Birthing Instincts

#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 unpack how policy, regulation, and insurance reimbursement can quietly shift doula care away from individualized, relationship-based support and toward institutional control. They talk honestly about what’s gained, what’s lost, and why protecting the integrity of doula work matters if we truly want better birth outcomes.About Ivy:Ivy Joeva is a doula, coach, and educator serving women and couples seeking a conscious path to parenthood. She provides support throughout the childbearing year, including fertility coaching, holistic preparation for birth, postpartum recovery care, and counseling for all forms of pregnancy loss. Rooted in a trauma-informed, mind-body approach, Ivy sees these transitions as opportunities for transformation and healing. A graduate of UC Berkeley and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Ivy became a doula in 2009 and serves clients across the United States and abroad.Instagram: @IvyJoevaWebsite: ivyjoeva.comAbout Shellie:Shellie trained in Osteopathic and Naturopathic medicine in 2005 and has been working as a doula/birth keeper and cranio-sacral therapist, mentor and lecturer for over 20 years. She teaches birthing biomechanics and trauma and birth rights informed, non-violent communication courses as well as co-hosting The Birth Untethered Podcast with former midwife and Birthkeeper Kemi Johnson. Shellie lives on a narrowboat with her family, exploring the English countryside whilst campaigning for human rights in birth.Instagram: @theserenitydoulaWebsite: theserenitydoula.co.ukReferences:Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark: The Phenomenon Of Parents Opting Out Of Birth Certificates For Their Kids | Midwife Lindsey MeehleisDr. Pompa Podcast: What You're Not Told About Birth in the Hospital System with Dr. Stuart FischbeinThe Way Forward with Alec Zeck: Ep 213: The Corrupted World of Medicalized Birth with Dr. Stu FischbeinThe Way Forward with Alec Zeck: Ep 214: Exposing the Most Dangerous Childbirth Myths & Procedures with Dr. Nathan RileyDiscussed in This EpisodeRole of Doulas in Individualized CareChallenges Faced by DoulasInsurance and Doula ServicesImpact of Doula Support on Maternal OutcomesRegulations and Restrictions on Midwives and DoulasNavigating Hospital Policies as a DoulaFinancial and Operational Challenges for DoulasAdvocacy and Support Strategies for Doulas Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care This show is supported byWholesome Organics Beauty Company | Go to wholesomeOBC.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off your order.WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 offGirls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use code INSTINCTS for 15% offConnect with Dr. Stu and BlyssJoin our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastInstagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.comPodcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

#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 FischbeinThe Highwire: EPA LOSES HISTORIC FLUORIDE CASEThe Tennessean: Fluoride has been a public health game changer. Florida is set to ban it anywayDr. Stu Blog: Gotta love Dr. FogelsonJama Network: Maternal Urinary Fluoride and Child Neurobehavior at Age 36 MonthsBook: The Fluoride DeceptionDiscussed in This EpisodeFluoride: History and ControversiesSkepticism Around Fluoride Public Sentiment and Legislative Views on FluorideHealth Risks and Benefits of FluorideConcerns About Fluoride in Vulnerable PopulationsFiltering Fluoride and Its Impact on Brain Health Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care This show is supported byWholesome Organics Beauty Company | Go to wholesomeOBC.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off your order.WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 offGirls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use code INSTINCTS for 15% offConnect with Dr. Stu and BlyssJoin our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastInstagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.comPodcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

#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. She advocates for a more informed and individualized approach to female health, emphasizing the need for comprehensive hormone testing and functional medicine. About Poppy Daniels:Dr Poppy Daniels is a holistic OBGYN with 22 years in private practice. She has an interest in Functional Fertility, Integrative Women's Health & a root-cause oriented approach to wellness.Website: Drpoppyandco.comFacebook: Dr. PoppyInstagram: @drpoppybhrtX: @drpoppybhrtReferences:Book: THE DANGERS OF DEPODiscussed in This EpisodeDr. Poppy's Journey to Holistic OBGYNThe Dangers of Depo-ProveraThe Dark History of Depo-ProveraDepo-Provera's Side Effects and RisksThe FDA Petition and Political ComplicationsNew Study on Depo-Provera and Brain TumorsThe Importance of Informed ConsentDetoxifying from Depo-ProveraThe Role of Progesterone in Pregnancy Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care This show is supported byWholesome Organics Beauty Company | Go to wholesomeOBC.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off your order.WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 offGirls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use  code INSTINCTS for 15% offConnect with Dr. Stu and BlyssJoin our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastInstagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.comPodcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

#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 of long-term safety testing and regulatory oversight for menstrual products, and Blyss discusses alternative menstrual products.References:Substack Article: Delivered Directly: Tampons, Toxins, and the Diseases Medicine Cannot ExplainDiscussed in This EpisodeFlu Vaccine DiscussionTampons, Toxins, and Health RisksHPV and Unexplained Reproductive IssuesToxic Shock Syndrome and Tampon SafetyMetal Contaminants in TamponsChemical Exposures in Menstrual ProductsThe Research Void and Regulatory FailuresAlternative Menstrual ProductsPodcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care This show is supported byWholesome Organics Beauty Company | Go to wholesomeOBC.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off your order.WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 offGirls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use code INSTINCTS for 15% off

#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 and licensed midwife for decades. They discuss the significant changes in community practices, the impact of licensure, and the current struggles faced by midwives and birthing women. Adele reflects on her renewed passion for birth work after experiencing setbacks, including the revocation of her license, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a spiritual and meditative approach to midwifery. The conversation also touches on the influence of patriarchal systems in Western medicine, the rise of unassisted births, and the need for midwives to create supportive, non-hierarchical communities.About Adele:Adele’s interest in birth is literally life long. As the 8th of 9 children she began asking about her moms birth stories when she was about 5. This interest is still with her at 68 yrs. Home birth came into her consciousness at 14 yrs of age when she learned of the Santa Cruz birth collective, Raven Lang & her birth work through her writings. She began studying birth in earnest at 19 & attending births that same year. She practiced as a lay midwife 23-38, attended Birthingway Midwifery School in Portland OR which allowed her to obtain a license in WA & OR, practiced as a licensed midwife for 16 yrs, and now mostly retired & helping other midwives as they establish their practices.Discussed in This EpisodeLicensure and Its Impact on MidwiferyManaging Fear in MidwiferyThe Importance of Spiritual Mindfulness in MidwiferyChallenges with Modern Birth PracticesCreating a Sacred Space for BirthReflections on Unassisted BirthsCritique of Radical Birth Keeper CourseThe Role of Midwives in Modern SocietyPodcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care This show is supported byWeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order, or wenatal.com/birthinginstinctswnp for the new Protein + offer.Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off your monthly subscription.Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 offGirls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use  code INSTINCTS for 15% offConnect with Dr. Stu and BlyssJoin our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastInstagram: @birthinginstincts/@birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.comPodcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com