PUSHING IT

Is it possible to hold both fear and trust/faith at the same time in regard to childbirth and parenting? We'll explore how this looks.... but first, Alise has a bone to pick (as usual! ) after visiting an indoor trampoline park. This week we're discussing how having hope means knowing how to develop trust that the tools needed to cope during birth and in parenting can be accessed as needed. Somewhere between fear and trust lies hope. We're discussing how to live in the middle.

Jen & Alise are back to being your friends again and giving you all the information you need to know to give birth. You can’t will your cervix into a juicy pear or into a dilated cervix and they will tell you why. This week they are giving you tons of information on how to navigate labor and how to remember how amazing you are no matter how you give birth.

Join as we chat about being pregnant during the holidays- a lovely mocktail, excuses for not showing up for to every holiday party, and gift-giving suggestions. It's a fun episode!

We got the chance to chat with the hilarious and amazing mom and lactation professional, Candice from Goldilacts. Candace brings a ton of wisdom, experience and trust to this week's episode.

This week we're discussing the trickiness of deciding when to go to the hospital and if the drive isn't challenging, you're going to early! Listen in for lots of tips on how to prepare and what to expect once you arrive. We want you feeling prepared and less anxious about this new experience!

Unapologetically unedited musings from the minivan.

This week: expectations.

Everything is better when there is more! Who doesn’t love more ice cream, more love, more puppies....more BABIES? We think life is pretty great when you add another baby and we’ve got tips to get you through.

We are talking all about sex in pregnancy in the minivan today. We promise to not get too graphic but just enough to make us blush.

The moment you've been waiting for has finally arrived, the final push and your baby is born. Is it a moment of tears, angels singing or when you finally get to eat a Snickers bar? This week we are talking about what it's really like when your baby is born.

Unapologetically unedited musings from the minivan. This week Jen and Alise are talking about the first trimester.

Mom and entrepreneur, Jessica joins Jen and Alise this week to talk about important baby development and how to choose toys that add to connection and play. Play is so important to babies and to parents and Jessica gives the low down on how to be ahead of the game when getting prepared.

No show notes, but great content!

This one is for your sweetie, your honey, your dearest darling... the one who wants to support you through this pregnancy journey but just might not have all the ideas on how. Plus, Jen and Alise are getting real about a little self care for the partner who isn’t pregnant. This journey is tough, swollen ankles or not!

Unapologetically unedited musings from the minivan.

Karen Jefferies is Hilariously Infertile and we are so excited to talk to her this week! We're talking about laughter, tears, awkward doctor's visits and a relationship that rocked through it all. Don't miss this awesome guest!

We're trying something out- musing about life.... from the minivan. Unscripted, unedited, just as we are!

It starts with a positive test.... after the news settles in, let us help you get prepared in both emotional and physical ways. We've got a list of 10 things to help you prepare. And don't worry, it's not another boring to-do list. 'Cause we don't believe in boring!

Darlings, grab a tissue. We've got a few things to discuss. This baby thing is hard and today is the day to let all your feels. We know that all the grumpiness can be a coverup for a lot of things going on. It's okay, we know you've got all the feels. And we're here to remind you that no feeling is permanent.

Jen and Alise have the lowdown on what you never knew would happen during your pregnancy. This week, they are here to let you know what your friends never told you.

You can never feel too powerful in labor! That's why Jen and Alise are bringing back this favorite episode for their final week of favorite replays. Find out how you'll bring your power to your birth. It just might be something you've never thought of.

Loyal listeners... Jen and Alise are sucking the life out of the last few days of Summer and the transition to Fall so please enjoy this oldie but goodie episode. Be warned, we the holiday season. We know it's early for that but the content is oh so good! What? Social media, Pinterest, gender reveal parties with exploding cakes, all the talk about birth stories… everywhere you look there’s this realized version of what pregnancy and what birth looks like. Everyone has a perfect bump in their fitted dress. Those who birth best are “called to ideal birth”. They write their birth affirmations, they build the birth alters and they birth without breaking a sweat. Their birth photographers know just the right angles to never catch sight of any medical equipment or a hair out of place. She walks the perfect line of badass and modest femininity.

Whoa, a whole lot more than a baby comes out when you're in labor! Don't wait for the big event to be surprised. Jen and Alise are giving you the low down on what's coming out when you go in to labor.

Nobody hates rules more than Jen & Alise, okay...mostly Alise. Rules are meant to be broken, right? Yes, unless they are postpartum rules and you don't plan to live your life peeing your pants every time you sneeze. This week we are discussing Alise's rules of 3 so you can heal and recover from this big transition.

That's right, we said it. The "P" word. Birth's little 4 letter word. We are calling it like we see it this week and discussing the realities of pain in labor.

Decide what really matters to you when it comes to your birth. You don't have to give a f*ck about anyone else's idea about the right or wrong way to birth or parent this baby. Jen & Alise are helping you sift through what really matters to you, helping you dig deep down and let go of all the rest. You do you!

Have you ever wondered what your uterus has to say about pregnancy and labor? If so, you're in luck! This week, Jen is out and Alise sits down with the one and only uterus to discuss what it's like being the very important muscle who get's the baby out.

Notice the marketing targeted at you now that you're pregnant? All the baby things that the "experts", friends, and the Barista at your local Starbucks say your need for the baby? This week, tune in to find out what YOU need. And heads up.... mostly it's not stuff.

Maybe it's time to invest in toddler pool before you have a toddler. Tune in to hear our suggestions for keeping cool and sane during the summer heat.

Jen and Alise fess up to all their parenting mistakes this week. Alise called poison control how many times because her kids ate what? Did Jen really drop her kid? Find out what sugar filled food Alise grew a baby on for nine months.

Badass 101: Get a posse, feel confident, and tell people what you want. Jen and Alise are teaching a lesson on being a badass this week. The steps are simple and they will tell you just how to apply them to birth so that you can birth like a badass too.

This week we're getting real about Induction. Sometimes babies just need to come out before they decide they want to. Despite all of our best efforts with eviction letters, pleading and spicy food, there may be a need for some modern medicine. Find out how to get that baby out ant make the process a little easier on yourself.

Guest Aly Thayer shares her personal and powerful journey with postpartum depression and how it influenced her today. She is the founder of the website PPD Journey and is dedicated to helping parents find support and to know they are not alone.

Feeling like the last person on the list to care for? This week, Jen and Alise talk about showing yourself some love. It doesn't always have to be spas and pedicure. Get great ideas that take 5 minutes. Go ahead, show yourself a little love!

Babies are so weird! They are also pretty amazing! Even Jen, who loves the babies, can agree that babies are so weird. This week, Jen and Alise discuss the top weird and amazing features of new babies. You're sure to be amazed (and a little weirded out).

Jen and Alise have an amazing guest! They are getting real with Jamie Otis. You may have seen Jamie on "The Bachelor" or more famously on "Married At First Sight" where she met her husband to whom she is now madly in love with 5 years later. She loves being referred to as wife and almost two years ago added "Mom" to her title. Jamie is also a labor and delivery nurse, author, TV host, and podcaster. But what we appreciate most about Jamie is her honest, down to earth personality. Jamie got really honest with us about how she manages all the roles in her life, hemorrhoids, birth, sex after a baby, and things even a labor /delivery nurse found challenging postpartum.

It's time to pack your hospital bag. Are you a minimalist like Jen or are you packing the whole kitchen sink and a cooler with wheels like Alise? This week, we are talking about the essentials, the nice-to-have items, and some awesome hospital hacks. Is this international travel or birth? What's necessary and what's best left at home? Tune in to find out more.

Are you feeling nervous about exposing it all while in labor or feeling confident about being undressed? This week Jen and Alise discuss modestly and the various levels of modesty. See where you land and find tips on how to make yourself feel more comfortable.

This week we are taking questions from the listeners. You sent us your questions that you were too afraid to ask your friends, provider or google. Here they are and the answers to go with them.

So, Jen is human. And like all humans she makes mistakes. Last night she uploaded the wrong file and therefore released an old episode but called it the new one. So just in case you down loaded an episdoe this morning thinking it was new but got to hear an old one, THIS IS THE RIGHT ONE! Hugs and thanks for your patience. We are breaking rules and saying NO this week! If you're sick and tired of everyone telling you what to do and how to have a baby, this is the episode for you. We've got 10 things NOT to do in labor

We are breaking rules and saying NO this week! If you're sick and tired of everyone telling you what to do and how to have a baby, this is the episode for you. We've got 10 things NOT to do in labor

We were super excited to get the chance to interview Lily Nichols author of Real Food for Pregnancy. Don't worry, there's only a little science in this episode, mostly it's super practical information for growing a baby and understanding how to feel your best.

Jen and Alise are the Miss Frizzle of the vagina this week! Jump in the bus and get an awesome overview of the vulva, head up the vagina and find out just what's happening with your amazing cervix. That's right, every other body part should be so jealous of the cervix. Find out why on this week's episode.

The birth is over but your job is far from done. This could be the time when your help and support could be even more key. This week we are helping you figure out how to balance your own recovery from birth, when to sleep and eat, and all of the other household needs.

This one isn't just for the birthing person this week, this is for the partner too. Partners, we want you to kick ass at your job and this week we are giving you pro tips on how to support her and how to get yourself through birth.

All characters and events depicted in this show are entirely fictitious. Any similarity to actual events or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. We all know how it starts, a dramatic splash of water breaking, blood curdling screams and suddenly a baby's head emerges. TV birth is drama filled and action packed. Normal and safe makes for boring television but it's what real birth typically looks like.

Is it possible to hold both fear and trust/faith at the same time in regard to childbirth and parenting? We'll explore how this looks.... but first, Alise has a bone to pick (as usual! ) after visiting an indoor trampoline park. This week we're discussing how having hope means knowing how to develop trust that the tools needed to cope during birth and in parenting can be accessed as needed. Somewhere between fear and trust lies hope. We're discussing how to live in the middle.

We love your friends, partner, mom r anyone else you invite to your birth. They have a great role to play on your support team but the are not your doula! We are talking about what doulas do and how they actually help your birth team come together. Let your friends be your friends and your doula be your doula!

First, a tiny human comes out of your body, then you are left dealing with the body that has done all the hard work. Rather than magically bouncing back into a previous version of something you were before pregnancy and birth, there's the stage of "wtf just happened to my body".

With all the changes and demands of parenting, it can feel like you lose yourself along the way, especially in the early days. Rather than losing yourself, we explore the idea of shifting in identity, an expansion rather than loss, and a transition in personal development. Maybe it's not as scary as we think it will be!

This week we're talking all about BIrth Plans or as we like to affectionately call them... Birth Preferences or Birth Wish Lists. We know these are all just words used to define the same basic idea. But we're also aware that as we put lots of energy into an idea, it becomes more challenging to process a plan that doesn't go exactly as we'd imagined.