raw MOMversations

• Beyond the Scar: True Healing After C-Section with Sarah Stead // S4E36

  C-section recovery specialist and founder of The Scar Connection, Sarah Stead, joins us for a raw, validating, and truth-filled conversation that every mother deserves to hear whether your birth was surgical or not. With over a decade of experience supporting women after cesarean birth, Sarah is on a mission to rewrite the narrative around healing, recovery, and VBAC choices. From scar tissue and stored trauma to postpartum grief, physical pain, and the myth of the 6-week “all-clear” this episode is full of truths that rarely get shared. We talk about what’s really missing from postpartum care, how the medical system downplays a major abdominal surgery, and why support after birth is non-negotiable. Sarah also breaks down the difference between common and normal, and what your body—and heart—might still be holding onto years later. This episode is a warm hug, a wake-up call, and a reclamation all in one. Whether you’re a C-section mama, planning a VBAC, or simply looking for more truth and support—this one’s for you.   Key Highlights: • Why the “6-week checkup” is not the finish line—it’s just the beginning • The difference between physical healing and true recovery • How scar tissue can impact digestion, posture, emotions, and more • Why breastfeeding after a surgical birth can be harder • How trauma can be physically stored in the scar • What a VBAC really is—and why most women are never told the truth • Why some OBs still push “once a C-section, always a C-section” • What true VBAC support should actually look like • Why your pelvis probably isn’t “too small” • The hidden risks of elective C-sections that aren’t often disclosed • Why it’s never too late to heal—yes, even 25 years later   About the Reclaiming Birth Conference This powerful in-person gathering brings together voices from around the world who are reclaiming birth, autonomy, and truth. Designed for parents, birth workers, and changemakers, the conference is about honoring physiology, challenging the status quo, and reclaiming your birthright. 📍 Ontario – September 19 & 20, 2025 🌐 reclaimingbirthconference.com 📸 @reclaimbirthconference 📍 Montreal – Spring, 2026 🌐 reclaimingbirthmontreal.ca 📸 @reclaiming.birth.montreal   Connect with Sarah Stead:  Instagram: @scar.connection  Website: thescarconnection.com  VBAC Info: https://www.ontariomidwives.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/CPG-Vaginal-birth-after-caesaean-section-2021-PUB-.pdf  https://www.thevbaclink.com/vbac-provider/  Reclaiming Birth Conference 15% off use SARAH15 Connect with Melania & Ally:  Instagram: @rawmomversations  Website: rawmomversations.com   Podcast Disclaimer: The Raw MOMversations podcast is for entertainment purposes only and not a substitute for professional or medical advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Consult professionals for individual needs. We strive for accuracy but make no warranties. Any views or opinions expressed by the hosts, guests, or contributors are solely their own and do not represent the views of Raw MOMversations, its sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Raw MOMversations is not liable for any losses. By listening, you agree to these terms. Thank you for tuning in!

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• Healing Starts at Birth: Nervous System, Inner Child & Soul Reconnection with Eyla Cuenca // S4E35

  Can birth actually heal your childhood wounds? Holistic birth guide, doula, and podcast host Eyla Cuenca joins us for one of the most soul-shifting conversations we've ever had. Known for her trauma-informed, spiritually grounded approach to birth, Eyla dives deep into how our earliest experiences shape our nervous system—and how the birth portal can actually help us reclaim, rewire, and heal. With over a decade of experience and more than 200 births attended, Eyla brings wisdom, depth, and compassion to this powerful dialogue. From inner child healing to conscious conception to the vibrations of our words in labor—this episode is a wake-up call to slow down, reconnect, and birth from a place of wholeness. Whether you’re a birth worker, a mama-to-be, or someone on their own healing journey—this episode will stir something in you. If you've ever felt birth was more than just a physical event… you’re right. And this conversation might just unlock what’s been waiting for you all along.     Key Highlights: • What it really means to reclaim your birth experience • Why the nervous system matters more than we realize—especially in birth & breastfeeding • Why birth isn’t a medical event—it’s a biological, emotional, and spiritual initiation • How childhood wounds show up in pregnancy and labor • Why “just feeding the baby” isn’t always as simple as it seems • The connection between colic, maternal anxiety, and nervous system mirroring • How we’re conditioned to override our inner “no” from childhood • Why postpartum support should matter more than your baby registry • What doulas and birth workers can do to avoid burnout—and why personal healing is part of the job • Why this isn’t just for moms: how everyone can benefit from exploring their own birth story   About the Reclaiming Birth Conference This powerful in-person gathering brings together voices from around the world who are reclaiming birth, autonomy, and truth. Designed for parents, birth workers, and changemakers, the conference is about honouring physiology, challenging the status quo, and reclaiming your birthright. 📍 Ontario – September 19 & 20, 2025 📍 Montreal – April 25th, 2025 Follow @reclaimingbirthconference and @reclaiming.birth.montreal   Connect with Eyla Cuenca:  Instagram: @eyla_cuenca_birth  Podcast: Born to Know  Website: www.eylacuenca.com Courses: Uncovering Birth Foundations Course Uncovering Birth Doula Training 2026   Connect with Melania & Ally:  Instagram: @rawmomversations  Website: www.rawmomversations.com   Podcast Disclaimer: The Raw MOMversations podcast is for entertainment purposes only and not a substitute for professional or medical advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Consult professionals for individual needs. We strive for accuracy but make no warranties. Any views or opinions expressed by the hosts, guests, or contributors are solely their own and do not represent the views of Raw MOMversations, its sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Raw MOMversations is not liable for any losses. By listening, you agree to these terms. Thank you for tuning in!

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• A Raw Talk with Dr. Stuart Fischbein- VBAC, Ultrasounds, C-sections & the Lies We’ve Been Told // S4E34

  Is hospital birth really the safest—or just the most profitable? Dr. Stuart Fishbein, OB-GYN turned homebirth advocate and co-host of the Birthing Instincts Podcast, joins us for one of the most important conversations we’ve ever had. With over four decades of experience—from high-intervention hospital wards to peaceful homebirth rooms—Dr. Stu brings truth, history, and a whole lot of passion to this explosive and eye-opening episode. We talk about the medicalization of birth, the overuse of interventions like ultrasounds and inductions, and why the system isn’t broken—it’s working exactly as designed. Dr. Stu explains the cascade of interventions, how VBAC risks are distorted, why informed consent is often missing, and why so many mothers feel disempowered. He also shares how the birth world is changing—and what gives him hope. If you've ever felt something was “off” about the way birth is handled today, this episode will validate that instinct. And if you're navigating your own birth choices, it may just change everything.     Key Highlights:  What really made Dr. Stu leave the hospital system after 24 years • Why most doctors have NEVER seen a normal labor • The truth behind the cascade of interventions • How fear and language shape a mother’s entire experience • Why the system isn’t broken—it’s just working for someone else • The risks of VBAC, explained clearly and honestly • The overuse (and hidden dangers) of routine ultrasounds • Why denying women food in labor is outdated and harmful • How the system rewards C-sections—and punishes physiological birth • What OBs are really taught in training (spoiler: it’s not about trust) • Why informed consent in pregnancy is often an illusion • How doctors who speak out are silenced or punished • What gives Dr. Stu hope for the future of birth   About the Reclaiming Birth Conference This powerful in-person gathering brings together voices from around the world who are reclaiming birth, autonomy, and truth. Designed for parents, birth workers, and changemakers, the conference is about honoring physiology, challenging the status quo, and reclaiming your birthright. 📍 Ontario – September 19 & 20, 2025 🌐 reclaimingbirthconference.com 📸 @reclaimbirthconference 📍 Montreal – October 25, 2025 🌐 reclaimingbirthmontreal.ca 📸 @reclaiming.birth.montreal   Connect with Dr. Stu Fishbein:  Instagram:@birthinginstincts  Podcast: Birthing Instincts   Website: birthinginstincts.com   Connect with Melania & Ally:  Instagram: @rawmomversations • Website: rawmomversations.com   Podcast Disclaimer: The Raw MOMversations podcast is for entertainment purposes only and not a substitute for professional or medical advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Consult professionals for individual needs. We strive for accuracy but make no warranties. Any views or opinions expressed by the hosts, guests, or contributors are solely their own and do not represent the views of Raw MOMversations, its sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Raw MOMversations is not liable for any losses. By listening, you agree to these terms. Thank you for tuning in!

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• Home, Hospital, Birth Center: Choosing the Birth That Fits You with Rivka Cymbalist // S4E33

  Can birth really be sacred in today’s world? Rivka Cymbalist, longtime birth attendant, teacher, and founder of The Mysteries Birth School, says absolutely—and reminds us that physiological birth is not only possible, but powerful. With over two decades of experience and a heart rooted in storytelling and herbal wisdom, Rivka brings reverence, gentleness, and grounded truth to the conversation. In this soulful and inspiring episode, Rivka unpacks what it means to truly reclaim birth. We talk about navigating birthing choices, the emotional terrain of becoming a mother, and how to trust our instincts in a world that often tells us not to. She shares insight into “the mysteries” of birth, why not all OBs are created equal, and how sacredness can still exist—no matter where or how you birth. If you’ve ever felt pulled toward a deeper, more intuitive path to birth, this episode will affirm what your body already knows: You were made for this. Key Highlights: • What physiological birth really means (and how to access it) • Why understanding your OB or midwife’s philosophy matters • How Rivka’s five births shaped her work as a mentor and guide • The role of intuition in decision-making around birth • The deeper meaning behind “the mysteries” of birth • How to reclaim agency, even in hospital settings • Why birth is a spiritual rite—not just a medical event • The surprising ways fear can shape birth outcomes • How to stay soft and strong when navigating your birth plan • The beauty of holding space without judgment About the Reclaiming Birth Conference This powerful in-person gathering brings together voices from around the world who are reclaiming birth, sovereignty, and truth. A space for parents, birth workers, and changemakers, this conference is about unlearning, remembering, and rising.   Catch Rivka Cymbalist and other featured speakers at: 📍 Montreal – Oct 25, 2025 attune.studio/reclaimingbirth-montreal 📸 @reclaiming.birth.montreal   Connect with Rivka Cymbalist: • Podcast: Baby Magic Podcast • Website: rivkacymbalist.com • The Mysteries Birth School: rivkacymbalist.com/the-mysteries-birth-school   Connect with Melania & Ally: • Instagram: @rawmomversations • Website: rawmomversations.com   For partnership and collaboration inquiries: Email: [email protected]   Podcast Disclaimer: The Raw MOMversations podcast is for entertainment purposes only and not a substitute for professional or medical advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Consult professionals for individual needs. We strive for accuracy but make no warranties. Any views or opinions expressed by the hosts, guests, or contributors are solely their own and do not represent the views of Raw MOMversations, its sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Raw MOMversations is not liable for any losses. By listening, you agree to these terms. Thank you for tuning in!

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• Billie Harrigan - Birth Trauma Isn’t Rare. It’s Just Underdiagnosed. Why so many women walk away from birth feeling broken // S4E32

  Can you really heal from birth trauma? Billie Harrigan, traditional birth companion, educator, and founder of Birth Trauma Ontario, says yes—when we name what really happened and reclaim our stories. With over 40 years of experience, Billie has supported countless women through birth, postpartum, and the long road of healing after difficult or traumatic experiences. In this raw and deeply validating episode, we dive into the nuances of birth trauma, the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways obstetric violence shows up, and why so many mothers are left feeling silenced or dismissed after birth. Billie brings clarity, compassion, and fierce truth-telling to a topic that desperately needs to be spoken about. If you’ve ever walked away from your birth feeling confused, hurt, or like something just wasn’t right—this conversation is for you. You are not broken. Your feelings are valid. And healing is possible. Key Highlights:  What counts as birth trauma—and why it’s more common than we think • How narcissistic abuse patterns show up in obstetric care • The physiological impact of trauma on the nervous system • Why validation and storytelling are essential to healing • How the current system erodes maternal instincts • The power of traditional birth work in reclaiming autonomy • Why women need community, not correction • How to gently reprocess a birth experience that didn’t feel right • Billie’s tips for choosing support that centers you • What recovery can look like—even years later About the Reclaiming Birth Conference This powerful in-person gathering brings together voices from around the world who are reclaiming birth, sovereignty, and truth. A space for parents, birth workers, and changemakers, this conference is about unlearning, remembering, and rising. Catch Billie Harrigan and other featured speakers at: Ontario – Sept 19 & 20, 2025 reclaimingbirthconference.com @reclaimbirthconference Montreal – Oct 25, 2025 attune.studio/reclaimingbirth-montreal @reclaiming.birth.montreal   Connect with Billie Harrigan: • Instagram: @billieharrigan • Website: billieharrigan.com • birthtraumaontario.ca   Connect with Melania & Ally: • Instagram: @rawmomversations • Website: rawmomversations.com   For partnership and collaboration inquiries: • Email: [email protected]   Podcast Disclaimer: The Raw MOMversations podcast is for entertainment purposes only and not a substitute for professional or medical advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Consult professionals for individual needs. We strive for accuracy but make no warranties. Any views or opinions expressed by the hosts, guests, or contributors are solely their own and do not represent the views of Raw MOMversations, its sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Raw MOMversations is not liable for any losses. By listening, you agree to these terms. Thank you for tuning in!

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