The MamasteFit Podcast

Gina (perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula) and Roxanne (certified nurse midwife) share the story of Roxanne’s fourth “bonus baby,” Harvey, and the end of her pregnancy leading into a planned home birth. Roxanne describes weeks of waiting, prodromal labor, and trying to start labor on her due date (January 7) before Gina left for a pre-planned Disney Marathon trip; a cervical check showed she was 1 cm and “super thick,” and labor stalled.

After midnight while Gina is away, Roxanne has a gush of fluid, then contractions quickly become consistent and stronger. She calls her midwife, her mom, and backup support, and uses comfort tools like a TENS unit, shower, a Pixie heating pad, and acupressure balls. She labors in the birth tub using different positions; the midwife tries calling Gina, but she doesn’t answer. Roxanne’s water breaks and Harvey is born quickly in the tub, with brief pushing and no long second stage.Postpartum, Roxanne reports no tearing, no hemorrhage, less bleeding than prior births, and an easier recovery; Harvey weighs 7 lb 13 oz. 

Check out our favorite products mentioned here:
https://www.hopeandplum.co/MamasteFit20

https://www.amazon.com/shop/mamastefit/list/3RPPT8UNHV3O7?ref_=aipsflist

https://amzn.to/3OLZcRg

Www.drinklmnt.com/mamaste

https://pixiecup.shop?aff=12: MAMASTEFIT (15% off plus free shipping)

Baby TENS: http://babycaretens.com?afmc=10MAMASTEFIT

TENS (use 10MAMASTEFIT): https://tensforlabor.com/?ref=2

Lovesteady
code: mamastefit for 10% off
https://rstr.co/lovesteady/3500

Acupressure balls: https://amzn.to/4apZIgk

00:00 Welcome to MamasteFit + Harvey’s Birth Story Teaser
00:26 Meet the Hosts & What This Podcast Covers
01:23 ‘Bonus Baby’ Harvey: Mindset in the Final Weeks
02:58 Social Media Updates, Opinions, and Staying Sane at 40 Weeks
04:44 Babywearing Break: Ring Sling Favorites (Hope & Plum, Sakura Bloom)
05:28 Physical Symptoms, Home Birth Prep & The Leaky Birth Pool Saga
07:33 Prodromal Labor Starts: TENS Unit, Birth Prep Circuit, and Waiting Game
09:16 Gina’s Disney Trip Pressure: Trying to Kickstart Labor on Due Date
16:09 Contractions Fizzle + Membrane Sweep Reality Check (1 cm, Thick Cervix)
22:13 Disney Marathon Weekend Updates + ChatGPT Due-Date Predictions
26:25 The Night It Turns Real: ‘Did I Pee or Did My Water Break?’
29:58 Early Labor Escalates: Missed Texts, Calling the Midwife, Waking the House
36:02 Support Arrives: Mom’s Massage, Vocalizing, and Calling the Birth Team
39:14 Early Labor Comfort Measures: Food, Shower & TENS
39:48 Heating Pad Fiasco: Figuring Out the Pixie Cup Heater
41:50 Joan Wakes Up: Sweet Toddler Support During Contractions
42:47 Midwife Arrives & Birth Space Setup (Tub, Candles, Bracelet)
45:33 Into the Birth Tub: Mermaid Pose & Finding the Rhythm
48:44 Things Get Real: Pressure, Calling Gina & Water Breaks
54:35 Pushing in the Pool: Fast Crowning and Harvey Is Born
58:41 First Moments: Kids Meet Baby + Placenta & Post-Birth Care
01:02:45 Gina Missed It: Disney Detour, Postpartum Support & Family Reactions
01:09:09 Wrap-Up + Favorite Pregnancy & Labor Products (Affiliate Links)

————
Get Your Copy of Training for Two on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VOTdwH

📧 Download our free birth prep circuit guide with six exercises to prepare your body for birth: https://mamastefit.com/freebies/prepare-for-birth-circuit/

Prepare for your birth with MamasteFit:

Explore our prep for birth courses: https://mamastefit.com/prenatal-support
3rd Trimester Specific Prep Courses: https://mamastefit.com/fitness-programs/third-trimester/

-------
Freebies to Support Your Postpartum:
📩 Join our free early postpartum recovery course: https://mamastefit.com/freebies/early-postpartum-recovery/

—-
Recover after birth and return to fitness with MamasteFit: https://mamastefit.com/fitness-programs/postpartum/

——

Follow Us on IG at https://instagram.com/mamastefit

Feeling overwhelmed about vaginal tearing during childbirth? Join Roxanne, a certified nurse midwife, on the MamasteFit YouTube channel as she breaks down the nuances of lacerations and vaginal tearing. Learn about different types and degrees of tears, their prevalence, and which ones may require sutures. Roxanne offers tips on preventing tears and discusses healing techniques, including the benefits of pelvic floor physical therapy. Whether you're expecting your first baby or have had children before, this video provides valuable insights and practical advice to help you feel more prepared for childbirth.

Check out our videos with more tips on preventing tearing!:
https://youtu.be/dKcxbVUYiCg
https://youtu.be/loJjEDFBvnM

And these podcast episodes:
https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/vDJkSCo6E0b
https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/uJJU8Bo6E0b

————
🎉 Grab Your Copy of Training for Two → https://amzn.to/3VOTdwHYour go-to guide for prenatal fitness, birth prep, and postpartum recovery.👇 Start Preparing for Birth Today📥 Download our free Birth Prep Circuit Guide → https://mamastefit.com/freebies/prepare-for-birth-circuit📥 Grab our free Pelvic Floor Prep Guide → https://mamastefit.com/freebies/prepare-your-pelvic-floor-for-labor/Learn how to relax and lengthen your pelvic floor to support a smoother labor and pushing phase.💻 Explore Our Online Programs:Whether you're pregnant or postpartum—we’ve got you covered with expert-led fitness and education:🏋🏻‍♀️ Prenatal & Postpartum Fitness Programs🎓 Childbirth + Postpartum Education Courses→ https://mamastefit.com🤱 Just Had a Baby?📥 Grab our free Postpartum Core Workouts → https://mamastefit.kit.com/coreStart reconnecting with your core and feeling strong again—safely and confidently.———📲 Follow Us on Instagram for Daily Tips + BTShttps://instagram.com/mamastefit———✨ Shop Our Favorites:⚡️ Electrolytes we love → https://drinklmnt.com/mamaste🌿 Supplements we trust – 20% off with code MAMASTEFIT → https://thisisneeded.com/ginaandroxanne👖 Maternity clothing we actually wear – 10% off with code MAMASTEFIT → https://rstr.co/lovesteady/3500

In this episode of The MamasteFit Podcast, hosts Gina, a perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula, and Hayley Kava, our in-house pelvic floor PT, dive deep into the topic of diastasis recti. They explore the common fears and misconceptions associated with diastasis recti during and after pregnancy. The conversation covers the natural occurrence of abdominal muscle separation, the importance of breathing mechanics, and functional exercises for postpartum recovery. Hayley also emphasizes the collaborative care model and addresses questions about exercise safety with diastasis. This episode aims to empower listeners by debunking myths and providing practical advice for navigating diastasis recti confidently.

Coning Workout: https://youtu.be/Nz2craPkea8
Healing DRA Workout: https://youtu.be/DVzD6-kLUAA 
Check out Hayley’s pay-what-you-can pelvic balance series!: https://www.hayleykavapt.com/Pelvicbalanceseries

For more workouts, check out our collection of fitness programs: https://mamastefit.com/fitness-programs/

00:00 Introduction to The MamasteFit Podcast
00:14 Understanding Diastasis Recti
00:49 Meet the Hosts and Guest
01:44 Collaborative Care at Mama Safe Fit
02:03 Breaking Down Diastasis Recti
02:39 Normal vs. Abnormal Diastasis
03:04 Exercises and Approaches to Diastasis
03:19 What is Diastasis Recti?
05:04 Diastasis in Pregnancy and Postpartum
06:14 Coning and Its Implications
11:34 Postpartum Healing and Diastasis
12:28 Factors Affecting Diastasis Healing
14:07 Body Image and Diastasis
16:41 Diastasis and Prolapse
19:43 Approaches to Diastasis Rehab
26:26 Rib Flare and Exercise Misconceptions
26:58 Personal Experience with Rib Flare
28:33 Postpartum Breathing Techniques
29:50 Thoracic Mobility and Core Connection
31:02 Integrating Core Exercises Postpartum
32:28 Advancing Postpartum Exercises
34:43 Overcoming Fear in Postpartum Fitness
41:32 Understanding Diastasis Recti
44:46 Final Thoughts and Resources

————
Get Your Copy of Training for Two on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VOTdwH

📧 Download our free birth prep circuit guide with six exercises to prepare your body for birth: https://mamastefit.com/freebies/prepare-for-birth-circuit/

Prepare for your birth with MamasteFit:

💻 Online Childbirth Education Courses
🏋🏻‍♀️ Online Prenatal Fitness Programming
🧘‍♀️ Prepare Your Pelvic Floor for Birth Course

Explore our prep for birth courses: https://mamastefit.com/prenatal-support
3rd Trimester Specific Prep Courses: https://mamastefit.com/fitness-programs/third-trimester/

-------
Freebies to Support Your Postpartum:
📩 Join our free early postpartum recovery course: https://mamastefit.com/freebies/early-postpartum-recovery/

—-
Recover after birth and return to fitness with MamasteFit: https://mamastefit.com/fitness-programs/postpartum/

💻 Postpartum Education Courses
🏋🏻‍♀️ Postpartum Fitness Programs

——

Follow Us on IG at https://instagram.com/mamastefit

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, Gina shares her experience running the 2026 Walt Disney World Goofy Challenge, which involves completing a half marathon followed by a full marathon the next day! She details the motivation behind participating in the event and the unique medals awarded for completing both races. Gina discusses her training journey, the unexpected circumstances with her sister's pregnancy, and how life events impacted her preparation. As a perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula, Gina also provides insights into balancing marathon preparations with breastfeeding and family commitments. She talks about the logistical aspects of the race, including the importance of proper nutrition, hydration, and gear. Additionally, Gina recounts the support and camaraderie she felt from fellow runners and the unique atmosphere of Disney races. Finally, she reflects on the importance of being prepared and shares future plans for races and personal fitness goals.

Amazon marathon/recovery items: https://amzn.to/4q5PciV
CINCOM Leg Compression: https://amzn.to/4k1famk
Theragun https://amzn.to/3NCWZaw

Run outfits Etsy page https://www.etsy.com/market/run_sew_sweet 
Bounding braids https://boundingbraids.sikbraids.com/ 
(2) RunDisney Hair | Facebook 
Free military Disney guide 
Running program https://mamastefit.com/fitness-programs/postpartum-running-program/ 

00:00 Introduction
00:34 Race Preparation and Challenges
04:28 Training and Proof of Time
07:37 Disney Marathon Logistics and Military Discounts
11:32 Race Day: Half Marathon Experience
22:25 Planning the Marathon Day
22:49 Race Day Morning Routine
23:12 Running as the Queen of Hearts
23:41 Character Stops and Pace Strategy
25:28 Navigating the Marathon Route
26:34 Reaching the Everest Ride
27:50 Family Coordination and Star Wars Themed Section
29:00 Final Miles and Finish Line
31:24 Post-Race Reflections and Recovery
36:54 Balancing Breastfeeding and Racing
39:09 Running Gear and Hydration Tips
41:10 MamasteFit Programs and Future Plans
43:57 Lessons Learned and Future Races

————
Get Your Copy of Training for Two on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VOTdwH

📧 Download our free birth prep circuit guide with six exercises to prepare your body for birth: https://mamastefit.com/freebies/prepare-for-birth-circuit/

Prepare for your birth with MamasteFit:

💻 Online Childbirth Education Courses
🏋🏻‍♀️ Online Prenatal Fitness Programming
🧘‍♀️ Prepare Your Pelvic Floor for Birth Course

Explore our prep for birth courses: https://mamastefit.com/prenatal-support
3rd Trimester Specific Prep Courses: https://mamastefit.com/fitness-programs/third-trimester/

-------
Freebies to Support Your Postpartum:
📩 Join our free early postpartum recovery course: https://mamastefit.com/freebies/early-postpartum-recovery/

—-
Recover after birth and return to fitness with MamasteFit: https://mamastefit.com/fitness-programs/postpartum/

💻 Postpartum Education Courses
🏋🏻‍♀️ Postpartum Fitness Programs

Join Roxanne, a certified nurse midwife and former labor nurse as she demystifies fetal monitoring. Roxanne delves into continuous and intermittent fetal heart rate monitoring, discussing their history, benefits, limitations, and appropriate use for both high and low-risk pregnancies. Learn about categories of fetal heart tracings, how they influence labor decisions, and the importance of shared decision-making in choosing the right monitoring method for you. Whether you're expecting, a birth professional, or just curious, this comprehensive guide will empower you with essential insights on fetal monitoring!

00:00 Introduction to Fetal Monitoring
00:17 Meet Your Hosts
01:08 Understanding Continuous Fetal Monitoring
05:26 History and Evolution of Fetal Monitoring
08:24 Intermittent Auscultation Explained
13:01 Comparing Continuous and Intermittent Monitoring
14:45 Shared Decision Making in Fetal Monitoring
19:11 Conclusion and Resources