The Birth Lounge Podcast HeHe Stewart

Have you made a birth plan? Have you heard in the whispers of the internet that they are bad luck? Or that nurses won't respect them? Today HeHe is joined by Nurse Sydney to clear up the confusion around birth plans! Sydney is sharing how birth plans can benefit your care team, what you want to consider when making a birth plan and what goes through a nurse's head when they are handed a birth plan! The is a must-listen for anyone who is planning a hospital birth and wants to prioritize open communication with your medical team to achieve the best birth possible! 
 
Connect with HeHe on IG 
Connect with Nurse Sydney on IG 
 
BIRTH EDUCATION:
Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!
 
Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!
 

HeHe is joined by Jen Darwin to talk about reimagining postpartum in the US! As a former Labor & Delivery RN and now a doula, Jen is no stranger to the disparities that happen in postpartum support for moms-- the lack of 'the village,' the single six-week check up and no paid maternity care. Overall, the United States spends the most money in the world on healthcare per person. However, in regard to maternal outcomes, we typically rank last when compared to other wealthy nations. Today, Jen shares about her postnatal retreat center nestled in San Francisco and provides full-service, round the clock postpartum care for new parents! The retreat center is a comfortable, relaxing place where you, your partner and baby can get the support you need to get off to a healthy start. Meals are prepared for you, dishes are done for you, staff makes your bed, and washing bottles and pumping parts! Their King Studio and King Suites are customized for postpartum recovery and come equipped with heated bidet toilets, rainfall shower heads, and comfortable King Size beds. Whether it’s your first child or your fifth, a “village” of support can offer the resources you need.
 
INSTAGRAM:
Connect with HeHe on IG 
Connect with The Village on IG 
 
BIRTH EDUCATION:
Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!
 
Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!
 
LINKS MENTIONED:
The Village Retreat Center
**Receive $200 Spa Credit and $100 off your total stay when you mention The Birth Lounge Podcast

Join HeHe and Tyler Bradshaw from Aqua Tots as they dive deep into the crucial topic of water safety for children. This episode covers alarming drowning statistics, the importance of swim lessons from as young as four months, and practical advice for preventing drowning incidents. Tyler shares expert insights on floatation devices, the role of water watchers, appropriate bath suit colors, and safe pool practices for homes and communities. This is an essential episode for all parents and caregivers to keep their kids safe around water in all settings year round.
 
The Importance of Water Safety
Drowning Statistics and Prevention
Understanding Different Types of Drowning
The Role of Swim Lessons
Common Places for Drowning
Dry Drowning Explained
The Dangers of Distractions
Water Wings and Flotation Devices
Tips for Parents with Multiple Children at the Pool
Home Pool Safety
Ensuring Pool Safety: Skimmer Baskets and Barriers
Water Safety Analogies: Highway and Pool
The Importance of Swim Lessons for Children
Starting Swim Lessons Early: Building Muscle Memory
Overcoming Fear of Water in Young Children
Swim Lesson Levels: From Babies to Competent Swimmers
Swim Lesson Curriculum: Skills and Progression
Choosing the Right Swimwear for Safety
 
Guest Bio:
Tyler, owner of Aqua-Tots Swim School Norwood is passionate about childhood water safety!  Aqua-Tots was founded in 1991 and headquartered in the Phoenix area, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools is making waves as the largest international provider of year-round, indoor swim instruction, community outreach and drowning prevention education. Its trusted program is dedicated to children of all abilities from four months to 12 years old and features a proven curriculum used to teach more than five million swim lessons each year. Aqua-Tots is recognized in Franchise Business Review’s Top 100 Franchises for Women in 2024, Entrepreneur's Top 15 Children’s Franchises of 2023, Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500®, Inc. Magazine's Top 5000 and Franchise Times’ Top 200. Aqua-Tots has more than 150 locations in 25 states across 14 countries and is rapidly expanding with 90 locations in development.
 
Social Media:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram 
Connect with Aqua-Tots on IG 
Connect with HeHe on YouTube.
 
BIRTH EDUCATION:
Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!
 
Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!
 
LINKS MENTIONED:
Connect with Tyler at Norwood Aqua-Tots here! 
Find an Aqua-Tots near you! 
 
Key words:
Water Safety, Drowning Prevention, Kids Swim Lessons, Swimming Tips for Parents, Water Safety Tips, Child Swim Lessons, Summer Safety Tips, Pool Safety Tips, Accident Prevention, Water Safety Month, Child Safety

Join HeHe in an inspiring conversation with Raquel as she shares her incredible journey from multiple cesarean sections to achieving a successful vaginal birth after three cesareans (VBA3C) in a home setting. Raquel discusses the importance of taking control of birth decisions, questioning standard practices, and finding the confidence to push back against a system that often prioritizes medical convenience over individual empowerment. Tune in for a deep dive into the challenges and triumphs of birthing with autonomy and the transformative power it holds for mothers. Don't miss this pivotal episode filled with personal stories, expert insights, and practical advice for expecting mothers and birth advocates.
 
Raquel's First Birth Experience
Navigating VBAC Challenges
Meeting Dr. Stuart Fishbein
Preparing for the Fourth Birth
Labor and Delivery at Home
Unexpected Sensations and Initial Fears
Support and Reassurance from the Doula
Smooth Sailing and Birth Experience
Challenges and Emotional Disconnect
Reflecting on Birth Choices and Statistics
Empowerment and Advocacy in Birth
Advice for Expectant Mothers from Racquel
 
Guest Bio:
Raquel is a mother of four, ages 2, 5, 18, and 20. Together with her husband, she raises her family in Southern California. Raquel has a regular 9-5, but her superhero self works doing her soul work into the night supporting Goddess Blyss and Dr. Stu with the Birthing Instincts Podcast. In 2021 Dr. Stu supported Raquel’s 4th pregnancy, a breech HBA3C. It was life changing and has been a dream come true to be able to work along side him and especially Goddess Blyss in birth work, and spreading awareness to birth choices and the beauty of birth. Raquel is now a birth doula and teaches birth education classes with her husband.
Social Media:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram
Connect with Raquel on IG 
Connect with HeHe on YouTube.
 
BIRTH EDUCATION:
Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!
 
Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!

HeHe is joined with Kayleigh Summers, or The Birth Trauma Mama, to discuss a rare but serious pregnancy complication known as Amniotic Fluid Embolism. This episode dives into what causes AFE, the signs & symptoms plus what Kayleigh's healing process looked like after her experience. You will also hear questions and discussions to have with your provider if you have risk factors that increase your chances of experiencing AFE or if you're curious how your hospital would manage an event such as AFE in your birth. This episode mentions birth trauma, maternal death and fetal demise so please be kind with yourself and listen when you're in a safe space to consume this kind of content. 
 
JOIN THE BIRTH LOUNGE
 
Guest Bio:
Kayleigh Summers is an Amniotic Fluid Embolism survivor who shares her birth story as a way to be a space that women that safety learn about & heal from birth trauma. Some of you may follow her on social media where she is known as the birth trauma mama. Kayleigh is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and owns a private practice where she educates and supports those who have experienced perinatal trauma! She also has a podcast called the birth trauma mama podcast and she hosts small groups for people who are looking for birth trauma support! 
 
CONNECT WITH KAYLEIGH
Website
IG
Podcast
 
CONNECT WITH HEHE
IG
Work with HeHe
 
LINKS MENTIONED:
https://afesupport.org/
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/amniotic-fluid-embolism
https://obgconnect.com/library/2020/01/31/amniotic-fluid-embolism-afe/
 

In this heartfelt episode, HeHe and Sarah Lingle discuss the sensitive topics of infertility, pregnancy loss, and the emotional and psychological impacts they have. The conversation covers statistics on infertility and miscarriage, personal experiences with loss, and the ways to support a friend who has experienced pregnancy loss. Sarah shares valuable insights on how to talk about loss, the importance of normalizing these discussions, and the resources available for those going through these difficult times.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to better understand and support friends, family, or clients dealing with pregnancy loss.
Understanding Infertility and Loss Statistics
Stigma and Sharing About Loss
Emotional Responses to Loss
Postpartum Care After Loss
Support and Resources for Bereaved Parents
TFMR Community and Support
How to Support Friends Experiencing Loss
A Friend's Support During Miscarriage
Memorializing Lost Babies
The Emotional Complexity of Pregnancy After Loss
Navigating Triggers and Boundaries
Connecting with Sarah and Final Thoughts
Guest Bio:
Sarah is the host of The PAL Doula Podcast, and owner of The Pregnancy After Loss Doula, both of which exist to give help and hope to moms navigating pregnancy after loss. She’s a mom to Peanut, who died before birth, and to J, her earthside rainbow baby. When she’s not talking about birth, you can usually find her hiking to a nearby waterfall with my family!
Instagram:
Connect with HeHe on IG
Connect with Sarah on IG 
BIRTH EDUCATION:
Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!
Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone! 
LINKS MENTIONED:
https://pregnancyafterlossdoula.com/Use code Podcast10 to get listeners 10% off of any of Sarah’s offers
https://anchor.fm/thepalpod
https://littlesantidesigns.co.uk/
https://stillbirthday.com/
https://www.gatheringhope.net/timely-tender-tote-1
https://miscarriagehopedesk.org/
https://www.thecomfortcub.org/