In this episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, host Ciarra Morgan discusses the challenges of postpartum relationships with guest Shelley Scotka, a certified childbirth educator and postpartum doula. They explore the 'Bringing Baby Home' program developed by the Gottmans, which focuses on improving couple relationships during the transition to parenthood. The conversation highlights the importance of communication, conflict resolution, and the need for couples to prioritize their relationship amidst the challenges of parenting. Shelley shares insights on the structure of her workshops and the benefits of evidence-based practices in supporting families during this critical time.

Shelley Scotka is a certified Gottman Bringing Baby Home Instructor, a certified Childbirth Educator and a certified birth and postpartum doula. She has been supporting families since 1998 through prenatal education, labor and birth support and postpartum care, and is so excited to be adding the Love Strong After Baby workshops to her offerings. She recognizes bringing a baby home can be one of life's most amazing and challenging journeys and is dedicated to helping families navigate this bumpy territory! She has been married for over 35 years and has grown "babies" of her own (ages 28/31)

Instagram @‌ShelleyScotka Website: www.shelleyscotka.com (Info about these workshops is under parent education) Workshop inquiry email lovestrongafterbaby@gmail.com

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: www.BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

• (00:00) - Introduction and Overview of the Podcast
• (02:31) - Introducing Shelley Scotka and Her Expertise
• (03:00) - Understanding the 'Bringing Baby Home' Program
• (06:36) - Challenges of Postpartum Relationships
• (10:44) - Navigating Perpetual Conflicts in Relationships
• (14:58) - The Importance of Communication in Parenting
• (17:39) - Adapting the Program for Postpartum Couples
• (22:54) - Workshop Structure and Goals
• (26:51) - Options for Remote Learning and Support
• (28:39) - Conclusion and Future Workshops

In this episode we’re joined by Dr. Whitaker, a direct care pediatrician in Austin, Texas at the practice Blue Monarch Pediatrics! He’s here to talk to us all about fevers in newborns. What constitutes a fever in a newborn? At what age is it less dangerous for a baby to have a fever? What can a parent do for a newborn with a fever and is it always necessary to go to the emergency room? Dr. Whitaker answers the questions so many new parents have.

Dr. Whitaker is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He completed his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at Rice University, Medical Degree at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center. He has over 20 years of experience in a variety of settings including newborn hospital, emergency and urgent care facilities, outpatient clinic for children with complex health needs and mental health difficulties.

http://bluemonarchpediatrics.com

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: www.BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

On this episode of Birth, Baby! we have midwife Leonora Colen on with us to talk about out of hospital birth. We will discuss birth center and home birth options and the safety of them as well as what the care with midwives looks like in these settings. Leonora has been a birth center and home birth midwife, so we’re excited for her to share this information with us!

Leonora is a midwife, mom, and a human who believes that birthing people should have autonomy in their birthing experience. She grew up splitting time between the foothills of Northern California and the Bay Area, took a gap year, and studied abroad for a year in Ecuador. She got a BA in Filmmaking at Bard College in upstate New York and took another year studying abroad in Spain. After graduating she moved to Austin, Texas and began a midwifery apprenticeship in a thriving home birth practice and, after graduating from the Association for Texas Midwifery program, she started working at Austin Area Birthing Center where she worked for 10 years.

She is licensed through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). 12,000 prenatal and postpartum visits and over 500 deliveries later Leonora felt called to return to her home birth roots and do everything possible to keep birth safe and normal especially in the midst of a global pandemic.

Home Birth Honey https://www.homebirthhoney.com/

http://www.facebook.com/homebirthhoneyatx/ https://www.instagram.com/HOMEBIRTHHONEYATX/

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: www.BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

Sometimes people want to try to get labor moving with more natural labor induction techniques before they get to the point of being faced with a medical induction. Due dates are given more weight with some providers than with others. In an attempt to avoid Pitocin, Foley Balloons, Cervidil, Cytotec, or any of the other medical induction techniques, some people opt for teas, herbs, and more.

In this episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, hosts Ciarra Morgan and Samantha Kelly, along with their returning guest midwife Leonora Colon, delve into the intricacies of labor promoters and the importance of understanding due dates in pregnancy. They discuss the significance of due dates, the protocols midwives follow regarding labor timing, and various natural methods to encourage labor. The conversation emphasizes the need for autonomy in the birthing process and the importance of supportive care, whether at home or in a hospital setting.

Website: www.HomeBirthHoney.com Instagram: @homebirthhoneyatx

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

• (00:00) - Introduction and Disclaimer
• (01:02) - Understanding Due Dates in Pregnancy
• (09:02) - Navigating Labor Timing and Midwife Protocols
• (12:57) - Labor Promoters: What Works and What Doesn't
• (20:05) - Natural Methods to Encourage Labor
• (31:54) - Final Thoughts on Labor and Support Options

In this episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, hosts Ciarra Morgan and Samantha Kelly welcome their past doula client, Danielle Sanchez, to share her unique journey of having a Vaginal Birth After 2 Cesareans (VBA2C). Danielle discusses the challenges she faced, including gestational diabetes and pressure from healthcare providers. She emphasizes the importance of preparation, advocacy, and finding the right support team. The conversation covers her first two labors and births as well as the emotional rollercoaster her final of labor, and the joy of postpartum recovery. Danielle offers valuable advice for others considering a VBAC, highlighting the power of self-belief and community support.

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: www.BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

• (00:00) - Introduction and Disclaimer
• (01:12) - Danielle's Unique Birth Story
• (04:39) - Preparing for a VBAC
• (07:59) - Navigating Healthcare Providers
• (11:08) - Induction Decisions and Experiences
• (14:23) - The Induction Process
• (19:10) - Pushing and Delivery Experience
• (21:06) - Postpartum Experience and Recovery
• (29:10) - Reflections on the Journey
• (32:54) - Advice for Future VBAC Candidates

In this episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, hosts Ciarra Morgan and Samantha Kelly discuss postpartum birth control options with certified midwife Anne Leclercq. They explore various methods including hormonal, barrier, and natural family planning, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's body and the need for open communication between partners regarding birth control choices. The conversation highlights the complexities of postpartum fertility and the significance of being informed about different options available to new mothers.

Anne Caron Leclercq, a certified midwife in both Europe and the US, an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and a Natural Family Planning coach with the Marquette Method. With over 20 years of experience in holistic birth, she’s worked in Belgium, France, and the US, including hospitals, private practice, and Birthing Center. Anne is also a certified Haptotherapist, having received her certification from CIRDH in 2012. Haptonomy, widely used in Europe, helps parents-to-be function as partners in parenting before birth. She’s proud to be the only practicing Haptotherapist in the US.

​Anne and her husband moved from France to Austin, Texas, in 2012. Her passion for motherhood and birth drives her to help others experience a calm and stress-free birth. She is dedicated to guiding mothers through their breastfeeding journey. Helping them overcome challenges and ensuring they have a positive and successful experience with breastfeeding is incredibly fulfilling.

​Currently, she's also focused on helping women better understand their bodies and fertility. Anne wants women to be empowered and be supported in their choice.

Website: www.birthgardens.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birthgardens/

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: www.BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

• (00:00) - Introduction and Podcast Overview
• (02:10) - Exploring Postpartum Birth Control Options
• (14:33) - Understanding Natural Family Planning
• (21:45) - The Importance of Communication in Birth Control Choices
• (30:13) - Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning

This is Part 2 in a 2-part series In this episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, hosts Ciarra Morgan and Samantha Kelly engage with Dr. Newman to discuss the critical aspects of vaccine safety, the approval process, and the importance of herd immunity. They address common concerns and misinformation surrounding vaccines, emphasizing the rigorous testing and monitoring systems in place to ensure safety. The conversation highlights the role of pediatricians in educating families about vaccinations and the community's responsibility in maintaining herd immunity to protect vulnerable populations.

Genuine and dedicated, Dr. Ross Newman aims to make his patients’ appointments as comfortable as possible, taking extra time to get to know his families and build their trust. He works alongside parents to incorporate their beliefs, concerns and values with evidence-based medicine, creating treatment plans that enhance the well-being of kids and their families. His special interests include combating childhood obesity through activity—from sports to playing outdoors—and supporting literacy by encouraging families to read early and often with their kids, stimulating their children’s minds and expanding their vocabulary. Dr. Ross Newman is a father of four children has been practicing pediatrician for ten years. He has a popular TikTok and Instagram presence where he presents information to parents in easily digestible ways. You can check him out here: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr_rossome Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_rossome

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: www.BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

• (00:00) - Understanding Vaccine Safety and Approval Process
• (05:41) - The Role of Monitoring Systems in Vaccine Safety
• (10:54) - Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy and Misinformation
• (15:32) - The Importance of Herd Immunity

This is Part 1 in a 2-part series In this episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, hosts Ciarra Morgan and Samantha Kelly engage with Dr. Ross Newman, a pediatrician, to discuss the important and often controversial topic of vaccinations for children. The conversation covers how vaccines work, the significance of timely vaccinations, and addresses common concerns regarding vaccine ingredients, particularly aluminum. Dr. Newman emphasizes the importance of understanding the science behind vaccines and reassures parents about their safety and efficacy.

Genuine and dedicated, Dr. Ross Newman aims to make his patients’ appointments as comfortable as possible, taking extra time to get to know his families and build their trust. He works alongside parents to incorporate their beliefs, concerns and values with evidence-based medicine, creating treatment plans that enhance the well-being of kids and their families. His special interests include combating childhood obesity through activity—from sports to playing outdoors—and supporting literacy by encouraging families to read early and often with their kids, stimulating their children’s minds and expanding their vocabulary. Dr. Ross Newman is a father of four children has been practicing pediatrician for ten years. He has a popular TikTok and Instagram presence where he presents information to parents in easily digestible ways. You can check him out here: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr_rossome Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_rossome

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: www.BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

• (00:00) - Introduction to Vaccination Discussion
• (03:01) - Understanding How Vaccines Work
• (07:06) - The Importance of Timely Vaccination
• (13:08) - Addressing Vaccine Ingredients and Concerns