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
71: Gut Health 101 with Liz Bane [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:35
HeHe is flipping the script on this one. Gut health seemingly has nothing to do with pregnancy and birth, but it's much bigger underneath the surface. Your gut health is one the crucial building blocks to you overall hea…
70: Friday Free Talk: My IUD Horror Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:32
In the spirit of halloween, I’m sharing one of my very own medical horror stories. In July 2017, I made the decision to get the copper IUD. I had no idea the pain and trauma that would follow. I have used this story as f…
69: Communicating During Pregnancy with Amanda Houle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:24
Today, HeHe is chatting with Amanda Houle, Designer Nanny and Parenting Guru to explore just what you should be talking about with your partner before your baby gets here. We pay so much attention to the birth, but have…
68: Friday Free Talk: Morning Sickness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:00
In this episode, HeHe share what you need to know about morning sickness, why it may be a good thing, what causes it, and numbeorus remedies you can try! From changing the way you think about a midnight snack to finding…
67: Using Food to Fuel Your Fertility with Elizabeth Raybould [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:15
#InfertilityWarriors, this one goes out to yal! If you have tried all the things in all the way from all the experts, this episode will speak right to your heart. I snagged Elizabeth Raybould from Fuel Goodness to chat a…
66: Friday Free Talk: How the Seasons Impact Human Behavior and Birth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:00
Today’s episode is all about how the seasons impact humans! Turns out, the teachers who say the moon controls the children and can make them maniacs are right! I am sharing what I discovered about the seasons and the rol…
65: Chiropractic Care Can Change Your Life with Dr. Lizzie Sobel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:33
Today, HeHe is sitting down with Dr. Lizzie Sobel, Founder of Wholesome Healing Chiropractic. We are chatting into the benefits of chiro-care during pregnancy, to prepare for childbirth, for postpartum healing, to suppor…
64: Friday Free Talk: My Harvard Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:59
Today's episode is somewhat of a bonus episode to give a real #bts (behind the scenes) glance of TBH. HeHe was asked by a student at Harvard for an interview to help with research for her Senior Thesis. This is an edited…
63: Free birthing with Kelley Tejada [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:20
In this episode, HeHe is chatting all about freebirthing! Kelley is sharing her story of courage and having her baby at her, trusting only her body, baby, and insticts. She has had a few different birth stories and throu…
62: Friday Free Talk: How Important is Your Baby's Name? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:05
Happy Friday! In today's episode, HeHe is diving into picking baby names! There are very interesting thigns connected with your name and this episode is sharing a few like how your name impacts your philanthropic tendenc…