In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, we delve into the often controversial topic of free birth with guest Alia Wright, a free birth coach, doula, and mother of three. Host HeHe discusses the principles of radical responsibility, autonomy, and the deep trust in women's ability to make informed choices about their birth experiences. The conversation covers what free birth entails, common myths and misconceptions of freebirth, prenatal care practices, and how to prepare yourself and your partner for a free birth. Alia Wright shares her insights on the sacredness of free birth, the role of intuition, and practical tips for handling emergencies. The episode aims to provide a comprehensive look at free birth, encouraging expectant mothers to explore their birthing options without fear.

00:00 Introduction to Free Birth

01:01 Discussing the Controversy of Free Birth

02:36 Exploring the Free Birth Community

04:37 Guest Introduction: Alia Wright

06:38 Defining Free Birth

09:50 The Role of Support in Free Birth

14:49 Challenges and Misconceptions

37:37 Legalities and Authority in Free Birth

49:07 Navigating Medical Counsel During Free Birth

49:41 Advocating for Your Birth Choices

52:40 Personal Responsibility in Free Birth

56:53 Exploring Prenatal Care Options

01:03:12 Trusting Your Intuition

01:13:39 Partner's Role in Free Birth

01:22:51 Handling Common Free Birth Concerns

01:33:48 Connecting with Alia Wright

01:35:12 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Guest Bio:

Alia Wright is a freebirth coach, doula, and mother of three, devoted to helping women reclaim birth as a natural, intuitive, and sovereign experience. As a wife, homemaker, and homeschooling mother, Alia weaves the sacred into the everyday—believing that birth is not something to be feared or managed, but something to be embodied and honored.

With over a decade in the birth world and two powerful freebirths of her own, she supports women in shedding the fears and conditioning of the medical model so they can fully trust their instincts and bodies. Her work centers on mindset, intuition, radical responsibility, and returning birth to women.

Known for her “tough love with a soft landing” approach, Alia guides mothers to deepen their confidence, embrace the unknown, and step into birth as a rite of passage. Her passion extends into holistic living, from herbal remedies and low-tox homemaking to nourishing food and natural family rhythms.

Connect with HeHe on IG

Connect with HeHe on YouTube

Connect with Alia on IG

Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!

Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!

aliawright.com

In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe shares untraditional aspects to consider when creating your birth plan, or birth preference sheet, as HeHe likes to call it. This episode emphasizes the importance of understanding the phases of labor, choosing the right people in your birth space, considering all available tools and medications, and planning for postpartum care. HeHe also shares insights on maintaining flexibility and making informed decisions during labor. Tune in to learn how to create a thoughtful and comprehensive birth preference sheet that prioritizes your autonomy and informed consent.

00:00 Introduction: The Rush to Labor

00:24 Untraditional Birth Plan Considerations

01:47 The Importance of Birth Preferences

03:44 Understanding the Phases of Labor

04:45 Early Labor: Managing Time and Anxiety

09:09 Free Class: Avoiding C-Sections and Reducing Tearing

11:06 Choosing Your Birth Team

17:46 Preparing Your Partner with Dad Daze

21:33 Pain Relief Options in Labor

28:31 Medical and Non-Medical Tools for Labor

31:39 Postpartum Planning and Preferences

36:07 Conclusion: Empowering Your Birth Experience

Connect with HeHe on IG

Connect with HeHe on YouTube

Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!

Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!

Get HeHe’s free class on how to avoid a c-section here: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

https://www.thebirthlounge.com/daddaze

https://www.justtheinserts.com/

In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe delves into the transformative journey of birth and parenthood with guest Dr. Britta Bushnell—an expert in childbirth education, mythology, and parenting. The episode explores the impactful themes from Dr. Britta's book, 'Transformed by Birth,' emphasizing the balance between feminine (Artemis) and masculine (Apollo) energies during childbirth. Listeners are encouraged to embrace both the untamed, intuitive side of birth and the structured, analytical aspects. The discussion also highlights the importance of partner involvement, the practice of receiving support, and the experience of parenthood as a rite of passage. HeHe gets vulnerable, sharing personal insights and fears as an expecting mother, offering a relatable and heartfelt narrative for listeners navigating similar journeys.

00:00 Introduction and Warm Welcome

01:08 The Joy of Podcasting and Listener Engagement

04:02 Encouragement and Requests for Listeners

05:13 Introduction to Today's Episode and Guest

09:26 Discussion on Birth as a Rite of Passage

12:55 Intuition and Pregnancy Experiences

18:31 Challenges and Changes in Parenthood

32:25 Building Resilience and Strong Relationships

41:12 Encouraging Partner Involvement

47:14 The Role of Partners in Pregnancy

47:59 Involving Partners in Birth Decisions

48:44 Supporting Partners' Emotional Needs

51:33 The Metaphor of the River and the Banks

56:50 Practical Tips for Sharing the Mental Load

59:31 Practicing Discomfort Together

01:02:52 Empowering Partners in Birth

01:10:59 The Balance of Artemis and Apollo

01:24:54 Final Thoughts and Resources

Guest Bio:

Britta Bushnell, PhD, is a mother, veteran childbirth educator, celebrated speaker, mythologist, and specialist in childbirth, couples, and parenting. For the last 20 years, Dr. Bushnell has worked with individuals and couples as they prepare for the life-changing experience of giving birth. Her work with parents has been enriched by her doctoral work in mythology and psychology, her years spent as a co-owner of Birthing From Within, as well as her dedicated study of solution-focused brief therapy, storytelling, and sustaining vibrancy and helping romantic partnerships thrive even during parenthood.

Connect with HeHe on IG

Connect with HeHe on YouTube

Connect with Dr. Britta on IG

Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!

Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!

brittabushnell.com

Curious about Transformed by Birth? Enjoy this free download of Chapter One!

https://brittabushnell.com/free-resources/