The Mindful Womb Podcast
The Mindful Womb podcast will help you apply the principles of mindfulness, science, and the sacred womb so you can feel less stressed and easily welcome your changing reality (and body) through life’s transitions like conception, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenthood. Host Clara O’Rourke (she/her), certified doula and childbirth educator, brings you actionable strategies, mindfulness tips, pregnancy and birth facts, authentic truths, and inspirational stories that can help you harness your inner power, embrace personal growth, and become the best version of yourself as you grow your family.
Episodes
On this episode of the Mindful Womb Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Kirsten Small, an obstetrically trained researcher and educator. Kristen shares the research and evidence on the use of central fetal heart rate monitoring in labor.
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- What is cartography (CTG) for fetal heart rate monitoring during labor?
- Does CTG help improve fetal outcomes?
- Is CTG monitoring better for high-risk preg...
Today, I want to share with you a mindful approach to cervical exams during labor. This is a topic that can bring up a lot of questions and concerns for expecting parents, so I hope this will help you navigate this aspect of labor with confidence and clarity.
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- What are cervical exams?
- What information can you get beyond dilation with a cervical exam?
- When do you “need” a cervical exam?
- Do...
On this episode of the Mindful Womb Podcast, we are joined by Teresa Coyle Airey, a seasoned doula and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Teresa shares a wealth of knowledge about how to prepare for successful lactation.
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- Common challenges with breastfeeding/ chestfeeding
- What to expect from colostrum during the first few days after birth
- Problem-solving in the first few...
The best way to avoid unnecessary interventions in labor is to optimize the conditions for physiologic birth to progress.
How do we do that? In this episode, we are covering the 5 key practices that have been proven by research to support your body’s natural blueprint for birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions.
Don’t forget to check out the blog post
Resources mentioned:
Today we are talking about how to avoid unnecessary interventions in labor. We'll learn some common interventions, shedding light on their impact, risks, and alternatives.
Why should we question routine interventions? Because evidence suggests that many of these practices, when used routinely, may not improve outcomes and can even lead to complications. It's essential to empower yourself with knowledge, enabling informed ...
On this episode of the Mindful Womb Podcast, we are joined by Krystal Keller (she/her), founder of Kinder Cloth Diaper Co. Krystal shares a lot of information about her journey as a mother of two and how she has integrated cloth diapers into her lifestyle.
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- The benefits and downsides of cloth diapering
- The financial breakdown of how much you save with cloth diapering
- How to decide if clot...
Today we are talking about a mindset that can lead to a traumatic birth experience and the keys to avoiding this mindset trap. And we talk about the key mindset shift that will change your perspective on birth.
Don’t forget to check out the blog post
Resources mentioned:
>> Clear Your Birth Fears Guide
>> A Path to A Powerful Birth Class
***If these topics light you up, ple...
On this episode of the Mindful Womb Podcast, we are joined by Kiara Fair, an Certified Nurse Midwife who specializes in homebirth. Kiara brings an amazing perspective with her expereince as a labor and delivery nurse turned doula turned midwife.
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- The difference between working with a midwife vs an OB
- An overview of the different kinds of midwives
- What questions to ask a midwife to f...
A key component to having an empowering birth experience is advocacy. Your voice should be at the center of your care ALWAYS. And advocating for what you want really matters. Unfortunately, the medical culture in the USA is not great about ensuring folks consent to different interventions or procedures, especially during childbirth.
In today’s episode, I am going to share a personal story about an instance that happened to me in a ...
On this episode of the Mindful Womb Podcast, we are joined by Gina Mundy, an attorney who specializes in childbirth cases. For over two decades, she has analyzed the mistakes that are made during labor and delivery. Drawing on this knowledge, she helps parents prevent these mistakes and have a healthy baby.
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- Your rights as a birthing person
- The most common mistakes that lead to challeng...
Wondering what changes your body will experience in late pregnancy? Or what signs to look out for that mean your body is actually in labor?
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- Signs your body is getting ready for labor in late pregnancy
- Signs labor is approaching
- How to tell Braxton Hicks contractions from actual labor contractions
Don’t forget to check out the blog post
Resources mentioned:
>> A Path ...
On this episode of the Mindful Womb Podcast, we are joined by Bianca Sprague, founder of Bebo Mia, a dedicated educator, author, activist, and doula. We unpack the ways women and queer folks have been conditioned to suppress feelings of rage and how to start channeling these emotions in a powerful way to live a more intentional and aligned life.
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- Understanding rage as a natural par...
Have you ever said yes to something when you really wanted to say no? Or just sat and stayed quiet when someone said something that you knew was incorrect but you just felt like it wasn’t worth the confrontation to say something?
Our friends at Merriam-Webster define a people pleaser as “a person who has an emotional need to please others often at the expense of their own needs or desires.” The truth is a lot of women or AFAB folks ...
On this episode of the Mindful Womb Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Jennifer Vohra, a certified doctor of physical therapy with advanced training and certification in pelvic floor rehabilitation and obstetric physical therapy. We talk all about tips and tricks to push in a way that helps to avoid tearing during childbirth.
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- The benefits of pelvic floor therapy
- How to relax your pelvic floo...
As you prepare for the arrival of your little one, it's essential to have everything you need packed and ready to go for your place of birth. In this episode of the Mindful Womb Podcast, we are talking all about what you need to have in your hospital bag to be prepared for an unmedicated birth.
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- What to pack in your hospital bag and why
- How our mindset plays a big role in our birt...
On this episode of the Mindful Womb Podcast, we are joined by Nathan Riley MD (Holistic OBGYN). Together, we uncovered layers of spirituality, personal empowerment, radical responsibility, and the critical need for agency within the birthing process.
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- Decolonizing the Western maternity model
- How to be the center of your care during your pregnancy and birth
- Birth as a shamanic journey and...
On this episode of the Mindful Womb Podcast, we are joined by Mariel Novas and Arlene Sanchez, two sisters and new moms who share wisdom from their unique journeys to parenthood.
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- Finding a sense of belonging again when having children
- Managing anxiety during pregnancy
- Setting boundaries with family during pregnancy and parenthood
- Honoring family dynamics
On this episode of the Mindful Womb Podcast, we are joined by Ana Munoz a massage therapist, hypnotherapist, doula, and childbirth educator.
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- The mind-body connection that promotes relaxation
- The benefits of massage therapy in pregnancy
- Hypnosis and its benefits in pregnancy and birth
- Clearing fear and stress with hypnosis
Don’t forget to check out the blog post
On this episode of the Mindful Womb Podcast, we are going to talk about how to sleep and how to sleep BETTER during pregnancy.
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- What positions are best to sleep in during each trimester
- How to find more comfortable sleeping positions during pregnancy
- How to resolve common discomforts that impact sleep like heartburn, frequent urination, restless legs syndrome and leg cramps, and racing th...
On this episode of the Mindful Womb Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Brandie Freeman the number one pelvic floor therapist in the Metro Atlanta Area. With Dr. Brandie, we explore the importance of pelvic floor health and how it impacts how we birth, our recovery, and our daily lives!
In this episode, we dive into the following:
- Signs you might need pelvic floor therapy
- Myths that prevent people from getting pelvic floor sup...
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