The Birth Lounge Podcast

You can Google every symptom, join every group chat, and still feel like you have no idea who's actually going to show up when the baby comes. That's the tension HeHe digs into with Nina Spears, Founder of Baby Chick, in this one.
 
Building your registry while you're at it? Grab HeHe's free guide before you add another item to your cart: thebirthlounge.com/registry
 
Here's the thing: we have more pregnancy and parenting information available than any generation before us, and somehow it's made a lot of us feel more alone, not less. HeHe and Nina get into why the mental load starts the second that pregnancy test turns positive, why doomscrolling has quietly replaced actually calling someone, and how algorithms reward the loudest, most polarizing takes instead of the ones that would actually help you.
 
Nina doesn't just name the problem, she hands you an actual plan. She has every client build a postpartum plan alongside their birth plan, starting in the second trimester so the third trimester can be spent preparing for postpartum instead of scrambling. That plan includes naming three people you can call during the day and three you can text at night (she recommends starting a group text with other new moms in a similar stage), finding a local mom group like Fit4Mom or New Mom School, and hiring a doula, who often becomes the fastest way to find every other resource you need. She also introduces her book, The Baby Chick Guide to Positive Pregnancy, written week by week with cited, evidence-based info and specific tips for partners at each stage.
 
You don't need a bigger following. You need three people who will show up. This episode is your permission slip to go build that, before baby arrives, not after you're already drowning. Building your registry too? Grab the free Low-Tox Baby Registry Guide here: thebirthlounge.com/registry
 
Ready to simplify your supplements? Just Ingredients makes clean protein, prenatals, and electrolytes with real, transparent ingredients. Head to justingredients.us and use code TRANQUILITYBYHEHE to save 10% on your first order.
 
Guest Bio:
Nina Spears is the Founder & CEO of Baby Chick, author of The Baby Chick Guide to Positive Pregnancy, and a certified baby planner, birth doula, postpartum doula, childbirth educator, newborn care educator, infant massage instructor, and perinatal nutrition expert. Over the past 15 years, Nina has personally supported more than 800 families in person, thousands virtually, and attended over 350 births, helping parents navigate pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and the transition into parenthood with evidence-based guidance and compassionate support. Through Baby Chick, her educational platform, Chick Chat: The Baby Chick Podcast, online courses, coaching, and evidence-based resources, she has helped millions of parents make informed decisions and feel more prepared for pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenthood.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/
Connect with Nina Spears / Baby Chick:
Website: https://www.baby-chick.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebabychick/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teambabychick/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@babychickofficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babychick
 
00:00 The Village You Actually Need
01:04 Podcast Welcome and Registry
04:54 What We Missed Preparing
07:51 Meet Nina Spears
08:33 Scrolling and Overthinking
16:05 Finding Real Disconnect
18:09 Breaking Phone Habits
22:38 Algorithms and Consumerism
25:05 Rebuilding the Village
28:34 Postpartum Plan Blueprint
32:34 Local Groups and Doulas
35:19 Distance and Lost Community
39:49 Just Ingredients
42:24 Motherhood Goes Viral
43:44 Oversharing vs Awareness
45:21 Digital Village Illusion
50:02 Viral Fame and Misinformation
52:52 Lost Wisdom and Real Connection
57:28 Micro Habits to Reconnect
59:32 Grandparents Replaced by Google
01:01:11 AI Disrupts Parenting and Work
01:04:26 Tech, Data, and the Anxiety Spiral
01:09:50 Positive Pregnancy Book Breakdown
01:17:01 Where to Find Nina
01:18:22 Final Wrap and Call to Action
 
LINKS MENTIONED:
Nina's book, The Baby Chick Guide to Positive Pregnancy: https://www.baby-chick.com/

Ep. 482: 4 myths I keep hearing at Baby Showers
You know those baby shower conversations where everyone suddenly becomes a pregnancy expert? 😂 In this episode, HeHe breaks down some of the most common pregnancy and birth myths you’re likely to hear, from “you can’t eat sushi” to “your baby is going to be huge if you go past your due date” to the completely false idea that you can’t breastfeed after a C-section.

She gets into what the evidence actually says about pregnancy-safe sushi and fish, why your due date is an estimate rather than an expiration date, what can help with those miserable pregnancy nights, and why misinformation can have a much bigger impact on your birth experience than you realize. HeHe also talks about informed consent, unnecessary interventions, and why understanding your options before you’re in the hospital is one of the best ways to stay in control.

Basically, this is your reminder to take baby shower advice with a grain of salt and get your birth information from somewhere a little more evidence-based. 💜

PS Looking for a baby shower gift you’ll actually want to use? HeHe loves the Primally Pure Baby Kit for its simple, thoughtfully made products that she uses with Saggy, including their Baby Balm, Bath Bar, Baby Oil, and Baby Powder. Use code HEHE at checkout to save 10%. You can find the Baby Kit here: https://primallypure.com/products/the-baby-kit

Chapters
00:00 Due Date Myth Busting
01:08 Podcast Welcome & Updates
01:26 Free Class: Avoiding a C-Section
03:23 Baby Shower Advice Warning
04:45 The Truth About Sushi in Pregnancy
07:39 How to Sleep Better While Pregnant
10:49 Is It Safe to Go Past Your Due Date?
13:05 The C-Section & Breastfeeding Myth
17:44 Baby Bundle Gift Sponsor
19:49 Wrap Up & Birth Lounge Invite

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

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

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

What if secure attachment isn't about doing everything perfectly? In this episode, HeHe sits down with licensed therapist and attachment expert Eli Harwood, aka Attachment Nerd, to break down what secure attachment actually looks like, how co-regulation and attunement shape our relationships with our kids, and why being “regulated enough” matters way more than being a perfect parent.

HeHe and Eli unpack the difference between attachment and simply being connected, why responsiveness matters more than following a specific parenting philosophy, and what happens when our own mental health, stress, or childhood experiences make it harder to tune into our kids. They talk about the still face experiment, the reality that even securely attached parent-child pairs are only perfectly in sync some of the time, and why repairing after you mess up is one of the most powerful things you can do.

And if you're trying to break generational patterns, this conversation goes DEEP. Eli shares how grieving what you didn't receive in childhood can actually help you parent differently, plus practical ways to apologize, reconnect, and create safety after a rupture.

They also get into daycare, temperament, neurodivergence, clingy kids, proximity-seeking, self-soothing vs. shutting down, gentle parenting vs. permissive parenting, and the long-term impact of secure attachment. And yes, they talk about spanking, why it can disrupt trust, and what repair can look like when you've already made a parenting choice you regret.

Basically, this episode is your reminder that secure attachment isn't about never getting it wrong. It's about creating a relationship where your child knows you're there, keeps coming back to you, and learns that even when things go sideways, connection can be repaired. 💜

Chapters
00:00 Regulated Enough Goals
01:01 Free C-Section Class
03:14 The Biological Parenting Lens
07:30 What Attachment Actually Is
10:59 Attachment Myths & Nuance
14:47 Mental Health & Bonding
16:10 Attunement & Co-Regulation
19:46 Good Enough Parenting
28:35 Repair & Apology Scripts
38:51 Breaking Cycles From Your Childhood
42:07 Signs of Secure Attachment
44:15 Self-Soothing vs. Shutdown
45:12 Temperament & the Strange Situation
47:43 Why Kids Have a Preferred Caregiver
50:03 Reassurance Beyond Hugs
53:09 Clingy Kids & Hypervigilance
55:09 The Myth of Attachment Milestones
56:10 Gentle vs. Permissive Parenting
01:02:54 The Long-Term Benefits of Secure Attachment
01:06:04 Building Your Village
01:08:49 Find Eli
01:11:07 Spanking & Repair
01:16:33 Final Takeaways & Outro

Guest Bio:

Eli Harwood is a licensed therapist, creator of Attachment Nerd, and author of the books "Securely Attached", "Raising Securely Attached Kids," and “How to Deal with Your (__) So Your Kids Don’t Have to”. She has over 19 years of clinical experience, over 1.5 million followers across her social media platforms, and is on a mission to make the world a more secure place one attachment relationship at a time. Eli has three children, one husband, two cats, a gaggle of chickens, and an extraordinary number of high maintenance plants!

 

Connect with Eli: www.attachmentnerd.com

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

Connect with Eli on IG: https://www.instagram.com/attachmentnerd/

LINKS MENTIONED:
Learn about the Still Face Experiment here: https://www.gottman.com/blog/research-still-face-experiment/

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

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe 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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

Labor Live is your chance to practice navigating labor before you’re actually in it. This interactive birth simulation delivers real-life labor scenarios straight to your phone, letting you make decisions, explore your options, and learn what questions to ask your provider along the way. Labor Live starts September 1. Head to https://joinlaborlive.com/ to save your spot!

Your water breaks... now what?! In this episode, HeHe walks you through exactly what to pay attention to when your water breaks, how to confirm that it actually happened, and how to make informed decisions about what comes next instead of automatically rushing into the hospital or an induction.

She breaks down the TACO framework: Time, Amount, Color, and Odor, plus the biggest red flags to watch for, including decreased fetal movement, bleeding, fever, preterm rupture, severe pain, and the emergency of a cord prolapse. HeHe also gets into expectant management vs. induction, the pressure around the so-called “24-hour clock,” vaginal exams, eating, baths, and what questions to ask your provider so you can stay in control.

And because knowing what to do isn't the same as actually practicing it, HeHe also introduces Labor Live, her interactive, real-time birth simulation designed to help you practice making decisions and advocating for yourself before you're in the middle of labor.

Chapters
00:00 Stay In Control
00:29 Welcome & Teaser
02:02 Your Water Broke... Now What?
03:06 Labor Is a Conversation
04:34 Did Your Water Actually Break?
06:02 Baby Movement & Timing
07:36 Red Flags & Emergencies
11:24 Your Options After Your Water Breaks
15:40 Eating, Baths & Hydrotherapy
18:54 Labor Live & Wrap Up

 

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

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

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe 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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

Labor Live is your chance to practice navigating labor before you’re actually in it. This interactive birth simulation delivers real-life labor scenarios straight to your phone, letting you make decisions, explore your options, and learn what questions to ask your provider along the way. Labor Live starts September 1. Head to https://joinlaborlive.com/ to save your spot!

Low amniotic fluid can be one of those pregnancy diagnoses that sends you straight into a Google rabbit hole. So in this episode, HeHe sits down with board-certified OBGYN Dr. Lawren Honken to break down oligohydramnios, what it actually means, how it's diagnosed, and when low fluid may or may not mean it's time to induce.

Dr. Lawren explains how providers measure amniotic fluid, including the difference between the single deepest pocket and AFI, and why one measurement may give us a more useful picture than the other. They also dig into what can contribute to low fluid, from dehydration and placental function to hypertension, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, ruptured membranes, and other pregnancy complications.

And then we get into the big question: Does low amniotic fluid automatically mean you need an induction? Spoiler: it's more nuanced than that. HeHe and Dr. Lawren talk through hydration and repeat ultrasounds, fetal monitoring, the risks associated with truly low fluid, ACOG guidance for isolated oligohydramnios, and what happens when you're trying to decide whether to continue the pregnancy or move toward delivery.

They also have a really important conversation about informed consent, trauma-informed care, provider communication, and why a diagnosis shouldn't automatically mean you're rushed into a decision without understanding your options. Because sometimes the most empowering thing your provider can give you isn't another intervention. It's information, context, and the space to make an informed decision about your own body and baby.

If you've been told you have low amniotic fluid, you're being monitored for oligohydramnios, or you're trying to understand when an induction is actually medically indicated, this is one you want in your back pocket.

Chapters
00:00 Induction Shockwave
01:12 Pregnancy Diagnosis Minefield
03:42 Meet Dr. Lawren Honken
07:52 What Is Low Amniotic Fluid?
10:55 Hydration, Placenta & Clues
14:34 What Causes Low Fluid?
19:20 Amnioinfusion Explained
22:25 When Does Induction Make Sense?
29:08 Individualized & Trauma-Informed Care
33:31 HeHe Shares a Personal Birth Story
36:41 When Your Water Breaks Without Contractions
39:13 How Accurate Is an Ultrasound?
41:00 The Risks of Low Amniotic Fluid
46:49 Advocating for Your Options
51:27 The Triage Reassurance Algorithm
54:20 Provider Compassion & Burnout
01:00:26 Questions to Ask Your Provider
01:02:03 Where to Follow Dr. Lawren
01:03:17 Final Wrap & Subscribe

Guest Bio:

Dr. Lawren Honken is a board-certified OB/GYN, Certified Menopause Practitioner, surgeon, mother of four, and creator of Your Friend the OB/GYN. She is passionate about helping women understand their options through evidence-based education so they can make informed decisions that align with their values, goals, and unique circumstances. Her approach emphasizes patient autonomy, shared decision-making, and compassionate, individualized care.

Connect with Dr. Honken here: YourFriendTheOBGYN.com

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

Connect with Dr. Honken on IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourfriendtheobgyn/

LINKS MENTIONED:
IG account measure the placenta: https://www.instagram.com/measuretheplacenta/

Listen to our episode with Dr. Florescue here: ​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEex1HJId2o

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

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe 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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app