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Orgasmic Birth

Orgasmic Birth

Written by: Debra Pascali Bonaro
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 Orgasmic Birth Podcast: Pleasure in pregnancy, birth and parenting. I believe pleasure is our birthright - from our sexuality, birth, parenting and beyond, we can find pleasure when we create space for joy and intimacy in our lives. Join me to have deep conversations about breaking the taboos of Sexuality + Motherhood/Parenthood. Listen to leading experts in sexuality, healing and childbirth as well as stories from new parents, doulas, doctors, midwives and nurses. We will discuss how to positively prepare for childbirth and parenting by expanding love and intimacy in your life.All Rights Reserved Orgasmic Birth | Hosted by Debra Pascali Bonaro Parenting Relationships
Episodes
  • The Great Birth Rebellion: Reclaiming Joy, Courage, and Choice in Birth with Midwife Melanie Jackson

    The Great Birth Rebellion: Reclaiming Joy, Courage, and Choice in Birth with Midwife Melanie Jackson
    Jan 5 2026
    Get ready to challenge the dominant narrative around birth in this deeply inspiring conversation with Australian midwife, researcher, and rebel, Dr. Melanie Jackson — host of The Great Birth Rebellion podcast. Melanie joins Debra Pascali‑Bonaro for a heartfelt and provocative exploration of what happens when we choose to birth outside the system — and within our power. Together, they unpack why more families are stepping away from institutional birth, how true midwifery care transforms outcomes, and how bliss, laughter, and joy can ripple through even the most intense moments of labor. Melanie shares intimate stories from her own births — one long and slow, the other fast, powerful, and joyfully filled with laughter — and offers profound wisdom about matrescence, physiological birth, and how honoring women's autonomy creates safer, more pleasurable births for everyone. In this episode you'll hear: The bliss and laughter that surprised Melanie in her second home birth What matrescence means and why it matters in understanding the transformation to motherhood Why "birth outside the system" can be the safest, most aligned choice for some families The evidence behind continuity of midwifery care — and why it should be the universal standard How pleasure, joy, and oxytocin weave through both sex and birth The global movement of rebellious midwives creating change from within Episode Highlights 2:44 — Melanie shares her journey into midwifery and the concept of "Matrescence."5:07 — Melanie describes her two very different birth experiences.13:12 — Discussion of "The Great Birth Rebellion" and its origins as a podcast.14:25 — The importance of evidence-based maternity care and the role of midwives.17:03 — Exploring the connection between birth, pleasure, and sexuality.18:15 — The power of oxytocin and the potential for joy and bonding in birth.19:00 — Where to find Melanie online and her offerings for midwives and parents. About Melanie Jackson: Dr. Melanie Jackson is a private midwife, researcher, mentor, and host of The Great Birth Rebellion podcast. With a PhD in midwifery on "Birth Outside the System," she is reshaping how midwives and mothers understand evidence, power, and physiology in birth. Through The Assembly and Convergence of Rebellious Midwives, she mentors practitioners and uplifts the profession with passion and purpose. Connect with Melanie:Website: melaniethemidwife.com Instagram: @melaniethemidwife TikTok: @melaniethemidwife Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgYNzASpo0UbzyzRkNb-s-w Podcast: The Great Birth Rebellion Connect with Debra:Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 ------- Pleasure isn't a luxury, It's your birthright Discover the secret to a Safe, Sensual & Empowering Birth Experience Pleasurable Birth Essentials is your toolkit for a birth that's as safe as it is sensual, as evidence-based as it is soulful. This is not your average childbirth class. This is a revolution—a journey designed for mamas who trust their bodies and their minds. Here, pleasure isn't an afterthought – it's foundational. Evidence isn't dry – it's empowering. Community isn't optional – it's essential. You deserve a birth that honors your strength, your sensuality, and your sovereignty. https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/pleasurable-birth-essentials/
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    37 mins
  • Pleasurable Birth Begins Within: How Embodiment, Rest, and Self-Pleasure Transform Birth and Life with Lisa Strohdach

    Pleasurable Birth Begins Within: How Embodiment, Rest, and Self-Pleasure Transform Birth and Life with Lisa Strohdach
    Dec 17 2025
    Orgasmic Birth Story Ep 170 Description: "Embodiment only happens if you have a body, so if you have a physical shell, and that physical shell is showing you signs. That physical shell can be sore, it can be tender, it can ache, it can also feel good and nurtured and soft and warm." —Lisa Strohdach What if the secret to a more joyful birth and life isn't about pushing harder, but about tuning in, letting go, and giving yourself permission to feel good? If you've ever felt disconnected from your body or doubted that pleasure belongs in pregnancy and parenting, you're not alone—there's a gentler, more powerful way forward. Consider this: your body already knows how to connect pleasure, rest, and birth, and it's time to trust that wisdom. This week, Debra sits with Lisa Strohdach, whose journey began with her own craving for self-pleasure and embodiment during pregnancy, which she later realized was key to her smooth breech home birth. This personal awakening inspired her to become a doula, yoga teacher, and retreat leader, now guiding others to cut through shame and confusion so that they can reconnect with their body and mind. Hear real talk on embodiment, oxytocin, masturbation, radical rest, simple breathwork, and how to create a supportive community—plus, get tips you can use right now to make pleasure and rest part of your everyday routine in this episode. Tune in! ** *since the recording the "wild&bloom" Retreats are now founded and hosted through Lisa Strohdach only. Connect with Debra! Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 Episode Highlights: 00:50 Meet Lisa: From Breech Birth to Doula and Retreat Host 03:18 How Pleasure and Birth Physically, Hormonally, and Mentally Linked 10:02 Tools for Pleasure: Vibrator, Oxytocin, and Real Talk 16:13 What is Embodiment? 21:46 Easy Embodiment Practices for Pregnancy and Life 25:26 Radical Rest: Why It's Revolutionary, Not Lazy 31:18 Wild Bloom Retreats 35:13 Reclaiming Pleasure and Power Resources: 💗We have some special gifts for you, visit: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/more/ 💗If you are already a doula, nurse, midwife, or birth worker and in need of continuing education units, join Debra's Orgasmic Birth Practitioner Training. Birthworkers gather from around the world to learn together and create an Orgasmic Community. Learn more at https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/orgasmic-birth-practitioner-training 💗 Fin Pleasure VIBE, a wearable finger vibrator that can be used in pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum for pleasure, oxytocin enhancement, pain reduction, and healing: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/fin-pleasurevibe/ Listen to Lisa's Breech Birth Story: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/ep-85-journey-to-a-harmonious-breech-homebirth/ Connect with Lisa: Lisa Strohdach is a dedicated doula, prenatal and postnatal yoga instructor, and embodiment coach passionate about supporting women and families through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. As an orgasmic birth practitioner, Lisa integrates pleasure, radical rest, and holistic self-care into her work, empowering clients to reclaim intimacy and connection during the transformative journey of birth. She is the founder of "wild&bloom" retreats, offering restorative experiences focused on movement, rest, and community. Lisa provides both in-person and online sessions from her Aroha Studio, and is committed to creating safe, open spaces for conversations about sexuality, self-care, and personal growth. Aroha Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroha_begleitung_studio?igsh=NGtudWF0M25xMXUy Aroha Homepage: https://aroha-begleitung.com/ E-Mail: aroha.begleitung@gmail.com Aroha Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16ojFdKmkZ/ Wild&bloom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildandbloom_retreats?igsh=MWd5OXdkZXFyZ3Z0Zw== Wild&bloom booking: https://www.fyndery.de/upcoming_dates/ Link tree: https://linktr.ee/aroha_begleitung Yoga: https://www.fyndery.de/coach/14497/aroha-doula-begleitung/?ref=14497
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    36 mins
  • Embodying Agency During Pregnancy And Childbirth— Lessons From A Human Rights Attorney with Maria Alejandra Cardenas

    Embodying Agency During Pregnancy And Childbirth— Lessons From A Human Rights Attorney with Maria Alejandra Cardenas
    Dec 10 2025

    Human Rights in Birth Series

    Ep 169 Description:

    "Information is power. It will allow you to differentiate scaremongering and fear mongering and just detect the red flags, and that's important for you to advocate for yourself." —Maria Alejandra Cardenas

    Have you ever felt sidelined in your pregnancy journey? A lot of women do. Navigating birth can feel like running up against a system that forgets women are the ones at the center. But there's a powerful truth: our experience isn't just about bringing a baby into the world—it's about standing up for our rights and reclaiming agency.

    Alejandra Cardenas, a human rights attorney with decades of global advocacy, once found herself silenced during her first birth—despite her expertise. Her journey from disempowerment to a triumphant, self-directed second birth fuels her mission to help others break free from outdated norms and reclaim control.

    This episode unpacks Alejandra's personal stories, the realities of obstetric violence, the life-changing impact of midwives and doulas, and practical ways to advocate for yourself, challenge fear-based care, and build a birth team that puts you first.

    Connect with Debra!

    Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

    X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth

    YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1

    Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471

    Episode Highlights:

    04:22 Meet Alejandra— First Birth Experience

    08:57 Challenges and Decisions During First Birth

    19:42 Being a Protagonist of Own Birth Pregnancy Journey

    23:23 Second Birth Experience

    31:20 Reflections on Birth and Systemic Issues

    39:03 Advice for a Positive Birth Experience

    Resources:

    💗If you are already a doula, nurse, midwife, or birth worker and in need of continuing education units, join Debra's Orgasmic Birth Practitioner Training. Birthworkers gather from around the world to learn together and create an Orgasmic Community. Learn more at https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/orgasmic-birth-practitioner-training

    💗A pleasurable, safe birth begins with quality, positive childbirth education. Join Debra's online childbirth class, Pleasurable Birth Essentials: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/pleasurable-birth-essentials
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    43 mins
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