#206: The Long and Winding Road

After returning from a great #reteachbreech seminar in Indiana, Wise Goddess Blyss and Dr. Stu address listeners' inquiries about sleeping positions during pregnancy, pregnancy insurance, artificial rupture of membranes, and optimal intervals for pregnancy planning. They then delve into the topic of ultrasound technology, highlighting both its well-known benefits and downplayed risks. The discussion includes understanding radiation exposure and temperature during ultrasound and tips for minimizing ultrasound exposure for clinical information. Dr. Stu and Blyss review essential vs. optional ultrasound exams during pregnancy and Blyss shares her personal experience with ultrasound in childbirth.

15 Feb 20231h 17min

Kelly Rain Gross joins Blyss & Dr. Stu to share her experiences with two home births and the challenges she faced navigating unexpected outcomes. She emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself and asking questions, and the need to stick with what is right for the individual, even if it goes against the norm. You’ll hear her uplifting story of going the home birth route after genetic testing revealed her unborn baby had trisomy 21, or Down syndrome. Kelly also shares her experience of facing discrimination during her geriatric pregnancy and how she switched providers after being dismissed due to being considered "higher risk."

8 Feb 20231h 31min

Most of us are nutrient and vitamin deficient. On today's podcast, Blyss & Dr. Stu talk with Needed co-founder, Julie Sawaya, about her home births and journey to creating an optimal supplement for moms and dads. Julie also shares her insights on the importance of working with the right midwife or doula, the impact of a first birth on future births, and the importance of addressing the underlying nutritional deficiencies. Additionally, their conversation explores the challenges of finding optimal nutritional support through food alone, the reasons why Needed was formulated and the addition of a men's line with a focus on sperm health and quality. Julie also discusses the importance of asking your practitioner for the right blood tests to detect deficiencies and top nutrients to test for.

1 Feb 20231h 21min

Blyss & Dr. Stu catch up on crazy California weather and current events in the birth world, and share listener letters from their new email account. They also discuss the latest "crisis" article on Group B Strep and the continuous destruction of trust in medicine.

25 Jan 20231h 10min

Sensational headlines and rumors have finally been put to rest for the midwife trial in Nebraska. Defense Attorney Hermine Hayes-Klein returns to the podcast to give us her unique perspective on the Court V televised trial of midwife, Angee Hock. Hermine also provides her brilliant insight on midwifery law, maternal health, and creating regulations that protect freedom.

18 Jan 20231h 29min

Today, we’re venturing into a postpartum topic — breastfeeding! After Dr. Stu tells Blyss about his last Los Angeles adventure, they are joined by the incredible Chelsea Poyo-Nieto BA, IBCLC who unpacks how to set yourself up for success with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a learned skill, and it’s important to invest in your ability through a breastfeeding class and with a lactation consultant. In this episode, you’ll learn how your birth experience and being in a hospital can affect the early days of breastfeeding, and ways to navigate the challenges that may arise.

11 Jan 20231h 28min

Sherlock Holmes has a mind palace; Dr. Stu has a mind attic — and today him and Blyss are clearing out the clutter! The dynamic duo is together as Dr. Stu traveled to Santa Barbara and into Blyss’ kitchen. They each share triumphant birth stories and unpack more Dumb Doctor Dogma.

28 Dec 20221h 14min

Director Paula James Martinez and Executive Director Sara Ojjeh discuss Born Free, their new film on why the U.S. is the only nation in the developed world with a rising maternal mortality rate. They hope to amplify the need for change in the U.S. maternity system and rebrand our midwifery model while honoring the contributions of the Granny Midwives.

21 Dec 20221h 16min