#1 Best selling author joins us today to speak about her new book The Fastest Way to Fat Loss After 40, a guide to mind, body and spiritual transformation. We touch on how we can use this valuable insight during hormonal changes in adolescence, fertility, pregnancy and postpartum to stay alive in our body’s healthiest potential.

As a registered dietitian and fitness specialist, Cynthia is 20 years into recovery from her own food and body relationship struggles. She has since taught women how to heal their relationship with food and bondage to sugar and discover their capacity to burn excess fat and rise above conventional norms of age-related weight gain and decline in health.

Cynthia graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a bachelor's degree in nutritional science. Following the completion of her bachelors degree she continued to receive her masters in Public Health, Health Education at California State University, Northridge where she also completed her dietetic internship within the college of Family and Consumer Sciences. She is also certified through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as a Health Fitness Specialist and Nutrition and Fitness Specialist. Cynthia is also an AFAA certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer.

Together, we explore Cynthia's new book, 'The Faster Way to Fat Loss After 40,' which provides insights into effective weight loss, hormone balance, and healthy living.

Diving into the importance of mental, physical, and spiritual health, fasting, detoxification, and how to optimize these aspects for better overall well-being, this episode provides practical tips for listeners on achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

02:43 Masterclass and Connecting with Cynthia Ray

04:06 Introducing Cynthia Ray and Her New Book

07:00 Cynthia's Background and Struggles

25:03 The Importance of Visualization and Mindfulness

35:35 Difference between Cleansing, Detoxing, and Fasting

37:11 Understanding Fasting and Its Benefits

37:36 Cleansing and Detoxing During Pregnancy

40:46 The Role of Oxytocin and Cortisol

43:50 Hormonal Hierarchy and Body Fat Loss

47:34 The Importance of Insulin and Blood Sugar

50:26 Fasting and Metabolic Flexibility

52:50 Hunger and Fasting Guidelines

54:54 Building Healthy Habits During Pregnancy

57:54 Fasting According to Your Menstrual Cycle

01:01:00 Final Thoughts and Advice

01:04:45 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

More from Cynthia Ray:

Grab her book: The Faster Way to Fat Loss After 40

Visit her Website CynthiaRay.com

Follow her on Instagram @cynthia_ray01

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We learned in Episode 4 the history of cord blood clamping and cutting after a baby is born, so now what are the ACOG recommendations and what do we think NOW regarding risks and benefits?

If the risks are so great, then is there a way for our non vigorous babies to receive the blood quickly, before needing to separate?

We will get into cord blood milking and what are the limitations around it. If you need that precious blood for a sibling though, with a blood disease or cancer, for example, what about collecting the blood? We can collect the blood to donate, save in a bank as insurance, or hope it's a match for a sick family member.

What happens after your baby is born has so many decisions that must be made, often way ahead of time. As with so many things in medicine, there are ethical dilemmas around these choices.

Join me in this episode to understand how to navigate your birthing options as well as the benefits and practices of cord blood banking, cord milking, and delayed cord clamping.

For more information on anything you heard today, check the resources below.

01:29 Improving Interview Skills and Seeking Feedback

02:15 The Importance of Feeling Heard in Healthcare

03:37 Bridging the Gap Between Natural and Medical Birth Practices

05:04 Exploring Cord Blood Benefits and Practices

06:47 Delayed Cord Clamping: Benefits and Practices

10:23 Risks and Considerations of Delayed Cord Clamping

15:50 Cord Milking: An Alternative in Emergencies

20:50 Ethical Dilemmas in Cord Blood Banking

26:33 Statistics and Research on Stem Cell Transplants

27:32 Family Medical History and Cord Blood Banking

29:09 Public vs. Private Cord Blood Banking

31:12 Preparing for Cord Blood Collection

33:26 Medical Recommendations and Ethical Considerations

36:20 Discussing Cord Blood Collection with Your Provider

41:28 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

43:28 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Topics

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join the Birth Link waitlist!

Join the weekly Birth Plan Workshop every Sunday!

Join us for the Childbirth Crash Course!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

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Colette welcomes Dr. Joselyn Rodriguez to discuss the significance of pelvic floor health, common postpartum issues, and practical tips for labor.

She enjoys working with moms at every phase of their lives, and her passion is to improve their movement and confidence in their bodies, teaching moms how to prep, how to push, and how to recover, effectively and appropriately.

As a board-certified orthopedic specialist, Dr. Joselyn provides a full body approach to helping women achieve their goals and specializes in prenatal care and labor preparation, postpartum care, and overall wellness.

With a unique focus on pelvic floor care, Dr. Joselyn helps women assess what matters most to them and supports them in working toward their goals.

Whether preparing for a more seamless labor and delivery, walking without pain, or being at their fittest level postpartum, Dr. Joselyn is dedicated to helping moms succeed. She believes an active mom is a healthy one who can participate physically and be present mentally.

Colette and Dr. Joselyn both emphasize the importance of preparation, education, and self-advocacy in minimizing trauma and ensuring a more positive birthing experience.

01:17 Finding Inspiration and New Mentors

03:14 Meeting Dr. Joselyn Rodriguez

09:04 The Importance of Self-Care and Advocacy

09:58 Dr. Joselyn's Background and Passion for Pelvic Floor Health

15:04 Common Issues and Tips for Pelvic Floor Health

20:11 The Role of Physical Fitness in Pregnancy and Postpartum

27:53 Challenging the Norms of Postpartum Care

29:11 The Importance of Proper Pushing Techniques

32:28 Pelvic Floor Therapy: A Game Changer

35:38 Empowering Women Through Education and Advocacy

40:57 The Impact of Birth Trauma and the Need for Change

45:07 Final Thoughts and Resources

More from Dr. Joselyn:

Visit her website www.jaept.com

Follow her on Instagram and TikTok: @thepelvictrainer

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join the Birth Link waitlist!

Join the weekly Birth Plan Workshop every Sunday!

Join us for the Childbirth Crash Course!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

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Time to start thinking about what’s in your birth plan… and some of the MOST important things to put on that plan are the options you have and may not know if RIGHT AFTER delivery.

Like, a minute after to be specific. You’re overwhelmed with emotion, exhaustion and awe of the new baby laying on your chest. The new face that you finally get to kiss, the new eyes you get to look into and the cute little hand you get to hold… while quite a few things are going on around you that you may have no clue about! Maybe I will name this series, The First 15! The first 15 minutes, what is happening and what conversation do you want to have with your provider beforehand.

Today we dive into cord clamping… and discover the history of immediate and delayed cord clamping. What has evidence shown over the last hundred years and where are we today?

To make the right choices, we need to understand the reason WHY. So let’s dive in!

This episode will help you understand delayed cord clamping, and its history, evidence, and current practices.

Discussing the historical context and evolution of cord clamping practices, the benefits and potential risks involved, and how these practices can be part of your birth plan, this episode also touches on the varying current practices and recommendations from medical organizations like ACOG and the WHO.

00:00 Introduction to the Birth Link Podcast

00:09 The First 15 Minutes After Birth

01:11 Delayed Cord Clamping: An Overview

02:10 History of Cord Clamping Practices

05:04 Modern Practices and Recommendations

29:56 Upcoming Topics and Workshops

31:45 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Resources from this episode:

Mayo Clinic Health System: Speaking of Health 6.30.22 Delayed umbilical cord clamping benefits baby, affects cord blood donation

NIH: National Library of Medicine; JR Soc Med. 2012 Aug; 105(8): 325-329. Doi: 10.1258/jrsm.2012.110316 PMCID: PMC3423128 | PMID: 22907549 Historical perspectives on umbilical cord clamping and neonatal transition; Candice L Downey and Susan Bewley

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join the Birth Link waitlist!

Join the weekly Birth Plan Workshop every Sunday!

Join us for the Childbirth Crash Course!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

Stay Connected:

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Today we welcome Sara to the podcast, a longtime friend and colleague, who shares an incredible and unexpected birth story with us.

Sara Kendryna has been a labor and delivery nurse for over 10 years working at a community hospital in Glendale, CA. In 2018, she went back to school at Cal State Fullerton to complete a 3 year Masters program where she became a certified nurse midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner.

She is now working with patients that have high risk pregnancies doing ultrasounds and fetal heart rate monitoring (NST testing). She also has two boys that are 3 and 1 years old. She always wanted a fast delivery, the first not being quite the opposite, but the second, making up for it in a big way! I couldn’t help but bring her one to share her exciting birth story with us!

This conversation highlights the unpredictable nature of childbirth, even for experienced medical professionals, and underscores the importance of trusting one's instincts and being prepared for anything.

Sara discusses her preparation for a smooth hospital delivery, the sudden onset of a precipitous labor, and practical tips for handling emergency births.

02:36 Introducing Sara: A Special Guest

05:11 Sara's Journey to Midwifery

06:04 Masterclass and Birth Stories

11:44 Sara's First Birth Story: Cole

14:26 Sara's Second Birth Story

25:34 Unexpected Car Birth

26:05 Doctor's Reaction and Precipitous Labor

26:42 Preparation for Quick Deliveries

28:50 Personal Birth Stories and Experiences

30:41 Handling Emergency Births

38:32 The Importance of Staying Calm

43:37 Final Thoughts and Advice

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join the Birth Link waitlist!

Join the weekly Birth Plan Workshop every Sunday!

Join us for the Childbirth Crash Course!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

Stay Connected:

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Dive into the crucial first moments after birth, focusing on APGAR scores and their history, baby massage, and newborn tips.

Joined by physical therapist and infant massage instructor, Dr. Penny Hicks, this conversation covers practical tips for new parents, particularly around infant massage techniques to help with common issues like gas.

Stay tuned for the end of this episode for an informative segment on the APGAR score system, where Colette dives deeper into APGAR scores, its history, and its current relevance.

This episode aims to provide valuable insights for expecting and new parents.

02:28 Interview with Penny Hicks: Baby Massage

04:07 Personal Updates and Detox Journey

07:52 Insights on Parenting and Infant Care

22:53 Listening to Your Heart: A Personal Journey

24:45 Tips for Relieving Baby's Gas

30:56 Understanding the APGAR Scoring System

33:33 The History and Impact of the APGAR Score

37:40 Modern Use and Limitations of the APGAR Score

44:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

More from Dr. Penny Hicks:

Foll her on Instagram @pennyjhicksdpt

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join the Birth Link waitlist!

Join the weekly Birth Plan Workshop every Sunday!

Join us for the Childbirth Crash Course!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

Stay Connected:

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Welcome to The Birth Link podcast!

The Birth Link, hosted by Colette Wagholikar, a seasoned labor and delivery nurse and mother of two, welcomes you to listen in as herself and her mission are here to educate and support expectant mothers and parents like you.

Colette discusses the purpose behind the podcast, her professional experience in labor and delivery, and her passion for childbirth education.

The episode features an interview with her friend, Alexis, a new mom, who shares her emotional pregnancy and birth story, highlighting the importance of being informed and supported through the birthing process. Her story is what inspired Colette to create The Birth Link podcast, and use her voice to help more pregnant women and families during this transforming journey of childbirth.

Colette also emphasizes the significance of advocating for oneself in the healthcare system and the creation of her Birth Link classes to provide crucial information and support to expecting parents.

00:00 Introduction to The Birth Link

00:47 Launching the Podcast

01:34 My Experience and Expertise

05:54 The Birth Link Membership

08:06 Interview with Alexis: Pregnancy Journey

19:29 Interview with Alexis: Birth Experience

25:38 Discussing Birth Weights and Hospital Experience

26:18 Concerns About C-Section and Emotional Impact

28:07 Reflecting on the Importance of Education and Support

30:54 Postpartum Recovery and Mental Health

34:45 Advocating for Patient Consent and Rights

39:04 The Journey to Educate and Empower Parents

51:30 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join the Birth Link waitlist!

Join the weekly Birth Plan Workshop every Sunday!

Join us for the Childbirth Crash Course!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

Stay Connected:

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Welcome to The Birth Link, where we dive into the overwhelming and transformative experience of pregnancy, addressing your biggest fears, concerns, and need for connection among expecting mothers. I’m your host, Colette, a seasoned labor and delivery nurse and mother of two. This podcast is here to connect you with a community of fellow moms, expert advice, and reliable medical information.

Each episode is designed to empower you with personal stories, practical tips, and the latest medical insights to help you make confident, informed decisions throughout your birthing journey.

Tune into The Birth Link to embrace your inner strength, find your voice, gain support, build connections, and navigate the beautiful process of bringing new life into the world.

Stay connected:

On Instagram @myfriendsanurse or at https://myfriendsanurse.com/