What does it actually mean to be allowed to give birth a certain way? And who gets to decide? Spoiler: it shouldn't come down to hospital policy, a provider's comfort level, or skills they were never taught in the first place.
In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe dives deeper into Allowed to Birth, the documentary challenging the way we think about birth, autonomy, and the options parents are offered. From breech birth and VBAC to ultrasound, midwifery, and the fear that can shape the entire birth experience, this conversation gets into what happens when the system's limitations become your limitations. Plus, HeHe introduces the Labor Live Challenge, a three-day live birth simulation starting November 1, where you can practice making decisions, advocating for yourself, and navigating the unexpected before you're in the birth room. Sign up at joinlaborlive.com
You'll hear from experts featured in the film, including an OB/GYN who traveled to Germany to learn upright, physiologic breech birth skills; a certified nurse-midwife making the case for evidence-based care and real collaboration between midwives and OBs; and a midwife and sonographer unpacking how ultrasound can be a helpful tool without turning every finding into a reason to panic. The conversation also explores the global shortage of midwives, the difference between regulation and safety, and how fear affects the body's response to labor. Because information should help you feel more prepared, not more terrified.
The takeaway? You deserve options, honest conversations, informed consent, and a care team that respects your voice. This isn't about saying every birth option is right for every person. It's about making sure your choices are based on your individual circumstances, good information, and actual conversations, not fear or someone else's assumptions about what you're "allowed" to do.
In this episode:
Why birth options can depend on provider training, hospital policies, and the skills available in your area
What an OB/GYN learned while pursuing upright, physiologic breech birth training in Germany
How fear, litigation concerns, and gaps in training can influence breech birth and VBAC access
Why hands-on skills and true collaboration between OBs and midwives matter
How to approach ultrasound as a tool for information and planning, without treating every result as a worst-case scenario
The difference between understanding a baby's size or position and using those findings to fuel unnecessary fear
Why the global midwife workforce gap matters for families seeking more options
How regulation, access, and safety intersect in maternity care
What fear does to the body during labor, including the roles of adrenaline and oxytocin
How language and frightening messaging can shape the birth experience
Why hypnobirthing isn't about being hypnotized or magically having a pain-free birth
How partners can help you practice advocacy and prepare for decisions before labor begins
Why knowing your options is important, but practicing how to navigate them can make all the difference
Explore Allowed to Birth and find screening information: https://allowedtobirth.com
Practice your birth decisions before you're in labor with Labor Live: https://joinlaborlive.com
Explore The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/
Timestamps
00:00 Reclaim Your Power
01:23 Birth Simulation Idea
03:00 Labor Live Challenge
04:30 Allowed to Birth Setup
06:04 Breech Twins and VBAC Limits
11:19 An OB/GYN Trains in Germany
15:47 Why Breech Birth Is Limited in the U.S.
21:46 The Importance of Hands-On Breech Skills
24:16 Demanding Better Birth Options
33:44 What Does "Allowed" Really Mean?
35:39 Meet Midwife Whitney
38:47 Evidence-Based Hospital Birth
45:39 Collaboration and Accountability
48:46 Building Trust Around VBAC
50:04 Doulas and Team Culture
51:53 Gaps in Hospital Training
52:49 Redefining What's "Allowed"
54:17 Technology vs. Intuition
56:56 Ultrasound Safety Basics
01:00:13 Scan Limitations and Errors
01:08:25 Fearmongering Around a "Big Baby"
01:11:21 Ultrasound as a Planning Tool
01:15:52 Lineage, Trauma, and Power
01:22:33 Balancing Tools and Change
01:25:25 Non-Toxic Baby Gifts
01:27:34 Data vs. Certainty
01:30:37 The Reality of Emergency Planning
01:36:43 Ultrasound Limitations and Fear
01:44:38 Birth, Permission, and Autonomy
01:50:43 The Goal of One Million Midwives
01:58:45 Regulation vs. Safety
02:07:18 The Fear Response in Labor
02:11:30 How Words Can Trigger Fear
02:12:17 Adrenaline vs. Oxytocin
02:15:24 Induction and the Cascade of Interventions
02:18:35 Learning About Birth Without Fear
02:20:34 Hypnobirthing, Reframed
02:26:11 Debunking Hypnosis Myths
02:30:56 The Partner's Role and Practicing Advocacy
02:34:47 Planning Birth Decisions Ahead of Time
02:38:49 Who Decides What's "Allowed"?
02:45:45 Film Takeaways and Final Call
02:51:21 Inside the Labor Live Simulation
02:53:30 Final Wrap and Outro
Guests:
Dr. Bradley Meyer:
https://www.breechwithoutborders.org/bradley/
Whitney Pinger:
https://wisdommidwifery.com/about
Amariee Collins:
https://radicle.my.canva.site/
Zulgeil "Zul" Ruiz-Ginés, LM:
https://kibimidwifery.org/about-the-team
Katharine Graves:
https://www.kghypnobirthing.com/us/hypnobirthing-online-course
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/
BIRTH EDUCATION:
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
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
Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe 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
LINKS MENTIONED:
HeHe’s go-to gift is the Primally Pure Baby Bundle! After having Saggy, these became products she actually uses at home, from the baby balm and bath bar to the baby oil and powder. Want to gift a new parent some simple baby-care staples? Head to primallypure.com and use code HEHE for 10% off your order.
This episode contains affiliate links, which means HeHe may earn a commission if you purchase through her link, at no extra cost to you.
