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.
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
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
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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:
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
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
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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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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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
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In this week’s episode, Blyss and Stu explore the history, benefits, and controversies surrounding fluoride in drinking water, highlighting different perspectives and potential health implications.
References:
The Way Forward Podcast: Ep 213: The Corrupted World of Medicalized Birth with Dr. Stu Fischbein
The Highwire: EPA LOSES HISTORIC FLUORIDE CASE
The Tennessean: Fluoride has been a public health game changer. Florida is set to ban it anyway
Dr. Stu Blog: Gotta love Dr. Fogelson
Jama Network: Maternal Urinary Fluoride and Child Neurobehavior at Age 36 Months
Discussed in This Episode
Fluoride: History and Controversies
Skepticism Around Fluoride
Public Sentiment and Legislative Views on Fluoride
Health Risks and Benefits of Fluoride
Concerns About Fluoride in Vulnerable Populations
Filtering Fluoride and Its Impact on Brain Health
Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care
This show is supported by
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This week Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss welcome special guest Dr. Poppy Daniels, a holistic OB-GYN with over 22 years of private practice experience. They discuss the severe side effects of Depo-Provera, revealing alarming risks like bone loss, weight gain, immune suppression, and even brain tumors. She advocates for a more informed and individualized approach to female health, emphasizing the need for comprehensive hormone testing and functional medicine.
About Poppy Daniels:
Dr Poppy Daniels is a holistic OBGYN with 22 years in private practice. She has an interest in Functional Fertility, Integrative Women's Health & a root-cause oriented approach to wellness.
Website: Drpoppyandco.com
Facebook: Dr. Poppy
Instagram: @drpoppybhrt
X: @drpoppybhrt
References:
Book: THE DANGERS OF DEPO
Discussed in This Episode
Dr. Poppy's Journey to Holistic OBGYN
The Dangers of Depo-Provera
The Dark History of Depo-Provera
Depo-Provera's Side Effects and Risks
The FDA Petition and Political Complications
New Study on Depo-Provera and Brain Tumors
The Importance of Informed Consent
Detoxifying from Depo-Provera
The Role of Progesterone in Pregnancy
Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care
This show is supported by
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In this week’s episode Stu is finally back and excited to engage in a candid discussion with Blyss about the overlooked risks of using tampons, highlighting a 2024 study that found harmful metals and chemicals in these products. They explore the hidden dangers of tampons. Stu emphasizes the lack of long-term safety testing and regulatory oversight for menstrual products, and Blyss discusses alternative menstrual products.
References:
Substack Article: Delivered Directly: Tampons, Toxins, and the Diseases Medicine Cannot Explain
Discussed in This Episode
Flu Vaccine Discussion
Tampons, Toxins, and Health Risks
HPV and Unexplained Reproductive Issues
Toxic Shock Syndrome and Tampon Safety
Metal Contaminants in Tampons
Chemical Exposures in Menstrual Products
The Research Void and Regulatory Failures
Alternative Menstrual Products
Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care
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In this week’s episode Blyss interviews Adele Rose, an elder and mentor in the midwifery community, about her long-standing career and insights on the evolution of midwifery. Adele shares her personal journey from listening to her mom’s birth stories at the age of five to practicing as both a lay and licensed midwife for decades. They discuss the significant changes in community practices, the impact of licensure, and the current struggles faced by midwives and birthing women. Adele reflects on her renewed passion for birth work after experiencing setbacks, including the revocation of her license, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a spiritual and meditative approach to midwifery. The conversation also touches on the influence of patriarchal systems in Western medicine, the rise of unassisted births, and the need for midwives to create supportive, non-hierarchical communities.
About Adele:
Adele’s interest in birth is literally life long. As the 8th of 9 children she began asking about her moms birth stories when she was about 5. This interest is still with her at 68 yrs. Home birth came into her consciousness at 14 yrs of age when she learned of the Santa Cruz birth collective, Raven Lang & her birth work through her writings. She began studying birth in earnest at 19 & attending births that same year. She practiced as a lay midwife 23-38, attended Birthingway Midwifery School in Portland OR which allowed her to obtain a license in WA & OR, practiced as a licensed midwife for 16 yrs, and now mostly retired & helping other midwives as they establish their practices.
Discussed in This Episode
Licensure and Its Impact on Midwifery
Managing Fear in Midwifery
The Importance of Spiritual Mindfulness in Midwifery
Challenges with Modern Birth Practices
Creating a Sacred Space for Birth
Reflections on Unassisted Births
Critique of Radical Birth Keeper Course
The Role of Midwives in Modern Society
Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care
This show is supported by
Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss