Birthing Instincts

Dr. Stuart Fischbein + Midwife Blyss Young
  • 0.0 (0)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Birthing Instincts

The birth world can be overwhelming for parents and practitioners alike. Dr. Stuart Fischbein and Midwife Blyss Young and their combined 55+ years of experience are here to support you in this beautiful rite of passage. Join the weekly conversation as we blend wisdom and humor in discussing our recent births, the latest research, traditional healing, and instinctual birth.

  1. #418: What Zookeepers Know & Obstetricians Have Forgotten: A Conversation with Author Milli Hill

    9 HR AGO

    #418: What Zookeepers Know & Obstetricians Have Forgotten: A Conversation with Author Milli Hill

    In this edition of The Birthing Instincts podcast, Dr. Stu hosts an enlightening discussion with guest Millie Hill, a renowned writer and feminist advocate. Millie, the author of 'The Positive Birth Book' and 'Birth Like a Feminist,' shares her journey from a drama therapist to a prolific writer on childbirth and women's health. The conversation delves into the significance of positive birth experiences, the impact of fear in childbirth, and the influence of language and cultural norms on maternal care.  About Milli: Milli Hill is a writer and freelance journalist with a passion for reframing the narrative around women’s bodies. She is the author of the bestselling Positive Birth Book (2017), Give Birth like a Feminist (2019) and My Period (2021, for preteen girls). Her fourth book, Ultra Processed Women, will be published by Harper Collins in July 2025, with a fifth book to follow in 2026. To date, her books have been translated into seven languages.  From 2012 to 2021 she founded and ran the Positive Birth Movement, a global network of antenatal discussion groups aimed at improving birth and giving women better access to support and information.  Milli has spoken nationally and internationally about positive birth, obstetric violence and female autonomy in health. As a journalist since 2013 she has been a columnist for the Telegraph women’s section and written for many publications including Mail, Guardian, Independent, ipaper and Mother&Baby, and has appeared on BBC Breakfast news, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 2, BBC 5 Live, talkradio, LBC and many leading podcasts.  She writes a bestselling substack about women’s health, feminism, and issues around sex and gender including the erasure of women from language.  Milli lives in Somerset, UK with her partner, three children and two dogs.  Instagram: @milli.hill Website: www.millihill.co.uk Substack: substack.com/@millihill Resources Bridge Midwives Stu’s 3 minute reel on Overuse of Colorflow Doppler Milli Hill’s Blog: The Mule  Milli’s books: Ultra-Processed Women: The new no-holds-barred look into the ultra-processed foods industry’s lasting impact on our health and wellness – and how we can break free  Give Birth Like a Feminist: Your body. Your baby. Your choices. My Period: Find your flow and feel proud of your period! The Positive Birth Book: The Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and the Early Weeks In This Episode Rising Intervention Rates in Birth The Ideological Battle: Safety vs. Experience Feminism and Childbirth: A Complex Relationship The Power of Language in Maternity Care Pandemic's Impact on Birth Practices Empowering Women Through Knowledge Millie Hill's Books and Future Projects This show is supported by Restorative Roots | Go to  https://restorativemeals.com/ code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 10% off weekly meal plans.WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order. BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness program.Birth Sling | Go to https://thebirthsling.com/ code INSTINCTS for 10% off your sling.Pique Life| Go to https://piquelife.com/birthing to get 10% off for life on Pique's Herbal Teas! Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastInstagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.comPodcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

    1h 32m
  2. #417: Midwifery & The Conundrum Of The Legislative Process with Ellie Stangl

    11 JUN

    #417: Midwifery & The Conundrum Of The Legislative Process with Ellie Stangl

    This week Dr. Stu is solo as Blyss is away and joined by guest Ellie Stangl, a certified doula and legislative aide in Nebraska. Together they delve into the legislative process affecting maternity care: Does anyone understand the process? Does it make any logical sense? The short answer is no, but dive into this conversation with us to dig deeper and discuss the complications and frustrations of introducing and passing bills that advocate for midwifery and home birth practices. The conversation delves into the challenges posed by the medical lobby, the legislative process, why laws differ from state to state, and how the cultural misperceptions about natural birth results in a lot of confusion around legislation. About Ellie: Ellie Stangl is a dedicated advocate and policy professional who has spent the past seven years working in the Nebraska Legislature. With a lifelong passion for natural and wholesome living, Ellie began in the birth world as a young girl assisting her mother during the home births of her siblings. This early exposure to God's design of birth and the beauty of motherhood inspired her to become a certified doula, a role in which she continues to serve friends, family, and members of the birthing community. Ellie has seamlessly integrated her personal and professional commitments by championing maternal health policy at the state level. She is actively drafting legislation to expand access to midwifery care and protection for women's birthing rights in Nebraska. Instagram: @miss_elims Resources Birthing Instincts Podcast Patreon Patreon: Advocacy Role Play Episode AJOG Article: Quantifying the association between doula care and maternal and neonatal outcomes In This Episode Ellie's Journey to Legislative Advocacy The Complexity of Legal Language Challenges with Medical Regulations Opposition from Medical Associations The Influence of Campaign Funding Comparing State Laws on Midwifery The Importance of Community and Education This show is supported by Restorative Roots | Go to  https://restorativemeals.com/ code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 10% off weekly meal plans.WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order. BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness program.Birth Sling | Go to https://thebirthsling.com/ code INSTINCTS for 10% off your sling.Pique Life| Go to https://piquelife.com/birthing to get 10% off for life on Pique's Herbal Teas! Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastInstagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.comPodcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

    1h 23m

  3. 4 JUN

    #416: Disentangling Mono-chorionic Twins

    This week Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss do a deep dive into mono-chorionic twin pregnancies, with a focus on debunking common myths about mono-mono twins. Drawing on recent research and personal experiences, they explore topics like the risks of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), cord entanglement, and the overall safety of vaginal deliveries for mono-mono twins. Resources Between a Shot and a Hard Place, by Joel Warsh Jama Article: Pregnancy Related Deaths in the US 2018 to 2022.  Twin home birth: Outcomes of 100 sets of twins in the care of a single practitioner, by Stu Fischbein and Rixa Freeze Documentary: Heads Up: The Disappearing Art of Vaginal Breech Delivery Obstetrics and Gynecology Journal: Cord entanglement and perinatal outcome in monoamniotic twin pregnancies In This Episode Introduction to Monochorionic Twins Debunking Myths About Twin Pregnancies Case Studies and Rare Anomalies Challenges and Interventions in Twin Pregnancies The Overuse of Ultrasound in Twin Pregnancies Misuse of Growth Charts for Twins This show is supported by WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order. Restorative Roots | Go to  https://restorativemeals.com/ code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 10% off weekly meal plans.BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness program.Pique Life| Go to https://piquelife.com/birthing to get 10% off for life on Pique's Herbal Teas! Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastInstagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.comPodcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

    1h 30m
  4. #415: Your Menstrual Cycle As A Window To Your Health. Our thoughtful discussion with "The Fifth Vital Sign" author, Lisa Hendrickson-Jack

    28 MAY

    #415: Your Menstrual Cycle As A Window To Your Health. Our thoughtful discussion with "The Fifth Vital Sign" author, Lisa Hendrickson-Jack

    This week Blyss and Stu discuss the importance of understanding the menstrual cycle with guest Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, author of The Fifth Vital Sign. Lisa brings not only her personal experiences with menstrual health, but also her expertise in the roles of basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and cervical position in fertility awareness. They highlight the broader health implications of suppressing ovulation with birth control pills and shed light on how modern medicine often overlooks natural bodily functions. About Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: Lisa Hendrickson-Jack is a certified Fertility Awareness Educator and Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner who trains women’s health practitioners to use their menstrual cycle as a vital sign in their practices. She is the founder of the Fertility Awareness Mastery MentorshipTM program. She is the author of three bestselling books The Fifth Vital Sign, the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook, and her most recent book Real Food For Fertility, which she co-authored with Lily Nichols RDN. Lisa works tirelessly to debunk the myth that regular ovulation is only important when you want children by recognizing the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Drawing heavily from the current scientific literature, Lisa presents an evidence-based approach to help women connect to their fifth vital sign by uncovering the connection between the menstrual cycle, fertility, and overall health. With well over 4 million downloads, her podcast, Fertility Friday, is the #1 source for information about fertility awareness and menstrual cycle health. Website: http://fertilityfriday.com Instagram: @fertilityfriday Resources Real Food For Fertility: realfoodforfertility.com The Fifth Vital Sign: thefifthvitalsignbook.com In This Episode The Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign The Birth Control Pill: History and Controversies The Hidden Dangers of Birth Control Pills The Importance of Understanding Your Cycle Side Effects of Suppressing Ovulation Impact on Partner Attraction and Genetic Compatibility The Role of Cervical Fluid and Ovulation Fertility Awareness Methods The Influence of Big Pharma and Research Bias Natural Ways to Support Your System This show is supported by Birth Sling | Go to https://thebirthsling.com/ code INSTINCTS for 10% off your sling.Restorative Roots | Go to https://restorativemeals.com/ code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 10% off weekly meal plans.WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order. BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness program.Pique Life| Go to https://piquelife.com/birthing to get 10% off for life on Pique's Herbal Teas!Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastInstagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.comPodcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

    1h 30m
  5. #414: Advocacy is a Team Sport

    21 MAY

    #414: Advocacy is a Team Sport

    Join us for an in-depth conversation with Meredith Nelson and Alicia Fishbein, board-certified patient advocates and seasoned doulas from Intentional Birth. The episode explores the critical role of advocacy in childbirth, covering topics from prenatal visits to labor and NICU challenges. Learn how to navigate hospitals, advocate effectively for clients, and transform traumatic experiences into empowering and supportive births. The discussion includes real-life stories, practical tools, and heartwarming successes, emphasizing the need for stronger advocacy in maternity care. About Meredith Nelson & Alicia Fishbein Meredith and Alicia are board-certified patient advocates, seasoned doulas, and the founders of Intentional Birth and of the Perinatal Patient Advocacy Center. When they attended their original doula trainings, they were taught not to speak up on their clients' behalf. Don't rock the boat. Doulas don't advocate. Smile and nod at care providers. Then they began attending births, and realized that their clients were walking away feeling powerless and traumatized (they were, too). They knew there was a bigger role for them to play. More than a dozen years later, they are training birth professionals as patient advocates. They teach the confidence-building strategies, the detailed systems for educating and preparing their clients, and the robust set of communication and advocacy tools that they developed as they transformed their practices toward true support of their clients' legal rights and human needs. Website: intentionalbirth.co E-mail: hello@intentionalbirth.co Instagram: @intentional.birth Resources Intentional Birth: https://www.intentionalbirth.co/ Perinatal Patient Advocacy Center: https://perinatalpatientadvocacy.org/ ACOG Opinion Piece: Refusal of Medically Recommended Treatment During Pregnancy In This Episode Advocacy and Patient Rights The Role of Doulas and Patient Advocates Training and Empowering Doulas Understanding Hospital Culture and Hierarchy Empathy as a Foundational Advocacy Tool Humanizing the Room: Practical Tools for Doulas The Importance of Partner Advocacy Navigating Prenatal Visits and Hospital Advocacy This show is supported by Birth Sling | Go to https://thebirthsling.com/ code INSTINCTS for 10% off your sling.Restorative Roots | Go to  https://restorativemeals.com/ code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 10% off weekly meal plans.WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order. BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness program.Pique Life| Go to https://piquelife.com/birthing to get 10% off for life on Pique's Herbal Teas! Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastInstagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.comPodcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

    1h 26m
  6. #413: Rediscovering Ancient Postpartum Traditions: Pelvic Steaming with Valerie Wiesner

    14 MAY

    #413: Rediscovering Ancient Postpartum Traditions: Pelvic Steaming with Valerie Wiesner

    While Dr. Stu was busy teaching breech in Texas, Blyss hosted Valerie Wiesner to discuss the practice of vaginal steaming, its benefits, and the ancient traditions associated with it. Valerie shares her extensive experience in sacred postpartum care and describes how steaming can help with postpartum recovery, menstrual irregularities, fertility issues, and even prostate health in men. Additionally, Valerie talks about her vision for making sacred postpartum practices more accessible through community co-ops and international training programs.  About Valerie Wiesner Valerie Wiesner, mama to 15, leads women Worldwide in the Ancient Art of Sacred Postpartum care in both online and live retreats. This includes many practices, from Ceremony to Vaginal Steaming, honoring and supporting women in the tender postpartum recovery period. She serves women in all stages of life, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum in Northern Arizona. In 1980, Valerie and her partner hitchhiked to The Farm in Tennessee to birth her first baby with Ina May Gaskin. This experience of sacred birth and postpartum care surrounded by love and community, set her on the path she walks today. Valerie lives in the mountains of Prescott Arizona with her soulmate of 46 years where she grows abundant food and herbs and holds epic family gatherings. Website: sacredbirthtraditions.com and sacredpostpartum.net Listeners will get 20% discount on any of Valerie’s programs, reach out to valerie@sacredpostpartum.net for more information. Instagram: @sacredpostpartum @sacredbirthtraditions Resources Valerie’s Birth Stories on Indie Birth Katy Barnes, Doula Mountain Rose Herbs In This Episode Ancient Practices and Modern Benefits of Vaginal Steaming Vaginal Steaming for Women's Health Issues Emotional and Physical Healing through Vaginal Steaming Postpartum Care and Vaginal Steaming Herbal Recommendations Vaginal Steaming for Various Health Conditions The Role of Vaginal Steaming in Sexual Health Resources and Training for Vaginal Steaming This show is supported by Birth Sling | Go to https://thebirthsling.com/ code INSTINCTS for 10% off your sling.Restorative Roots | Go to https://restorativemeals.com/ code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 10% off weekly meal plans.WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order. BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness program.Pique Life| Go to https://piquelife.com/birthing to get 10% off for life on Pique's Herbal Teas!Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastInstagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.comPodcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

    1h 2m
  7. #412: When Advocacy Isn’t Enough with Lara Janson

    7 MAY

    #412: When Advocacy Isn’t Enough with Lara Janson

    In this episode, Blyss is joined by Lara Jason, an assistant professor of sociology at Grinnell College, as she shares her powerful and emotional story about her breech birth experience. Despite her extensive preparations and strong advocacy skills, Lara experienced a traumatic birth intervention that violated her consent, echoing her past experiences with sexual assault. This episode underscores the importance of trauma-informed care and the need for systemic changes to respect and prioritize women's autonomy during childbirth. Guest Lara Janson: Lara Janson is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology at Grinnell College. A sociologist specializing in gender, sexuality, law, education, and qualitative/mixed research methods, she is interested in researching and teaching about intersections of inequality. In addition to teaching introductory sociology, social movements, social media, and gender courses on the Grinnell campus, Lara also teaches at Newton Correctional Facility and the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women as part of Grinnell’s Liberal Arts in Prison Program (LAPP). Dr. Janson’s current book project, Sexual Violence on Campus: Title IX and the New Era of Accountability (forthcoming with NYU Press), examines how college campuses adjudicate sexual assault complaints, with particular emphasis on the competing legal jurisdictions at play. Related research interests include sexuality, social movements, feminist jurisprudence, and crime/incarceration. Before pursuing her doctorate, Janson researched interculturalism and gender as a Fulbright Scholar in the Andes, where she also taught courses at a men’s prison and in rural Indigenous/Afro communities. After conducting street outreach and educational programs in juvenile detention centers for a non-profit in the U.S., she studied Peace and Conflict as a George J. Mitchell Scholar in Northern Ireland, where she helped develop curricula linking gender and peace/conflict.  For more information about Dr. Janson and her work, check out www.larajanson.com. Website: www.larajanson.com Instagram: @lhjanson Resources https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/ In This Episode Laura's Pregnancy Journey Advocating for Individualized Maternity Care Challenges with Hypermobile EDS in Pregnancy Navigating Hospital Birth Preferences The Role of a Doula in Childbirth Power Struggles and Advocacy in Hospital Births The Impact of Past Trauma on Childbirth Reporting and Seeking Justice Post-Birth Trauma This show is supported by The Birth Sling by Dr. Jess Michaels | Go to thebirthsling.com code Instincts for 10% off your slingRestorative Roots | Go to  https://restorativemeals.com/ code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for  25% off your first order of weekly fresh meals or $20 off frozen postpartum meals.WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order. BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness program.Pique Life| Go to https://piquelife.com/birthing to get 10% off for life on Pique's Herbal Teas!Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastInstagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.comPodcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

    1h 30m
  8. #411: Awareness & The Healing Of Future Generations with Dr. Stanton Hom

    30 APR

    #411: Awareness & The Healing Of Future Generations with Dr. Stanton Hom

    This week we welcome Dr. Stanton Hom, to discuss a variety of topics from the impacts of vaccinations on children to the decline in global fertility rates.   About Dr. Stanton Hom – DC, DACCP, CCWP is the Founder of Future Generations: a global movement normalizing vibrant health for life by providing freedom focused care and education so we can experience our innate genetic potential. Together, he and his team have built one of the top clinics in the world through their innovative and against the grain approach that catalyzes radical healing of chronic health issues in patients of all ages. His own self-healing has inspired him to take on a new mission of chiropractic that eventually led to a breakthrough method in 2013 that he now teaches through a powerfully transformative course called “Future Foundations.” As the Host of the Future Generations Podcast, an informed dad and prenatal/pediatric chiropractic specialist, he leads a worldwide movement that stands for Self Healing, Natural Living and Health Freedom for All Generations. Websites: https://www.FutureGenerationsSD.com / https://portal.thefuturegen.com/futurefoundations / Future Foundations Course Podcast: https://thefuturegen.com  Instagram: @drstantonhom @thefuturegenSD @futuregenpodcast Resources Books: The Truth About Contagion: Exploring Theories of How Disease Spreads, by Thomas S. Cowan MD, Sally Fallon Morell Vaccine A: The Covert Government Experiment That's Killing Our Soldiers--and Why GI's Are Only the First Victims, by Gary Matsumoto Dr. Mercola's Total Health Program: The Proven Plan to Prevent Disease and Premature Aging, Optimize Weight and Live Longer! Tapa blanda, by Joseph Mercola Reuters Article: US House panel launches antitrust probe of medical residency system By Mike Scarcella  Journal Article: Vaccination and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Study of Nine-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Medicaid, Anthony R. Mawson, Binu Jacob Film: Infertility: A Diabolical Agenda In This Episode Health Challenges Within the Military Children's Health Vaccination and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Vaccine Ingredients The Debate on Vaccine Safety Questioning COVID-19 Vaccination Policies Fertility Issues and Theories This show is supported by Restorative Roots | Go to https://restorativemeals.com/ code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 10% off weekly meal plans.WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order. BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness program.Pique Life| Go to https://piquelife.com/birthing to get 10% off for life on Pique's Herbal Teas!Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastInstagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.comPodcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

    1h 37m
See All (406)

About

The birth world can be overwhelming for parents and practitioners alike. Dr. Stuart Fischbein and Midwife Blyss Young and their combined 55+ years of experience are here to support you in this beautiful rite of passage. Join the weekly conversation as we blend wisdom and humor in discussing our recent births, the latest research, traditional healing, and instinctual birth.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Stuart Fischbein + Midwife Blyss Young
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    406
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Birthing Instincts

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada