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 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.


    Episode resources:


    This show is supported by:


    Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

    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.


    Episode resources:


    This show is supported by:


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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.


    Episode resources:


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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:


    Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

    25 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 41 minutes
    #392 Twin Home Birth Outcomes Published…Finally, with Rixa Freeze, PhD

    Today, Dr. Stu welcomes Dr. Rixa Freeze to discuss their paper “Twin Home Birth Outcomes” more deeply and all the topics related to this theme. You will learn more about the connection between twin pregnancies and breech birth and why it is common for one or both babies to be in a breech position, as well as the mode of delivery. Dr. Rixa Freeze has a PhD in American Studies from the University of Iowa. Her doctoral studies focused on the history of healthcare and medicine with a specialization in pregnancy, childbirth, and maternity care.


    Connect with Dr. Rixa Freeze


    In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast:

    • Dr. Rixa Freeze's background;
    • Dr. Stu and Dr. Rixa discuss their paper “Twin Home Birth Outcomes”;
    • Why women in North America choose unassisted home birth;
    • Why it's important to know what does twin home birth look like;
    • Correlation between twin pregnancies and breech birth;
    • Breech presentation: vaginal birth vs. c-section;
    • Understanding c-section births for future pregnancies;
    • Dr. Rixa Freeze's organization Breech Without Borders.


    Episode resources:


    This show is supported by:


    Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

    18 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 23 minutes
    #391 The Wisdom To Know The Difference

    In this episode, Blyss and Dr. Stu discuss the importance of identifying the things you can do to feel better when you feel overwhelmed. Pinpointing the primary source of overwhelm is important, but finding ways to find relief is fundamental to getting out of this state. The other important thing to do is to go back to the basics. Having a good night's sleep, hydrating well, and eating properly can do wonders to get out of a rut. Small steps are still progress. Tune in to learn more!


    In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast:

    • How to go back to the basics when things are feeling hard;
    • The importance of gratitude and letting go of what we can’t control;
    • Food, sleep and hydration are the foundation of general health and mental health;
    • Strategies to reset, recharge and relax; 
    • Finding ways to express what you're feeling and what has been bothering you;
    • Learn to identify the things you can do to feel better.


    Episode resources:


    This show is supported by:


    Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

    11 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 27 minutes
    #390 Call To Action: Time to Make Mothers Healthy Again

    Today, Blyss and Dr. Stu discuss a variety of topics, which is always exciting. They reflect on the changes in the medical field over the last 30 years, the decision to take or not take vaccines during pregnancy, and the urgent need for both medical professionals and the general public to focus on making mothers and their children healthy again. They also emphasize the importance of prenatal care, not only for the health of the baby but also for identifying any potential risks for the mother-to-be.


    In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast:

    • Immune System conditions;
    • Relationship between vaccines and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder);
    • Make America Healthy Again policy;
    • What has changed over the last 30 years in the medical field;
    • Prenatal care and maternal care;
    • Vaccines during pregnancy.


    Episode resources:


    This show is supported by:


    Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

    4 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 42 minutes
    #389 Maternity Care Is The Most Important Care with Functional Medicine Practitioner, Sarah Thompson

    Sarah Thompson joins us today to discuss the aspects of functional medicine and its connection to pregnancy and maternity care. Unlike conventional medicine, which largely follows a standardized educational framework, functional medicine focuses on understanding each person and creating a treatment plan to meet their specific needs. Another key feature of functional medicine is its proactive approach; it aims to address general complaints before they escalate into crises. Throughout this conversation, you will discover how functional medicine can be beneficial before, during, and after pregnancy as well.


    About Sarah Thompson

    Sarah Thompson is the author of "Functional Maternity" and the upcoming "Beyond Results". Her work is recognized in midwifery education, with her books being used as textbooks in midwifery colleges. 


    Connect with Sarah Thompson


    In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast:

    • What is functional medicine and how it can benefit people;
    • How individualized functional medicine actually works;
    • The importance of bringing the care of women back into the care of pregnancy;
    • Correlation between nutrition, macronutrients, and nausea during pregnancy;
    • Functional medicine and labor.


    Episode resources:


    This show is supported by:


    Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

    27 November 2024, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 26 minutes
    #388 Our Food System Is Completely Bonkers with Mama Meals founders Holly & Eric Stein

    Holly and Eric Stein join us to share their journey from overcoming chronic health issues to pioneering a nationwide postpartum meal delivery service with Mama Meals. Bursting with passion for food activism, they reveal how nutrient-dense foods can be transformative not only for postpartum mothers but for anyone on a healing journey. With insights into the interplay between hospital protocols and midwifery practices, we examine how these experiences intersect with the core of our birthing narratives. The Steins' story is a testament to the power of conscious eating, offering a fresh perspective on the importance of postpartum nutrition and wellness.

    About Holly &Eric Stein

    Holly and Eric Stein were sick constantly as kids. Headaches, ear infections, gut issues, allergies, etc. Doctors visits were the norm, and the answer always seemed to be another pill. They started dating in their mid twenties and fell in love watching food documentaries and studying nutrition, eventually healing their chronic conditions by cleaning up their diet. They became food activists obsessed with helping others, eventually starting Mama Meals, a nationwide postpartum meal delivery.

    Connect with Holly & Eric Stein


    In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast:

    • Postpartum Nutrition and Recovery Journeys
    • The Importance of Ancestral Eating
    • Regenerative Farming and Organic Food
    • The Weaponization of Industrial Food
    • Awakening to Truth in Postpartum


    Episode resources:


    This show is supported by:


    Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

    20 November 2024, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
    #387 High Risk - What Does It Really Mean?

    Obstetricians regularly use terms like high risk, safer, evidence based and standard of care as if they all have an agreed upon definition. THEY DON'T! Today Blyss & Dr. Stu discuss the use and misuse of language and the corruption of definitions in the maternity care world. What or who determines the standard of care? Are labels of high risk indicative of high risk? Who should determine what safe means? We offer some explanations and strong opinions, shockingly, as to the motivation behind the manipulation of these terms and suggest alternative definitions that we think just makes more sense.

    In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast:

    • Defining Medical Terms and Standards
    • Pregnancy and High-Risk Conditions
    • Risk Assessment and Labeling in Healthcare
    • Questioning Evidence-Based Medicine and Safety
    • Exploring the Definition of Physiologic Birth


    Episode resources:


    This show is supported by:


    Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

    13 November 2024, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 37 minutes
    #386 We've Been Bamboozled, Musings on CTG with Dr. David Hayes

    Join us for an enlightening discussion as we welcome Dr. David Hayes, who brings his expertise to the complex realm of continuous fetal monitoring in labor rooms. Together, we highlight the importance of empowering laboring mothers with information about their birthing choices, as well as sharing our excitement about upcoming speaking engagements focused on home birth and physiologic birth. Blyss also gives us a sneak peek into her plans for mentorship and mom circles, aiming to create a supportive community for new mothers.

    Closing the episode, we take a historical journey through the evolution of obstetric practices, from the early days of fetal heartbeat detection to modern-day debates over unnecessary C-sections. We critically assess the pressures within obstetrics that lead to an over-reliance on technology, reflecting on initiatives like Breach Without Borders that advocate for informed and individualized care. Our discussion also questions the medicalized birth model, emphasizing the need for professionals to push beyond traditional methods for the benefit of laboring women worldwide.


    About Dr. David Hayes

    Doctor Hayes’ primary interests have been obstetrics and gynecology in resource poor settings, out of hospital birth, and critical care obstetrics. A long-time breech birth provider, he is currently the Medical Director of Breech Without Borders, an international non-profit dedicated to the resurrection and promotion of vaginal breech birth worldwide, and is teaching full time while continuing to support vaginal birth of breech presentations and multiples. He is also a co-author of, “A Guide to Physiologic Breech Birth” and the author of the upcoming “Companion Guide to Maternal Fetal Physiology and Fetal Monitoring”.

    He has worked for Médecins Sans Frontières in many roles including Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care in multiple projects, a Fistula Repair program, Lassa Fever control program, and Emergency Department coverage. Dr Hayes also operated an out of hospital, full spectrum obstetric practice for twenty years.


    Connect with Dr. David Hayes


    In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast:

    • Birthing Choices and Continuous Monitoring
    • Obstetrics, Technology, and Changing Practices
    • Monitoring Methods in Birth Settings
    • Questioning Medicalized Birth Practices


    Episode resources:


    This show is supported by:


    Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

    6 November 2024, 11:00 am
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