Birthing Instincts

This week, Dr. Stu welcomes Florida midwife Fadwah Halaby for an inspiring conversation about evidence, autonomy, and trusting physiological birth. Before diving into an unforgettable breech twin home birth, Stu takes a deep dive into another one of obstetrics' commonly accepted practices, the "2-centimeter rule" for low-lying placenta, and uncovers the surprisingly weak evidence behind it. 
Together, Stu and Fadwah explore how outdated conventions become hospital policy, why individualized care matters, and what happens when skilled providers support families instead of protocols. From twin growth charts to cord prolapse, patient autonomy, and the realities of home birth, this episode challenges assumptions while celebrating the art and science of physiological birth.

About Fadwah
Fadwah has worked as a nurse since 1992 (34 years) in various areas such as home health, ER, and L&D. For the past 20 years she has worked as a Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife - 8 years in a busy OB practice facilitating hospital birth and office gynecology, and 12 years in her independent home birth practice. She has assisted over 2000 babies to be born with about 700 of those in the community birth setting. She has been offering breech and twin birth in her practice for several years, more often in the past few years since completing formal training through Spinning Babies and Breech Without Borders. The first birth she ever witnessed live (other than her own) was a breech birth, in 1986.
She is a divorced mother of 6 grown children with 5 granddaughters. Currently living in Palm Beach County, south Florida where she has her office and home birth practice, Midwife360. She is currently back to working in a solo practice with back up from various other home birth midwives in the area. She is limiting her practice to 4 births per month and willing to take on breech births from the community whenever she is able as there are no options for breech for most women. She is a licensed autonomous APRN in Florida.
In 2023, she decided to exit the insurance game completely, after offering in-network provision of care through most insurance companies, both private and public. The reasons for this are numerous, but mainly financial and emotional. To help offset the difficulty some families have in affording home birth midwifery (a concierge service to be sure) she started a non profit - Birth Equity Resource. A 501(c)3 designed to attract donors wanting to help those more financially challenged to be able to choose home birth midwifery.

Website: midwife360.com 
Non-Profit: birthequityresource.org
Instagram: @midwife360

References:
Placental edge to internal os distance in the late third trimester and mode of delivery in placenta praevia
https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2003.02491.x

Vaginal delivery in women with a low-lying placenta: a systematic review and meta-analysis
https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.15622

Fetal Imaging: Executive Summary of a Joint Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Radiology, Society for Pediatric Radiology, and Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound Fetal Imaging Workshop

Placenta previa: distance to internal os and mode of delivery
https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378%2809%2900629-2/fulltext

Birthing Instincts Podcast 378: The Cost of Homebirth, Navigating Insurance in Midwifery, with Fadwah Halaby

A maneuver for head entanglement in term breech/vertex twin labor, by Dr. Stu Fischbein
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52ca1028e4b05c5f2d7b157d/t/62e02090874eae67b683bc67/1658855570428/A+Maneuver+for+Head+Entanglement+Published.pdf

Discussed in This Episode
Where the 2-centimeter low-lying placenta guideline actually came from
Counseling families about twin pregnancy beyond fear-based statistics
Fadwah's pathway from hospital midwifery to independent home birth practice
Preparing for a planned breech twin home birth
Managing cord prolapse in a breech presentation
Home birth emergency preparedness and neonatal resuscitation
The importance of individualized risk assessment over blanket policies

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by
LMNT | Got to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with any order
Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use  code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss
Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@wovenmoon_
Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What happens when a traumatic first birth becomes the catalyst for a completely different second experience?
This week, Blyss and Stu welcome holistic esthetician Michelle Vaughn to share the story of two births that couldn't have been more different, and how those experiences transformed not only the way she views birth, but the way she approaches health, skincare, motherhood, and everyday living.
Michelle opens up about her husband's stage IV cancer diagnosis, the lifestyle changes that followed, and why she began questioning everything she was putting on and into her family's bodies. Together, they explore common skincare ingredients, sunscreen, deodorant, household products, and practical ways families can begin reducing toxic exposures without becoming overwhelmed.
Whether you're interested in physiologic birth, holistic wellness, or simply making more informed choices for your family, this episode offers thoughtful conversation, personal stories, and plenty to consider.
About Michelle
Michelle Vaughan is a holistic esthetician with 19 years of experience, wellness educator, mom of two, and co-owner of Alma Aesthetics Organic Wellness Spa in Santa Barbara. She’s passionate about helping women and families make informed, balanced choices through holistic skincare, mindful living, and simple everyday wellness. Michelle shares her journey through motherhood, beauty, and healthy living with an approachable, evidence-informed perspective while encouraging others to feel confident in making the choices that are right for them.
Instagram: @michellevaughanklett / @almaaesthetics
Clean Product Recommendations:
Primally Pure
Earth Mama Organics
Under Luna
Living Libations
Branch Basics
Wholesome organics Code Instincts for 20% off

References:
Joint Statement From NACPM and NARM Regarding MEAC’s Withdrawal from U.S. Department of Education Recognition: https://www.nacpm.org/news/joint-statement-from-nacpm-and-narm

Discussed in This Episode
What MEAC's withdrawal from Department of Education recognition could mean for midwifery education
Hospital birth versus home birth: one family's dramatically different experiences
Trauma, healing, and trusting the physiologic birth process
The connection between skincare, nutrition, inflammation, and overall wellness
Sunscreen, deodorant, fragrances, household products, and reducing toxic exposure
Simple swaps families can make without feeling overwhelmed

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by
LMNT | Got to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with any order
Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss
Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@wovenmoon_
Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Postpartum preeclampsia is one of the least talked about, but potentially most serious, complications after birth. This week, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss explore what we know, what we don't, and why every new mother should understand the warning signs, even after a healthy pregnancy and birth.
Together they review the latest evidence surrounding postpartum hypertension and postpartum preeclampsia, discuss risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and why postpartum care deserves far more attention than it often receives.
Whether you're currently pregnant, postpartum, or supporting growing families, this episode offers practical information, thoughtful discussion, and an important reminder to trust your instincts when something doesn't feel right.

References:
Breech Birth Podcast: S5 Ep3 Midwife Blyss Young: Legal restrictions, walking through life & death & advocacy
Postpartum preeclampsia or eclampsia: defining its place and management among the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: https://www.ajog.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0002-9378%2820%2931201-1

Discussed in This Episode
Researching Postpartum Preeclampsia (PPPE)
PPPE Risk Factors 
Symptoms of PPPE And When It Hits
The importance of postpartum monitoring and listening to your body
How postpartum hypertension differs from classic preeclampsia
Current treatment recommendations
Home blood pressure monitoring
Recognizing warning signs
Is PPPE Iatrogenic?
Why postpartum care shouldn't end at hospital discharge

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by
LMNT | Got to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with any order
Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss
Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@wovenmoon_
Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com
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#birthinginstinctspodcast #homebirth #midwife #BirthWithoutFear #PhysiologicBirth 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This week, we're setting aside our usual topic-driven format to share something even more meaningful: real stories from our fellow travelers.
Join us in reading one of the most moving letters we've ever received.
A certified nurse-midwife shares the heartbreaking story of carrying a daughter diagnosed with anencephaly. Although her daughter, Olivia, was stillborn, she describes her birth as the most beautiful experience of her life, not because of the outcome, but because she was respected, supported, and allowed to birth in a way that brought peace instead of trauma.
This episode is full of inspiring listener stories about twin births, breech births, home birth, and the power of education to preserve options for families around the world.
This conversation is ultimately about more than birth.
It's about autonomy.
It's about courage.
And it's about remembering that even in the hardest moments, peace is still possible. 

References:
Mentorship with Blyss, schedule your clarity call to join at woven-moon.com
What They Don’t Tell Us Podcast: He Was One of the Best OBs in the Country. Midwives Taught Him What He Was Missing.
Book: Between a Shot and a Hard Place, by Joel Warsh
@PerfectUnion on Instagram: "Watch Jacob Rockwell, a man fined for running a red light in Florida while being in Alabama, pop off against the use of the A.I. red light cameras that were used to "identify" him."
Twin home birth: Outcomes of 100 sets of twins in the care of a single practitioner

Discussed in This Episode
The growing loss of human connection in healthcare why less intervention often creates more confidence
Stillbirth becomes an experience of profound peace.
Why respectful maternity care matters
Twin birth stories that challenge common assumptions about "high-risk" pregnancy
The importance of breech birth skills and preserving birth options
How preparation, mindset, and autonomy shape lifelong birth memories
Why confidence, not fear, changes birth experiences.

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by
LMNT | Got to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with any order
Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use  code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss
Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@wovenmoon_
Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode of Birthing Instincts, Blyss and Stu take a deep dive into systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in pregnancy.
Together they explore what lupus is, how it affects pregnancy, and what current evidence says about risks such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, stillbirth, and congenital heart block. 
Along the way, Stu revisits the decades-old Hadlock fetal growth curve and questions whether a single growth standard can accurately reflect diverse populations around the world. The conversation highlights the importance of individualized care, informed decision-making, and understanding risk without defaulting to fear-based management.

References:
Instagram Live with @Kristen_Nagle
Reclaiming Birth Gathering: reclaimingbirthconference.com
Made For Birth Podcast: Questioning The Standard of Maternity Care 

Discussed in This Episode
• What systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is and how it affects pregnancy
• Lupus flares, remission, and preconception planning
• Preeclampsia risk in women with lupus
• Hydroxychloroquine safety and use during pregnancy
• Antiphospholipid antibodies and pregnancy outcomes
• How lupus and preeclampsia can look similar
• The limitations of the Hadlock fetal growth curve
• Population differences in fetal growth and birth weight
• Why individualized care matters more than blanket recommendations

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care 

This show is supported by
LMNT | Got to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with any order
Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use code INSTINCTS for 15% off

Connect with Dr. Stu and Blyss
Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
Instagram: @birthinginstincts/@wovenmoon_
Website: birthinginstincts.com/birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands