The Mindful Womb Podcast

The first trimester is often treated like a waiting room — something to “get through” before the real pregnancy begins. But what if these early weeks are actually the foundation for everything that follows?

In this grounding, heart-opening episode, Clara reframes the first trimester as a sacred beginning — a season of nervous system imprinting, emotional awakening, identity shift, and deep internal transformation. Whether you’re pre...

Pregnancy is one of the body’s most profound transformations—beautiful, powerful, and sometimes uncomfortable. In this episode, Clara sits down with Dr. Emily Loughery (she/her), a perinatal and pediatric chiropractor, to explore how gentle chiropractic care can support the body (and nervous system) through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.

You’ll learn how alignment affects not only comfort but also pelvic balance, fetal p...

The ARRIVE Trial and the Term Breech Trial reshaped modern birth practices in ways researchers never intended. From skyrocketing inductions to the loss of vaginal breech training, these studies reveal how even “gold-standard” science can miss the human side of birth.

Clara invites you to take a mindful pause: to look beyond the data, question how evidence gets translated into policy, get curious about how the research was designed, ...

We’re exploring a topic that often sparks curiosity (and sometimes a little skepticism): placenta encapsulation. Our guest, Adwapa Asensio—doula, mother, and founder of DouDouKare—joins Clara to unpack the science, culture, and spirit behind this centuries-old practice. Adwapa describes birth as both sacred and messy, and her journey into placenta encapsulation grew from a deep desire to honor the body’s innate wisdom.

Together, we ...

Birth isn’t something to be controlled—it’s something to be surrendered to. Through real stories, gentle wisdom, and practical reflection, we explore why control can actually hinder the birthing process—and how cultivating trust, presence, and self-compassion can open the door to a more empowered experience.

You’ll learn:

• Why “doing everything right” doesn’t guarantee a smooth birth
• How the myth of control creates tension and...

Welcoming a baby is never just about the birth itself—it’s about preparing, learning, adapting, and building a strong foundation as partners. In this conversation, Clara sits down with Kim and Will Kneeland, parents to 14-month-old Lily, to explore how intentional preparation and community support shaped their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey.

Whether you’re planning your first birth or supporting someone who is, Kim and Wil...

Uncertainty is one of life’s only constants. Whether you’re awaiting labor, navigating a breakup, or supporting a loved one through illness, not knowing what comes next can feel like freefall.

In this intimate solo episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, I open up about the seasons of my own life that shook me to the core:

• the unraveling of my marriage,
• a complete career pivot, and
• my mother’s breast-cancer diagnosis.

These experi...

In this tender, deeply affirming episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, I sit down with Sam Byington—former private chef turned postpartum doula and certified lactation counselor—for a conversation every parent deserves to hear.

We go beyond diaper tips and freezer meals to talk about the real postpartum: the identity shifts, the relationship changes, the raw beauty, and the quiet grief no one warns you about. Sam shares her personal ...

Okay — let’s talk about sex. Yes, sex during pregnancy.
This is one of those topics that so many people wonder about, but few feel safe or comfortable asking out loud. In this episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, we’re breaking the silence and diving into the truth about intimacy, safety, and desire during pregnancy.

You’ll learn:

• What kinds of sex are generally safe during pregnancy
• When to check in with your provider before ...

In this powerful episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, I sit down with Farida Graham—educator, leader, and proud parent to 14-month-old Tammy—for an unfiltered, heartfelt conversation about navigating a high-risk pregnancy, confronting systemic bias, and fiercely advocating for herself as a Black birthing person.

We cover:

• The unexpected shift to “high-risk” at 20 weeks and what that really felt like
• How Farida made the courageous ...

Have “get the epidural” circled on your birth plan? Or maybe you’re curious but not sure if it’s for you? In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what epidurals really are, how they work, what they don’t do—and why preparation still matters deeply, even if you’re planning on pain meds.

We’ll explore:

• What epidurals actually do (and don’t do)
• How they’re administered, and what it feels like
• Common misconceptions that leav...

In this powerful episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, I sit down with pelvic floor physical therapist Mitali Mohanan (she/her) to explore one of the most overlooked pieces of reproductive health: the pelvic floor. Often dismissed until postpartum, this essential group of muscles plays a foundational role in fertility, hormone regulation, emotional well-being, and more.

From her own journey after birth trauma to becoming a passionate...

You’ve probably heard the advice: “You need to advocate for yourself during labor.” But what does that actually mean—especially if you’re not someone who feels naturally assertive?

In this episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, we’re unpacking what self-advocacy really looks like in the birth space. From debunking myths to sharing grounded communication tools and real-life phrases you can use during labor, this episode is your guide t...

In this episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, we're busting the myth of the "perfect" birth plan. Birth prep is not about having every stage memorized or packing the right playlist—it's about knowing how to meet birth as it is. Clara shares the five essential pillars of true birth preparation that go beyond the checklist and into your inner strength.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why most birth plans fall short—and what t...

Surrender Is Not Weakness—It’s Wisdom: A Personal Story from Bali, Silence, and Back Again

Episode Description:
What if surrender wasn’t about giving up—but about finding your deepest strength?

In this deeply personal episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, Clara shares an unexpected chapter from her life: losing her voice after returning from a transformative retreat in Bali. What began as frustration became a profound reminder of...

In this powerful episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, I sit down with certified nurse midwife, childbirth educator, and founder of Lila, Caitlyn Schollmeier. Together, we unpack how birthing people can reclaim their power and create a deeply meaningful, autonomous, and empowering birth experience.

We explore:

• How to shift away from fear-based narratives and embrace birth as a rite of passage
• What it means to create an intentional ...

Welcoming a new life into the world is one of the most profound experiences a person can have. But how do you prepare for something as unpredictable as birth? In this episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, I sit down with Emily Wilder, a biologist and first-time parent, to hear how she prepared for birth with intention—and how she learned to trust her body and the process along the way.

Emily shares how her research-driven approach ga...

What if yoga could do more than improve flexibility? What if it could transform the way you move, breathe, and experience birth?

In this episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, I’m joined by Lara Heimann, a renowned leader in yoga and the creator of LYT (Lara’s Yoga Technique). We explore the deep connection between movement, breathwork, and body awareness—especially in the context of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery...

When we think of birth support, we often picture a partner holding a hand or offering ice chips. But true birth support is so much more than that. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the essential role of a birth partner—how they can regulate stress, create an environment of safety and trust, and actively advocate during labor. We’ll explore hands-on comfort measures, emotional grounding techniques, and what it really means to ...