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
51: Homebirth Midwifery Legislation: Part 1 with Joyce Hunt Kimball [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:09
Today, it's all about birthing at your home! HeHe is chatting with Joyce Hunt-Kimball, a Homebirth Midwife in Massachusetts, about fear-based care in the homebirth world, how safe homebirth really is, what happens when c…
50: Free Talk Friday: Best Apps for New Parents [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:34
Every new parent wants to know apps that can make their life easier, simpler, organized or more structured. "There's an app for that" has never been so relevant. HeHe is sharing her 10 most beloved apps when it comes to…
49: Budgeting for a Baby with Nicole LeGuern [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:18
Today, HeHe is helping you budget for your baby! HeHe is sitting down with Nicole Leguern, a mom of four kids and Financial Planner, to dive deep into our bank accounts! This episode is all about what you should know abo…
48: Free Friday Talk: Packing for Your Birth Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:26
Last week, HeHe shared her tips for packing your birth bag for the hospital or birth center. This week, she shares what SHE brings to births in her ninja-turte-green back pack to each birth. It's not so much about what s…
47:  Eliminating Toxins in Your Home with Bri Pruitt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:17
Today's episode is all about common household toxins and the impacts they have on your health. HeHe is sitting down with Bri Pruitt who has been living a holistic lifestyle and practicing clean-living for nearly a decade…
46: Free Friday Talk:Packing For Your Birth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:55
Packing for your birth experience can be a tantalizing task. Some people have no clue where to start while others feel like they can't possibly prepare enough. Some folks want to pack all the things while some wonder why…
45: Tranquilo Mat with Melissa Gersin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:35
Today, HeHe is chatting with Melissa Gersin, Founder and CEO of Tranquil Mat! This magical baby product is a gently vibrating mat that helps newborns and infants fall asleep, stay asleep, and support self soothing skills…
44: Friday Free Talk: Vaginal Stank [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:08
Today, HeHe is diving into the skittle flavors of you vagina! Dive into what contributes to your personal vaginal odor as well as what can be done to combat the stank during the hot summer months. She is sharing general…
43: Meal Delivery and Organic Eating with Fuel Up TV [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:53
Today's episode features the founders of Fuel Up TV and Fitness Foods. Erika and Tiffany are sister who started a business together then became mothers together. Then, they began to see drastic change when they started t…
42: Free Friday Talk: Instincts and Birth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:02
Today, HeHe talks about how her recent travels down south and spending time with parents led her to dig deeper about who she is as a practitioner. She shares about the things that came up for her when she spent time lear…