True Birth

True Birth

True Birth is all about raw honest truths when it comes to labor, delivery, pregnancy and the postpartum period helping women have better births and better birth experiences.

The whole essence of this podcast is we are telling you the way pregnancy and birth really is. We are not sugar coating it and we are not just reading from the book. We are two practicers in the trenches on the labor floor everyday telling you the truth about birth.

We are going to give you the truths as we see them that are not diluted or even mitigated by what the convention of today is. We are giving the truth as the way forward and the way to start thinking about birth.  We'll share stories from the labor room from the professional's perspective. We provide an all-about pregnancy and birth through the eyes of Dr. Yaakov Abdelhak, a NYC metro area Perinatologist, Maternal Fetal Medicine Doctor and his trusty side kick Certified Nurse Midwife Kristin Mallon.

Recent Episodes

March 31, 2025

How to Be the Patient Docs Actually Look Forward to Seeing: Episode #174

Visiting the doctor can be a straightforward and positive experience with a few simple habits, some you may not even notice you are doing. One effective approach is to communicate clearly and concisely—share your concerns honestly without...
March 24, 2025

Attempting a VBAC after two Cesarean Births: Episode #173

A short story on a woman contemplating a VBAC after two Cesarean Deliveries.  Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) after two cesarean deliveries (VBAC-2) is considered a viable option for many women, though it carries certain risks.   ...
March 17, 2025

Prodromal Labor: Episode #172

Prodromal labor refers to a pattern of contractions that can feel strong and regular, yet do not lead to significant cervical dilation and active labor. Often described as “false labor,” these contractions can be confusing for expectant parents...
March 10, 2025

Bowel Movements in the Labor room

Today, we get real about every aspect of labor and delivery. In this episode, we’re tackling a topic folks often avoid: having a bowel movement during childbirth. The truth is, it happens to everyone—it’s just part of being human—and...
March 3, 2025

Boarding Pass Blues: Finding Humor in Flying Headaches (and a Bit about Pregnancy)

In this special detour from our usual birth and pregnancy-focused conversations, we take to the skies for a lighthearted look at the highs (and lows) of air travel. From the cramped seats to the endless security lines, we’re unpacking our funniest...
Feb. 24, 2025

Natural Breech Delivery: Step by Step - Episode #169

In this episode, you'll be taken through a detailed, step-by-step breakdown of a vaginal breech delivery. The discussion unfolds like a guided tour through the intricate process—from the initial assessment and preparation to the precise maneuvers...

About the Hosts

Yaakov Abdelhak, MD, FACOG Profile Photo

Yaakov Abdelhak, MD, FACOG

High-Risk Perinatologist and MFM Specialist

Dr. Yaakov Abdelhak is a board-certified OB/GYN who also completed an additional fellowship in perinatology (high-risk obstetrics) and has been a Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) doctor since 2002. He is a firm supporter in natural and vaginal birth whenever safe for the mother and baby.

Yaakov Abdelhak, MD, FACOG attended SUNY Downstate Medical School and OB/GYN residency at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. He completed a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at New York University. Dr. Abdelhak started his private practice in 2002 and delivers out of Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ.

He supports vaginal breech, vaginal twins, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and vaginal birth after two cesareans (VBAC2). His expertise in high-risk obstetrics ranges from the management of diabetes, high blood pressure, severe hyperemesis, amniocentesis, CVS, cerclage placement, external cephalic versions, multiple gestational, pregnancy after 40, previous loss, recurrent miscarriages, and complications in pregnancy.

Kristin Mallon, CNM, MS, RNC-OB Profile Photo

Kristin Mallon, CNM, MS, RNC-OB

Certified Nurse Midwife

Kristin Mallon, CNM, MS, RNC-OB is a board certified nurse midwife, breast health expert, published author and a mother of four. She grew up in Newport Beach, California and fell in love with and then married an adventurous, fun native New Yorker. Now settled in North Jersey, her expertise lies in pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum year.

Kristin graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Psychology and completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD. In Marilyand, she began working as a D.O.N.A. trained doula and the life-long love of working with women began.

While completing her Master’s degree in Science & Midwifery, at New York University (NYU), she was Editor in Chief of the Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect. Never leaving her love of psychology, physics and the brain behind, she worked at the Hatch Center for MRI Research at Columbia University in New York. Her work focused on biosignals, biophysics and how molecules, tissues and signals form images and quantitative data. Upon matriculation, she began practicing as a board certified nurse midwife in private practice Brooklyn, NY.

Kristin taught Bachelor’s and Master’s level nursing courses at NYU and Monmouth University and wrote for various medical textbooks and nursing test prep courses.

In 2017, Kristin teamed up with Inna Toplier Mooney, CNS to co-found Vibrant Beginning a pregnaceutical company. The vision of Vibrant Beginning is to create holistic supplements that are also effective, whereas most products in the pregnancy category are one or the other.

Is many respects, Kristin is an anthropologist and loves people, traveling, reading & exploring almost anything. She’ll jump into almost anything if waves or snow are involved. She’s chocolate over vanilla, coffee over tea, dogs over cats, thrillers over horror, Marvel over DC comics, definitely spicy over mild, and wine before beer. She’s a morning person. Her favorite way to eat eggs is over easy or Benedict with an ocean view. Her favorite question other than “Why? is “How can it be done?”

Kristin’s philosophy about pregnancy, birth and motherhood is that each woman deserves a respected, gentle, supported personalized experience.