Ep. 309: Navigating Unnecessary Interventions in Birth with Lisa Villani

Ep. 309: Navigating Unnecessary Interventions in Birth with Lisa Villani

Author: HeHe Stewart January 8, 2025 Duration: 1:07:25
In this episode of the Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe and Lisa Villani, founder of Empowered Birth Coaching, dive into the significance of prenatal tests and interventions during pregnancy. They discuss first-trimester genetic screening, gestational diabetes testing options, and the controversy around routine ultrasounds. Lisa shares her expertise on how to make informed decisions about these procedures, emphasizing the importance of understanding your options and advocating for your preferences. Tune in to gain valuable insights on managing prenatal care and preparing for a confident birth experience.   Defining Unnecessary Interventions First Trimester Tests and Genetic Screening Gestational Diabetes Screening Options The Controversy of Routine Ultrasounds Cervical Checks: What You Need to Know Understanding Cervical Exams The Importance of Bishop Score Preterm Labor and Cervical Checks Consent and Body Autonomy Making Informed Decisions Navigating IV Fluids During Labor The Debate on Birthing Positions Empowering Your Birth Experience   Guest Bio: Lisa is an ICF-certified Pregnancy Coach & Doula Mentor. Lisa empowers women to advocate for themselves and navigate the medical system with confidence by helping mothers connect with dedicated doulas. She has made it her mission to amplify the voices of women and birth workers alike so that mothers have the support they deserve! You can find her on IG as @loudmouthdoula or tune into Loud Mouth Doula podcast!   SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on IG Connect with HeHe on YouTube   Connect with Lisa on IG    BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!   Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!   LINKS MENTIONED: Freebie for doulas: 3 Must-Ask questions for a killer consultation for doulas: www.empoweredbirthcoaching.com/3questions    Fierce Mama Circle online community for pregnant and postpartum mothers: www.empoweredbirthcoaching.com/circle Use code BIRTHLOUNGE for 1 month free in Fierce Mama Circle  

Hosted by birth and newborn expert HeHe Stewart, The Birth Lounge Podcast creates a thoughtful conversation around the many paths through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. This podcast moves beyond simplistic advice to explore the wide spectrum of normal experiences, offering evidence-based insights alongside real stories from parents. HeHe, who founded Tranquility by HeHe Maternity Concierge, guides these discussions with a blend of professional knowledge and deep empathy, aiming to demystify the process and empower your choices. Each episode serves as a gathering place-a safe space where clinical expertise meets lived experience, covering topics that span education, family dynamics, physical fitness, holistic health, and parenting young children. You’ll find a supportive resource here, one that acknowledges the variables and nuances of bringing a child into the world and navigating the postpartum chapter. Tune in for honest dialogues that honor different perspectives, providing companionship and reliable information for your own journey. The goal is to leave you feeling more prepared, less alone, and confident in your unique path through parenthood, all within the supportive community of this podcast.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 432

The Birth Lounge Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 125: Friday Free Talk: Why Your Baby's Position Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:46
Your baby’s positions matters so much when it comes to your labor and delivery. A baby that is engaged in the right position can lead to a shorter labor, less painful labor, less back labor, and reduce the risk of tearin…
Ep. 123: Friday Free Talk: Birth Trauma is *NOT* Normal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:00
It irks me to pieces when someone says, "birth trauma is totally normal." No, it's not. In this episode, I am breaking down exactly why perpetuating the idea that birth trauma is normal is not only very dangerous, but al…
Ep. 122: Inclusion in Women's Health  with Olivia Chisholm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:48
Olivia Chisolm is a dear friend of mine and joins me today to chat about inclusion (or lack there of) in women’s health. She is the Founder of To Live In Color and serves as an Inclusion Consultant that supports small bu…
Ep. 121: Friday Free Talk: The Positive Side of Coronavirus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:30
Coronavirus has caused some definite headaches in 2020, but I would like to highlight a few positive changes that I’ve witnessed come about in the birth world due to this global pandemic. Not everything is doom and gloom…
Ep. 120: Being Your Own Advocate with Ali Levine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:44
HeHe is the queen of saying “Be an Educator Consumer” when it comes to your heathcare and, particularly, your birth. Today, HeHe is joined by celebrity personality and stylist, Ali Levine, to discuss how to be an informe…
Ep 119: Friday Free Talk, The SNOO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:18
Did you hear there is a FDA approved IV infusion treatment for postpartum depression? 1 in 9 women suffer from postpartum depression (1). This could be a game changer for so many women. It’s called Zulresso! But what if…
Ep. 118: What is medical Manipulation? with Olivia Friel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:34
No one expects medical manipulation to happen during birth, but what are you supposed to do if you find yourself feeling manipulated during or after birth? How can we protect ourselves against being manipulated by the me…
Ep. 117: Friday Free Talk, How to Calm a Fussy Baby [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:06
A fussy baby is hard. Most of the time, you’re both crying! I’ve been there, too! A crying baby seems to escalate everything so I’m sharing the best tips to calming a fussy baby! I can’t take credit for the method, but I…
Ep. 116: Redefining Self-Love with Kimmay Caldwell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:39
This episode is redefining beauty! Kimmay Caldwell is a self-love coach and Undergarment educator who supports people to say hurray inside, outside, and underneath™. She is an expert bra fitter with over 14 years of expe…