We continue in The First 15 Series by diving into what the hospital calls The Golden Hour, that precious time we can spend with our baby, bonding skin to skin with a limited amount of interruptions.

We will discuss the benefits that have been proven during this time and the importance of a more hands off approach during this period. I will also discuss how the push and sell of this hour can actually be detrimental to the parents who may have that time interrupted, or never get it at all.

Where is the balance and how do we best approach this topic to receive the benefits, tune into our own biological needs, and limit the grief and disappointment when it doesn't look like we had planned? Join me now!

Don’t miss this week’s LIVE workshop where I will lift the curtain of the hospital birth system to empower you to the birth you want and deserve! Don’t get stomped on at the hospital door, find your voice and how to use it! Register here: https://myfriendsanurse.com/onlineworkshop1010

00:39 Exploring the Golden Hour

04:29 The Importance of Skin-to-Skin Contact

09:57 Hospital Policies and Practices

19:51 Challenges and Realities of the Golden Hour

31:13 Historical Context

32:33 Transition to Postpartum Care

33:02 The Golden Hour: Benefits

34:46 Unrealistic Expectations and Mental Health

36:56 Personal Experiences and Challenges

40:18 Communication and Support During Birth

50:55 Understanding the Golden Hour Stages

55:25 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Topics

Resources:

What People Get Wrong About the ‘Golden Hour’ After Birth, Catherine Pearson, 2/8/22, Huff Post

Health Education Associates, Inc, based on the research of Widstrom, et al.

Acta Paediatr. 2019 Jul; 108(7): 1192–1204. Published online 2019 Mar 13. doi: 10.1111/apa.14754

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Jaimie Zaki is a military wife, mom of 5, nurse, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. After Jaimie struggled to breastfeed her oldest and experienced medical gaslighting by doctors and lactation consultants, she learned the secret to breastfeeding success wasn't about luck. It was about foundational knowledge, support, and self-advocacy skills. Jaimie became an IBCLC and dedicated herself to ensuring other moms can learn how to shut out the toxic whispers of the world and learn how to connect with their God-given intuition to unleash their Inner Fierce MamaBear and make confident feeding decisions with a sense of hope and peace.

Join in on our conversation as we discuss the formula industry, what to expect from the support through the hospital and medical system, what mistakes you could be making even in pregnancy to set you back to achieving your breastfeeding goals, and the significance of having the RIGHT support and community around you.

00:05 Meet Jaimie Zaki, IBCLC

00:22 Importance of Lactation Consultants

01:30 Personal Breastfeeding Journey

07:51 Challenges and Advocacy

10:37 Becoming an IBCLC

13:33 Understanding Lactation Certifications

16:59 Hospital Experiences and Advice

25:57 The Confident Mama Bear Society

36:58 Personal Struggles with Breastfeeding

37:47 Preventable and Fixable Breastfeeding Issues

38:23 The Confident Mama Bear Society

39:46 The Importance of Early Support

42:00 Trustworthy Pediatricians and Breastfeeding

57:21 The Role of Partners in Breastfeeding

01:02:33 Conclusion and Resources

Connect with Jaimie:

Join her ANNUAL membership for 50% OFF with the code PODCAST50!!! You do NOT have to do this alone, get a coach and consultant that will help guide you to achieving your breastfeeding dreams!

Visit www.littlebearlactation.com

Join her FREE Breastfeeding class: Secrets to a First Latch Without Pain

Connect with her on Instagram and FaceBook

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Join us for the next Birth Plan Workshop!

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If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

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Are you a birth nerd interested in the first 15 minutes after birth and everything that happens within those first 15 minutes? Such as decisions you need to make and include in your birth plan. Then tune into this first 15 series for in depth knowledge on what’s going on within the first 15 minutes, the history, current practices, and YOUR options. Being informed is the best way to prepare for your birth experience. Join us for in depth, educational discussions on the most important topics and decisions you’ll be making in the 1st 15 minutes after birth!

Welcome to this segment of The Birth Link podcast, the First 15 Series, where today I’m diving deep on the fascinating topic of placenta encapsulation.

From the consumption of the placenta after childbirth, to the various ways to preserve the placenta, your rights with placenta encapsulation, risks and benefits of placenta consumption, evidence based practices, and cultural rituals, we’re covering it all in this educational episode.

We’ll also examine the modern trend of placenta encapsulation and consumption, highlighting the purported benefits, risks, and current scientific evidence.

I’m here to provide you with the facts and history, acknowledging the lack of conclusive research while discussing the potential benefits and cultural significance.

It’s important to make informed decisions regarding how your placenta is used or preserved afterbirth, BEFORE you’re in labor.

If you’re wanting to learn all about placenta encapsulation and your options, then listen in.

00:00 Welcome to the Birthlink Podcast

00:39 Diving into Placenta Research

01:54 Introduction to the Placenta

03:51 The Role and Function of the Placenta

07:24 Placentophagy in the Animal Kingdom

15:05 Human Practices and Trends

17:35 Celebrity Influence on Placenta Consumption

19:30 Evaluating the Benefits and Risks

33:41 Personal Views on Placenta Consumption

34:11 Global Perspectives on Placenta Practices

37:03 Historical and Cultural Rituals

45:01 Traditional Chinese Medicine and Placenta

50:05 Modern Medical Concerns and Legalities

57:42 Options for Handling the Placenta

01:09:03 Final Thoughts and Future Discussions

More from this episode:

For more information about your state’s regulations around placenta disposal check out americord

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

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Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email

Today I’m welcoming Dr. Rachael Cappuccino to The Birth Link podcast!

Rachael started Cappuccino Physical Therapy after the birth of her two children because she believes that an active lifestyle does not end with motherhood. Having experienced both a vaginal delivery and cesarean, Rachael understands the physical challenges that come from birth. Too many women accept these challenges as their new reality when she firmly believes that most can be treated with pelvic floor physical therapy.

We dive into the limited awareness of pelvic floor therapy for women in any stage of their lives, but especially pregnancy, delivery and postpartum.

She shares how you can find a pelvic floor physical therapist and have it covered with insurance, possibly without a referral from a provider. She hits on the top complaints from women that can be prevented before they ever happen, to strengthen your core, know when and how to relax those muscles, and even practice how to correctly and efficiently push to minimize how long you are pushing and tears. Thank you so much Rachael for joining us!

00:03 Introducing Dr. Rachael Cappuccino

00:20 The Importance of Community

04:08 Meet Rachael Cappuccino

05:51 Starting a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Business

07:05 Challenges in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Awareness

11:47 Accessing Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

14:36 Common Pregnancy and Postpartum Issues

16:05 Proactive Birth Preparation

24:13 Advocating for Yourself

25:45 Wrapping Up and Future Topics

More from Dr. Rachel Cappuccino:

To reach Rachael visit www.cappuccinopt.com or follow her on Instagram @cappuccinopelvicpt or on Facebook at Rachael Cappuccino

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Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

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Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

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The First 15 continues, closing out the triad of active management of the third stage of labor. To accompany cord clamping (now delayed 60 sec), cord traction and uterine massage.

Doing our part to lower maternal death, the leading cause being hemorrhaging by including not only as a treatment, but as prevention. In the hospital, most providers choose active management as their practice but fail to discuss the experience, the benefits, the risks or any other alternate options.

It seems to be so routine that they do not feel it is a decision that the mother or parents need to even make. Though active management and pitocin can be a great choice for many women looking to lower her chance of hemorrhage and has had multiple interventions already, the power comes with knowledge.

I'm researching, discussing and sharing that knowledge with clients and you, so let's get into the history, date and current recommendations for pitocin and uterotonics in postpartum.

Resources:

Pitocin During the third Stage of Labor by Rebecca Dekker, RN and Anna Bertone MPH, Evidence Based Birth

Management of the Third Stage of Labor, Updated:

Jun 03, 2024, Author: John R Smith, MD, FACOG, FRCSC; Chief Editor: Christine Isaacs, MD, Medscape

Postpartum Hemorrhage: Prevention and Treatment, 2017, AAFP, Ann Evensen, MD, Janice M Anderson, MD, and Patricia Fontaine, MD, MS

00:40 Breaking Water and Pitocin Orders

02:18 Concerns About Early Pitocin Use

04:41 Importance of Informed Consent

09:45 Postpartum Pitocin and Hemorrhaging

14:30 Historical Approaches to Hemorrhaging

18:14 Development of Oxytocin Drugs

24:35 Discovery of Oxytocin

26:44 Pitocin: Synthetic Oxytocin

27:23 Active Management in Labor

29:50 Historical Trials and Errors

32:25 Prostaglandins and Alternatives

36:01 Modern Practices and Recommendations

41:13 Preventing and Managing Hemorrhage

45:20 Final Thoughts and Advice

50:35 Upcoming Episode Preview

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

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Today we have the opportunity to sit down for an in depth look at postpartum care and how to prepare for this delicate time. Specifically how new parents can navigate and set expectations for your family’s and newborn’s sleep and feeding routine. How sleep affects your milk supply and your newborn’s sleep at night. Listen in on this expert interview, where I learned a few things myself and reviewed tricks to produce sufficient milk supply and newborn healthy feeding habits. You may want to take notes!

Melanie is a certified lactation educator at UCLA and owner of Melanie Wachsman Doula in Los Angeles, CA. She is a Gentle Sleep Educator and consultant and Sleep Savvy certified. You can find more information on her as a maternity expert at doulamellie.com IG @doula_mellie

00:00 Welcome to Episode Nine!

00:45 Introducing Melanie Wachsman Bingham

01:16 The Importance of Newborn Sleep

03:31 Melanie's Journey to Becoming a Doula

04:57 Balancing Sleep and Feeding for Newborns

10:33 Practical Tips for Newborn Sleep Routines

19:31 Managing Parental Sleep Deprivation

24:55 Navigating Cluster Feeding

26:12 The Benefits of Bedside Co-Sleepers

26:38 Understanding Baby's Primal Instincts

28:14 Finding the Right Sleep Setup

29:43 The Role of Partners and Support Systems

30:41 Personal Experiences with Sleep Training

36:25 Different Types of Nighttime Caregivers

45:55 Preparing for Baby's Arrival

50:08 Final Thoughts and Resources

More from Melanie:

Visit her website DoulaMellie.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @doula_mellie

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

Join us for the next Birth Plan Workshop!

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Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

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For the last 60-80 years an incision in the vaginal opening to help the baby come up has been used routinely, with some experts stating, there is no reason not to, so don’t even worry about it!

Yeah.. that was Dr Diethelm specifically, in 1938. Speeding up the pushing stage, helping mom out after pushing for a long time, worrying about the baby being held inside by the tight perineum, trying to avoid major tears by giving a smaller incision, all in the hopes to help out.

Medical and surgical interventions became popular in the 1920s as deliveries moved to the hospital, of course! Most with the best intentions in mind. They thought of a great idea, to use this procedure on everyone and with the help of forceps, totally eliminating the mom from having to push at all! Thanks!

But has the actual evidence held up this theory? Well get into it today! Take what you’ve learned and start the conversation with your provider, remember knowledge is power! Stay informed and stay healthy!

In this episode of the Birth Link Podcast, Colette discusses the topic of episiotomies in detail to help you navigate episiotomies for an empowered birth experience.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Update

00:13 Exciting New Ventures in Maternal and Newborn Care

01:42 The Importance of Birth Plans and Privacy

02:02 Hospital Experiences and Challenges

04:30 Protecting Your Space During Labor

05:37 Introduction to Episiotomies

07:07 History and Evolution of Episiotomies

14:20 Medical Perspectives and Practices

21:29 Conflicting Evidence and Modern Views

23:02 Episiotomy Risks and Recovery

23:16 Hospital Guidelines and Doctor Preferences

23:56 Infection and Pain During Sex

24:30 Severe Perineal Trauma and Fourth Degree Tears

26:15 Shortening the Second Stage of Labor

29:45 Shoulder Dystocia and Episiotomy

31:10 Restrictive Episiotomy Policies

38:18 Factors Increasing Episiotomy Risk

40:02 Factors Lowering Episiotomy Risk

41:22 Importance of Discussing Episiotomy with Your Provider

44:46 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Resources:

• [Fetal expulsion: Which interventions for perineal prevention? CNGOF Perineal Prevention and Protection in Obstetrics Guidelines].
• Riethmuller D, Ramanah R, Mottet N.
• Gynecol Obstet Fertil Senol. 2018 Dec;46(12):937-947. doi: 10.1016/j.gofs.2018.10.029. Epub 2018 Oct 28.
• PMID: 30377094 French.

Mayo Clinic, Labor and delivery, postpartum care; Episiotomy: when it’s needed, when it’s not

Selective versus routine uses of episiotomy for vaginal birth

Hong Jiang 1, Xu Qian 1, Guillermo Carroli 2,...

#1 Best selling author joins us today to speak about her new book The Fastest Way to Fat Loss After 40, a guide to mind, body and spiritual transformation. We touch on how we can use this valuable insight during hormonal changes in adolescence, fertility, pregnancy and postpartum to stay alive in our body’s healthiest potential.

As a registered dietitian and fitness specialist, Cynthia is 20 years into recovery from her own food and body relationship struggles. She has since taught women how to heal their relationship with food and bondage to sugar and discover their capacity to burn excess fat and rise above conventional norms of age-related weight gain and decline in health.

Cynthia graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a bachelor's degree in nutritional science. Following the completion of her bachelors degree she continued to receive her masters in Public Health, Health Education at California State University, Northridge where she also completed her dietetic internship within the college of Family and Consumer Sciences. She is also certified through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as a Health Fitness Specialist and Nutrition and Fitness Specialist. Cynthia is also an AFAA certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer.

Together, we explore Cynthia's new book, 'The Faster Way to Fat Loss After 40,' which provides insights into effective weight loss, hormone balance, and healthy living.

Diving into the importance of mental, physical, and spiritual health, fasting, detoxification, and how to optimize these aspects for better overall well-being, this episode provides practical tips for listeners on achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

02:43 Masterclass and Connecting with Cynthia Ray

04:06 Introducing Cynthia Ray and Her New Book

07:00 Cynthia's Background and Struggles

25:03 The Importance of Visualization and Mindfulness

35:35 Difference between Cleansing, Detoxing, and Fasting

37:11 Understanding Fasting and Its Benefits

37:36 Cleansing and Detoxing During Pregnancy

40:46 The Role of Oxytocin and Cortisol

43:50 Hormonal Hierarchy and Body Fat Loss

47:34 The Importance of Insulin and Blood Sugar

50:26 Fasting and Metabolic Flexibility

52:50 Hunger and Fasting Guidelines

54:54 Building Healthy Habits During Pregnancy

57:54 Fasting According to Your Menstrual Cycle

01:01:00 Final Thoughts and Advice

01:04:45 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

More from Cynthia Ray:

Grab her book: The Faster Way to Fat Loss After 40

Visit her Website CynthiaRay.com

Follow her on Instagram @cynthia_ray01

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