The Birth Lounge Podcast

This is one of those conversations that pulls the curtain all the way back. In this powerful episode of The Birth Lounge, HeHe sits down with traditional birth companion and educator Billie Harrigan for an honest, unfiltered look at the modern medicalized birth system and how it impacts families. Together, they explore how maternity care has shifted away from physiology and toward control, efficiency, and liability, often at the expense of autonomy, trust, and emotional safety. Billie brings decades of lived experience and deep systems-level insight to this conversation, naming the ways many parents feel silenced, rushed, or traumatized within institutional birth settings. They talk openly about birth trauma, why so many families are opting out of the system altogether, and what it actually looks like to center consent, choice, and community support in birth. This episode is not about telling you what kind of birth to have. It’s about understanding the system you’re navigating so you can make informed, intentional decisions that align with your values. From the rise of free birth and traditional birth companionship to trauma-informed care and restoring birth wisdom to families, this conversation invites you to question what you’ve been told and reconnect with your own inner authority. If you’ve ever felt unsettled by how birth is handled, curious about alternatives, or hungry for a deeper understanding of how we got here, this episode will meet you exactly where you are. Guest Bio: Billie Harrigan is a Traditional Birth Companion and owner of Birth Trauma Ontario in Canada who has been serving families for over 40 years. With extensive international experience, Billie understands the complexities of modern maternity services and the pervasive issues that contribute to birth-related trauma and negative outcomes. Today’s conversation will challenge your assumptions of the medical system and push you to expand the perspectives in which you see the delivery of healthcare in the US & Canada by discussing common tactics used by cults and the resemblance of hospital care. We dive into the impact of non-trauma-informed care on patients’ short-term and long-term well-being. Buckle up because this episode is like nothing else you’ve ever experienced! SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram  Connect with Billie on IG    BIRTH EDUCATION: Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere. And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor.   LINKS MENTIONED: Billie’s Traditional Birth Companion Program: https://billieharrigan.com/becoming-a-traditional-birth-companion  Is hospital care actually evidence based? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3241518/ The System Isn’t Broken: https://billieharrigan.com/blog/2019/11/6/the-system-isnt-broken-but-its-people-are Here is the link to the original episode: https://podcast.thebirthlounge.com/e/ep-218-hospital-culture-or-cult-behavior-with-billie-harrigan/

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, one of HeHe’s favorite things to have on hand for a comfy pregnancy and postpartum period! They’re also a great way to detox your home! Use code HEHE for 20% off the softest PJ’s, loungewear, or even new sheets to make your pregnancy and postpartum feel a little more luxurious: https://cozyearth.com/ In this episode, HeHe sits down with pelvic floor expert Nikki to talk about the part of birth that somehow never gets explained until someone is telling you to “push.” Yep. That part. They break down how the pelvic floor actually works in labor, what truly helps reduce tearing, and how to push in a way that works with your body instead of against it. No fear tactics. No vague advice. Just clear, physiology-first education you should’ve been given way earlier. Nikki shares practical, evidence-based strategies you can actually use, from breathing and positioning to perineal prep and postpartum rehab. They also get into advocacy, provider skill, and why your autonomy in birth matters just as much as any technique or tool. This conversation is empowering, grounded, and full of “ohhhh, that makes sense” moments, whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or supporting birthing families in any capacity. If you want to understand your pelvic floor, protect your perineum, and walk into birth feeling informed and confident instead of guessing and hoping for the best, this episode is for you. Guest Bio: Nikki Bergen is a globally recognized Pilates expert, women’s pelvic health advocate, and founder of The Belle Method. With over 20 years of experience, she’s helped thousands worldwide build strength, restore function, and thrive through every life stage - through pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause and beyond.   Learn from Nikki The Core Restore Course: https://thebellemethod.com/core-restore/  The Push Prep Course: https://thebellemethod.com/push-prep/ SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram  Connect with Nikki on IG    BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere. And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor. Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

In this powerful episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe sits down with Rajia, the founder of InvisaWear, to talk about a reality far too many women know all too well: moving through the world while constantly calculating risk. Rajia shares the terrifying experience she had in college that sparked the creation of InvisaWear and why “just be more careful” is not, and has never been, an actual solution. Together, they unpack the deeply unsettling statistics around violence against women, where current safety systems fail us, and what real, practical protection can look like. You’ll learn how InvisaWear discreetly weaves safety technology into everyday accessories like necklaces, bracelets, and even scrunchies, allowing you to alert trusted contacts or emergency services with the press of a button, without escalating a situation or drawing attention. The conversation also dives into self-defense strategies, rideshare safety, hiking alone, and the emotional toll of living on high alert. They also explore the bigger picture: why legislative change, community accountability, and shifting the responsibility off women’s behavior and onto systems that actually protect us matters more than ever. This episode is equal parts validating, infuriating, and empowering. If you’ve ever gripped your keys a little tighter, shared your location “just in case,” or wished you had an extra layer of protection, this conversation is for you. Guest Bio: Rajia Abdelaziz started one of the fastest-growing companies in America when she was just 21 years old. Today, she is an award-winning entrepreneur revolutionizing the personal safety industry. Rajia is the Founder & CEO of invisaWear, a company that creates safety devices disguised as jewelry and accessories. With just two clicks, users can instantly alert friends, family, and-optionally-police. Her work has earned national acclaim. She's been featured on the cover of Forbes 30 Under 30 in the Social Impact category, named one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Massachusetts by the Boston Globe, and recognized on both the Inc. Female Founders 250 list and Inc Fastest Growing Companies list. Rajia raised $3 million to develop invisaWear's technology, scaled the company to over $20 million in sales, and secured powerhouse partnerships with ADT and TELUS Communications, two of the most respected names in the security industry. With over 3 million social media followers, Rajia isn't just building a company — she’s building a global movement to make safety accessible to all. In 2023, she launched Smart Alert Holdings, a company focused on acquiring businesses that share the same mission of creating a safer world. Their first acquisition was Flare Safety, invisaWear’s only competitor. Her companies have been featured on Good Morning America, ABC News, CBS, WBZ, TODAY, and more. They’ve also earned prestigious accolades, including TIME Magazine's Best Inventions, Fast Company's Innovation by Design Award, and the New England Innovation Award. As a minority female CEO, Rajia is passionate about breaking barriers for women and underrepresented groups in tech. Her journey of overcoming obstacles fuels her mission to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs — proving that no matter your background or the doubts you face, success is possible. Rajia remains deeply committed to mentorship through UMass Lowell’s Entrepreneurship Program, helping others turn bold ideas into reality. SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram  Connect with Rajia and InvisaWear on IG    BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere. And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor.   LINKS MENTIONED: Get 10% off InvisaWear with code HEHE If you’re over peeing on sticks, overthinking charts, or trying to take your temp at the same time every morning, Tempdrop does the work for you while you sleep. Grab a discount with code AFHEHE at tempdrop.com/discount/AFHEHE.  

In this episode, HeHe is joined by Dr. O’Daniel to break down the real tools and procedures used in labor and delivery, the ones no one explains until they’re suddenly happening to your body. Together, they unpack what tests like the ROM actually tell us about water breaking, when internal monitors like an IUPC are used, and what patients deserve to know before anything is placed inside their body. They also dive into operative vaginal deliveries, including vacuums and forceps, how clinical decision-making works in those moments, and why true informed consent matters so much when things move quickly. Dr. O’Daniel explains newer innovations like the Traxi for safer C-sections in larger bodies and the Life Bubble, a game-changing tool for supporting NICU babies. This conversation is evidence-based, honest, and incredibly empowering, especially if you want to walk into birth understanding the tools, not fearing them. Knowledge is advocacy, and this episode gives you plenty of both.   Guest Bio: Dr. Tori O’Daniel is a Board-Certified OB/GYN whom has been practicing for 14 years. For the past 11 years she has been an OB/GYN Hospitalist at Mercy Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dr. O’Daniel is the Medical Director of the OB/GYN Hospitalist program and the Department Chair of the OB/GYN Department in her facility. She also instructs educational classes and facilitates the OB Emergency Simulations for the nurses and physicians within her department.   She has been actively involved in the Society of OB/GYN Hospitalists (SOGH) for the past several years. She currently sits on the SOGH Board of Directors.   Dr. O’Daniel is passionate about education, and she actively teaches in multiple venues. She is a master trainer for Kiwi vacuum assisted deliveries; she travels across the globe to train residents and attending physicians in the 5-Step Vacca Method.   laborie.com   Check out the tools Dr. O’Daniel shared about here: https://www.laborie.com/products/obstetrics-gynecology/   SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram  Connect with Laborie on IG    BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere. And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor.

In this episode, HeHe sits down with Fahti, the powerhouse creator behind the Nella Speculum, to talk about something long overdue in women’s healthcare… a speculum that doesn’t feel like a medieval torture device. Yes, finally. Fahti shares the story behind redesigning one of the most dreaded tools in gynecology and turning it into something that’s temperature-neutral, gentler, and actually built with patient comfort in mind. They dive into the real issues facing people during pelvic exams, how advocacy is reshaping the landscape, and why we should all expect better tools and better treatment. You’ll hear about the design process, clinical feedback from both patients and providers, and how the Nella Comfort Kit is giving folks the option to bring their own speculum into appointments. They also unpack the recent TikTok controversy that highlighted major trust issues in women’s health care — and how innovations like the Nella can help rebuild that trust. If you’ve ever braced yourself during an exam or wished the system cared more about your comfort, this conversation is going to feel refreshing, validating, and deeply empowering. Tune in to learn how the Nella Speculum is changing the future of gynecological care, one thoughtful design choice at a time. Guest Bio: Fahti is the Founder of Ceek Women's Health - the first company to develop and launch a modern comfortable speculum for women. Learn more about the Nell and Ceek Women’s Health here: https://www.nellaspec.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram  Check out Nella Speculum on Instagram   BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere. And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor. 2026 is calling! 📞 Ready to understand your cycle? Tempdrop just brought back their 25% off sale and my code AFHEHE stacks for a total of 40% OFF! 🎁 Sale starts Today!. Don't miss out!   LINKS MENTIONED: You can see the inappropriate reel Hehe was talking about here.