The Mindful Womb Podcast

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

June 10, 2025 15 mins

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...
Mark as Played

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...

Mark as Played

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 ...
Mark as Played

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...

Mark as Played

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...

Mark as Played

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 ...

Mark as Played

Bringing a baby into the world is a life-changing experience, but it also introduces major shifts in intimacy and connection for couples. In this episode I sit down with Dr. Michele Waldron, clinical psychologist and certified sex therapist, to talk about navigating the postpartum period with intention and care.

We explore:

✅ Why intimacy changes after birth (hormones, exhaustion, body image, and shifting roles)
✅ How to communic...

Mark as Played

When preparing for birth, most families budget for hospital bills, but did you know your insurance may cover much more? From childbirth education and lactation support to postpartum recovery and mental health care, there are hidden benefits in many health plans that could save you thousands of dollars.

In this episode, we break down:
✅ The essential birth & postpartum services your insurance may cover
✅ Key CPT codes to ...

Mark as Played

Many athletes and active individuals focus on strength, endurance, and mobility—but what about pelvic floor health? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lindsay Roth, a pelvic floor therapist and functional strength coach, to discuss how pelvic floor function impacts performance, recovery, and overall well-being.

Dr. Roth explains how the pelvic floor plays a critical role in core stability, injury prevention, and even breathing mec...

Mark as Played

Did you know that your menstrual cycle is one of the best indicators of your overall health? In this episode, I sit down with Julie Lipsett, a certified fertility awareness educator and therapist, to discuss how cycle tracking can be a game-changer for understanding your body, balancing hormones, and making informed choices about fertility and contraception.

We explore:
✅ What fertility awareness really is (and how it differs f...

Mark as Played

In this episode we’re diving into the transformative role that partners can play during labor—through the power of touch and massage. Many partners want to help but aren’t sure how. That’s where intentional touch comes in.

I’m joined by Anna Muñoz, a skilled massage therapist and hypnotherapist with over a decade of experience in the birth world. Together, we’ll explore:

✨ How massage supports the release of oxytocin, the key hormone...

Mark as Played

Many expecting parents worry about the possibility of needing a cesarean birth (C-section). While cesareans can be life-saving when medically necessary, many are performed for reasons that could be avoided. The good news? You have more control over your birth experience than you might think.

In this episode we explore 10 evidence-based strategies to help you reduce the likelihood of an unnecessary cesarean and advocate for a birth t...

Mark as Played

Pregnancy is a transformative journey, and for those diagnosed with diabetes—whether preexisting Type 1 or 2, or gestational diabetes—it can come with unique challenges. But managing blood sugar doesn’t have to mean sacrificing an empowered birth experience.

In this episode, I sit down with Megan Peasley, a certified doula, birth photographer, and childbirth educator, to discuss her personal experience navigating pregnancy with Type...

Mark as Played

When discussing birth, we often hear the phrase, “As long as the baby is healthy, that’s all that matters.” While this sentiment comes from a place of love, it can unintentionally dismiss the emotional, physical, and psychological needs of the birthing person. In this episode, we’re diving deep into why birth isn’t just about the baby—it’s also about the person giving birth and the experience they have.

We’ll explore how the glorifi...

Mark as Played

Want to learn how to prepare for a pain free birth? Today we are joined by Dr. Porntip Israsena Twishime who shares what led to hear painless birth experiences. 

Tune in to learn:
✔ The impact fear-based narratives can have on your birth experience
✔ How to be mindful as you prepare for birth
✔ The power of being present and mindful in your body during pregnancy
✔ How to stay present with distractions in the hospital...

Mark as Played

Today, I’m joined by seasoned homeopath Sapna Devi for a deep dive into the world of homeopathy—an ancient healing practice that offers a gentle, non-invasive approach to wellness. Whether you're new to homeopathy or looking to enhance your understanding, this episode covers how it can support pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.


Tune in to learn:
✔ What homeopathy is and how it works
✔ The benefits of using home...

Mark as Played

Have you ever felt like birth is something that “just happens to you”? That decisions about your body and baby are made without your full understanding or involvement?

In this episodeb we challenge the common belief that birth is entirely in the hands of the medical team. Birth is not just a physical process—it’s a collaborative journey where you, the birthing individual, hold the power to make informed decisions.

What You’ll Learn i...

Mark as Played

If you’ve ever felt like your birth options are limited after a cesarean, this episode will change the narrative. VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) isn’t just a possibility—it’s an empowering opportunity to reclaim your story, heal from past experiences, and step into your power.

In this episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, I sit down with Carmen Rocha, a childbirth educator and VBAC advocate who has supported countless birthing p...

Mark as Played

Have you ever considered that birth is more than just a physical process? It’s a rite of passage, a journey that transforms not only your life but also your very sense of self. In this episode, I invite you to explore birth through the lens of the shamanic journey, an ancient archetype rooted in transformation, healing, and empowerment.

We’ll unpack the parallels between the stages of birth and the shamanic journey—from preparation ...

Mark as Played

In this episode, I’m joined by Bertha Elena, a compassionate advocate and trailblazer in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Together, we explore how this emerging modality can help address womb trauma—emotional scars stemming from fertility challenges, miscarriage, difficult births, and more. Bertha shares her deeply personal journey through infertility and how psychedelic-assisted therapy offered a breakthrough in her heal...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.