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decision-making beyond logic and intellect. This episode emphasizes the importance of tuning into your intuition, particularly for women navigating fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Understanding Intuition:
  • Defined as a "gut feeling" or an embodied experience.
  • Differentiates from logical thinking; relies on bodily sensations.
• Cultural Conditioning:
  • Society often prioritizes intellect over intuitive feelings.
  • Importance of balancing both to thrive in life.
• Biological Perspective:
  • Women might find it easier to access intuition due to biological roles in childbirth and nurturing.
• Practical Applications:
  • Using intuition during labor and birth when plans change unexpectedly.
  • Trusting gut instincts in parenting decisions against external advice.
• Barriers to Intuition:
  • Fear and survival mode can cloud intuitive judgment.
  • Previous traumas may inhibit connection with one's inner guidance system.

Enhancing Your Connection

1. Be curious about bodily sensations indicating "yes" or "no."
2. Allow space for exploration without fear of societal judgment.
3. Engage in healing practices like psychotherapy or community support to clear past traumas affecting clarity.

Personal Insights

Dr. Cindy, ND shares personal experiences where trusting her heart's signals led her through challenging times successfully—from empowered births to crucial life decisions.

Want more guidance on how to tap into your power for labour, birth and postpartum?

• For further questions on connecting with your intuition, reach out via Instagram @drcindytahhan.
• Download my free meditation here.
• Explore the upcoming Birth Mentorship Program for personalized guidance throughout pregnancy, birth and early postpartum stages.
  • Click here to apply.

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Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Allie Chisholm as she shares her journey from a pediatric physical therapist to becoming a mother and how it reshaped her approach to supporting both infants and their caregivers during the vulnerable postpartum period.

Key Topics:

1. Background & Journey
   • Education in Boston; Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
   • Transition from skilled nursing facilities to pediatrics.
   • Specialization in infant populations (ages 0-2).
2. Transition into Motherhood
   • Personal experiences with feeding struggles and unexpected challenges of motherhood.
   • The importance of preparing for postpartum realities.
3. Holistic Care Approach
   • Emphasis on treating infants alongside supporting mothers emotionally and mentally.
   • Collaborative care model that empowers parents rather than sidelining them.
4. Birth Experiences & Infant Development
   • How different birth processes can affect newborns physically.
   • Examples include head shaping issues due to positioning during birth or tightness affecting feeding patterns.
5. Primitive Reflexes & Early Postpartum Interventions
   • Understanding primitive reflexes like the breast crawl post-birth.
   • Importance of early interventions such as tummy time for motor skill development, breathing optimization, and elongation of body muscles.
6. Tongue Tie Controversy & Management Strategies
   • Discussion around tongue tie diagnoses; conservative management versus surgical intervention options.
   • Empowering parents through informed decisions about potential releases based on functional impairments observed in infants.
7. Tummy Time Benefits Beyond Motor Skills – Addressing common parental anxieties regarding SIDS while emphasizing varied approaches to tummy time practice.
8. Plagiocephaly (Head Flatness) Insights – Conservative treatment strategies over helmet use when appropriate, focusing on early detection and intervention techniques within critical age windows.

Takeaways:

• Parenting is humbling; practical experience often diverges from theoretical knowledge—embrace this learning curve!
• Support systems are crucial—both professional guidance like PTs who consider family dynamics holistically but also peer networks sharing similar journeys can be invaluable resources too!
• If you’ve experienced pregnancy/baby loss, you don’t have to cope alone, reach out to us for support and check out the other podcasts that helped Dr. Allie as she navigated this challenge: The Birth Hour & The Worst Girl Gang Ever.

Quotes:

"Motherhood will humble you right where you need it most."

"Working collaboratively ensures families feel supported instead of sidelined."

Connect with Dr. Allie Chisholm, PT, DPT:

www.themovingpeanut.com

On Instagram @themovingpeanut

Download my FREE Meditation here.

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In this episode, we welcome back the influential Barbara Harper, a pioneer in water birth and gentle birthing practices for over 40 years! She shares her recent global travels, insights into delayed cord clamping, and the significance of nurturing connections between mother and baby immediately after birth.

Key Topics Discussed:

Barbara's global travels training doctors, nurses, midwives, doulas and birth support workers in waterbirth and hypnobirthing.

Delayed Cord Clamping:

• Importance of not cutting the umbilical cord immediately post-birth.
• Scientific evidence supporting benefits such as increased blood volume for newborns.
• The concept of optimal cord clamping where the placenta is birthed before severing the cord.

Nurture Science & Connection:

• Emphasis on immediate skin-to-skin contact ("in the sanctuary") for at least six hours post-birth.
• Nils Bergman's "nurture science" highlighting continuous love and attention from mothers to infants.

Global Practices & Education Challenges:

• High cesarean rates due to lack of understanding of normal physiologic births among medical professionals.
• Need for educational reforms in medical schools worldwide emphasizing natural birthing processes.

Postpartum Care Models:

• Insights from postpartum facilities in China offering extensive support during the first forty days post-birth.

Notable Quotes:

"The baby's brain only has one program – connection."

"We must change how we welcome babies into the world."

Listeners are encouraged to explore more about gentle birth practices by revisiting our previous episode titled ‘Embracing Waterbirth’ featuring Barbara Harper. Consider advocating for informed birthing choices that prioritize both maternal comfort and infant health through education and community support systems.

Get in touch with Barbara Harper on instagram @thebarbaraharper

Or at her website: www.waterbirth.org

Click here to get the free meditation

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Join me as I celebrate the first anniversary of my podcast journey. This episode is dedicated to anyone contemplating taking a leap towards their dreams, trying new things and discovering what truly ignites your passion.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace New Beginnings: The podcast's inception was an act of courage during challenging times, proving that even when life feels unstable, there are opportunities for growth and transformation.
• Personal Growth: Hosting the podcast has bolstered my speaking skills and confidence. It’s been a healing journey where I've learned my voice can make a positive impact..
• Community & Connection: Through engaging conversations with guests like Dr. Sarah Buckley, Barbara Harper, and Laura Kaplan Shanley, we've built a community passionate about improving maternal healthcare.
• Impactful Stories: Our discussions have influenced listeners' lives profoundly—highlighted by stories like Laura Kaplan Shanley’s grandchild being impacted by our conversation.

DO THE SCARY THING IF YOU FEEL CALLED TO DO IT!

Connect with me on Instagram at @drcindytahhan

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for personal insights into ongoing transformations.

Thank you for supporting us through one incredible year! Your engagement fuels each episode's creation as we continue exploring enlightening topics together. Here’s to many more episodes filled with learning and inspiration!

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In this unique episode of Mom Brain, Dr. Cindy & Melissa explore an intriguing topic that deviates from usual discussions. Dr. Cindy shares a profound medicine journey undertaken for her 38th birthday, drawing parallels between this transformative experience and the rite of passage in childbirth.

Key Topics Discussed

• Medicine Journey Experience:
  • Dr. Cindy describes her recent exploration into plant medicine as one of the most transformative experiences since giving birth.
  • Discusses preparation involving two years of psychotherapy, not to mention all of the naturopathic work and meditation over the last 15 years and participation in women’s groups.
• Birth Parallels:
  • Comparison between the intensity and transformation experienced during childbirth and the medicine journey.
  • Both experiences involve deep introspection, emotional release, and personal growth where you must face the unknown.
• Intention Setting:
  • Importance of setting clear intentions before embarking on any transformative journey.
  • Cindy’s intention was to "face the lion," symbolizing confronting all aspects of herself without fear or judgment. Major plot twist about what the lion ended up being.
• Set & Setting:
  • The significance of environment (set) and surroundings (setting) in shaping one's experience during both birth and medicine journeys.
  • Emphasizes having supportive figures akin to doulas who provide safety without interference.
• Integration Process:
  • Discussion on integrating such life-altering experiences into everyday life post-event.
  • Highlights ongoing shifts in worldview following these profound moments.

Insightful Comparisons

1. Emotional Release & Healing: Both childbirth and psychedelic journeys offer opportunities for significant emotional healing through intense physical sensations leading to deeper self-awareness.
2. Support Systems: Just as a doula supports a birthing mother, having someone like a 'spiritual architect' or space holder can guide individuals safely through their inner explorations without judgment or intervention and give your system the signal of safety.
3. Environment Impact: A nurturing environment is crucial; whether it's nature immersion during psychedelics or creating calming spaces for laboring mothers—comfort aids transformation significantly.
4. Rite Of Passage: These experiences serve as rites of passage, initiations—rebirths—that allow individuals to emerge more connected with themselves while embracing new identities or roles within society/family dynamics post-experience/birth respectively.

This episode delves deeply into how seemingly different experiences share commonalities rooted in human transformation processes—a must-listen if you're curious about exploring life's thresholds beyond conventional boundaries!

Go to rewireforbirth.com/meditate to download your free hypnobirthing meditation to guide you through this rite of passage

Connect With Us:

For further insights into motherhood transformations & other enlightening topics discussed here today subscribe now! Follow us across social media platforms @rewireforbirth and @drcindytahhan where conversations continue long after each broadcast ends 🎙️✨

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Discovering Thyroid Cancer and Pregnancy with Dr. Alison Chen

In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Cindy welcomes her dear friend and colleague, Alison, to share her transformative life journey. From naturopathic school beginnings alongside Dr. Cindy to a life filled with travel, motherhood, and profound self-discovery amidst unexpected challenges.

Key Topics:

• Naturopathic Beginnings:
  • Both hosts graduated from naturopathic school together.
  • The challenging path to board certification.
• Traveling Lifestyle:
  • Post-graduation gap year in Thailand leading to continuous family travels.
  • Balancing nomadic living with raising children.
• Letting Go of the License:
  • Transition into full-time motherhood.
  • Finding joy and fulfillment outside traditional career paths.
• Navigating Miscarriages & Fertility Challenges:
  • Personal insights on multiple miscarriages (8 total).
  • Emotional struggles and societal expectations surrounding fertility issues.
• Facing Cancer Diagnosis:
  • Discovering thyroid cancer at the same time as finding out about her pregnancy.
  • Managing contrasting emotions of pregnancy amidst illness diagnosis.
• Life’s Turning Points & Self-Awareness:
  • How major life events reshape perspectives on happiness and existence.
• Emotional Vulnerability & Healing Practices:
  • Importance of video journaling during vulnerable moments for personal insight.
  • Exploring throat chakra healing related to expressing oneself authentically.

Insightful Quotes:

"It's not just about wanting one more better day; I wanted more of everything—heartbreaks included."

"The irony was having something you want growing inside you while also dealing with something you didn’t want to grow inside you."

Follow Alison on Instagram @dralisonchen

For further updates or inquiries regarding upcoming episodes featuring inspiring stories like these centered around resilience through adversities find us on Instagram @rewireforbirth.

Remember that each challenge holds potential lessons waiting to unfold if we allow ourselves the grace to embrace them fully without reservation!

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In this episode, Dr. Cindy is joined by Vera Kevic, a seasoned birth doula and childbirth educator with over a decade of experience. The conversation dives into various birth environments, contrasting high-risk hospital settings with home births and birthing centers. Vera is a strong advocate for informed consent in labour, birth and early postpartum and highlights the critical roles doulas and partners play in creating a supportive atmosphere for the birthing process.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Vera's Journey to Becoming a Doula: How Vera's experiences led her to the path of birthwork and activism.
2. The Importance of Informed Consent: Exploring the significance of informed consent in the birthing process and understanding birth plans.
3. Navigating Inductions and Interventions: Analyzing the cascading interventions often seen in hospital settings, and the challenges faced during inductions.
4. The Role of Partners and Support Systems: How doulas and partners can provide critical support during labor.
5. The Impact of Epidurals on Birth Experience: Discussing the influence of epidurals and other interventions on the birthing experience.
6. The Power of Language During Labor: Understanding how language and communication impact birth experiences.
7. Challenges in Accessing Midwifery Services: The current state of midwifery access and the reforms needed in hospital birth practices.
8. Empowering Birth Choices: Advocating for better birth experiences and understanding the role of midwives and birth centers.
9. Personal Birth Stories: Vera shares her insights from a malpractice lawyer's birth experience and the realities of induction consent forms.
10. Future of Birth Practices: Discussing what the future holds for birth practices and the importance of empowerment and trust in birth.

Insights Shared by Vera:

• Birthwork as activism: How Vera sees her role as a doula as part of a larger movement towards better birth experiences.
• The importance of prenatal classes in preparing for birth.
• Variations in birth and medical practices across different environments.
• The empowering nature of informed choices during birth.

Takeaways:

• Understanding the role of consent, partners, and support systems in creating a positive birth experience.
• Challenging common myths about epidurals and hospital interventions.
• The significance of language, communication, and personal empowerment during labor.

For more information on Vera's services and upcoming online childbirth classes, visit her website at Doulasonbikes.com.

Remember: "Empowerment in birth comes from informed choices and a strong support system." - Vera Kevic

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In this episode, Dr. Cindy is joined by Vera Kevic, a seasoned birth doula and childbirth educator with over a decade of experience. The conversation dives into various birth environments, contrasting high-risk hospital settings with home births and birthing centers. Vera is a strong advocate for informed consent in labour, birth and early postpartum and highlights the critical roles doulas and partners play in creating a supportive atmosphere for the birthing process.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Vera's Journey to Becoming a Doula: How Vera's experiences led her to the path of birthwork and activism.
2. The Importance of Informed Consent: Exploring the significance of informed consent in the birthing process and understanding birth plans.
3. Navigating Inductions and Interventions: Analyzing the cascading interventions often seen in hospital settings, and the challenges faced during inductions.
4. The Role of Partners and Support Systems: How doulas and partners can provide critical support during labor.
5. The Impact of Epidurals on Birth Experience: Discussing the influence of epidurals and other interventions on the birthing experience.
6. The Power of Language During Labor: Understanding how language and communication impact birth experiences.
7. Challenges in Accessing Midwifery Services: The current state of midwifery access and the reforms needed in hospital birth practices.
8. Empowering Birth Choices: Advocating for better birth experiences and understanding the role of midwives and birth centers.
9. Personal Birth Stories: Vera shares her insights from a malpractice lawyer's birth experience and the realities of induction consent forms.
10. Future of Birth Practices: Discussing what the future holds for birth practices and the importance of empowerment and trust in birth.

Insights Shared by Vera:

• Birthwork as activism: How Vera sees her role as a doula as part of a larger movement towards better birth experiences.
• The importance of prenatal classes in preparing for birth.
• Variations in birth and medical practices across different environments.
• The empowering nature of informed choices during birth.

Takeaways:

• Understanding the role of consent, partners, and support systems in creating a positive birth experience.
• Challenging common myths about epidurals and hospital interventions.
• The significance of language, communication, and personal empowerment during labor.

For more information on Vera's services and upcoming online childbirth classes, visit her website at Doulasonbikes.com.

Remember: "Empowerment in birth comes from informed choices and a strong support system." - Vera Kevic