The Birth Link

• 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 Kiera’s not afraid to call out outdated hospital routines or speak up when something doesn’t sit right—and she teaches moms and doulas how to do the same.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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• 38. When Birth Plans Change: Mastering the Art of the PIVOT with Dawn Hancock

  We're so honored to have the wonderful Dawn Hancock founder of Pivotal Birth on this episode where we discuss the best way to plan for birth, with the idea that there will be times we will need to know how to pivot. Pivot is an acronym: PermissionInclusionValuesOptionsTimeWith Dawn herself with deep dive into each of these points, how to plan for birth and as two labor and delivery nurses often do, get into our own work birth stories!Find Dawn and her classes at pivotalbirth.com or on IG @pivotalbirth!

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• 37. Maternity Leave Without the Stress: Income, Rights, and Strategy with Shelly Yehuda

  Shelly Yehuda is an HR expert certified in California State Leave Laws with extensive experience in maternity leave benefits. She helps new and expectant mothers understand their rights and options while ensuring they follow the proper procedures for leave. Shelly is well-versed in key programs like FMLA, CFRA, PDL, CA SDI, Paid Family Leave, Bonding, PPLO, ADA and employer-specific policies. She helps moms navigate their maternity leave, making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible while staying compliant with all the regulations. Shelly offers clear, personalized guidance to help parents focus on what matters most—their growing families.More from Shelly Yehuda:ParentalLeaveAdvisors.comFollow her on Instagram @californiaparentalleaveMore from My Friend's a Nurse:Get Your Childbirth Crash Course Here!Join the newsletter for behind the scenes and episode insights you don't want to miss!Visit MyFriendsaNurse.comGrab this FREE Hospital Bag ChecklistEmail Colette directly for coaching availability and membership [email protected] you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast send us an email! Stay Connected:YouTubeInstagramTikTokFaceBookProduced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services

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• 36. What Evidence Based Really Means, How Social Media and Maternal Disparities Influence Birth With Sharon Jensen-Cody Aka Doula Diligence

  Sharon is a research scientist turned birth Doula and pediatric sleep consultant. She shares her world with her wonderful husband and two amazing kiddos! Sharon has a deep rooted passion to help expected families navigate the transition into parenthood as seamlessly as possible, and loves educating and supporting Parents in her community. Topic: Evidence-based doula work, Maternal-fetal disparities, and how social media is impacting the birth world More from Sharon:Website: www.douladiligence.com IG: @douladiligence_More from My Friend's a Nurse:Get Your Childbirth Crash Course Here!Join the newsletter for behind the scenes and episode insights you don't want to miss!Visit MyFriendsaNurse.comGrab this FREE Hospital Bag ChecklistEmail Colette directly for coaching availability and membership [email protected] you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast send us an email! Stay Connected:YouTubeInstagramTikTokFaceBookProduced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services

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