The C-Section Experience: Empowering C-Section Education and Support – Details, episodes & analysis

Jen and Bethany dive into the concept of gentle C-Sections, a more holistic and family-centered approach to the traditional Cesarean section. They explore what makes a C-Section “gentle” and discuss each of the common elements involved. The episode covers all aspects of gentle C-sections, from environmental changes in the operating room to immediate skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding. They discuss incorporating music, adjusting lighting, understanding the medical team’s roles, reducing  separation from the baby, vaginal seeding, and gentle postnatal recovery. They offer practical tips on how to communicate with your healthcare providers, what to ask for in advance and how to best ensure your wishes are respected.

Website: csxpodcast.com

Email us: hi@csxpodcast.com. 

Follow us on instagram: @thecsxpodcast

Birth Services + postpartum support: lemontreebabies.com.

Download our FREE C-Section guide here: https://www.csxpodcast.com/guide

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  The content in this podcast should not be considered medical advice.

Jen and Bethany break down everything you need to know about a typical planned and scheduled c-section - from the moment you walk into the hospital until you’re moved into the recovery room. They cover everything from the initial hospital arrival, pre-surgery preparations, what happens in the operating room, to the closing procedures and moving to recovery.  They walk you through each step to help you feel prepared and in control.

Website: csxpodcast.com

Email us: hi@csxpodcast.com. 

Follow us on instagram: @thecsxpodcast

Birth Services + postpartum support: lemontreebabies.com.

Download our FREE C-Section guide here: https://www.csxpodcast.com/guide

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  The content in this podcast should not be considered medical advice.

Dr. Jen and Bethany guide listeners through essential preparations for a scheduled C-section. The conversation covers key topics such as timing and guidelines for eating, drinking, showering, and shaving. They also discuss dietary recommendations and what to pack in a hospital bag. They wrap up with tips on preparing the home for a smooth transition after returning from the hospital and a soothing mantra exercise to reduce anxiety before the big day.

Website: csxpodcast.com

Email us: hi@csxpodcast.com. 

Follow us on instagram: @thecsxpodcast

Birth Services + postpartum support: lemontreebabies.com.

Download our FREE C-Section guide here: https://www.csxpodcast.com/guide

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  The content in this podcast should not be considered medical advice.

Dr. Jen and Bethany discuss a lesser-known but common complication after C-section deliveries—shoulder pain, also referred to as shoulder tip pain. The discussion highlights the lack of awareness and research around this issue, and includes potential causes and treatment options. Bethany shares her personal, intense experience with post-C-section shoulder pain.

Website: csxpodcast.com

Email us: hi@csxpodcast.com. 

Follow us on instagram: @thecsxpodcast

Birth Services + postpartum support: lemontreebabies.com.

Download our FREE C-Section guide here: https://www.csxpodcast.com/guide

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  The content in this podcast should not be considered medical advice.

Şimşek, F; Kara, U; İnce, ME; Sir, E1; Eksert, S; Ozkan, G; Şenkal, S. Shoulder Tip Pain After Cesarean Section: General Versus Spinal Anesthesia. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 25(4):p 473-477, April 2022. 

Cift T, Ustunyurt E, Yilmaz C, Olmez F, Basar B. Shoulder Tip Pain After Cesarean Section. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 Aug;9(8):QC04-6.

Zirak, Nahid et al. “Evaluation of the Relationship between Shoulder Tip Pain Following Cesarean Section and Inflammatory Response Measured by High-Sensitivity C- Reactive Protein.” Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Cancer Research (2022)

Dehghanpisheh L, et al. Pre-emptive intravenous paracetamol vs. ketorolac for shoulder pain in cesarean section under spinal anesthesia: A randomized double-blind placebo- controlled trial. Anaesthesia, Pain & Intensive Care. Vol 25(3);June2021

Maryam, A. Fariba, M. Azita, B. Babak, S. Tabandeh. The effects of auriculotherapy on shoulder pain after a cesarean section. J Acupunct Meridian Stud, 13 (5) (2020), pp. 157-162

Dr. Jen and Bethany provide an in-depth discussion on spinal anesthesia for C-Sections. They explore what a spinal is, why it is used, the medications involved, how it feels, and how to make the placement process easier.

Website: csxpodcast.com

Email us: hi@csxpodcast.com. 

Follow us on instagram: @thecsxpodcast

Birth Services + postpartum support: lemontreebabies.com.

Download our FREE C-Section guide here: https://www.csxpodcast.com/guide

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  The content in this podcast should not be considered medical advice.

Dr. Jen and Bethany discuss the importance of understanding your c-section care team. They break down the roles of various medical providers involved in a C-section: the obstetric team, the nursing team, the anesthesia team, the neonatal team, and the personal support team. They provide detailed descriptions of each team's responsibilities, while sharing tips on how to advocate for yourself.

Website: csxpodcast.com

Email us: hi@csxpodcast.com. 

Follow us on instagram: @thecsxpodcast

Birth Services + postpartum support: lemontreebabies.com.

Download our FREE C-Section guide here: https://www.csxpodcast.com/guide

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  The content in this podcast should not be considered medical advice.

*Special episode, please read first * In this raw, heart-wrenching episode, Bethany shares her deeply personal journey through grief and healing after losing her daughter Campbell to stillbirth.

TW: dismissive and unsupportive obstetric care, stillbirth, surgical management of pregnancy loss, suicidal ideation, postpartum depression

https://suziejaygoldsmith.com/therallyingcry The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, 1-833-852-6262 (1-833-TLC-MAMA), provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy.

Website: csxpodcast.com

Email us: hi@csxpodcast.com. 

Follow us on instagram: @thecsxpodcast

Birth Services + postpartum support: lemontreebabies.com.

Download our FREE C-Section guide here: https://www.csxpodcast.com/guide

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  The content in this podcast should not be considered medical advice.

Jen and Bethany unpack a common but often misunderstood side effect of c-section births: intense itching during or after surgery. Known medically as opioid-induced pruritus, this itching is typically caused by medications like fentanyl and morphine used in spinal and epidural anesthesia—not an allergic reaction.

They explain why c-section moms are especially prone to this side effect, how opioid medications impact the brain’s sensory processing, and why Benadryl often doesn’t work to relieve the itching. Instead, they discuss evidence-based treatment options like Nalbuphine, which can offer real relief.

You’ll also hear practical tips for how to advocate for yourself before and after surgery, including how to talk to your anesthesiologist and what to include in your c-section birth preferences. 

If you're preparing for a C-section or navigating c-section recovery, this episode is packed with must-know information to help you feel more in control, comfortable, and confident.

Download our FREE C-Section guide here: https://csxpodcast.com/products/c-section-guide-freebie

Jen and Bethany explore how positive bedside manner can transform c-section birth experiences, sharing heartwarming stories from listeners and their own personal encounters. They highlight the power of empathy, support, and forgiveness in the healing process after a c-section. From moments in the operating room to recovery, they show how simple gestures and validating words from doctors, nurses, and labor and delivery teams can turn a medical procedure into an empowering, memorable birth story.
Tune in to hear real examples of how supportive providers make a lasting impact — and why kindness and communication matter so much during c-section births.

Website: csxpodcast.com

Email us: hi@csxpodcast.com.

Follow us on instagram: @thecsxpodcast

Birth Services + postpartum support: lemontreebabies.com.

Download our FREE C-Section guide here: https://www.csxpodcast.com/guide

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content in this podcast should not be considered medical advice.