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

What a NICU PT and Lactation Consultant Actually Puts on Her Baby Registry with Dr. Emily Spaeth

Baby registry must haves are everywhere, but most lists are written by influencers, not clinicians. In this solo episode, Dr. Emily, a NICU physical therapist and board certified lactation consultant, walks through what she actually recommends for your baby registry: the feeding supplies worth buying before birth, the baby gear that supports development (and the popular items that work against it), what NICU professionals know about safe sleep products, and the stuff you can absolutely skip. Whether you're building your Babylist registry or just wondering what you really need for a newborn, this is the registry episode your pregnant friends will thank you for. Check out everything I mention in this episode! https://www.bewellbaby.org/blog/registry [https://www.bewellbaby.org/blog/registry] SUPPORT: Put Be Well Baby on your registry! When you gift Be Well Baby, you are giving the gift of options. We have virtual lactation support, and a birth education platform called the Beyond Birth Blueprint that can answer all of your questions in real time.  https://www.bewellbaby.org/gift-cards-beyond-birth [https://www.bewellbaby.org/gift-cards-beyond-birth] More About Your Hostess:  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 and trauma informed care, 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 world—so no matter where you are, you have access to support, resources, and connection. Dr. Emily is also a mother of three and passionate about helping families transition from surviving to thriving. Be Well Baby Podcast Episodes about topics I touch on here! * Flange Sizes: We Are Not Cows https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-are-not-cows-why-flange-size-matters-with-faith-samaan/id1851076558?i=1000739494852 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-are-not-cows-why-flange-size-matters-with-faith-samaan/id1851076558?i=1000739494852] * Nervous System Episode https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-is-nervous-system-regulation-ill-tell-you-with-dr/id1851076558?i=1000746998854 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-is-nervous-system-regulation-ill-tell-you-with-dr/id1851076558?i=1000746998854] * Containers! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tummy-time-containers-and-functional-frustration-its/id1851076558?i=1000747993058 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tummy-time-containers-and-functional-frustration-its/id1851076558?i=1000747993058] * Postpartum Support https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/twins-birth-trauma-and-the-fourth-trimester-with/id1851076558?i=1000755928920 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/twins-birth-trauma-and-the-fourth-trimester-with/id1851076558?i=1000755928920]

Tongues Ties, Airways, and A Surgeon’s Case for Whole Human Care with Dr. Prashant Charugundla

What if the surgeon you finally found actually saw you as a whole, complex human and not just a line item on a sleep study? In this episode, Dr. Emily welcomes oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Prashant Charugundla for a conversation that bridges Western surgical precision with a genuinely holistic, systems-level lens on care. Prashant opens up about his own long journey before a myofunctional therapist and an osteopathic doctor finally pointed him toward what was really going on. That personal experience now fuels his deep compassion for the patients who arrive having already seen a dozen providers without answers. Together, Emily and Prashant unpack the structural and nervous-system ripple effects of unaddressed tongue ties, why a "normal" sleep study doesn't mean nothing is wrong, and what's really happening to the airway during pregnancy and postpartum. It's a wide-ranging, validating conversation for anyone who has ever been dismissed and told they're "just tired." IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER: * Prashant's personal health journey and how being a dismissed patient shaped his philosophy * What myofunctional therapy actually is * The tongue as a "relay station": how the genioglossus, hyoid, and the tent-pole effect connect the tongue to the whole body * Downstream consequences of unreleased tongue ties in both a 3-year-old and a 30-year-old (airway resistance, postural compensation, voice tightness, gait changes) * Upper airway resistance syndrome and why a clear sleep study can still miss real symptoms * Nasal breathing, nitric oxide, and the cortisol/norepinephrine cascade of mouth breathing at night * Phrenectomy vs. functional frenuloplasty vs. Z-plasty — and the windows of opportunity for intervention * The "room before furniture" philosophy: expanding structure before removing tissue * Why tongue ties remain controversial, and how to ask the right questions when choosing a provider * What's happening to the airway during pregnancy  * Bridging Eastern and Western perspectives toward whole-human, collaborative care More About Our Guest Dr. Prashant Charugundla ("Dr. C") is a Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon and the founder of Summit Oral Surgery in Portland, Oregon. Bridging Western surgical precision with Eastern holistic philosophy, he treats the face/mouth not as an isolated tool, but as the gateway to the body’s overall health—linking structure to airway, sleep, and nervous system regulation. With a background as a pediatric trauma surgeon and OHSU professor, Dr. C brings a gentle, safety-first approach to every case. However, his clinical focus is deeply rooted in adult skeletal and functional health. He specializes in helping adults who have lived with chronic airway obstruction, TMJ dysfunction, or sleep issues finally achieve true physiological release. Through nasomaxillary expansion and reconstructive surgery, he empowers patients to breathe better, sleep deeper, and thrive. Off the clock, he explores the Pacific Northwest, embodying the active, vital lifestyle he helps his patients restore. Learn more: portlandoralsurgeon.com [http://portlandoralsurgeon.com] 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. www.bewellbaby.org Our mission is to fundamentally shift what healthcare could look like for pregnancy, postpartum, and babies. Please help us spread the word by leaving a review! Every review matters!

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