Podcast
Yoga Birth Babies
Hosted by Deb Flashenberg and Independent Podcast Network · EN
Take ownership of your pregnancy, birth, and parenthood! Join Deb Flashenberg as she dives into conversations with some of the world’s leading pregnancy, birth, yoga and parenting experts. Deb and her guests are voices of calm and reason, sharing practical, relevant, insightful and evidence based information that is helpful for people at all stages of parenting. These lively conversations will inform and entertain you as you embark on this new phase in your life.
Deb is the founder and director of the Prenatal Yoga Center in NYC, a labor support doula, Lamaze childbirth educator, Spinning Babies Parent Educator, prenatal yoga teacher and mother of 2. Please visit Prenatalyogacenter.com
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Vaginal Exams: When and Why to Have One During Pregnancy and Labor with Kara French- A Revisit!
1w ago00:53:27Tap to summarizeVaginal exams are one of the most common procedures during pregnancy and labor, but are they always necessary? In this episode, Deb sits down with certified nurse midwife Kara French to unpack when and why vaginal exams may be offered, what information they actually provide, and how parents can make informed decisions about their care. Together, they explore the role of vaginal exams both before and during labor, including why some providers routinely suggest them at the end of pregnancy and when they may truly impact medical decision-making. Kara also shares her philosophy around consent, labor progression, and helping families understand that cervical dilation is only one small piece of the birth picture. This thoughtful conversation offers expectant parents practical information, empowering questions to ask their care providers, and reassurance that they always have options when it comes to their bodies and birth experiences. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Doula Do's and Don'ts with Taylor Lee Bello
2w ago00:49:07Tap to summarizeWhat does excellent doula support actually look like- from pregnancy through postpartum? In this candid and practical conversation, Deb sits down with birth doula Taylor Lee Bello to explore what families should know when choosing a doula, what healthy communication and expectations look like during labor, and the often-overlooked support needed in the immediate postpartum period. Together, they unpack everything from interviewing doulas and identifying red flags to understanding why in-person prenatal visits, labor assessment skills, and postpartum follow-through matter so deeply. They also tackle important conversations around cesarean birth support, biomechanics of labor, and how doulas can provide grounded, responsive care that truly meets families where they are. Whether you're expecting a baby, considering hiring a doula, or are a doula yourself, this episode offers thoughtful insight into the values, skills, and support systems that can shape the birth experience. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Vaccines During Pregnancy and Infancy: What Parents Should Know with Dr. Flor Muñoz
3w ago00:55:33Tap to summarizeVaccines can feel like one of the most overwhelming topics for expectant and new parents—especially when information online is conflicting, emotional, and constantly changing. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, Deb sits down with Flor M. Muñoz to unpack what parents actually need to know about vaccination during pregnancy and infancy. Together, they explore how maternal vaccines help protect newborns during those vulnerable first months of life, why infections like RSV, influenza, and pertussis can be especially dangerous for infants, and how vaccine recommendations are developed and monitored for safety. Dr. Muñoz also offers thoughtful guidance for families navigating fear, misinformation, and changing public conversations around pediatric vaccine guidance. This conversation is warm, grounded, and deeply informative—designed to help parents feel empowered to ask questions, evaluate sources thoughtfully, and make decisions in partnership with trusted healthcare providers. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at:prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Community Birth Story: Twin Pregnancy and Birth with Isabel Low
4w ago01:02:52Tap to summarizeWelcoming twins into the world often comes with extra layers of planning, medical decision-making, and learning to adapt when things don’t go exactly as expected. In this community birth story, Deb talks with Isabel Low about her emotional two-year fertility journey, the surprise and excitement of learning she was pregnant with twins, and how carrying two babies reshaped her expectations for pregnancy and birth. Isabel shares what it was like navigating the unique medical considerations of a twin pregnancy, learning to advocate for herself during prenatal appointments, and shifting her mindset from having a rigid birth plan to holding flexible birth preferences. She also walks us through her labor and delivery, including a stressful moment involving Baby B, and reflects on how her support team helped her stay grounded through the unexpected. In the postpartum conversation, Isabel opens up about the realities of a longer hospital stay, the early challenges of breastfeeding twins, and what eventually helped things click. This episode is a thoughtful reminder that preparation isn’t always about controlling the outcome—it’s often about building trust in yourself, your team, and your ability to pivot. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Why it’s Important to Normalize Formula Feeding with Jayne Freeman - A Revisit
Apr 2900:53:13Tap to summarizeFeeding your baby can feel like one of the most emotionally loaded parts of early parenthood—and for many families, the conversation around formula feeding is still wrapped in stigma and silence. In this episode, Deb speaks with Jayne Freeman, a childbirth educator, postpartum doula, and breastfeeding counselor who is passionate about expanding the narrative around infant feeding. Together, they explore how cultural expectations have shifted over time and how today’s “breast is best” messaging can sometimes leave parents feeling pressured, judged, or unsupported. Jayne shares why she made the uncommon choice to openly support and educate families about formula feeding, and how this approach helps restore confidence and autonomy to new parents. The conversation dives into the evolution of infant formula, how to navigate the overwhelming number of options available today, and where parents can turn for balanced, nonjudgmental guidance. At its core, this episode is about meeting families where they are—offering reassurance that feeding your baby in a way that supports your mental health, lifestyle, and well-being is not just acceptable, but worthy of normalization. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at:prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Why Most Potty Training Advice Fails Half of Toddlers with Dr. Heather Wittenberg
Apr 2200:52:48Tap to summarizePotty training can feel surprisingly simple for some families—and incredibly challenging for others. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Heather Wittenberg, child psychologist and founder of BabyShrink, to unpack why that divide exists and what parents can do when things don’t go as planned. We explore how potty training is more than just a practical skill—it’s a complex developmental milestone that reflects a child’s temperament, emotional regulation, and readiness. Dr. Wittenberg introduces her five “potty personalities,” helping parents understand why a one-size-fits-all approach often falls short. From power struggles to poop withholding, we dive into some of the most common (and misunderstood) challenges, along with practical ways to support your child with more confidence and less stress. We also discuss the truth about nighttime dryness and why it’s not something you can train—no matter how hard you try. This conversation offers a refreshing, compassionate perspective that helps parents work with their child’s unique wiring, rather than against it. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at:prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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What Partners Get Wrong (and Right) About Supporting Birth with Yiska Obadia
Apr 1500:43:23Tap to summarizePartners are often told to “be supportive” during pregnancy and birth- but what does that actually look like in practice? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, we explore how partners can move beyond simply being present to becoming truly engaged, attuned, and collaborative throughout the journey. Joined by doula and perinatal bodyworker Yiska Obadia, we unpack some of the most common misunderstandings partners have about their role, and why preparation as a team can make all the difference. Yiska shares how communication, self-awareness, and shared learning can help couples navigate labor with more connection and confidence-while also honoring that support looks different for every birthing person. This conversation offers a thoughtful, compassionate look at how partners can show up in ways that feel grounding rather than overwhelming, and how couples can have the important (and often overlooked) conversations before labor begins. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Understanding Preterm Birth: Risk, Prevention, and What We’re Learning with Dr. Laura Jelliffe-Pawlowski
Apr 800:58:47Tap to summarizePreterm birth is something many parents worry about- but how much do we really understand about why it happens and how to prevent it? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Laura Jelliffe-Pawlowski, a leading researcher in maternal and infant health, to explore how our understanding of preterm birth has evolved- and where the science is headed. We discuss what current research tells us about risk, screening, and prevention, including the evolving conversation around progesterone and what it means for patients today. Dr. Jelliffe-Pawlowski also shares insights into emerging tools and biomarkers that may help identify risk earlier, as well as the broader environmental, social, and systemic factors that play a significant role in outcomes. This conversation offers both clarity and compassion- helping parents understand what is within their control, what isn’t, and where the future of care is moving. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Beyond Behavior: Understanding Sensory Needs and Regulation in Children with Madeha Ayub
Apr 100:43:49Tap to summarizeChildren’s behavior is often seen at the surface—but what if there’s so much more underneath? In this episode, we explore the powerful role sensory processing plays in shaping how children experience and respond to the world around them. Pediatric Occupational Therapist Madeha Ayub helps us reframe “challenging behavior” through a more compassionate, informed lens, offering parents a deeper understanding of regulation and connection. Together, we talk about how to recognize when a child may need sensory support, how to approach big emotions and transitions with more ease, and simple ways to create a sensory-supportive home without overwhelm. We also expand the conversation beyond children, exploring how a parent’s own nervous system and sensory needs impact family dynamics—and what real, compassionate self-support can look like in everyday life. This conversation is both grounding and empowering, offering practical tools and meaningful mindset shifts to help families move from frustration to understanding. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Prepared, Supported, and Unrushed: A Birth Story with Hayley Antonelli
Mar 2500:51:52Tap to summarizeWhat does it look like to approach birth feeling prepared, supported, and truly unrushed? In this episode, Deb is joined by yoga teacher Hayley Antonelli, who shares her thoughtful and empowering birth story. From intentionally training in prenatal yoga before conception to carefully building a birth team aligned with her values, Hayley walks us through how preparation and mindset shaped her entire experience. Hayley opens up about navigating unexpected recommendations during pregnancy, including concerns about her baby measuring small, and how she stayed grounded in her own timing when faced with decisions. Her story highlights the importance of informed choice, trusting intuition, and surrounding yourself with providers who respect your voice. The conversation continues into postpartum, where Hayley shares what contributed to her smooth recovery and positive breastfeeding experience. This episode is a beautiful reminder of the power of intentional preparation, supportive care, and the stories we choose to absorb during pregnancy. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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