- 1 hour 33 minutes#469: Should 38-Week Induction For Big Babies Become A Thing?
This week, Blyss and Stu take a deep dive into the increasingly popular recommendation of inducing labor at 38 weeks for suspected “big babies”.
Prompted by a recent social media post from a prominent obstetric influencer, they examine two studies being used to justify earlier inductions for "big babies" and ask an important question: do the data actually support the conclusions being promoted?
Along the way, Blyss and Stu challenge listeners to look beyond headlines and social media summaries, examine how studies are designed, and consider whether interventions are being recommended based on meaningful risk reduction, or simply because they can be.
The episode emphasizes the importance of respecting nature's design, individualizing care, and helping families understand the difference between relative risk, absolute risk, and true informed choice.
References:
AJOG MFM Article: Induction at 38 weeks for large-for-gestational-age or macrosomic fetuses decreases the incidence of cesarean delivery: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
https://www.ajogmfm.org/article/S2589-9333(26)00008-X/fulltext
The Lancet Article: Induction of labour versus standard care to prevent shoulder
dystocia in fetuses suspected to be large for gestational age in the UK (the Big Baby trial): a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial
https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2825%2900162-X
Birthing Instincts Podcast #431: "Hold Your Beer" It's Fetal Macrosomia Guidelines
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MJg92Du4WLUn7P8ypPBVc?si=SJ6YtH6CRMKClgCDGdXXqw
Discussed in This Episode
Analysis of the BIG BABY Trial
Why statistical significance does not always equal clinical significance
What shoulder dystocia rates actually mean
Large-for-gestational-age (LGA) v true macrosomia
Accuracy limitations of estimated fetal weight
How labels like "big baby" often trigger cascades of intervention
Differences between physiologic birth and hospital management
What informed consent should actually look like when discussing risks
The often-overlooked downstream consequences of routine induction
Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care
This show is supported by
- LMNT | Got to drinklmnt.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
- Caraway Home | Go to Carawayhome.com/instincts for an additional 10% off, or use code INSTINCTS at checkout!
Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss
- Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
- Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@wovenmoon_
- Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands10 June 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 43 minutes#468: Everybody's Doing It", Not A Legal Standard Of Care With Hermine Hayes-Klein, ESQ.
What happens when hospitals decide informed consent no longer applies to breech birth?
In this powerful and deeply important episode, Blyss and Stu welcome back attorney and birth rights advocate Hermine Hayes-Klein to unpack a landmark Oregon malpractice trial centered on coercion, informed consent, and the growing normalization of mandatory cesarean sections for breech babies.
This is not just a conversation about breech birth. It’s a conversation about power, coercion, medical culture, and whether women still have the right to make informed decisions about their own bodies during childbirth.
If you care about birth autonomy, informed consent, or preserving disappearing birth skills, this is an episode you cannot miss.
About Hermine Hayes-Klein:
Hermine Hayes-Klein, JD is an attorney and advocate for reproductive justice and human rights in pregnancy and childbirth. Hermine works on legal actions and advocacy projects related to preventable injury and informed consent violations in childbirth, and advocacy for access to midwives and doulas around the US and beyond. Hermine began her international advocacy for the recognition of human rights in childbirth when she was teaching law at The Hague University in The Hague, the Netherlands, in 2012, and organized 6 international conferences on that topic in the US, Europe, South Africa, and India. She has worked on many cases related to breech birth for both plaintiffs and defendants.
Website: https://fringeheals.com/
Instagram: @fringeheals
Blog: https://fringeheals.com/blogs/blog/tagged/womens-health.
Email: [email protected]
References:
Realfoodology Podcast - Why So Many Women End Up With C-Sections: Birth Interventions Explained with Dr. Stuart Fischbein
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3HChoFaUvAmmHsGMoCRvCp?si=LHN-gYRgS_OgE6f24W2qHA
CHD.TV segment with Stu NEEDED
Mentorship with Blyss: wovenmoon.com
Elena Bridgers Substack: To Home Birth or Not to Home Birth?
Dr. Sara Wickham Instagram Post @drsarawickham
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYPHRC0DPqg/?igsh=NmZwMHNpNGxiY2Vx
Discussed in This Episode
The dangerous misuse of the phrase “standard of care”
Why informed consent is a legal duty, not a physician preference
How hospital policies quietly override individualized care
The lasting trauma many women experience during cesareans and epidurals
The legacy and flaws of the infamous Term Breech Trial
Why bodily autonomy in childbirth matters now more than ever
Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care
This show is supported by
- LMNT | Got to drinklmnt.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
- Caraway Home | Go to Carawayhome.com/instincts for an additional 10% off, or use code INSTINCTS at checkout!
Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss
- Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
- Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@wovenmoon_
- Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands3 June 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 36 minutes#467: Magic Wand, The Benefits of Red Light Therapy With Liz Frey....
This week, Dr. Stu and Blyss break down a recent Substack article reviewing large studies comparing planned home birth and hospital birth for low-risk women. The data? Fewer interventions, lower C-section rates, fewer infections, less hemorrhage, and fewer severe tears with planned home birth. But as always, the conversation goes deeper, into absolute vs. relative risk, the infamous cascade of interventions, postpartum trauma, and why hospitals continue doubling down on systems that many families no longer trust.
Later in the episode, pelvic health physiotherapist and Fringe medical director Liz Frey joins the podcast for a fascinating discussion on pelvic floor dysfunction, postpartum recovery, menopause, prolapse, incontinence, breathing mechanics, and why so many women are told their symptoms are “normal” when they’re actually treatable. Liz also explains how red light, near-infrared, and blue light therapy may support healing, tissue health, pain relief, intimacy, and recovery through Fringe’s pelvic wand technology.
This is a wide-ranging conversation about birth, healing, autonomy, and what happens when women finally start getting the support they actually deserve.
About Liz Frey:
Liz is a clinic owner and practicing pelvic health physiotherapist. As an orthopaedic and pelvic health physiotherapist, Liz’s practice focuses on helping women navigate pregnancy, menopause, and everything in between.
Liz is always keen to explore and integrate evidence-based products into her pelvic health practice. Which led her to become the Women’s Health Medical Director at Fringe - a company that believes in helping people heal naturally.
Website: https://fringeheals.com/ Code birthinginstincts10 for 10% off
Instagram: @fringeheals
Blog: https://fringeheals.com/blogs/blog/tagged/womens-health.
Email: [email protected]
References:
Realfoodology Podcast - Why So Many Women End Up With C-Sections: Birth Interventions Explained with Dr. Stuart Fischbein
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3HChoFaUvAmmHsGMoCRvCp?si=LHN-gYRgS_OgE6f24W2qHA
CHD.TV segment with Stu NEEDED
Mentorship with Blyss: wovenmoon.com
Elena Bridgers Substack: To Home Birth or Not to Home Birth?
Dr. Sara Wickham Instagram Post @drsarawickham
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYPHRC0DPqg/?igsh=NmZwMHNpNGxiY2Vx
Discussed in This Episode
Home birth vs. hospital birth outcomes
Relative risk vs. absolute risk in birth statistics
Hospital birth culture and liability-driven care
Pelvic floor dysfunction after birth
Incontinence, prolapse, and pelvic pain
Menopause and pelvic health
Breathwork and diaphragmatic function
Red light and blue light pelvic therapy
Pelvic floor physiotherapy explained
Why postpartum recovery deserves more attention
Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care
This show is supported by
- LMNT | Got to drinklmnt.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
- Caraway Home | Go to Carawayhome.com/instincts for an additional 10% off, or use code INSTINCTS at checkout!
Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss
- Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
- Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@wovenmoon_
- Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands27 May 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 26 minutes#466: Update On The Use Of TXA (Tranexamic Acid)
What happens when a medication designed to stop hemorrhage quietly starts creeping into routine birth care?
This week, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss take on TXA (tranexamic acid), what it is, when it actually makes sense, and why they’re increasingly concerned about how it’s being used in modern maternity care.
From postpartum hemorrhage protocols to the growing push for prophylactic use during cesareans and even BEFORE birth, this conversation digs into the science, the politics, and the unintended consequences nobody seems willing to talk about.
Along the way, they tackle the bigger issue underneath it all: Who gets to define “safe” birth care? Hospital systems? Bureaucrats? International organizations? Or the people actually attending births?
References:
Evidence Based Birth Podcast Episode 396 - Inequities in VBAC Access with Dr. Nicholas Rubashkin, MD, PhD
Mom who sued the State of Nebraska in home birth case delivers baby
Home births to resume after safety concerns
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/home-births-resumed-safety-concerns-183648374.html
Practice Bulletin No. 183: Postpartum Hemorrhage: https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/abstract/2017/10000/practice_bulletin_no__183__postpartum_hemorrhage.56.aspx
Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum hemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28456509/
Efficacy of prophylactic tranexamic acid among parturient at increased risk for postpartum hemorrhage undergoing cesarean delivery: A systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41066405/
Discussed in This Episode
The Momnibus Act & the Future of Midwifery
TXA Enters the Midwifery World
What TXA Actually Does in the Body
The Evidence Behind TXA for Hemorrhage
Why Routine Prophylactic TXA Raises Concerns
Does TXA Cross the Placenta?
Four Ts of Postpartum Hemorrhage
Why Timing Matters in Hemorrhage Care
Defining “High Risk” in Birth
Use of Oral and Intermuscular TXA
Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care
This show is supported by
- 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
- Caraway Home | Go to Carawayhome.com/instincts for an additional 10% off, or use code INSTINCTS at checkout!
Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss
- Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
- Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@wovenmoon_
- Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands20 May 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 34 minutes#465: For All The Midwives In Texas: Fighting Injustice with Salli Gonzalez & Octavia Martinez, Esq
In this week’s episode, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss sit down with Texas midwife Salli Gonzalez and attorney Octavia Martinez to unpack a case that should concern not only licensed midwives, but anyone with a license.
Together they discuss what happens when a midwife follows protocol, transfers appropriately, and still becomes the target?
What happens when unverified screenshots, incomplete records, and social media comments are used to justify suspending a license, without a trial?
And more importantly, what does this mean for the future of midwifery?
This conversation goes beyond the case of one midwife, and beyond what is happening in Texas. This is about the direction birth care is heading in the U.S and why we all need to pay attention.
About Salli:
My love of birth started with my own births, the first on in a typical hospital system, birthing in lithotomy in the OR in 1984. The second baby I chose a birth center and decided to take more control of my choices in birth. I gave birth in a birth center under my own terms, which included eating and drinking in labor, moving with the contractions instead of being tied to the bed with monitors, no IV and limited vaginal exams. This birth propelled me to want to share with the world that birth doesn’t have to be traumatic nor painful. I set out to educate the world, as I had four more babies at home, one of which included a breech birth under qualified hands.
It’s been my life’s work to uphold birth as a normal and natural process of the female body. I’ve taken the steps to attend as many emergency skills preparedness workshops as I can as well as many breech and twin conferences as possible. I’ve also mentored and offered my assistance to newer midwives who are also interested in learning. We are always learning and renewing our skills in midwifery. Midwifery is the future of our country. Without midwifery the true nature of women’s autonomy will be lost.
Instagram: @for_the_love_of_birth
GoFundMe: gofund.me/a54e40705
About Octavia:
Professional Background
A graduate of The University of Virginia and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Octavia began her career in Phoenix. As a felony prosecutor and civil litigator, she handled high-stakes matters ranging from commercial trucking defense to complex medical malpractice.
Her time on the defense side — working alongside institutional defendants and their counsel — gave her an understanding of how those cases are built, where the vulnerabilities lie, and what separates the attorneys who win from the ones who simply file. She brought that knowledge with her when she crossed to the plaintiff's side.
The Move to Texas
Bringing this diverse experience to the Rio Grande Valley, Octavia expanded her practice to meet the border region's unique needs. Her scope grew to cover defamation, and specialized defense for medical providers, including physicians and midwives.
South Texas presented a client population that had historically been underserved by high-quality legal representation — complex multigenerational estates, a healthcare industry with its own licensing ecosystem, and individuals whose situations required an attorney willing to engage the full weight of the law on their behalf.
Launch of the Firm
Octavia later paused her legal career to focus on stewardship: homeschooling her children and managing her family's homestead farm. However, she reactivated her license to assist a client whose legal matters had stagnated under conventional representation. That crisis highlighted the urgent need for uncompromised advocacy, leading to the launch of Octavia LaVon Martinez PLLC.
Today, she has become a resource for clients who seek an alternative to the status quo — clients who have been failed by passive representation, whose matters are too complex for a generalist, or who simply need an attorney who will fight with the same conviction they feel about their own case.
Website: octaviamartinezlaw.com
X: @OctaviaLaVon
References:
Sham Peer Review: The Leave-of-Absence Trap
Expedited Motion for Hearing (PDF)
Media Release: TDLR Suspends Midwife’s License Following Maternal and Infant Deaths
KLTV Texas midwife requests state to reinstate license amid death investigations
Support Salli: Defend Her Midwifery License gofund.me/a54e40705
Discussed in This Episode
Midwives under fire, and why this isn’t just a Texas problem
What actually happened in the case of Salli Gonzalez
When outcomes don’t have clear causes, who gets blamed?
The Legal Reality of what is happening
Social Media as “Evidence”?
Anonymous posts, cropped screenshots, and missing context
Why this case could affect doctors, lawyers, and beyond
Licensing doesn’t mean protection
Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care
This show is supported by
- 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/@wovenmoon_
- Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands13 May 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 25 minutes#464: A Confused Mixture Of Topics: Clearing The Desk
This week’s podcast Blyss and Stu come to you with no guest and no single topic, just a “hodgepodge” of what’s been piling up in Dr. Stu’s mind attic.
From collapsing birth options and disappearing breech skills…to food, fear, and the quiet coercion baked into modern maternity care.
It may seem random, but there is a common thread here: Systems replacing skills, policy replacing autonomy, and women left navigating the fallout
References:
Fringe Red Light Therapy: Code BirthingInstincts10 for 10% off
Coalition for Breech Birth Coalition Facebook Group
CPT Maternity Care Services Codes and Guidelines | AMA
Leaked Kaiser email on Facebook
Reclaiming Birth Conference - https://www.reclaimingbirthconference.com/
Discussed in This Episode
Oregon moms left without hospital breech providers
The dying art of vaginal breech delivery
The System That Forces You to Lie
Coercion Disguised as Care
Ultra-Processed Food & Pregnancy Outcomes
EMFs, Fertility & What No One’s Talking About
New AMA Obstetric Codes
Risks of VBAC with a T-Inscision
Risk of repeat uterine rupture
Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care
This show is supported by
- LMNT | Got to lmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with any order
- Caraway Home | Go to Carawayhome.com/instincts for an additional 10% off, or use code INSTINCTS at checkout!
- 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
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands6 May 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 47 minutes#463: The 20 Week Ultrasound: Dissecting the Anatomy Scan
The 20-week anatomy scan has become a routine part of modern pregnancy, but is it truly essential, or just another layer of over-monitoring?
After receiving a listener question, Dr. Stu and Blyss dissect the purpose, limitations, and unintended consequences of the anatomy scan. From what providers are actually looking for, to why so many women walk away with more anxiety than answers, this episode challenges the assumption that more information always equals better outcomes.
At the end of the day, the real question isn’t can we look, it’s should we?
Additional References:
Birthing Instincts Podcasts:
Episode 446: Baby Aspirin For All??
Episode 459: Over-Monitoring & Outcomes, How Are We Doing & Who Benefits.
Episode 313: Comforting Truths About Low Lying Placentas
Episode 274: I Remember Every Detail
Cleveland Clinic: What to Expect at Your 20-Week Ultrasound (Anatomy Scan)
Discussed in This Episode
The many names of the anatomy scan (and what it’s supposed to do)
Ultrasound, anomaly scan, fetal survey—same test, very different interpretations
The 11 major conditions they look for vs. everything else that gets added on
How tiny measurements turn into weeks of stress and follow-ups
The rise of false positives and soft markers
Ultrasound-free pregnancy: radical or reasonable?
Why more testing keeps becoming the standard, regardless of outcomes
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
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands29 April 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 44 minutes#462: When Surrounded, Take The First Opportunity To Fight Like Hell With Del Bigtree
What if the system you trust never did the science you assume it did?
In this explosive episode, Dr. Stu and Blyss sit down with Del Bigtree to pull back the curtain on vaccines, medical authority, and the institutions shaping maternal and pediatric care. From ACOG recommendations to the hidden realities behind “safe and effective,” this conversation challenges everything we’re told—and asks the question no one in mainstream medicine seems willing to ask.
This isn’t just about vaccines. It’s about power, profit, fear… and what happens when parents start saying no..
About Del:
Del Bigtree is one of the preeminent voices of the MAHA Movement. He was the Director of Communications for Robert Kennedy Jr’s 2024 presidential campaign, the founder and CEO of the non-profit, Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), and host of the internet talk show TheHighWire.com, boasting over 400 million views world-wide. A former Emmy winning producer of the CBS talk show The Doctors, and most recently Executive Producer of the film, An Inconvenient Study. Del’s multi-pronged approach incorporates media, legislative, and legal actions to expose the fraud, lies, and conflicts of interest that have allowed US regulatory agencies to collude with industry power brokers to evade standardized safety testing on products including vaccines, drugs, food, drinking water, and 5G. On behalf of American citizens, Del’s non-profit, ICAN, has submitted over one thousand Freedom Of Information Requests (FOIA) and has won multiple lawsuits against government agencies including HHS, NIH, FDA and the CDC. Most notable are the FDA case that forced the release of Pfizer’s Covid Vaccine trial data which the FDA had attempted to hide for 75 years, the CDC case that forced the release of the CDC’s V-Safe Covid Vaccine Injury data, and the State of Mississippi Case which reinstated the Religious Exemption from Vaccination which had been denied for over 30 years.
Instagram: @delbigtree
X: @delbigtree
Websites: https://thehighwire.com / https://icandecide.org
Documentary: An Inconvenient Study
Additional References:
Jennifer Margulis Substack: Breaking News in Delivery Rooms: More Parents Saying “No, Thank You” to Vaccines and Other Unnecessary Interventions
Documentary: Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe
Book: Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak (Children’s Health Defense)
Discussed in This Episode
Inside ICAN, legal strategy, and the fight for transparency against federal agencies.
Who Controls the Vaccine Narrative? Follow the Money
Dr. Zervos Vaccinated v. Unvaccinated Study
An Inconvenient Study—what happens when even insiders admit the science was never done.
Vaccinated v. Unvaccinated Study Results
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
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands22 April 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 19 minutes#461: Fertility Back In Balance With Acupuncturist Emily Marson
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:
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
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands15 April 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 35 minutes#460: The Process Is The Punishment....And The Reward with Angee Hock
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
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands8 April 2026, 10:00 am - 1 hour 26 minutes#459: Over-Monitoring & Outcomes, How Are We Doing & Who Benefits.
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
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands1 April 2026, 4:17 pm - More Episodes? Get the App