Advertise on podcast: InCast

Teen parents are often navigating pregnancy and birth while carrying layers of stigma, judgment, and unmet educational needs. This episode shines a compassionate light on why teens deserve the same evidence-based, respectful childbirth education as any adult—delivered in ways that truly meet them where they are. With honesty, heart, and deep practical experience, this conversation explores how education can shift teen parents from fear and shame toward confidence, agency, and long-term resilience. If you care about equity, dignity, and real-world impact in perinatal education, this episode is essential listening. About Julie Thompson Julie Ruckstuhl Thompson, ICCE is a certified childbirth educator, doula, and longtime special education professional with a passion for supporting adolescent parents. With 27 years of experience working with middle and high school students, Julie brings a developmentally informed, trauma-aware lens to childbirth education for teens. She teaches childbirth, baby care, and breastfeeding classes through the Colorado Adolescent Maternal Program (CAMP) and works closely with teen families in both hospital and community settings. Julie is a strong advocate for respectful care and believes deeply in helping young parents understand their choices, find their voice, and step into parenthood with confidence and dignity. What You'll Learn:  Why childbirth education for teens requires a different approach than adult-focused classes How stigma and judgment impact teen parents' birth experiences—and what educators can do to change that Why developmentally appropriate teaching builds confidence and advocacy skills, not just knowledge How respectful education during pregnancy can strengthen long-term parenting outcomes Why teen parents deserve choice, voice, and agency in birth just like any other family How educators and doulas can support teens without "promoting" teen pregnancy, while fostering resilience and healthy futures Resources:  CAMP – Colorado Adolescent Maternity Parenting & Family Program Contact Julie Thompson: [email protected] Related InJoy Products:  Teen On-Demand Video Library Stages of Labor: A Visual Guide for Teens 3rd Edition video program Healthy Steps for Teen Parents 2nd Edition video program Understanding Birth book + web app Related InJoy  Resources: Season 3, Episode 8: Intimate Partner Violence in Teens with Mary Jo Podgurski of The Academy for Adolescent Health

In today's fast-paced and often disconnected world, many new parents find themselves navigating pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with far less support than previous generations. In this episode, we explore the powerful role of community in maternal and family well-being and why rebuilding a modern-day "village" may be one of the most important ways to improve postpartum outcomes. Drawing from her experience supporting more than 100,000 families, Gabriela Gerhart shares practical insights on creating meaningful connections, strengthening support systems, and helping parents thrive during one of life's most transformative seasons.   About Gabriela Gerhart Gabriela Gerhart is the founder of the Motherhood Center, a Houston-based pregnancy, birth, and postpartum wellness center and professional childcare agency she established in 2000. Originally from a small village in the Czech Republic, Gabriela's background in pediatric nursing and physical therapy, combined with her passion for community-centered care, inspired her to create a comprehensive support system for growing families. Today, the Motherhood Center offers childbirth education, doula services, breastfeeding support, perinatal mental health resources, fitness programs, childcare services, and more. At the heart of her work is a simple belief: no mother should feel alone, and with the right support, every family can thrive.   What You'll Learn:  Why postpartum was never meant to be an isolated experience and how strong support systems help families build a healthier foundation during the transition to parenthood.   How modern parents are often overwhelmed by information, competing responsibilities, and the pressure to "get it right," making community support more important than ever.  What Gabriella learned growing up in a small Czech village, where neighbors, healthcare providers, and extended family naturally stepped in to help new parents.   Why creating opportunities for parents to connect—through childbirth classes, support groups, yoga classes, and social gatherings—can lead to lifelong friendships and lasting support networks.  Why every birth professional can help families build their own village by encouraging conversations about meals, practical help, check-ins, childcare support, and community resources before the baby arrives.  The importance of creating accessible postpartum gathering spaces, including mother meetups, new dad groups, and other low-barrier opportunities for connection and support.  How postpartum care is evolving beyond the idea of "bouncing back" and toward a more holistic focus on recovery, pelvic floor health, emotional well-being, and family adjustment.  Resources:  Motherhood Center Related InJoy Products:  Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care Book + Guided Learning Web App Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care eClass Understanding Fatherhood: PowerPoint Class Related InJoy Resources:  Season 10 Episode 2: Increasing Stability in a Transition to Parenthood Season 9 Episode 4: Insights on Perinatal Mental Health from PROSPER Leaders: Practical Tips for Educators and Doulas Providing Social Support for Postpartum Women Through a 4th Trimester Group

In a world that feels increasingly uncertain—from global conflict and community tension to lingering stress carried forward from the pandemic—expecting and new parents are holding more emotional weight than ever before. This episode explores how stress shows up during the childbearing years and, more importantly, how perinatal professionals can help parents feel grounded, supported, and capable even when the world around them feels unsteady. With warmth, insight, and decades of clinical experience, Gabrielle Kaufman offers practical, compassionate tools for navigating uncertainty without minimizing fear, fixing what can't be fixed, or leaving parents to manage it alone.  About Gabrielle Kaufman Gabrielle Kaufman, MA, LPCC, BC-DMT, NCC, PMH-C is a dance/movement therapist and licensed professional clinical counselor with more than 30 years of experience in perinatal mental health. She previously served for over a decade as Clinical Director of Maternal Mental Health NOW and as Director of the New Moms Connect Program at Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, supporting parents experiencing postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. Gabrielle has taught internationally for Postpartum Support International, Drexel University's Arts and Healing Initiative, and other professional programs, bringing a deeply integrative mind–body approach to maternal mental health care. She is bilingual in Spanish and a long-time advocate for accessible, compassionate support for families. At the heart of her work is one guiding belief: no mother should feel alone, and with the right support, every family can thrive.  What You'll Learn: Why uncertainty and global stress disproportionately affect pregnant and new parents, even when danger feels abstract or distant  How naming stress helps "tame" it, reducing overwhelm without asking professionals to fix what's out of their control  Why changing perspective—literally and emotionally—can restore a sense of agency when worries begin to snowball  How grounding techniques and mindful practices help parents move out of their heads and back into their bodies  Why receiving help is a strength, not a failure, and how modeling that truth supports both parents and providers  How perinatal professionals can create stability through presence, predictability, and compassionate referral, even when answers are unclear  Resources & Mentions:   Gabrielle Kaufman's Website(opens in a new tab)  Postpartum Support International (opens in a new tab)  Emotional Wellness Self-Help Tool (Maternal Mental Health NOW) Postpartum Support International(opens in a new tab)  MotherRisk is no longer available – Instead try:  LactMed(opens in a new tab) at NIH  MotherToBaby(opens in a new tab)  Infant Risk Center(opens in a new tab)  Related Products from InJoy:   Understanding Pregnancy Understanding Birth Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care Related InJoy  Resources:  Season 9 Episode 4: Insights on Perinatal Mental Health from PROSPER Leaders: Practical Tips for Educators and Doulas Bringing Awareness to Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders by Gabrielle Kaufman

Induction has quietly become one of the most common interventions in childbirth—so common that many parents assume it's inevitable or automatically safer. In this episode, we slow the conversation way down and take a careful, evidence-based look at how induction became routine, what the research actually shows, and why so many families are encouraged to induce without hearing the full story. With clarity, depth, and decades of expertise, Henci Goer helps listeners untangle fear from fact and reclaim informed choice in one of the most consequential decisions of the childbearing year. About Henci Goer   Henci Goer is an award-winning author, medical research analyst, and longtime advocate for maternity care reform. Known for making complex research accessible and usable, Henci has spent decades reviewing, synthesizing, and translating evidence so pregnant people and birth workers can make truly informed decisions. She is the author of multiple books, including Labor Induction: Why, When, and How and the Take Charge of Your Birth series, and the creator of a widely used online resource library for evidence-based maternity care. At the heart of her work is one guiding belief: every parent deserves accurate information, meaningful choice, and agency in their birth experience. Listen & Learn:  Why induction rates have climbed to nearly half of all labors, driven not only by medical need but by a growing category of "precautionary" inductions How induction shifted from convenience to perceived necessity, reframing healthy pregnancies as problems to be managed or prevented Why suspected big babies, overdue dates, and ruptured membranes are often misused as reasons for induction, despite research showing limited benefit and increased risk What the ARRIVE trial really found—and what it didn't, including how study conditions differ from everyday hospital practice How induction can disrupt the natural hormonal processes of labor, affecting pain tolerance, bonding, breastfeeding, and postpartum recovery Why informed consent, agency, and good questions matter more than ever, and how parents can use tools like BRAIN to make decisions aligned with their values Resources & Mentions:   Henci Goer's website, including the Research Library referenced in the podcast Related Products from InJoy:   Understanding Birth Curriculum Natural Birth & Beyond: Teaching Essentials for Independent Educators Video Library Understanding Natural Childbirth Techniques eClass Related InJoy Podcasts   Season 9 Episode 1: Preparing for Low-Intervention Birth with Sarah, the "Labor Junkie RN" Season 9 Episode 6: When Pregnancy Becomes "High-Risk": An Educator's Guide to Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) Care  Season 6, Episode 7: Safely Preventing Primary (NTSV) Cesarean Delivery—A Conversation with David C. Lagrew Jr. M.D.

In this rich and reassuring conversation, Debbie sits down once again with Dr. Lexi Hill, a Maternal–Fetal Medicine specialist, to unpack what advanced maternal age really means today.   Together, they demystify the risks, clarify what's truly important in prenatal care, and offer practical guidance for parents, educators, and birth professionals alike. From essential screenings and advocacy tips to emotional wellness and preparing for birth, this episode blends evidence-based insight with compassion and clarity.   Whether you work with expectant families or are navigating pregnancy yourself, you'll walk away feeling informed, empowered, and ready to support safer, more confident journeys into parenthood.  About Dr. Lexi Hill  Dr. Lexi is a board-certified Maternal–Fetal Medicine specialist dedicated to supporting people through high-risk and medically complex pregnancies with clarity, compassion, and evidence-based care. With extensive experience in fetal imaging, prenatal diagnostics, and managing conditions such as advanced maternal age, hypertension, diabetes, and IVF-related risks, she is known for her ability to translate complex medical information into practical guidance for patients and professionals alike.  In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Lexi creates educational resources—including courses, videos, and advocacy tools—that empower families to ask informed questions and navigate pregnancy with confidence.  Listen & Learn:  Why "advanced maternal age" begins at 35, and why that number isn't magical but part of a gradual risk continuum.  That flexible, well-communicated birth plans are still absolutely possible, and valuable, for AMA pregnancies.   How to recognize red flags in prenatal care and advocate for clear communication and shared decision-making.  Which screenings and scans are essential during AMA pregnancies, especially the importance of a detailed anatomy ultrasound.  The key maternal risks that rise with age, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth.  The fetal risks associated with AMA, from chromosomal differences to growth concerns and stillbirth risk.  How AMA care typically includes early screening, mid-pregnancy anatomy scans, third trimester growth checks, and late-pregnancy monitoring pregnancy anatomy scans, third trimester growth checks, and late pregnancy monitoring.  Why combining IVF with AMA adds layers of risk, making early ultrasound, anatomy scans, and fetal echocardiograms even more important.  How a preconception consultation can help you understand risks, optimize health, and prepare for pregnancy with confidence.  Resources & Mentions:   Dr. Lexi's website (free resources for students and clients)  FREE Hypertensive High Risk Pregnancy Module Dr. Lexi's YouTube channel(opens in a new tab)  Related Products from InJoy:   Understanding Pregnancy Book + Web App Understanding Birth Book + Web App Related InJoy Podcasts   Expert Insights: Latest Updates on Gestational Diabetes with Lily Nichols, RDN 1 Kick, 2 Kicks, 7 Kicks More! A Stillbirth Prevention Program With Megan Aucutt of Healthy Birth Day, Inc Preeclampsia: What Every Educator Should Know with Adriane Burgess

When a pregnancy is labeled "high-risk" and families are transferred from standard pregnancy care to a Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist, it can feel overwhelming, disorienting, and even like a personal setback. Emotions like fear, confusion, and self-doubt are common for parents, but finding balance during this transition is essential. Staying engaged and empowered isn't just good for emotional well-being; it's critical for making informed decisions throughout their pregnancy journey.    In today's episode, we'll explore practical and compassionate strategies to help educators support parents as they shift into MFM care —and how to help families maintain a sense of balance, clarity, and hope when pregnancy plans change.  About Dr. Lexi Hill  Our guest, Dr. Lexi Hill, is a respected Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist who works closely with families and healthcare professionals to ensure parents receive the best possible care during their high-risk pregnancy.  Dr. Hill is passionate about bridging gaps in the patient–physician relationship through education and empowerment.  She believes that when parents understand their care and feel confident advocating for themselves, both outcomes and experiences improve.  Listen & Learn:   Why parents are referred to maternal fetal medicine and what "high-risk" really means  The most common conditions MFM specialists manage, from diabetes to placenta previa  What it takes to become an MFM specialist and why that expertise matters  How MFMs collaborate with OBs and midwives to support safe deliveries  Ways MFMs help parents cope emotionally when birth plans change  Practical tips for advocacy and shared decision-making during pregnancy  Creative strategies to maintain joy and build support during high-risk pregnancies  Resources & Mentions:  Dr. Lexi's website (free resources for students and clients) FREE Hypertensive High Risk Pregnancy Module Dr. Lexi's YouTube channel Related Products from InJoy:  Understanding Pregnancy Book + Web App  Understanding Birth Book + Web App Related InJoy Podcast  Expert Insights: Latest Updates on Gestational Diabetes with Lily Nichols, RDN

Pregnancy often begins with joy and anticipation—but for some, it ends in unimaginable heartbreak. In this powerful episode, we explore what happens when pregnancy ends in loss, and how doulas, birth workers, and loved ones can offer meaningful support.   This episode offers insight into the complexity of perinatal grief, the power of presence, and practical strategies for compassionate care. Learn how to support families through the emotional, physical, and spiritual aftermath of loss—and why grief education and specialized training should be a standard part of all birth work.  About Ashley  Ashley Rose Salvitti is a certified full-spectrum doula and pregnancy and infant loss coach who specializes in supporting families through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and bereavement, offering compassionate care rooted in her own lived experiences. After the stillbirth of her second daughter, Lena, at 29 weeks, and a subsequent miscarriage, Ashley recognized the critical need for continuous, empathetic support for families navigating loss.   Drawing from her background in art and psychology and extensive training, she has served numerous families as both a birth and postpartum doula. Ashley is the founder of Doula Synergy, where she offers coaching, doula services, and bereavement training for birth professionals. Her mission is to ensure that no family walks the path of pregnancy or infant loss alone, and she actively advocates for expanded access to doula care at the state level.   What You'll Learn:  How the emotional complexity of perinatal loss affects families What the role of doulas in grief and bereavement care can look like How to use language that validates grief What practical and emotional support strategies birth workers can use with grieving families Why all birth workers need grief education  Resources & Mentions:  More Info on Ashley: Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.doulasynergy.com/ (Ashley Rose's website regarding loss – for families and birth workers)  Related Product from InJoy:    A Guide to Grief & Healing After the Loss of Your Baby Book + Web App   Related Blogs and Podcasts from InJoy:    Podcast: Comforting Mothers Who Have Experienced Infant Loss with Elizabeth O'Donnell of Aaliyah in Action Blog: Guiding with Compassion: How to Support Families Through Pregnancy and Infant Loss by Julianne Curtis

We're diving into a vital topic that touches the heart of our work as birth professionals: supporting mental health during the perinatal period. Whether you're a childbirth educator, a doula, or another type of birth professional, your role is uniquely positioned to offer meaningful support during one of the most emotionally complex times in a person's life.   Perinatal Mental Health Disorders (PMHDs) affect 1 in 5 individuals during pregnancy and postpartum—yet they often go undiscussed or unnoticed. In this episode, we'll explore how educators, doulas, and other birth professionals can create safe spaces for open conversations, recognize the signs of PMHDs, and offer compassionate, informed guidance to students and clients alike.  About Our Guests  Together, Dr. Celeste St. John-Larkin, Dr. Sarah Nagle-Yang, and Dr. Laurel Hicks, help lead the PROSPER program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine—a free, statewide perinatal psychiatric phone and e-consultation service that supports front-line healthcare providers in screening, assessing, and treating mental health and substance use conditions in pregnant and postpartum patients. PROSPER, which stands for Perinatal Resource Supporting Obstetric Screening, Psychiatric Education, Equity, and Referral, aims to expand access to mental health expertise, especially in rural and underserved areas of Colorado.  Dr.  Celeste St. John-Larkins is the PROSPER Project Director and Lead Psychiatrist. She supports providers statewide through expanded access to perinatal mental health and substance use care.   Dr. Sarah Nagle-Yang is the PROSPER Education and Training Lead. She has been a specialist in reproductive psychiatry for over a decade and is a co-editor of the first comprehensive textbook on Women's Reproductive Mental Health.   Dr. Laurel Hicks is the PROSPER Evaluation Lead and a Research Scientist. She holds a dual-title PhD in Social Work and Infant Mental Health, and her work focuses on improving outcomes for families through evidence-based mental health support  Listen and Learn:  What PMHDs include What the most common complication of childbirth is How many mothers are facing mental health concerns  When PMHDs may start in a woman's life Who should be paying attention to watch for these issues How the baby is affected if the mother is struggling with mental health issues How a new mother can give her family or support person permission to speak up if they notice she's acting differently than usual What educators and doulas can do for parents to see them as a safe space for referral Why breastfeeding can continue even if medication is needed How to help mothers build confidence to seek help    Recommended Resources:  The PROSPER Program – University of Colorado School of Medicine  Related Products from InJoy:  Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care Book + Web App Complete Postpartum Teaching Solution  Related Free Resources from InJoy:  Blog: Providing Social Support for Postpartum Women Through a 4th Trimester Group Webinar: Exploring the Unmet Needs of Postpartum Women  Contact the PROSPER Team:  For more information or inquiries, reach out to the PROSPER program at [email protected]

Hillary helps us learn how newborns experience their brand-new world —and how we as educators and doulas can help families understand them in ways they may have never been taught. Rather than seeing babies as a blob to be shaped, we can recognize them as fully formed people with unique needs. Transitioning from an internal dark, warm, water-filled home to the bright, ever-changing world can be quite an undertaking— but with our love and guidance, we can help them grow to their full potential, starting from the very first breath. Learning more about how we can teach this in a wonderfully sensitive way can change families' lives. About Hillary Hillary Menke, ICCE, is a childbirth and newborn care instructor with The Women's Clinic of Northern Colorado whose passion lies in the respectful, intentional care of very young children. She earned her BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Northern Colorado and began her career working with infants through kindergarteners in the classroom. To deepen her understanding of whole-child development, she pursued Waldorf Teacher Training at Sound Circle Center, focusing on supporting children's growth beyond academics—nurturing what it means to be deeply, joyfully human. It was with the birth of her own little one and coming to grips with the awe-filled, wild ride of motherhood that this passion extended to the care of new parents in their journeys through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She earned her childbirth educator certification through ICEA and now helps families navigate this transformative time with evidence-based education and compassionate guidance. Her goal is to build confidence in parents as they care for their babies in ways that reflect their values, wisdom, and dreams. What You'll Learn: What current neuroscience reveals about how babies actually perceive the world Why educators need to role model respectful interaction with their "babies" in the classroom What the differences are between infant and adult brain waves How we can demonstrate ways for parents to empathize with their babies Why a parent's calm demeanor can change the interaction with baby How to teach ways to decode infant cues Why free movement is part of respectful infant care Hillary's Favorite Resources: Baby Bare by Stephanie Johnson The Nurture Revolution by Greer Kirshenbaum Unruffled with Janet Lansbury (Podcast) Anything from Magda Gerber or Dr. Emi Pikler Related Products from InJoy:  Understanding Your Newborn Curriculum Understanding Birth Curriculum Understanding Breastfeeding Curriculum Educator Media Library Related Blogs and Podcasts from InJoy:   Podcast: Season 9 Episode 2: Gentle Sleep Support with Sierra Brooks Contact Hillary at [email protected].

Join us as we explore gentle sleep support—for both parents and babies—with Sierra Brooks, CAPPA Certified Postpartum Doula, Gentle Sleep Coach, and Certified Lactation Counselor.  In this episode, Sierra shares insights into how helping parents understand the biological needs of their babies, and how to accommodate those needs while getting enough rest themselves, can reduce maternal mental health struggles. After years of "cry it out" being the norm, Sierra offers a fresh perspective on emerging, more compassionate, and evidence-based sleep strategies.  By understanding these evolving approaches, we can better support the families we teach, treat, and care for.  About Sierra  Sierra Brooks is the owner and founder of Bud to Blossom, a Salt Lake City-based company dedicated to supporting the postpartum needs of new and growing families. As a CAPPA Certified Postpartum Doula, Gentle Sleep Coach, and Certified Lactation Counselor, Sierra helps families understand the cycles, rhythms, and cues of babies and guides parents as they implement sleep strategies tailored to their needs.  She has expanded Bud to Blossom to offer services such as birth doula support, infant feeding guidance, photography, and more—with the ultimate goal of helping families feel supported, confident, and prepared on their parenting journey.  Listen and Learn:  How new families can maximize their sleep and rest  How better sleep can help reduce mental health difficulties  What families should look for when interviewing sleep counselors, coaches, or trainers  How to teach parents about the baby's biological needs for sleeping and eating  The roles and philosophies of different sleep support professionals  When it's the right time to seek professional sleep help   How to help families choose the practitioner that is right for them  Why bringing the baby outside the house daily supports sleep cycles  How "noticing" is different from "tracking" to reduce anxiety  What the difference is between active sleep and deep sleep in babies  Resources & Mentions:  More Info on Sierra:  Email: [email protected]  Website: Bud to Blossom  Instagram: @bud2blossomgram  Sleep Counseling Institute:  Website: sleepcounselinginstitute.com/sci-certification  *Use code injoy for a discount  Instagram: @thesleepwich  Sierra's Favorite Baby Sleep Expert:  Dr. Lyndsey Hookway  Instagram: @lyndsey_hookway  Website: lyndseyhookway.com  Recommended Books:  Let's Talk About Your Family Sleep (for parents)  Holistic Sleep Coaching (for professionals)  Related Products from InJoy:  Understanding Your Newborn Curriculum  Understanding Postpartum Health & Your Baby Curriculum  Understanding Infant & Child Safety Curriculum  Related Blogs and Podcasts from InJoy:   Podcast: Making Safe Sleep Possible for all Families with Devon George of Cribs for Kids

Sarah —better known as the "Labor Junkie RN"— is a practicing high-risk labor nurse, social media influencer, and mom of three.  You may have seen her on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook sharing evidence-based insights on pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.  She often ends reels with "For more information on pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum, give me a follow and check out my page".  So, we did—and invited her to share her wisdom with you in this special podcast episode.  As a nurse and mom of three who chose unmedicated births, Sarah brings a unique perspective to the low-intervention birth experience. In this podcast, we talk to her about her choices and tips for others if they plan to have low- intervention births. But she's quick to remind us, she thinks the right choice for birthing families is the choice they make, and hopes we remember that birth is not a competition. Everyone should make their own choices.   Listen and Learn:  Why Sarah decided to make reels for social media—and how she keeps it going  Her passion for informed consent and education  Why she attended a birth class with her husband even though she was already an OB nurse   How planning ahead helps families achieve their birth goals  How she supports her patients in labor specific to their birth plan  When and how parents can ask to change to a nurse who supports their goals in labor  How a doula or other trained labor support person can make a difference  What a difference it can make to stay home in early labor on outcomes  Why she chose not to be induced  How exercise, yoga, and good nutrition helped her through her births  Resources & Mentions:  tiktok.com/@labor_junkie_rn  instagram.com/labor_junkie_rn   facebook.com/LaborJunkieRN   youtube.com/@labor_junkie_rn  Related Products from InJoy:  Understanding Birth  Understanding Natural Childbirth Techniques eClass  Stages of Labor  Pain Management for Childbirth, Volume 1: Comfort Techniques  Related Blogs and Podcasts from InJoy:  Blog: Tips for Teaching a Childbirth Class: Introducing the TENS Unit as a Labor Comfort Measure  Podcast: Spinning Babies – Comfort in Pregnancy and Easier Births with Gail Tully

Too many moms and babies are dying in the US! Many of those tragedies are avoidable. We have seen this problem, talked about the problem, and yet, the problem still exists. Poor outcomes can happen because of lack of respect and not listening to what is being said by the patient, especially BIPOC patients.   Today we are speaking to Dr. Renée Canady, a relationship-driven leader and author of the recently published book, "Room at the Table: A Leader's Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Justice."  She is recognized as a national thought leader in the areas of health inequities and disparities, cultural competence, and social justice. Dr. Canady has been highly influential in broadening the discussion of health equity and social justice while serving on numerous national boards, review panels, and advisory groups.   We wanted to talk with her after we learned what she is doing to advance change for pregnant and birthing women and families in the Detroit area. Join us to learn about her leadership in bringing about positive change for birthing families. She left us with this thought: "Don't get tired of doing the right thing. There will be a benefit to you, to me, and to generations if we don't throw in the towel".     Listen and Learn:  What it means to look through an equity lens  How productive outrage and righteous indignation can make changes for the better  How these types of conversations impact the life expectancy of mothers and babies  Why we need to understand that the mom is the expert of the mom  What servant leadership has to do with positive change  The difference between power and empowerment  How understanding generational birth experiences can change the current culture of a mom and family  Resources, Mentions & Related Products from InJoy  More about Dr. Canady   To learn more about "Room at the Table," click here.  Podcasts  Getting Uncomfortable About Health Equity with Natalie Burke   Mama Bird: Serving the Community Through Compassionate Doula Services  Creating Breastfeeding-Friendly Communities   Blogs  Language Justice: Perinatal Education in Multiple Languages Means Healthier Outcomes for All  Walking Across Kenya to Support Safe Births and Secure Families: Reflections and Lessons Learned   Webinars  The Impact of Racism in Healthcare and the Perinatal Period – Part 1  The Impact of Racism in Healthcare and the Perinatal Period – Part 2

Gestational diabetes changes the direction of many women's pregnancies.  Once the determination is made, things are not so straightforward after that.  In this podcast we will explore how the path to birth changes once a diagnosis is made and what women can do to have a birth with as few complications as possible. We also look at what women can do to prevent the diagnosis in the first place.  We discussed this important topic with Lily Nichols, who is a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author with a passion for evidence-based prenatal nutrition guidance. Her work is known for being research-focused, thorough, and critical of outdated dietary guidelines. She is the co-founder of the Women's Health Nutrition Academy and the author of two books, Real Food for Pregnancy and Real Food for Gestational Diabetes. Lily's bestselling books have helped tens of thousands of mamas (and babies!). They are used in university-level maternal nutrition and midwifery courses and have even influenced prenatal nutrition policy internationally.     Listen and Learn:  How women can change things in their lives to avoid gestational diabetes What impact exercise has on blood sugar levels  How much education most OBs/MFMs/FMOBs have in nutrition and gestational diabetes  What tests are currently used to look for gestational diabetes and how accurate they are  Why old standards of test outcomes are still in practice and what newer options are available that may be more predictive How the morning meal affects blood sugar levels    Resources & Mentions:  Lily Nichols' Website     Related Products from InJoy: Understanding Pregnancy Curriculum Understanding Birth Curriculum Understanding Prenatal Nutrition

When a mother has the devastating experience of leaving the hospital without a baby and perhaps only a memory box, many in our society expect them to get on with living and go back to their normal life.  But their life is changed forever, and many don't recognize or acknowledge that. Today we will hear the story of grief, anger, a battle, and finally, a life's purpose for one mother who had to walk this hard path. Through her mission, she struggled to get family leave extended to grieving parents, so no one would have to suffer as she did. She also discovered the importance of providing resources for self-care and connection to bereavement groups. Elizabeth "Liz" O'Donnell is a steadfast infant loss advocate leading the charge in raising awareness and prevention of stillbirth and infant mortality. Her daughter, Aaliyah, was born still in 2020. Today, she runs a one-woman non-profit, Aaliyah in Action, keeping her daughter's spirit alive, supporting mothers and families across the country who experience the pain of losing a baby, and advocating for legislation that could reduce the number of U.S. stillbirths. Liz is also a Director of Awareness for PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, a grassroots initiative that advocates for evidence-based, respectful, and equitable maternity care aimed at preventing loss when possible. Before her advocacy work, Liz was a dedicated D.C. Public Schools elementary math and science schoolteacher for 7 years.    Listen and Learn: What hospitals traditionally do when a baby is born still How it feels for one mom to leave the hospital with empty arms That some states give FMLA leave for the parents of loss, and some don't Why Liz created this package for other grieving moms What is in the Self Care Box and why many hospitals now give out the boxes How you can share the importance of post-loss care with your hospital or agency   Resources & Mentions: Aaliyah in Action Push for Empowered Pregnancy Count the Kicks Elizabeth O'Donnell - [email protected]   Related Products from InJoy: Guide to Grief and Healing After the Loss of Your Baby

Join us for the latest information on perinatal addiction.  We will explore the most commonly used substances that affect the lives of families and their babies during pregnancy and postpartum. We also discuss the new legislation in some states that has changed the way that parents with substance use issues are treated.  Since it's been proven that punitive measures do not lead to change with people who have this complicated problem, new laws were put into place with the hope that women with substance use issues start prenatal care earlier. You'll also learn how educators and other birth workers can offer resources for those who want to seek help.     Our guest, Dr. Kaylin Klie, MD, MA is an addiction medicine specialist who works at UCHealth in Colorado as an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Psychiatry with a special focus on perinatal addiction. She is the founder of the Denver Health and University of Colorado OB Addiction Medicine clinics, which provide integrated peripartum care and substance use assessment and treatment for pregnant and mothering women.  Dr. Klie has been on a steering committee member for the State of Colorado Substance Exposed Newborn task force, and the co-chair for Provider Education. She served on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Maternal Mortality Review Committee, helping healthcare workers and the public understand the impact substance use continues to have on maternal morbidity and mortality in Colorado.    Listen and Learn   How legislative changes for Colorado families include that substance exposure during a pregnancy alone is no longer automatically considered child abuse or neglect How a punitive response to substance use in pregnancy has negative health effects for families, instead of being helpful   What is meant by "context more than the toxicology" in helping to keep a plan of safe care for the family  That substance use covers a wide variety of products that people are addicted to  How to think about what kind of support a person who uses substances may need  When we welcome people with substance use into our services and classes, it helps them seek prenatal care rather than waiting due to fear    Resources & Mentions Get in touch with Dr. Klie:  [email protected]    Related Products from InJoy Understanding Pregnancy Curriculum Understanding Birth Curriculum Understanding Breastfeeding Curriculum Alcohol & Pregnancy You Can Quit! How to Stop Smoking During Pregnancy Healthy Steps for Teen Parents