#Prematurity

137: The Power of You - The Final Episode

With the technology boom, patients and clients now have access to the same information as medical professionals. As beneficial as technology can be, the drawback is that we find conflicting messages that don’t help us when we are scared and overwhelmed with caring for our child. Join me for this final episode of the Delivering Miracles podcast as we discuss stress, the nervous system, and the necessity of rest and repair. In this episode... A quote on social media about stres

136: What Women Need to Know About Pregnancy Anxiety

Statistics show that approximately 6% of women experience anxiety during pregnancy, but I suspect that the percentage is actually much higher than that. This episode covers pregnancy anxiety, which is something I see a lot in my practice. Many women have questions about this topic, especially since it’s something that is frequently waved off and disregarded by healthcare providers. It’s a topic that’s close to my heart because I see a lot of outdated tools and techniques tout

135: Parenting After Loss: How to Honor Your Grief While Caring For Your Living Children

Parenting after loss is a topic that comes up frequently in the Delivering Miracles community. People ask what they should do and how they should go on loving the child they have while still feeling the previous loss. This unique kind of grief presents a conundrum in how to handle the intricacies of parenting, and societal pressure certainly plays into how we THINK we should feel. There is most definitely not just ONE right way to navigate this grief into your role as a paren

134: Why Nervous System Regulation is Essential for Optimal Prenatal & Postpartum Health

I’m asked frequently why I like to focus on bodywork and nervous system regulation. The simple answer is that I want to know (and I want you to know) not just how to cope, but how to not be affected by the anxiety that comes with life. When you’re affected by trauma, the truth is that it does not get better with time. Many people misunderstand nervous system regulation, so let’s talk about how this works and how this information can help you in the long run. In this episode..

133: This is Trauma Live Event

The topic of trauma has hit home for me and our DM community. Stress, anxiety, and maternal mental health issues all have their roots in unresolved trauma. Trauma is simply a nervous system frozen in a state of danger, and it’s not tied to a specific event, but in how that event is encoded in your body. Let’s dive deeper! In this episode... Why it’s easy to minimize trauma, which has nothing to do with what you went through; it’s a nervous system frozen in a state of danger (

132: The Biggest Problem of Prenatal & Postpartum Care

This is the episode I didn’t want to do. I tried to avoid it, but I can’t. My feelings are prompted by what I’ve seen on social media posts and articles--and those have left an awful taste in my mouth. We have an epidemic in the US of healthcare providers not listening to women when they complain about their pain and what’s going on in their lives. People don’t listen, and they don’t trust what women say, but then they wonder why all these women’s health issues keep cropping

131: Comparing and Justifying Prevent Healing

Do you feel that you deserve to heal and feel better on your fertility journey? Do you feel like you deserve to be a mother and experience a healthier pregnancy? Do you feel like you deserve to grieve your losses and bring a baby home from the hospital? Of course, we say that we deserve these things, but the problem is that we battle an underlying feeling of unworthiness. In this episode... The qualifications we use to call ourselves “infertile” [3:20] How we, as women, allow

130: How to Prepare for a Preterm Delivery

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, so it’s a good time for us to discuss the basics. In today’s show, we’re talking about risk factors for preterm delivery and other information you need to know about this frightening experience. In this episode... Prematurity is the leading cause of death for children under five across the world---and the rate in the US keeps rising. [1:47] A history of preterm delivery is the #1 risk factor for another preterm delivery. [6:51] Many me

Triggers That Activate the Stress Response During Pregnancy

I talk a lot on my podcast, on this blog, in Pregnancy Brain , on social media...and really everywhere I can..about how stress is NOT a mindset issue. So if it's not in our heads, not something we can think ourselves in and out of...then what is it? What are common triggers of stress during pregnancy? Stress triggers are anything that activate our sympathetic nervous system and create changes to our endocrine, immune and nervous systems. The graphic below shows you just some

112: Why "Don't Lose Hope" is Terrible Advice During Infertility, a High-Risk Pregnanc

"Don't lose hope" sounds like really supportive advice for anyone going through a difficult time in their life, right? It's positive, it's encouraging, it reminds us about the importance of hope in our abilities to find strength during the most trying of times. But for many women and couples going through infertility, a high-risk pregnancy, a NICU stay or parenting a child with medical complications...this is actually terrible advice, especially if they have to make an imposs

111: For the Type-A Person

There's a negative connotation placed on being Type-A. While there are more health issues that are tied to being Type-A (especially cardiovascular disease), there is also a tremendous benefit of being Type-A when you're going through infertility or a high-risk pregnancy. This episode of Delivering Miracles® is all about the Type-A person. I explain what this means, how this impacts your high-risk pregnancy, and what you can do to accommodate this. Listen on iTunes | L

107: It's Ok Not to Be Ok

Have you ever felt SO overwhelmed, exhausted and burned out by all of the challenges you're facing that you end up on the floor of your bathroom just sobbing? Ever told your friends and family that you're "fine" when you're totally not? Ever feel really resentful of other women, couples and families who have it so easy? They get pregnant easily, they have easy pregnancies, they have healthy, full term kids with no long term problems? I know I have and so has this week's guest

105: Surviving the First Few Weeks of New Motherhood

Having a newborn home is wonderful...but so much harder than mothers expect or prepare themselves for. On this episode, I speak with birth doula and postpartum educator Adriana Lozada on exactly how you can prepare for and get through the first few weeks after delivering a baby. Listen on iTunes | Listen on Stitcher | Listen on iHeartRadio Episode highlights... Parijat and Adriana talk about the reality of motherhood, it's difficulties and a true to life celebrity

103: Paternal Age and Fertility

When Janet Jackson announced that she was pregnant at the age of 50, the world gasped and threw judgment in every shade at her. She was too old to have a baby, what was she thinking? But when George Clooney announced he was expecting twins with his wife Amal Clooney, when he was five years older than Janet Jackson was, no one batted an eye. There's a misconception that just because men produce sperm into late in life that means they're able to conceive a healthy child for jus

101: When You Got What You Wished But You're Still Angry

Ever feel angry to the point when you get a baby shower invitation or hear about a birth announcement? Feel that anger bubbling up when you see perfect families with their perfect babies. Ever feel ridiculous that you still feel that way even though you're pregnant or have babies of your own? On this episode, I share with you why getting rid of that anger isn't the answer and what to do instead. Listen on iTunes | Listen on Stitcher | Listen on iHeartRadio Epi

100: The Power of Fear

Dealing with a high-risk pregnancy can make you feel terrified, completely helpless and and out of control. The problem is, nobody is talking about how to get back IN control when you're faced with pregnancy complications, scary test results and the possibility of delivering too soon. As a clinically-trained therapist and women's wellness expert, I knew the importance of being in control on your emotional health. But it wasn't until I went through my very high-risk pregnancy

098: Why Labels Matter

The words and labels that you use during your family-building challenges matter. They inform what important anchor points define your story and they validate your experiences. The more you use them, the more others will follow. On this episode, I share with you why we should stop hiding from the terminology that makes us feel seen and heard so we can create a community of support around us as we go through the challenges and then heal after they're all over. Listen on iTunes

096: Essentials and Gifts for NICU Parents

The NICU is an overwhelming, scary place that feels like a world away from the rest of the world. Whether you're expecting to spend time in the NICU or it came as a surprise, it takes time to adjust to the pace and the life of the parenting in the NICU. On this episode, I share some of the items that were essential for me to keep my sanity and help me through our 109 day NICU stay. Plus, I share with you ideas for gifts to give loved ones who have a baby in the NICU. Listen o

095: Postpartum Nutrition for Postpartum Healing - Interview with Lily Nichols

You made your birth plan. You have your nursery all decorated and ready for baby. You have a closet filled with tiny clothes for your new tiny human. You know who your pediatrician will be and have your carseat all installed ready to bring home your little miracle. Most women have all of that covered well before their due date. But are you prepared for the postpartum period? Specifically, are you prepared for how you're going to keep yourself nourished while you take care of

094: How to Trust the Right People During Infertility, a High-Risk Pregnancy and in the NICU

It's hard to know who to trust when you're going through a life-altering experience like infertility, high-risk pregnancy or a baby in the NICU. Your doctors are sharing all kinds of scary statistics, Google one-ups them with even scarier stories. You might have met women in online forums or on Facebook who have been through what you're going through...but can you really trust them? Maybe yes, maybe not. But how do you know? On this episode, I share with you how to know who t