Are All These Ultrasounds Necessary?

My Mom's Birth Story: Birth In The 90's & Single-Parenthood

In this episode of The Popped Podcast, I sit down with someone very special—my mom. We talk about what pregnancy, labor, birth, and raising two kids as a single mom looked like in the 90s. Her story is honest, funny, emotional, and a powerful reminder of just how much birth, parenting, and women's healthcare have changed over the last few decades. We also reflect on the things that haven't changed—like the importance of community, resilience, and trusting yourself as a parent. In this episode, we cover: * What pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care looked like in the 1990s * Being induced and navigating the hospital birth experience * The role (and limitations) of prenatal education at the time * Why moms need a village—and what happens when they don't have one * How chiropractic became part of our family's story * The realities of single motherhood and raising resilient kids * Looking back on parenting with perspective, grace, and a little humor Whether you're pregnant, already a parent, or simply curious about how birth culture has evolved, this conversation offers a heartfelt look at where we've been, how far we've come, and why sharing stories across generations matters. #ThePoppedPodcast #BirthEducation #BabyLedBirth #LaborAndDelivery #ChiropracticForPregnancy #PregnancyPodcast #DoulaSupport #BirthWorkerLife #ExpectingMoms #BirthPrep #prenatalchiropractor

Are All These Ultrasounds Necessary?

In this episode of The POPPED Podcast, Dr. Emily explores a question that most pregnant women have never been asked:How did we know where babies were before ultrasound?From traditional birth cultures to Leopold's Maneuvers, this episode dives into the lost art of assessing pregnancy through touch, observation, and clinical skill. Dr. Emily unpacks how ultrasound transformed modern prenatal care, why many providers have become increasingly dependent on imaging, and what may have been lost along the way.This conversation isn't about fear or being anti-ultrasound. It's about understanding the purpose of technology, asking thoughtful questions, and recognizing the value of hands-on assessment in pregnancy.In this episode, you'll learn:• How providers determined baby's position before ultrasound existed• What Leopold's Maneuvers are and why they still matter today• Why technology can sometimes replace important clinical skills• What traditional and indigenous birth cultures taught us about pregnancy assessment• How ultrasound works and why it is more than "just a picture"• Why more scans don't always mean better outcomes• Questions to ask before agreeing to additional ultrasoundsThis episode invites you to think differently about pregnancy, technology, and the skills that helped generations of women navigate birth long before a screen was involved.#ThePoppedPodcast #BirthEducation #BabyLedBirth #LaborAndDelivery #ChiropracticForPregnancy #PregnancyPodcast #DoulaSupport #BirthWorkerLife #ExpectingMoms #BirthPrep #prenatalchiropractor

Is My Baby Moving Enough?

In this episode of The Popped Podcast, Dr. Emily breaks down one of the most common questions in pregnancy: Is my baby moving enough? She explains why fetal movement can look and feel dramatically different from one pregnancy to another and why those differences are often completely normal. From placenta placement and baby position to nervous system development and maternal awareness, this episode helps moms understand what actually influences movement and how to recognize their own baby’s unique pattern. Dr. Emily also explores the limitations of kick counts, when changes in movement truly matter, and how to shift from comparison and anxiety to confidence and connection. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why some babies move more than others • How placenta placement and baby position affect what you feel • What influences fetal movement throughout pregnancy • Why kick counts are meant to identify change—not create stress • When to seek care if your baby’s movement pattern changes This episode will help you stop comparing your pregnancy to everyone else’s and start trusting the unique rhythm and communication pattern of your baby. Sponsored by The Final Punctuation. #ThePoppedPodcast #BirthEducation #BabyLedBirth #LaborAndDelivery #ChiropracticForPregnancy #PregnancyPodcast #DoulaSupport #BirthWorkerLife #ExpectingMoms #BirthPrep #prenatalchiropractor  #kickcount #babymovement

The Big Baby Myth - What Actually Determines Birth

In this episode of The POPPED Podcast, Dr. Emily challenges one of the most common narratives in pregnancy: the “big baby.” Instead of focusing on fear or worst-case scenarios, this episode breaks down how the label “big baby” is often based on estimates—not certainty—and how it can shift the entire trajectory of a birth before labor even begins. Dr. Emily walks through what actually matters in birth, including baby’s position, pelvic mobility, and the nervous system, helping moms move away from fear-based thinking and toward understanding how their body and baby are designed to work together. This episode reframes the conversation from size to support—giving moms a more accurate and empowering perspective on their birth. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why the term “big baby” is often based on inaccurate estimates • How ultrasound measurements can influence decisions more than reality • What actually determines how a baby moves through the pelvis • Why positioning, movement, and nervous system state matter more than size • How the “big baby” label can lead to unnecessary interventions • Why your body is not growing a baby it can’t birth This episode helps you shift from fear about baby size to confidence in how your body and baby work together. #ThePoppedPodcast #BirthEducation #BabyLedBirth #LaborAndDelivery #ChiropracticForPregnancy #PregnancyPodcast #DoulaSupport #BirthWorkerLife #ExpectingMoms #BirthPrep #prenatalchiropractor

Colic Isn’t Just Crying — Here’s Why Your Baby Won’t Settle

In this episode of The POPPED Podcast, Dr. Emily breaks down one of the most common — and most frustrating — labels given to babies: colic. Instead of accepting colic as a diagnosis, this episode reframes it as a clue. Dr. Emily walks through what’s actually happening in a baby’s body and nervous system, why crying isn’t random, and how different underlying patterns like tension, digestion, feeding mechanics, and overstimulation can all show up as “colic.” Most importantly, this episode gives parents direction — helping them understand what to look for and where to go for real support. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why colic isn’t actually a diagnosis • What your baby’s nervous system is trying to communicate • The most common patterns behind “colicky” behavior • How body tension, feeding issues, and digestion all play a role • Signs to look for that point to specific underlying causes • Where to go for support based on what you’re seeing • When symptoms may need further medical evaluation This episode helps parents move from feeling stuck and overwhelmed to understanding what their baby is communicating — and knowing what to do next. #ThePoppedPodcast #BirthEducation #BabyLedBirth #LaborAndDelivery #ChiropracticForPregnancy #PregnancyPodcast #DoulaSupport #BirthWorkerLife #ExpectingMoms #BirthPrep #prenatalchiropractor #colic #colicky #colicsupport