The Birth Link

• 43. Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Fertility with Nicole Lange

  In this episode, Colette Wagholikar and Nicole Lange discuss the intricate relationship between trauma, mental health, and fertility. They explore how acupuncture can aid in fertility treatments, the importance of open communication with partners, and the emotional challenges faced during the journey to parenthood. The conversation emphasizes the need for a supportive community and the significance of celebrating small victories along the way. Nicole shares her insights on navigating pregnancy after fertility struggles and the impact of IVF on pregnancy outcomes, advocating for a holistic approach to women's health.Nicole Lange is an acupuncturist and thought leader who's pioneered trauma-informed fertility care since 2006. She's leading the conversation around the shocking reality that nearly 50% of people in fertility treatment develop PTSD—regardless of whether they get pregnant. Nicole's revolutionary salutogenesis approach focuses on preventing treatment-induced trauma while improving conception odds through her evidence-based integration of nervous system science and Traditional Chinese Medicine.Find Nicole:https://lifehealinglife.com https://www.youtube.com/@thebabyyouwanthttps://www.instagram.com/notafixer/TakeawaysTrauma can significantly impact fertility and pregnancy outcomes.Acupuncture can help reset the body's hormonal balance and improve fertility.Mental health is crucial during fertility treatments and pregnancy.Open communication with partners is essential for navigating fertility struggles.IVF can lead to increased risks in pregnancy, but informed consent is key.Building a supportive community can alleviate feelings of isolation during fertility journeys.Celebrating small victories during the fertility process is important for mental well-being.Understanding the interconnectedness of physical and mental health can enhance fertility outcomes.Women often carry the emotional burden of fertility struggles, impacting their relationships.Education and awareness can empower women to make informed decisions about their fertility.Chapters00:00. Introduction to Fertility and Trauma08:33. The Role of Acupuncture in Fertility22:29. Understanding Trauma's Impact on Fertility28:38. Understanding Salutogenesis in Fertility30:54. Navigating IVF and Fertility Solutions32:13. The Importance of a Holistic Approach34:06. Emotional Challenges During Fertility Treatments35:48. Radical Acceptance in Pregnancy After Infertility39:01. Celebrating Small Wins in the Fertility Journey43:19. Processing Emotions and Staying Present46:17. Communicating with Partners During Fertility Challenges52:39. Navigating Postpartum Challenges54:45. Communicating Needs in Relationships57:11. Setting Expectations for Parenting59:15. Understanding Partner Dynamics01:01:01. The Impact of IVF on Pregnancy01:05:45 Balancing Evidence and Compassion in Care01:08:25 Building a Supportive Environment for Parenthood01:14:31 Outtro new edit.mp3Keywords: fertility, trauma, acupuncture, mental health, IVF, pregnancy, women's health, support, community, holistic care

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• 42. Meet Your OB Hospitalist! with Dr Hart and Dr Fashho

  We are so proud to have the doctors behind The OB Hospitalist. Initially conceived to unite OB Hospitalists and help others in their field, cope with the challenges of being in healthcare, family, and juggling modern day challenges. Their audience has expanded to include nurses, midwives, sonographers, and anyone else passionate about delivering quality and meaningful women’s healthcare.Our conversation covers the role of a hospitalist, or some call them laborists, in the hospital, the path of an OB to become one and how they are changing our maternal healthcare system. Hospitalist are the answer to safety concerns in the hospital and becoming more and more of the norm. And of course we touch on the doctor's view of a birth plan!The highlight of our conversation is how we can build a successful team based on communication and how, even though it would take a lot of work, this type of birthing system could be a safer general practice throughout the United States. Head over to their Instagram for updates and announcements for an amazing upcoming project!IG: @theobhospitalistVisit their link tree!TakeawaysAn OB hospitalist is a board-certified OB-GYN who works in hospitals, providing care for patients without an OB-GYN.The role involves handling emergencies and ensuring patient safety during childbirth.Collaboration with nurses and other healthcare professionals is crucial for effective patient care.Work-life balance is achievable in hospitalist roles, allowing for personal time and family life.Building trust with patients is essential, especially when they meet their care providers for the first time.The healthcare system is facing challenges, including a shortage of private practice OB-GYNs.Patient autonomy and shared decision-making are vital in obstetric care.Communication between healthcare providers and patients can improve outcomes and satisfaction.The future of obstetric care may increasingly rely on hospitalists due to changing healthcare dynamics.New OBs should consider the fast-paced, collaborative environment of hospitalist work.00:00Introduction to OB Hospitalists03:11The Role and Responsibilities of OB Hospitalists06:10Pathways to Becoming an OB Hospitalist08:50The Current State of the Medical System for Birth14:54Building Trust with Patients20:56Communication and Teamwork in Maternity Care27:51Building Trust in Patient-Provider Relationships29:48The Future of Birth in Hospitals31:36Adapting to Change in Healthcare33:38Patient Autonomy and Birth Plans36:45Shared Decision Making in Obstetrics48:40Advice for Future OBs and Hospitalists

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• 41. What Is a Nurse To Do?! Navigating the Challenges of Hospital Births with Cassandra RN

  What is a nurse to do?! Listen in with Cassandra Koblitz RN, the founder of Hakuna Matata Mamas, a labor and delivery nurse plus hospital birth coach with 13 years of experience supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She has worked in high-risk labor units across the country and has supported thousands of hospital births. Here's what she knows: hospital birth can be beautiful—but only if women are truly prepared for what’s coming.That’s where Hakuna Matata Mamas comes in. Through her coaching she helps moms feel calm, courageous, and emotionally steady as they get ready to meet their baby. What sets her apart is that she goes far beyond birth plans and breathing techniques. She helps women understand how the hospital system actually works, teaches their partners how to advocate, and guides them in building the emotional resilience to handle whatever path birth takes. In this conversation, Colette Wagholikar and Cassandra Kolbuts discuss the challenges and importance of patient education in the context of hospital births. They share personal stories and insights from their experiences as labor and delivery nurses, emphasizing the need for women to be empowered and informed about their choices during childbirth. The discussion covers the roles of partners, the impact of social media on birth education, and the importance of mindset and preparation for a positive birth experience.TakeawaysWomen often leave the hospital feeling traumatized by their birth experience.Education and preparation are crucial for a positive birth experience.Patients should feel empowered to ask questions and voice their preferences during labor.The role of partners is vital in supporting women during childbirth.Mindset plays a significant role in how women perceive their birth experience.Social media can both help and hinder birth education.Women should not just go with the flow but actively participate in their birth plan.Understanding medical interventions is essential for informed decision-making.Nurses and doctors need to respect the birthing process and the women involved.Preparation for childbirth should start as early as possible.Find Cassandra at:IG: https://instagram.com/hakuna.matata.mamasWebsite: https://hakunamatatamamas.comKeywords: birth education, patient advocacy, labor and delivery, hospital birth, empowerment, mindset, patient rights, birth trauma, nursing, maternal health

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• 40. An Uncensored Conversation with Keira Welsh on Doulas Advocating In the Hospital

  Kiera Walsh is a doula, birth educator, and host of the Birth Advocacy Podcast. She’s supported hundreds of first-time moms through birth and is known for her bold, no-BS approach to education and advocacy. Kiera’s not afraid to call out outdated hospital routines or speak up when something doesn’t sit right—and she teaches moms and doulas how to do the same. With a mix of real talk, practical tools, and unfiltered honesty, she helps women feel prepared, confident, and fully in control of their birth experience.Today we discuss how to ACTUALLY advocate for yourself during birth, even when you're not a medical or birth expert. How to stand up to bullies in birth. We get all fired up on this episode and you won't want to miss it!Find Keira at www.birthadvocacypodcast.com/moms and www.birthadvocacypodcast.com/doulasIG: https://instagram.com/thebirthroomChapters00:00Introduction to Birth Advocacy01:31Kira's Journey into Birth Work05:04Navigating Hospital Birth as a Doula06:34Understanding Advocacy in Birth09:33The Importance of Asking Questions11:17Informed Consent and Obstetric Violence16:10The Role of Providers in Birth22:25Planning for Birth: A, B, and C25:51The Role of Doulas in Birth Advocacy30:29Experiences with Provider Intimidation37:27The Impact of Hospital Policies on Birth42:24Final Thoughts on Birth Advocacy

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• 39. From Military Nurse to Birth Body Work with Marya Ellifie: Fascia, Structural Integration, and Improved Labor Support

  In this episode of The Birth Link Podcast, I sit down with labor nurse Marya Eddaifi, who shares her powerful journey from a military birth experience to creating her own practice centered on structural integration and fascia based bodywork. We talk about how soft tissue mobilization of ligaments, muscles, and joints can improve comfort, autonomy, and recovery in labor, even for those with limited mobility or epidurals. Marya opens up about the gaps she saw in hospital training around comfort measures and the anatomy of labor, and how her work now empowers birthing people and their newborns for a smoother, more supported experience.For anyone pregnant and all birth workers, this is an episode you don't want to miss. Find her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryathebirthcoach/ Find all Marya's offer on her linked tree, including DLM app https://www.maryaeddaifi.com/

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