In this episode of the Yoga Bellies and Babies Podcast, host Krishna Hassomal converses with Katie Mellor, a prenatal and postnatal yoga instructor at Krish Yoga Studio.

Katie shares her deeply personal story of preparing for a home birth only to find that her newborn would need immediate surgery, leading to an unexpected three-month NICU journey.

This conversation touches on the transformative power of yoga in managing both natural and medicalized births, the importance of identifying non-negotiables in a birth plan, and the challenges of maintaining maternal instincts and well-being in a highly medicalized environment.

We also delve into the intricacies of breastfeeding and expressing milk for NICU babies and the emotional rollercoaster of the 4th trimester while navigating such a challenging period.

Katie's story is an inspiring testament to resilience, adaptability, and the importance of comprehensive support for all types of births.

00:00 Welcome to the Yoga Bellies and Babies Podcast

02:28 Katie's Role and Passion in Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga

02:58 Yoga and Childbirth: Getting Out of Your Head

08:04 Katie's High-Risk Pregnancy

10:19 Reflecting on Birth Plans and Non-Negotiables

17:25 The Birth Experience: From Hospital Arrival to Delivery

22:36 Post-Birth Reflections and the Importance of Non-Negotiables

27:48 Navigating the Fourth Trimester in the NICU

37:28 Breastfeeding Challenges and Advice

46:21 The Importance of NICU Awareness

50:05 Evolving Perspectives on Birth and Yoga

53:58 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this powerful episode Uma Dinsmore-Tuli shares why rest isn't just nice, it's necessary, especially for mothers. Learn about yoga nidra as a revolutionary practice, the natural cycles our bodies crave, and why "rest is resistance" against a culture that values productivity above all else.

Uma challenges conventional yoga approaches that weren't designed for women's bodies and explains why postnatal recovery takes much longer than we're led to believe. Most importantly, she reminds us that when we prioritize rest, we model something beautiful for our children.

If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the like button and subscribe to Yoga, Bellies & Babies for more conversations that support you through pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. Share with a mama who needs permission to rest!

In this heartfelt episode, yoga teacher, author and mother of two Sarah Ezrin shares her transformative journey through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

From practicing intense Ashtanga yoga six days a week to discovering the power of "yoga snacks" after becoming a mother, Sarah offers honest insights about adapting to the physical and emotional changes of motherhood.

Learn how birth experiences can reshape our relationship with our bodies, how to regulate your nervous system through micro-practices, and why community is essential for maternal wellbeing.

In This Episode Find Out:

• Sarah's yoga journey before pregnancy and how her practice centered around physical achievement
• The impact of experiencing a missed miscarriage and how it changed Sarah's relationship with body control
• Sarah's first birth experience and how it completely transformed her approach to yoga
• The concept of "yoga snacks" – finding small moments for practice throughout busy days of motherhood
• The nervous system in motherhood and why it takes time to downregulate after prolonged periods of stress
• Building community as a mother and finding intentional online spaces for support
• Sarah's empowering second birth story and learning to advocate for herself
• Why mothers need to be gentle with themselves as their practice evolves

Connect with Sarah Ezrin

• Instagram: @sarahezrinyoga
• Website: https://sarahezrinyoga.com/
• Let's Get Real Moms community on Facebook

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

In this heartfelt episode, I open up about my experience giving birth to twins in a hospital setting using hypnobirthing techniques during an induction.

After using hypnobirthing for my previous births, including an induction with my first and a home birth with my second, I faced a new challenge: applying these same techniques to a twin birth classified as "high risk." I share candid details about:

• The emotional rollercoaster of discovering I was pregnant with twins
• How my hypnobirthing journey evolved across three pregnancies
• The challenges of navigating a twin pregnancy in a medicalized setting
• My preparation and mindset the night before the planned induction
• How the environment impacts labour progression
• The moment my carefully created "birth bubble" burst, and how I found my way back
• The powerful, primal experience of bringing my twins into the world

This episode isn't just about my personal story, it's about the transformative power of hypnobirthing tools that can be adapted to any birth setting, whether you're planning a home birth, hospital birth, induction or caesarean birth.

If you're pregnant with multiples, facing a potential induction, or simply interested in how hypnobirthing techniques can be applied in different circumstances, this episode offers valuable insights and encouragement.

You'll discover how preparation, support and the right mindset can create a positive birth experience even when things don't go exactly as planned. I share real, practical lessons about staying connected to your body, trusting your instincts, and finding your power even in a medicalized environment.

Join me for this intimate conversation about birth, motherhood, and the incredible journey of bringing twins into the world through hypnobirthing.

Whether you're expecting your first baby or your fifth, this episode will leave you feeling informed, inspired and empowered about your own birth choices.

Feeling completely drained? Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or simply looking for ways to boost energy or embrace deep rest, this episode is for you.

Join me as we explore 5 simple yet powerful yoga practices to ease exhaustion and leave you feeling supported and recharged. These poses are designed for all stages of motherhood and will help you find balance no matter how busy or tired you feel.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

🌿 A calming Prana Mudra to restore your energy reserves.

🌿 Breathing techniques to either calm down or fire up (yes, it’s that simple!).

🌿 Which movements (and why) help get the energy flowing, no matter how low your battery is at.

🌿 Restorative poses to help you feel supported (imagine a hug for your body).

🌿 Explanation of how a guided relaxation can leave you refreshed and centered.

Plus, I’ll share a key mindset shift to remind you that rest is productive—for you and your baby. Let’s embrace wellness that feels nourishing, not overwhelming.

Hit play and let’s move towards feeling a little lighter and a lot more at ease. 💕

Thank you for listening!

• Read the full blog post -> https://www.krishyoga.com/5-yoga-practices-for-tiredness/
• If you liked this episode, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast
• Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and never miss an episode!
• If you'd like to be a guest on my show, or would like to share some feedback, please get in touch!
• To learn more about how to work with me go to www.krishyoga.com
• Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories, and tag @krish_yoga so we can connect

Links to deepen your Yoga Practice:

Prenatal Yoga Bundle (include 5 Yoga Practices to Beat Exhaustion During Pregnancy Workshop)

Prenatal Yoga Membership

Postnatal Yoga Membership

Links for Guided Relaxations:

KGH Hypnobirthing guided relaxations

Yoga Nidrā Network – Welcome Home to Yourself

If you’ve ever wondered how long you’ll breastfeed, or if breastfeeding feels like it could be too challenging, you’re not alone.

Whether you're preparing for your first baby or anticipating life with twins, breastfeeding can feel overwhelming, especially when questions and doubts start to creep in.

When I was pregnant with my twins, I faced similar questions, even though I’d breastfed my older two children.

Thankfully, I discovered Kathryn Stagg through my IG network and a twin support group. After attending one of her free online talks and reading her book, I knew she was the real deal. Now, I’m thrilled to have her as our guest!

Kathryn Stagg is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and OCN Level 3 Holistic Sleep Coach with over 17 years of experience supporting families with feeding, sleep, and understanding normal baby behaviour. After breastfeeding her own twins with wonderful support, Kathryn dedicated herself to helping other families and even led the Multiple Birth Breastfeeding Project in Harrow. Honoured with the ABM’s Pam’s Prize in 2017, she’s a well-respected advocate for breastfeeding support.

Kathryn offers postnatal breastfeeding support right in the comfort of clients’ homes, as well as antenatal education for individuals and groups, and virtual support via Zoom. While she specializes in multiple-birth families, this episode covers breastfeeding tips and insights for all families, whether you’re welcoming one baby or three.

Her mission, to empower mums to breastfeed their babies with confidence, whether they have one or multiple little ones, through evidence-based information and compassionate support, shines through when she speaks.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Why breastfeeding feels, or can be, challenging
• The role of society and community in supporting mothers
• When to start preparing for breastfeeding
• What challenges to expect on the breastfeeding journey and how to overcome them
• Common myths like “not having enough milk,” feeding frequency, and feeding babies to sleep

Plus:

Why breastfeeding is a superpower

When and how to use technology and tracking apps to support your feeding journey

Tune in to hear more from this incredible expert!

Thank you for listening!

• Learn more about Kathryn and her offers -> Kathryn Stagg IBCLC – Breastfeeding Support and Education at home, group or online, Holistic Sleep Support
• Read the full blog post -> https://www.krishyoga.com/breastfeeding-challenges-and-tips-for-new-moms-expert-advice-with-kathryn-stagg/
• If you liked this episode, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast
• Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and never miss an episode!
• If you'd like to be a guest on my show, or would like to share some feedback, please get in touch!
• To learn more about how to work with me go to www.krishyoga.com
• Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories, and tag @krish_yoga so we can connect

This week’s episode is an open and honest with a fellow prenatal & postnatal yoga and hypnobirthing instructor, and a Mama, Daria. Whether you are pregnant or have already given birth, this episode is for you!

Daria opens up about her approach to teaching Yoga and her personal experiences during pregnancy and postpartum. We dive deep into her journey with prolapse and how it shaped her postpartum and initial experiences of motherhood, physically as well as emotionally, and continues to do so.

Last month, Daria shook my belief system when she mentioned that if she were to give birth again, she would opt for an elective c-section. You may not expect a yoga and hypnobirthing teacher, who had a natural birth the first time around, to say this, so listen in to find out why.

Daria is an excellent pregnancy & postnatal yoga teacher (I know because I’ve been to her classes) specialising in core and pelvic floor health. She’s also a hypnobirthing instructor and a Thai Massage therapist.

She is incredibly knowledgeable and well informed in so many topics from anatomy, pelvic floor, prolapse, physiotherapy, hypnobirthing and of course pre and postnatal care.

Her passion lies in empowering women to understand their bodies through movement and knowledge to be the strongest version of themselves in pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.

If you live in Valencia or can get there, and want to experience some Yoga or Hypnobirthing with Daria, email her at daria@yogawithdaria.co.uk or connect with Daria on Instagram: www.instagram.com/yogawithdaria/

Thank you for listening!

• Read the full blog post ->Natural Birth, Prolapse & Elective C-Sections: Redefining Birth with Daria - Krish Yoga
• If you liked this episode, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast
• Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and never miss an episode!
• If you'd like to be a guest on my show, or would like to share some feedback, please get in touch!
• To learn more about how to work with me go to www.krishyoga.com
• Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories, and tag @krish_yoga so we can connect

They say it takes a village to raise a child. In one of my Facebook support groups, someone shared some research that pointed that it takes an average of 4 adults to raise and nurture 1 child.

4 adults per child! That’s why I’m not surprised that now, as a mother of four, I’m experiencing firsthand the curiosity from others about how I manage it all.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain to share how I manage "it". Behind the smiling family photos, cute reels, cuddles, walks, and yoga, there’s a tremendous amount of help.

Yes, I am exhausted. Some days, my legs feel like jelly, and my sugar intake has tripled to keep me going. But, I’m here standing, and my experience of motherhood is gradually transitioning from survival mode to thriving mode. The mental load is tremendous, especially with a partner who works full-time and travels often. It’s crucial to dispel the myth of mothers doing it all alone, and I’m sharing with you my village hoping you can build one yourself too.

This episode is dedicated to every parent out there doing the work of multiple adults, whether you’re a single parent or part of a couple.

Listen to the full episode to hear more about how embracing help has enabled me to thrive as a mother of four.