In this conversation, Dawn Thompson and Laurel Wilson explore the critical role of the microbiome in perinatal health, the importance of breastfeeding for establishing a baby's immune system, and the challenges faced by mothers, especially those who undergo cesarean births. They discuss the cultural perspectives on breastfeeding, the alternatives available for feeding infants, and the need for support systems for new parents. The conversation emphasizes the uniqueness of each breastfeeding experience and the importance of community support in navigating these challenges.

Laurel Wilson is a TedX and international speaker, women’s health and perinatal specialist, integrative nutrition health coach, international board-certified lactation consultant, speaker consultant, educator, and author. Laurel has authored two books, The Attachment Pregnancy and The Greatest Pregnancy Ever. Her passion is blending today’s recent scientific findings with mind/body/spirit wisdom to highlight the magnitude and importance of the perinatal period. Laurel has been joyfully married to her husband for three decades and has two wonderful grown sons, whose difficult births led her on a path towards helping emerging families create positive experiences. She believes that the journey into parenthood is a life-changing rite of passage that should be deeply honored and celebrated.

Social Links:

https://www.facebook.com/MotherJourneyLaurelWilssonhttps://www.facebook.com/thrivewithlaurel/https://www.instagram.com/thrivewithlaurelwilsonhttps://www.instagram.com/mpotherjourneylaurelwilsonhttps://bsky.app/profile/thrivewithlaurel.bsky.socialhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSyzIpq30QYwww.laurelawilson.comwww.motherjourney.com

In this episode, Dawn and Nicole discuss the critical topic of preeclampsia with expert Sarah Thompson. They explore the rising incidence of preeclampsia, its symptoms, causes, and the significant role nutrition plays in prevention and management. Sarah emphasizes the importance of individualized care and the need for supportive systems during pregnancy. The conversation also highlights dietary recommendations, particularly the Mediterranean diet, as a means to reduce the risk of preeclampsia and improve overall pregnancy outcomes.

Sarah Thompson is a licensed acupuncturist, certified functional medicine practitioner, and leading expert in functional maternity care. She is the author of Functional Maternity: Using Functional Medicine and Nutrition to Improve Pregnancy and Childbirth Outcomes, the first book to integrate functional medicine into maternity care, as well as Beyond Results: A practitioner's guide to functional lab analysis in pregnancy. With over 15 years of clinical experience, Sarah specializes in using functional medicine and nutrition to optimize pregnancy health, manage complications such as nausea and vomiting, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes, and improve birth outcomes by supporting maternal physiology. Sarah is also a researcher, educator, and speaker, teaching midwives, OBs, and other healthcare professionals how to incorporate functional medicine into prenatal and postpartum care. Her work is widely recognized in midwifery colleges, professional conferences, and continuing education courses for maternity providers.In addition to her clinical and teaching work, Sarah actively participates in research on the role of nutrition in preventing and managing pregnancy complications. She owns and operates Sacred Vessel Acupuncture and Functional Medicine in Fort Collins, Colorado, and runs Functional Maternity, an educational platform dedicated to advancing functional medicine in maternal health.

Social Links:

Instagram & Facebook: @functional.maternitywww.functionalmaternity.comClinic: www.sacredvesselacupuncture.com

In this episode, Dawn Thompson and Nicole Harlot engage with HeHe, a doula and founder of Tranquility by HeHe, discussing the importance of education in childbirth, the trends in induction and cesarean rates, and the role of partners in the birthing process. They emphasize the need for women to be active participants in their birth choices, the significance of trusting one's intuition, and the impact of hospital practices on maternal health outcomes. The conversation highlights the necessity of empowering both mothers and fathers in the journey of childbirth, advocating for informed decisions, and fostering a supportive environment for families.

HeHe is the Founder of Tranquility by HeHe Maternity Concierge, the creator of The Birth Lounge membership. With a Master’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and over 10 years in the Family Life Education field, HeHe helps people prepare for childbirth with research-backed education and data-driven support to have a confident birth experience while feeling informed and in control of labor (without fear or coercion). She is passionate about helping patients understand their rights around consent and autonomy in birth. Her expertise expands to supporting new parents in preparing for postpartum, helping you master feeding your tiny human and understanding newborn sleep! HeHe hosts The Birth Lounge Podcast which features leading experts in pregnancy, women's health, and newborn development so parents can understand how to have an informed and confident birth!

Social Links:

www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehewww.instagram.com/the.birth.loungewww.tiktok.com/tranquilitybyheheThe Birth Lounge Podcast, https://open.spotify.com/show/7kSfCZ5rlpnRAWZMlQnSC6?si=ff68da7eb9c546f5