Mendy McNulty is a dedicated mother of four and a skilled IFS and Psychedelic Integration Coach with over 16 years of experience in education and 4 years as a children’s pastor. She founded Self Led Integration, where she helps individuals navigate their inner world using the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Mendy’s compassionate approach supports clients in transforming stuck patterns, healing trauma, and fostering self-leadership. She also leads Healing Conversations and offers workshops and memberships to those seeking deep, lasting personal growth and integration.

Find Mendy on all socials @selfledintegration and at www.selfled-integration.com

00:04 Meet Mendy McNulty: IFS Practitioner

00:28 Exploring Internal Family Systems and Psychedelic Integration

01:42 Connecting IFS to Pregnancy and Parenthood

06:32 Understanding Internal Family Systems

09:39 Client Experiences and Transformations

15:59 The Role of Family in IFS

29:59 IFS and Postpartum Support

32:34 Understanding Women's Mental Health During Pregnancy

34:05 Internal Family Systems and Mental Health

34:12 The Complex Emotions of Pregnancy

35:18 The Trauma of Birth and Postpartum Experiences

36:18 The Importance of Healing and Self-Care

40:16 The Role of Therapy and Medication

44:40 The Healing Journey and Self-Leadership

47:55 Final Thoughts and Resources

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Produced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services

The First 15 Series continues as we discuss baby medications, specifically in today’s episode, Vitamin K Injection. This is a decision you will be making, whether you know it or not, for your baby and will be done pretty shortly after birth. Usually by your nurse after the first hour, or even in the recovery room while you are getting cleaned up in the OR.

This episode takes most of the researched information from a book by Dr Sara Wickham called Vitamin K and the Newborn, and you can find it easily on Amazon! I highly recommend her well researched and easy to reach publications to help you make decisions for you and your baby during pregnancy.

A quote I mentioned in the episode I wanted to write out for you here so you have it, and you can also find in the book, that can be helpful to decide how to manage this decision, especially if you are hesitant to supplement. By Dr Edmund Hey “Babies who do not feed soon, well and regularly are at measurable risk of bleeding once their limited reserves of vitamin k are exhausted. All babies who are not well enough to be fed at birth need a supplement because their vitamin K stores will only last 1-3 days. A few breastfed babies will develop transient VKDB if they are not given a small supplement at birth, probably because early intake is poor. A very small number of breastfed babies risk a sudden serious bleed when 2-12 weeks old if not offered a regular supplement, usually because an unrecognized liver disorder has impaired fat-soluble vitamin absorption.”

Join the Hospital Childbirth Crash Course now at https://myfriendsanurse.com/crashcourse and get a behind the curtain look and birth in the hospital system and how to prepare to get the birth you want in it!

00:06 Understanding Vitamin K and Its Importance

01:31 Statistics and Research on Vitamin K

01:50 Book Recommendations and Author Shoutout

03:18 Decision-Making and Parental Choices

03:27 Routine Administration and Parental Awareness

05:50 Refusal Rates and Medical Recommendations

06:22 Understanding VKDB and Its Prevention

09:51 The Role of Healthcare Providers and Patient Advocacy

14:05 Vitamin K: Types, Sources, and Administration

18:30 PI DAY Acronym for Decision-Making

29:34 Oral vs. Injection: Effectiveness and Compliance

32:53 Downsides and Side Effects of Vitamin K

33:42 Injection Side Effects and Risks

35:37 Concerns About Vitamin K Additives

37:08 Vitamin K Dosage Concerns

39:22 Potential Downsides of Vitamin K

42:31 Exploring Alternatives to Vitamin K

48:26 Breastfeeding and Vitamin K

52:48 Making Informed Decisions

57:54 Conclusion and Resources

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

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Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership

Shoshie joins us as a mental health consultant and social worker with Family Tree Wellness in the Los Angeles Westside area.

She provides mental health support for pregnancy, postpartum, fertility challenges, parenthood, trauma, loss and beyond. She works with a team of therapists both in person and virtually, who have extensive training and expertise in perinatal mental health, infertility, mood and anxiety disorders.

In today’s episode we dive into how we can plan for the immediate postpartum period, what to do when weird sh*it happens, and why it is so crucial to remember that the new mama needs mothering.

00:00 Welcome to The Birth Link

01:32 Personal Postpartum Experience

03:58 Understanding Postpartum Mental Health

05:15 Meet Soshie

06:50 Mental Health Support for New Parents

09:11 Recognizing the Need for Help

12:17 Postpartum Blues vs. Postpartum Depression

19:38 Planning for Postpartum Well-being

23:57 The Importance of Support Systems

27:52 Balancing Independence and Support

32:42 Setting Boundaries and Accepting Help

34:16 Leadership and Communication in Birth

38:56 Dealing with Birth Disappointments

42:08 Maintaining Identity and Self-Care

49:09 Seeking Professional Help

54:26 Final Thoughts and Resources

Connect with Shoshie on Instagram: @familytreewellness_

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

Join us for the next Birth Plan Workshop!

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Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

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Edited and Produced by Vaden Podcast Services

We continue in The First 15 Series by diving into what the hospital calls The Golden Hour, that precious time we can spend with our baby, bonding skin to skin with a limited amount of interruptions.

We will discuss the benefits that have been proven during this time and the importance of a more hands off approach during this period. I will also discuss how the push and sell of this hour can actually be detrimental to the parents who may have that time interrupted, or never get it at all.

Where is the balance and how do we best approach this topic to receive the benefits, tune into our own biological needs, and limit the grief and disappointment when it doesn't look like we had planned? Join me now!

Don’t miss this week’s LIVE workshop where I will lift the curtain of the hospital birth system to empower you to the birth you want and deserve! Don’t get stomped on at the hospital door, find your voice and how to use it! Register here: https://myfriendsanurse.com/onlineworkshop1010

00:39 Exploring the Golden Hour

04:29 The Importance of Skin-to-Skin Contact

09:57 Hospital Policies and Practices

19:51 Challenges and Realities of the Golden Hour

31:13 Historical Context

32:33 Transition to Postpartum Care

33:02 The Golden Hour: Benefits

34:46 Unrealistic Expectations and Mental Health

36:56 Personal Experiences and Challenges

40:18 Communication and Support During Birth

50:55 Understanding the Golden Hour Stages

55:25 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Topics

Resources:

What People Get Wrong About the ‘Golden Hour’ After Birth, Catherine Pearson, 2/8/22, Huff Post

Health Education Associates, Inc, based on the research of Widstrom, et al.

Acta Paediatr. 2019 Jul; 108(7): 1192–1204. Published online 2019 Mar 13. doi: 10.1111/apa.14754

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Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

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Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

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Jaimie Zaki is a military wife, mom of 5, nurse, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. After Jaimie struggled to breastfeed her oldest and experienced medical gaslighting by doctors and lactation consultants, she learned the secret to breastfeeding success wasn't about luck. It was about foundational knowledge, support, and self-advocacy skills. Jaimie became an IBCLC and dedicated herself to ensuring other moms can learn how to shut out the toxic whispers of the world and learn how to connect with their God-given intuition to unleash their Inner Fierce MamaBear and make confident feeding decisions with a sense of hope and peace.

Join in on our conversation as we discuss the formula industry, what to expect from the support through the hospital and medical system, what mistakes you could be making even in pregnancy to set you back to achieving your breastfeeding goals, and the significance of having the RIGHT support and community around you.

00:05 Meet Jaimie Zaki, IBCLC

00:22 Importance of Lactation Consultants

01:30 Personal Breastfeeding Journey

07:51 Challenges and Advocacy

10:37 Becoming an IBCLC

13:33 Understanding Lactation Certifications

16:59 Hospital Experiences and Advice

25:57 The Confident Mama Bear Society

36:58 Personal Struggles with Breastfeeding

37:47 Preventable and Fixable Breastfeeding Issues

38:23 The Confident Mama Bear Society

39:46 The Importance of Early Support

42:00 Trustworthy Pediatricians and Breastfeeding

57:21 The Role of Partners in Breastfeeding

01:02:33 Conclusion and Resources

Connect with Jaimie:

Join her ANNUAL membership for 50% OFF with the code PODCAST50!!! You do NOT have to do this alone, get a coach and consultant that will help guide you to achieving your breastfeeding dreams!

Visit www.littlebearlactation.com

Join her FREE Breastfeeding class: Secrets to a First Latch Without Pain

Connect with her on Instagram and FaceBook

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join us for the next Birth Plan Workshop!

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Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

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If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

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Are you a birth nerd interested in the first 15 minutes after birth and everything that happens within those first 15 minutes? Such as decisions you need to make and include in your birth plan. Then tune into this first 15 series for in depth knowledge on what’s going on within the first 15 minutes, the history, current practices, and YOUR options. Being informed is the best way to prepare for your birth experience. Join us for in depth, educational discussions on the most important topics and decisions you’ll be making in the 1st 15 minutes after birth!

Welcome to this segment of The Birth Link podcast, the First 15 Series, where today I’m diving deep on the fascinating topic of placenta encapsulation.

From the consumption of the placenta after childbirth, to the various ways to preserve the placenta, your rights with placenta encapsulation, risks and benefits of placenta consumption, evidence based practices, and cultural rituals, we’re covering it all in this educational episode.

We’ll also examine the modern trend of placenta encapsulation and consumption, highlighting the purported benefits, risks, and current scientific evidence.

I’m here to provide you with the facts and history, acknowledging the lack of conclusive research while discussing the potential benefits and cultural significance.

It’s important to make informed decisions regarding how your placenta is used or preserved afterbirth, BEFORE you’re in labor.

If you’re wanting to learn all about placenta encapsulation and your options, then listen in.

00:00 Welcome to the Birthlink Podcast

00:39 Diving into Placenta Research

01:54 Introduction to the Placenta

03:51 The Role and Function of the Placenta

07:24 Placentophagy in the Animal Kingdom

15:05 Human Practices and Trends

17:35 Celebrity Influence on Placenta Consumption

19:30 Evaluating the Benefits and Risks

33:41 Personal Views on Placenta Consumption

34:11 Global Perspectives on Placenta Practices

37:03 Historical and Cultural Rituals

45:01 Traditional Chinese Medicine and Placenta

50:05 Modern Medical Concerns and Legalities

57:42 Options for Handling the Placenta

01:09:03 Final Thoughts and Future Discussions

More from this episode:

For more information about your state’s regulations around placenta disposal check out americord

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

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Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email

Today I’m welcoming Dr. Rachael Cappuccino to The Birth Link podcast!

Rachael started Cappuccino Physical Therapy after the birth of her two children because she believes that an active lifestyle does not end with motherhood. Having experienced both a vaginal delivery and cesarean, Rachael understands the physical challenges that come from birth. Too many women accept these challenges as their new reality when she firmly believes that most can be treated with pelvic floor physical therapy.

We dive into the limited awareness of pelvic floor therapy for women in any stage of their lives, but especially pregnancy, delivery and postpartum.

She shares how you can find a pelvic floor physical therapist and have it covered with insurance, possibly without a referral from a provider. She hits on the top complaints from women that can be prevented before they ever happen, to strengthen your core, know when and how to relax those muscles, and even practice how to correctly and efficiently push to minimize how long you are pushing and tears. Thank you so much Rachael for joining us!

00:03 Introducing Dr. Rachael Cappuccino

00:20 The Importance of Community

04:08 Meet Rachael Cappuccino

05:51 Starting a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Business

07:05 Challenges in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Awareness

11:47 Accessing Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

14:36 Common Pregnancy and Postpartum Issues

16:05 Proactive Birth Preparation

24:13 Advocating for Yourself

25:45 Wrapping Up and Future Topics

More from Dr. Rachel Cappuccino:

To reach Rachael visit www.cappuccinopt.com or follow her on Instagram @cappuccinopelvicpt or on Facebook at Rachael Cappuccino

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Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

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The First 15 continues, closing out the triad of active management of the third stage of labor. To accompany cord clamping (now delayed 60 sec), cord traction and uterine massage.

Doing our part to lower maternal death, the leading cause being hemorrhaging by including not only as a treatment, but as prevention. In the hospital, most providers choose active management as their practice but fail to discuss the experience, the benefits, the risks or any other alternate options.

It seems to be so routine that they do not feel it is a decision that the mother or parents need to even make. Though active management and pitocin can be a great choice for many women looking to lower her chance of hemorrhage and has had multiple interventions already, the power comes with knowledge.

I'm researching, discussing and sharing that knowledge with clients and you, so let's get into the history, date and current recommendations for pitocin and uterotonics in postpartum.

Resources:

Pitocin During the third Stage of Labor by Rebecca Dekker, RN and Anna Bertone MPH, Evidence Based Birth

Management of the Third Stage of Labor, Updated:

Jun 03, 2024, Author: John R Smith, MD, FACOG, FRCSC; Chief Editor: Christine Isaacs, MD, Medscape

Postpartum Hemorrhage: Prevention and Treatment, 2017, AAFP, Ann Evensen, MD, Janice M Anderson, MD, and Patricia Fontaine, MD, MS

00:40 Breaking Water and Pitocin Orders

02:18 Concerns About Early Pitocin Use

04:41 Importance of Informed Consent

09:45 Postpartum Pitocin and Hemorrhaging

14:30 Historical Approaches to Hemorrhaging

18:14 Development of Oxytocin Drugs

24:35 Discovery of Oxytocin

26:44 Pitocin: Synthetic Oxytocin

27:23 Active Management in Labor

29:50 Historical Trials and Errors

32:25 Prostaglandins and Alternatives

36:01 Modern Practices and Recommendations

41:13 Preventing and Managing Hemorrhage

45:20 Final Thoughts and Advice

50:35 Upcoming Episode Preview

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

Join us for the next Birth Plan Workshop!

Join the newsletter for behind the scenes and episode insights you don't want to miss!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

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