The Birth Lounge Podcast

Grab HeHe’s free Low-Tox Baby Registry Guide for the exact products she chose for baby Saggy, plus the reasoning behind every recommendation: thebirthlounge.com/registry

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with certified dog trainer, children's book author, and founder of Dog Meets Baby, Dominika Knossalla-Pado, for a conversation every dog parent needs to hear before bringing home a baby.

We all love the idea of our dog instantly becoming our baby's best friend. But the reality? Safe, successful relationships between dogs and babies don't happen by accident. They happen through preparation, boundaries, and understanding what our dogs are actually communicating.

Dominika shares the personal experience that inspired her work after her own beloved Labrador displayed concerning behavior around her newborn twins. That experience revealed a major gap in education for growing families and sparked her mission to help parents safely navigate life with both dogs and children.

Together, HeHe and Dominika break down the biggest mistakes families make before baby arrives, the common myths that can create unnecessary risk, and the practical skills every dog should have before postpartum begins. They discuss how to prepare your dog for major household changes, why separation tolerance matters, and how simple routines can make the transition smoother for everyone involved.

You'll also learn how to recognize subtle signs of stress in dogs, including behaviors that are often misunderstood or overlooked, safer ways to introduce your baby and dog, and why supervision and management are far more important than simply trusting that your dog will "figure it out."

This conversation isn't about fear, blame, or assuming the worst about your dog. It's about setting your family up for success, protecting your baby, reducing stress for your dog, and creating an environment where both can thrive.

Whether you're expecting your first baby, currently pregnant, or already navigating life with little ones and furry family members, this episode is packed with practical, judgment-free strategies to help your home feel safer, calmer, and more prepared for this huge life transition.

00:00 Labrador Hunting Scare

01:27 Meet Dog Meets Baby

08:30 How Predation Looked

15:10 Breeds and Temperament

20:07 Pregnancy Prep Essentials

39:34 Low Tox Registry Picks

43:34 Bed Training Basics

50:35 Safe Boundaries Rules

56:03 Stress Signs And Introductions

01:04:54 Labor Myths And Wrap Up

 

Guest Bio:

Dominika is a Certified Dog Trainer, Children's Book Author,
and the founder of Dog Meets Baby. When her beloved Labrador, Lola, showed predatory behavior toward her newborn twins, Dominika realized most parents lack the tools and knowledge to navigate these moments safely. This experience inspired her to found Dog Meets Baby, now a trusted resource for families worldwide through their online courses, consultations, and free resources.

Connect with Dominika: 

https://www.dogmeetsbaby.expert/

LINKS MENTIONED:
Teach your dog to go to bed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn3UTEBwSH0

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

Connect with Dominika on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dogmeets_baby/

BIRTH EDUCATION:
Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe 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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

 

 

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In this re-aired episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with attorney, human rights advocate, and birth justice champion Hermine Hayes-Klein for a conversation every pregnant person needs to hear.

 

If you've ever wondered whether you can say no during labor, change your mind after signing a consent form, refuse an induction or cesarean, or push back against a hospital policy that doesn't align with your wishes, this episode is for you.

 

Hermine breaks down what informed consent actually means, what your legal rights are during pregnancy and birth, and why so many families leave their birth experience feeling powerless, unheard, or violated. Together, she and HeHe unpack the difference between hospital policy and patient rights, discuss the reality of obstetric violence in the United States, and explore how coercion and fear-based counseling can impact birth outcomes and long-term mental health.

 

They also dive into why so many people are losing trust in the maternity care system, how providers can unintentionally override consent, and what happens when patients feel they have no real choice. Hermine shares powerful stories from her legal work advocating for birthing families and explains why being informed before labor begins is one of the most effective ways to protect your autonomy.

 

You'll learn:

 

What informed consent actually requires in pregnancy and birth

 

Why signing hospital paperwork does not mean you've given blanket consent

 

Whether you can change your mind or withdraw consent during labor

 

The difference between a recommendation and a requirement

 

What your rights are if you're being pressured into an induction or cesarean

 

Why hospital policies are not the same thing as medical necessity

 

How obstetric violence can occur, even in well-intentioned healthcare settings

 

The critical role doulas play in supporting informed decision-making

 

Practical ways to advocate for yourself before and during labor

 

How preparation can help reduce fear, coercion, and birth trauma

 

This episode is a powerful reminder that your body is not public property, your consent matters at every stage of labor, and you deserve to understand your options before making decisions about your care.

 

Guest Bio:

 

Hermine Hayes-Klein is an attorney, human rights advocate, and founder of the Know Your Rights campaign, which helps families understand and exercise their legal rights during pregnancy and childbirth. After experiencing the Dutch maternity care system firsthand, Hermine became passionate about addressing obstetric violence, protecting informed consent, and improving access to respectful maternity care. Through litigation, education, and advocacy, she works to advance accountability and reproductive justice for birthing families around the world.

Connect with Hermine: 

Birthrightslawproject.com

hayeskleinlaw.com

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

Connect with Hermine on IG: https://www.instagram.com/herminehayesklein/

 

BIRTH EDUCATION:
Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe 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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

 

LINKS MENTIONED:
Nursing article:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1751485123001587?via%3Dihub

Examples of articles referencing how informed consent improves outcomes:
https://www.envisionhealth.com/news/2024/shared-decision-making-in-healthcare#:~:text=How%20do%20informed%20consent%20and,the%20overall%20cost%20of%20care.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9486853/

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe brings together two pediatricians with different perspectives on vaccines for a respectful, nuanced conversation about one of the most polarizing topics in modern parenting.

Dr. Alok Patel approaches vaccination from a data-driven, public health perspective and generally supports the current CDC vaccine schedule. Dr. Joel takes a more vaccine-neutral approach centered on individualized care, informed consent, parental autonomy, and medical freedom. Rather than debating to "win," both physicians model what many parents have been asking for: thoughtful discussion, mutual respect, and room for questions.

Together, they explore why trust between families and the healthcare system has eroded, how pandemic-era messaging impacted public confidence, and what happens when parents feel dismissed for asking questions. The conversation also dives into the challenges of science communication, the role of social media in amplifying division, and whether there is still room for nuance in modern pediatric medicine.

Topics discussed include:

Why many parents no longer trust the healthcare system and what contributed to that shift

How pandemic-era communication affected public confidence in medicine

Why questioning vaccines can quickly lead to "anti-vax" labels

Whether vaccine recommendations should be more individualized and risk-stratified

Concerns surrounding rising rates of chronic illness in children alongside an expanding vaccine schedule

What current research can and cannot tell us about vaccine safety

Why long-term safety studies and adverse event discussions matter to many parents

The ethics and challenges of vaccine research and placebo-controlled trials

The role pharmaceutical companies and liability protections play in public perception and vaccine hesitancy

Whether pediatricians financially benefit from administering vaccines

What informed consent should actually look like in pediatric care

The impact of mandates, medical freedom, and public health policy on trust

Why respectful disagreement between medical professionals is becoming increasingly rare

How parents can navigate conflicting information without fear, shame, or pressure

What rebuilding trust between families and medicine may require moving forward

Throughout the conversation, HeHe encourages listeners to think critically, ask questions, and bring those questions back to trusted healthcare providers. This episode isn't about telling parents what decisions they should make. It's about creating space for honest conversation around a topic that affects nearly every family.

Whether you agree with one doctor, both doctors, or neither, this episode serves as a reminder that curiosity, transparency, and respectful dialogue are essential parts of informed decision-making.

Guest Bios:

Dr. Alok Patel is a board-certified pediatrician, health communicator, and ABC News contributor known for translating complex medical topics into accessible, evidence-based information. He is passionate about improving public health literacy and helping families make informed healthcare decisions.

Dr. Joel "Gator" Warsh is a board-certified pediatrician specializing in integrative and holistic medicine. He focuses on individualized care, informed consent, and empowering families to make healthcare decisions that align with their values and circumstances while maintaining strong patient-provider relationships.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

Connect with Dr. Joel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/drjoelgator/

 

BIRTH EDUCATION:
Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe 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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

Father's Day Sale: June 14-16 If your partner wants to be more than the guy holding your Stanley cup during contractions, Dad Daze is for him. This childbirth and postpartum course teaches dads exactly how to support, advocate, and show up with confidence from pregnancy through postpartum. Use code DAD50 to save $50 at thebirthlounge.com/daddaze June 14th-16th only. *psst* If you decide a lifetime membership is for you, we won’t keep you from applying this discount code to get full access + our exclusive gift box.

In this re-aired episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with perinatal therapist Ashley Mariani for a powerful conversation about birth trauma, obstetric violence, and the ways a difficult birth experience can ripple through your postpartum life long after you've left the hospital.

Together, they unpack how birth trauma can impact trust, intimacy, communication, and emotional safety within a relationship. Ashley shares why so many partners leave a traumatic birth carrying their own unresolved stress response, how feelings of helplessness in the birth room can create resentment and disconnection, and why some couples find themselves struggling to reconnect after becoming parents.

HeHe and Ashley also explore the mental load that often falls on mothers after birth, the common dynamic of feeling like you're parenting your partner, and why that can quickly erode desire and partnership. They discuss emotional attunement, advocacy during labor, and the important role partners play in helping prevent birth trauma before it happens.

This conversation goes beyond the typical postpartum advice and dives into what it actually takes to rebuild trust, improve communication, and find your way back to each other after a challenging birth experience.

If you've ever wondered whether your birth experience changed your relationship, your intimacy, or the way you show up as a couple, this episode will leave you feeling seen, validated, and equipped with practical tools for moving forward.

00:00 Birth Trauma Reality Check
01:22 Meet Ashley Mariani
07:40 Partners Preventing Trauma
09:40 Anecdotes vs Evidence
16:58 Pandemic Policies Fallout
21:19 When Intimacy Disappears
24:51 Dads Carry Trauma Too
30:18 Masculine Feminine Energy
33:03 Safety and Resentment Loop
34:39 Dad Daze Course Break
37:37 Patterns After Birth Trauma
38:32 Resentment Kills Desire
39:59 Man Child Dynamic
42:23 Initiation Into Manhood
53:48 Helicopter Parenting Fallout
57:09 Love Languages Learning Styles
58:47 Teach Needs By Style
01:04:07 Love Language Mismatch
01:07:02 Therapy Shared Accountability
01:09:44 Intimacy Resources Plug
01:11:16 Final Wrap And Outro

Guest Bio:

Ashley Mariani is a registered social worker specializing in perinatal mental health, couples therapy, sexual wellness, and birth trauma recovery. She is a passionate advocate against obstetric violence and helps individuals and couples navigate the emotional, relational, and physiological impacts of difficult birth experiences. Drawing from her background in sexuality, counseling, couples work, nervous system regulation, and holistic health, Ashley supports families in building resilience, healing trauma, and creating deeper connection in parenthood. She is also the mother of three free-spirited children, including twins.

Connect with Ashley: https://mindonline.ca/

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/

Connect with Ashley on IG: https://www.instagram.com/therogue.therapist/

 

BIRTH EDUCATION:
Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe 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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

Father's Day Sale: June 14-16 If your partner wants to be more than the guy holding your Stanley cup during contractions, Dad Daze is for him. This childbirth and postpartum course teaches dads exactly how to support, advocate, and show up with confidence from pregnancy through postpartum. Use code DAD50 to save $50 at thebirthlounge.com/daddaze June 14th-16th only. *psst* If you decide a lifetime membership is for you, we won’t keep you from applying this discount code to get full access + our exclusive gift box. 

As we head into another summer season, HeHe is bringing back one of the most important episodes in The Birth Lounge Podcast archive. Water safety is something she feels incredibly passionate about because drowning is often silent, fast, and far more common than most families realize. If you have children, spend time around pools, visit the beach, own a backyard pool, or simply want to be more prepared, this is information every caregiver needs to hear.

In this re-aired episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with Tyler Bradshaw from Aqua-Tots Swim School for a conversation every parent, grandparent, and caregiver needs to hear. Because when it comes to water safety, most of us think it won't happen to our family... until it does.

Together, they unpack the sobering realities of childhood drowning, including where it most commonly happens, why it often occurs when adults are nearby, and the simple mistakes that can turn a fun day around water into an emergency. Tyler shares the statistics every parent should know, explains the difference between fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents, and clears up common misconceptions about "dry drowning."

HeHe and Tyler also dive into practical, actionable ways to reduce risk, including why designated water watchers matter, how distractions like phones can become dangerous around water, and the truth about puddle jumpers, floaties, and water wings. They discuss home pool safety, the best swimsuit colors for visibility, and what parents with multiple children can do to keep everyone safer during pool days.

You'll also learn why swim lessons are about so much more than learning strokes, how early children can start building water safety skills, and what progression through swim lessons actually looks like from infancy through childhood.

Whether you're heading into summer, planning pool days, vacationing near water, or simply wanting to be more prepared, this episode is packed with life-saving information that could make all the difference for your family.

00:00 Put the Phone Down
00:54 Partner as Birth Advocate
02:46 Father’s Day Dad Daze Deal
09:23 Why Water Safety Matters
13:10 Where Drowning Happens
15:05 Dry vs Nonfatal Drowning
17:30 Poolside Distractions
19:02 Water Watcher System
22:06 Floaties and False Security
26:22 Multiples and Home Pool Safety
32:17 Pool Alarms And Sensors
33:15 Highway Rule Pool Temptations
34:36 Fence Durability And Gate Safety
35:48 Why Swim Lessons Matter
39:31 Lesson Levels Skills And Wrap Up

Guest Bio:

Tyler Bradshaw is the owner of Aqua-Tots Swim School Norwood and a passionate advocate for childhood water safety and drowning prevention. Aqua-Tots is one of the largest providers of year-round swim instruction in the world, helping children as young as four months old build confidence and critical water safety skills. Through swim lessons, community outreach, and education, Tyler and the Aqua-Tots team are dedicated to helping families create safer experiences around water and empowering children with skills that can save lives.

LINKS MENTIONED:
Connect with Tyler at Norwood Aqua-Tots here!  http://aqua-tots.com/norwood

Find an Aqua-Tots near you! https://www.aqua-tots.com/
Social Media:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/

Connect with Aqua-Tots on IG: https://www.instagram.com/aquatotsofficial/

Connect with HeHe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hehestewart

BIRTH EDUCATION:
Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe 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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app 

Key words:

Water Safety, Drowning Prevention, Kids Swim Lessons, Swimming Tips for Parents, Water Safety Tips, Child Swim Lessons, Summer Safety Tips, Pool Safety Tips, Accident Prevention, Water Safety Month, Child Safety