You may have heard the phrase necessary vs. unnecessary interventions in birth. But what does “necessary” really mean?

In this episode, we break down:

• What the word intervention actually means
• The difference between a true medical emergency and a normal physiological process
• Why speeding up labor isn’t always medically indicated
• How common interventions (like Pitocin or artificial rupture of membranes) can affect hormones and labor progression
• How to make informed, autonomous decisions using benefits, risks, and alternatives

Birth is not a medical emergency by default. It is a normal physiological process and wise stewardship means discerning when intervention is truly needed and when it’s simply routine.

Just getting started?
Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.

Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:
10 Steps to Natural Birth

Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?
Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.

Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards
For encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards

Connect with me on Instagram:
@rise.birth

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Gabrielle Wesemeyer, Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, to talk about women’s hormones, thyroid health, stress, cortisol, and simple lifestyle shifts that can make a major impact.

Gabrielle shares her personal health journey, including medically induced menopause during chemotherapy, and how that experience led her to dive deep into women’s hormonal health.

We discuss:

• Why your menstrual cycle is a “vital sign” of overall health
• Basal body temperature and cervical mucus as hormone indicators
• The 3 S’s of hormone health
• Cycle syncing workouts for better hormone balance
• Hormone support during pregnancy and postpartum
• Thyroid dysfunction, stress, and gut health connections
• Cortisol myths
• Birth control misconceptions and reconnecting with your cycle
• Why women are not meant to function like men hormonally

This conversation simplifies complex hormone topics and brings it back to the foundations: sleep, nourishment, stress regulation, and working with your body instead of against it.

If you’ve felt overwhelmed by hormone advice online, this episode will help you refocus on what actually matters.

Connect with Dr. Gabrielle Wesemeyer:

• Alliance Spine and Physical Medicine (Woodstock, GA)
• Follow Dr. Gabrielle on:
  • Instagram
  • TikTok

Just getting started?
Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.

Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:
10 Steps to Natural Birth

Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?
Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.

Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards
For encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards

Connect with me on Instagram:
@rise.birth

If you're planning a natural birth in the hospital, understanding hospital policies and protocols is one of the most important things you can do to prepare.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why “going with the flow” without preparation can increase stress and interventions
• How hospital default policies influence birth (IVs, monitoring, movement, food, cervical checks, newborn procedures, and more)
• Why understanding routine vs. medical necessity changes everything
• The powerful question to ask your provider that reveals their birth philosophy
• How to use your birth plan as a communication tool
• Why your husband or support person must understand your preferences too
• How preparation reduces fear and why that matters physiologically
• The role of prayer, discernment, and flexibility in birth decisions

Hospitals have a default flow. If you don’t intentionally speak into that flow, it will carry you along with it.

This episode is not about being combative; it’s about being informed, calm, and confident. Preparation allows you to advocate respectfully, reduce fear, protect your oxytocin flow, and approach your birth with clarity and peace.

If you’ve ever felt nervous about asking questions or worried about being “too picky,” this episode is for you.

Just getting started?
Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.

Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:
10 Steps to Natural Birth

Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?
Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.

Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards
For encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards

Connect with me on Instagram:
@rise.birth