
We’re exploring option from conception to childhood to help women take control of their fertility, birth experience, postpartum healing, and motherhood journey! This is a safe space for all parents to hear what the experts have to say and to hear from influencer parents and their take on parenthood! Join us for all things birth and parenthood for an empowering and educational walk with a birth and newborn expert and the found of Tranquility by HeHe Maternity Concierge, HeHe Stewart.
Episodes

Sep 13, 2023
Sep 13, 2023
1 hr 41 min
The most dangerous time in pregnancy is actually postpartum; particularly, days 43-365. Postpartum Mood Disorders can be serious, resulting in harmful or dangerous behaviors and thoughts. However, there are a number of evidence-based options to help support new parents and families in this transitional time. Dr. William Leininger, OBGYN, is joining us to discuss the options around postpartum anxiety, depression, and other mood challenges that may arise after having a baby. We dive into the non-pharmacological options, the holistic and lifestyle options and the taboo options. This episode will also include information about the new postpartum medications zuranolone, and what you need to know!
The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com
Patients and Supports Teams:
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline – 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) --has translators for 60 languages
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988lifeline.org) – 988
English and Spanish
Crisis Text Line (crisistextline.org): Text “HOME” to 741-741
Postpartum Support International - https://www.postpartum.net
Mother to Baby – Information about Medications in Pregnancy and Lactation
https://mothertobaby.org/
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, NIHhttps://www.nccih.nih.gov/
BUMPS – Best Uses of Medicine in Pregnancy – UK
https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/
NIH Medical Information Search site – medlineplus.gov
Professionals
ACOG Perinatal Mental Health Resources
https://www.acog.org/about/leadership-and-governance/board-of-
directors/iffath-a-hoskins-md/minding-mental-health
Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance - https://www.mmhla.org/
Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health - https://www.2020mom.org/
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, NIH.
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/
Regional Organization – Roanoke, VA - https://www.huddleupmoms.org
State Organization – Massachusetts - https://www.mcpapformoms.org

Sep 6, 2023
Sep 6, 2023
1 hr 10 min
Reflux in babies can be challenging and overwhelming. There are so many questions that parents have and very little places to turn for answers. What causes it? How do you know if your baby is experiencing normal spit up or reflux? What is silent reflux and what causes it? Does burping after feed help or hinder reflux? What remedies exist? How do you settle your reflux baby in those long hours of crying fits and discomfort? Aine Homer joins us today to discuss everything you need to know about baby reflux, evidence-based resources and how to get answers for your family!
Join The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com
(Doors are only open September 4th-9th!)
Aine’s website: https://www.thebabyrefluxlady.co.uk
Resources:
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/acid-reflux-gastroesophageal-reflux-in-babies-beyond-the-basics
https://llli.org/why-infant-reflux-matters/
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/GERD-Reflux.aspx

Aug 30, 2023
Aug 30, 2023
53 min
It’s no secret that the healthcare system is a profit-driven industry that needs an immediate overhaul to improve patient outcomes and start centering patient preferences. We all know that many hospital practices aren’t evidence-based but rather designed to move the bottom line, financially, for the institution. Billie Harrigan is a Traditional Birth Companion and owner of Birth Trauma Ontario in Canada who has been serving families for over 40 years. With extensive international experience, Billie understands the complexities of modern maternity services and the pervasive issues that contribute to birth-related trauma and negative outcomes. Today’s conversation will challenge your assumptions of the medical system and push you to expand the perspectives in which you see the delivery of healthcare in the US & Canada by discussing common tactics used by cults and the resemblance of hospital care. We dive into the impact of non-trauma-informed care on patients’ short-term and long-term well-being. Buckle up because this episode is like nothing else you’ve ever experienced!
The Birth Lounge doors are open!!! Join here: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/join
Billie’s Traditional Birth Companion Program: https://billieharrigan.com/becoming-a-traditional-birth-companion
Is hospital care actually evidence based? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3241518/
The System Isn’t Broken: https://billieharrigan.com/blog/2019/11/6/the-system-isnt-broken-but-its-people-are

Aug 22, 2023
Aug 22, 2023
54 min
Season Opener!!! This episode is jam packed with data and discussion points to help you have an informed conversation around finding your perfect induction equation so you can have a positive induction experience!
The choice to be induced is a very personal one and one that should be made very intentionally. This episode dives into 4 options of induction that you probably have never heard of! These options can help decrease your risk for cesarean and reduce the need for additional interventions!
The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com
Induction Equation Video: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/induction-equation
Induction Cheat Sheet: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/induction
Oral Miso:
https://www.cochrane.org/CD001338/PREG_oral-misoprostol-induction-labour
Outpatient Ripeners:
https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(22)00798-0/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_aip_email
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7027046/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871519220302845
Melatonin:
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/10/12/3252
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2019.00616/full
https://grantome.com/grant/NIH/R21-HD086392-01 (Brigham & Women’s Hospital)
https://fetalmedicine.org/abstracts/2022/var/pdf/abstracts/2022/03846.pdf
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34058776/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7044825/
EPO:
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-evening-primrose-oil-epo/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876382022000257
https://brieflands.com/articles/fga-130352.html

Jul 12, 2023
Jul 12, 2023
22 min
The truth is-- unbiased care does not exist. If everyone from your doctor to your mom to the stranger in the super market has biases, what are you supposed to do? Plus, do those biases increase your risk of experiencing birth trauma? This episode will tell you exactly why it's important to be able to spot bias and what to do with it if you encounter provider bias that is impacting your care. I also share tips to reducing your risk of birth trauma.
Questions to ask your provider: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Interviewing-Providers
The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/
Work with me: https://www.tranquilitybyhehe.com/

Jun 7, 2023
Jun 7, 2023
52 min
Unnecessareans (Unnecessary c-sections) are on the rise in America and for many reasons! So many women prepare for labor from a place of wanting to avoid a c-section but fail to understand what actually CAUSES unnecessary cesareans! Without understanding WHAT causes them, it will be very hard to implement HOW to actually avoid one!
There are things you can do, decisions you can make and conversations you can have that will mitigate your risk of unnecessary intervention and allow you to avoid having a cesarean birth when that is not your plan!
This episode will teach you the three most influential things you can do to avoid an unnecessarean!
Join The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/join
Sources for this episode:

Feb 22, 2023
Feb 22, 2023
30 min
HeHe and Deb connect to discuss the Mind-Body Connection and its' impact in labor'.
- The importance of movement in pregnancy
- How that builds a mind-body connection
- What that connection means for your labor experience
Yoga can feel intimidating if you have never done it before --Deb shares the best ways to ease yourself into a practice that will benefit you and your baby plus help you have a smoother labor!
Follow Along with Deb:
More About Deb:

Jan 31, 2023
Jan 31, 2023
39 min
HeHe sits down with Nurse Beckie to discuss:
- Trauma informed breastfeeding support in the hospital
- How to have your breastfeeding goals heard and respected in the hospital
- How to best set yourself up for a successful breastfeeding journey
Connect with Nurse Beckie at @nursebeckie_ on Instagram or on her website at www.bestfeedinglc.com

Jan 24, 2023
Jan 24, 2023
41 min
Jen Kamel is the CEO and Founder of VBAC Facts® whose mission is to increase access to vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) through education, legislation, and amplifying the consumer voice. VBAC Facts® helps perinatal professionals, and cesarean parents, achieve clarity on the VBAC evidence through their educational courses, continuing education training programs, and consulting services. As an internationally recognized consumer advocate, Jen supports perinatal professionals around the world through her online professional membership, travels throughout the United States training perinatal professionals, presents Grand Rounds at hospitals, and works as a legislative consultant throughout the US focusing on midwifery legislation and regulations that threaten VBAC access. Over the years she has testified multiple times in front of the California Medical Board and legislative committees, educating legislators on the importance of VBAC access, and has served as an expert witness and consultant in legal proceedings. VBAC Facts® envisions a time when every pregnant person seeking VBAC has access to unbiased information, respectful providers, and community support so they can plan the birth of their choosing in the setting they desire.
Special Offer: 15% off courses for parents and professionals using coupon code BirthLounge at checkout. Go to vbacfacts.com/courses to enroll.
Follow along with Jen:

Dec 13, 2022
Dec 13, 2022
30 min
Episode 2 of 2 with Julia Karol. Today we hear from Julia ALL about her birth! This is an amazing birth story you won't want to miss.
Julia Karol is building a family. Along the way, she is asking anyone and everyone about how they came to make the decisions they did regarding family life. She's opening up an honest, funny, raw, and earnest conversation looking at what creating a family really means and how it might show up differently than expected. Join Julia as she explores the concept of today’s modern family. Episodes feature everyday friends, family, neighbors, and experts sharing their own journey to define and create a family.
Julia's Website:
