You can learn more about Dr. Sam's offerings at her site, http://sound-birthing.com/ and by following her on socials @sound_birthing. B

Support the show

Enjoying the show? Please consider supporting us in our mission to put out valuable content for pregnant and new mamas. Become a supporter

Spilling the Milk: Breastfeeding Chats is a production of Whole Mama Michigan, LLC. If you're looking for evidence-based information and support around fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum, head to www.wholemamamichigan.com and join the email list to receive information on classes and services. And if you're local to Metro Detroit/Livingston County, come visit us at our first brick-and-mortar holistic perinatal wellness center opening spring 2025!!

Feeling social? Follow us!
@empoweredbumpsandboobs (IG)
@empoweredbumpsandboobs (FB)
@wholemamamichigan (IG)
@wholemamamichigan (FB)

Be Our Guest!
If you'd like to be a guest and come Spill the Milk with Emily, please send an email to emily@empoweredbumpsandboobs.com. We'd love to have you :)

Podcast artwork for Seasons 1 & 2 by Staci Oswald aka my favorite designer EVER + mom of 2 bundles of boy energy. Music is Sprouting Leaves by Epidemic Sound found on Canva.

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Did you know that chiropractic care can significantly ease common newborn and pregnancy challenges? On this episode of Spilling the Milk, we welcome Dr. Zora, a chiropractor with 13 years experience in the field and a passion for women's health, pregnancy, and pediatric care. She loves helping people be pain free and feel their best using all natural and holistic means. Since becoming a mother, she has shifted her focus to working with women and kids. She loves bringing awareness to how chiropractic care can help prepare mothers for an easier labor and birth and also help babies with some of the common things they experience such as colic, fussiness and latch issues.

In this episode you will learn how gentle adjustments can address newborn latch issues, jaw restrictions, and tongue ties, ensuring a smoother breastfeeding experience for both mom and baby. We also tackle the lesser-known causes of infant problems like flat head syndrome and colic and how early chiropractic assessments can make a difference.

Ever wondered how to make pregnancy more comfortable and labor more manageable? Discover how chiropractic care and prenatal yoga can be a game-changer for pregnant women. Dr. Zora discusses techniques like the Webster technique and muscle work, which balance the pelvis and alleviate pain, setting the stage for a smoother delivery. Complementing chiropractic care with prenatal yoga can help expectant moms tune into their bodies, manage discomfort, and prepare mentally and physically for labor. This holistic approach not only enhances physical health but also fosters a sense of empowerment throughout the pregnancy journey.

Lastly, we address the emotional and physical hurdles of breastfeeding, especially after an unexpected C-section. Sharing personal experiences, we highlight the importance of accurate diagnosis and support for breastfeeding mothers, emphasizing the impact of proper care on both the baby’s and the mother’s well-being.

Follow Dr. Zora on Instagram: @drzora_lunachiropractic

Email: drzora.lunachiropractic@gmail.com

Support the show

Enjoying the show? Please consider supporting us in our mission to put out valuable content for pregnant and new mamas. Become a supporter

Do you have questions about breastfeeding? Could you use on-demand, accurate information, videos, a place to ask questions, and the opportunity to connect with other moms?? Yay! We have that for you! Check out the BREAST online classes and community for nursing mamas, Empowered Breastfeeding Bootcamp, and sign up today! With a 30-day money back guarantee you have nothing to lose and peace of mind around breastfeeding to gain.

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Be Our Guest!
If you'd like to be a guest and come Spill the Milk with Emily, please send an email to emily@empoweredbumpsandboobs.com. We'd love to have you :)

Podcast artwork for Seasons 1 & 2 by Staci Oswald aka my favorite designer EVER + mom of 2 bundles of boy energy