Born Free Method: The Podcast

Dr. Verny was recently a guest speaker in my beloved Born Free Method community call, and there were so many hot takes that I am compelled to release this one as a podcast episode. Typically, these calls are reserved for Born Free Method community members, who also get to ask questions live (which you'll hear in the recording), and they get access to the full video recording. If you're interested in learning more enroll HERE.

Thomas (he asked that I call him by his first name) is one of my heroes, and he rubs shoulders with other heroes of mine, like Gabor Mate. He is the author of several books, but I recommend starting with The Embodied Mind (also on audible) or The Unborn Child. He is regarded as “the father of pre- and perinatal psychology”, a field which begs the question of how we treat ourselves, others, and even our unborn children might impact our long-term health and the health of our children (present, future). His wisdom is unbelievable. You're going to love this one.

What is perinatal psychology?

What is life?

What is consciousness and the psyche and where do they come from?

The mind versus the brain

Darwinian versus Lamarckian theories of evolution

Transgenerational trauma

Epigenetics

And much much more...

Please share with your friends if you found any value, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. I take your input seriously!

Dr. Verny’s website

The Embodied Mind | The Secret Life of the Unborn Child | Nurturing the Unborn Child

Notes for this episode can be found on Substack.

Work with Nathan:

Beloved Holistics | Born Free Method | Clear & Free | Twins-Breech

Medical Disclaimer: Born Free Method: The Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Music provided by AudioKraken / Pond5

This one pairs nicely with the 2020 Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon (Organic)

Five Pearls

1. Normal physiologic changes in pregnancy that are relevant in anemia: blood volume expands by 50% (increased iron requirement), red blood cell mass increases by 25% in a singleton pregnancy, and increased iron stores in the female body during pregnancy help to sustain the increased demand.

2. Low serum ferritin is the most sensitive and specific single lab finding in iron deficiency anemia. And yet, it’s specificity isn’t great.

3. The CDC recommends universal screening for iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy along with universal supplementation.

4. B12 deficiency and folate deficiency are common causes of macrocytic anemia; folate deficiency much more likely than B12.

5. Blood transfusions are almost never indicated in pregnancy, apart from the rare case of a large, concealed placental abruption (Hgb <6 g/dL is associated with abnormal fetal oxygenation --> non-reassuring fetal heart rate patterns, reduced amniotic fluid volume, fetal cerebral vasodilation, and fetal death)

Definition of anemia in pregnancy

Hgb = hemoglobin; HCT = hematocrit

Hgb <11g/dL or HCT <33% in the first/third trimesters

<10.5 g/dL or <32% in the second trimester

everybody should be screened in the 1st trimester and at 24-28 weeks

If hematocrit level is less than 33% in the first and third trimesters or less than 32% in the second trimester, you need to investigate the cause. If iron deficiency is ruled out, other etiologies should be investigated

Living at a high altitude and tobacco use cause a generalized increase in hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, and consideration of these factors may be appropriate when interpreting test results

Classification of anemia

Physiologic changes in pregnancy that may lead to anemia

blood volume expands by 40-50% (increased iron requirement)

red blood cell mass increases by 15-25% in a singleton pregnancy

increased iron stores in the female body during pregnancy help to sustain the increased demand

**UK guidelines on iron deficiency anemia: https://www.bsg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Iron-Deficiency-Anaemia-in-Adults.pdf

“An SF level of <15 μg/L is indicative of absent iron stores, while SF levels of less than 30 μg/L are generally indicative of low body iron stores. The lower limit of normal for most laboratories, therefore, lies in the range 15–30 μg/L.”

Structure of hemoglobin

four polypeptide chains + heme

the six chain types: alpha (α), beta (β), gamma (γ), delta (δ), epsilon (ε), and zeta (ζ)

adult hemoglobin consists of two alpha chains + either two β-chains (hemoglobin A), two γ-drains (hemoglobin F), or two δ-chains (hemoglobin A2)

hemoglobin F predominates in the developing fetus from 12 -24 wga, after which hemoglobin A begins to increase

Iron deficiency anemia

2% prevalence in general female population (2x higher for black women compared to white)

“An assessment of iron status in pregnant individuals in the United States using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (known as NHANES) from 1999 to 2006 found that iron deficiency prevalence increased significantly with each trimester (mean ± standard error, 7%, 14%, and 30%, in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively) and was higher in Mexican American pregnant women, non-Hispanic Black pregnant women, and women with parity greater than 2”

in pregnancy, higher prevalence by far in 3rd trimester

associated with low birth weight, preterm delivery, and perinatal mortality

there may also be an association with postpartum depression and worse mental and psychomotor performance testing in offspring

diagnosed by lab analysis OR if there's an increase in Hgb by 1g/dL after iron treatment OR by the absence of bone marrow iron stores on bone marrow biopsies

iron storage may be low (iron depletion), or stored + transport iron are low (decreased erythropoiesis), or stored + transport + functional iron are all low (full blown iron deficiency anemia, yeehaw!)

on iron studies, iron deficiency anemia presents as: microcytic, hypochromic, iron store depletion, low plasma iron, increased total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), low serum ferritin, and increased free erythrocyte protoporphyrin

serum ferritin levels are most specific and sensitive for the diagnosis (<10-15 mcg/L is diagnostic)

CDC recommends universal screening of pregnant women along with universal supplementation (unless the patient has hemochromatosis)

typical American diet pr...

For almost nine years, Natasha Kingsbury battled with bulimia. For years before that, she fought anorexia. The whole time, nobody knew. Her story highlights the fact that no one look signals an eating disorder. It could be the ultra-thin model, the ripped athlete, the guy always showing off his abs or the sexy Playboy Club host.

Disordered eating and body dysmorphia are something I’m seeing come up more and more in my practice and among friends and family. It’s much more common than we think, and it shows up in unexpected ways.

I am so delighted that I have a person in my life who's willing to come on and talk about this issue which is often kept under wraps. Tash's story is so illuminating, and she shared so many insights not only for people who may be struggling with disordered eating but also for those who think it might be affecting someone they love.

[00:12:06] Background & Family Life

[00:14:29] Natasha’s Origin Story

[00:20:54] An Evolving Relationship with Self

[00:28:22] From Restriction to Purging

[00:35:24] Getting Off Track

[00:42:29] Blossoming Into Her Womanly Body

[00:48:50] The Healing Journey

[00:57:16] A Mind-Body-Spirit Approach

Visit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/98

Made possible by:

FullWell - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet!

Organifi - code BELOVED for 20% off their Pumpkin Spice Gold Latte! "It's like autumn, and a marshmallow had a baby!"

BiOptimizers - code BELOVED for 10% off the only magnesium supplement you'll ever need!

BIRTHFIT - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community!

Connect with Natasha Kingsbury

Instagram @livingwiththekingsburys

Connect with me

Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn

TikTok @nathanrileyobgyn

Practice: BelovedHolistics.com

Medical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5

As a dietitian, Kate Morton strongly believes in a food-first approach. That's why she created Funk It, a women's health company that makes all-natural food-based products for the menstrual cycle, including seed blends.

At its core, seed cycling is a straightforward practice that involves taking pumpkin and flax seeds daily during the follicular phase of your cycle and sunflower and sesame seeds during your luteal phase. I’ve seen so many women benefit from seed cycling, experiencing a resolution of their menstrual issues, from fertility challenges to thyroid and adrenal problems and more. Something packed into these incredibly nutrient and energy-rich seeds does wonders for women's menstrual cycles.

[00:08:37] The Birth of Funk It

[00:11:54] Kate’s Extensive Background as a Dietician

[00:19:18] How Your Lifestyle Affects Your Hormones

[00:31:04] The Power of Data

[00:37:00] The Goal Is Your Normal Consistent Cycle

[00:50:09] Disordered Eating

[00:55:13] Principles of Eating For Your Menstrual Cycle

[01:07:04] Seed Cycling

Visit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/101

Made possible by:

FullWell - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet!

BIRTHFIT - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community!

BiOptimizers - code BELOVED for 10% off the only sleep aid supplement you'll ever need!

Organifi - code BELOVED for 20% off their Gold Chocolate Latte! "A healthy hot chocolate!"

Connect with Kate Morton

Website | FunkItWellness.com

TikTok @funkitwellness

Instagram @funk.it.wellness

Period Chats Podcast

Connect with me

Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn

TikTok @nathanrileyobgyn

Practice: BelovedHolistics.com

Medical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5

Exercise is like a silver bullet for various things that go wrong around birth. It's been clinically demonstrated to reduce the risk of complications in pregnancy, speed up postpartum recovery, and decrease the likelihood of postpartum depression. Yet, as a culture, we only see exercise as a way of losing weight and getting abs.

Dr. Lindsey M. Cantu, founder of BIRTHFITTM joins us to talk about exercise myths during pregnancy, the crucial role that fitness plays in your birth and recovery, whether you can be too fit for birth, the BIRTHFIT approach to preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum training, how you can get started even if you’re new to fitness, and more. Enjoy the episode!

(00:10:18) The Origin of BIRTHFIT

(00:18:31) Training for Birth

(00:30:43) The Brain-Body Connection

(00:42:11) Customizing Your Experience

(00:47:33) Autonomy in Birth

Visit the show notes for more: https://www.BelovedHolistics.com/podcast/116

Made possible by:

FullWell - code BELOVED10 for 10% off the best prenatal vitamins and men's virility vitamins on the planet!

BIRTHFIT - code BELOVED to get one month FREE in their B! Community!

Immune Intel AHCC - code BELOVED10 for 10% off their incredible immune-boosting product to clear HPV from your body!

BiOptimizers - code BELOVED for 10% off the only sleep aid you'll ever need!

Organifi - code BELOVED for 20% off their Glow blend!

Learn More & Connect with Lindsey and BirthFit

Website: BirthFit.com

Instagram: @BIRTHFIT

YouTube: BIRTHFIT

Connect with me

Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn

TikTok @nathanrileyobgyn

Beloved Holistics Shop

Medical Disclaimer: The Holistic OBGYN Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Music provided by EdvardGaresPremium / Pond5