The Be Well Baby Podcast

Dr. Emily Spaeth
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Medicine

The questions you're asking—answered. What should I really be asking my doctor during pregnancy?How can I balance trusting my intuition and following medical advice?What if things don’t go as planned—how do I stay grounded?What’s the difference between pain and suffering during labor?What really happens after birth—the part no one talks about?Will my body ever be the same?When should my baby roll, crawl, or sit—and when should I stop Googling it?Should breastfeeding be painful—or is that a sign something’s off?How do I return to work without losing myself—or my career identity?How do we find intimacy again when I’m touched out and exhausted?How do I stay connected to joy and possibility, even when pregnancy or postpartum feels hard?Who am I now that I’m someone’s mother? These are the things nobody tells you about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum... Treat your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum like grad school—because you deserve to be completely prepared. On The Be Well Baby Podcast, we ask all the hard questions of your providers so you don't have to figure this out alone. Hosted by Dr. Emily Spaeth: a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and certified trauma-informed professional who trains other providers, this isn't your typical pregnancy podcast. From posture in pregnancy to feeding your baby to baby development to postpartum recovery, pelvic floor health, sex after birth, and navigating your career and identity; we dive deep into the topics nobody talks about openly—until now. You'll discover what high-achieving women actually need to know about pregnancy, birth, and the fourth trimester. No fluff. No surprises. Just the evidence-based information, honest conversations, and real preparation that helps you feel confident, capable, and genuinely ready for this pivotal season of your life. Whether you just found out you're pregnant, you're planning to return to work, navigating matrescence, or managing the incredible changes ahead, this is your space to get prepared, feel supported, and maybe even know more than your doctor does. Ready to approach this season with intention? Follow @bewellbabypdx on Instagram Facebook and TikTokJoin our community in the Beyond Birth Blueprint Join our email list - Notes from the Nest - for updates and free stuff!

  1. 3d ago

    Wanting To Want It: Desire After Birth with Dr. Emily Spaeth

    You're cleared at your six week checkup, but your body doesn't necessarily get that memo. If you're missing closeness with your partner, can't locate an ounce of desire, or wonder if something is wrong with you, this episode is for you. In this solo episode, Dr. Emily Spaeth breaks down the physiology and psychology of postpartum desire, why low libido after baby is not a personal failure, and what you can actually do about it. What we coverThe hormone crash. Why the drop in estrogen and progesterone right after birth (and the effects of prolactin, oxytocin, and testosterone while chestfeeding) directly suppress desire and arousal, and why that's chemistry, not a reflection of your relationshipThe dual control model. Introducing the "accelerator and brakes" framework for the nervous system, and why low desire is usually a brakes problem (stress, sleep deprivation, feeling touched out) rather than an accelerator problemResponsive vs. spontaneous desire. Dr. Rosemary Basson's circular model of sexual response, where willingness and closeness come first and desire shows up after arousal has already started, not beforeArousal nonconcordance. Why your body's physical response and your felt desire don't always match, and why that's normal, not dysfunctionTouch saturation. Why being "touched out" by the end of a day with a baby is real and valid, and doesn't mean you don't love your partnerPractical tools. Talking to your partner before baby arrives, building a "secret language" or signal system for initiating intimacy, and why lube and time (and possibly a vaginal estrogen cream) matter for the first postpartum penetrative experiencesThe big reframe. Postpartum intimacy isn't about finding your way back to how things used to be, it's about building something newFree workshop: Sex After BirthWant more support with this topic? Join the free Sex After Birth workshop. When: Thursday, August 20th, 12–1pm (and check for future dates!)Who: Open to birthing bodies pregnant or postpartum, and partners, too!Details and future session dates: bewellbaby.org/sex-after-birth-classRelated episodesSex After Baby, with Crystal GuardLoved this episode?If it helped you, send it to a friend who's pregnant, postpartum, or supporting someone who is. And if you have a minute, leaving a review helps other families find the show. Connect with Be Well BabyInstagram: @BeWellBabyPDXWebsite: bewellbaby.org

  2. Jul 29

    Witnessing Love With Doula and Birth Photographer Heidi Long

    Heidi Long is a birth doula, postpartum doula, and birth photographer based in Portland, Oregon, and the owner of Grounded Hearts Doula. With a decade of experience supporting families through birth, Heidi pairs her doula work with professional photography, capturing births, newborn sessions, and family milestones for the same families she supports. In this episode, Emily and Heidi break down: What a postpartum doula does and how postpartum doula support is different from hiring a nannyWhy you need a birth doula, even if you already have a supportive OB or midwife in the roomHow to know a birth doula or postpartum doula is the right fit for your family, and why intuition matters as much as the interviewHow Heidi combines doula support and birth photography to capture authentic, unposed moments during labor and deliveryWhat it's like to work with the same birth photographer across your maternity, newborn, and family milestone sessionsHeidi's advice for anyone considering hiring a birth doula, postpartum doula, or birth photographer for the first time Ready to learn more about birth doula support, postpartum doula care, or birth photography? Find Heidi's links below to connect with Grounded Hearts Doula. https://www.groundedheartsdoula.comhttps://www.groundedheartsphotography.com Heidi has generously offered folks who mention this podcast will receive a 15 minute fall mini session in October of 2026 out in nature among the autumn foliage!   More About Your Host Emily Spaeth is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, childbirth educator, and founder of Be Well Baby® in Portland, Oregon. With extensive NICU experience and training in craniosacral therapy, she leads a team providing home-based health care for families navigating the tricky parts of pregnancy and postpartum.  She also hosts the Beyond Birth Blueprint (http://www.bewellbaby.org/beyond-birth-blueprint) an online birth and postpartum educational community available to families across the country—so no matter where you are, you have access to support, resources, and connection. Emily is also a mother of three and passionate about helping families move from surviving to thriving. We have restructured Beyond Birth so that you can access it so easily. We close the doors at the end of September. I can’t wait to meet you on the inside!  Our mission is to fundamentally shift what healthcare could look like for pregnancy, postpartum, and babies. Please help us spread the word by leaving a review! Every review matters! If this episode helped you, please send it to someone who's pregnant, postpartum, or supporting someone through birth. Thank you for being here. 🤍

  3. Jul 22

    Be The Lighthouse Not The Rescue Boat: Parenting with Belinda Tung

    Emily sits down with Belinda Tung, founder of Perfect Child, to unpack what it really means to parent from a place of steadiness instead of fear. They dig into the "lighthouse" metaphor — staying present and connected without chasing, fixing, or controlling — and why Belinda deliberately uses the word perceive rather than believe or know when it comes to seeing a child as perfect. The conversation moves through unmet needs hiding behind everyday behaviors (bus-window pouting, hide-and-seek transitions, meltdowns), journaling as a tool for self-reflection and co-regulation, and how parents' own upbringing and a rushed healthcare system can pull them away from trusting their instincts. They close with an invite to Belinda's in-person community event on August 8th. No need to sign up. If you want wholesome family fun, just show up!  https://www.perfectchild.org/wholesomefamilyfestival In This Episode: Why Belinda named her practice "Perfect Child" and the two very different reactions she gets to itThe lighthouse metaphor: steady and present vs. reactive and fear-drivenWhy "perceive" is the intentional word choice over "believe" or "know"How to stay the lighthouse even during mundane moments like brushing teethReading subtler, quieter unmet needs (not just meltdowns) — boredom, disconnection, need for playJournaling as a self-reflection and nervous-system tool for parentsHow our own childhood conditioning and a rushed medical system pull parents away from trusting themselvesBelinda's community event on August 8th Connect with Belinda Tung: https://www.perfectchild.org/The Perfect Child Podcast: https://www.perfectchild.org/podcasts/the-perfect-child-podcasthttps://www.perfectchild.org/wholesomefamilyfestival More About Your Host Emily Spaeth is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, childbirth educator, and founder of Be Well Baby® in Portland, Oregon. With extensive NICU experience and training in craniosacral therapy, she leads a team providing home-based health care for families navigating the tricky parts of pregnancy and postpartum.  She also hosts the Beyond Birth Blueprint, (www.bewellbaby.org/beyond-birth) an online birth and postpartum educational community available to families across the country—so no matter where you are, you have access to support, resources, and connection. Emily is also a mother of three and passionate about helping families move from surviving to thriving. Our mission is to fundamentally shift healthcare could look like for pregnancy, postpartum, and babies. Please help us spread the word by leaving a review! Every review matters! If this episode helped you, please send it to someone who's pregnant, postpartum, or supporting someone through birth. Thank you for being here.

  4. Jul 15

    Stop Saying “Just Relax!” To Your Pelvic Floor With Dr. Valerie Brown

    What if the key to healing your pelvic floor, calming your nervous system, and reconnecting with your body was already inside you — and you just needed someone to help you access it? In this episode, Emily sits down with Dr. Valerie Brown, PT — a pelvic floor physical therapist, embodiment educator, and creator of the Vital Access Program — for a conversation that goes far beyond kegels. Val blends pelvic floor awareness, nervous system regulation, somatic movement, and trauma-informed care into a holistic approach that meets women exactly where they are. In this episode, we cover: What "embodiment" actually means — and why it's a felt experience, not a conceptWhy telling someone to "just relax" almost always backfires, and what to do insteadThe overlooked connection between hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and pelvic floor dysfunctionWhy a hypermobile body can still have a hypertonic (overly gripped) pelvic floorHow pregnancy's relaxin hormone can unmask hypermobility that's been hiding in plain sightThe often-missed role of the feet in pelvic floor healthWhy generic "strengthen your core" advice can backfire for hypermobile bodiesSimple, accessible nervous system tools you can use in the car, in two minutes, or while brushing your teethHow imagination and visualization support better birth and recovery outcomes About Dr. Valerie Brown: Dr. Valerie Brown is a pelvic floor physical therapist and embodiment educator based in Troutdale, Oregon, serving clients locally, online, and through workshops across California, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest. Learn more about the Vital Axis Method. Connect with Val and learn about her program! Website: www.vitalaxispt.com Instagram: @vital.axis.method Val now offers home visits through Be Well Baby! Book a session with her at 971-351-2714.

  5. Jul 8

    What a NICU PT and Lactation Consultant Actually Puts on Her Baby Registry with Dr. Emily Spaeth

    Baby registry must haves are everywhere, but most lists are written by influencers, not clinicians. In this solo episode, Dr. Emily, a NICU physical therapist and board certified lactation consultant, walks through what she actually recommends for your baby registry: the feeding supplies worth buying before birth, the baby gear that supports development (and the popular items that work against it), what NICU professionals know about safe sleep products, and the stuff you can absolutely skip. Whether you're building your Babylist registry or just wondering what you really need for a newborn, this is the registry episode your pregnant friends will thank you for. Check out everything I mention in this episode! https://www.bewellbaby.org/blog/registry SUPPORT: Put Be Well Baby on your registry! When you gift Be Well Baby, you are giving the gift of options. We have virtual lactation support, and a birth education platform called the Beyond Birth Blueprint that can answer all of your questions in real time.  https://www.bewellbaby.org/gift-cards-beyond-birth More About Your Hostess:  Emily Spaeth is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and founder of Be Well Baby in Portland, Oregon. With extensive NICU experience and training in craniosacral therapy and trauma informed care, she leads a team providing home-based health care for families navigating the tricky parts of pregnancy and postpartum.  She also hosts the Beyond Birth Blueprint, an online birth and postpartum educational community available to families across the world—so no matter where you are, you have access to support, resources, and connection. Dr. Emily is also a mother of three and passionate about helping families transition from surviving to thriving. Be Well Baby Podcast Episodes about topics I touch on here! Flange Sizes: We Are Not Cows https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-are-not-cows-why-flange-size-matters-with-faith-samaan/id1851076558?i=1000739494852 Nervous System Episode https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-is-nervous-system-regulation-ill-tell-you-with-dr/id1851076558?i=1000746998854 Containers! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tummy-time-containers-and-functional-frustration-its/id1851076558?i=1000747993058 Postpartum Support https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/twins-birth-trauma-and-the-fourth-trimester-with/id1851076558?i=1000755928920

  6. Jul 1

    Tongues Ties, Airways, and A Surgeon’s Case for Whole Human Care with Dr. Prashant Charugundla

    What if the surgeon you finally found actually saw you as a whole, complex human and not just a line item on a sleep study? In this episode, Dr. Emily welcomes oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Prashant Charugundla for a conversation that bridges Western surgical precision with a genuinely holistic, systems-level lens on care. Prashant opens up about his own long journey before a myofunctional therapist and an osteopathic doctor finally pointed him toward what was really going on. That personal experience now fuels his deep compassion for the patients who arrive having already seen a dozen providers without answers. Together, Emily and Prashant unpack the structural and nervous-system ripple effects of unaddressed tongue ties, why a "normal" sleep study doesn't mean nothing is wrong, and what's really happening to the airway during pregnancy and postpartum. It's a wide-ranging, validating conversation for anyone who has ever been dismissed and told they're "just tired." In this episode, we cover:Prashant's personal health journey and how being a dismissed patient shaped his philosophyWhat myofunctional therapy actually isThe tongue as a "relay station": how the genioglossus, hyoid, and the tent-pole effect connect the tongue to the whole bodyDownstream consequences of unreleased tongue ties in both a 3-year-old and a 30-year-old (airway resistance, postural compensation, voice tightness, gait changes)Upper airway resistance syndrome and why a clear sleep study can still miss real symptomsNasal breathing, nitric oxide, and the cortisol/norepinephrine cascade of mouth breathing at nightPhrenectomy vs. functional frenuloplasty vs. Z-plasty — and the windows of opportunity for interventionThe "room before furniture" philosophy: expanding structure before removing tissueWhy tongue ties remain controversial, and how to ask the right questions when choosing a providerWhat's happening to the airway during pregnancy Bridging Eastern and Western perspectives toward whole-human, collaborative care More About Our Guest Dr. Prashant Charugundla ("Dr. C") is a Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon and the founder of Summit Oral Surgery in Portland, Oregon. Bridging Western surgical precision with Eastern holistic philosophy, he treats the face/mouth not as an isolated tool, but as the gateway to the body’s overall health—linking structure to airway, sleep, and nervous system regulation. With a background as a pediatric trauma surgeon and OHSU professor, Dr. C brings a gentle, safety-first approach to every case. However, his clinical focus is deeply rooted in adult skeletal and functional health. He specializes in helping adults who have lived with chronic airway obstruction, TMJ dysfunction, or sleep issues finally achieve true physiological release. Through nasomaxillary expansion and reconstructive surgery, he empowers patients to breathe better, sleep deeper, and thrive. Off the clock, he explores the Pacific Northwest, embodying the active, vital lifestyle he helps his patients restore. Learn more: portlandoralsurgeon.com More About Your Host  Emily Spaeth is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, childbirth educator, and founder of Be Well Baby® in Portland, Oregon. www.bewellbaby.org Our mission is to fundamentally shift what healthcare could look like for pregnancy, postpartum, and babies. Please help us spread the word by leaving a review! Every review matters!

  7. Jun 24

    Sex After Baby: Rebuilding Intimacy & Connection Postpartum with Krystle Gard

    Nobody prepares you for how much intimacy and connection can shift after you have a baby — and yet it's one of the most common struggles new parents face. In this episode, Emily sits down with Krystle Gard, postpartum doula and Intimacy & Connection Coach, for an honest, shame-free conversation about what actually happens to your sex life after birth and what you can do about it. Krystle's journey into this work is deeply personal. From a supported home birth in Alaska to having twins without a local support system, to serving as a surrogate three times — she has lived the full spectrum of postpartum experiences. That, combined with her work supporting families as a postpartum doula, showed her just how little guidance new parents receive about intimacy after birth. In this episode, we cover: Why libido and desire commonly shift postpartum (and why that's not a failure)The role of sleep deprivation, hormones, and nervous system dysregulation in sexual desireWhy self-pleasure is often the most overlooked tool in postpartum recoveryThe "three-minute game" from The Art of Giving and Receiving — and why it's a game changer for rebuilding connectionThe intimacy candle practice for keeping the simmer going without pressureLove languages, the red/yellow/green communication system, and the "favorite things list"Why lube is non-negotiable postpartumHow birth trauma affects touch tolerance — and gentle ways to rebuild safetyThe importance of humor, playfulness, and letting go of how things used to be Resources mentioned: The Art of Giving and Receiving by Harry FaddisLove Languages (Gary Chapman)Sex After Birth Workshops: www.bewellbaby.org/sex-after-birth-class Find Krystle:  https://wholefamilydoulacare.com/ krystlegard@gmail.com  More about our guest: With a background in engineering, Krystle brings organization, intuition, and problem-solving to help families find systems and flow that make life easier. She loves teaching and educating new parents, offering hands-on newborn care guidance, household support, and a listening ear. She also provides Intimacy & Connection Coaching to help couples nurture their relationships after birth. More about your host: Emily Spaeth is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and founder of Be Well Baby in Portland, Oregon. With extensive NICU experience and training in craniosacral therapy, she leads a team providing home-based health care for families navigating the tricky parts of pregnancy and postpartum.  She also hosts the Beyond Birth Blueprint, an online birth and postpartum educational community available to families across the country—so no matter where you are, you have access to support, resources, and connection. Emily is also a mother of three and passionate about helping families move from surviving to thriving.

  8. Jun 17

    Consent, Cues, and Conscious Touch with Babies: The Perfect Child Podcast Takeover with Belinda Tung

    What if your baby has been communicating with you all along — and you just needed the tools to hear them? In this episode, Dr. Emily sits down with Belinda on the Perfect Child Podcast to talk about one of her favorite (and most misunderstood) topics: consent with babies. From the NICU to the changing table, Dr. Emily breaks down what infant communication actually looks like, why slowing down transforms your caregiving, and how small everyday rituals build the foundation for a deeply connected relationship with your child. In this episode you'll learn: Why babies are whole, fully-present humans from the very beginning — and what Dr. Emily witnessed working with 23-weekers in the NICU that solidified this for herHow to read your baby's body language: the cues that say this is too much vs. I'm readyWhat a finger splay, an arched back, and a full-body wiggle are actually communicatingWhy "gaining consent" from a newborn looks different than it does from a 6-month-old — and how to approach bothThe surprising benefits of infant massage (digestion, weight gain, brain development, bonding — and one story about a tumor caught early because of a daily massage routine)How to use deep pressure touch, slow movement, and oil to make massage more effectiveWhy babies cannot self-soothe — and what co-regulation actually requires of youDr. Emily's approach to the dreaded diaper change wrestling match (hint: you don't have to hold them down)How sign language gives babies a voice before they have words — and what Dr. Emily's 7-year-old still communicates across a crowded gymWhat it really means to advocate for your baby in the hospital, at family gatherings, and with well-meaning grandparents who want to hold your newborn Resources mentioned: Beyond Birth Blueprint https://www.bewellbaby.org/beyond-birthBirth Partner Course (inside Beyond Birth)Infant massage mini course + video library (also inside Beyond Birth!)ASL classes (also inside Beyond Birth) The Perfect Child Podcast! https://www.perfectchild.org/about We have restructured Beyond Birth so that you can access it so easily.  I can’t wait to meet you on the inside!  Emily Spaeth is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, childbirth educator, and founder of Be Well Baby® in Portland, Oregon. With extensive NICU experience and training in craniosacral therapy, she leads a team providing home-based health care for families navigating the tricky parts of pregnancy and postpartum.  She also hosts the Beyond Birth Blueprint, an online birth and postpartum educational community available to families across the country—so no matter where you are, you have access to support, resources, and connection. Emily is also a mother of three and passionate about helping families move from surviving to thriving. Our mission is to fundamentally shift healthcare could look like for pregnancy, postpartum, and babies. Please help us spread the word by leaving a review! Every review matters! If this episode helped you, please send it to someone who's pregnant, postpartum, or supporting someone through birth. Thank you for being here. 🤍

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The questions you're asking—answered. What should I really be asking my doctor during pregnancy?How can I balance trusting my intuition and following medical advice?What if things don’t go as planned—how do I stay grounded?What’s the difference between pain and suffering during labor?What really happens after birth—the part no one talks about?Will my body ever be the same?When should my baby roll, crawl, or sit—and when should I stop Googling it?Should breastfeeding be painful—or is that a sign something’s off?How do I return to work without losing myself—or my career identity?How do we find intimacy again when I’m touched out and exhausted?How do I stay connected to joy and possibility, even when pregnancy or postpartum feels hard?Who am I now that I’m someone’s mother? These are the things nobody tells you about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum... Treat your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum like grad school—because you deserve to be completely prepared. On The Be Well Baby Podcast, we ask all the hard questions of your providers so you don't have to figure this out alone. Hosted by Dr. Emily Spaeth: a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and certified trauma-informed professional who trains other providers, this isn't your typical pregnancy podcast. From posture in pregnancy to feeding your baby to baby development to postpartum recovery, pelvic floor health, sex after birth, and navigating your career and identity; we dive deep into the topics nobody talks about openly—until now. You'll discover what high-achieving women actually need to know about pregnancy, birth, and the fourth trimester. No fluff. No surprises. Just the evidence-based information, honest conversations, and real preparation that helps you feel confident, capable, and genuinely ready for this pivotal season of your life. Whether you just found out you're pregnant, you're planning to return to work, navigating matrescence, or managing the incredible changes ahead, this is your space to get prepared, feel supported, and maybe even know more than your doctor does. Ready to approach this season with intention? Follow @bewellbabypdx on Instagram Facebook and TikTokJoin our community in the Beyond Birth Blueprint Join our email list - Notes from the Nest - for updates and free stuff!

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Emily Spaeth
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Dr. Emily Spaeth