Consent, Cues, and Conscious Touch with Babies: The Perfect Child Podcast Takeover with Belinda Tung

Sex After Baby: Rebuilding Intimacy & Connection Postpartum with Krystle Gard

Nobody prepares you for how much intimacy and connection can shift after you have a baby — and yet it's one of the most common struggles new parents face. In this episode, Emily sits down with Krystle Gard, postpartum doula and Intimacy & Connection Coach, for an honest, shame-free conversation about what actually happens to your sex life after birth and what you can do about it. Krystle's journey into this work is deeply personal. From a supported home birth in Alaska to having twins without a local support system, to serving as a surrogate three times — she has lived the full spectrum of postpartum experiences. That, combined with her work supporting families as a postpartum doula, showed her just how little guidance new parents receive about intimacy after birth. In this episode, we cover: * Why libido and desire commonly shift postpartum (and why that's not a failure) * The role of sleep deprivation, hormones, and nervous system dysregulation in sexual desire * Why self-pleasure is often the most overlooked tool in postpartum recovery * The "three-minute game" from The Art of Giving and Receiving — and why it's a game changer for rebuilding connection * The intimacy candle practice for keeping the simmer going without pressure * Love languages, the red/yellow/green communication system, and the "favorite things list" * Why lube is non-negotiable postpartum * How birth trauma affects touch tolerance — and gentle ways to rebuild safety * The importance of humor, playfulness, and letting go of how things used to be Resources mentioned: * The Art of Giving and Receiving [https://amzn.to/4vz1Ri2] by Harry Faddis * Love Languages [https://amzn.to/4acTCzy] (Gary Chapman) * Sex After Birth Workshops: www.bewellbaby.org/sex-after-birth-class [http://www.bewellbaby.org/sex-after-birth-class] Find Krystle:  * https://wholefamilydoulacare.com/ [https://wholefamilydoulacare.com/]  * krystlegard@gmail.com [krystlegard@gmail.com]  More about our guest: With a background in engineering, Krystle brings organization, intuition, and problem-solving to help families find systems and flow that make life easier. She loves teaching and educating new parents, offering hands-on newborn care guidance, household support, and a listening ear. She also provides Intimacy & Connection Coaching to help couples nurture their relationships after birth. More about your host: Emily Spaeth is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and founder of Be Well Baby in Portland, Oregon. With extensive NICU experience and training in craniosacral therapy, she leads a team providing home-based health care for families navigating the tricky parts of pregnancy and postpartum.  She also hosts the Beyond Birth Blueprint [http://www.bewellbaby.org/beyond-birth-blueprint], an online birth and postpartum educational community available to families across the country—so no matter where you are, you have access to support, resources, and connection. Emily is also a mother of three and passionate about helping families move from surviving to thriving.

Consent, Cues, and Conscious Touch with Babies: The Perfect Child Podcast Takeover with Belinda Tung

What if your baby has been communicating with you all along — and you just needed the tools to hear them? In this episode, Dr. Emily sits down with Belinda on the Perfect Child Podcast to talk about one of her favorite (and most misunderstood) topics: consent with babies. From the NICU to the changing table, Dr. Emily breaks down what infant communication actually looks like, why slowing down transforms your caregiving, and how small everyday rituals build the foundation for a deeply connected relationship with your child. In this episode you'll learn: * Why babies are whole, fully-present humans from the very beginning — and what Dr. Emily witnessed working with 23-weekers in the NICU that solidified this for her * How to read your baby's body language: the cues that say this is too much vs. I'm ready * What a finger splay, an arched back, and a full-body wiggle are actually communicating * Why "gaining consent" from a newborn looks different than it does from a 6-month-old — and how to approach both * The surprising benefits of infant massage (digestion, weight gain, brain development, bonding — and one story about a tumor caught early because of a daily massage routine) * How to use deep pressure touch, slow movement, and oil to make massage more effective * Why babies cannot self-soothe — and what co-regulation actually requires of you * Dr. Emily's approach to the dreaded diaper change wrestling match (hint: you don't have to hold them down) * How sign language gives babies a voice before they have words — and what Dr. Emily's 7-year-old still communicates across a crowded gym * What it really means to advocate for your baby in the hospital, at family gatherings, and with well-meaning grandparents who want to hold your newborn Resources mentioned: * Beyond Birth Blueprint [https://www.bewellbaby.org/beyond-birth] https://www.bewellbaby.org/beyond-birth [https://www.bewellbaby.org/beyond-birth] * Birth Partner Course (inside Beyond Birth) * Infant massage mini course + video library (also inside Beyond Birth!) * ASL classes (also inside Beyond Birth)  * The Perfect Child Podcast! https://www.perfectchild.org/about We have restructured Beyond Birth so that you can access it so easily.  I can’t wait to meet you on the inside!  Emily Spaeth is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, childbirth educator, and founder of Be Well Baby® in Portland, Oregon. With extensive NICU experience and training in craniosacral therapy, she leads a team providing home-based health care for families navigating the tricky parts of pregnancy and postpartum.  She also hosts the Beyond Birth Blueprint [http://www.bewellbaby.org/beyond-birth-blueprint], an online birth and postpartum educational community available to families across the country—so no matter where you are, you have access to support, resources, and connection. Emily is also a mother of three and passionate about helping families move from surviving to thriving. Our mission is to fundamentally shift healthcare could look like for pregnancy, postpartum, and babies. Please help us spread the word by leaving a review! Every review matters! If this episode helped you, please send it to someone who's pregnant, postpartum, or supporting someone through birth. Thank you for being here. 🤍

Colic Isn't Real! Here's Why Your Baby Is Actually Uncomfortable With Pediatrician Dr. Kirin Palmer

Colic isn't real! I will die on that hill. This week Dr. Emily Spaeth brings you Dr. Kirin Palmer, a pediatrician, functional medicine practitioner, and founder of Pure Joy Pediatrics in the Portland metro area in Oregon. Through her work in clinic and through her digital class, she helps expectant parents understand how maternal health during pregnancy can influence their baby’s digestion, immune system, and long-term wellness. They talk about the one thing most pediatricians aren't yet doing: putting the gut microbiome at the center of newborn care. If your baby has struggled with reflux, colic, eczema, gassy uncomfortable feeds, weird-colored poops, or just a general sense that something is off with no answers… this episode is for you. We use the terms mother, mom & birthing person interchangeably in this episode. 🌈 In this episode, we cover: * Why your microbiome as a pregnant person is your baby's literal starting point * What actually happens in a newborn's gut in the first hours of life (hint: it's a clean canvas, and what you paint on it matters) * The real reason so many babies are diagnosed with "colic" and "reflux" * Why vaginal delivery and breastfeeding matter for gut health, and what to do if neither was possible for you * How antibiotics during pregnancy (for UTIs, GBS, and more) affect your baby's microbiome — and how to recover * What microbiome testing looks like, and when Dr. Palmer recommends it * The cascade of interventions: swallow studies, MRIs, NG tubes, hospital admissions… that all could be prevented with early gut support * Why not all probiotics are created equal, and why single-strain OTC probiotics often don't work * What healthy newborn poop looks like and why poop color and consistency absolutely matter, no matter what social media says * Dr. Palmer's Tiny Tummies program and how microbiome support is changing outcomes for families Resources mentioned: * Pure Joy Pediatrics: www.purejoypediatrics.com [http://www.purejoypediatrics.com] * Dr. Kirin Palmer on Instagram: @purejoypediatrics and @kirinpalmermd * Ninni Co Pacifier — code BEWELLBABY for 10% off  * Beyond Birth Blueprint membership (Nest, Bloom, Thrive): [bewellbaby.org/beyond-birth [http://bewellbaby.org/beyond-birth]] * Book a consult with the Be Well Baby team: [bewellbaby.org/book-now [http://bewellbaby.org/book-now]] Everything on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. More About Your Host Emily Spaeth is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, childbirth educator, and founder of Be Well Baby® in Portland, Oregon. With extensive NICU experience and training in craniosacral therapy, she leads a team providing home-based health care for families navigating the tricky parts of pregnancy and postpartum.  She also hosts the Beyond Birth Blueprint [http://www.bewellbaby.org/beyond-birth-blueprint], an online birth and postpartum educational community available to families across the country—so no matter where you are, you have access to support, resources, and connection. Emily is also a mother of three and passionate about helping families move from surviving to thriving. If you’ve read this far… please leave us a review :) It helps spread the word more thank you could ever know. Love, Em

Demystifying Induction & Cesarean with OB Hospitalist Dr. Jennifer Lincoln

One in three births in the US starts with an induction. Another one in three is a cesarean. And yet most people walk into those experiences confused, scared, or feeling like the decision just happened to them. This episode is here to change that. Dr. Jennifer Lincoln is a board-certified OBGYN, OB hospitalist in Portland, Oregon, and one of the most trusted voices in evidence-based birth education online. She's the author of the brand-new The Birth Book [https://amzn.to/4uaQGKE]: An OBGYN's Guide to Demystifying Labor and Delivery (out March 2026) and has spent her career making sure people walk into birth feeling informed — not afraid. Emily and Jennifer have the honest, warm, non-judgmental conversation that so many people wish they could have with their own provider. Nothing is sugarcoated, and nothing is left out. In this episode: * Why social media birth content is often the worst-case scenario * What an induction actually looks like, step by step (hint: it can take days, and that's normal) * The ARRIVE Trial:  what it actually showed, what it didn't, and the critical caveat almost nobody mentions * How to know when to trust a provider's recommendation vs. when to ask more questions (and the magic questions to ask) * The truth about Pitocin, hemorrhage risk, and why the uterus gets tired * Advanced maternal age: what the data actually says and when age alone is a reason for induction * A walk through what happens in the OR from the moment the C-section decision is made to when you're sewn back up * Why cesarean recovery is a full year, not six weeks, and what to do differently * The fundal massage nobody warns you about * Postpartum mental health after an unexpected cesarean — what to watch for and why Jennifer brings it up in the discharge conversation Resources mentioned: * 📖 The Birth Book [https://amzn.to/4fUdJWD] by Dr. Jennifer Lincoln — available wherever books are sold (audiobook available, read by Dr. Lincoln herself) * Dr. Jennifer Lincoln online: drjenniferlincoln.com [http://drjenniferlincoln.com] * Follow Dr. Lincoln: @drjenniferlincoln on Instagram and TikTok * 📍 Live event: Dr. Lincoln's book signing [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-jennifer-lincoln-hosted-by-childbirth-allies-tickets-1987205327629], June 14th, 4:15 PM at Vancouver Community Library, hosted by Childbirth Allies! Click the link or search "Childbirth Allies Jennifer Lincoln" on Eventbrite to register! * The Ninni pacifier — use code BEWELLBABY for 10% off  Helpful framework from this episode: The BRAIN acronym for decision-making in labor:  B — Benefits  R — Risks  A — Alternatives  I — Intuition  N — Nothing (what if we wait?)  Connect with Be Well Baby: 📲 Instagram: @BeWellBabyPDX 🌐 bewellbaby.org [http://bewellbaby.org] More About Your Host Dr. Emily Spaeth, PT, DPT, IBCLC, is the founder of Be Well Baby® in Portland, Oregon. She leads a team specializing in home visits for the trickiest perinatal cases. She also mentors perinatal providers navigating complex clinical work. Mom of 3, passionate about helping families and clinicians move from surviving to thriving.

Bacterial Vaginosis, Cervical Lips, & Nuchal Cords, Oh My! Lessons From My Three Home Births

This week, we're flipping the script. My doula, Alison Akan of the BirthLinked YouTube channel, sits down with me to talk through all three of my birth experiences, and nothing is off limits. I went into each birth with more knowledge than the last, and somehow that made things both easier and harder. We talk about what it's like to plan for a home birth and end up in the hospital, what it means to truly surrender in labor, and why knowing too much can sometimes work against you. Alison's passion for birth began in her teens in Sweden, where she went on to study medical assisting with a goal of midwifery. She supported her first birth at 22 in a high-risk labor and delivery unit in Lund, and brings experience from over 300 births to every family she serves. After returning to the USA in 2017, she became a certified birth doula and hasn't looked back. Alison is deeply committed to evidence-based education, helping expectant parents understand their options and move from fear to excitement. Her goal is for every client to look back on their birth as empowering, even when it doesn't go as planned. Alison always says that it's a true honor to be invited into such a sacred space, and that reverence is at the heart of everything she does. BIRTH VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwSlgH3B1Do&list=PLbvrHEJRpfbj4TdUGNNcGPYJ6Dr67KTW8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwSlgH3B1Do&list=PLbvrHEJRpfbj4TdUGNNcGPYJ6Dr67KTW8] In this episode we cover: * How my first birth started with a yoga class in San Francisco — in Depends * Undiagnosed bacterial vaginosis, prelabor rupture of membranes, and a four-day labor that ended in a hospital transfer * What actually happens to your psoas muscles in labor — and why an epidural was the best clinical decision I made * My second birth: swift, an uneventful nuchal cord with baby still en caul * Deciding to have a third child on a hard parenting day — and what my partner said that made the decision for us * Asynclitism, cervical lips, a birth tub filled with buckets, and a placenta that went rogue * What my husband was most afraid of — and it wasn't pushing the baby out! People + Events Mentioned: * Alison Akan: [BirthLinked [https://www.youtube.com/@BirthLinkedwithAlison] YouTube Channel] * Angela Truby: Glow Midwifery [https://www.glowmidwifery.com/] [midwife] * Tami Lynn Kent [https://www.wildfeminine.com/] / Holistic Pelvic Care™ * Katie Kanda [https://katiekanda.com/]  * Beyond Birth Community Calls [https://www.skool.com/beyond-birth/about]  * Birth Prep. But Better. [https://www.bewellbaby.org/birth-prep-but-better] (https://www.bewellbaby.org/birth-prep-but-better [https://www.bewellbaby.org/birth-prep-but-better]) Want to keep the conversation going? Join me most Tuesdays at 10am PST/1pm EST/7pm in Sweden! Beyond Birth [https://www.skool.com/beyond-birth/about]