111. Birth Announcement – Expectations #1

Hi! I’m Dr. Elliot Berlin; husband, dad, pregnancy-focused chiropractor and founder of Informed Pregnancy Media. Welcome to my new column, Expectations, where I’ll (over)share a more personal glimpse into my life, practice, media and the evolving landscape of pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

It all started In 1974. I was born in Staten Island, New York. Breech. And it wasn’t a C-section.  I don’t know if they knew I was breech before I arrived but they didn’t care back then. My kids do a cute impression of me being born; they wiggle into a room bum first. In my own youth I had a deep curiosity for science. After seeing a CPR class and learning that you can use your body to be somebody’s heart and lungs during life threatening emergencies I became fascinated with healthcare. This early interest propelled me into the world of emergency medicine as an EMT at 18 where I loved working in ambulances and emergency rooms. I started college energized for the long journey to and through medical school, however, a personal tragedy – the sudden and unexpected loss of my father, in part due to a medical oversight, shifted my perspective. After college I spent a year  soul-searching and exploring the world of alternative and complementary healthcare

After falling in love with the combination of chiropractic and massage, I went to school for both and smooshed them together into a peanut-butter and chocolate of holistic healthcare. I call it ‘Chirossage’; a powerful modality addressing musculoskeletal issues from both the muscular and skeletal perspectives in a single visit. At the same time my wife was completing a joint Masters and Doctoral program in Psychology. During grad school Alyssa and I set out to start a family but found ourselves navigating the turbulent waters of unexplained infertility. The experience was devastating emotionally and financially. It put our relationship to the test. We developed a deep empathy and understanding of the complex emotional and physical journeys many couples face. Today, as proud parents of four remarkable teenagers who came into our lives without the aid of medical technology, our experiences have deepened our commitment to holistic health, underscoring the significance of caring for both the mind and body.

In our Los Angeles practice, every day is a new opportunity to learn and grow. We’ve seen countless stories of strength, resilience, and the incredible power of the human body and spirit. We see it throughout the journey of parenthood from fertility through adolescence. Whether it’s supporting a mother determined to have a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) against the odds, or witnessing the joy of a couple finally holding their long-awaited child, each experience reinforces our commitment to empowering individuals and families through informed choices and compassionate care.

At Informed Pregnancy Media, we extend the same commitment to our broader community. Our Informed Pregnancy Podcast, currently nearing 400 episodes, offers a wealth of knowledge from a diverse range of real birth stories narrated by the women who experienced them. Among these women, I’m honored to feature celebrity moms who graciously share their own pregnancy and birth stories with us. These, alongside our wider community, highlight both the universality and diversity of the birthing experience

Additionally, the podcast features expert interviews covering a wide spectrum of topics, embracing both mainstream medical and holistic approaches, providing valuable insights for our listeners.

Last year we birthed a new baby, the Informed Pregnancy+ streaming platform! Just like any proud parent, we’re thrilled to watch this little one grow. Web based, but with apps on Apple, Android and Roku, Informed Pregnancy+ is our way of ensuring that entertaining and educational video content, including a growing library of the most popular documentaries, exercise programs, yoga, meditation, and a variety of courses and workshops, is both affordable and accessible to anyone with an internet connection. We’re also producing several new Informed Pregnancy originals; programs that have already started rolling out and will continue throughout the year. Our mission is to provide a space for voices from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and to foster a community that values informed decision-making and mutual support. Come join our family and explore, learn, and grow with us.

If you are still reading, then I have done something right with my re-imagined blog for 2024.  Through my column, Expectations, I hope to create a space that reflects our values of continuous learning, empathy, empowerment – and fun! In each column I’ll dive into stories straight from the trenches of our practice, reflect on the roller coaster that is family life, or bring you some engaging conversations with health experts and creators of groundbreaking services. Plus, I’ll be presenting and explaining our newest media offering. Speaking of which, there’s a brand new podcast on the horizon: “One Way or A Mother,” coming your way soon. Stay tuned!

Join me in this journey of discovery and growth in pregnancy, parenting and holistic health. Let’s build a community of empowerment as we learn from each other’s experiences. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and YouTube for the latest engaging and interactive content and feel free to reach out anytime with questions, suggestions, feedback, or constructive criticism. We read every message and do our best to respond to them all. Here’s to learning and growing together!

Yours in Health,

Dr. B

Dr. Elliot Berlin, DC is an award-winning pregnancy-focused chiropractor and creator of Informed Pregnancy Media which includes his popular long-running The Informed Pregnancy Podcast in addition to a blog and a number of original shows featured on his streaming channel Informed Pregnancy+. Dr. Berlin’s goal is to use his passion for media and entertainment as a means of spreading information and awareness on topics that growing families need to make informed choices about fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.