Motherbirth

Usha Anandi's journey into feminine spirituality and embodiment began with her own story of trauma and numbness. Determined to heal the root of her disconnection and pain, she traveled all around the world, devoting her life to studying ancient healing practices and making them accessible for the modern age. In this episode we explore the issues related to privilege and healing work, the impact of stress and isolation on our nervous systems, and some powerful embodiment practices to assist us during this time.

Returning guest Christa Gifford shares honestly about the challenges and healing she has experienced since the death of her daughter Goldie (story shared in EP 030). After the unexpected breakdown of her marriage, Christa had no choice but to confront her own demons and look within to discover what really needed to be healed so that she could move forward as a whole woman. Her powerful story will surprise you!

April McMurtry, creator of The Moon Is My Calendar, goes deep on how the moon serves as a guide to us on the journey of cyclical living and awareness, and how we can bring this awareness into our relationship with our daughters. April shares from her heart about the awakening she experienced in early motherhood, the deep peace she has discovered in living rhythmically, and what raising daughters intentionally has looked like for her.

Special guest Jessica Connolly shares her inspiring story of raising 4 daughters to be connected to their feminine power and potential, and how that is possible to cultivate at any age. Mellisa & Jessica describe a one-of-a-kind new project designed for mothers who want to empower their daughters to form a vital, healthy connection to the sacred power of the feminine cycle through practical tools, personal transformation and powerful community.

Best-selling author of Pregnancy Brain, Parijat Deshpande's world changed when her complicated, high risk pregnancy ended with the birth of her son at 25 weeks. In this episode, we explore trauma, the nervous system and how to use the mind body connection to not just manage a high risk pregnancy but actually thrive. Join us on Tuesday, July 30th at 1:30pm PST on Instagram for a LIVE follow up conversation with Mellisa and Parijat where we will answer any of your questions and explore our conversation further!

Host Mellisa Reeves and guest Tamara Iglesias of Welly Nest, a conscious parenting coach, explore how motherhood brings up all of the unresolved issues in our lives and how conscious parenting serves as an invitation to heal our own selves. Tamara believes that "parenting is our greatest opportunity to evolve. In this episode, we explore how motherhood triggers our childhood wounds, beliefs about the world, and even our own inadequacy as mothers. If motherhood is an opportunity to evolve, to transform, then these triggers are the catalysts that enable this transformation. Healing our own wounds is the way forward, instead of getting caught up in the distractions of reacting to our children's behaviours and the anxiety so many of us experience. If you've ever felt in the trenches of motherhood and didn't know how to find your way through the dark, this conversation will be like seeing a glimpse of light for the first time in awhile.

As a journalist, Virginia Sole-Smith frequently wrote diet articles for women’s magazines but much of what she wrote never rang true for her. Then, when her first child was born with a rare congenital heart condition and wouldn’t eat on her own, she began to connect the dots of how outside influences can alter our bodies’ natural instincts to nourish and satiate ourselves. Her new book, The Eating Instinct: Food Culture, Body Image, and Guilt in America, was inspired by her daughter’s resistance to eating, her journey to feel safe in her own relationship with food, and her experience of writing about diet culture. The book explores food culture, body image issues and eating disorders that can occur when societal rules disrupt our intuition, and the self-imposed judgments many women put upon themselves. Virginia is a powerful voice not only for seeing yourself in a new way but also for raising the next generation in a new way that doesn’t assume we have to keep doing things the same way when it clearly isn’t working. Her book comes out this week and will be an incredible resource to anyone looking to de-program cultural messages about our relationships to our bodies! In This Episode: How she learned her daughter had a congenital heart condition How she built trust around the feeding relationship with her daughter The intense bond the trauma and stress created between her and her partner The importance of establishing feeding patterns Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding The ever-changing rules of nutrition The science of hunger and satiation How the word ‘best’ is a misnomer The unhealthy relationship many women have with food How our bodies have a natural intuition about what we need The downsides of the diet culture How to get a free 1-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Virginia Sole-Smith The Eating Instinct: Food Culture, Body Image, and Guilt in America, by Virginia Sole-Smith @MotherBirth.co on Instagram Expectful — 1 Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members

Few people have the tenacity and the resolve to recognize a gap in women’s health care services and then break down the barriers to fill the gap and find a place for themselves amid the new design. But, that is exactly what today’s guest, Director of Midwifery Care, Nikia Grayson, CNM, DNP, MPH did at CHOICES — Memphis Center for Reproductive Health in Memphis, Tennessee. Coming from the DC area, Nikia found the infant mortality rates among families of color in Memphis distressing. With a lack of community-based programs and very little influence left over from the Granny Midwives of the past, Nikia set her sights on creating a high-quality, non-judgmental, comprehensive reproductive health center the entire community could use. The organization Nikia helped transform — CHOICES — started as a cash-only abortion clinic. The organization now provides different health care choices based on community needs. During our conversation, Nikia shares information about her personal journey to becoming a midwife, the new birthing center, and how MotherBirth listeners can support the program. Her passion for women, providing equal access for the entire community, and focusing on the entire spectrum of reproductive health needs is so inspiring. We are so excited to share this incredible conversation. In This Episode: The barriers to becoming a midwife How she built trust and relationships within the community How funds are raised for the reproductive center How policy and politics have disrupted the long-standing tradition of midwifery The importance of high-quality, non-judgmental care How the same women who have babies are the same women who have abortions Why having a birth team is important The past role of a Granny Midwife in a community How to support the work of CHOICES, locally or otherwise How to get a free 1-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Memphis CHOICES Website Memphis CHOICES on Facebook @MotherBirth.co on Instagram Expectful — 1 Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members

Kate Woolley and her husband didn’t anticipate all the bumps and struggles they would face when they made the decision to become parents. When their first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, a fracture was created in their communications due to the different manner in which they dealt with grief. But when Kate faced rare and challenging conditions during their second pregnancy, their bond grew stronger than ever. When her water broke during her 16th week of pregnancy Kate was placed on home bed rest. Then at 27-weeks, she experienced such an intense bleeding that she was placed in a high-risk perinatal unit where she was told by hospital staff that she was the most complicated, naturally-conceived pregnancy they had ever experienced. During our conversation, Kate describes the roller coaster ride of emotions she experienced on her journey to motherhood as well as the myriad of rare physical conditions she faced including a cervical cyst, a placental abruption, and vasa previa. She also shares how her business, The Noble Paperie, was born from her experiences of grief, loss, and hope. We are so honored to share these powerful stories with you during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and hope that you share with those you love who will find comfort and connection. In This Episode: How a miscarriage created a wedge between her and her husband How she approached the decision to try to get pregnant again after the miscarriage How it feels to have an extended stay in the high-risk perinatal floor of a hospital How a cyst on her cervix led to a placental abruption How a rare occurrence of vasa previa led to a Cesarean The grief of being unable to hold her baby for weeks How she and her husband reconnected during their second pregnancy The importance of friendship and support during her motherhood journey Why there was an absence of visitors during her son’s 34-day stay in NICU What it felt like to arrive home from the hospital without her baby What inspired her to create The Noble Paperie How to get a free 1-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: The Noble Paperie @TheNoblePaperie on Instagram @MotherBirth.co on Instagram Expectful — 1 Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members

Dr. Jessica Zucker is a well-known psychologist who specializes in women’s reproductive and maternal mental health, the founder of the ‘I Had a Miscarriage’ campaign, and a writer. She practiced clinically for years before her own 16-week miscarriage offered her a new perspective on the many aspects of loss and how it touches every part of a woman’s life. During our conversation, Dr. Zucker shares the raw details of her loss, how getting intimate with death changed her and made her more emotionally available to her patients, why she created the ‘I Had a Miscarriage’ campaign and her fears about getting pregnant again. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and we hope that this powerful conversation helps create more space and openness between those who have experienced loss and those who haven’t. We believe that open dialogue in our culture is rare but so needed - especially in this incredibly misunderstood arena. In This Episode: How modern psychology was originally designed for men as a moral development tool How mental health professionals can offer assistance to others even if they haven’t had a similar experience The physical realities of a pregnancy loss How she considers her loss an unforeseeable gift Why some women choose not to share their stories of loss How the trauma of loss appears in many different areas of a woman’s life What it’s like to have an unmedicated D&C procedure Discussing psychologists ability to apply their knowledge to themselves The dangers of walking on eggshells when discussing pregnancy loss If the ‘12-week rule’ is appropriate advice for doctors to relay How to get a free 1-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Dr. Jessica Zucker @Ihadamiscarriage on Instagram Expectful — 1 Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members

Sarah Peck was the first employee to get pregnant at the Silicon Valley startup she worked for. And while her boss affirmed things would work out, she could feel unconscious competition and misogyny in the air. Inside she was feeling lonely and wondering if she was sacrificing the career she had built. In addition to her other duties, she was tasked with helping to write the ‘maternity employee handbook’ for the entire organization. Since that time, Sarah has left that position to become an entrepreneur and to follow her passion for writing. She founded Startup Pregnant, a soulful space for women wanting to be intentional about the intersection of career and motherhood, based on her own experience of unpacking what it meant to be a woman in a corporate startup venture blended with her many years of blogging experience. During our conversation, we delve into the seldom discussed topics of how the modern world changes the way women prepare for pregnancy, how keeping up with the Joneses can add stressors to what should be a transformative experience and the myth of finding a work-life balance. Sarah articulates beautifully the struggle so many of us feel — how can we pursue meaningful work that matters while also desiring to create a family landscape that is nurturing and healthy? In This Episode: Having a baby in the male-dominated startup world The benefits of having a pregnant woman on the team The emotionally complex situation entrepreneurs face while expecting How pregnancy launched her new career How she created a company’s policies on pregnancy and maternity leave How she took a softer approach to parenting in the commercialized ‘baby market’ Cost-justifying a Doula How her partner negotiated extended time off to spend with family How the inexpensive gift of letters from family and friends can help guide parents through their first year How to building body confidence during pregnancy The effects of the modern lifestyle on the birthing experience How she prepared for birth physically, mentally, and spiritually Visualising the tender care you want from others during postpartum How women can be more specific about what they want How to build your maternity wardrobe with style and ease online Show Notes: Startup Pregnant Startup Pregnant Podcast @StartupPregnant on Twitter Stitch Fix — Create a Style Profile and Have Clothes Delivered Right to Your Front Door

A lack of support during her postpartum transition inspired today’s guest, Kate Turza, to become a certified postpartum doula. Feelings of frustration and loneliness crept over her after the birth of her third child. Her searches for support in her rural Long Island community came up empty. She decided to offer women the support she wished she’d had by becoming a doula and by joining the board of a non-profit that facilitates a monthly birth circle. During our conversation, Kate shares the problems she encountered during breastfeeding due to a retained placenta and lack of hormones, how doula training brought balance back into her life, and the struggles mothers and partners face finding community and support today’s individualized culture. We talk about why postpartum support is absolutely negotiable, why you might want a postpartum Doula, and how to get the support you need even if there aren’t a lot of resources in your community. In This Episode: What a postpartum doula does What a postpartum doula does not do How mothers put pressure on themselves by setting unrealistic goals How she dealt with increased anxiety during her postpartum transition The struggles of breastfeeding and sleep deprivation for many new mothers How a retained placenta affects a new mothers ability to nurse How societal changes are affecting the fourth trimester Considering a partner’s emotional needs during the birth cycle Creating a support community for mothers and partners Where to find support in the U.S. and internationally How to build your maternity wardrobe with style and ease Show Notes: La Leche League — U.S. Branch DONA — International Doula Training CAPPA — International Doula Certification Trust Your Body Again — Motherbirth Course Stitch Fix — Create a Style Profile and Have Clothes Delivered Right to Your Front Door

Today’s guest, Evan Manskey, always wanted a family but doubted her body’s ability to have children. A self-proclaimed late bloomer, her monthly menstruation didn’t come until after she started driving. When she experienced excessive bleeding during her first two pregnancies, both of which ended as miscarriages, she was overcome with anxiety and fell into depression. She and her husband decided to take a break from trying to conceive. Today, Evan and her husband have two sons and they are also foster parents to children who need temporary homes with loving families. During our conversation, Evan shares her emotional story of beating the odds, her difficult but beautiful transition into motherhood, how she fulfilled her desire to have a vaginal birth after a Cesarean (VBAC), and how fostering children affects family dynamics. In This Episode: The courage to try again after two miscarriages Overcoming anxiety and depression during the journey to motherhood How she found support and friendship in online communities The major life shift a new mother experiences Having a Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC) How her doctor decided to dismiss her as a patient The benefit of surrounding yourself with encouraging people The empowering feeling of giving birth on your own terms The work of attachment in foster care What it is like to mother a child that is not your own knowing they will soon leave How to build your maternity wardrobe with style and ease Show Notes: Stitch Fix — Create a Style Profile and Have Clothes Delivered Right to Your Front Door

In today’s episode, Amanda Cunningham shares the moving story of her two very distinct birth experiences. During her first pregnancy, she was euphoric and felt a profound spiritual connection to her son but after he was born, the separation triggered a severe postpartum loneliness which lasted for eighteen months. And after struggling with the decision of her readiness to have another child, her daughter was born with an undetected, random form of Down Syndrome. Amanda’s feelings during her postpartum depression overwhelmed her and took a toll on her marriage. She found relief in a prescription of progesterone and the understanding that she was could affect how she allowed her feelings to affect her. Acknowledging her feelings empowered her to move forward and take the actions necessary to heal. We talk about the extremely complicated emotions she faced after their daughters unexpected Down Syndrome diagnosis, how different she felt about her pregnancies, and how she came to terms with it all. In This Episode: Feeling spiritually connected to an unborn child Experiencing extreme loneliness during postpartum Taking progesterone during a postpartum transition The expectations of others How to know when you are ready to conceive again after a difficult postpartum transition Severe, long-lasting illness during pregnancy The three types of Down Syndrome Being introduced to a diagnosis rather than a child The unexpected mourning of what may never be The benefits of a grief counselor How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: @RoryBlakeisGreat on Instagram The Down Syndrome Diagnostic Network Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members

In today’s episode, we discuss the spiritual, mental, and emotional transitions women go through on their motherhood journey. Dr. Katayune Kaeni — aka Dr. Kat — joins us to share the traumatic personal experience that led her to specialize in maternal mental health and how she helps women to prepare for and heal from the under-discussed challenges mothers face. When Dr. Kat experienced postpartum depression after the birth of her first child, she was unsure exactly what was happening. Like many women, she felt ashamed, embarrassed and didn’t open up about what she was experiencing. And as a psychologist, she thought she should be able to figure it out on her own. During our conversation, we learn about how Dr. Kat started her healing process with energy work and whole body healing, how she empowers women to answer the ‘what if’ questions, and the many different ways our motherhood journeys change us. In This Episode: Why many women are silent about their postpartum anxiety How women can ask for support from a partner or their community The limited support mothers receive through social structures Depression assessments The relationship between the motherhood journey and the mental health journey Energy work and whole body healing The unexpected ways healing occurs How to separate what is happening to you from who you are Creating an adjustable set of expectations for friends and family How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: The Mom & Mind Podcast Mom & Mind Podcast on Facebook Mom & Mind on Instagram Dr. Kaeni on Twitter Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members

Today’s episode inspires women to shed the programming and ideals society has fed us about how we feel about our bodies and what we should look like. Licensed Psychotherapist Ellen Boeder shares insights on how to be empowered during motherhood and beyond and how we can profoundly respect the value of our nurturing, feminine, magnificent selves. Ellen has spent most of her career working with women through the deep-rooted confusion that can lead to eating disorders and body image issues. She helps women sort through the culturally handed-down and media-driven information that has created unrealistic ideals of what it means to be a woman. We get into how pregnancy and the postpartum period can be significant contributors to a woman’s perception of her body and lead to body dysmorphia, eating disorders and generalized shame about our bodies and even our worth as humans. During our conversation, Ellen also shares her own personal journey to motherhood including how she integrated the newfound joy of motherhood with her treasured career. In This Episode: The narrative women are offered around work and their bodies Society’s impact on the motherhood journey The use of food to distract from deeper issues The earning mentality: Binging and deprivation Motherhood as a trigger and a cure of body image issues Unconscious modeling The influence of marketing on women’s decisions about beauty, health, and wellness Disassembling the beliefs handed down from past generations The lost practice of celebrating our fertile bodies A Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT) Using crowdfunding to save for future college expenses Show Notes: Rearranged by Motherhood Blog Rearranged by Motherhood on Facebook Ellen Boeder Private Practice College Backer — Listeners of Motherbirth receive a $10 match contribution with this link

In today’s episode, we have an in-depth conversation with Megan Connolly, a Co-Founder of Well Made Mama. There are many resources available to women regarding the physical changes their bodies experience during motherhood but few focus on the emotional and mental transformations that last a lifetime. For Megan, starting a conversation and raising awareness about the importance of community during motherhood is essential. Her organization aims to offer resources and community to modern mothers to help them thrive in their transition to motherhood. The science of motherhood often has a gap that exists in what to expect when preparing for a baby. During our conversation, we discuss the changes in our society that have removed the community component from motherhood, how making friends can be an essential survival skill for a mother, the neuroscience of motherhood, identity shifts, and how to adapt to all of these changes in a personal, healthy way. In This Episode: The continuous state of change that is motherhood The role of oxytocin and dopamine during pregnancy and breastfeeding How having a community can ease your anxiety The transitions and identity shifts of young mothers The process of turning to information for comfort in place of communities Creating an assessment of the level of support a new mother has Tips for finding a community How to invest in your well-being Different cultures offer different levels of community support How friends are beneficial role models to mothers Extending the meaning of postpartum Using crowdfunding to save for future college expenses Show Notes: Well Made Mama Trust Your Body Again — A Course from Motherbirth College Backer — Listeners of Motherbirth receive a $10 match contribution with this link

In today’s episode, we speak with three women who were instrumental in establishing midwifery into traditional, bustling, hospital settings. Between them, they have over 50+ years of birth work experience and they continue to mentor, teach and serve women in the midwife community and beyond. Nel assisted her mother in the birth of a sibling at age three. The baby was stillborn. This left a lasting impression on her. After countless babies appeared in her life, she knew she should follow the path to midwifery and has dedicated her career to creating a homebirth model in a small hospital setting. She currently mentors and teaches midwifery to midwives in rural Maine. Nell has pioneered many revolutionary practices in midwifery and is well known for her contributions. Denise is a midwife in a hospital in The Bronx. She assists women from marginalized areas of society gain access to a midwife in high-risk pregnancies. She works to build trust with doctors who may not understand the role or purpose of a midwife and with the patients who come from various cultural backgrounds. Sharon is Chief of the Midwifery Division and oversees a midwife education program at Baystate Medical Center. She works with women who need care but have barriers to getting it. She helps women of all backgrounds to make informed decisions about their pregnancy with the goal of removing the anxiety and judgment sometimes related to the birth process. We sat with these women and heard their powerful stories and now share their power with you. *This is our second session of recordings with women who serve as midwives from the Motherbirth booth at the American College of Nurse-Midwives Annual Conference. In This Episode: The importance of relationships The similarities of Midwifery in rural and urban environments Integrating the homebirth model into a hospital setting How midwives can decrease the level of trauma during birth Changes in midwife care since the 1970’s The continuity model of care Eliminating the judgment women have about their birth experience Building access to midwife care for women in marginalized communities Making doctors aware of the role of a midwife Prenatal and postpartum emotional support The need to reduce anxiety in expectant mothers Allowing the body to follow its natural birth process The father’s experience of childbirth Using crowdfunding to save for future college expenses Show Notes: Listen to Episode #68 — “Peyote In Labor, Feminism, and Running Away From the Army” College Backer — Listeners of Motherbirth receive a $10 match contribution with this link

In today’s episode, we speak with three extraordinary women who are dedicating their lives to the service of others. All three are birth workers who embrace respecting a woman’s cultural heritage and traditions. They candidly share their personal journeys and the wisdom they have cultivated over their many years of service. T’Karima believes that birth is a ceremony. She is an American who deeply identifies with her Mexican roots. She is researching a highly controversial topic — using peyote during labor and giving birth in sweat lodges like many indigenous Latin American cultures do. Missy is a certified midwife who serves all people. She is an advocate of human rights and for the LGBTQ+ community. She is working to implement an IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) program within her practice. Mary Rose is a nurse/midwife who left the Army at 18 when she became pregnant after being raped. She gave birth to her son at The Farm in Tennessee. She stayed at the Farm for four years as a midwife assistant apprentice and she now serves Navajo women on a reservation. We sat with these women and heard their powerful stories and now share their power with you. *This episode was recorded live from our Motherbirth booth at the American College of Nurse-Midwives Annual Conference. In This Episode: The importance of respecting cultural heritage and customs Supporting a mother’s choice of birth environment and method Giving birth in a sweat lodge Using medicinal plants during pregnancy and childbirth Midwife care for LGBTQ+ communities Implementing an IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) program What midwives can do next Identifying with multiple cultures The importance of language while serving all people Running away from the army after being raped and having no recourse Finding a safe place on The Farm to give birth and heal Setting a foundation of love and peace for children Using crowdfunding to save for future college expenses Show Notes: American College of Nurse-Midwives Annual Conference T’Karima Ticitl on Facebook College Backer — Listeners of Motherbirth receive a $10 match contribution with this link

Today’s guest, Ashley Logsdon, had always wanted to have children and in the most natural way possible. During our conversation, she details each of her three birth stories - all of which took unexpected turns in the opposite direction of her birth plans. Ashley had to learn to accept the way her daughters chose to came - and by her third birth, she had learned how to advocate for the birth experience she wanted, pioneering the adoption of gentle, family-centered cesarean procedures in her local hospital. Her experiences proved that it is possible to have an empowering experience while proactively preparing for emergency situations. Ashley is a huge proponent of educating yourself ahead of time to remove the stress and uncertainty of making big decisions in the moment. Ashley works as a coach and educator for families who wish to connect with each other and the world in a meaningful way. Through personality assessments and the concept of a family vision, she communicates intentional living and accountability. Along with her husband and three girls, she travels the U.S. full-time, in an RV. She advocates for women, encouraging them to make their voices known, whether that be in pregnancy, birth, health care or anywhere else. This was a fun and inspiring conversation full of really practical tips for mothers facing cesarean birth, but also for anyone wanting to create an intentional family life full of joy and purpose! Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: How emotions can cause physical manifestations How to create a family-centric home Her experience having a natural cesarean Her ‘Before You Have Your Baby’ guidelines How to prepare for emergency situations during birth How DISC personality assessments can benefit family communications How she allows her children to see her humanness Creating family vision statements Living an intentional life The power of positivity How women can find their voice during a birth The book Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Mama Says Namaste Mama Says Namaste Podcast Mama Says Namaste on Instagram Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members

Today’s guest, Marlene Ehrler, is a doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and comes from a long line of holistic healers. She founded Motherhood Medicine, a health and wellness resource designed to assist women on their journey to motherhood. And, she hopes to reawaken a woman’s inherent, natural healing abilities by providing lifestyle information without the bias of traditional marketing tactics through her Land and Spirit Project. Marlene’s first pregnancy was labeled as high-risk due to her Type 1 diabetes. Her insurance insisted she see a traditional OB/GYN and required her to give birth in the high-risk ward of the hospital, not at home with a midwife like she wanted. Bucking the system, she and her husband prepared for a home birth in spite of what they were told. Marlene learned the hard way that birth is the ultimate initiation into the lack of control that typifies motherhood - and when things didn’t go according to plan, she had to learn to integrate and heal from the trauma she experienced during a very difficult birth and postpartum period. During our conversation, she shares the powerful ways that she experienced healing, what it is like to raise a Spirited Child, and how this all integrates into her practice. Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: What motivated her to study Naturopathic Medicine How Type 1 Diabetes played a role in her delivery Her plan to have an unassisted home birth How doctors diagnosed her false ailments The pain of the knife when two epidurals failed Having a Cesarean after her baby was already crowning Having an absent birth The power of a rebirth ceremony Raising a Spirited Child How the power of language helped her heal Her goal to empower women with basic, foundational health and lifestyle information through her new project (link) The influence of Dr. Weston Price How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Motherhood Medicine @MotherhoodMedicine on Instagram The Land and Spirit Project Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members

Today’s guest, Summer Edwards, home-birthed her two sons and is the oldest of five home-birthed siblings. For her, the choice to home-birth was clear. She wasn’t aware of the philosophical reasons other women had for home-birthing, it was just something her family did. When she returned to work after her first child, she realized she wasn’t returning to her previously satisfying career but a segmented ‘Mommy track’ within the organization. She then morphed her creative side project into Lead Women Lead, a community working to revolutionize the workplace for women at a systemic level. During our conversation, she describes the physically empowering, 20-hour intense first labor experience and how she believes it has impacted her first born child. She attributes her ability to move past the pain and trauma of the malpositioned birth to her midwife who reminded her of the beauty of surrender. Her second birth experience was completely different, and Summer shares her birth stories with so much joy and confidence you will be inspired. Summer’s online course is designed for working mothers who grapple with imposter syndrome and overwhelm, and the next group will launch this fall. Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: How she confronts systemic birthing and motherhood ideologies The difference in her first and subsequent birthing experiences How she learned to trust her intuition and her body’s natural abilities The Fear/Pain Tension Cycle How the childbirth experience translates to other areas of life The physical, emotional, and mental benefits of trust and surrender The hostility she faced when sharing her natural birth experiences with others The beginning of the Lead Mama Lead social change movement The benefit of a mother’s perspective in for-profit, nonprofit and government agencies How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Lead Mama Lead Overcoming Overwhelm Course Motherbirth Exclusive — Trust Your Body Again Course Motherbirth Podcast — Episode 60 — Vaginal Breech Birth Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members

Today’s guest, Arianna Taboada, is a Maternal Health Professional, a mother, and an advocate for women’s issues including maternity leave and postpartum planning. Her private consulting practice assists self-employed, working mothers to plan for and navigate through the personal and professional support they will need before, during and after childbirth. Her clients learn to actively develop their new identities in a non-isolated way. Arianna’s firstborn child was delivered in her home just south of Cancun in Mexico. She knew if she delivered her baby in the local hospital there was a high chance they would perform a cesarean. She desired a low intervention birth and a level of care only a midwife could provide. During our conversation, she shares the details of her transition into motherhood and how she draws from her experience to create support plans for other women on their journey to motherhood. We get into how little emotional preparation women do before birth and how important it is to think about all the angles of support you will need. Arianna is inspiring and will get you thinking about your own postpartum experience and how you can support others in your community! Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: How traditional care options omit midwives Low intervention birth options in Mexico How she relied on her intuition after her excessive research How she dealt with uncertainty Her transition into parenthood Why she built a private practice around postpartum planning and care How to use a postpartum ecomap How local moms groups provide much-needed support The gaps in policy and protection for new mothers Dealing with motherhood identity issues How to navigate and design maternity leave for self-employed mothers How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Arianna Taboada Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members

In today’s show, we discuss the importance of support, community, and togetherness for women. Our mission for this podcast and community is to create a safe space for women to share their stories and to experience healing and connection through the power of storytelling. We believe that when women are isolated, they don’t have the communal structures in place to deal with the emotional work that comes with motherhood. Research shows the positive effects of group therapy and sharing experiences on PTSD, and Laura’s research in her doctoral program has led her to focus her doctoral project on creating an important space in our community — giving women who have had traumatic birth stories a chance to find growth and healing through processing and integrating the birth experiences they have already had. Even though every woman’s motherhood journey is different, there are mental, emotional, and physical aspects of our stories that connect us all. We’ll be updating you all on the group we’ll be launching to facilitate this — you can sign up to receive more info here! We also talk about Mellisa’s program Trust Your Body Again for women who have experienced loss — head over to the website for more information on what we offer. Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: The dissatisfaction and hurt found in many birth stories Why women are among the last to implement self-care practices The effects PTSD can have on a motherhood journey How people can benefit by sharing their stories in groups Defining the critical components of a personal motherhood journey The effects of trauma on the postpartum period The deficiency in postpartum treatment The importance of not judging another’s trauma How to process and integrate birth stories The journey of awakening intuition How to sign up for the Trust Your Body Again course How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Motherbirth on Instagram Trust Your Body Again Course Motherbirth Podcast Episode 61 with Sara Rosser Motherbirth Podcast Episode 57 with Rebecca Fraser Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members

Today’s guest, Sibyl Almonte de Cannella, has been a mother for a long time even though she has only held her baby in her arms for a little more than a month. She has had many miscarriages including several which came during the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) process. After years of having doctors tell her she should be able to have a healthy pregnancy, a rare blood disorder was discovered in her system. This diagnosis led to her decision to investigate surrogacy. During this extremely candid conversation, Sibyl shares the emotional, physical, and mental toll she experienced during her challenging motherhood journey. She also shares the details of finding a surrogate when surrogacy is illegal in most of the world and what it is like to have your baby born over 5,000 miles away from home. You can feel Sibyl’s joy and anticipation in this honest exploration of what this controversial alternative path to motherhood looks like — and also how her experience, while seemingly rare on the surface, shares so much with every mother’s path. Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: Not knowing why she was having multiple miscarriages at nine weeks The arduous process of IVF How she dealt with the emotional stress of being pregnant several times without carrying to term How she looked to adoption in her effort to have a family The mental anguish brought about by uncertainty and doubt How her body created antibodies which robbed her embryos of oxygen Why she kept the news of her pregnancies private Why she chose surrogacy over adoption Where surrogacy is a legal option The language barriers involved with international surrogacy What she did when her surrogate didn’t produce breast milk The joy of holding her baby girl after her exceptional journey The importance of making connections with others on similar journeys How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members

Today’s guest, Sara Rosser, is an apprentice at the Farm Midwifery Center in Tennessee. She believes a woman should be able to choose where they deliver their baby. Her diverse family consists of a biological child, an adopted child and an international exchange student. She is currently pregnant as a gestational carrier for a single father. After her first birth left her feeling cheated out of the delivery she desired, Sara wrestled for years with what to do about it. Sara’s story is truly unique and amazing. In our conversation, she shares the trials she faced while searching for a midwife to assist her with the home birth she desperately desired, her family’s reaction to their adopted Ethiopian son, and how finally coming to terms with her daughter’s birth took her first away from surrogacy and then in the end, back to it. Our conversation about birth trauma and the oh-so-common desire for a “birth re-do” is so incredibly important - and will resonate with so many women. Sara’s beautiful story paints a picture of the selfless love of motherhood in a whole new light. In next weeks episode, we’ll explore the other side of surrogacy - from the perspective of the intended family! Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: ● About her work at the Farm Birthing Center ● How midwifery was illegal in Alabama ● How a hospital delivery her only option ● How she mentally and emotionally processed her first birth experience ● How she and her husband adopted an Ethiopian child at the age of 23 ● The very different reactions her family had to her adopted child ● The varying types of surrogacy ● Her decision to become a gestational carrier for a single male parent ● Her decision and plan for breastfeeding her surrogate baby ● How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members Sara Rosser Sara Rosser on Instagram The Farm Midwifery Center

In this exciting episode, Jessica Gray describes her four births, three of which were vaginal breech births! Her bicornuate uterus, which is in the shape of a heart, is a hereditary trait that makes it less likely a baby will be able to change position later in pregnancy. By trusting herself and her body, she has given birth in hospitals, a birthing center and at home. Her story highlights the importance of a positive mindset during the birth experience and how a doctor/midwife can empower a birthing mother by allowing her to trust her body and intuition. Her goal is to educate and inform others by spreading the word about breech birth and other normal variations of birth that have become somewhat taboo in the world of birth providers. Jessica is passionate about making sure that people know there are still doctors and midwives who are experienced and comfortable with breech birth… you just may have to search! She also tries to help people find local breech-friendly providers when able through social media channels. Her joy and passion is contagious and this was such a fun conversation to have and share. Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: ● What it means to have a bicornuate uterus ● Having a child outside of her home country ● How she was the first vaginal, breech birth in Canada after a new law allowed for it ● How a doctor can empower a birthing woman ● How having a positive mindset changes the game when delivering a breech baby ● A hands-off breech delivery at a hospital, a birth center and at home ● How to normalize the variations of birthing experience ● Giving a birthing mother options other than a Cesarean ● Getting comfortable with changing care providers during pregnancy ● How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members The Breech Book @BreechBirth on Instagram

During today’s episode, self-proclaimed birth junkie Yukie McGregor shares the inspiration behind her Dallas Birth Guide and the Birth Community that it created, her primal first birth experience at home and the relief she felt after talking with a therapist after bouts of postpartum depression started to creep in during the first few months after having her baby. In this engaging conversation, Yukie details the comical aspects of her homebirth and how motherhood gave her the opportunity, skills, and the light to work on herself and heal herself. We decided that her birth should inspire a new genre of birth films… comedy! Yukie’s Birth Guide is designed to empower women during their motherhood journey and to provide all the resources they need to make birth planning decisions based on what will make them feel the most comfortable and supported. We love her mission and the services she offers; nothing is more important than women feeling empowered in this season of life. Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: ● How she was inspired by The Business of Being Born Documentary before even becoming a mother ● The impressive way a body can have a baby whether you are ready for it or not ● How birth photographers capture tender moments ● How she planned for a birth center birth and decided in the end to stay home ● Planning for postpartum like you would plan for any other major event in your life ● The beneficial effects of intergenerational care during a motherhood journey ● How birth language can include an unconscious bias ● Having the confidence to ask the questions that empowered her ● How a Doula can be a trusted guide ● How our parenting decisions are influenced by how we are raised ● How motherhood changed her forever ● How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members Dallas Birth Guide Dallas Birth Guide Podcast Dallas Birth Guide on Instagram

During today’s episode, Natalie Brenner shares the joy, sadness, and grief she has experienced during her biological, adoptive and foster care motherhood journeys. She describes how her love of all things motherhood helped her navigate through postpartum depression, the intense emotional responsibility of foster parenting and her passion to dispel common myths and assumptions about the connection between adoption and infertility. The foundation of her book, This Undeserved Life: Uncovering the Gifts of Grief and Fullness of Life draws from her wide spectrum of the motherhood experiences and emotions. In this extremely vulnerable conversation, Natalie shares from her heart about her homebirth-turned-emergency-cesarean, how it’s possible to experience and make space for both grief and joy, and what her crazy life is like day to day. Her heart for both mothers and children will inspire you to embrace the moment you are in and give everything you have. Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: ● Fully feeling the grief after a miscarriage ● Her passionate response to the ‘you must have finally conceived because you adopted’ myth ● Meeting the birth mother of her adopted son ● The excitement she felt to experience birth ● How her body didn’t respond to epidural or spinal medication for her c-section, resulting in last-second general anaesthesia ● The sadness she felt after her biological birth experience ● The painful, post Cesarean procedure, to reduce her risk of a blood clot ● Her journey of breastfeeding both her biological and adopted child simultaneously ● Their unexpected entry to the world of foster parenting ● The uncertain lives of foster children ● Having a community of foster parents in one area to keep foster siblings together ● How she makes time for self-care during this crazy season ● How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members This Undeserved Life: Uncovering the Gifts of Grief and Fullness of Life, by Natalie Brenner

Today’s guest, Rebecca Fraser, openly shares about the heartbreaking loss she felt when she was denied the initial bonding period with her first son, after being moved to the OR to repair a severe vaginal laceration. She recounts the physical and emotional agony of her PTSD and her difficult quest to find support and healing. She also shares the contrasting pure joy and connectedness she felt when holding her second born immediately after having a planned Cesarean birth. Struggling with the length and complexity of her recovery, both physically and emotionally, Rebecca found talking about her unique experience and attending a perinatal mental health class integral to her recovery. As she considered her options for birth when she became pregnant again, she decided it didn’t make any sense to relive the experience that had caused her so much pain. Opting for a planned cesarean, she immediately felt relief and empowerment - bolstered by the support she received from her caring birth team and community both during and after her birth. Any woman who needs or wants to plan a cesarean birth (or even just wants to prepare emotionally for the possibility) should listen to Rebecca’s story - it is such an important reminder that trauma doesn’t always look like we think it does, and that support and respect can allow ANY birth experience to be positive and empowering. Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here (http://www.expectful.com/motherbirth)! In This Episode: ● Having a midwife present at a hospital delivery ● The difference in U.S. birthing procedures versus international care ● The intense pain of back labor ● Her complicated recovery after surgery to repair the third-degree laceration ● How birth trauma creates physical and emotional pain ● How follow-up examinations and therapies triggered her PTSD ● Getting pregnant again after a traumatic first birth ● The decision to plan a cesarean and the empowering and positive experience she had ● A prenatal course that focuses on post-traumatic stress ● Recovery after a Cesarean and how it compared to her first recovery ● Finding comfort in a birthing community ● How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: - Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members (https://expectful.com/motherbirth) - Creating a Birth Plan Part 1 (https://podtail.com/podcast/motherbirth/creating-a-birth-plan-part-i-014/) & Part 2 (https- Motherbirth Episodescode text here ://motherbirth.co/2017-6-26-when-birth-doesnt-go-as-planned/)

Today’s guest, Amy Griffith uses the calming power of yoga and relaxed breathing to slow her life down and to enjoy the present moment. She utilizes these techniques daily as a mother, and found them to be invaluable during each of her four births - including her recent twins’ birth that didn’t go according to plan at all. Amy gets personal on her first two empowering homebirths and the dramatic tale of her twins’ birth, including being threatened with a court order if she didn’t agree to a cesarean. A force to be reckoned with, Amy didn’t back down and secretly pushed her first baby out. We have been so excited to share this story since we first heard about it! We get into how yoga and breathwork affect our pregnancy, birth and postpartum experiences, and the joy she feels in helping other women through their motherhood journeys. As a professional dancer in New York City, Amy used yoga to counter the hustle and bustle of city life. She has always been fascinated with pregnancy and after her first baby, she decided to create videos for expectant mothers that focus on positivity, presence, stillness, and healing. Her collection of videos now includes postnatal care and she offers postnatal fitness classes locally in Erie, Pennsylvania. Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: ● How yoga can assist pregnant women before, during, and after birth ● Getting into the mommy warrior zone ● How her first birth was an accidental homebirth ● Having a midwife present at a hospital birth ● The benefits of yoga during prenatal and postnatal care ● How she felt in between the births of her first and second twin babies ● The disappointment of going into labor before 37 weeks with the twins and not being able to birth at home ● How she dealt with hospital staff who had different ideas about how she should give birth ● What it’s like to have a water birth ● Being told by a doctor that she would be forced to have a C-section against her will ● The importance of feeling safe with your birth team ● How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members Exercising Balance Exercising Balance on Instagram Exercising Balance on Facebook

Today’s guest, Echo Zielinski, is a private doula and mother to three children who couldn’t wait to get out of the womb. Echo helps run the non-profit MamaBaby center in Haiti - a birthing center created with the mission of empowering local support to save the lives of mothers and babies who have little-to-no access to prenatal care, education and ongoing support. In 2006, when Echo started assisting birthing mothers, the word ‘doula’ was practically unknown to most people and becoming certified in the practice of midwifery was limited. She offered her time and help to anyone in need and often found herself assisting immigrant women, many of whom had no one else to support them through their births. During our conversation, she shares the intimate details of her own three homebirths, what it’s like to work in a developing country and the difference between pain and suffering.  Echo’s love for women and the birth space is palpable and contagious - we loved this conversation! Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: ● Why she became a doula ● The difference between levels of birth care in the U.S. and in Haiti ● How her organization focuses solely on training Haitian locals in midwifery ● How pain and suffering can be filtered by an individual’s culture ● The importance of surrounding yourself with loving people and support ● The reality that some women do have pain-free births ● How she broke her own water ● Having your children present for the birth of their sibling ● How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members Echo Zielinski MamaBaby Haiti Website

Heather always desired to be a mom. When she was unable to have children biologically, she and her husband decided to embark on the emotional process of adoption after deeply considering IVF. The couple now have three adopted children, two who have Down Syndrome. Heather shares her emotional motherhood journey, how she raises children with different abilities and what it feels like to receive three miracles. Heather was so completely vulnerable in this conversation and will make you think deeply about your own experience of motherhood, how to step outside of your comfort zone, and how to support families around you that look different than your own. Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: ● Why she decided to adopt over the IVF process ● The checklist of what prospective adoptive parents are willing to accept ● The decision to adopt a baby with multiple health concerns, as well as Down Syndrome ● How love was the most powerful tool she had to heal her baby ● How her deep desire to be a mom was fulfilled ● Accepting the option of raising a baby outside of her own race ● How her special education background assisted her in raising babies with Down Syndrome ● How terminology should be dictated by those who have different abilities ● The opportunity to write a book on a subject she is passionate about ● How she advocates for inclusion for all people ● How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members Heather Avis Website The Lucky Few Blog The Lucky Few Podcast The Lucky Few Podcast on Facebook Macy Makes My Day on Instagram

Today’s guest, Lauren Smith Brody is the Founder of The Fifth Trimester Movement and author of The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom’s Guide to Style, Sanity, and Big Success After a Baby. She worked in the publicity industry for many years as an Editor for Glamour Magazine. During her first pregnancy, she found there to be a lack of resources for women who are transitioning back into their careers after having children. Determined to make a difference, she began to research ways to help companies better support women during their childbearing years. “The Fifth Trimester” was born - focusing on the transitional and critical stage of going back to work. Culturally, the United States falls short of what she considers to be the gold standard in maternity/paternity leave for a mother's emotional health and a baby’s physical needs. Her foundation works to promote deep cultural shifts in corporations on the financial viability of retaining women in the workplace after childbirth. As a woman who has experienced the transition twice and who consults with tech giants on the subject, she shares her tips for negotiating with employers, making self-care a priority and ways to create a cultural shift around motherhood. Lauren gets vulnerable with us as she shares the struggles and joys of her own journey, what she did different the second time around, and how women don’t have to just accept the “way things are” even when change seems impossible. Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: ● How we can better support ourselves and coworkers in the transition back to work ● How organizations can retain working women after childbirth ● Why paternity leave is as important as maternity leave ● What to do if a workplace is not culturally parenthood adapted ● The importance of working together to change cultural norms ● The importance of valuing parenting as actual work ● Why it’s a good idea to make friends with moms in other industries ● What the gold standard for parental leave should be ● How to negotiate creative ways to ease back into work ● How intermittent leaves can ease the transition back to work ● How new mothers can start the work day with less hassle ● How to fit self-care into your daily commute ● How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members The Fifth Trimester Website The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom's Guide to Style, Sanity, and Big Success After Baby, by Lauren Smith Brody

After her oldest was conceived during her honeymoon, Ashley struggled with long-term postpartum depression that lasted through her second pregnancy. Despite being caught up in the typical throes of motherhood with 2 kids under 2, they began to notice that their older son wasn’t developing verbal skills, leading to a series of evaluations that resulted in an unexpected autism diagnosis. Through a local Early Start program that offers in-home Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy, she and her partner have been able to create and maintain a family environment where both their boys can flourish. Yet, Ashley doesn’t hide the fact that their journey has been incredibly difficult at times. She shares her struggles, her joys, and the contradictions of accepting and synthesizing both so other mothers who may be on a similar journey feel supported and know that they are not alone. She also offers advice on coping strategies, how she takes care of herself and how she and her partner make time for both children. Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive one-month free trial here! In This Episode: ● How she dealt with postpartum depression well into her second pregnancy ● The importance of support during postpartum depression ● Having a son diagnosed with autism but not recognizing any of the signs ● How she and her partner moved forward after receiving their son’s diagnosis ● How it felt to experience the potential loss of her child’s independence ● How everyone becomes an instant expert about your child’s autism ● How she utilized the Early Start program for ABA at-home autism therapy ● The elements of ABA therapy ● The strategies she uses to stay positive about her son’s progress ● How she and her partner find time for both of their children ● The coping mechanisms she uses during stressful situations ● Her advice for moms on a similar journey ● How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful Show Notes: Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members What is Autism? Information on ABA Therapy Finding Your Local Early Start Intervention Services

Dez and her same-sex partner chose their own path to getting pregnant — after carefully selecting a sperm donor through a personal connection, they successfully performed at-home insemination with sterile tools purchased on Amazon. The couple has been able to use the same donor for both of their children and maintain a relationship with him that feels just right. Dez had two distinctively different births — during her first birth, it was decided to induce labor at 39 weeks. Her blood pressure plummeted after her first epidural and the staff gave her a second. When her contractions started, the staff prepped her for it to take awhile, but her labor from there was unbelievably fast! Throughout her next pregnancy, she combated gestational diabetes and a complication during birth which led to a NICU stay for her son and the possibility of losing her own life. Dez’s story may be unique but its themes are so common — reminding us that every journey into motherhood takes us to the edge of ourselves and also awakens love we never knew we had. Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive 1-month free trial here! In This Episode: ● The alternative at-home options to fertility clinic procedures ● How she fertilized her eggs with cost-friendly options ● How she and her partner chose their known donor ● How she was treated by hospital staff because she was plus-size ● How therapy is helping her cope emotionally with almost losing her second child ● How she changed her diet and still experienced gestational diabetes ● How she cared for her child after his stay in NICU ● How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful ● Join us for our 3o Days of Mindfulness this month — more info on our Facebook page Show Notes: Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members 30 Days of Mindfulness with Motherbirth and Expectful

From a very young age, Stephanie Tillman was called to care for people. After a short time of studying to become a physician, she discovered the model of midwifery was more aligned with her personal goals of providing humanistic care to people. She is a passionate and vocal advocate for women’s rights, queer and trans health care, reproductive rights and for breaking down power dynamics in health care relationships. On her Feminist Midwife blog, she writes about her experiences in serving people’s sexual and reproductive health needs and provides educational resources for providers looking to adopt an empathetic approach. Her compassionate method of care includes talking through the intimate experience of gynecological care, the importance of asking for consent, and empowering the people she provides care to. During this inspirational and informative conversation, she shares why it’s important that caregivers prioritze the transfer of power and knowledge to the patient and details the process she uses when working with people including assuming everyone she works with comes from a place of trauma. Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive 1-month free trial here! In This Episode: ● The history of midwifery and the many roles of a midwife ● How she works and communicates with people of different cultures and colors ● How she holds space and stays present for people as a midwife ● Her concern of violence against women in the name of healthcare ● How she works to decrease blatant human rights violations in people’s bodies ● How to balance power and allow people to ask for the type of treatment they are seeking ● The opportunity to create intentional, conscious healthcare providers ● How she creates resources for midwives who work with the queer and trans population ● How instances of sexual assault are higher in the queer community and with people of color ● How she removes judgment by assuming all people come from a place of trauma ● How to get a free one-month trial of guided meditations through Expectful ● Join us for our 3o Days of Mindfulness this month — more info on our Facebook page Show Notes: Expectful — One Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members Feminist Midwife Blog 30 Days of Mindfulness with Motherbirth and Expectful

When Jannie and Carrie decided to have children they both hoped for the experience of being pregnant. After multiple IUI and IVF fertility treatments for both of them, Carrie was finally the one to get pregnant. The story of her pregnancy and how they both transitioned to motherhood together is raw and beautiful. The playful couple is trying to get pregnant again. They have had several unsuccessful insemination attempts and choose to stay positive and supportive despite the challenges. They are well aware of the physical, emotional and mental drains that go along with the fertility process but the love and fun a baby brings into their lives make it all worth it. We talk about career, going back to work after baby and how they make it all work while running a booming business together - hint, hint… it takes lots of communication! Jannie and Carrie’s spunky outlook on life, motherhood and work will have you laughing and also thinking about how similar our stories are even when they might look different on the surface. You’ll love this episode! Expectful is a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey — you can sign up for an exclusive 1-month free trial here! In This Episode: ● Their unconventional method for choosing a sperm donor ● How being pregnant can bring creativity ● How they share parenting & discipline duties in the home ● Dealing with PUPP skin rash ● The relief postnatal massage and acupuncture offers ● How hormonal shifts can bring guilty feelings ● The emotional, physical and mental strains of the fertility process ● How Jannie handled being unable to get pregnant along with Carrie ● Being an LGBT parent ● How they explain the many different types of families to their son ● How to get a free 1 month trial of guided meditations through Expectful ● Join us for our 3o Days of Mindfulness this month - more info on our Facebook page Show Notes: Expectful — 1 Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members Feast Portland Little Green Pickle 30 Days of Mindfulness with Motherbirth and Expectful

Today’s guest, Anna Gannon, is a Mother, Writer, Yoga Teacher and Co-Founder and Community Guide at Expectful.com. At 7 ½ months pregnant she was let go from her position as a yoga instructor and uncertain of her next steps. Anna had always struggled with depression and while she had never previously used meditation as a tool, a timely connection opened her up to the world of mindfulness - and had a life-saving impact on her postpartum experience. Anna hadn’t done a lot of preparation for her daughter’s birth, reflecting the experience of her mother who never complained and had seven children. But, when she experienced breastfeeding issues so severe her nipples were cracked and bleeding and she had difficulty sleeping, the meditation she’d been experimenting with would become a non-negotiable daily practice. Anna is passionate about the benefits of meditation for mothers. Facing postpartum depression and at one point questioning whether her daughter would be better off without her, she describes meditation as saving her life. As the Co-Founder and Community Guide at Expectful, she has created a safe place for women to share, to listen, and to be heard in supportive conversations during their fertility, pregnancy, and motherhood journey.This episode launches our collaboration with Expectful, a guided meditation app for each stage of the motherhood journey - you can sign up for an exclusive 1 month free trial here! In This Episode: ● Overcoming emotional and physical challenges during pregnancy ● How she dealt with breastfeeding and sleep issues ● How meditation can assist mothers through every stage of motherhood ● How using meditations can ease postpartum depression ● The importance of support and community for women ● How to be more present in life ● How to calm your thoughts ● How to celebrate and experience the whole spectrum of motherhood ● How to get a free 1 month trial of guided meditations through Expectful ● Join us for our 3o Days of Mindfulness this month - more info on our Facebook page Show Notes: Expectful — 1 Month Free Trial for MotherBirth Community Members Expectful on Facebook 30 Days of Mindfulness with Motherbirth and Expectful

Emmy Low feels fortunate to have a beautiful baby girl and to enjoy all that motherhood has to offer. Before birthing her daughter, Rooney, Emmy experienced several miscarriages. When she shared her story with the other women in her life she was surprised to find that half of them had also had miscarriages but never felt comfortable talking about it.   Emmy posted a blog about her experience intending to share her story of loss and let other women know they were not alone. But, just seven days after publishing the post she discovered she was pregnant again. There was an outpouring of empathy and compassion from strangers who had read her story and Emmy went through a bout of ‘survivor’s guilt’ when she was found herself unsure of how to announce she was already pregnant again.  We dive into how to navigate both loss and the birth of a new stage where you move into motherhood even when others you’ve connected with aren’t there yet.   When Emmy went into labor she wasn’t sure if it was really happening - but her body knew exactly what it was doing!  Don’t miss the exciting tale of her fast and intense birth - she tells it with so much joy.  :) In This Episode: How few women talk about miscarriages Moving past infertility or loss and dealing with survivors guilt How a birthing plan is more of a guide than a plan High-risk birthing procedures What is needed when a mother is Hepatitis B positive Experiencing an unexpectedly fast labor How she enjoys being a mom   Show Notes:   Emmy Lowe Photo Rooney’s Birth Story

Today’s guest, Vanessa Evigan, was uncertain about her ability to conceive, given she was a bit older than most women who are interested in getting pregnant. As it turned out, she and her partner got pregnant on their very first try during their honeymoon. After her first gestational diabetes test resulted in a negative, she started becoming ill to the point that she feared losing her baby.  After another test confirming she did indeed have gestational diabetes, Vanessa embarked on a journey of reconciling her very health-conscious lifestyle with the unexpected outcome of facing a serious health condition.   Finding support through the community of her blog, Her Morning Coffee, she was able to manage her diabetes well and maintain a positive attitude. She and her partner decided to work with a doula to help birth go smoothly. She never anticipated that even though her healthy son was ultimately born via C-section, that the support she received from her doula both during and after birth were invaluable. We get into how facing gestational diabetes, an unexpected and unwanted c-section and postpartum depression have helped her to learn that the motherhood experience is more than our ability to control our health or our relationships.  Seeking support and being gracious and present with ourselves is the key to finding joy and fulfillment even when things don’t go like we expect them too.   *In This Episode: *  Becoming pregnant and having a child later in life How to cope with Gestational Diabetes How she dealt with her tendency toward hypochondria How reaching out to other women can relieve stress and anxiety How she embraces her natural instincts and her mother’s intuition The fear and anxiety associated with postpartum depression How having a doula gave her confidence The benefits of placenta encapsulation The culture of isolation for new moms in the US How to relax and accept your motherhood story may differ from the stories of others   *Show Notes: * Birthing Stone Baby Sleep Coaching Program — This Week’s Sponsor Her Morning Coffee Onsite Workshops “Birthing Abroad” Motherbirth Podcast

It’s a girl! On Valentine’s Day last year Mellisa welcomed a beautiful baby daughter into the world and into her family where she was meant to be. During this episode, Mellisa recounts her pregnancies, births, and losses. She shares how years of deep personal work and the support of community helped her build the confidence to trust her body again after a devastating full term stillbirth and multiple miscarriage. Throughout 5 pregnancies, 3 births and 2 babies, Mellisa has been emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually shaken and forced to evaluate what she really believes about birth and motherhood. So, how did she move from a space of utter brokenness to the decision to continue trying even though though there are no guarantees? Her courage came from cultivating an inner knowing that she was meant to be a mother and that her body was not broken. We are so excited to share this final chapter in Mellisa’s story with you today - so many of you have been part of it and part of encouraging her throughout her journey. If you have experienced loss and want to learn how to trust your body again, Mellisa is launching a new program based on her experiences that includes group & one-on-one coaching, grief exploration, confidence-building exercises and community support. Email her at mellisa@motherbirth.co if you are interested in more info! In This Episode: ● How she overcame the fear that she may not have been able to have more children ● Making the decision to try to have children after multiple losses ● How listening to her intuition put her in a safe space ● The emotional impact of stillbirths and miscarriages ● Choosing a homebirth despite criticism from some people ● How a comforting birthing environment can make all the difference ● The importance of family and friends to help build confidence ● The joy of welcoming her daughter after years of waiting Show Notes: Stitch Fix — Find a maternity stylist who will help you build your pregnancy and postpartum wardrobe delivered right to your door. Motherbirth Podcast — Mellisa’s Story: Part 1 - Episode 31 & Part 2- Episode 32 Email Mellisa@motherbirth.co for information about Mellisa’s new program: Trusting Your Body Again After Loss  

Today’s guest, Hannah Eloge, has always wanted to be a mother. So much so, that she obtained her degree in Education with the idea that her work schedule could easily accommodate having children. Her heart moved towards adoption and creating a family that was a little different than the social norm after seeing many children without a family during her first trip to Africa. After many discussions, she and her partner decided to create a profile book to share with expectant mothers preparing for adoption as they transitioned into a ‘Waiting Family.’ As Hannah searched for help to create her profile book, she recognized the gaps of information available and the lack of community for people who yearned to know more about the adoption process and the experiences of other adoptive families. Hannah founded Kindred & Co., a community designed to help women connect and share their stories about the adoption process, as well as provide assistance in putting together effective profile books for expectant adoptive families. After an adoption experience filled with miracles and coincidences, Hannah and her partner are now parents of twin girls and they have a life-long open adoption agreement with the birth mother. Hannah shares her emotional journey with all of its unexpected turns and the joy of experiencing a strong bond with her daughters birth mother, something she never expected.  Her story is truly full of magic and wonderful reminders that family can look so many different ways.   In This Episode: ● How Hannah overcame the fear of adoption ● The importance of choosing an ethical adoption agency ● The experience of raising babies in a medical school family ● The differences of adopting internationally and domestically ● How an open adoption allows a birth mother to be part of the family ● How being in the delivery room during the birth can impact the adoptive parents ● The cultural aspects of adopting transracial children ● How a mother’s instinct emerges no matter how she built her family   Show Notes: Stitch Fix - Find a maternity stylist who will help you build your pregnancy and postpartum wardrobe delivered right to your door. Kindred & Co.  

No matter how your baby comes into this world, it’s an amazing opportunity to share your life, your joy, and your love. Today’s guest, Austie Eckley loves having babies and being a mother. Her birthing experiences are as varied as the children she brought into the world. She and her partner have experienced completing a birth plan with barely a glitch, learning they were pregnant with twins 20-weeks in, delivering those twins prematurely at only 28-weeks, and a sunny side up gender surprise. Looking back at it all, Austie says trusting her instincts and listening to her body lent confidence to her motherhood experience. The community outpouring of kindness and support she received during the twins’ extended stay in NICU gave her a new appreciation for helping other mothers during trying times. Her non-profit organization Twenty Eight and Six is a testament to her desire to provide support to other families with children in the NICU through comfort, connection & financial assistance. Austie shares her story with a gentleness and grace that reflects her mothering style - her perspective on the joy of motherhood despite the challenges and surprises will inspire you!   In This Episode: ● The fear a mother feels during a premature birth ● How community support can make a difference to a new mom ● The importance of ‘kangaroo care’ for premature infants ● Sharing joy and love with any baby that comes into your life ● How a simple scarf can provide new mothers with privacy while pumping ● How trusting your natural instincts can enhance your motherhood experience ● Her experience with the scare of food apnea   Show Notes: Birthing Stone — Baby Sleep Program Twenty Eight and Six Twenty Eight and Six on Facebook @TwentyEightandSix on Instagram  

When you are on the right path you don’t always recognize it at first. Roadblocks often seem like the perfect place to give up. Laura, the co-host of the Motherbirth podcast, didn’t give up. She has been pursuing her life’s calling of becoming a nurse-midwife for years. During this episode, Laura shares the intimate details of her personal journey, her ups and downs, how her determination has paid off, and the reason she energetically advocates for women’s healthcare issues. Laura believes passionately in the midwifery model of care.  She would like to see all women receive the support of a midwife or doula offers in terms of holistic care.  Throughout her challenging journey to be able to provide this kind of care to women herself, Laura has worked as a doula, labor and delivery nurse, and is now finishing her doctorate in Midwifery.   Advocacy on behalf of immigrants, minorities and people without access to health care is a big part of her her work and the passion that she cultivates daily in her education and practice as a birthworker. Hearing behind the scenes of how Laura got to where she is today and how she is able to bring so much wisdom and experience to Motherbirth was a true joy; and we know you will love learning more about her journey too!   In This Episode: ● How the role of a midwife differs from an OB/GYN ● How laws for midwives differ by state ● The importance of engaging in women’s healthcare rights ● The close personal relationship between a doula and a mother-to-be ● How women should trust their intuition and their bodies ● How a culture shift is needed in the U.S. surrounding women’s healthcare rights ● How insurance companies treat women differently than men   Show Notes: Birthing Stone — Baby Sleep Program Birthingway College American College of Nurse-Midwives  

Today’s guest, Heng Ou, has had the unique experience of exploring postpartum customs in many different cultures. During her travels to Asia, India, and even in her mother’s home she observed levels of support and community given to new mothers that are not commonly practiced in Western households. In other cultures, family members live with the new mother during the fourth trimester, preparing nourishing meals and offering emotional support for both mother and child. Heng wanted to give other women the same type of care and support so she started a food delivery service for new mothers. The nourishing meals she prepares are designed to heal new mothers from the inside out. Her project has grown into a lifestyle community and she co-authored the inspiring book, The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother. Heng shares the stories of her own births and how much of a difference it made when she was taken care of in the weeks after her birth - resulting in an incredibly quick physical recovery and no postpartum depression in comparison with her other births.  Heng speaks from the heart and her personal experience will resonate with every mother.   In This Episode: ● Understanding the mental, physical and emotional needs of a new mother ● How support from friends and family is invaluable during postpartum ● Which foods nourish new mothers and aid them in lactation and blood circulation ● How new mothers can be kinder and gentler to themselves ● How new mothers can ask for what they need ● Getting enough human connection during the first forty days after birth ● Finding support and a community   Show Notes: MotherBees The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother, by  Heng Ou, Amely Greeven, and Marisa Belger Birthing Stone — Baby Sleep Program  

In this episode, we explore healing our bodies and our minds through the uncharted territory that is a woman’s vagina. Guest, Kimberly Johnson, shares how she empowers herself and others to become physically, spiritually, emotionally, and sexually aware of their wants and needs during postpartum and offers empowerment tips for women who want to gain intimacy in their sexual relationships. After giving birth, Kimberly was told she would need full surgical pelvic reconstruction to heal her pelvic floor. In addition, she had vaginal soreness, hemorrhoids, and lower back pain. Her attempts to gather information about healing herself by way of search engines and forums led her to unfriendly places. A turning point in her healing process came when she met a woman who practiced sexological bodywork. After three sessions of an integrated practice of hands-on work and nervous system tracking Kimberly started to heal in both body and mind. The positive experience led her to investigate and study a mother’s physiological and emotional needs after birth and Somatic Experience Trauma Resolution Therapy.   In This Episode: ● Having conversations to create trust ● How to say what you want ● Removing blame and shame from intimacy ● What can trigger trauma ● How to reclaim your sex life after birth ● Being responsible for your own orgasm ● Finding a safe and supportive place to share anxieties ● The universal postpartum needs of every mother ● Bringing power back to your body   Show Notes: MAGAMAMA The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions and Restoring your Vitality, by Kimberly Ann Johnson Scar Tissue Remediation Wild Feminine Trauma Healing Pam England Birth Story Course  

In this episode, we take a look back at the previous year and highlight three women who share about how building their families and giving birth gave them an invaluable gift; careers they are passionate about. For each of us, having a child is a unique experience. We want to learn as much as we possibly can to make the best choices for our family. When we don’t find what we’re looking for, some take it upon themselves to create the experience they find missing for others. That is what Jen McLellan, Steph Crowder, and Lauren Falconer did. In Episode #5 with Jen McLellan, Jen shares how becoming a mom at a plus size left her at a loss when she searched for information online about pregnancy and birth.  Discovering that there was a complete lack of empowering and informative resources for plus size pregnant women, she set out to create the space she knew women needed.  Jen is now the best resource for plus-sized women online! In Episode #4 with Steph Crowder, Steph describes how she experienced a transformation around her career perspective when she became a mom and found an amazing way to pursue meaningful work while being present as a mother.  You’ll be inspired by how Steph describes shifting her goals and habits to experience motherhood on her terms. In Episode 17 with  Lauren Falconer, Lauren shares how she found the space in her pregnancy and birth to tap into her intuition and energy as a woman.  Realizing how empowering of an experience pregnancy and birth can be, she pursued becoming a yoga practitioner and childbirth educator to help other women discover their potential.  Lauren designed the incredible online childbirth education course “Spirit Birth”, a program that helps mamas consciously and lovingly prepare for any birth.   In This Episode: ● Achieving a deeper understanding of purpose and calling ● Becoming an entrepreneur ● Creating resources for others ● Finding a career you are passionate about ● Balancing a career and a family ● Embracing the season of creation ● Shifting into motherhood   Show Notes: Plus Size Birth — Jen McLellan's site Courage and Clarity Podcast with Steph Crowder Lauren Falconer’s website

In this special episode, we chat with several guests who share insights about how they create family traditions that are in alignment with their beliefs and personal values and how they navigate through the trappings of cultural norms at this time of year.  We wanted to get their perspectives on how they focus on simplicity and intention instead of materialism  A common thread of all three of our conversations is that making the holidays your own is not just a one-time conversation with your kids or your partner. It is about sowing seeds and knowing every year is going to look a little different and every year is going to grow and change and develop, much like a family does.  That's a beautiful thing! Rachel Jonat is an expert of minimal living and slowing down to take time for herself, her husband, and three children. She sets small goals for herself during the holidays and carefully considers the intention behind each gift given. Rachel is the author of three books. Her current book, The Joy of Doing Nothing, includes tips for people with busy lives on how to reset and restart their brains to find peace. Megan Wilson is the mother of four. She and her husband create an intentional model for their children based on their core values. On her blog, Megan shares resources to draw upon to create a nature-based, Waldorf education in the home. Her seasonal guides include recipes, activities, and inspirations for parents and caregivers. Phaedra Taylor and her husband purposefully add historical references to their holiday practices to give their two children a sense of belonging at a cultural and global level. Phaedra shares adventures and stories in her creative art series based on being human. We adored these conversations and know that they will give you inspiration and confidence to branch out and create your own traditions, regardless of what you’ve done in the past!   In This Episode: ● Tips for keeping gift giving simple ● How to approach the subject of simple gift giving with friends and family members ● How to talk with your children about making gifts intentional ● How to make the holidays more about connection than gifts ● How to add spiritual practices to the season ● How to cultivate curiosity in kids ● Adding historical references to current cultural practices ● Incorporating the natural world by making handmade gifts ● Celebrating the joy of simply being together   Show Notes: The Minimalist Mom The Joy of Doing Nothing: A Real-Life Guide to Stepping Back, Slowing Down, and Creating a Simpler, Joy-Filled Life, by Rachel Jonat Whole Family Rhythms Whole Family Rhythms Seasonal Guides Phaedra Jean Art Machine

Two years ago, Breena Bard’s first son was born, an experience she calls comedic inspiration. Her birth plan didn’t include any of the challenges she faced. She had intended to have an unmedicated delivery but after days of painstaking labor due to the position of her son’s head in her pelvis, Breena and her OB decided it would be best to have a Cesarean. Breena’s difficult postpartum recovery, both physically and emotionally, was a catalyst for opening up about the challenges of embracing becoming a mom. Breena has often considered the parallels between a birthing experience and the creative experience. Before her son’s birth, she would gestate a creative idea and when it came to fruition she would compare the experience to giving birth. There is no trial run in either experience. Breena and her husband joke that their story was a flow-chart for all the different things that can happen during labor and delivery. During the first six months of being a mother, Breena was able to integrate her creative passion with new motherhood by writing and illustrating, Hey Baby: A Comic Memoir About Becoming a Mom, a graphic novel many readers are finding therapeutic.  We loved Breena’s candid and humorous take on motherhood, and the way she has found deep joy and meaning in her life as a mama.   In This Episode: ● Not identifying with the birth goddess persona ● Before her son’s birth, thinking she would put aside her creative ambitions and focus solely on being a mom ● Being in labor for days and pushing for three hours before she decided to have a Cesarean ● How trouble initiating breastfeeding contributed to a difficult postpartum transition ● Realizing her creative energy was always there hinting she should write about her journey ● Discovering through releasing Hey Baby that her readers identify with her journey and find comfort in reading the book ● Feeling so much better prepared for birthing her second child after her painful first birthing experience   Show Notes: Earth Mama Organics — This Week’s Sponsor offers a free personalized “Lying-in” Postpartum Recovery Plan Breena Bard Buy Hey Baby: A Comic Memoir About Becoming a Mother

Elly Taylor and her husband thought they were prepared for having their first child but quickly realized they faced unexpected conflicts. When Elly started counseling other parents, she realized most couples were experiencing the same challenges. She began researching the stages parents went through and how having children transformed relationships. When Elly became pregnant with her third child, she wrote her book, Becoming Us, with the hope of preventing postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, and relationship breakdown for both parents through better preparation. Parenthood is a venture into the unknown and has such a huge impact on couples.  Elly passionately believes that as a society we are setting parents up for failure - there is no longer a community of people invested in a raising a child. Nowadays, the support families desperately need drops away when parents leave the hospital or shortly thereafter, and we aren’t equipped with the ability to communicate with each other about our needs and challenges. Elly shares the dark and challenging times of her own transition to motherhood in this honest conversation - and also shares the hope and potential she sees for families after years of working with her own partner and with other couples.  Her work and her perspective are so encouraging and we are so excited that the message is spreading and reaching more families around the world.  Elly has now begun training professionals in birth and mental health circles to become Facilitators of the Becoming Us approach - see the Show Notes below for more information!   In This Episode: ● Having their first fight in the hospital parking lot ● How silence contributes to stigma and stigma contributes to people not asking for help ● Why we wouldn’t send people into situations of the same magnitude as parenthood without preparation ● Understanding everyone copes differently ● Tips for initiating intimate, vulnerable conversations ● Research shows that 30% of women say their postpartum depression comes from unrealistically high expectations of motherhood ● How parents can voice their expectations so they don’t become assumptions ● How to work with challenges instead of against them ● The different stages of every relationship and how it makes a difference what stage we become parents in ● How parents can find middle ground and respect each other’s choices ● Why approaching conflict is different as a parent than it is as a partner   Show Notes: Birthing Stone Baby Sleep Coaching Program — This Week’s Sponsor Elly Taylor - her website Becoming Us: 8 Steps to Grow a Family that Thrives, by Elly Taylor Becoming Us Professional Online Training