back from the borderline baby: pregnancy & motherhood

Pregnancy can feel like you’re drifting on an island—isolated, unsure, and constantly wondering if you’re doing it “right.” That’s where Reddit bump groups come in. They promise a space to connect with other moms-to-be, all due the same month as you. Sounds ideal, right? Not so fast. What I found is that these spaces can be a double-edged sword.

In this episode, I’m sharing the raw truth about my time in a Reddit bump group—the good, the bad, and the chaos in between. From real-time advice that helped me feel seen to the endless trauma dumping that left me spiraling, I’ll unpack why I finally hit the “leave group” button and never looked back.

We’ll talk about why these groups are so appealing, the emotional landmines they hide (comparison traps, unsolicited advice, toxic personalities), and how they can leave you feeling disconnected from your own intuition. If you’re considering joining a bump group—or if you’re in one and wondering why it’s messing with your head—I’ll help you weigh the pros and cons.

This episode's goal isn't to fear-monger or tell you what to do. It’s about finding what works for you. Whether that means staying, leaving, or setting boundaries, my hope is that what we cover here will help you navigate the noise and focus on what really matters: your pregnancy, your baby, and your peace of mind.

CRAVING MORE? To dive deeper into the Back from the Borderline universe, explore my recommendations and access premium content, visit backfromtheborderline.com.

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional, OB, or expert—just a fellow human being sharing my personal journey and experiences. What I share here isn’t intended as medical advice. Always trust your instincts and consult with trusted professionals as you navigate your own path.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labor is unpredictable. You can prepare all you want, but at the end of the day, labor is completely unpredictable. In this raw and deeply personal episode, I’m sharing my birth story—a journey filled with surprises, lessons, and the unexpected.

I went into labor with a plan for a totally unmedicated birth. Things didn’t go as planned, but instead of feeling defeated, I came away empowered, informed, and grateful. What I wasn’t prepared for was the curveball after delivery: my baby’s jaundice and the whirlwind of emotions that came with navigating a stressful postpartum experience.

This episode dives into the messy, real details of giving birth in a hospital setting and facing the unexpected. It’s not curated or glossed over—it’s the raw truth of a mom learning to adjust, adapt, and find strength in the unplanned. Whether you’re expecting, trying to conceive, or reflecting on your own birth experience, this story is an invitation to feel seen and reassured. There’s no such thing as a perfect birth plan, but there’s power in staying informed, trusting yourself, and embracing the journey—whatever it brings.

So grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let’s talk about the reality of labor, delivery, and the beautiful chaos of those first days postpartum. Because these are the stories that connect us all.

CRAVING MORE? To dive deeper into the Back from the Borderline universe, explore my recommendations and access premium content, visit backfromtheborderline.com.

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional, OB, or expert—just a fellow human being sharing my personal journey and experiences. What I share here isn’t intended as medical advice. Always trust your instincts and consult with trusted professionals as you navigate your own path.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Navigating the creation of a baby registry can feel like a nightmare. The pressure to “get it right” is real. Society, mommy bloggers, and aggressive marketing tell you your baby’s happiness depends on having ALL THE THINGS.

In this episode, I’m diving into the baby registry madness with a perspective you won’t find in influencer reels or one-size-fits-all checklists. We’ll start by unpacking the emotional weight of preparing for a baby, the consumerist frenzy that fuels the registry industry, and the cultural realities of what babies actually need to thrive (hint: it’s not a $500 stroller). You’ll learn how to prioritize based on your unique lifestyle and values—whether you’re a homebody hermit like me or an extroverted urbanite.

After combing through my own baby registry and the avalanche of last-minute purchases I made after my daughter was born, I’ve categorized everything into what truly worked, what I could’ve skipped, and what’s a toss-up depending on your baby’s preferences. No sponsorships, no affiliate links—just raw, real advice from a mom who recently went through all of this (my baby was two months old at the time of recording). I wanted to preserve this advice in a podcast episode while it’s still fresh in my mind, in the hopes of saving other women time and stress.

So, if you’re like I was—drowning in registry research and second-guessing every single item—this episode will help you cut through the noise, embrace imperfection, and trust your gut. Remember, your baby doesn’t care about brand names—they care about feeling loved, safe, and cared for. Let’s focus on what truly matters and leave the rest behind. And let’s be real: at the end of the day, babies are basically like cats—they’ll probably love the box your fancy baby gym came in more than the gym itself. And that’s okay.

CRAVING MORE? To dive deeper into the Back from the Borderline universe, explore my recommendations and access premium content, visit backfromtheborderline.com.

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional, OB, or expert—just a fellow human being sharing my personal journey and experiences. What I share here isn’t intended as medical advice. Always trust your instincts and consult with trusted professionals as you navigate your own path.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to hospital bag advice, the internet is a minefield. One list tells you to pack half your house, another says you’ll regret not bringing a portable fan, and everyone seems to have a different idea of what “essential” means. The result? Overwhelm, second-guessing, and the creeping feeling that you’ll forget something crucial. Let’s cut through the chaos. In this episode, I’m sharing what I wish I’d known before packing my hospital bag, drawing from my own experience as a new mom. Forget the pressure to get it perfect or match some influencer’s curated aesthetic—this is about practicality, comfort, and sanity.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What you actually need (and why most influencer-curated lists go overboard).
• Surprising items that turned out to be lifesavers—things I wish I’d known to pack.
• Essentials for your partner to make sure they’re prepared to support you.
• The truth about what hospitals already provide (spoiler: probably more than you think).
• How to pack without falling into the trap of perfectionism or feeling like you’re failing before you even start.

This episode is for the moms who don’t need another one-size-fits-all checklist. It’s for the moms who want to feel empowered, prepared, and grounded—not buried in a pile of things they’ll never use. If you’re tired of the same recycled advice and want a thoughtful, realistic approach, you’re in the right place.

Let’s get you packed and ready—not just for the hospital, but for the start of a transformative journey.

CRAVING MORE? To dive deeper into the Back from the Borderline universe, explore my recommendations and access premium content, visit backfromtheborderline.com.

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional, OB, or expert—just a fellow human being sharing my personal journey and experiences. What I share here isn’t intended as medical advice. Always trust your instincts and consult with trusted professionals as you navigate your own path.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feeding your baby can feel like navigating a maze of expectations, myths, and conflicting advice. Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or exploring the world of combo feeding, there’s a pressure cooker of opinions waiting to tell you what you’re doing wrong. The truth? Fed is best.

In this episode, I’m breaking down everything I wish I knew about feeding my baby—raw, real, and without judgment. From the societal pressure to exclusively breastfeed to the emotional rollercoaster of wondering if your baby is getting enough, we’ll dive into the practical tips, emotional truths, and personal lessons that I wish someone had told me before starting this journey. This episode is not professional advice—it’s real talk from a new mom who’s been there. Let’s ditch the guilt, embrace our intuition, and celebrate the perfectly imperfect path of feeding our babies.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Breast Milk vs. Formula Digestion: What’s the difference, and why does it matter for your baby’s feeding schedule?

• Diaper Output and Red Flags: How to stop obsessing over tracking and start trusting your baby’s cues.

• Breastfeeding Basics: Tips for establishing a good latch, using nipple shields (yes, they can be lifesavers!), and the reality of milk supply anxiety.

• The Pumping Dilemma: Why pumping isn’t always easy, when it might be time to stop, and how to make it work if you choose to continue.

• Combo Feeding 101: Embracing a “best of both worlds” approach to feeding and letting go of the guilt.

• Common Myths and Realities: From nipple confusion to cluster feeding, we’ll tackle the fears and misinformation head-on.

• Mental Health and Feeding Stress: Navigating the physical and emotional toll of feeding decisions, and why self-compassion is your greatest ally.

• Body Autonomy: Understanding how your body changes through the feeding journey and celebrating your wins—big or small.

• The Map is Not the Territory: Learning to tune out the noise, trust your intuition, and embrace a feeding journey that works for you and your baby.

Whether you’re pregnant and planning for your feeding journey or in the trenches of postpartum, this episode is here to validate your experience, offer practical guidance, and remind you that you are not alone. Feeding your baby is just one part of the beautiful chaos that is early motherhood—and you’re doing an amazing job.

CRAVING MORE? To dive deeper into the Back from the Borderline universe, explore my recommendations and access premium content, visit backfromtheborderline.com.

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional, OB, or expert—just a fellow human being sharing my personal journey and experiences. What I share here isn’t intended as medical advice. Always trust your instincts and consult with trusted professionals as you navigate your own path.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Motherhood reshapes the Self in profound and unexpected ways. In the second part of this series, we delve into the psychological and existential depths of postpartum—a journey marked by identity loss, raw emotion, and the transformative power of self-compassion. This episode focuses on understanding the complexity of motherhood, beyond the clichés and idealized narratives.

We begin by exploring postpartum as an initiation—a passage into a new identity that demands the shedding of an old one. Drawing on depth psychology, we’ll reflect on how the fourth trimester brings us face-to-face with parts of ourselves we’ve never met, often accompanied by a sense of mourning for the autonomy and life left behind.

From there, we tackle the raw, often unspoken aspects of postpartum: simmering anger, intrusive thoughts, and surges of anxiety rooted in unmet needs, lack of sleep, and societal pressures. Inspired by thinkers like Audre Lorde and Jung, we’ll discuss how emotions like rage can be seen as vital signals rather than personal failures—responses to crossed boundaries, heightened instincts, and unmet expectations.

We’ll also confront the grief of birth experiences that didn’t go as planned, the shifting dynamics with partners, family, and friends, and the struggle with body image in a culture obsessed with “bouncing back.” Each of these experiences adds to the tapestry of postpartum—challenging, overwhelming, yet offering opportunities to redefine care, strength, and identity.

Finally, we’ll explore how self-compassion can serve as a grounding force in this turbulent period, helping to navigate the intensity without striving for perfection or external validation. This episode invites you to release preconceived notions of motherhood “success” and instead embrace the process as it unfolds—messy, challenging, and deeply human.

CRAVING MORE? To dive deeper into the Back from the Borderline universe, explore my recommendations and access premium content, visit backfromtheborderline.com.

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional, OB, or expert—just a fellow human being sharing my personal journey and experiences. What I share here isn’t intended as medical advice. Always trust your instincts and consult with trusted professionals as you navigate your own path.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Postpartum is a transformative rite of passage. In this episode, we’re reimagining the postpartum journey—moving beyond clinical definitions and diagnostic labels to uncover its deeper, sacred, and primal essence. Far from the standard conversations about “baby blues” or “postpartum depression,” we’ll explore the soul of this experience, asking: What if the challenges and emotions that arise during this time are part of something profound and initiatory?

This episode invites you to step away from clinical checklists and quick-fix solutions to understand the postpartum journey through the lens of history, philosophy, and spirituality. It’s not about pathologizing this period but about revisiting the sacred wisdom that once guided women through it. By tracing the evolution of how postpartum psychological suffering has been viewed—from the intuitive practices of midwives and “wise women” to the sterile, medicalized lens of modern obstetrics—we’ll examine how sacred traditions were lost and replaced with models that often disempower women.

We’ll explore the generational patterns, medical practices, and societal shifts that have shaped the modern postpartum experience. Rather than demonizing modern medicine, this episode focuses on the ways lack of agency, rushed interventions, and limited access to informed consent contribute to feelings of trauma, isolation, and confusion. Through this lens, we can begin to see postpartum anxiety, depression, and even feelings of disconnect as part of a larger story, deeply entwined with cultural and systemic forces.

By uncovering the psychological and spiritual roots of this experience, we hope to replace shame with understanding and inspire a reclaiming of postpartum as a time of profound transformation. Together, we’ll reflect on how these feelings are not failures or weaknesses but deeply human responses to the pressures and practices surrounding childbirth today.

CRAVING MORE? To dive deeper into the Back from the Borderline universe, explore my recommendations and access premium content, visit backfromtheborderline.com.

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional, OB, or expert—just a fellow human being sharing my personal journey and experiences. What I share here isn’t intended as medical advice. Always trust your instincts and consult with trusted professionals as you navigate your own path.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How long does postpartum really last—and why is so much of this journey left out of common advice? In this three-hour deep dive, I’m unpacking the full experience of postpartum, from the first vulnerable hours after birth to the unpredictable weeks and months that follow.

Starting with the immediate aftermath, we’ll break down physical realities like standing for the first time, navigating postpartum bleeding and lochia, and understanding why your belly feels like “jelly.” I’ll also dive into the under-discussed challenge of those first trips to the bathroom—because, let’s be real, the first pee and poop can be almost as intense as childbirth itself. We’ll address often-untouched topics like perineal tearing and the controversial “Gucci coochie” myth, alongside practical tips like making “padsicles” to soothe yourself after bringing a whole new life into the world. You’ll gain clarity on what’s normal, what isn’t, and when to trust your instincts.

You'll learn why newborns cry, the importance of skin-to-skin contact, and how sudden shifts in their sensory awareness impact their behavior. I’ll guide you in understanding your baby’s perspective, helping you feel more connected and less overwhelmed by their constantly changing needs. We’ll also dig into body changes in the weeks and months postpartum, from night sweats and fluctuating hormones to the frustrating onset of postpartum hair loss. I’ll share practical advice on what to wear during this time—comfort-focused clothing that helps you feel supported. Plus, we’ll explore how to decide if and when you want visitors after birth, including tips on recognizing who will bring your energy up or drain it, and how to set boundaries that protect your space.

For the social and emotional side, I’ll cover strategies for handling unsolicited advice—from well-meaning relatives to the often-overwhelming flood of social media content. You’ll hear guidance on navigating conflicting medical opinions and advocating for yourself in a healthcare system that doesn’t always acknowledge the full postpartum journey.

TIME STAMPS: 

• Intro: 02:10 – 05:47 [Defining "postpartum" and the "4th trimester" as a time of intense adjustment.]

• Immediately After Birth: The First 24-48 Hours: 05:54 – 01:07:57 [Standing up, first bathroom trips, managing bleeding, tears, stitches, and postpartum swelling.]

• Weeks to Months Following Birth: The Ongoing Journey: 01:08:04 – 02:05:06 [Body odor, night sweats, hair loss, clothing tips, setting visitor boundaries.]

Understanding Your Baby's Experience: The Newborn Perspective: 02:05:12 – 02:31:08 [Newborn adjustments, why babies cry, sleep, and the benefits of skin-to-skin.]

• Advocacy and Navigating Advice: 02:31:15 – 02:55:09 [Handling unsolicited advice, conflicting medical opinions, and social media.]

• Conclusion: Navigating the New Normal: 02:55:16 – end [Embracing postpartum unpredictability and looking ahead to a mental health episode.]

CRAVING MORE? To dive deeper into the Back from the Borderline universe, explore my recommendations and access premium content, visit backfromtheborderline.com.

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional, OB, or expert—just a fellow human being sharing my personal journey and experiences. What I share here isn’t intended as medical advice. Always trust your instincts and consult with trusted professionals as you navigate your own path.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The third trimester of pregnancy (weeks 28 to birth) is a time of physical intensity, emotional reflection, and preparation for one of life’s most profound transitions.

This episode dives into the realities of late pregnancy, covering everything from common symptoms like headaches and fatigue to the quieter, emotional shifts that often go unnoticed.

Together, we’ll explore ways to manage pregnancy insomnia, navigate conversations about induction, and recognize the subtle signs that labor may be approaching. You’ll also find advice on preparing for birth with a mindset that embraces both flexibility and self-trust, all while staying present in the strange and transformative space of these final weeks.

What you’ll learn:

• How to manage common third-trimester challenges like fatigue and sleep struggles

• Practical tips for preparing for labor and understanding induction options

• Insights into the mental and emotional preparation for birth

These final days are a bridge between pregnancy and motherhood—a space where preparation meets surrender. Join me as we explore how to move through this phase with intention, resilience, and clarity.

CRAVING MORE? To dive deeper into the Back from the Borderline universe, explore my recommendations and access premium content, visit backfromtheborderline.com.

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional, OB, or expert—just a fellow human being sharing my personal journey and experiences. What I share here isn’t intended as medical advice. Always trust your instincts and consult with trusted professionals as you navigate your own path.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The second trimester (weeks 13-27) is often thought of as a “honeymoon phase,” a time when nausea fades, energy returns, and excitement builds as the pregnancy becomes more physically and emotionally tangible. Yet, this period also brings unexpected challenges that go beyond the common symptom checklist.

In this episode, we dive into the complex, layered experience of the second trimester, offering both practical advice and deeper reflections to guide you through it.

We’ll start by exploring the physical changes and symptoms typical of this stage, such as ligament pain, heartburn, and increased body awareness as your baby grows. Drawing on experts like Sara Wickham, we discuss why traditional weight-tracking methods may lead to unnecessary stress and how embracing a more individualized approach to these changes can help maintain your mental well-being.

On the emotional front, many parents report feeling a deeper connection with their baby after experiencing those first flutters of movement, yet not everyone feels this bond right away—and that’s okay. We touch on the often-overlooked experience of gender disappointment, offering supportive insights on managing unexpected emotions as you start to envision life with a child of a specific gender. We look to depth psychology to help make sense of these nuanced feelings, emphasizing that every emotional experience during pregnancy is valid and deserves compassion.

For practical preparation, we talk about setting up a flexible birth philosophy over a rigid birth plan, highlighting how this mindset can relieve anxiety as you move toward the later stages of pregnancy. Plus, we cover the essentials: maternity clothing recommendations, creating a baby registry, and navigating the 20-week anatomy scan. Here, we consider expert critiques on the reliability of prenatal scans, providing guidance on balancing medical information with personal intuition.

Tune in for:

• Honest talk on second trimester symptoms, from physical discomforts to body changes
• Exploring bonding with your baby and navigating gender disappointment
• Tips on maternity wear, baby registry essentials, and building a flexible birth philosophy
• Managing the 20-week anatomy scan and understanding its role in your pregnancy journey

The second trimester is a dynamic time of growth and reflection. Join us as we unravel its unique challenges and joys, helping you navigate this stage with confidence and self-compassion.

Click here to check out the 3-part birth class I mention in this episode (free on YouTube) by Maternity Care Midwives. [Full link: https://www.youtube.com/@maternitycaremidwives927]

CRAVING MORE? To dive deeper into the Back from the Borderline universe, explore my recommendations and access premium content, visit backfromtheborderline.com.

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional, OB, or expert—just a fellow human being sharing my personal journey and experiences. What I share here isn’t intended as medical advice. Always trust your instincts and consult with trusted professionals as you navigate your own path.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.