What if infertility isn’t a broken body… but a disconnected one?

In this episode, Blyss and Stu sit down with integrative fertility expert Emily Marson to challenge everything you’ve been told about conception, IVF, and what it actually means to “optimize” the body for pregnancy.

From the forgotten intelligence of the body to the overreach of modern fertility medicine, this conversation pulls back the curtain on why more intervention isn’t always the answer, and what happens when you start working with physiology instead of overriding it.

About Emily:

Emily Marson is the Founder and CEO of Aphrodite Fertility Acupuncture, a San Diego–based integrative fertility clinic specializing in root-cause infertility, acupuncture for IVF, cycle syncing, and hormonal regulation through Chinese medicine and holistic care. Her team supports women who feel stuck, discouraged, or failed by conventional fertility approaches alone.

Emily’s work blends Traditional Chinese Medicine with evidence-informed fertility and pregnancy care, functional and lifestyle-based strategies, and a deep understanding of the full arch of womanhood - from cycle to fertility, to pregnancy and postpartum.  Her mission is to improve women's health by giving women personalized care, and a structured path forward toward a healthy pregnancy and beyond.

Instagram: @aphroditefertility

Website: aphroditefertility.com

E-mail:  [email protected] 

References:

In Memory of Suzannah Weening 

GoFund me for Suzannah: https://gofund.me/31b9a66bd

Book: The last in vitro, by Dr. Francisco Güell 

Discussed in This Episode

Why doctors treat body parts, not people

The physiology behind acupuncture

IVF vs. Physiology: Control vs. Coordination

Why Fertility Rates Are Dropping Acupuncture for Men

What Acupuncture Can Do in Pregnancy 

The Hidden Risks of IVF

Integrative fertility as the bridge back to physiology

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by

• WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.
• LMNT | Got to lmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with any order
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
• Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
• Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use  code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

A home birth.

A tragic outcome.

And a midwife the state tried to make an example of.

In this episode, Blyss and Stu talk with Angee Hock to unpack what it’s really like to be prosecuted for birth work. From a traumatic breech birth to jail time, national headlines, and a courtroom battle that could have changed everything, this conversation goes where most won’t.

But what came out of her trial may change everything: a judge declaring home birth is a constitutional right. This isn’t just her story. It’s about who controls birth in America, and what it costs to challenge it.

About Angee:

Angee’s greatest passion is to be in-sync with the heartbeat of God. She longs to help people reach their God-given potential through their God-given identity and all aspects of growth. She has a heart for Christian leaders and churches to thrive for greater impact on earth. 

Angee is a certified instructor with People Skills for You  and a certified pastor and church coach through Church Boom. She is currently working towards her masters and doctorate in Global Leadership and Applied Ministry and Theology through Wagner University. She serves as Volunteer Coordinator, Council, and Board member for Nebraska Christian Leader’s Forum. Angee is a retired traditional midwife and wholistic wellness and health practitioner. She has served as peer counsel internationally in peer legal cases in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, with focuses on human rights, medical freedom, and private and constitutional law. Additionally Angee has experiences within the Nebraska legislature with Senator support and bill support.

Angee’s hobbies can be mostly summed up with the enjoyment of traveling and experiencing the world, near and far.  She lives north of Kearney with her amazing husband and has six wonderful children, ranging from adults to elementary. 

Instagram: @nebraskabirthkeeper

References:

The Highwire with Del Bigtree THE CRISIS IN MODERN MATERNITY CARE | DR. STU FISCHBEIN

Safe and Effective? LIVE with Nico Lagan

NE v. Angela Hock: Midwife Delivery Death Trial on Court TV

A&E Show Accused: Did I Do It? Negligent Midwife or Responsible Caregiver?

Discussed in This Episode

The 2019 Nebraska breech trial

Emergency maneuvers, impossible conditions, and a devastating outcome

Arrested, jailed, and made an example

“I’d rather go to prison than lie.” Why Angee refused a plea deal

The real punishment: fear, restrictions, and a life on hold

The courtroom battle: truth vs. narrative

A judge declares: home birth is a constitutional right

Emotion vs. logic, and the strategy behind choosing a bench trial

What was really lost, even with a not guilty verdict

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by

• WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.
• LMNT | Got to lmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with any order
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
• Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
• Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use  code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

What happens when we monitor birth too much?

In this episode, Blyss and Stu pull back the curtain on one of the most normalized, and least questioned, practices in modern obstetrics: continuous monitoring. What starts as “safety” can quietly become interference, and the consequences aren’t small.

Together, they break down how over-monitoring can derail physiologic birth, increase unnecessary interventions, and shift trust away from a woman’s body and into machines. From hospital protocols to real-world birth room dynamics, this conversation challenges the narrative that more data always equals better outcomes.

If you’ve ever been told “we just want to keep an eye on things,” this episode will make you ask: at what cost?

References:

Birthing Instincts Podcast Episode #416: Disentangling Mono-chorionic Twins

Dr. Stu’s Mind Attic: Routine Use of Color Flow Doppler: Who Benefits? (youtube.com/@birthinginstinctspodcast)

Birthing Instincts Podcast Episode #433: Q & A with Dr. K, Pregnancy Specialist

Birthing Instincts Podcast Episode #294 Group B Strep: Prioritizing Agenda Over Science

Birthing Instincts Podcast Episode #408: Neonatal Jaundice. Be Vigilant, Not Overzealous

Discussed in This Episode

How monitoring became synonymous with safety

The unintended consequences of continuous fetal monitoring

Friedman’s Curve: The outdated standard still running birth

What the research actually says about EFM

How liability and fear shape birth practices

Breaking down the glucose drink, thresholds, and alternatives

When NSTs are useful, and when they’re just routine

Biophysical Profiles: What Are We Really Looking For?

Color Flow Doppler: More Information…or More Intervention?

How “abnormal” findings can fast-track induction

Practical, empowering questions for parents navigating hospital birth

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by

• WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.
• LMNT | Got to lmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with any order
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
• Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
• Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use  code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

What happens when a skeptical dad starts asking real questions about birth? Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss sit down with Dad Jacob Dubois, author of Why Home Birth, to talk about how he went from doubter to outspoken home birth advocate, and why fathers may be one of the missing voices in the fight to reclaim birth from the medical system.

About Jacob

Jacob Dubois is a devoted husband to Madison and a proud father to two young sons (ages 2 and 4 months). He is the author of Why Home Birth? How hospitals turned birth into a medical procedure — and what the evidence actually shows, an evidence-based exploration that chronicles his personal journey from former home birth skeptic to confident advocate, drawing on what he learned over the past two years while supporting his wife through transformative birth experiences.

As @apogee.dad on Instagram, he shares authentic content centered around faith, fatherhood, and awakening perspectives on topics like birth and parenting.

Professionally, Jacob is an active-duty Marine Corps Officer with a background in logistics. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and a Master’s of Science in Information Technology Management from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Jacob is committed to sharing his story of transformation, bringing more fathers into the conversation around birth, and empowering families to question mainstream narratives on health and childbirth.

Instagram: @apogee.dad

Website: whyhomebirthbook.com

References:

Business of Being Born Documentary: https://www.thebusinessof.life/the-business-of-being-born

Discussed in This Episode

Why most people believe hospital birth is safest

Midwifery care vs obstetric care differences

The true meaning of birth beyond medical outcomes

The role of fathers in birth and pregnancy

Medicalization of birth in America explained

Birth trauma in hospital settings

ACOG guidelines, evidence-based care, and bias

Why dads need to speak up about birth

 Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by

• WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
• Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
• Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use  code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Is every positive urine culture in pregnancy a problem that needs antibiotics? Dr. Stu and midwife Blyss explore ACOG’s UTI guidelines, the evidence behind screening, and the growing concern about microbiome disruption and antibiotic resistance.

References:

Motherhood Equipped Podcast: 62. Birth Freedom, Breech Truth, and Why Physiologic Birth Matters with Dr. Stuart Fischbein

Patreon.com/BirthingInstinctsPodcast 

Support the Podcast 

Velvet and Bone Somatic & Trauma-Informed Doula Training (velvet-and-bone.com)

ACOG Clinical: Urinary Tract Infections in Pregnant Individuals

PubMed: Asymptomatic GBS bacteriuria during antenatal visits

Birthing Instincts Podcast Episode #294 Group B Strep: Prioritizing Agenda Over Science

Discussed in This Episode

Bladder Infections 

Kidney Infections 

The Various Screening Recommendations and Treatments

What is Asymptomatic Bacturia 

Benefits of Asymptomatic Bacturia

Why Eradicate Asymptomatic Bacturia?

Alternatives to Antibiotics

When to Seek Medical Advice

Risks of Antibiotics in Pregnancy, Labor and to Newborn

 Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by

• WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
• Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
• Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

On this week’s episode Blyss and Stu introduce guest Abigail Iovine, a Pennsylvania traditional midwife, and her mission to create legislation to protect traditional midwifery through her organization The National Alliance for Traditional Birth Rights. Iovine discusses how legislation and institutional credentialing can criminalize basic midwifery care and shrink options. This episode outlines harms from siloed maternity care and discusses NARM’s influence.

About Abby Iovine:

Abby is a traditional midwife, mother of ten, and a passionate advocate for medical freedom who was raised with a deep love for God and family. Yes, all ten are hers, and yes, she has given birth ten times, an experience that profoundly shaped the way she approaches birth and care.

Her journey into midwifery began after the birth of her fourth child, and while pregnant with her fifth, she famously searched, “How to NOT have a baby in the hospital?” That question set her on a new path. After welcoming her first homebirth with her fifth baby, she began formally studying midwifery in 2010, later becoming a certified doula in 2013 and attending births soon after.

Trained through a five-year traditional apprenticeship under local elder midwives, she built her foundation in hands-on, relationship-centered care. In 2018, she officially began serving families through Cardinal Birth Midwifery, a family-centered, autonomy-respecting ministry that places real life, children, and family needs at the heart of care.

In 2025, she also founded the National Alliance for Traditional Birth Rights, further expanding her advocacy for family-centered care and the preservation of traditional midwifery.

Facebook: ProtectTraditionalMidwifery / YourBirthMatters

Website: Natbr.org

References:

Back to Basics Podcast 42: Dr. Stu Fischbein, MD - Childbirth 101: Home birth, breech, VBAC, and more

Attend a Reteach Breech Workshop: birthinginstincts.com/events

ACOG Releases Updated Guidance on Maternal Immunizations

The Highwire Episode 464: STEEP TERRAIN

National Alliance for Traditional Birth Rights (NATBR) Federal Policy Brief

ALEC Birth Freedom Act

NATBR Petition Demand federal safeguards for traditional midwives and family choice

Discussed in This Episode

Effects of Legislation on Midwifery Investigations

Bill SB507 in Pennsylvania

AMA Influence and Hospital Control

Defining Traditional Midwifery

NARM Critique and Licensing

How Standards of Care Can Be Improved

Eradication of Midwifery and its Impact on Maternal Mortality

“Heritage Care” Brief to Protect Midwifery

 Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by

• WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
• Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
• Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

With Blyss away, Stu sits down with Phoenix OB-GYN Michael Hervey II to explore what true physician–midwife partnership looks like in real time. Together, an OB and midwife team delivered a remarkable set of hospital triplets born in rapid succession within minutes, totaling just over fifteen pounds. It’s a conversation about collaboration over hierarchy, shared skill, and how complex physiologic birth can unfold safely when trust and teamwork lead the way.

About Dr. Michael Hervey:

Dr. Michael J. Hervey II, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician–gynecologist with extensive experience spanning private practice, academic medicine, trauma care, and women’s health consulting. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he pursued his education at several of the nation’s most respected institutions, including Morehouse College, Harvard University, and the University of Virginia, among other prestigious universities. His training and career reflect a deep commitment to clinical excellence, intellectual rigor, and service.

Dr. Hervey is widely recognized for his patient-centered, concierge-oriented approach to maternity and gynecologic care, with a particular focus on improving outcomes, restoring trust, and addressing the lasting impact of birth trauma. He combines hands-on clinical expertise with systems-level leadership, advocating for care models that integrate medical excellence, mental health support, and compassionate communication.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Hervey is an author, educator, and entrepreneur who contributes to thought leadership in women’s health and maternal wellness through writing, speaking, and media initiatives. He is married to Ellie Tan, CNM, and together they share two children, Michael and Kieara. His work and life are grounded in a steadfast commitment to dignity, safety, and healing for women and families at every stage of care.

Instagram: @premierobgyn_llc

Facebook: Premier Ob/Gyn LLC

Website: Teambabycatcher.com 

Books: Empowering Birth: The Role of Midwifery and Physician Collaboration in Modern Maternity Care. 

Her Body, Her Baby: Real Stories of Autonomy in Child-birth

References:

A maneuver for head entanglement in term breech/vertex twin labor, Dr. Stuart J. Fischbein

#373 BI Podcast Special Edition: A 90's Triplet Story

Discussed in This Episode

Listening to Patients Over Protocol

Triplet Delivery Criteria

Collaborative Care Model: Midwives and OBs

How the Midwifery Model of Care Compares to Medical Model

The Importance of Supportive MFM collaboration

Importance of Client Autonomy

 Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by

• WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
• Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
• Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Blyss and Stu are joined by guest Barbara Harper, founder of Waterbirth International, an internationally recognized expert on water birth and gentle birth. Join us for a roller coaster of an episode where we dig into the history of water birth, tell stories about how society lost its way in the world of birth, and dive into the physiology of birthing in water. Truly an episode you won’t forget.

About Barbara:

Barbara Harper is an internationally recognized expert on waterbirth and gentle birth who has dedicated her life to revolutionizing the way we welcome babies into the world.

She founded Waterbirth International in 1988 with one goal in mind—to ensure that water birth is an “available option” for all women. During the past five decades, Barbara has worked as an obstetric and pediatric nurse, midwife, midwifery instructor, childbirth educator, hypnosis and doula trainer. Her unique seminars, and Waterbirth Certification Courses have been conducted within hospitals, nursing schools, midwifery and medical schools, and community groups worldwide. Barbara has taught over 30,000 doctors and midwives in 81 countries to date.

She has been interviewed by hundreds of TV and radio shows, newspapers, and podcasts. Her bestselling 2005 book and DVD, ‘Gentle Birth Choices,’ has been translated into 9 languages, including a 2016 Mandarin Chinese edition. She is working on a new book due out in early 2026, The Comprehensive Guide to Waterbirth.”

She is the mother of three adult children, two of whom were born at home in water. She lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

Instagram: @waterbirthint @thebarbaraharper

Website: waterbirth.org and barbaraharper.org

Book: Gentle Birth Choices

References:

Healthy as a Mother Podcast: How Breech Birth Exposes Hospital Dysfunction 

Deconstructing Conventional Podcast: Hospital vs Home Birth Truth with Dr. Fischbein & Blyss Young

Born Free Twins-Breech Gathering 

Seven Secrets of Successful Waterbirth - MIDIRS

Maternal and neonatal outcomes among spontaneous vaginal births occurring in or out of water following intrapartum water immersion: The POOL cohort study

Water birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis of maternal and neonatal outcomes

AJOG Journal Pre-proof: Hospital Waterbirth for Low-Risk Birthing People: Findings of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Discussed in This Episode

Water Birth Through History: Indigenous Traditions, Early Textbooks & Medical Takeover

Modern Controversies: Why Water Birth Fell Out of Trust + Debunking Common Claims

How Babies Breathe in Water

Underwater Birth: Why “Dive Reflex” Isn’t the Explanation

The 3 Protective Mechanisms That Prevent a First Breath in Water

What Actually Initiates Breathing

Breech & Water Birth Transitions + The “Aquatic APGAR” Assessment

Lower APGARS in Water Birth Explained

 Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by

• WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
• Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
• Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use  code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

In this week’s episode of the Birthing Instincts podcast, Blyss Stu challenge one of the most ignored questions in modern obstetrics: what does birth actually do to a human being? Joined by midwife and pre- and perinatal psychology educator Mary Jackson, they explore how experiences from conception through early childhood leave lasting imprints on the nervous system, emotional development, and lifelong behavior.

Mary unpacks how routine medical interventions, often dismissed as benign or “necessary”, can carry psychological and physiological consequences for both babies and mothers, consequences that are rarely acknowledged or integrated. The conversation pushes back against a system that prioritizes efficiency and control over awareness, connection, and respect for the baby’s lived experience. This episode is an invitation to slow down, question what has been normalized in birth culture, and reconsider what it truly means to protect, honor, and support the innate intelligence of birth.

About Mary:

Mary Jackson started her journey to become a home birth midwife in 1975. She has had the honor to catch her second generation of babies. She supports families to integrate their early experiences of preconception throughout their life span.

She incorporates Castellino somatic pre and perinatal psychology, Somatic Experience, Circle of Security, BCST, her training as an RN and Licensed Midwife. She is an international teacher/speaker and has brought her work to 12 countries. She currently teaches the Castellino foundation Training.

Website: birthinconnection.com / castellinotraining.com

Email: [email protected]

References:

WSJ Article: ‘My Family Thought I Was Crazy’: More Women Are Choosing to Give Birth at Home

Substack: There’s Now a Medical Code for Vaccine Counseling Without Giving a Vaccine

Dr. Joe Tate, Peachtree Corners, GA

TheHighwire.com

The Association for Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health

Discussed in This Episode

Pre and Perinatal Psychologist, Mary Jackson

Recognizing Birth Interventions in Adult Life

Understanding Birth Sequences and Their Impact

The Phases of Labor and Birth

Effects of Interventions During Labor on Baby and Mother

The Baby's Experience and Long-Term Effects

Repairing Birth Imprints in Children and Adults

Supporting Babies and Parents Post-Birth

The Importance of Birth Stories

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by

• WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
• Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
• Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

In this episode, Blyss and Stu are joined by Nathan Riley and Carol Gautschi to discuss the profound importance of in-person gatherings within the birth work community. The conversation covers the unique value of face-to-face interactions, the differences between organic and inorganic communication, and the challenges and rewards of organizing birth-related events. They reflect on the impact of being physically present with others, the human connection in birth work, and ways to support and sustain these vital gatherings for a more connected and informed community.

About Carol:

Carol Gautschi CPM LM has actively attended homebirths since 1978 and has worked as a Classical Holistic Midwife on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula since 1979. She has been married since 1974 to Paul (backtoedenfilm.com), and has 7 children and eight grandchildren.

For her first 25 years Carol served as an unlicensed midwife. This opportunity gave her lots of observational skills, creative ingenuity and a immense responsible trust in the power of physiological birth. Her teaching style is unique because, in addition to teaching the clinical nuts and bolts of her subjects, she emphasizes the unseen (or intuitive) realm of birth. She fosters the importance of the midwife relationship not just with the mama but the baby. 

Carol has been teaching the art of Classical Midwifery since the early 1990s, both in the US and across many countries. In September, she hosted her first international Classical Midwifery conference on the island of Crete in Greece. Many describe her passion as inspiring, rooted in her belief that when women are responsibly awakened to their creative selves, birth unfolds with the grace and power it was designed to carry, laying a miraculous foundation within her and the family. Witnessing this beauty over the years has become a passion. Carol believes that God is the primordial Midwife and she serves under that mantle with honor and humility.

Instagram: @_midwyf_

Website: classicalmidwifery.com & gentlebirths.net

About Nathan:

Dr. Nathan Riley is a board-certified OB/GYN and hospice & palliative care physician, and the co-creator of the Born Free Method. Through his private practice, Beloved Holistics, he supports midwives in 23 states, offering truly collaborative, physiologic, and relationship-centered care.

Nathan is a trusted voice in the birth world, frequently invited onto leading podcasts and to speak at conferences about autonomy in maternity care, the art of true informed consent, and the importance of honoring the physiology of birth. Nathan is the vision behind the Born Free Twins–Breech gatherings, which have expanded into a midwife-led team directed by Sara Rosser. What began as a training for birthworkers on the nuances of physiologic vaginal breech and twin births has grown into something much more.....a place for ceremony, community, healing, and collective strength.

Beyond his clinical work, Nathan is a devoted stay-at-home father of two and proudly married to his high-school sweetheart, Stephanie. His personal and professional lives are woven together by a commitment to presence, compassion, and helping families and providers return to a more intuitive, holistic model of care.

Instagram: @Nathanrileyobgyn

Website: Bornfreemethod.com

References:

Born Free Twins-Breech Gathering bornfreemethod.com/conference

birthinginstincts.com/workwithstu

patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast

bridgemidwives.com/communitycircles

Discussed in This Episode

The Value of In-Person Connections

The Power of Human Connection in Professional Settings

The Impact of Social Media on Personal Interactions

Balancing Traditional Wisdom with Modern Technology

Challenges and Rewards of Organizing Events

Creating Inclusive and Economical Conferences

The Sacredness of Birth and Professional Passion

Supporting Each Other in the Birth Community

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by

• Wholesome Organics Beauty Company | Go to wholesomeOBC.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off your order.
• WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
• Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
• Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use  code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

This week on the podcast, Blyss and Stu take a hard look at what’s happening to the world of doula support as insurance and institutions move in. They’re joined by two seasoned doulas, Ivy Joeva and Shellie Poulter, who bring decades of experience advocating for women in birth. Together, they unpack how policy, regulation, and insurance reimbursement can quietly shift doula care away from individualized, relationship-based support and toward institutional control. They talk honestly about what’s gained, what’s lost, and why protecting the integrity of doula work matters if we truly want better birth outcomes.

About Ivy:

Ivy Joeva is a doula, coach, and educator serving women and couples seeking a conscious path to parenthood. She provides support throughout the childbearing year, including fertility coaching, holistic preparation for birth, postpartum recovery care, and counseling for all forms of pregnancy loss. 

Rooted in a trauma-informed, mind-body approach, Ivy sees these transitions as opportunities for transformation and healing. A graduate of UC Berkeley and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Ivy became a doula in 2009 and serves clients across the United States and abroad.

Instagram: @IvyJoeva

Website: ivyjoeva.com

About Shellie:

Shellie trained in Osteopathic and Naturopathic medicine in 2005 and has been working as a doula/birth keeper and cranio-sacral therapist, mentor and lecturer for over 20 years. She teaches birthing biomechanics and trauma and birth rights informed, non-violent communication courses as well as co-hosting The Birth Untethered Podcast with former midwife and Birthkeeper Kemi Johnson. Shellie lives on a narrowboat with her family, exploring the English countryside whilst campaigning for human rights in birth.

Instagram: @theserenitydoula

Website: theserenitydoula.co.uk

References:

Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark: The Phenomenon Of Parents Opting Out Of Birth Certificates For Their Kids | Midwife Lindsey Meehleis

Dr. Pompa Podcast: What You're Not Told About Birth in the Hospital System with Dr. Stuart Fischbein

The Way Forward with Alec Zeck: Ep 213: The Corrupted World of Medicalized Birth with Dr. Stu Fischbein

The Way Forward with Alec Zeck: Ep 214: Exposing the Most Dangerous Childbirth Myths & Procedures with Dr. Nathan Riley

Discussed in This Episode

Role of Doulas in Individualized Care

Challenges Faced by Doulas

Insurance and Doula Services

Impact of Doula Support on Maternal Outcomes

Regulations and Restrictions on Midwives and Doulas

Navigating Hospital Policies as a Doula

Financial and Operational Challenges for Doulas

Advocacy and Support Strategies for Doulas

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by

• Wholesome Organics Beauty Company | Go to wholesomeOBC.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off your order.
• WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
• Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
• Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com