Hear perspectives on all things preconception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum on the Breath & Birth Co. podcast.
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Recent Episodes
In this episode of the Breath & Birth Co podcast, Vanessa shares her personal pregnancy and birth story in detail. Joined by HypnoBirthing® teacher and Birth Doula, Aly Romot, they reflect on Vanessa's labor experience, including her unique challenges and the importance of informed consent. They also touch on key recommendations for navigating pregnancy and birth with confidence and empowerment. Throughout the episode, they reveal the significance of choosing the right care provider and birth setting. The conversation closes on a reflective note about the transformative power of birth work and the enduring bonds formed between doulas and birthing individuals.
Ride the waves of labor with this calming Ocean Wave Visualization meditation. Perfect for pregnancy and early labor, this guided practice helps you trust your body, breathe through contractions, and stay grounded with powerful affirmations. Flow through each wave with confidence, ease, and connection as you prepare for birth.
In this gentle guided meditation, you’ll be invited to connect with your breath, your body, and your baby through the practice of the Golden Thread Breath—a calming tool to help soften and surrender as you prepare for birth. Whether you’re seeking stillness in the midst of a busy day or intentionally carving out time to prepare your mind and body for labor, this 5–10 minute practice offers a moment of grounding, release, and trust.
In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, host Vanessa, a Certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator, speaks with Alyssa Broadwater, a Registered Dietitian specializing in fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum nutrition. Alyssa shares her personal journey into this field, important nutritional aspects for both men and women in preparing for conception, and practical dietary recommendations. Topics include the significance of a good prenatal vitamin, managing conditions like endometriosis and PCOS, and ways male partners can support during the fertility journey. Tune in to gain insights on optimizing health for pregnancy and beyond.
Provider Interviews
In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, host Vanessa, a Certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator, speaks with Alyssa Broadwater, a Registered Dietitian specializing in fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum nutrition. Alyssa shares her personal journey into this field, important nutritional aspects for both men and women in preparing for conception, and practical dietary recommendations. Topics include the significance of a good prenatal vitamin, managing conditions like endometriosis and PCOS, and ways male partners can support during the fertility journey. Tune in to gain insights on optimizing health for pregnancy and beyond.
In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co Podcast, host Vanessa, a hospital-based DONA-certified birth doula, is joined by Daisy Vance, an experienced birth doula and certified breastfeeding counselor from Westerville, Ohio. They explore crucial topics such as the importance of selecting a supportive care provider, the value of prenatal and postpartum support services, and practical tips for making the most of prenatal appointments. Daisy shares her journey into birth work, emphasizing the significance of seeking aligned and supportive care, including recommendations for additional resources like chiropractors, massage therapists, and supportive community groups. Join the conversation to feel informed, supported, and empowered on your pregnancy journey.
In this World Doula Week 2025 episode of the Breath and Birth co podcast, Vanessa welcomes Kelli Blinn, an experienced birth doula and childbirth educator from Columbus, Ohio. Kelli shares her journey into birth work, inspired by her childhood fascination with the pregnant body and childbirth. They discuss the differences between home births and hospital births, emphasizing the importance of advocacy, education, and personalized care in the childbirth process. Kelli highlights the significance of mental health support, the role of partners, and introduces her new self-paced online childbirth education course. The episode underscores the value of being informed and prepared, advocating for oneself, and the profound transformation that childbirth entails for both the birthing person and their partners. Tune in for a rich discussion aimed at empowering and supporting expectant families through their unique birth journeys.
In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, Vanessa introduces Caroline Pitts of Peaceful Doula Care. They discuss Caroline's journey to becoming a doula, the philosophies of Lamaze, and practical advice for expecting mothers. They also address common misconceptions and the importance of postpartum preparation. Listeners are encouraged to engage with childbirth education to feel empowered and supported throughout their pregnancy and birth experiences.
In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, Vanessa, a Certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator, addresses key questions about labor and birth. Vanessa explores essential topics including informed consent, the importance of cervical checks, and what constitutes a Bishop score. She explains your rights throughout the birthing process, stressing the significance of bodily autonomy and informed decision-making. Additionally, Vanessa provides insights into the three crucial measurements taken during a cervical check—dilation, effacement, and station—and how they can affect labor. The episode concludes with a detailed look at the Bishop score and how it can predict the likelihood of a successful induction. Vanessa also highlights the value of comprehensive childbirth education and introduces her online course, 'Metamorphosis'.
In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, host Vanessa, an experienced birth doula and childbirth educator, talks with fellow doula Megan Neal of Birth Your Way about their experiences in the birth support field, including inspirations, challenges, and the importance of advocacy. Megan shares her journey into birth work, misconceptions about labor, and the roles of support partners. They discuss the importance of developing confidence, creating a calm birthing environment, and building a supportive village during pregnancy. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of doulas and other professionals, like pelvic health therapists, in supporting a positive birth experience. Vanessa and Megan offer practical advice for birthing individuals and their partners to feel empowered and informed throughout the pregnancy and birthing process.
Meditations for Pregnancy
Ride the waves of labor with this calming Ocean Wave Visualization meditation. Perfect for pregnancy and early labor, this guided practice helps you trust your body, breathe through contractions, and stay grounded with powerful affirmations. Flow through each wave with confidence, ease, and connection as you prepare for birth.
In this gentle guided meditation, you’ll be invited to connect with your breath, your body, and your baby through the practice of the Golden Thread Breath—a calming tool to help soften and surrender as you prepare for birth. Whether you’re seeking stillness in the midst of a busy day or intentionally carving out time to prepare your mind and body for labor, this 5–10 minute practice offers a moment of grounding, release, and trust.
This calming body scan meditation is designed to help you rest deeply, release tension, and connect with your baby. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply need a quiet moment, this practice invites you to slow down and surrender to your body’s innate wisdom during pregnancy. Together, we’ll gently scan each part of your body—from head to toe—sending gratitude, breath, and trust. You’ll leave this meditation feeling grounded, supported, and connected to the sacred work your body is doing.
In this episode of The Breath and Birth Co Podcast, hospital-based DONA-International Certified Birth Doula Vanessa leads listeners through a calming guided meditation. Tailored for expectant mothers, this meditation focuses on surrendering to the birthing process and trusting your body's natural wisdom. Vanessa provides step-by-step instructions to help you relax, release tension, and build confidence in your body's ability to birth. Tune in to feel supported, informed, and empowered on your pregnancy and birth journey.
In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co podcast, Vanessa, a Certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator, guides listeners through a calming color meditation. This meditation is designed to bring peace, connection, and energy to expectant mothers by visualizing a chosen color. The episode begins with breathing exercises, then leads into the meditation where the color evolves through different imagery and interacts with the body.
In this episode of the Breath and Birth co podcast, Vanessa, a certified birth doula and childbirth educator, guides listeners through a calming meditation inspired by her recent completion of an 85-hour prenatal yoga teacher training. Vanessa shares the details of her new pregnancy retreat called 'Becoming,' aimed at fostering calm, confidence, and connection for expectant mothers. The episode includes a soothing visualization of a butterfly's metamorphosis, encouraging listeners to embrace their own journey of transformation during pregnancy.
Q&A Sessions
In this episode of the Breath and Birth co podcast, Vanessa, a hospital-based, DONA-certified birth doula, and childbirth educator, delves into the topic of endometriosis. She answers common questions about the signs, symptoms, and diagnosis of the disease, and discusses various treatment options, including excision surgery. She also discusses how endometriosis affects pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. Vanessa shares insights from her own 15-year journey to diagnosis and encourages listeners to advocate for themselves. The episode emphasizes the importance of having a supportive care team and the impact of lifestyle adjustments on managing symptoms. For more details, listeners are encouraged to check the show notes and previous podcast Episode 1 Beginning, Middle, Endo and Episode 7 One Good Egg, Perfect Timing, and a Clear Path.
In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, Vanessa, a Certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator, addresses key questions about labor and birth. Vanessa explores essential topics including informed consent, the importance of cervical checks, and what constitutes a Bishop score. She explains your rights throughout the birthing process, stressing the significance of bodily autonomy and informed decision-making. Additionally, Vanessa provides insights into the three crucial measurements taken during a cervical check—dilation, effacement, and station—and how they can affect labor. The episode concludes with a detailed look at the Bishop score and how it can predict the likelihood of a successful induction. Vanessa also highlights the value of comprehensive childbirth education and introduces her online course, 'Metamorphosis'.
In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, Vanessa, a Certified Birth Doula and Certified Childbirth Educator, answers common questions from expecting parents. She provides an explanation on how to find hospital C-section rates, the implications of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) on your care plan, and what to consider if your provider schedules a 39-week induction without proper discussion. Vanessa emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making, discussing the use of the BRAINS acronym to evaluate medical procedures and interventions. Tune in for resources, advice, and encouragement to help you navigate your pregnancy and birth journey.
Vanessa distinguishes between the non-medical support of doulas and the medical care provided by midwives and obstetricians, explaining various midwife credentials. Vanessa also discusses when to head to the hospital during labor, what VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) entails, and stresses the importance of informed decisions and finding the right provider.
Birth Stories
In this episode of the Breath & Birth Co podcast, Vanessa shares her personal pregnancy and birth story in detail. Joined by HypnoBirthing® teacher and Birth Doula, Aly Romot, they reflect on Vanessa's labor experience, including her unique challenges and the importance of informed consent. They also touch on key recommendations for navigating pregnancy and birth with confidence and empowerment. Throughout the episode, they reveal the significance of choosing the right care provider and birth setting. The conversation closes on a reflective note about the transformative power of birth work and the enduring bonds formed between doulas and birthing individuals.
In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, host Vanessa connects with Missy Gallow, a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist and Co-Owner of Misama Physical Therapy in Clintonville, OH. Missy shares her deeply personal and transformative birth stories, including her experiences with a twin birth via elective C-section and her subsequent plans for a home birth after C-section (HBAC). The discussion traverses her struggles with infertility, the intricate decision-making process around birth interventions, and the emotional and physical challenges during her lengthy labor. Missy provides insight into the importance of mental preparation, advocacy, and finding the right support system. Through her story, listeners gain valuable lessons on navigating birth choices, understanding the nuances of medical interventions, and the profound impact of postpartum care.
In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, Brianna and Zak Briggs join us from Iowa. They candidly share their path to parenthood, dealing with infertility and advocating for the right care, ultimately leading to the unmedicated hospital birth of their son, Landon. They discuss the importance of holistic care approaches involving acupuncture, chiropractic care, and extensive childbirth education. Brianna provides insights into labor positions, the impact of partner support, and navigating the postpartum phase. This episode is rich with advice on trusting your intuition, informed consent, and preparing for birth holistically.