Ready for Baby - evidence-based, realistic prenatal and postpartum education and support
Welcome to Ready for Baby! I'm your host Gigi Vincent, a postpartum doula dedicated to evidence-based, realistic prenatal and postpartum education and support. I'm passionate about changing the way we view pregnancy and postpartum care, and my goal with this podcast is to empower and educate you while dismantling common misconceptions. Through engaging conversations and expert interviews, I aim to make evidence-based information more accessible and equitable, so you can embark on your pregnancy journey with confidence.
But it doesn't end there. We'll also delve into the postpartum period, addressing the challenges and triumphs of new parents as they navigate the early days of parenthood. From newborn and infant sleep to postpartum healing, we'll cover the topics that are often glossed over elsewhere.
My frustration with the abundance of incorrect or inadequate information available fuels my desire to provide realistic expectations. I want to create a supportive community where you can find a reliable source of knowledge and a safe space to connect and share your experiences.
The Ready for Baby Podcast isn't just a platform for education; it's also an avenue for change. We'll highlight the need for better access to prenatal and postpartum care and advocate for improved support systems and policies, such as extended paternity leave.
If you're driven to have a safe and healthy pregnancy, as well as a fulfilling postpartum experience, you're our ideal listener. We understand that the plethora of information available can be overwhelming, leading to confusion and uncertainty. That's why we address your pain points by offering clarity, guidance, and a trusted source of information to help you navigate the complexities of pregnancy and early parenthood.
Join me as we learn from the experts about everything from birthing positions to feeding to holistic healing. Our insightful discussions will leave you feeling informed and empowered.
The Ready for Baby podcast is here to revolutionize the way you approach pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood. It's time to feel confident, supported, and ready to embark on this incredible journey. Tune in, subscribe, and become part of our community today!
Ready for Baby - evidence-based, realistic prenatal and postpartum education and support
057: Restorative Touch in the Perinatal Period with Sophia Juarez
As the gentle embrace of a loved one can lift the spirits, so too can the power of touch offer profound healing for new mothers. Joining me, Gigi Vera Vincent, is the remarkable Sophia Juarez, whose expertise stretches beyond the bounds of Alchemystic Wellness, delving into the transformative realm of postpartum care. Together, we weave through the narrative of touch's pivotal role during this tender time, where planning for the well-being of mothers before the baby's arrival is not just thoughtful—it's essential. Sophia reflects on her personal voyage into the field, a journey sparked by her own motherhood experiences and the cultural chasms in maternal support.
The tapestry of motherhood is complex, interwoven with threads of joy and challenges, where self-advocacy becomes a daily pursuit in the face of new demands. Our conversation turns to the mirror--reflecting on how self-care practices evolve from pre-baby favorites to the urgent need to reconnect with oneself amidst the whirlwind of nurturing a new life. We traverse the emotional landscape where love for a child and longing for former freedoms collide, and self-care, such as therapeutic bodywork, becomes not just beneficial, but necessary to flourish in motherhood. Sophia's insights extend further, addressing the profound potential of touch to mend the tapestry of generational trauma, offering a hand to hold as one navigates the ripples of parenthood.
Closing the loop, we spotlight the oft-neglected arena of bodywork during pregnancy and the critical conversations around C-section scar tissue care. Sophia's wealth of knowledge illuminates the path for the proactive management of discomfort and care for the physical marks motherhood may impart. The importance of being acknowledged and understood through one's healing journey resonates as a beacon for listeners, reminding us that touch can be both a balm for the body and a catalyst for change. For those eager to embrace a deeper understanding of the perinatal period and the nurturing power of touch, this heart-to-heart with Sophia is an unwavering guidepost.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Importance of touch in postpartum care: Discussing the critical role touch plays in healing and well-being for new mothers.
- Emphasizing the need for mothers to plan for their own postpartum care, including therapeutic touch, before the baby's arrival.
- Exploring how self-care practices like massage therapy can aid new mothers in reconnecting with themselves and thriving amidst the demands of motherhood.
- Addressing how nurturing touch in postpartum can help heal generational trauma and support mothers emotionally.
- Highlighting the importance of community support in the postpartum period and the value of being seen and heard in one's healing journey.
- Dispelling common misconceptions about the need for light touch and the timing of postpartum massage.
Resources from this Episode
Connect with Sophia on her website (alchemysticwellness.com ) and Instagram (@alchemysticwellness)
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Episode Credits
You can learn more about how I empower new and expecting parents on my Instagram and my website.
