Birthing Instincts

Dr. Stuart Fischbein + Midwife Blyss Young

Dr. Stuart Fischbein and midwife Blyss Young, in their unique style of humor and wisdom, share insights and discuss what's changing in the world of health and birth.

  • 1 hour 13 minutes
    #402 Why Does Mystery Stop At The Hospital Door?: A discussion of Homeopathy with Midwife Laurie Fremgen

    In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast, we explore the possibilities of homeopathy and homeopathic remedies. The benefits of this type of alternative treatment for pregnancy, labor, and related issues are numerous, with the most significant advantage being the absence of side effects. Mothers can be prescribed homeopathic remedies without the fear of adverse reactions that are often associated with conventional medicine. However, it is essential to work closely with a trained practitioner to initiate treatment effectively.

    To delve deeper into this topic, we welcome Laurie Fremgen, a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) and Licensed Midwife (LM) with nearly 30 years of experience. Laurie shares her journey into homeopathy, its effectiveness in modern practice, and insights on how it works—most importantly, why it works. You will also learn about the most common homeopathic remedies used during childbirth and the appropriate dosages for various situations.

    About Laurie Fremgen

    Laurie Fremgen is a homebirth CPM, LM in the Austin area for almost 30 years. She is the current Chair of the Midwives Advisory Board and works hard to keep Texas Midwifery laws flexible so that midwives can provide individualized care to their clients. Laurie is a student and practitioner of homeopathy. Laurie is also an avid mountain biker, finding great peace in the woods.

    Connect with Laurie


    In this episode

    • How Laurie started with homeopathy;
    • How homeopathy works and why it works;
    • Difference between homeopathy and herbology;
    • Most common homeopathic remedies used in childbirth;
    • Are there side effects with homeopathic remedies?
    • How does a practitioner get training for homeopathy?
    • Understanding the dosage of homeopathic remedies;
    • The efficiency of homeopathy in modern days.


    Episode resources


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    26 February 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 17 minutes
    #401 Are We Done With Oxygen? NRP revisited with Michele Kazmier

    Join Blyss and Dr. Stu in this episode as they welcome Michele Kazmier to the show. Michele is a home birth midwife passionate about holistic neonatal transition. During the episode, she shares her insights on the NRP guidelines for newborn care, explaining why oxygen is often used for resuscitating newborns at birth instead of room air, and how to assess babies at birth to determine if they are compromised. 

    Listeners will also learn about various neonatal resuscitation methods essential for the care of newborns, with a focus on providing warmth and stimulating breathing. It's crucial to allow time for bonding between the baby and the mother. Michele also offers valuable advice for midwives, emphasizing the importance of patience and calmness during this special moment for the health and well-being of everyone involved. Tune in!

    About Michele Kazmier

    Michele is a San Diego home birth midwife passionate about holistic neonatal transition. Her interest in neonatal care began over 30 years ago when she was a Navy Nurse in 29 Palms, CA. Faced with limited resources in a busy, remote hospital - full of growing families - she quickly realized how important her neonatal skills were to the clients she served. Since that time she has developed Baby’s Breath - a course to help parents and professionals understand physiologic newborn transition and the skills to support the vital moments following birth.

    Connect with Michele


    In this episode

    • Why oxygen is commonly used to resuscitate newborns at birth;
    • Explaining the different neonatal resuscitation methods;
    • How babies can be assessed at birth;
    • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) guidelines for the care of newborns at birth;
    • The importance of being patient when welcoming a new baby at birth.


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    19 February 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    #400 The Sanctity of Postpartum with Birthfit's Lindsey Matthews Cantu

    In this episode of Birthing Instincts, Blyss and Dr. Stu welcome Lindsey Mathews Cantu, a strength and conditioning coach at Birthfit. Birthfit offers specialized strength and conditioning training tailored for mothers and their motherhood journey. Throughout the conversation, Lindsey shares her personal experience of giving birth and discusses how her philosophies influenced this meaningful moment. She also explains how her birthing experience inspired her to develop various programs and offerings at Birthfit.

    Listeners will learn about the seven pillars of optimal birth and the benefits of adhering to them. According to Lindsey, several aspects are non-negotiable before, during, and after pregnancy: hydration, a well-balanced diet, quality sleep, and, of course, mild to moderate exercise. The transition into motherhood is one of the most physically and mentally demanding experiences a person can go through, and approaching it actively and thoughtfully is essential. Tune in to discover more!

    About Lindsey Mathews Cantu

    Doctor of Chiropractic, Strength and Conditioning Coach, NLP Practitioner, (Retired) Birth Doula, Yoga Instructor... Most important job - wife & mother.

    Connect with Lindsey


    In this episode

    • What are the 7 pillars of optimal birth and how you can improve them;
    • How Lindsey's philosophies influenced her own birthing experience;
    • The importance of postpartum (avoiding malnourishment);
    • Lindsey's experiences impacted her programs on Birthfit;
    • Lindsey's recommendations for postpartum;
    • Why it is important to wait 6 weeks before starting exercising again.


    Episode resources


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    12 February 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 21 minutes
    #399 Let's Begin Again with Zach Bush, MD

    Welcome to another episode of Birthing Instincts Podcast. In this episode, Blyss and Dr. Stu welcome Zach Bush, MD, to the show. Zach is an incredible thinker and orator on many relevant topics that affect us all. The conversation ventures into the realm of maternity care, optimal health, and the medical system in general. Zach's responses to these various topics couldn't be more than eye and mind-opening.

    They discuss not only maternity care but also the health of humanity and the planet as a whole since our soul is a fraction of the whole universe, and every time a birth occurs, a soul is created. Zach also shares his opinion on how we, as a society, have a fundamental failure of respect and a nature deficit disorder. Tune in to learn more!

    About Zach Bush, MD

    Zach Bush, MD is a renowned, multi-disciplinary physician of internal medicine, endocrinology, hospice care, and internationally recognized educator on the microbiome as it relates to human health, soil health, food systems, and a regenerative future.

    Connect with Zach


    In this episode

    • Zach discusses the health system and maternity care;
    • Seeing the process of fertility and pregnancy as miraculous vs. life-threatening;
    • How to understand and change a patriarchal medical system;
    • How early education plays a role in forming medical professionals;
    • Natural birth and optimal health;
    • How to find the courage to continue to speak your truth.


    Episode resources

    • The best way to support Journey of Intrinsic Health is by joining one of their programs. For more information on how to join, visit journeyofintrinsichealth.com.


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    5 February 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    #398 Bandl's Ring, like life itself, is perplexing

    Before getting into today's topic, Blyss and Dr. Stu discuss the maternity care crisis in California that has been impacting local birth centers. They explain Bandl's Ring more in-depth and explain how it's detected. Bandl's Ring is a constriction in the uterus and a sign of obstructed labor. It obstructs normal labor and can put the lower uterine segment at risk of rupture.

    Although Bandl's Ring can be seen (and sometimes felt) during labor and detected using ultrasonography, its symptoms are tricky to identify. At first glance, Bandl's Ring may look like a distended bladder. Anything that leads to obstructed labor, including dehydration, is going to be a risk factor for Bandl's Ring. Therefore, a cesarean section may be necessary to avoid uterine rupture. Tune in to learn more!

    In this episode

    • Blyss and Dr. Stu explain what is Bandl's Ring
    • Risk factors of Bandl's Ring
    • Does the baby's position cause Bandl's Ring?
    • How Bandl's Ring is detected (possible symptoms)


    Episode resources


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    29 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 48 minutes 26 seconds
    BONUS Reflecting on a Monumental Weekend in Washington D.C.: Empowering Change in Maternal Health

    In this special bonus episode Dr. Stu recaps his remarkable experiences in Washington D.C. with Lindsay Meehleis and Katie Allen. They had the honor of attending the 'Make America Healthy Again' gala and be a part of history. The episode captures emotional reflections and insights into their advocacy efforts, aiming to bring significant changes to the public health system, particularly in maternity care.

    If you want to be a part of the future of maternity care reform, fill out this survey to tell us what changes you want to see made: bit.ly/changematernitycare


    Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss

    Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast

    Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyss

    Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com

    Email: [email protected]

    Call-in line: 805-399-0439

    Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

    27 January 2025, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    #397 From The Cry Of A Mother, "Just The Inserts" was Born

    Why isn't healthcare more personalized? This is the question our guest today aims to address. Alexandra is the founder of Just the Inserts, a platform dedicated to empowering individuals with accessible and transparent information about medical choices. In today's conversation, you'll learn about the reasons behind this lack of personalization, the role pharmaceutical companies play in it, and how individuals can make confident medical decisions—such as those regarding childbirth—based on reliable and transparent information.

    Much of the healthcare information provided to the public by official organizations is often influenced by marketing and publicity motives. Alexandra's mission, both personally and professionally, is to demystify this information and clearly present the pros and cons of various medical decisions.

    About Alexandra

    With a solid research background and a passion for informed consent, Alexandra guides people through the complexities of pharmaceutical products and decisions. Her commitment to clear, reliable information has earned her recognition as a trusted voice in the community, helping countless individuals make more informed, confident healthcare decisions.

    Connect with Alexandra

    In this episode

    • Alexandra's backstory and how she got into the field;
    • Marketing and the pharmaceutical companies;
    • Why some people are more sensitive to side effects;
    • How to make an informed decision based on reliable information;
    • Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB).

    Episode resources

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    22 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    #396 Downsides of Induction

    Induced labors have pros and cons. For moms on the verge of delivery, it is fundamental to understand the whole scenery to make the best decision. However, interfering with the natural process can harm both the mother and the baby. Common risks of inducing labor are infections, postpartum hemorrhages, bleeding, umbilical cord issues, and general discomfort at the moment of delivery and even while breastfeeding. 

    In this episode, you will learn everything about this topic while Dr. Stu and Blyss explain all the details. It is fundamental to know when to wait and when to induce labor because sometimes an induction may be necessary to protect the fetus's health. It is all a matter of communicating with the medical providers involved and deciding the best choice. 


    In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast:

    • The downsizes of getting induced (for mothers);
    • The downsizes of getting induced (for babies);
    • Why sometimes inductions are necessary.


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    15 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 57 minutes 29 seconds
    #395 Certified Human: The era of A.I. is upon us

    Welcome to this week's of the Birthing Instincts Podcast! In this episode, Dr. Stu and Blyss share their insights on various cases submitted via email. They discuss best practices for blood transfusions during pregnancy and delivery, the probable causes and symptoms of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), and the detection and risks associated with ureaplasma infection.

    Additionally, you will learn about the impact of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) on the healthcare community and the professionals working within it. It is clear that A.I. is transforming the way we approach healthcare today, with its effects on various types of diagnoses and clinical care already being felt by those in need. Tune in to learn more!


    In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast:

    • The role of A.I. nowadays and how we are using it;
    • Blood transfusions during pregnancy and delivery;
    • Case study of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR);
    • Association between ureaplasma (bacteria) and miscarriages.


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    8 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    #394 Reminiscing 2024

    Join us in celebrating a journey of health, inspiration, and empowerment as we welcome 2025! In this special episode, Dr. Stu and Blyss recap the year's podcast episodes, highlighting important topics discussed throughout. They also share the victories and challenges from both their personal and professional lives, along with exciting upcoming projects and plans for the year ahead. Tune in to listen to the full episode, and we’ll see you next year!

    In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast:

    • Overview of the healthcare industry;
    • Recap of Blyss and Dr. Stu's personal and professional year;
    • Highlights of the 2024 episodes of Birthing Instincts;
    • Upcoming projects and plans for 2025.


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    1 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 36 minutes
    #393 Breast Has Always Been Best w/ IBCLC & Mom, Jaimie Zaki

    In this episode of Birthing Instincts Podcast, Dr. Stu and Blyss welcome Jaimie Zaki, an LPN, doula, IBCLC, and mom of 5 dedicated to transforming breastfeeding support. The importance of breastfeeding for the mental and emotional development of the baby is undebatable. On the same note, moms can benefit from breastfeeding as well since it reduces the potential for health issues after pregnancy. Other benefits include a quicker recovery from childbirth and a decrease in the stress of birth. 

    Throughout the conversation, you will also learn more about formula feeding and its pros and cons. After all, figuring out the best path to follow is also important during this phase.


    Connect with Jaimie Zaki


    In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast:

    • How breastfeeding is being approached currently;
    • Why women's health is the pulse of all of society's health;
    • Benefits of breastfeeding and why it matters;
    • Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding;
    • How professional breastfeeding support works;
    • The connection between nutrition and breastfeeding;
    • “Every mother deserves to feel confident when breastfeeding”.


    Episode resources:


    This show is supported by:


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    25 December 2024, 11:00 am
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