Birth, Baby!

In this episode of the Birth, Baby! Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Emily Turinas. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with her PhD in counseling psychology. Dr. Turinas brings her expertise and passion for helping individuals heal from trauma. From understanding the psychological impact of traumatic birth experiences to seeking therapy as a path to healing, Dr. Emily Turinas provides valuable insights into ...

In this episode, Ciarra and Samantha interview k'mae martinez (she/they) about the practice of belly binding. k’mae is multiracial birth and postpartum doula, a space holder for those amidst transition, a womb tender, aspiring herbalist, and belly binding practitioner in kinship with the rebozo. Her work is rooted in the reclamation of Sacredness throughout childbearing and in revitalizing holistic community care. k’mae ex...

Diamond Williams shares her personal journey of multiple pregnancies, miscarriages, and the inspiration behind writing her book. She emphasizes the importance of open dialogue and support for those experiencing pregnancy loss. Diamond turned to writing as a way to heal and found solace in sharing her story with others. Diamond reflects on the need for better education and support for women during pregnancy and birth. The c...

In this enlightening episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, we welcome Gina Mundy, a distinguished attorney, bestselling author, and devoted mother of three. Join us as Gina shares her invaluable insights and proactive strategies for ensuring a safe and empowered birth experience. 

As an attorney specializing in childbirth cases, Gina brings over two decades of expertise in analyzing the common mistakes made during labor and deli...

In this candid and heartfelt episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, we delve into Cory's empowering birth story, filled with unexpected twists and valuable lessons. Join us as Cory bravely shares her journey of pregnancy and childbirth, where her initial choice of OB led to a series of interventions she hadn't anticipated.  

Tune in to hear Cory's honest account of the highs and lows of her pregnancy, as she navigated through the...

Join us for a crucial episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast as we unravel the importance of kick counting in pregnancy. Many expectant parents have heard about kick counting but may feel unsure about how to effectively practice it. That's why we're thrilled to have Kimberly Isburg, an expert from Count The Kicks, to guide us through this essential prenatal ritual. 

Chapters

00:00 The Birth of Count the Kicks
05:11 When to Star...

In this insightful episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, we dive deep into the often-contemplated decision of whether to have siblings present during the birth of a new baby. 

Join us as we welcome back the esteemed midwife, Leonora Colen, from Home Birth Honey in Austin, Texas, to explore the nuanced pros and cons of this unique birthing experience.

In this conversation, we discuss the topic of siblings in the birth space, parti...

Join us for a fun Father's Day Special on Birth, Baby! Podcast, where we celebrate the behind the scenes supporters of Ciarra and Samantha – our husbands! In this comedic episode, we invite our very own husbands to the mic for a friendly yet competitive showdown to determine the ultimate "Birth King." 

Get ready for laughter and surprises as we put our partners to the test with a fun and interactive quiz designed to challen...

In this episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, we delve into the often-misunderstood topic of weight gain during pregnancy. Join us as we welcome back Leonora Colen of Home Birth Honey, a seasoned midwife with years of experience guiding expectant mothers through this transformative journey. Together, we explore the various factors influencing weight gain, from prenatal health to societal pressures, offering practical tips and e...

Welcome to another episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, where we delve into the inspiring journey of conception and birth. In this episode, we are privileged to hear Courtney's deeply personal story of becoming a mother and her transformation into a birth worker.  

Courtney takes us through her experience with IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), sharing the emotional and physical challenges of procedures like egg retrieval and the ro...

Sabrina Ortolano is back! In this episode we go deeper into what a community and village looks like in the perinatal period. We talk about how we can be a better village and what helpful support looks like.  

Sabrina Ortolano is a Birth Doula who has been supporting families for nearly thirty years. She is also the owner of IPSB, Los Angeles’ longest-running bodywork school, where she is the head instructor for courses on p...

We’re joined by Sabrina Ortolano in this episode to talk about the history of birth and the village in the United States. The birth scene has changed so much over the years, and it has an impact that people don’t always realize.  

Sabrina Ortolano is a Birth Doula who has been supporting families for nearly thirty years. She is also the owner of IPSB, Los Angeles’ longest-running bodywork school, where she is the head i...

We can’t believe it’s been a year already. One year ago, we released our first episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast. Tune in to hear what our top three most listened to episodes are, what OUR favorite episodes were, some sneak peeks into what’s to come, and a special announcement you won’t want to miss! We have had such a great year talking about pregnancy, birth, postpartum, sharing amazing birth stories, and learning alongsid...

We have a special Mother’s Day episode for you!

In this heartwarming episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, we invite a very special pair of guests - our own moms! Join us as we delve into the intimate and captivating stories of their childbirth experiences. From the anticipation of labor to the unforgettable moment of meeting their newborns for the first time, our moms candidly share their journeys, complete with the highs, the ...

Ciarra and Samantha help break down what to consider when choosing a pediatrician for your newborn. This is a task that is daunting to so many new parents. Listen to get an idea of the things to consider when making this decision. 

Summary

In this episode, Ciarra and Samantha discuss how to choose a pediatrician for your child. They provide tips and considerations for finding the right pediatrician, such as understanding you...

Today we have a Jes, a postpartum doula on the Empowered Beginnings team, on to talk to us about the birth and NICU stay of her second child. She wanted to share this story to bring light to the world of being a NICU parent. Jes is a wife and mother of two children, postpartum doula and pediatric sleep consultant, and an passionate plant and pug lover. 

Summary

Jes shares her birth stories, focusing on her second pregnancy a...

In this episode, Ciarra and Samantha discuss the topic of cervical exams during pregnancy and labor. They explain what a cervical exam is and what providers are looking for during the exam. They discuss the reasons why providers offer cervical exams and the potential benefits and drawbacks of getting them. They emphasize that cervical exams are not a crystal ball and do not accurately predict when labor will start or progr...

This episode may be hard for some people to listen to, but we feel it's important to talk about it because so many families share with us that they struggle with making the decision of whether or not to circumcise their children. Brendon Marotta, creator of the documentary American Circumcision, joined us to tackle this subject.

Brendon Marotta is a filmmaker, author, podcaster, public speaker, and father. His last film, A...

In this episode we interview Dr. Jared Poplin about the ins and outs of oral tie revisions. He answers commonly asked questions and addresses fears that many parents experience surrounding this procedure. 

Dr. Jared Poplin is the owner of Poplin Pediatric Dentistry, a specialized pediatric practice based out of Austin, Texas. A Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Poplin excels at working with childre...