Birth Words: Language For a Better Birth

Feb 29 2024 87 ep. 19 mins 42
Birth Words: Language For a Better Birth Podcast artwork

Birth worker Sara Pixton draws on her backgrounds in applied linguistics and social work to explore the power of words during the childbearing season and how we can all come together to better care for and honor those who give birth.

  Kids & Family  Science
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Rebroadcast of Spring: Reconceptualizing Due Dates

Feb 29 2024 27 mins  
This episode is a rebroadcast of Season 1, Episode 71. In this episode, Sara talks about linguistic relativity, her favorite season shift (from winter to spring) and how the term "due date" can be all kinds of problematic!

Advocacy: Reframing a Hot Button Birth Issue as Educating, Empowering, and Amplifying

Jan 30 2024 25 mins  
Advocacy is one of those topics that can get birth workers taking sides and sharing strong opinions. In this episode, I argue that advocacy is the heart and soul of all client-centered birth work, and I frame it in a way that I think you'll agree with me! Get involved as an advocate at all levels of impact--with individuals, in your local environment, and at the state and federal l

Amazing: A Pandemic Birth Story with Ella Mink

Nov 30 2023 21 mins  
In this episode, Ella Mink shares her story of giving birth to her first daughter during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ella was 17 years old at the time and had an amazing water birth at a birth center that ignited her passion for birth, setting her on a path of becoming a birth and postpartum doula and nurse midwife.

Stories: Powerful Tools for Social Change

Oct 30 2023 22 mins  
In this episode, Sara considers the power of telling your birth story--or your pregnancy or postpartum story. Stories remind us that we are each unique, whole individuals with immeasurable worth and dignity. They highlight the barriers that need to be removed on our path to a better birth experience, and they showcase what's possible if we work together for change. If you'd like to

Unethical: How Ethics Fade from View in the Birth Space

Sep 25 2023 29 mins  
In this episode, Sara confronts the topic of ethics in the birth space. Unfortunately, ethically objectionable things happen frequently in the birth space. Even more unfortunately, they are often not recognized as such. Using the explanations of ethical fading, Sara explores many ethically questionable things that have been justified to be regularly done during birth. REFERENCES:

Rebirth: Birth Words is Back for Season 2... With a Twist!

Aug 15 2023 13 mins  
After a two-year hibernation, Birth Words is being reborn! Season 2 of Birth Words will offer monthly episodes, plus a new twist... listen to this episode to find out more! TRANSCRIPT: Intro: Welcome to birth words. Words are powerful. What are you doing with yours? In this podcast, birth doula and Applied Linguistics scholar Sara Pixton invites you to be intentional, reflective

Narratives: What to Do When Someone Starts Telling a Birth "Horror Story"

Jun 21 2021 22 mins  
In this episode, Sara discusses what to do when family, friends, or others start telling birth "horror stories" at baby showers or in birthing spaces. She uses the framework of narrative analysis to offer ideas about constructive ways to respond in these situations. TRANSCRIPT: Welcome. This is episode number 78 of Birth Words. Today we'll be talking about what to do when you're

Necessary: Talking About Pelvic Floor Health with Dr. Betty DeLass, DPT

Jun 07 2021 22 mins  
In this episode, Sara interviews pelvic floor PT Betty DeLass. Betty discusses the importance of normalizing pelvic health through talking about it! She also makes an exciting announcement about how she's working to improve the perinatal experience for *everyone*! TRANSCRIPT: Welcome to episode number 77 of the Birth Words podcast. Today, I am thrilled to introduce you to Dr. B

Bonding: The Benefits of Talking to Your Baby in Utero!

May 17 2021 12 mins  
Sara summarizes fetal hearing development, then describes the benefits of talking to your baby during pregnancy--for both you and baby! TRANSCRIPT: Hello, welcome to episode number 76 of Birth Words. Today's episode is especially for expectant parents, and we'll be talking about why you should talk to your baby in utero. Intro: Welcome to Birth Words. Words are powerful. What are

Magical: A Conversation with Women's Health Coach Meredith Ashton Cohen About the Menstrual Cycle

May 03 2021 23 mins  
In this episode, guest Meredith Ashton Cohen uses the metaphor of the changing seasons to describe the menstrual cycle and how to live your best life by better understanding each season of the menstrual cycle. TRANSCRIPT: Welcome to Birth Words. This is episode number 75. Today, I'm talking with Meredith Ashton Cohen, certified birth doula and women's health coach, about the menstr