New babies are difficult. Don't you wish they came with a manual? Well, now there is one! Hosted by a pediatrician mom, The Baby Manual will help guide you through everything you actually need to know to take care of a baby. Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, I bet you’ll hear something helpful in here that you didn’t know. Enjoy The Baby Manual podcast, and enjoy your new baby!
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Données mises à jour le 23/10/2026
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Dr. Carole Keim welcomes OB-GYN and integrative medicine physician and co-founder of Mone Wellness, Dr. Kate Hom, to The Baby Manual for an encouraging conversation about postpartum recovery and what it really means to “get back to normal” after having a baby. Dr. Hom explains why the traditional six-week postpartum visit is an important medical checkpoint but does not mean that a mother’s body has completely recovered. Together, they discuss the significant hormonal and physical changes after delivery, pelvic floor recovery, nutrition, birth trauma, mental health, and the importance of having a strong support system throughout the postpartum period.
Dr. Hom and Dr. Keim also explore the pressure of “bounce back” culture and why recovery can take much longer than six weeks. They talk about pelvic floor therapy after pregnancy, including for mothers who deliver by C-section, as well as baby blues, postpartum depression and anxiety, birth plans, doulas, epidurals, Pitocin, and some of the realities of labor and delivery. Dr. Hom shares her integrative approach to postpartum wellness, including attention to nutrition, blood sugar regulation, nervous system support, gentle progressive movement, and mental health care. She also introduces Mon Wellness, an app she helped create to give postpartum mothers access to education, expert guidance, community features, wellness tracking, and other tools for navigating recovery.
Key Moments
00:00 Welcome to Season 6 and meet Dr. Kate Hom
02:42 Why six weeks doesn’t mean postpartum recovery is complete
06:19 Hormonal changes, “bounce back” culture, and finding a new normal
09:14 Nutrition, nutrient repletion, and supporting postpartum recovery
10:43 Pelvic floor therapy, urinary leakage, and recovery after pregnancy
14:09 Understanding birth trauma and recognizing possible symptoms
17:31 Doulas, advocacy, and creating a supportive birth team
22:09 Birth plans, epidurals, Pitocin, and flexibility during labor
29:13 Understanding labor progression and preparing for delivery
34:23 Baby blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum anxiety
38:49 Therapy, medication, and professional mental health support
40:33 Mone Wellness and integrative postpartum support
About Dr. Katherine Hom, MD, FACOG:
Dr. Katherine Hom is a board-certified OB/GYN with a medical degree from UC Irvine, residency at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and certification in Women's Functional and Integrative Medicine. She is the co-founder of Mone Wellness. She strives to be the bridge in women's health, intersecting a holistic approach with modern, evidence-informed medicine. As an integrative OB/GYN, she empowers women to make the best healthcare decisions for themselves by offering integrative interventions such as lifestyle, nutritional, mind-body, and botanical, as well as pharmaceutical and surgical options. She enjoys collaborating with a multidisciplinary team so women can feel the most supported, especially in transitional times like postpartum.
As an Amazon Associate, and HIRO Diapers and FullScript affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
609 - Nanny, Au Pair, or Babysitter?
Saison 6
mercredi 23 septembre 2026 • Durée 45:21
Dr. Carole Keim explores the many ways families can build their childcare village right at home, from mother’s helpers and babysitters to professional nannies and au pairs. She begins with practical guidance for welcoming anyone into your home to care for your baby, including communicating family rules and boundaries, reviewing safe sleep practices, preparing for emergencies, and considering health precautions. Dr. Keim also explains why infant CPR and first aid training can be so valuable for parents and caregivers, especially as babies begin eating solid foods and becoming more mobile.
Dr. Keim then welcomes Carson Wagner, founder of Lifetime of Love Nannies, to explain how professional nanny care can be customized around a family’s schedule and needs. Carson discusses consistent and backup care, sick-child care, newborn overnight support, care for children with additional medical needs, and the ways nannies, family assistants, and household managers can take child-related and household tasks off parents’ plates. Later, former au pair and local childcare consultant Marion Marcotte joins Dr. Keim to explain how the au pair program works, including work-hour limits, living arrangements, childcare responsibilities, screening, and the matching process. Marion also shares why communication, family dynamics, cultural exchange, and realistic expectations are so important when choosing an au pair who will live with and become part of a family’s day-to-day life.
Key Moments
00:00 Mother’s helpers, babysitters, and finding an extra set of hands
02:29 Setting family boundaries, safe sleep expectations, and household rules
03:42 Health considerations when caregivers and family visit your baby
07:23 Infant CPR, first aid, and preparing caregivers for emergencies
10:44 Meet Carson Wagner and learn how professional nanny care works
14:20 Creating consistent care for families with regular or changing schedules
15:57 How nannies, family assistants, and household managers can help
21:25 Newborn overnight care and support for children with additional needs
608 - Parenting Newborns with Jen Lumanlan
Saison 6
mercredi 9 septembre 2026 • Durée 38:12
Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Jen Lumanlan, host of the Your Parenting Mojo podcast and author of Parenting Beyond Power, to The Baby Manual for a thoughtful conversation about respectful parenting and why parents can begin building a connected relationship with their child from the newborn period. Jen shares how her own parenting journey led her to study child development and education, and explains how RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers), an approach often associated with respectful parenting, helped her begin seeing babies as active participants in everyday caregiving rather than simply recipients of care.
Together, Dr. Keim and Jen explore the difference between respectful or gentle parenting and permissive parenting, why both children’s and parents’ needs matter, and how everyday moments like diaper changes, feeding, crying, play, and bedtime can become opportunities for connection. They also discuss co-regulation, boundaries, natural consequences, scaffolding, parental triggers, and the importance of recognizing the needs underneath a child’s behavior. For expecting and new parents, this episode offers an encouraging framework for understanding their baby’s needs, recognizing their own needs, and building connection through everyday interactions from the very beginning.
Key Moments
00:00 Welcome and why parenting begins in the newborn period
03:01 Gentle parenting vs. permissive parenting
05:04 Seeing your baby as a whole person
07:41 Turning everyday caregiving into connection
09:49 Why babies don’t need to be happy or entertained all the time
10:51 Baby crying and understanding parents’ emotional triggers
13:23 Looking beneath challenging behavior to find the underlying need
16:10 Babies are always changing: sleep, soothing, and development
18:16 Why parenting was never meant to happen without a village
21:46 Understanding needs, natural consequences, boundaries, and limits
24:14 Preparing your parenting partnership before baby arrives
27:23 Co-regulation and how babies “borrow” a parent’s calm
30:27 Letting go of pressure around toys and child development
34:28 Scaffolding skills and knowing when your child needs extra help
607 - Sleep Without Training
Saison 6
mercredi 26 août 2026 • Durée 40:41
Dr. Carole Keim welcomes internationally certified baby sleep consultant and founder of the Yawn Baby Sleep platform, Camille Jaramis, for an insightful conversation about baby sleep in the first two years of life. Together, they explore how newborn sleep differs from infant sleep, what really happens during the four-month sleep regression, and why developmental changes, like the Wonder Weeks, can temporarily disrupt even the best sleeper. Camille explains the difference between self-soothing and self-settling, and why flexibility and age-appropriate expectations are so important for both babies and parents.
Camille and Dr. Keim also explore the cultural pressures many families face around sleep schedules, maternity leave, and “sleep training,” offering reassurance that there is no one perfect way to help a baby sleep. Camille shares practical guidance on sleep environments, including light exposure, white versus pink noise, and safe sleep basics, along with insights into how her AI-powered sleep support tool, Yawn, helps parents personalize sleep plans based on their baby’s unique temperament and developmental stage. Most importantly, Dr. Keim and Camille remind parents to give themselves grace, because healthy sleep is a journey, and every family’s path looks a little different.
Key Moments
00:00 Meet Camille Jaramis and her journey into baby sleep consulting
04:20 Surviving the hospital phase and newborn sleep realities
09:18 Understanding the Wonder Weeks and developmental leaps
14:25 The four-month sleep regression explained
16:01 Sleep environment basics: noise, darkness, and red light
18:27 Overtired cycles and nap transitions (3 to 2 naps, 2 to 1 nap)
23:34 Introducing Yawn: AI-powered personalized sleep support
27:05 Wake windows explained and how they change with age
33:56 Sharing the mental load between parents
38:19 A final reminder to give yourself grace
About Camille Jaramis:
Camille Jaramis is an internationally certified baby sleep consultant and the founder of Ask Yawn, an AI-powered parenting support platform designed to provide personalized, research-informed sleep guidance. After building and leading a large global community focused on baby sleep, Camille recognized how overwhelming and conflicting parenting advice can be for families navigating the early years.
606 - Building Your Village
Saison 6
mercredi 12 août 2026 • Durée 42:57
Dr. Carole Keim continues the It Takes a Village season with an encouraging solo episode focused on one of the biggest questions new parents ask: How do I build a village when I don’t already have one? Whether you're far from family, new to your community, or simply feeling overwhelmed, Dr. Keim shares practical ideas for creating a strong support network during pregnancy, the newborn period, and beyond. She explores how modern parenting has changed, why raising a child is truly a team effort, and how every family can build a village that fits their unique circumstances.
Dr. Keim discusses the different pressures often experienced by birthing and non-birthing parents, practical ways partners can support one another, and why asking for, and accepting, help is one of the healthiest things new parents can do. She shares realistic strategies for meeting parents' basic needs, including meal trains, meal preparation, sleep, household responsibilities, and protecting mental health during the postpartum period. Dr. Keim also offers practical ideas for finding community through friends, neighborhood groups, religious organizations, local parent groups, and trusted online resources, while reminding parents that genuine, in-person connection is an important part of building the village every family deserves.
Key Moments
00:00 Why every family needs a village in today's world
01:24 How modern parenting has changed—and why parents feel stretched so thin
02:48 Understanding the different pressures on birthing and non-birthing parents
05:18 Helping partners feel supported, capable, and connected
08:54 Resources that help parents feel informed and empowered before baby arrives
11:06 Postpartum mental health affects both parents
16:16 Meeting moms' basic needs with food, water, and practical support
22:24 Meal trains, meal prep, and making nutrition easier for new families
27:31 Sleep strategies and realistic expectations during the newborn period
605 - Diapers, Your Way
Saison 6
mercredi 29 juillet 2026 • Durée 42:14
Dr. Carole Keim welcomes entrepreneur and innovator Miki Agrawal to The Baby Manual for a thought-provoking conversation about sustainability, parenting, and how caring for our children can also mean caring for the planet they will inherit. Best known for founding Thinx and TUSHY, Miki shares the inspiration behind her newest venture, HIRO Diapers, and explains how becoming a mother led her to rethink one of the biggest sources of household waste: disposable diapers. Together, Dr. Keim and Miki explore how innovation, nature, and practical parenting solutions can work hand in hand.
Miki explains the environmental challenges posed by disposable diapers and introduces the science behind HIRO Diapers, which pair reduced-plastic diapers with beneficial fungi designed to help accelerate biodegradation in landfills. She also discusses postpartum products, elimination communication, and ways families can make environmentally conscious choices without sacrificing convenience. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Keim and Miki encourage parents to remember that even small, thoughtful actions can add up to meaningful change for future generations.
Key Moments
00:00 – Why diapers deserve their own episode
Dr. Keim explains why she dedicated an entire episode to diapers and reviews disposable diapers, cloth diapers, and elimination communication before introducing today's guest.
12:59 – Meet Miki Agrawal and her entrepreneurial journey
Miki shares her background, from founding WILD, THINX, and TUSHY to becoming inspired by motherhood to rethink disposable diapers.
17:47 – The environmental impact of disposable diapers
Learn why billions of diapers end up in landfills, how long they last, and what motivated Miki to look for a better solution.
19:55 – The idea behind HIRO Diapers
Miki describes the inspiration that led her to fungi-based diaper technology and the years of research behind the product.
23:42 – How the fungi system works
Discover how the fungal pouch is designed to activate after disposal, why it stays separate from the baby, and the safety considerations behind it.
604 - Potty Train your Newborn
Saison 6
mercredi 15 juillet 2026 • Durée 43:29
Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Andrea Olson, founder of Go Diaper Free, Tiny Undies, and Tiny Potty, for a fascinating conversation about elimination communication (EC), sometimes called potty learning from birth. Andrea shares how discovering EC with her first child transformed her experience of parenting and led her to help families around the world rethink infant toileting. Together, she and Dr. Keim explore the history of potty training, how cultural norms have changed over time, and why many families are becoming interested in introducing potty awareness much earlier than is typical in the United States.
Andrea explains how elimination communication focuses on observing and responding to a baby’s natural cues rather than waiting until the toddler years to introduce the toilet. She discusses practical ways families can get started, even part-time, including simple “easy catches” such as offering the potty after waking or feeding. Dr. Keim and Andrea also talk about daycare, siblings, developmental differences, potty learning during major family transitions, and the products and resources Andrea created to support families who choose this approach. This episode offers parents an encouraging look at an alternative approach to toileting that emphasizes communication, connection, and flexibility.
Key Moments
00:00 – Introduction to Andrea Olson and elimination communication
01:18 – Andrea’s journey from first-time parent to EC educator
03:44 – How elimination communication differs from traditional potty training
06:25 – Historical potty training trends and changing cultural expectations
14:03 – What elimination communication is and how it works
17:12 – Easy catches: wake-ups, feedings, and recognizing cues
21:24 – Making EC work with daycare, caregivers, and your village
28:01 – Potty learning, new siblings, and avoiding regressions during transitions
35:40 – Troubleshooting challenges and setting healthy boundaries
36:29 – Tiny Undies, Tiny Potty, and resources for early potty learners
603 - Fed is Best for Newborns
Saison 6
mercredi 1 juillet 2026 • Durée 42:08
Bringing home a new baby comes with so many questions, and feeding is often at the top of the list. In this solo episode, Dr. Carole Keim walks parents through the basics of newborn feeding with a reassuring message: fed is best. She explains what to expect during the first days of life, including how small a newborn’s stomach really is, how breastfeeding develops over time, and why feeding can feel challenging in the beginning. Parents will learn about colostrum, milk production, feeding frequency, and how to recognize signs that their baby is getting enough to eat.
Dr. Keim also explores common breastfeeding challenges, practical tips for improving latch and milk supply, and the role of pumping, bottle feeding, donor milk, and formula. She discusses the benefits of breastfeeding while also emphasizing that there are many safe and healthy ways to nourish a baby. Whether you plan to breastfeed, formula feed, pump, or combine methods, this episode offers evidence-based guidance and encouragement to help you make feeding decisions with confidence during those important first weeks with your newborn.
Key Moments
00:00 Welcome and why “Fed is Best” matters
01:18 Why breastfeeding can be harder than expected
02:43 Newborn stomach size and feeding volumes by day
03:56 The first nights of feeding and newborn hunger patterns
05:03 Pumping, storing colostrum, and building milk supply
06:19 Benefits of breastfeeding for moms and babies
10:33 Breastfeeding recommendations and realistic feeding choices
14:35 Latch basics and breastfeeding troubleshooting
18:37 Pacifiers, nipple care, and knowing if baby is getting enough
22:41 Tongue ties, milk supply tips, and common breastfeeding concerns
31:36 Bottle feeding, formula options, and choosing the right formula
602 - OB, Midwife, or Doula?
Saison 6
mercredi 17 juin 2026 • Durée 37:03
Dr. Carole Keim takes listeners through one of the earliest and most important decisions in pregnancy: choosing the right support team. In this solo episode, she explains the differences between obstetricians, certified nurse midwives, and doulas, helping parents understand the unique role each plays during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery. Dr. Keim also walks through the typical timeline of prenatal visits, ultrasounds, testing, and vaccines, giving expectant parents a practical overview of what to expect from the first positive pregnancy test through delivery.
With her warm and reassuring approach, Dr. Keim also explores what labor and birth are really like beyond what’s often portrayed in movies. She discusses birth plans, labor support, cervical checks, fetal monitoring, inductions, C-sections, and postpartum healing, while emphasizing that every pregnancy and birth experience is different. Parents will come away with a clearer understanding of how to build a supportive birth team and how to prepare emotionally and physically for welcoming a new baby.
Key Moments
00:00 Introduction to OBs, midwives, and doulas
02:17 Pregnancy tests and scheduling the first prenatal appointment
03:35 The 8–12 week visit, ultrasounds, and viability checks
05:35 The 20-week anatomy scan and fetal development
07:53 Glucose tolerance testing and gestational diabetes screening
10:16 Vaccines during pregnancy: Tdap, flu, COVID, and RSV
12:29 Breech babies, turning procedures, and planned C-sections
14:58 Routine late pregnancy visits and induction discussions
16:15 Certified nurse midwives vs obstetricians
20:07 What doulas do during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum
24:23 Birth plans, labor positions, and creating a calming environment
27:13 Labor monitoring, cervical checks, and delivery interventions
31:59 Postpartum healing, recovery, and spacing pregnancies
35:23 Final thoughts and additional resources for parents
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How to choose an OB or midwife
601 - Vitamins for Brain Development with Dr. Gupta
Saison 6
mercredi 3 juin 2026 • Durée 27:48
Dr. Carole Keim sits down with neurologist and Mama Bird founder Dr. Mika Gupta for an insightful conversation about baby brain development and the critical role nutrition plays from preconception through early childhood. As both a physician and a mom, Dr. Gupta draws on personal experience and explains the concept of the “first 1,000 days”. She explains why this window is so important for building a strong foundation for a child’s lifelong brain health. Together, Dr. Keim and Dr. Gupta explore how thoughtful nutritional choices can support mom and baby during this period of rapid growth and development.
Dr. Gupta and Dr. Keim discuss key nutrients that support brain development, including iron, DHA, choline, iodine, and methylated B vitamins, along with practical guidance on how to meet these needs through diet and supplementation. Dr. Gupta also breaks down common misconceptions about prenatal vitamins. She highlights the importance of ingredient forms like methylfolate and why one supplement may not cover everything. With Dr. Keim’s warm and relatable guidance, this episode empowers parents with knowledge to make informed, supportive choices for themselves and their growing babies.
Key Moments
00:00 Meet Dr. Mika Gupta and her journey into neurology and nutrition
02:19 What are the “first 1,000 days” and why they matter
03:03 Why prenatal vitamins should start before pregnancy
04:03 Understanding MTHFR and methylated vitamins
06:22 Key nutrients for baby’s brain development explained
08:22 Can you get enough nutrients from food alone?
11:26 Nutrition needs during postpartum and breastfeeding
12:48 Common mistakes when choosing prenatal vitamins
16:44 Why one prenatal vitamin isn’t enough for everything
18:38 What “brain-first” vitamins mean
23:55 One key takeaway for supporting baby’s brain development
About Dr. Mika Gupta:
Dr. Mika Gupta is a double board-certified neurologist, MIT-trained, and founder of Mama Bird. She’s also a mother of two — a daughter training at the Royal Ballet School and a son with Down syndrome — two radically different brains that taught her more about human potential than any textbook ever could.
27:05 What is an au pair? Understanding live-in childcare and responsibilities
29:16 Deciding whether an au pair is a good fit for your family
31:22 Screening, driving, background checks, and au pair program requirements
35:13 Finding the right match through communication, expectations, and personality
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About Carson Wagner:
Carson previously worked in childcare and with special needs children, where she noticed a huge demand for childcare that accepts ALL children, no matter where they come from or what their capabilities are. She started Lifetime of Love Nannies to give families quality, consistent care they can trust through her team of highly trained nannies. She would like to implement the prior knowledge she gained through her background in behavioral therapy and take the term "nanny" to a whole other level. All of the Lifetime of Love Nannies have different backgrounds and qualifications to meet your family's needs and give your kiddos the best care.
Marion Marcotte is a former au pair and local childcare consultant who helps families navigate the au pair experience. Drawing on her own experience as an au pair and her work supporting host families, Marion offers insight into the matching process, childcare responsibilities, family expectations, and the importance of communication and cultural exchange. She helps families understand what to consider when deciding whether live-in au pair care is the right fit for their household.
As an Amazon Associate, and HIRO Diapers and FullScript affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
About Jen Lumanlan:
Jen Lumanlan brings a unique combination of deep research expertise and genuine understanding of what parents face every day.
With undergraduate degrees from UC Berkeley, a Master's from Yale, and later Master's degrees in both Psychology (Child Development) and Education, Jen doesn't just read the research - she understands how to translate it into approaches that actually work in real families.
Jen has reviewed more than 10,000 academic papers on parenting and child development for 250+ episodes of the Your Parenting Mojo podcast, and has interviewed the Who's Who in related fields.
Jen also knows that research alone isn't enough. That's why she's also a CoActive Coach and is trained in the Gottman Method. This means she listens in ways that help you discover what works for your unique family rather than imposing one-size-fits-all solutions.
Jen's background in corporate environmental strategy - as well as her late-diagnosed Autism - helps her to see patterns and connections that others often miss. She helps families to see patterns of behavior that indicate underlying needs, so you can navigate parenting challenges while staying true to your values.
As an Amazon Associate, and HIRO Diapers and FullScript affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Drawing on her background in human-centered technology and her experience supporting hundreds of thousands of parents, Camille created Ask Yawn to deliver tailored, practical support that adapts to each child’s unique needs. Her work focuses on helping parents feel confident, informed, and supported as they navigate baby and toddler sleep.
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Resources discussed in this episode:
The Holistic Mamas Handbook is available on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, and HIRO Diapers and FullScript affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
26:21 – Supporting parents beyond diapers
Dr. Keim and Miki discuss postpartum recovery, period underwear, bidets, and products that can make the postpartum period more comfortable.
27:40 – Elimination communication and using fewer diapers
The conversation explores early potty awareness, reducing diaper use, and balancing convenience with sustainability.
30:10 – Building an eco-conscious parenting community
Miki explains HIRO's broader mission of educating parents about elimination communication, non-toxic living, and environmentally conscious parenting.
31:00 – Small choices can make a big difference
The discussion turns to plastic pollution, ecosystem health, and how everyday parenting decisions can contribute to meaningful environmental change.
37:10 – Where parents can learn more
Miki shares where families can find HIRO Diapers, follow the company's work, and connect with her mission online.
About Miki Agrawal:
Miki Agrawal is the creative force behind acclaimed social enterprises TUSHY (the modern bidet brand), THINX (period-proof underwear), and WILD (NYC’s first gluten-free pizza concept), collectively valued at over $250 million. Miki is the author of best-selling books "DO COOL SH*T" and "DISRUPT-HER”.
Her next company, HIRO, is a revolutionary nature-based start-up harnessing ancient technology - fungi - to help solve the global plastic crisis. Their first product is a baby diaper that is designed to return to the earth with the help of friendly fungi. (They chose diapers to launch with because they’re the #1 household plastic waste item that takes 400+ years to decompose in a landfill - and each baby uses ~6,000 diapers in their lifetime. Wild, right?) HIRO Diapers’ mission is to return to the earth with the help of little HIRO Myco-pods that you add in during the diaper change. They’re soft, safe, unbleached (the only one!), high-performing, and ready to change the game. Check out HiroDiapers.com to learn more.
Recognized as one of Fast Company's "Most Creative People," a "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum, and named one of INC's "Most Impressive Women Entrepreneurs," Miki brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the stage as a keynote speaker. Her authentic talks have been validated by audiences at MindValley, EO, and Capitalism.com, who have voted for her as the #1 best speaker among hundreds of speakers.
Miki's compelling presentations delve into her 20+ years of entrepreneurial adventures, from boldly inventing products in traditionally taboo categories to creatively launching and scaling them exponentially. She openly shares her authentic revelations, embracing the colorful journey that defines her.
When you experience Miki on stage, you'll witness more than a speaker; she's a dynamic, truth-telling performer delivering an unforgettable one-woman show. Combining her captivating presence with her profound insights into innovation and creative marketing, Miki's presentations have the power to drive any company towards innovative transformation. For more, go to mikiagrawal.com/speaking
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Resources discussed in this episode:
The Holistic Mamas Handbook is available on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, and HIRO Diapers and FullScript affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
About Andrea Olson:
Andrea Olson is the founder of Go Diaper Free, Tiny Undies, and Tiny Potty. She is an author, educator, and advocate for elimination communication who has helped families around the world explore infant potty learning. Through books, courses, podcasts, and practical products, Andrea provides resources for parents interested in reducing diaper dependence and building communication around toileting from an early age.
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Resources discussed in this episode:
The Holistic Mamas Handbook is available on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, and HIRO Diapers and FullScript affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
OBs, family doctors, and midwives can deliver babies
Group practices are pretty standard nowadays; meet your main doctor/midwife but also meet the team who might be delivering (either other people in the office or a laborist)
Personality fit is a big deal
Obstetricians and family doctors are medical doctors. Their training involves 4 years of undergrad, 4 years of medical school, and 4 years of residency (12 years total).
There are two types of midwives: lay midwives and CNMs.
Lay midwives are those who have experience delivering low-risk babies out of the hospital, typically at home. They have no certification or licensure requirements, and no formal medical training. Home births with a lay midwife are by far the most dangerous and I have seen some bad outcomes and cannot ethically support them. When I speak about midwives during this episode, I am not including lay midwives.
CNMs are required to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (4 years of undergrad), then 2 years of graduate-level nurse midwife training (6 years total).
The main differences are the knowledge base and the approach to care.
Doctors
Nurses
OBs, family doctors, and midwives can see you during your pregnancy and can deliver babies vaginally.
Only OBs can perform c sections and take care of high-risk pregnancies (moms under 18yrs or over 35 years, those with health conditions, those with prior c-section, twins/triplets
Birth location
OBs deliver in hospitals because it is the safest setting
Midwives can deliver at hospitals, birth centers, and/or at home depending on the local regulations
Timing of appointments
In the US, the number of weeks starts at the beginning of your last period, so when you miss a period and test you are 4 weeks pregnant
Ovulation and fertilization happen at 2 weeks, so you aren’t actually pregnant until then, but we are counting from LMP
In the US, the due date is at 40 weeks
In other countries they may count dates starting at conception/ovulation, so the due date is at 38 weeks
Initial appt: 6-8 weeks or whenever you find out you’re pregnant, whichever is later
First trimester (until 12 weeks and 6 days): you’ll be seen 2-3x; initial confirmation appt, 6-8 weeks for dating, 10-12 weeks for NIPT. Blood testing and urine testing for STIs, drugs, ultrasound for dates, hear heartbeat, NIPT (check out the genetics episode 503)
Second trimester (13 0/7 to 27 6/7): appts about every other week, anatomy scan, testing for gestational diabetes, further genetic testing and/or ultrasounds if indicated.
Third trimester (28-40 weeks): appointments every 2 weeks, then weekly starting at 38 weeks. Check urine for protein (a sign of pre eclampsia) at each visit. GBS screen. RPR on admission to hospital.
Postpartum: 2 weeks and 6 weeks
High-risk pregnancies will be seen more often. A pregnancy can become high risk at any time.
Doula
What they can do: emotional support, physical comfort during labor and delivery.
What they can’t do: anything medical, including deliver babies.
Reasons you might want one: to keep you as comfortable as possible during labor; they can get you food/water/ice chips, rub your feet or neck if you want, call the nurse for you, crowd control, can articulate your preferences while you’re in labor, possibly also attending to partner during delivery
Reasons you might not want one: expense, privacy, not needed if you have a support person
Birthing options / Birth plans
Birth plans
How you want your birth experience to be
Birth is a very tenuous process and doesn’t always go according to plan. A birth plan is a nice outline of preferences, if you have any.
If you are planning a vaginal delivery, keep in mind that your birth team has the main objective of having a healthy mom and baby. If your provider says that something needs to change during labor or delivery, there is usually a medical safety reason for that change.
Scheduled C-Sections
Reasons you might be scheduled for a C-section: repeat, breech baby, twins/triplets, high risk for underlying medical conditions in you or the baby. Scheduled C-sections typically have a shorter birth plan:
music in the operating room
one support person in there with you
will the support person go with the baby or stay with mom when the C-section is over?
Even if you’re scheduled for a C-section, you might go into labor early and need an urgent or emergent C-section before the scheduled date.
Scheduled inductions
Reasons you might be scheduled: post dates, pre eclampsia, gestational diabetes, specific high-risk pregnancy reasons
There are a few ways to induce labor, including medication taken by mouth or placed in the vagina to help open the cervix, IV medication called pitocin which causes your uterus to contract, and placing something such as a stick that absorbs fluid and expands or a balloon that is placed by your provider in the cervix to help it open
Less to plan, but the same as for vaginal delivery.
Mixed evidence as to whether scheduled inductions are more or less likely to end in C-section
Vaginal delivery
If you fully go into labor naturally, meaning you have contractions every 3-5 minutes lasting 1 minute each and your water breaks, you may need no intervention at all.
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After her son was born, Dr. Gupta stopped trusting a system that was never built for women and started building what should have existed all along: evidence-based tools for brain health during the first 1000 days, the most critical window of development. She’s a brain activist — helping women see that the invisible architecture they build and sustain is the most neurologically important work in human life.
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Resources discussed in this episode:
The Holistic Mamas Handbook is available on Amazon
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