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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

Send us a text

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

Send us a text

In this episode, we are joined by Jessica Sennet, a seasoned professional who brings both personal and professional wisdom to the table regarding women's health before, during, and after pregnancy. She shares her unique journey from actress to fitness expert and discusses how she became passionate about helping mothers navigate the challenges of pregnancy and postpartum life.

Key Points Discussed:

• Jessica's Background: From acting in New York City to becoming a fitness enthusiast and eventually transitioning into prenatal and postnatal training.
• The Importance of Fitness During Pregnancy: Debunking myths around fragility during pregnancy; advocating for moderate exercise as per 2019 Canadian guidelines.
• Mental Benefits of Exercise: Stress relief through movement is emphasized alongside physical benefits.
• Pelvic Floor Health: Exploring misconceptions about pelvic floor exercises like Kegels; emphasizing relaxation & control over strength for childbirth preparation.
• Core System Dynamics During Pregnancy: Understanding changes in diaphragm, transverse abdominals, pelvic floor muscles due to pressure from a growing baby.
• Dispelling Exercise Myths in Pregnancy: Addressing outdated advice on lifting heavy objects or avoiding certain movements.
• Guidance & Community Support: The importance of finding knowledgeable professionals to assist with safe exercise modifications throughout each trimester.

Insights Shared by Jessica:

1. Pregnant women are not fragile but powerful beings capable of incredible transformations.
2. Proper exercise can ease labor pains mentally and physically while setting up successful recovery postpartum.
3. Misinformation often leads women away from beneficial activities out of fear—knowledgeable guidance is crucial.
4. Pelvic floor control (engagement & relaxation) is more critical than mere strength when preparing for delivery.

Takeaways:

1. Engage in moderate-intensity exercises tailored specifically for your stage in pregnancy under professional supervision if possible.
2. Your body goes through significant changes during pregnancy that affect your core system; it’s vital to understand these dynamics rather than fear them
3. Pelvic floor coordination should be part of prenatal care routines — not just strengthening but also learning how to relax those muscles effectively.

Remember:"You're creating a freaking human being… That's the most badass thing on the planet." - Jessica Senne

Find more about Jessica at www.mightymom.ca , follow her on IG @mightymomtraining and @mightymomjess

Join us next time as we continue empowering conversations that support motherhood journeys at every stage!