Pregnant people, new moms, birth workers, birth nerds and birth geeks will all love this conversation with The Doula Darcy and Hillary A. Melchiors Ph.D., MPH, LCCE, CD(DONA). In addition to having all those letters after her name, Hillary is the down-to-earth co-host of The Birth Geeks Podcast. She's also an anthropologist, birth doula, and childbirth educator who lives in Newburgh, IN. She holds a Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology and a Master’s in Public Health from Case Western Reserve University and has been working as a doula and childbirth educator since 2014. Darcy and Hillary chat about the science (in an easy-to-understand-way) behind "mom brain" and why the postpartum period is a time of neuro-plasticity in our brains. They also cover: neuro-plasticity, the brain and feelings of worth how the pandemic is giving us all "mom-brain" and why why Hillary loves postpartum doulas Doula Urban Legends the doula's role in being cognizant of a person's neuro-plasticity during birth & postpartum what all birth workers and people need to know about our brains during this time Birth Geeks Podcast: https://thebirthgeeks.com On Demand Postpartum Doula Support https://www.thedouladarcy.com The Doula Darcy's Facebook Group: The Doula Village: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheDoulaVillage

Your Birth, Your Worth Podcast

Mom Brain Explained - Ep. 26

Pregnant in a Pandemic: Tips and Silver Linings It’s an intense time to be giving birth right now due to COVID-19.  If you are pregnant or home with a newborn, you will definitely want to listen in to this episode. Taylor and Darcy share some ways to feel more empowered and in control during your pregnancy, labor and the first weeks home with your baby.  Taylor shares tips for pregnancy and birth that are especially helpful right now.  Darcy talks about things you can do while pregnant to prepare for your maternity leave while social distancing.  And, the doulas also share some silver linings!  There are many things that they are seeing in their work with families right now that are very positive. Sign up for the free online Navigating Childbirth & Early Postpartum during COVID-19 they mentioned here: https://mailchi.mp/45548ba35f4d/free-virtual-childbirth-education-series   Online Yoga for Birth workshop for couples with Darcy: https://doverdoula.com/prenatal-yoga   Here are links to the guided meditation apps Taylor mentions:   https://insighttimer.com/ https://expectful.com/ https://www.gentlebirth.com/app   Virtual Postpartum Doula Support with Darcy https://doverdoula.com/virtual-postpartum-doula-support

Pregnant in a Pandemic: Tips and Silver Linings - Ep. 25

Today, Darcy is chatting with long time friend and fellow postpartum doula, Krista Maltais.  Krista has been a doula for 14 years, and is now also a DONA Postpartum Doula Trainer as well.  Darcy and Krista bond over their love of their work supporting new mothers.  They also share their history of working together to build awareness of postpartum doulas in their community.  In this episode, they discuss the importance of finding other doulas for support and focusing on collaboration over competition. If you’ve ever considered being a doula, then this episode is for YOU!   Listen in as these two mothers and doulas chat all things from motherhood to having their dream jobs of supporting mothers and building a successful and fulfilling doula business.     Episode Breakdown:   How they met What made Krista become a postpartum doula The interesting journey of becoming a postpartum doula before motherhood and how that changed after motherhood. Postpartum hormones and the power of speaking in short sentences.  The Imposter Syndrome - Being a Doula without being a Parent  Boundary setting in motherhood  How to effectively ask for help The power of a postpartum doula for a family - a non judgmental, trusted resource with no family baggage. Training other postpartum doulas - All new parents need support The struggle of being a parent in today's culture Implementing business strategies to find clients - The Postpartum Doula Academy Is becoming a Doula right for you? The power of making your own schedule DONA - Becoming a Postpartum Doula How to find Krista’s Postpartum Doula Trainings Relief Parenting Center  Importance of in person mom connections - mom groups     Key Takeaway: If you’re feeling called to becoming a doula, follow that call! It takes time BUT if it's something that is pulling you, explore it and connect with people.  Take the training and know that families need your help!       Your Birth Your Worth Podcast Website: https://www.yourbirthyourworthpodcast.com/   Darcy Sauers Website: http://www.thedouladarcy.com/doulas     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedouladarcy/   Krista Maltais Website: https://www.reliefparenting.com/ https://www.reliefparenting.com/doula-training     https://www.dona.org/  

Being a Postpartum Doula with Krista Maltais & The Doula Darcy - Ep. 24

Darcy is on the podcast today having a discussion with Dr. Kat about the mental health issues surrounding pregnancy and post partum. Katayune Kaeni, Psy.D. PMH-C, is a psychologist certified in perinatal mental health and the creator and host of the Mom & Mind Podcast. She was drawn to this specialty after going through Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Anxiety and Postpartum OCD with her first child.  Dr. Kat supports mothers and families in her private practice in Southern California. She is a trainer and board member for Postpartum Support International. Dr. Kat offers training and education and advocacy in perinatal mental health to her to local community and worldwide.  Dr. Kat is available for perinatal psychotherapy clients throughout California through online sessions. www.drkaeni.com   In today’s episode, Darcy and Dr. Kat discuss how social media is making moms feel inadequate and that they’re parenting wrong, the impact of women’s hormones during pregnancy as it relates to mental health, the lack of planning around birth and being self aware of your emotions so you can seek help before post partum anxiety or depression kicks in. Key Takeaway: Plan for how you want your birth and post partum to play out. But, also plan for the unexpected. Planning for the unexpected will give you the emotional support and a guide to follow when things don’t go the way you hoped.   Highlights:   The effect of social media on new moms Feeling inadequate Hormones affecting anxiety, stress and depression during pregnancy The lack of planning around birth that leads to post partum stress The stigma around cesarean births Talking to someone and telling your birth story Accepting the way your birth plays out Seeking help and guidance from a counselor vs. a psychiatrist Traumatic birth experiences     Your Birth Your Worth Podcast   Website: https://www.yourbirthyourworthpodcast.com/   Darcy Sauers   Website: http://www.thedouladarcy.com/ https://www.thirdtrimesterthrive.com/   Blog: http://www.thedouladarcy.com/blog/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedouladarcy/   Dr. Kat   Website: http://www.momandmind.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MomandMindPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momandmind/      

Postpartum Mental Health with Dr. Kat of Mom & Mind - Ep 23

Today, Darcy is solocasting about the lack of community surrounding breastfeeding. Women in our country are struggling with beastfeeding because they haven’t been taught how to beastfeed by the women in their communities, i.e. their mothers, grandmas, cousins, aunts etc.. This causes a lot of guilt and shame in new moms. In this episode Darcy sets out to destigmatize breastfeeding for new moms and provides some resources and tips to ease your breastfeeding journey.   Key Takeaway: We need to build stronger communities to support new moms in their breastfeeding journey.   Highlights:   It’s ok to not know how to do everything as a new mom The lack of community surrounding breastfeeding The Myth that breastfeeding is simple DONA – Doulas Of North America   Your Birth Your Worth Podcast   Website: https://www.yourbirthyourworthpodcast.com/   Darcy Sauers   Website: http://www.thedouladarcy.com Third Trimester Thrive: https://www.thirdtrimesterthrive.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedouladarcy/   https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19871113&id=8cstAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7AIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6685%2C4248073&hl=en&fbclid=IwAR18ChJYRr4UckRedEwxhSv23Cnh1sWriH_LD5YVSi0WOscM9UX0gvsnIKQ   The Doula Darcy's On Demand Postpartum Doula Support:   www.thedouladarcy.com   www.doulamatch.net   www.dona.org          

Bred In Captivity - Ep 22

In today’s episode, Taylor offers her 5 steps to overcoming and managing your VBAC fears. After seeing the popularity of the previous VBAC episodes, Taylor decided to devote an entire episode to make sure you all felt prepared when planning your next VBAC. We seem to forget that it is absolutely normal to get scared sometimes. It’s necessary for our evolution and personal development to experience fear and anxiety after/before stressful situations. That being said, we do have a responsibility to process this pain it in order to manage it and eventually grow from it. Giving yourself permission to take the time to face these fears is no simple feat though. It takes time, love, and patience to step into those thoughts. But, by following Taylor’s steps, you can begin your journey to start working on those fears, eventually breaking them down, and reclaiming the joy associated with giving birth.   In this episode, Taylor will focus on how to process your VBAC fears, how to manage them, and how to create your own “Rallying Team.”   Key Takeaway: When fear starts to infiltrate into our thinking, the first instinct is to push it down and out of sight. The problem is, when we do that, that fear isn’t being processed and will continue to bubble up unexpectantly in our day to day lives. By getting honest with our fears, taking the time to identify and process the reasons behind it, we can actually start to overcome this particular fear. Our minds need information, support, validation, and closure into order to truly eradicate certain fears that dominate our thinking. It doesn’t necessarily mean it goes away permanently, but you do have the tools to manage them accordingly, and not let it control your life. Highlights:   Revisit episodes 4 and 11 for previous VBAC episodes What is a VBAC clarity session? Fear is reasonable and there to tell you something. Uncover and explore your fear Recognize those physical changes that happens when fear creeps in What effect is this fear having on your life? Information to address fear- processing the past and moving forward Perceived risk of VBACs Share your story safely Create a “Rallying Team” Identifying potentially triggers and sharing them with your team Make a plan for triggers Use the template!     Your Birth Your Worth Podcast Website: https://www.yourbirthyourworthpodcast.com/     Taylor Davis Website: http://yourvbacdoula.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylordavisdoula/ Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvbacjourney/ PDF template: http://yourvbacdoula.com/yourvbacfears   VBAC Clarity Sessions with Taylor: https://yourvbacdoula.com/vbacmentorship/ Taylor's Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvbacjourney/ ICAN: http://www.ican-online.org/ 5 Steps to Hiring your Best VBAC Provider: https://yourvbacdoula.com/vbacprovider/ Template for planning to manage VBAC Fears: https://yourvbacdoula.com/vbacfears/   ICAN Ican-online.org        

VBAC Fears: 5 Steps to Uncover and Manage your VBAC Fears - Ep 21

Today, Darcy welcomes Kimberly Johnson to the show. Kimberly is the author of the book “The Fourth Trimester”. The book is a holistic guide that offers practical advice to support women through postpartum healing on the physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual levels—and provides women with a roadmap to this very important transition that can last from a few months to a few years. In this conversation and her work, Kimberly draws from her vast professional experience as a doula, postpartum consultant, yoga teacher, body worker, and women’s health care advocate, and from the healing traditions of Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, and herbalism. In this episode you will hear about the importance of healing and calming the nervous system during the postpartum period, what Somatics is and how we can heal our bodies during postpartum.   Key Takeaway: During the postpartum period, it’s essential to be surrounded by “wise women” to support you   Highlights: Why new moms today are living in a state of hyper-vigilance Your baby is reflecting your nervous system back to you Birth is a rite of passage and transition for women and needs to be treated as such When we are anxious, our minds capture information that supports our inward thinking The body is weakened, and you must repair Reflecting on your birth: How do you feel about it? Somatics: mind and body telling two different stories. Our Biology is our biography Anxiety is an unresolved flight response The opposite of trauma is resilience, wholeness, and freedom. Activating Your Inner Jaguar: embodied consent, healthy boundaries, understanding of nervous system   Your Birth Your Worth Podcast Website: https://www.yourbirthyourworthpodcast.com/   Darcy Sauers Website: http://www.thedouladarcy.com/ https://www.thirdtrimesterthrive.com/ Blog: http://www.thedouladarcy.com/blog/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedouladarcy/   Kimberly Ann Johnson Instagram: @magamamas Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magamamacom/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Trimester-Postpartum-Balancing-Restoring/dp/1611804000 Activating Your Inner Jaguar: https://www.magamama.com/jaguar    

The Fourth Trimester with Kimberly Ann Johnson - Ep 20

In today’s episode, Darcy spoke with Lindsey Mathews, the founder and CEO of BirthFit. Lindsey is also a Doctor of Chiropractic, Birth Doula, Strength and Conditioning Coach, NLP Practitioner and a Yoga Instructor. BirthFit is a revolutionary company that supports and educates women throughout their transition into motherhood. With an array of online and in-person programs, experiences, and workshops, BirthFit strives to give women access to free information so they can make informed decisions regarding their pregnancy. Lindsey was inspired to create BirthFit when she realized that the medical community wasn’t giving parents necessary information and emotional support throughout their pregnancy.   Key Takeaway: Pregnancy is not a time to sit back and rely solely on the medical establishment. It’s a time to get to know more holistic and healing practices and learn to listen to your body’s innate wisdom.   Highlights: Birthfit is a company that seeks to educate and empower people with both online and in-person programs and experiences surrounding pregnancy and birth. When it comes to pregnancy and birth, there is a whole world of information that people don’t have access to. To gain access to all the information out there, parents need to search for it online and in their community, not just rely on what they hear in hospital settings. Our society programs women to view birth as scary and painful, but in reality giving birth can be a strong and empowering experience. Society is often so focused on what’s good for the baby, we forget to ask about what’s good for the mother and her body, especially postpartum. Women get little time to recover from giving birth, especially when compared to the average healing time for a typical surgery. Don’t feel ashamed to take the first year to heal and reconnect with your body after giving birth. After giving birth, the birthing parents health is often disregarded. In order to remedy this, Birthfit created classes that allow new parents to get back in touch with their needs and wants.   Your Birth Your Worth Podcast Website: https://www.yourbirthyourworthpodcast.com/ Other resources mentioned: Birthing & Postpartum Plans: https://www.yourbirthyourworthpodcast.com/plan/ History of Midwives: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2582410/   Taylor Davis Website: http://yourvbacdoula.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylordavisdoula/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvbacjourney/   Darcy Sauers Website: http://www.thedouladarcy.com Third Trimester Thrive: https://www.thirdtrimesterthrive.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedouladarcy/   BirthFit Website: https://birthfit.com/ Programs: https://birthfit.com/programs/programs-we-love/ Podcast: https://birthfit.com/education/podcasts/    

Getting BirthFIT, Preparing Mind, Body & Soul for Birth with Lindsey Mathews - Ep 19

Doulas Darcy and Taylor explore the link between our worthiness and our birth and postpartum experiences and vice versa. As a postpartum doula and birth doula, they share their perspectives on birth and the postpartum period while diving deep and exploring how our feelings of worthiness affect both and how our experiences during birth and the postpartum period affect our worthiness. We hope to inspire you to believe in your worthiness and offer ideas for creating the birth and postpartum experience you are worthy of.

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Your Birth, Your Worth Podcast

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