Birthing Instincts
by Dr. Stuart Fischbein + Midwife Blyss Young
The birth world can be overwhelming for parents and practitioners alike. Dr. Stuart Fischbein and Midwife Blyss Young and their combined 55+ years of experience are here to support you in this beautiful rite of passage.Join the weekly conversation as we blend wisdom and humor in discussing our recent births, the latest research, traditional healing, and instinctual birth.
Episodes
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#490: When the System Says No: A Twin Birth Story of Trust and Transformation
One embryo. Two babies. And a birth story that challenges just about everything we've been taught about twins. What happens when a woman trusts her body, questions the system, and refuses to let fear write her birth story? This week, Blyss and I welcome Ashley, whose journey to motherhood took…
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#489: How We Choose To Respond Is Our Choice, with Jenée Carlson
Can we prepare for the birth we want while still surrendering to the birth we get? Our guest, Jenée Carlson, experienced two births that couldn't have been more different. Her first was a home birth filled with suffering. Her second? A free birth she describes as completely painless, peaceful…
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#488: The Mental Health Crisis, The Disease Industry & SSRIs with Investigative Journalist, Jefferey Jaxen
What if the answer to our mental health crisis isn't another prescription? We're living in a world where depression, anxiety, and loneliness are seemingly everywhere. And somehow, despite more diagnoses, more medications, and more money being poured into mental health treatment, we're still...
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#487: Listening To Women
Listen to women. Seems simple enough. And yet, here we are. This week, the stories in our inbox keep bringing us back to the same uncomfortable truth: women know when something feels wrong. They know their bodies. They know their babies. They know their histories. And far too often, instead of...
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#486: Holding Hope After Miscarriage with Kenzie Covarrubias
There are some experiences in life that we simply cannot prepare our hearts for. Pregnancy loss is one of them. This week, we sit down with Kenzie Covarrubias, co-founder of Held in Hope, for a tender conversation about miscarriage, grief, and what it truly means to care for a woman through loss....
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#485: Understanding Blood Transfusion
Blood transfusions can save lives, but when are they actually necessary, and what should you know before you're ever faced with that decision? This week, Blyss and Dr. Stu unpack blood transfusions in birth: postpartum hemorrhage, hemoglobin levels, blood types and compatibility, potential...
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#484: Isthmocoele, Infertility & Other Lesser Known Cesarean Risks
Cesarean sections can be lifesaving. But are women actually being told about the potential long-term consequences before they consent to one? This week, Blyss and Stu dig into some of the lesser-discussed risks of cesarean birth, particularly the risks that may not show up until months or even...
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#483: Safer Birthing with Childbirth Attorney, Gina Mundy
What can nearly 24 years of birth injury litigation teach us about preventing birth injuries before they happen? This week, Blyss and Stu are joined by nationally recognized trial attorney, bestselling author, and host of The Childbirth Attorney Podcast, Gina Mundy. After spending her career...
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#482: Tossing Seeds with Dr. Sherri Tenpenny
Dr. Sherri Tenpenny joins Blyss and Dr. Stu for a wide-ranging conversation about vaccines, pregnancy, medical freedom, informed consent, institutional trust, and what it means to question the systems we’ve been taught to rely on. Blyss asks an important question for parents and birth workers…
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#481: Microbirth, A Film Explains How We Birth Matters
What if the way we enter the world has consequences that reach far beyond the day we're born? This week, Blyss and Stu dive into “Microbirth”, the 2014 documentary exploring the human microbiome and what happens during the extraordinary biological transition of birth. From exposure to maternal...
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#480: From Hashimoto’s to Breech: The Surprising Role of Thyroid in Pregnancy
Thyroid health may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about pregnancy, but thyroid hormones play an important role in both maternal health and fetal development, especially during those early weeks when baby is relying on mom's thyroid hormones. This week, Blyss and Stu take…
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#479: An Emotional Week & Some Data On Uterine Rupture
This week, Blyss and Stu run the gamut, from joy and grief to frustration, research, and a whole lot of questions about who really gets to decide what “safe” birth looks like. After sharing personal updates and a moving remembrance of Dr. Rob Biter, Blyss and Stu turn their attention to autonomy…
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#478: Deception In Documentation Is Pervasive & Pernicious
What happens when the medical record doesn't match the birth experience? This week, Blyss and Stu dive into one of the most uncomfortable, but critically important topics in maternity care: documentation, informed consent, and the ways language can shape a family's entire birth experience. Using...
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#477: False Evidence Appearing Real (FEAR): Our Chat with Doula Dude, Travis Stroud
This week, Blyss and Stu welcome Doula Dude, Travis Stroud, whose perspective has captivated millions of viewers in just a few short months. Travis never imagined he'd become one of the loudest voices encouraging fathers to educate themselves about pregnancy and birth. But after preparing for...
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#476: Questioning the 2 cm Placenta Rule & A Remarkable Breech Twin Birth with Fadwah Halaby
This week, Dr. Stu welcomes Florida midwife Fadwah Halaby for an inspiring conversation about evidence, autonomy, and trusting physiological birth. Before diving into an unforgettable breech twin home birth, Stu takes a deep dive into another one of obstetrics' commonly accepted practices, the...
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#475: Birth Story & Body Health with Holistic Aesthetician, Michelle Vaughan
What happens when a traumatic first birth becomes the catalyst for a completely different second experience? This week, Blyss and Stu welcome holistic esthetician Michelle Vaughn to share the story of two births that couldn't have been more different, and how those experiences transformed not…
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#474: The Mystery Of Postpartum Preeclampsia
Postpartum preeclampsia is one of the least talked about, but potentially most serious, complications after birth. This week, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss explore what we know, what we don't, and why every new mother should understand the warning signs, even after a healthy pregnancy and birth....
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#473: Pursuing Peace With Courage & Confidence
This week, we're setting aside our usual topic-driven format to share something even more meaningful: real stories from our fellow travelers. Join us in reading one of the most moving letters we've ever received. A certified nurse-midwife shares the heartbreaking story of carrying a daughter...
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#472: Lupus in Pregnancy: Understanding the Risks Without the Fear
In this episode of Birthing Instincts, Blyss and Stu take a deep dive into systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in pregnancy. Together they explore what lupus is, how it affects pregnancy, and what current evidence says about risks such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth,...
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#471: How Birth Shapes Mothers, Babies, and The Future, with Suzanne Arms
This week, Blyss and Stu welcome birth pioneer, author, filmmaker, and educator Suzanne Arms, one of the most influential voices in the natural birth movement of the last half-century. Long before conversations about physiological birth, informed consent, and the over-medicalization of maternity...
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470: "Allowed" To Birth with Documentary Filmmaker, Jacinta Lagos
What happens when a birth photographer picks up a camera and decides she can no longer stay silent? This week, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss welcome Jacinta Lagos, an award-winning birth photographer, doula, filmmaker, and creator of the powerful new documentary, Allowed to Birth: The Journey of a...
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#469: Should 38-Week Induction For Big Babies Become A Thing?
This week, Blyss and Stu take a deep dive into the increasingly popular recommendation of inducing labor at 38 weeks for suspected “big babies”. Prompted by a recent social media post from a prominent obstetric influencer, they examine two studies being used to justify earlier inductions for "big...
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#468: Everybody's Doing It", Not A Legal Standard Of Care With Hermine Hayes-Klein, ESQ.
What happens when hospitals decide informed consent no longer applies to breech birth? In this powerful and deeply important episode, Blyss and Stu welcome back attorney and birth rights advocate Hermine Hayes-Klein to unpack a landmark Oregon malpractice trial centered on coercion, informed...
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#467: Magic Wand, The Benefits of Red Light Therapy With Liz Frey....
This week, Dr. Stu and Blyss break down a recent Substack article reviewing large studies comparing planned home birth and hospital birth for low-risk women. The data? Fewer interventions, lower C-section rates, fewer infections, less hemorrhage, and fewer severe tears with planned home birth.…
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#466: Update On The Use Of TXA (Tranexamic Acid)
What happens when a medication designed to stop hemorrhage quietly starts creeping into routine birth care? This week, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss take on TXA (tranexamic acid), what it is, when it actually makes sense, and why they’re increasingly concerned about how it’s being used in modern...
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#465: For All The Midwives In Texas: Fighting Injustice with Salli Gonzalez & Octavia Martinez, Esq
In this week’s episode, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss sit down with Texas midwife Salli Gonzalez and attorney Octavia Martinez to unpack a case that should concern not only licensed midwives, but anyone with a license. Together they discuss what happens when a midwife follows protocol, transfers...
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#464: A Confused Mixture Of Topics: Clearing The Desk
This week’s podcast Blyss and Stu come to you with no guest and no single topic, just a “hodgepodge” of what’s been piling up in Dr. Stu’s mind attic. From collapsing birth options and disappearing breech skills…to food, fear, and the quiet coercion baked into modern maternity care. It may seem...
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#463: The 20 Week Ultrasound: Dissecting the Anatomy Scan
The 20-week anatomy scan has become a routine part of modern pregnancy, but is it truly essential, or just another layer of over-monitoring? After receiving a listener question, Dr. Stu and Blyss dissect the purpose, limitations, and unintended consequences of the anatomy scan. From what…
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#462: When Surrounded, Take The First Opportunity To Fight Like Hell With Del Bigtree
What if the system you trust never did the science you assume it did? In this explosive episode, Dr. Stu and Blyss sit down with Del Bigtree to pull back the curtain on vaccines, medical authority, and the institutions shaping maternal and pediatric care. From ACOG recommendations to the hidden...
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#461: Fertility Back In Balance With Acupuncturist Emily Marson
What if infertility isn’t a broken body… but a disconnected one? In this episode, Blyss and Stu sit down with integrative fertility expert Emily Marson to challenge everything you’ve been told about conception, IVF, and what it actually means to “optimize” the body for pregnancy. From the…
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#460: The Process Is The Punishment....And The Reward with Angee Hock
A home birth. A tragic outcome. And a midwife the state tried to make an example of. In this episode, Blyss and Stu talk with Angee Hock to unpack what it’s really like to be prosecuted for birth work. From a traumatic breech birth to jail time, national headlines, and a courtroom battle that…
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#459: Over-Monitoring & Outcomes, How Are We Doing & Who Benefits.
What happens when we monitor birth too much? In this episode, Blyss and Stu pull back the curtain on one of the most normalized, and least questioned, practices in modern obstetrics: continuous monitoring. What starts as “safety” can quietly become interference, and the consequences aren’t small....
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#458: Why Home Birth? A New Book For Fathers To Be With Jacob Dubois
What happens when a skeptical dad starts asking real questions about birth? Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss sit down with Dad Jacob Dubois, author of Why Home Birth, to talk about how he went from doubter to outspoken home birth advocate, and why fathers may be one of the missing voices in the fight to...
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#457: Asymptomatic Bacturia & UTIs in Pregnancy. Balancing Antimicrobial Stewardship
Is every positive urine culture in pregnancy a problem that needs antibiotics? Dr. Stu and midwife Blyss explore ACOG’s UTI guidelines, the evidence behind screening, and the growing concern about microbiome disruption and antibiotic resistance. References: Motherhood Equipped Podcast: 62. Birth...
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#456: Principalities & Powers & Protecting Traditional Midwifery with Abby Iovine
On this week’s episode Blyss and Stu introduce guest Abigail Iovine, a Pennsylvania traditional midwife, and her mission to create legislation to protect traditional midwifery through her organization The National Alliance for Traditional Birth Rights. Iovine discusses how legislation and...
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#455: An Amazing OB Who Listens & Supports Triplets Vaginally with Dr. Michael Hervey II
With Blyss away, Stu sits down with Phoenix OB-GYN Michael Hervey II to explore what true physician–midwife partnership looks like in real time. Together, an OB and midwife team delivered a remarkable set of hospital triplets born in rapid succession within minutes, totaling just over fifteen...
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#454: Getting Your Hands Wet: Water & Wisdom From Barbara Harper
Blyss and Stu are joined by guest Barbara Harper, founder of Waterbirth International, an internationally recognized expert on water birth and gentle birth. Join us for a roller coaster of an episode where we dig into the history of water birth, tell stories about how society lost its way in the...
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#453: Energetic Imprinting & Integration with Pre & Perinatal psychology practitioner, Mary Jackson
In this week’s episode of the Birthing Instincts podcast, Blyss Stu challenge one of the most ignored questions in modern obstetrics: what does birth actually do to a human being? Joined by midwife and pre- and perinatal psychology educator Mary Jackson, they explore how experiences from…
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#452: The Importance of Gathering - We Are The Microbiome
In this episode, Blyss and Stu are joined by Nathan Riley and Carol Gautschi to discuss the profound importance of in-person gatherings within the birth work community. The conversation covers the unique value of face-to-face interactions, the differences between organic and inorganic...
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#451: We are not packaging sausages - Why Doulas should remain independent with Shellie Poulter & Ivy Joeva
This week on the podcast, Blyss and Stu take a hard look at what’s happening to the world of doula support as insurance and institutions move in. They’re joined by two seasoned doulas, Ivy Joeva and Shellie Poulter, who bring decades of experience advocating for women in birth. Together, they...
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#450: What’s To Do About Fluoride?
In this week’s episode, Blyss and Stu explore the history, benefits, and controversies surrounding fluoride in drinking water, highlighting different perspectives and potential health implications. References: The Way Forward Podcast: Ep 213: The Corrupted World of Medicalized Birth with Dr. Stu...
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#449: A Free OB: A Conversation with Dr. Poppy Daniels on The Dangers of DepoProvera
This week Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss welcome special guest Dr. Poppy Daniels, a holistic OB-GYN with over 22 years of private practice experience. They discuss the severe side effects of Depo-Provera, revealing alarming risks like bone loss, weight gain, immune suppression, and even brain tumors....
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#448: Tampons: Convenience Does Not Imply Safety
In this week’s episode Stu is finally back and excited to engage in a candid discussion with Blyss about the overlooked risks of using tampons, highlighting a 2024 study that found harmful metals and chemicals in these products. They explore the hidden dangers of tampons. Stu emphasizes the lack…
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#447: Midwifery Past, Present and Future: Wisdom from Adele Rose
In this week’s episode Blyss interviews Adele Rose, an elder and mentor in the midwifery community, about her long-standing career and insights on the evolution of midwifery. Adele shares her personal journey from listening to her mom’s birth stories at the age of five to practicing as both a lay...
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#446: Baby Aspirin for All??
In this week’s episode you get a special sneak peak into The Birthing Instincts Patreon Community. With Dr. Stu still healing from knee surgery we decided to share an exclusive Bonus Content episode with you on baby aspirin. Together, Blyss and Stu explore the medical community's perspective on...
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#445: Women Are Not a Formula: Debunking VBAC Myths with Sarah Stead
Dr. Stu hosts a special edition podcast featuring Sarah Stead, a registered massage therapist specializing in C-section recovery. Together they dive into various topics surrounding Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). They discuss the importance of informed consent, the flaws in using VBAC...
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#444: Restoring Midwifery: Breaking Down the Indefensible
In this week’s episode, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss interview Rowan Bailey and Sarita Bennett, two midwives who have faced significant legal and professional challenges. They discuss Rowan's experience of being jailed for practicing traditional midwifery and Sarita's struggles with administrative...
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#443: Delusional Optimism: A Discussion of Recent Article On the Freebirth Society
In this episode, Blyss and Stu address a recent Guardian article discussing free birth and the Free Birth Society. They welcome guests Joni Edelman and Ivy Joeva to explore the complexities of unassisted births, the importance of informed consent, and sovereignty in childbirth. The conversation...
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#442: Allegations Are Not Evidence With Paul Golden: A Man For All Seasons
In this week’s episode, Blyss and Stu introduce Paul Golden, a maternal and neonatal medical and legal specialist, midwife, and international advocate. Together they discuss the intricacies and challenges of midwifery practice around the world. Paul highlights his experiences working in various...
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#441: Early Intervention for Newborn Trauma & Other Wisdom with Peds & Wellness Chiropractor, Tony Ebel
This week’s episode discusses the profound impacts of birth trauma on the nervous system and the transformative potential of pediatric chiropractic care. Blyss and Stu invite Tony Ebel, a wellness chiropractor, to explore the benefits of chiropractic interventions. They also discuss the…
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About this show
The birth world can be overwhelming for parents and practitioners alike. Dr. Stuart Fischbein and Midwife Blyss Young and their combined 55+ years of experience are here to support you in this beautiful rite of passage.Join the weekly conversation as we blend wisdom and humor in discussing our recent births, the latest research, traditional healing, and instinctual birth.
Hosted by
Dr. Stuart Fischbein + Midwife Blyss Young