The Birth Lounge Podcast

In this episode, HeHe sits down with Fahti, the powerhouse creator behind the Nella Speculum, to talk about something long overdue in women’s healthcare… a speculum that doesn’t feel like a medieval torture device. Yes, finally. Fahti shares the story behind redesigning one of the most dreaded tools in gynecology and turning it into something that’s temperature-neutral, gentler, and actually built with patient comfort in mind. They dive into the real issues facing people during pelvic exams, how advocacy is reshaping the landscape, and why we should all expect better tools and better treatment. You’ll hear about the design process, clinical feedback from both patients and providers, and how the Nella Comfort Kit is giving folks the option to bring their own speculum into appointments. They also unpack the recent TikTok controversy that highlighted major trust issues in women’s health care — and how innovations like the Nella can help rebuild that trust. If you’ve ever braced yourself during an exam or wished the system cared more about your comfort, this conversation is going to feel refreshing, validating, and deeply empowering. Tune in to learn how the Nella Speculum is changing the future of gynecological care, one thoughtful design choice at a time. Guest Bio: Fahti is the Founder of Ceek Women's Health - the first company to develop and launch a modern comfortable speculum for women. Learn more about the Nell and Ceek Women’s Health here: https://www.nellaspec.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram  Check out Nella Speculum on Instagram   BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere. And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor. 2026 is calling! 📞 Ready to understand your cycle? Tempdrop just brought back their 25% off sale and my code AFHEHE stacks for a total of 40% OFF! 🎁 Sale starts Today!. Don't miss out!   LINKS MENTIONED: You can see the inappropriate reel Hehe was talking about here.

In this episode, HeHe sits down with Dr. Sophia Johnson to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood topics in postpartum recovery: placentophagy. Together, they dig into the science, the cultural traditions, and the ancient wisdom behind consuming the placenta… a practice that’s been normalized around the world long before Western medicine ever tried to dismiss it. Dr. Sophia breaks down what we actually know about placenta encapsulation, why so many parents report better mood, energy, and hormonal balance, and how oxytocin and postpartum hormone shifts come into play. You’ll also hear practical tips for handling and preparing placenta safely, plus a look at why these rituals hold such deep meaning across cultures — and why the traditional medical system still struggles to acknowledge the value of them. If you’re curious about the real role the placenta plays in healing after birth, this conversation is rich, grounding, and packed with the kind of nuance you won’t hear anywhere else. Tune in and let this episode expand what you thought you knew about postpartum recovery.   Guest Bio: Dr. Sophia Johnson studied human medicine at the University of Witten/Herdecke. During her studies, she expanded my training and took part in the university curriculum for Chinese medicine and Anthroposophic medicine. Since 2014, she has been working as a researcher and completed my doctorate at the Placenta Laboratory at Jena University Hospital.She works in an outpatient practice specializing in integrative women's medicine.   Connect with Dr. Sophia: https://sophia-johnson.de/en/ SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram  Connect with Dr. Sophia on IG    BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere. And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor.

Join HeHe and Alex from Baby Led Weaning Academy as they take the confusion out of starting solids and bring you back to what’s actually normal for babies. This conversation walks you through true readiness signs, how to tell the difference between gagging and choking, and what to do with the very real fears around allergies. HeHe and Alex gently debunk the myths that make starting solids feel scarier than it needs to be, while reminding you that your baby’s instincts matter. You’ll hear how BLW and purees can work together, how to follow your baby’s lead with confidence, and what a safe, calm introduction to food really looks like. This episode is packed with practical tips and grounded wisdom to support your BLW journey from the very first bite.   Guest Bio: Alex King is a postpartum doula and baby-led weaning specialist who helps parents approach starting solids with calm, confidence, and trust. Through Baby-Led Weaning Academy, she supports families in honoring their baby’s cues and development—making feeding a joyful, connected experience instead of an overwhelming one. With her doula background and lived experience weaning three foster babies, Alex brings heart, real-life wisdom, and a deep respect for both baby and parent to every conversation. SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram  Connect with Alex on IG    BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere. And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor.   LINKS MENTIONED: babyledweaningacademy.com babyledweaningacademy.com/podcast babyledweaningacademy.com/registry-guide Use code  monthhehefree to try out a free month in Baby Led Weaning Academy: babyledweaningacademy.com/club EZPZ straw cup: use code  BLWAcademy Check out https://bapronbaby.com/ and use code BLWACADEMY10 to save 10%  Catch Alex on DoulaTok  CPR course: https://courses.thrivetraininginstitute.com/courses/cpr-aed?ref=084849 HEHE10 for 10% off, making the course only $15 with their current sale 75% off sale. (alexis FYI, they promote this as a sale but its been 75% off for like a year, 😂)

Ep. 407: Re-air-Setting Yourself Up for Breastfeeding Success with Brianne Taggart  Today we're bringing back one of the most loved breastfeeding episodes inside The Birth Lounge, because honestly… this conversation is too good to live in the archives. If you’re preparing for breastfeeding or already navigating those early days, this re-air is going to hit differently the second (or third!) time around. Lactation expert and IBCLC Brianne Taggart joins HeHe to dig into what truly sets you up for feeding success: protecting your mental health, grounding yourself in evidence-based lactation education, and knowing what’s normal so you’re not second-guessing every feed. Together, they lovingly bust the biggest breastfeeding myths, walk you through why colostrum is absolute gold, and break down how to follow your baby’s lead with confidence. You’ll learn what tools are actually helpful, how partners can show up as real support, and how to steer clear of the endless bad advice circulating online. Brianne brings her calming, clear, deeply supportive expertise — and whether it's your first time hearing this episode or a much-needed refresher, you’ll walk away feeling prepared, empowered, and rooted in what matters most.   Guest Bio: Brianne Taggart is a mother of three, a Registered Nurse, IBCLC Lactation Consultant, childbirth educator and Certified Educator of Infant Massage.  She loves teaching and empowering families about all things babies, boobs and breastfeeding. She understands firsthand how rocky the road into parenthood can be, so she likes to make that transition as smooth as possible for the families she teaches.  Follow Bri on Insta for quick tips and tricks @breezy__babies and at www.breezybabies.com to see the products she offers. SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram  Connect with Brianne on IG    BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere. And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor.   LINKS MENTIONED: https://breezybabies.com/   Listen to the original episode: https://podcast.thebirthlounge.com/e/ep-172-setting-yourself-up-for-breastfeeding-success-with-brianne-taggart/

In this episode, HeHe welcomes Kassi to discuss the vital role doulas can play in lactation support. The conversation touches on the misconceptions about doulas' scope in providing lactation advice, Kassi's journey from a community clinic to becoming an IBCLC, and the importance of prenatal lactation education. They explore how doulas, with proper training, can address new parents' needs, identify red flags, and refer to IBCLCs when necessary. The episode delves into practical advice on breastfeeding, pumping, and supporting new mothers, highlighting the collaborative benefits when doulas and lactation consultants work together. Kassi also introduces her 'Bridge' program, designed to empower doulas with advanced lactation support skills. This comprehensive discussion aims to enhance breastfeeding success and maternal well-being by fostering a cohesive care approach. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:09 The Role of Doulas in Lactation Support 01:36 Personal Journey into Doula and Lactation Work 03:48 Challenges in Prenatal Lactation Education 06:05 Lactation Support in Hospitals 07:51 Insurance Coverage for Lactation Support 09:32 Educating Families Prenatally 16:19 Recognizing Red Flags in Lactation 19:01 Nipple Pain and Damage 23:53 Pumping Guidance for New Mothers 26:14 Understanding the Roles in Breastfeeding Support 26:55 Navigating the Scope of Doula Support 28:21 The Gray Area of Clinical Support 31:58 Diverse Advice in Lactation Support 35:17 The Importance of Standardized Lactation Education 39:14 The Role of Pediatricians in Lactation Support 46:29 Introducing the Bridge Program for Doulas 50:32 How to Join the Bridge Program   Guest Bio: Kassi Reyes: IBCLC, RN, Doula, Clinical Educator, and Mamá + your go-to person for real-world lactation tools. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and passionate about helping birthworkers gain real-world lactation skills, because I believe they’re the missing puzzle piece in helping families feel confident and supported on their feeding journeys. When Kassi’s not working, you’ll probably find her with a cup of coffee, chasing my toddler, practicing yoga, or exploring the outdoors. Connect with Kassi: https://www.kassireyes.com/apply https://www.kassireyes.com/training Free Lactation Guide for Perinatal Professionals - Answers to the Top 10 Feeding Questions your Clients will ask: https://www.kassireyes.com/guide SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram  Connect with Kassi on IG  Connect with Kassi on YouTube   BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere. And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor. LINKS MENTIONED: Get 10% off Silverettes to support your breastfeeding journey with code HEHE   Check out Kassi on HeHe's DoulaTok here!