Born Free Method: The Podcast

Hermine discusses the tragic incident where the baby died during the home birth and the aftermath that the family and their midwife faced. Hermine argues that home births are treated as a normal healthcare choice in many countries, but in the United States, doctors have the power to make that choice questionable. In this case, the baby did not survive and the doctors called the police on the parents upon arrival at the hospital. The family and their midwife were interrogated and had their homes raided, causing them to go through a traumatic experience. Hermine highlights the double standard between the treatment of home birth midwives versus obstetricians and calls for more integration of home births into the healthcare system.Visit the show notes for more.Learn More & Connect with Hermine Hayes:WebsiteLinkedinIn this episode:[5:00] Women will choose to give birth where they feel safest, regardless of the law.In states where out-of-hospital births are not regulated, they continue to occur.Out-of-hospital birth underground does not change the choice.[14:00] Birthing women have the right to make decisions about their care.Respecting these rights is crucial to avoid coercion and ensure patient autonomy.They have the right to refuse offers of treatment, including cesarean surgery.[23:00] The standard of care for a lay midwife differs from that of an ob-gyn or nurse midwife.Negligent child abuse resulting in death is a specific charge with a legal definition.The term "negligent" can have different meanings in different contexts.[32:00] Even when something doesn't feel right, it can impact women’s ability to make informed decisions.The state may be working to make hospital births the only option, punishing midwives.Informed consent in maternity care has been distorted.[41:00] Women are conditioned to be agreeable, which affects their decision-making process during vulnerable times like childbirth.Detaching from this conditioning can be challenging, but important to do so.Empathy is a valuable trait, and not be taken advantage of in medical situations. [50:00] Medicine, especially in obstetrics, is a privilege that must be approached with respect and empathy.Healthcare providers must examine their actions toward their patients to ensure they are not violating their rights.Healthcare providers should create a culture of informed consent and respect for patients' bodily autonomy.This episode was made possible by:FullWell - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet!BIRTHFIT - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community!BiOptimizers - code BELOVED for 10% off the only sleep aid you'll ever need! Get full access to Born Free Method: The Podcast at nathanrileyobgyn.substack.com/subscribe

Sara Rosser, CPM, farm midwife, dear friend, incredible mother and wife...and badass birthkeeper is on the show! We are going to give you all the details on our upcoming Born Free Method course!We have both always been dissatisfied with the conventional maternity model but ALSO the available childbirth education courses...so we decided to build our own.We started with risks, benefits, alternatives to every intervention under the sun (including vaccines, ultrasound, vitamin K, TOLAC...everything), then we felt compelled to include radical responsibility, bioethics, and informed consent, then we felt the course needed a history of midwifery and women healers...and that still wasn't enough. We added lifestyle medicine and health optimization, detoxification, a whole unit for dads, a whole unit on cannabis, psychedelics, and other drug use. We then added in all of the typical attributes of childbirth education, such as coping, breathing, connecting to the baby...sprinkled in some exercises, meditations, and a bunch of other incredible resources, and BAM! The Born Free Method emerged!The course is self-guided, and it'll take you 8 weeks to complete. Purchase includes 12 months of weekly calls with me and Sara so that you feel completely supported in your pregnancy and postpartum transition.The waitlist closes in a week or so, so go jump on and book a call with us if you're interested: www.bornfreemethod.com .This is the lowest cost that you'll ever be able to buy the course, and you get lifetime access. It's for pregnant people, their spouses, and birthworkers...let's fucking go! Get full access to Born Free Method: The Podcast at nathanrileyobgyn.substack.com/subscribe

Kyle Kingsbury is a retired mixed martial artist, husband, father of two children, and a Fit For Service facilitator who helps individuals reach their full potential. He is also a former Chief Optimization Officer at Onnit and has the same mentor as Paul Chek, founder of the CHEK Institute. Kyle and his wife Natasha opted for natural birth and avoided unnecessary ultrasounds for their first child's delivery despite being in a hospital setting. Kyle emphasizes the importance of having a solid support system, including a doula, midwife, and experienced family members present during childbirth.Kyle acknowledges the challenges of the early weeks of fatherhood, including the constant demands of caring for a newborn, lack of sleep, and feeling overwhelmed. He shares the importance of caring for oneself to be a better father and partner and the lessons he learned about balance and patience. Kyle's experience as a new father has been transformative. The family initially struggled with sleep-training their first child, Bear, and decided to sleep with him, which helped them bond but was challenging for the first six weeks. Kyle's journey towards finding a balance between ancestral living and modern science led him to discover O Dil, a prescription that allowed him to work, spend time with his son, and maintain his health. This newfound balance led him to start podcasting and move his family to Vegas through a series of synchronicities.Visit the show notes for more.Learn More & Connect with Kyle Kingsbury:WebsitePodcastInstagramTwitterIn this episode:[00:03:00] Kyle and Natasha have been together for 12 years and took their time to have kids.Plant medicine played a significant role in their decision to have a child.Kyle was initially afraid of becoming a dad due to his own upbringing. There's no perfect time to have a kid.[00:14:00] Men have an important role in supporting their partner during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and should be involved as much as possible.Natasha had a hospital birth which was not ideal.Having a support system, such as a doula, midwife, and family members, is truly helpful during this time.[00:24:00] Pregnant women should be celebrated for their strength and beauty.Having sex with a pregnant wife can be an incredible experience.Female orgasms during pregnancy can have a positive impact on the baby's development through epigenetics.[00:33:00] Kyle’s family has a unique sleeping arrangement with multiple comfortable options.Kyle advocates for co-sleeping with children as it’s a beautiful way to start the journey into parenting.Kyle talks about the complexity of his relationship with Tosh and the birth of Wolf.[00:45:00] The purpose of the open relationship for Kyle and Natasha was to increase their... Get full access to Born Free Method: The Podcast at nathanrileyobgyn.substack.com/subscribe

The practice of vaginal steaming, also known as pelvic steaming, yoni steaming, or herbal steam, has been around for centuries and is gaining popularity again. Keli Garza is an expert on vaginal steaming, its practice's history, and its benefits. The practice involves sitting over steaming water infused with herbs, which is believed to improve circulation and provide various health benefits. While there are no scientific studies to support the claims, the practice has been used as an alternative form of self-care and midwifery care. Its popularity has surged in recent years, with celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow promoting it.Vaginal steaming is the least invasive and lowest-risk intervention compared to other medical procedures. The historical accounts of gynecological remedies, such as Tra, a book written by the first female physician in Europe, involved vaginal steaming. Women's contributions to medicine have often been overlooked throughout history, as highlighted by Keli Garza. It was not until the late 19th century that a law had to be passed to include women in medical studies. Women who did attend medical school were often ridiculed and discouraged from pursuing surgical specialties. The Crimean War helped create an environment where women had a place in medicine, but only as nurses who took orders from doctors.Visit the show notes for moreLearn More & Connect with Keli Garza:WebsiteInstagramKeli's OfferIn this episode:[00:02:00] Vaginal steaming, pelvic steaming, or yoni steaming involves sitting over steaming water with herbs to increase circulation and provide health benefits.Used traditionally for self-care and midwifery care and is sometimes considered a form of gynecology to treat various gynecological issues.Despite concerns about safety, if done appropriately vaginal steaming is considered low-risk and has been reported to provide relief for conditions such as cervical dysplasia, chronic UTIs, bad bacterial vaginosis, fibroids, and endometriosis.[00:06:00] Steaming has been used throughout history for gynecological remedies, including in European and Chinese history, as well as by midwives and women's home remedies.Gynecology has shifted to a surgery-based practice for hundreds of years until the present time.Women healers have long used these types of practices, but modern medicine has become overly reliant on pharmaceuticals and surgery.[00:19:00] A study would find measurable differences in prostate size after steaming.Society may undervalue women's quality of life and women's health concerns.People are paying for vaginal steaming out of their own pockets is a testament to the positive effects it has on their quality of life.[00:40:00] Providing a safe and comforting environment through pelvic steaming can release natural oxytocin, which can prevent interventions and improve maternal mortality rates.Oxytocin is a vital hormone in the body, responsible for various tasks, including causing surges during labor, resulting in the fetal ejection reflex and milk letdown reflex. Get full access to Born Free Method: The Podcast at nathanrileyobgyn.substack.com/subscribe

Exercise is like a silver bullet for various things that go wrong around birth. It's been clinically demonstrated to reduce the risk of complications in pregnancy, speed up postpartum recovery, and decrease the likelihood of postpartum depression. Yet, as a culture, we only see exercise as a way of losing weight and getting abs.Dr. Lindsey M. Cantu, founder of BIRTHFIT™ joins us to talk about exercise myths during pregnancy, the crucial role that fitness plays in your birth and recovery, whether you can be too fit for birth, the BIRTHFIT approach to preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum training, how you can get started even if you’re new to fitness, and more. Enjoy the episode!(00:10:18) The Origin of BIRTHFIT(00:18:31) Training for Birth(00:30:43) The Brain-Body Connection(00:42:11) Customizing Your Experience(00:47:33) Autonomy in BirthVisit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/podcast/116Made possible by:FullWell - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet!BIRTHFIT - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community!Immune Intel AHCC - code BELOVED10 for 10% off their incredible immune-boosting product to clear HPV from your body!BiOptimizers - code BELOVED for 10% off the only sleep aid you'll ever need!Organifi - code BELOVED for 20% off their Glow blend!Learn More & Connect with Lindsey and BirthFitWebsite: BirthFit.comInstagram: @BIRTHFITYouTube: BIRTHFITConnect with meInstagram @nathanrileyobgynTikTok @nathanrileyobgynBeloved Holistics ShopMedical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5 Get full access to Born Free Method: The Podcast at nathanrileyobgyn.substack.com/subscribe

“If the foreskin is so insignificant, why the obsession with cutting it off?” - Georganne ChapinThere’s no argument that cutting a healthy normal body part off a child is okay. Yet, that’s exactly what we’re doing to countless newborn boys every single day. The burden of evidence lies with those who wish to deviate from nature. Today I’m joined by Georganne Chapin, founder of Intact America, to talk about the lack of evidence on the benefits of circumcision, the vital role of the foreskin, how circumcisions have been allowed to proceed despite breaking multiple bioethics principles, the impact of infant circumcision on adult men, and more. Enjoy the episode!(00:08:19) Male Child Genital Cutting(00:16:13) Consequences(00:26:07) Critics & Allies(00:38:35) Lack of Evidence(00:47:55) Why Foreskin Matters(00:53:48) Advocacy & ResourcesVisit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/115Made possible by:FullWell - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet!BIRTHFIT - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community!BiOptimizers - code BELOVED for 10% off the only sleep aid you'll ever need!Organifi - code BELOVED for 20% off their Glow blend!Learn More & Connect with Georganne ChapinWebsite | IntactAmerica.orgInstagram @IntactAmericaFacebook | Intact AmericaTwitter @IntactAmericaConnect with meInstagram @nathanrileyobgynTikTok @nathanrileyobgynBeloved Holistics ShopMedical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theholisticobgyn/message Get full access to Born Free Method: The Podcast at nathanrileyobgyn.substack.com/subscribe

As an OBGYN in an allopathic medical model, you’re doing incredible sacred work but constrained by rules, regulations, policies, and procedures that prevent us from prioritizing the people most matter.Practicing home birth doctor, Stu Fischbein, MD joins me to talk about what informed consent should look like, the ridiculous number of C-sections being performed in the United States, how the midwifery model of care has been vilified, the increasing focus on fear around birth, and how practitioners can upskill so they can better support their clients. Stu is a rare breed, and I'm super grateful to bring this one to you. Enjoy the episode!(00:13:57) Misrepresentation of the Facts(00:27:26) The Midwifery Model of Care(00:37:13) Changing Birthing Culture(00:50:04) The Deskilling of Birth Attendants(01:06:54) Rethinking the Delivery of TwinsVisit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/114Made possible by:FullWell - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet!BIRTHFIT - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community!Immune Intel AHCC - code BELOVED10 for 10% off their incredible immune-boosting product to clear HPV from your body!BiOptimizers - code BELOVED for 10% off the only sleep aid you'll ever need!Organifi - code BELOVED for 20% off their Glow blend!Learn More & Connect with Stu Fischbein, MDWebsite | BirthingInstincts.comPodcast | Birthing InstinctsInstagram @BirthingInstinctsWork with Dr. Stu FischbeinConnect with meInstagram @nathanrileyobgynTikTok @nathanrileyobgynBeloved Holistics ShopMedical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5--- Send in a voice message:... Get full access to Born Free Method: The Podcast at nathanrileyobgyn.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Tracey Vogel is a practicing obstetric anesthesiologist in Western Pennsylvania known for her compassionate care. I was lucky enough to rotate with Tracey as a medical student, and I learned so much from her, both from a medical perspective and about how we can go beyond that to really help birthing people feel comfortable and safe in their most vulnerable moments.In this conversation, we discuss birth trauma not just from the perspective of obstetric violence or non-consensual practices but also from the experiences of women who feel unseen or unheard during childbirth. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on birth trauma and trauma-informed care. I think you're going to love this conversation.(00:12:04) Birth Trauma(00:19:48) The Ultimate Customer Service(00:26:15) Trauma-Informed Care(00:31:43) Trauma Interventions(00:41:31) Healing Through Birth(00:46:58) The Future of BirthVisit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/113Made possible by:FullWell - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet!BIRTHFIT - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community!Immune Intel AHCC - code BELOVED10 for 10% off their incredible immune-boosting product to clear HPV from your body!BiOptimizers - code BELOVED for 10% off the only sleep aid you'll ever need!Organifi - code BELOVED for 20% off their Glow blend!Learn More & Connect with Tracey Vogel, MDWebsite | TheEmpowermentEquation.comCall the Clinic at Allegheny Health Network at 412-526-9520Connect with meInstagram @nathanrileyobgynTikTok @nathanrileyobgynBeloved Holistics ShopMedical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theholisticobgyn/message Get full access to Born Free Method: The Podcast at nathanrileyobgyn.substack.com/subscribe

Despite what social media and even some medical professionals will say, pregnancy doesn’t mean an automatic loss of strength and physical fitness. Today’s guest, Erika Harper, is proof of that.Erika is a lifelong athlete who has maintained her strength and fitness through two major surgeries to remove uterine fibroids and two pregnancies and C-sections. In this conversation, Erika and I talk about her birth stories, what it takes to retain your autonomy throughout pregnancy, the difference between movement for fitness and aesthetics, how meditative work helped her through her pregnancies, rekindling intimacy in the postpartum period, and more. As a yogi, speaker, mental health counselor, and sex therapist, Erika brings a unique perspective to the pregnancy and postpartum conversation, and I know you’ll enjoy this episode.(00:10:06) Showing What’s Possible(00:13:06) Respecting the Process(00:29:27) Observing the Observer(00:42:54) Optimizing Recovery(00:57:50) Black Women’s Healthcare(01:09:45) Birth TraumaVisit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/112Made possible by:FullWell - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet!BIRTHFIT - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community!BiOptimizers - code BELOVED for 10% off the only sleep aid you'll ever need!Organifi - code BELOVED for 20% off their Glow blend!Learn More & Connect with Erika HarperInstagram @HarperErika7Website | ErikaHarperYoga.comBook | Fearless Gumba & Sweet Pea Snorty Magee: Shades of BlackConnect with meInstagram @nathanrileyobgynTikTok @nathanrileyobgynBeloved Holistics ShopMedical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theholisticobgyn/message Get full access to Born Free Method: The Podcast at nathanrileyobgyn.substack.com/subscribe

It’s a fallacy to think of ourselves as separate from nature. Becoming a parent creates a massive shift in consciousness, and integrating that transformation is essential to embracing it, learning from it, and fully embodying it. One of the ways we can facilitate this integration is through plant medicine.Maestro Medico Vegetalista Hamilton Souther shares his exceptionally insightful perspective on plant medicine and our connection with nature. In this conversation, we talk about the stark difference between traditional plant medicine training and Western psychedelic culture, connecting with your baby's spirit, releasing birth trauma and generational trauma, the deep and personal work facilitated when you truly connect with nature, and more.(00:12:34) The Role of Traditional Plant Medicine(00:25:44) The Guide’s Role(00:29:54) Rites of Passage(00:48:54) Our War Against Nature(01:03:52) An Experience of Opening and Awakening(01:12:58) The Role of Intention SettingVisit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/111Made possible by:FullWell - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet!BIRTHFIT - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community!Immune Intel AHCC - code BELOVED10 for 10% off their incredible immune-boosting product to clear HPV from your body!BiOptimizers - code BELOVED for 10% off the only sleep aid you'll ever need!Organifi - code BELOVED for 20% off their Harmony cacao blend!Learn MoreWebsite | BlueMorphoTours.comInstagram @HamiltonSoutherConnect with meInstagram @nathanrileyobgynTikTok @nathanrileyobgynBeloved Holistics ShopMedical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theholisticobgyn/message Get full access to Born Free Method: The Podcast at nathanrileyobgyn.substack.com/subscribe