Navigating Pregnancy: Travel, Sexuality, and Birth Choices

https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/mamanatural

For the last half-century, control over childbirth has been in favor of doctors. Many pregnancy guidebooks are conventional, fear-based, or written by male physicians deeply entrenched in the medical model of birth.

But change is underway. A groundswell of women are taking back their pregnancy and childbirth and embracing a natural way. Genevieve Howland, the woman behind the enormously popular Mama Natural blog and YouTube channel, has created an inspiring, fun, and informative guide that demystifies natural pregnancy and walks mom through the process one week at a time. Her new book, The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth, is the modern (and yet ancient) approach to pregnancy and childbirth. "Natural" recognizes that pregnancy and birth are normal, and that having a baby is a wondrous biological process and rite of passage - not a medical condition. This book draws upon the latest research showing how beneficial and life-changing natural birth is for both babies and moms. Full of weekly advice and tips for a healthy pregnancy, Howland details vital nutrition to take, natural remedies for common and troublesome symptoms, as well as the appropriate (and inappropriate) use of interventions. Peppered throughout are positive birth and pregnancy stories from women of all backgrounds (and all stages of their natural journey) along with advice and insights from a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) plus a Registered Nurse (RN), doula, and lactation consultant. Encouraging, well-researched, and fun, The Mama Natural's Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth will be an essential companion for women everywhere to embrace natural pregnancy and reap all the benefits for both baby and mama. With over 60 million views on her YouTube channel, Genevieve Howland’s funny but informational videos have empowered millions of women to embrace natural pregnancy and parenting. But Genevieve wasn’t always “Mama Natural.” Once upon a time, she was a cigarette smoking junk food junkie. A sugar addict, she was 60 lbs. overweight and her health was in tatters. Through a long road of detox, Genevieve discovered the healing power of real food and natural living. This transformation spread into every area of her life – physical, emotional, and spiritual. Genevieve gave birth to her two children in a birth center supported by a midwife and doula. Today, Genevieve is on a mission to help moms and moms-to-be live happier, healthier lives. Along with her husband Michael, she runs the web’s most popular natural pregnancy blog and YouTube channel. Their work has been featured on Dr. Oz, ABC News, The Daily Mail, and more.

During our discussion, you'll discover:

-Whether you can really eat chocolate and drink coffee when you're pregnant (you'll be surprised at the answer)...[15:30 & 17:45]

-Whether new moms really need to be eating for two (and if there some more precise way to figure out how many calories you should be eating)...[19:20]

-Why Genevieve drank raw milk while she was pregnant...[23:50]

-If you find out your pregnant one of the very first things that you should do to ensure that your home or body or not a toxic place for a baby…[25:30]

-The surprising truth about the accuracy of home pregnancy tests...[31:00]

-Whether it is really true that if you exercise while you're pregnant you will have a smarter baby...[33:45]

-The best stretches or moves to prepare a woman's body to give birth...[41:30]

-One of the best teas to drink for uterine health while pregnant (and some of Genevieve's top natural remedies for morning sickness)...[43:20 & 45:25]

-How a new mom should treat smart technology like phones, computers and ultrasounds to protect a growing baby…[49:40]

-The link between pregnancy, airplanes, flying and miscarriage...[54:45]

-The intriguing evidence about having sex while pregnant (and one thing you definitely shouldn't do during pregnancy sex)…[57:50]

-What Genevieve thinks about the concept of eating the placenta...[59:55]

-How to mitigate the damaging effects of a C-section (and natural C-section alternatives)...[63:00]

-What to expect in the child birthing industry five to ten years from now...[73:00]

-And much more!

Resources from this episode: -The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth -63 Cups Of Coffee A Day & More: Five Simple Things You Can Do to Live a Longer, Healthier Life. -DirectLabs for home pregnancy test (blood HCG) -Podcast: What Is A Good Pregnancy Exercise Routine? -Organic red raspberry leaf tea -My interview with Urban Moonshine about digestive bitters -NES Health interview with Dr. Wendy Myers -Belly Armor for EMF protection while protection -HARApad Laptop Anti-Radiation Pad, Cell Phone Shield and iPad Anti-Radiation Shield -The Darker Side Of Hypermobility

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Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for Genevieve or me? Leave your comments at BenGreenfieldFitness.com and one of us will reply!

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