The Birth Lounge Podcast

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with parenting science educator Violetta to unpack one of the biggest questions new parents face: how do you support your baby's development without falling into the trap of over-parenting?

Together, they dive into what the research actually says about the first 12 to 24 months of life, including attachment, temperament, responsiveness, language development, and the everyday interactions that help shape a child's foundation. Violetta shares why so much parenting advice online misses the mark, how modern parenting culture often creates unnecessary pressure, and what parents really need to know about raising confident, securely attached children.

HeHe and Violetta also explore the difference between being responsive and being overly responsive, how temperament influences the way children experience the world, and what secure attachment actually looks like across different ages and personalities. They discuss practical ways to support development during wake windows, encourage language and social skills, and build connection without feeling like you need to entertain your child every waking minute.

The conversation wraps up with a thoughtful, research-informed discussion on daycare, sleep training, and the parenting decisions that often come with the most noise and judgment.

If you've ever wondered how to support your baby's development without spiraling over every parenting choice, this episode is packed with evidence-based insights and reassurance.

Timestamps / Chapters:

00:00 AI Parenting Misinformation

00:33 Birth Lounge App Advocacy

05:38 Episode Roadmap Attachment

11:53 Violeta Origin Story

23:00 Attunement First Two Years

29:12 Support Systems Colic

32:14 Attunement Vs Attachment

40:41 Temperament Goodness Fit

44:32 Attachment Styles Explained

47:58 Healthy Pushing Repair

51:32 Healing Through Repair

52:49 Mindful Home Swaps

56:17 Boys vs Girls Temperament

58:27 Language and Attention Foundations

01:13:11 Daycare Sleep Training Wrap

 

Guest Bio:

Violeta is a science communicator and the founder of The Parenting Class. She started her work after realizing that a lot of the research on early childhood development simply isn’t made accessible to parents—especially in the years that matter most.

She believes that sharing this data in a clear, practical way can help raise healthier children and more thriving families.

Connect with Violeta:

https://www.the-parenting-class.com/

Get 10% off the entire Science of Parenting Babies Parenting Library which includes 13 areas of development from feeding, sleep and brain development over nutrition, daycare research, potty training, raising multilingual kids and more when you mention The Birth Lounge Podcast 

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

Connect with Violeta on IG: https://www.instagram.com/violeta.parenting.science/

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

In this re-aired episode, HeHe sits down with Dr. Heather Florescue for an incredibly important and deeply educational conversation about stillbirth prevention, placental health, and the warning signs families deserve to know during pregnancy. Together, they unpack why conversations around stillbirth are so often avoided, how education can empower—not scare—parents, and what proactive care can look like when we truly prioritize maternal and fetal health.

Dr. Florescue explains the role of placental function in pregnancy outcomes, why estimated placental volume matters, and how recognizing changes in fetal movement and maternal intuition can be life-saving. She also shares current research, discusses risk factors that are often overlooked, and highlights protocols used in places like the UK and Australia that have helped reduce stillbirth rates through earlier intervention and better patient education.

This episode is not about fear. It’s about informed awareness, advocacy, and helping families understand that paying attention to your body and your baby matters. If you’ve ever felt dismissed during pregnancy or wondered whether you were “overreacting” to a concern, this conversation is such an important reminder that your instincts deserve to be heard.

 

Guest Bio:

Dr. Florescue is an ob.gyn. in private practice at Women Gynecology and Childbirth Associates in Rochester, N.Y. She delivers babies at Highland Hospital in Rochester, NY.  She received her medical degree at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, completed her internship and residency in obstetrics & gynecology at the University of Rochester Medical Center.  She is certified by the American Congress of Obstetrics & Gynecology.  She and her husband are parents to a set of triplets.  Dr. Florescue is passionate about the prevention of pregnancy and infant loss and the care for families who suffer these terrible tragedies. 

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

Connect with Dr. Florescue on IG: https://www.instagram.com/drflorescueobgyn/

 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

 

LINKS MENTIONED:
Star Legacy Foundation: https://starlegacyfoundation.org/

Count the Kicks: https://countthekicks.org/

PUSH Pregnancy: https://www.pushpregnancy.org/

Tommys.org: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information

Saving Babies Lives Care Bundles: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Saving-Babies-Lives-Care-Bundle-Version-Two-Updated-Final-Version.pdf

Today’s episode is brought to you by Two Pages Curtains. After struggling to find nursery curtains that were both beautiful and made with higher-quality materials, HeHe fell in love with their customizable cotton and linen styles for Saggy Boy’s nursery. Visit twopagescurtains.com and use code HEHE for exclusive savings on your favorite styles.

In this episode, HeHe dives into one of the parenting topics that gets so many raised eyebrows… elimination communication (EC). 💩✨ After starting EC with her own baby around 8–9 weeks postpartum, HeHe shares how learning her baby’s potty cues actually helped her feel more confident, connected, and intuitive as a new mom—not less.

She’s joined by EC educator and Andrea Olson, author of Go Diaper Free, to break down what elimination communication really is (hint: it’s not forcing a newborn to potty train). Andrea explains how babies naturally communicate their need to go, the simple “easy catches” parents can start with, and how EC can work in real life—even if you use disposable diapers, have multiple kids, travel often, or use daycare.

Together, they unpack the history behind modern diaper culture, why potty training timelines shifted so dramatically over the last century, and how “Big Diaper” marketing changed the way parents think about infant toileting. They also discuss diaper rash, environmental impact, attachment, intuition, and how EC can reduce stress, save money, and strengthen communication between parent and baby. Whether you’re EC-curious or fully skeptical, this episode will absolutely make you rethink what’s “normal” when it comes to babies and diapers.

 

Guest Bio:

Andrea Olson is the author of Go Diaper Free and The Tiny Potty Training Book, and the world’s leading educator on elimination communication. A mom of six who practiced EC with every one of her babies, Andrea has helped over a million families tune into their baby’s cues and ditch diapers earlier than they ever thought possible. She’s passionate about restoring the gentle, intuitive potty wisdom that modern diaper culture has quietly replaced — and making it accessible for every family. she also owns TinyUndies.com where she sells natural super small undies, trainers, and potties.

Connect with Andrea:

Godiaperfree.com

Get 25% off with code EASYSTART

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

Connect with Andrea on IG: https://www.instagram.com/godiaperfree/

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

 

LINKS MENTIONED:
Baby language video: https://youtube.com/shorts/xNJlS3f70gk?si=j56LT6RPVpNyFjl5

Inside The Birth Lounge Membership, HeHe recently taught a live deep dive on these exact topics—and new members get instant access to the replay library packed with evidence-based birth education and advocacy support.

In this re-aired episode, HeHe breaks down one of the most common late-pregnancy questions: Should you get a membrane sweep? If you’re approaching your due date, feeling pressure about induction, or wondering whether a sweep is actually “natural,” this episode gives you the evidence-based, no-fear explanation you’ve been looking for.

HeHe walks through exactly what a membrane sweep is, how it works, what it feels like, and whether it technically counts as a form of induction. She explains what providers often don’t tell parents about success rates, Bishop scores, VBAC safety, prodromal labor, and why going into labor isn’t the only way a sweep can still “work.” You’ll also learn the potential risks, what informed consent should sound like during prenatal visits, and how to advocate confidently if a provider is pushing interventions you’re unsure about.

This episode is packed with practical education and real-world advocacy tools to help you make a decision that feels aligned for your body, your birth, and your goals—not just the hospital’s timeline.

💜 Want more support navigating cervical checks, membrane sweeps, Bishop scores, and induction conversations? Inside The Birth Lounge Membership, HeHe recently taught a live deep dive on these exact topics—and new members get instant access to the replay library packed with evidence-based birth education and advocacy support.

00:00 Advocacy Scripts Teaser

03:07 Welcome and Topic Setup

03:33 Membrane Sweep Basics

03:59 How It Works and Success Odds

06:27 What It Feels Like

07:08 After Effects and Warning Signs

07:54 Prodromal Labor Risk

09:29 Stacking Sweeps and Timing

10:45 Boosting Success With Bishop Score

14:01 Research, VBAC, and Final Pros Cons

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

In this episode, HeHe sits down with Nebraska doula, childbirth educator, and birth photographer Leslie Moon for a nuanced conversation about Medicaid-covered doulas, birth equity, and the unintended consequences that can happen when community birth work becomes tied to insurance systems and hospital oversight.

At first glance, Medicaid coverage for doulas sounds like a massive win—and in many ways, increased access to support absolutely matters. But HeHe and Leslie unpack the deeper concerns many doulas and birth workers are quietly asking behind the scenes: What happens when doulas become accountable to the system instead of the families they serve? Could regulation, certification, and insurance reimbursement slowly reshape doula work the same way it transformed midwifery care over time?

Together, they dive into the realities of low reimbursement rates, hospital-employed doulas, licensure fears, and how profit-driven maternity care can directly conflict with relationship-based, autonomy-centered support. Leslie also shares what birth access looks like in Nebraska, where legal out-of-hospital birth options are extremely limited, and why protecting true community-based support matters now more than ever.

This episode is thoughtful, spicy in the best way, and packed with bigger-picture conversations about autonomy, advocacy, informed consent, and the future of birth work. Whether you’re a doula, birth worker, or parent who cares about protecting individualized support in maternity care, this conversation will absolutely give you a lot to think about.

Chapters: 

00:00 Medicaid Doula Hype

01:37 Host Story and Credibility

07:00 Birth Lounge App Pitch

09:50 Medicaid Coverage Concerns

50:17 Regulation Risks and Community Fixes

55:02 Doula Stipend Proposal

01:00:58 Board Certification Debate

01:11:14 Flexner Report Origins

01:14:08 Insurance Strings Attached

01:29:53 Protecting Doulas Call

Guest Bio:

Leslie Moon is a single mom of 2, a birth doula, birth photographer, and childbirth educator based in Lincoln, Nebraska. She supports families locally with in-person birth support and documentation, and works with families nationwide to prepare for navigating hospital birth in a system that wasn’t designed for birth.

She is the co-founder of The Birth Alchemy Course, where she teaches parents how to understand their options, advocate for themselves, and trust themselves throughout pregnancy and birth. Leslie is passionate about protecting relationship-based, community-centered care and helping families feel confident making decisions that align with their values

Connect with Leslie: 

Novitabirthstories.com

birthalchemycourse.com/birth-alchemy-course

Listeners can get $100 off our childbirth prep series, the Birth Alchemy Course using code HEHE

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

Connect with Leslie on IG: https://www.instagram.com/novitabirthstories

Find Birth Alchemy on IG: https://www.instagram.com/birthalchemy_official/

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/join

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

 

LINKS MENTIONED:
Here’s a link to the full Flexner Report: 

http://archive.carnegiefoundation.org/publications/pdfs/elibrary/Carnegie_Flexner_Report.pdf