When a woman becomes pregnant, there is an extensive list of questions that follow: what can I eat, what movement can I do, what kind of delivery do I want, with who, where, will I breastfeed or use formula… The list is longer than the pregnancy. This is where a doula comes into the picture of pregnancy and post-partum. You don’t even have to be pregnant to enlist a doula’s support. 

A doula’s job is to help make your entire birth experience, and your partner’s experience, the best it can be. There is so much miscommunication about the role of a doula. To clear it up and answer common pregnancy and birthing questions is Ambrosia Meikle. 

Ambrosia Meikle is a birth and postpartum doula in southern California. She is a childbirth educator, lactation educator, and student midwife. Ambrosia was a surrogate and has two children of her own ages 9 and 15. As a doula, her main focus is to ensure birthing people have options and safe birthing environments. Ambrosia is passionate about serving her community and actively participates in bringing awareness to women's health issues.

You’ll learn all the tips for a healthy delivery, tips on bonding, lactation advice and more: 

3:30 what is a doula

4:30 the difference a great doula makes is options

5:40 how Ambrosia became a doula

7:15 optimal time to start working with a doula 

8:15 where to find doula

8:50 3 top tips for birth preparation

11:15 importance of feeling comfortable to make noise during childbirth 

12:15 nutrition advice during pregnancy which includes ice cream

13:10 differences between a hospital birth and home birth

15:00 what kind of support is needed for at home birth 

17:44 why an epidural is not always bad

20:20 what you need to know about the different hospital delivery options

21:36 Should you bathe a baby right after birth

22:00 what should you do with the placenta

27:00 tips to bond with a newborn 

28:55 why skin to skin contact with newborns is important

31:00 benefits of spending the first 40 days with the baby at your side

34:30 general lactation tips

35:30 biggest lactation fail is mom’s body positioning

37:30 how to identify if a baby has a tongue or lip tie

41:00 why a colic baby is too broad

44:00 postpartum mental health tips

45:00 importance of the mother asking for specific help

46:50 tips to ask for help when visitors see the baby

Learn more about Ambrosia

https://www.ambrosiabirthservices.com/ 

Connect on Social Media

IG @ambrosiabirthservices

Facebook @AmbrosiaBirthServices 

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Text Christine questions at 1-310-361-8697

Sponsored by Kayo Body Care

Kayo Body Care was the first to create Face Grade Body Care® products. Kayo believes in restoring vitality for your whole body both inside and out. Kayo’s highly-potent formulas are designed to care for your skin and your body so that you can both look and feel your best.

Shop Kayo’s body care and supplement line - www.KayoBodyCare.com

Use Code KISS20 for 20% off your first purchase

This show isn’t about following new wellness trends, but if there was one to JUMP on it would be this - rebounding! It’s a workout that basically takes you back to your childhood of jumping on a trampoline. As it turns out, the trampoline is good for our health and celebrities like Madonna, Goldie Hawn, Gwyneth Paltrow, Gisele Bundchen, Tony Robbins, and Miranda Kerr are big fans. 

The top leaders in rebounding, Colette Dong & Aly Giampolo from The Ness Fitness join the show to explain its benefits. The Ness is a dance-based, movement focused fitness method that offers workouts both on and off the trampoline. At its New York City studio and on its international digital platform, the Ness’ dynamic, addicting and ever-evolving bounce classes will amplify your cardio routine with a hefty dose of joy, mental stamina and sensory awareness. Bouncing is easy on your joints but still provides a high-adrenaline, heart-pumping workout, with added benefits including lymphatic drainage and pelvic floor strength. Complemented by full-body sculpt classes, you’ll always leave the ness as the buzzing foremost version of yourself. 

Colette Dong is a movement addict with multiple degrees in dance performance and exercise science. After pioneering the Dance Science department at Elon University, she went on to work in the research department at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries. Prior to founding the ness, Colette gained experience in the fitness industry as trainer and operations director for several boutique studios across NYC.

Aly Giampolo graduated from Westminster College of the Arts with a BA in dance performance, concentrating in teaching and pedagogy. While obtaining her degree, she performed and choreographed with Afro-house company Vissi Dance Theater with works showcased throughout the United States, Italy, Jamaica, and Japan. Prior to founding the ness, she began her fitness journey teaching at top boutique studios in NYC and has since amassed a cult following as a celebrity trainer with clients such as Eva Longoria and Sophia Bush. Aly holds a NASM fitness training certification, along with a pre + postnatal pilates certification.

If your home workouts are starting to feel stale and you are ready for a workout that makes you feel carefree and exhilarated? Then let’s JUMP on in!

In this episode Collette shares:

• 3:17 how she started rebounding and why it complimented her dance training 

• 5:20 benefits of rebounding including working the core and balance 

• 7:00 why it’s really effective for one piece of equipment

• 8:00 how it’s benefits are similar to running without the joint impact

• 10:00 what newbies need to know about rebounding

• 11:00 why it’s all about bouncing down not high

• 13:15 perfect alternative to people scared of dance

• 15:12 whether or not you can rebound while pregnant

• 17:45 her food philosophy

• 19:00 how a good workout can influence better food choices

• 19:30 what foods are best to fuel a workout

• 20:15 why having a pickle post workout is valuable

• 22:29 why they have over 500 workout videos

As you can tell, rebounding sounds equal parts fun and sweat-inducing. TheNess offers these bouncy workouts in all shapes and sizes, from dance-based cardio to strength training jump sessions and more. 

Visit TheNessNYC.com and enjoy 20% off your first month!

Promo Code: KISS20

Follow on Social Media

Instagram: @thenessnyc

TikTok: thenessnyc

Connect with Christine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinebullock/

Connect with Christine on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristineBullockFitness

Follow Christine on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/chrissybullock/_created/

Text Christine questions at 1-310-361-8697

Sponsored by Kayo Body Care

Kayo Body Care was the first to create Face Grade Body Care® products. Kayo believes in restoring vitality for your whole body both inside and out. Kayo’s highly-potent formulas are designed to care for your skin and your body so that you can both look and feel your best.

Shop Kayo’s body care and supplement line - www.KayoBodyCare.com

Use Code KISS20 for 20% off your first purchase