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

In this conversation, Nicole Harlot, Dawn Thompson, and Kim Jolasun discuss the significance of having a supportive village during motherhood. Kim shares her experiences and insights on how cultural differences shape the way communities support new parents. The discussion emphasizes the importance of communication, setting boundaries, and the evolving role of fathers in the parenting journey. The conversation also highlights the need for education among villagers to better support new mothers and the importance of cultivating relationships before the arrival of a baby.

Villie is a digital platform helping expecting and new parents keep their loved ones in the loop—without the chaos of group chats. Through personalized baby pages, we make it easy to share updates, collect support, and celebrate each moment. Our mission is to build modern tools that strengthen the village it takes to raise a child. Built by moms, for moms, Villie centers the parent experience while unlocking meaningful ways for families and friends to show up. 💜
@villiefamily

In this episode of Speaking of the Village, hosts Dawn Thompson and Nicole Harlot discuss the complexities of childbirth, focusing on the differences between home births and hospital births. Dawn shares her recent experience as a doula at a hospital birth, highlighting the challenges faced within the hospital system, including the importance of having supportive staff and the impact of hospital protocols on the birthing experience. They emphasize the need for individualized care and the role of advocacy in ensuring positive birth experiences. The conversation also touches on statistics related to maternity care, showcasing successful practices in certain hospitals that prioritize patient-centered care.

In this conversation, Nicole Harlot and Dawn Thompson discuss the Neuro Play Method with pediatric physical therapist Elizabeth. They explore the importance of early intervention in child development, the holistic approach to infant care, and practical strategies for parents to support their baby's growth. Elizabeth shares insights on movement patterns, the significance of a supportive environment, and the benefits of proactive parenting. The discussion emphasizes the need for awareness of available resources and the importance of connecting with professionals to ensure optimal development for all babies.

Elizabeth Agrapidis is a caring & service driven professional educator, pediatric physical therapist, teacher, NDT certified practitioner, author, toy inventor, wife and a mom of two. She is putting many of the puzzle pieces of whole child development together for infant and perinatal professionals and moms from the convenience of your home through the Neuro-Play Method & consultant program.

As a neuro pediatric physical therapist, PE teacher, and adaptive PE teacher for children with special needs, she noticed that there was a gap and missing information for parents after delivery and she wanted to help with children’s early development from that point on in her journey. She now takes that knowledge and practical experience and provides hands-on developmental sequences, strategies, knowledge and tools through consulting, mentoring, and her online program.

Social Links & Website

www.abilifit.org

www.facebook.com/elizabethagrapidis

www.instagram.com/abilift_pedidev

In this episode, Dawn Thompson and Nicole Harlot engage with Jaimie Zaki to discuss the critical aspects of maternal health, particularly focusing on breastfeeding. They explore the interconnectedness of birth and breastfeeding, the impact of medical interventions, and the emotional trauma that can arise from childbirth experiences. Jamie emphasizes the importance of understanding the maternal health system, the role of IV fluids, and the necessity of proper latching techniques. The conversation also highlights the significance of seeking support from lactation consultants and trusting one's intuition in navigating breastfeeding challenges. Additionally, they touch on the topic of tongue and lip ties and their implications for breastfeeding success.

Jaimie is an IBCLC and mom of 5 dedicated to helping women prevent and overcome breastfeeding challenges so they can enjoy breastfeeding with a sense of peace and confidence. Jaimie is the founder of the Confident MamaBear Society where she teaches & supports pregnant and breastfeeding mothers across the United States how to shut out the toxic whispers of the world and embrace their God-given intuition to make confident feeding decisions.www.littlebearlactation.com/latchingwithconfidencewww.instagram.com/littlebearlactation

In this episode, hosts Dawn Thompson and Nicole Harlot engage in a candid discussion about the complexities of labor induction, cesarean births, and the importance of maternal health education. They share personal experiences and insights on the impact of medical interventions in childbirth, the significance of listening to one's intuition, and the need for informed decision-making in maternity care. The conversation emphasizes the importance of support systems, such as doulas and midwives, and challenges the conventional views surrounding birth experiences.

Takeaways

• Induction of labor can lead to higher cesarean rates.
• Cesareans are often downplayed in society despite their risks.
• Maternal health education is crucial for informed decisions.
• Listening to intuition can empower birthing individuals.
• Early labor can be misinterpreted, leading to unnecessary interventions.
• Support during birth can significantly impact the experience.
• Hospital births often come with pressures for medical interventions.
• Empowered birth experiences can change perspectives on motherhood.
• Doulas and midwives play vital roles in supporting birthing individuals.
• Informed choices are essential for positive birth outcomes.