The Breath & Birth Co Podcast
Welcome to The Breath & Birth Co Podcast — a space for mindful preparation and grounded transformation through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
Hosted by Vanessa Bauman, Certified Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator, and Prenatal Yoga, Breathwork, and Meditation Teacher, this podcast bridges evidence-based education with intuitive wisdom to help you feel informed, empowered, and at peace throughout your journey.
Each episode invites you to pause, breathe, and learn through guided meditations, expert interviews, and real birth stories that nurture your mind-body connection and strengthen your confidence.
Whether you’re preparing for your first birth, planning a VBAC, or seeking a calmer start to parenthood, you’ll find tools, stories, and support to help you cultivate calm, confidence, and connection every step of the way.
(Educational content only; not a substitute for medical advice. Visit breathandbirthco.com/disclaimer for full details.)
Keywords:
- pregnancy podcast
- prenatal education
- childbirth education
- evidence-based birth
- doula tips
- birth stories
- pregnancy meditation
- prenatal yoga
- mindfulness for pregnancy
- labor preparation
- birth plan support
- calm birth techniques
- cesarean birth preparation
- hospital birth advocacy
- breathing exercises for labor
- relaxation for pregnancy
- postpartum recovery tips
- mind-body connection
- birth confidence
- pregnancy affirmations
The Breath & Birth Co Podcast
15. The Audacity to Birth Your Way with Birth Doula Megan Neal
In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, host Vanessa, an experienced birth doula and childbirth educator, talks with fellow doula Megan Neal of Birth Your Way about their experiences in the birth support field, including inspirations, challenges, and the importance of advocacy. Megan shares her journey into birth work, misconceptions about labor, and the roles of support partners. They discuss the importance of developing confidence, creating a calm birthing environment, and building a supportive village during pregnancy. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of doulas and other professionals, like pelvic health therapists, in supporting a positive birth experience. Vanessa and Megan offer practical advice for birthing individuals and their partners to feel empowered and informed throughout the pregnancy and birthing process.
00:00 Introduction to the Breath and Birth Co. Podcast
00:47 Meet Megan Neal: A Journey into Birth Work
03:30 The Role of Confidence in Childbirth
07:49 Advocacy in the Birthing Process
13:37 Memorable Experiences and Lessons Learned
23:20 Creating a Calm and Empowered Birth Experience
28:02 Building Your Village: Support During Pregnancy and Beyond
30:12 The Importance of Having a Doula
31:13 Building Your Support Village
33:21 Professional Support During Pregnancy
34:43 The Role of Pelvic Floor Specialists
42:24 Chiropractors and Other Professionals
43:55 Preparing Partners for Labor and Delivery
46:52 Recommended Books and Resources
48:16 Changes Needed in Maternity Care
51:38 Staying Passionate in Birth Work
56:26 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
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As a reminder, the content discussed on this show is not medical advice. For more information, please see Disclaimer here.