The Birth Lounge Podcast

In this episode, HeHe shares a quick life update before re-airing one of our most-loved conversations while she’s on maternity leave and it’s one that still matters a lot. This episode pulls back the curtain on hospital-sponsored childbirth education and why so many expectant parents leave those classes feeling more confused, constrained, or quietly uneasy instead of truly prepared. We talk about how bias shows up, why informed consent is often glossed over, and what gets left out when education is tied to the same system providing your care. This is an honest, empowering conversation about why independent, evidence-based, out-of-hospital childbirth education can change how you experience pregnancy, birth, and advocacy. It’s about understanding your options, protecting your autonomy, and reducing the risk of trauma by being informed before decisions feel urgent. If you’ve ever wondered why traditional birth classes didn’t quite sit right, or you want education that trusts your intelligence and centers your voice, this episode is for you. New episodes drop every Wednesday and Friday. Follow along and join The Birth Lounge community for grounded, non-judgmental birth education and support that actually prepares you for the real thing. 💛 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:36 Re-airing Popular Episodes During Maternity Leave 02:51 The Importance of Out-of-Hospital Childbirth Education 03:50 Biases in Hospital-Sponsored Childbirth Education 05:52 Informed Consent in Childbirth Education 06:50 Outdated Hospital Policies and Their Impact 09:54 The Role of Bias in Childbirth Education 14:30 Conflict of Interest in Hospital Childbirth Education 16:02 Join The Birth Lounge for Comprehensive Childbirth Education 18:26 Conclusion and Call to Action SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram  BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience — all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/ Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app-download-page And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy The Secret Sauce to Pushing course gives you step-by-step guidance on how to push effectively — whether you have an epidural or not — so you can reduce tearing, labor faster, and feel in control from start to finish. HeHe teaches which muscles to engage, how to position your body, and the techniques that actually work, giving you the confidence and tools to achieve your best birth possible. Learn more: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/SSP