Ludivine Trentin - Mom to her 2 year-old daughter and founder of In Her Mother’s World (@inhermothersworld) - A community of mothers who wants to follow their instincts instead of following the society pressure - shares her journey to motherhood which was widely shaped by her unique experience navigating the cultural differences between Europe and the United States.

​Raised in France and later living in the U.S., Ludivine shares how these contrasting approaches to pregnancy, postpartum care, and motherhood shaped her journey. ​ From the relaxed, mother-centered care in France to the structured, often overwhelming healthcare system in the U.S., she reflects on the challenges, surprises, and lessons learned along the way. Ludivine discusses the importance of trusting maternal instincts, building a supportive community, and embracing the beauty of motherhood without fear. Her story is a heartfelt exploration of how cultural perspectives can influence the way we experience and define motherhood. - For more on motherhood and to connect with Brittany Olson head to social media @becomingamotherpodcast

Episode 1 of the Postpartum Decoded Series is here! On this episode, I chat with Kristin Revere to learn more about everything "Doula." Kristen is the owner and founder of Gold Coast Doulas in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is an elite certified birth & postpartum doula, a newborn care specialist, a childbirth educator, co-author of "Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby" and host of Ask the Doulas Podcast. She is a mom of two and a bonus mom to one.

On this episode, we discuss topics such as what doulas do and how they can support women through birth and postpartum no matter what their birth plan, the best ways an expectant mom can prepare for bringing home her baby, as well as how women can get support in postpartum if they are struggling through a postpartum doula.

Connect with Kristin Revere on social media @goldcoastdoulas

Websites:

www.askthedoulas.com

www.goldcoastdoulas.com

www.supportedbook.com

Valentina Valencia of Florida - Mom to her 2.5 year old son shares her journey to motherhood which began with an early diagnosis of endometriosis. She became pregnant naturally despite being told it would be a struggle and may not even be possible. Valentina was induced due to high blood pressure and went through a traumatic birth due to an emergency C-Section where she had an intense seizure immediately after the birth of her son. This event caused her to develop Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), also known as Lupus and Pulmonary Hypertension. She shares her struggles dealing with an autoimmune disorder during matrescence. She discusses the highs and lows of postpartum. having had to rely heavily on her village while not being able to take care of her son due to her health obstacles and the affect that had on her mental health. We also discussed having separation anxiety from your children, as it is usually the other way around.

Instagram:

Brittany @becomingamotherpodcast

Valentina @vale_lovee

Becky Nicholes of New Jersey - Wife and Mom to 4 boys, Elementary School Counselor and Adjunct Professor shares her journey to motherhood which began with her having her first 2 boys just 1 year apart and during the COVID Pandemic. Both were diagnosed with autism. She shares her experience navigating their diagnoses and being a mom to children with disabilities, the early intervention steps taken, mothering while worrying about the future and her children’s safety as they grow. She suffered a late term loss and then became pregnant for a 4th time which resulted in her having her twin boys via C-section due to Preeclampsia. She compares her postpartum experiences and what being a working mom to 4 boys under 5 is like. She cites poem “Welcome to Holland” - by Emily Perl Kingsley as a description to what it is like raising children with autism. It is a beautiful, positive and honest journey to motherhood. Connect with Becky on Instagram @rebeccacordisconicholes

Rachel Weitzel of Texas, Mom to her 4 year old daughter and founder of the Parenting Pontoon Mom Group @parentingpontoon, shares her experience becoming a mother. Her first pregnancy resulted in a late term miscarriage at 20 weeks and her planned DNC turned into the delivery of her son who is not earth side. Rachel shares how this affected her, mourning the loss of her son and being surrounded by friends and family becoming pregnant. Learning to navigate that was a challenge. This experience also affected her into the 2nd pregnancy with her daughter, who is now 4. She shares her birth story which started with a 38-week induction due to high blood pressure. We then discuss her postpartum experience, how mother hood changes you and about being on the fence about deciding to have more than one child. Tune in for this heartfelt, raw and honest journey to motherhood.

**This episode contains discussions of heavy emotional topics that some listeners may find distressing or triggering. Listener discretion is advised. **

Brandi Soileau of Dallas TX, Mother of 2 ages 4 and 1.5 and Life, Travel & Motherhood Influencer @Bandisoileau shares her experience becoming a mother after nonchalantly deciding to have a child. She then explains she was "hooked" and could not believe she waited so long. She shares her birth story and then subsequent experience getting pregnant which resulted in a partial molar pregnancy discovered in the 2nd trimester. That experience influenced her emotionally and physically into her next pregnancy. She shares her postpartum journey which was positive but included struggles due to some external life changes that many women go through including job loss, becoming a stay at home mom and moving to the suburbs. Listen for a heartfelt, genuine and uplifting story.

Pietrina Musumeci: Mom of 2 ages 5 and 2 shares her journey to motherhood, deciding to pursue IVF after facing challenges with infertility. She describes the 3-year process, including the emotional ups and downs and her successful first embryo transfer. Pietrina talks about her pregnancy experience, balancing work, and eventually transitioning to maternity leave. ​She shares her birth story and postpartum experience as well as the decision to grow her family at the start of the COVID pandemic which causes a huge delay in her journey for a multitude of reasons, her journey really was a wild ride! She shares such sound advice for women struggling with fertility, encouraging them to persist and seek solutions and advocate for yourself along the way.

Lisa Meyers of Bainbridge Island WA, Mother of 2 ages 11 & 7, Founder and CEO of Ceres Chill, retired attorney and political operative shares her journey to motherhood. Lisa delves into navigating the challenges of postpartum recovery and balancing a demanding career in a male dominated field with motherhood. She also shares the emotional highs and lows of breastfeeding and how she ultimately turned her challenges into innovation by founding Ceres Chill, inventing multiple breastfeeding storage products that simplify breastfeeding for moms such as an on the go breast milk chiller you can pump directly into!!

Tune in for an honest conversation about the joys, struggles, and triumphs of motherhood, and learn how Lisa turned her challenges into a mission to support moms everywhere.

Check out www.cereschill.com and connect with Lisa on Instagram @cereschill

Connect with me your host- Brittany Olson on Instagram @becomingamotherpodcast

Dayna Ferrer - Mom to 2 toddlers, shares her journey to motherhood, including her struggles with infertility, IVF, pregnancy, birth experiences, and postpartum challenges. Dayna discusses her deep desire to become a mom, her emotional roller coaster during infertility treatments, and the eventual success of IVF.. She also recounts her surprise second pregnancy, which occurred naturally after IVF, and her contrasting birth experiences—a traumatic emergency C-section for her first child and a redemptive “gentle” cesarean for her second.

Dayna opens up about postpartum challenges, including breastfeeding struggles, colic, and dairy allergies in both her children. She reflects on the emotional toll of weaning and the importance of adapting plans for the well-being of her family. She also shares insights into the challenges of being a working mom, balancing two young children, and navigating the changes in her identity and priorities after becoming a mother.

Throughout the episode, Dayna emphasizes the transformative nature of motherhood, the importance of advocating for oneself, and the need to embrace flexibility. She offers advice to other moms, encouraging them to prepare for unexpected changes, prioritize family time and recognize the rewarding aspects of motherhood, despite its challenges.

Instagram:

Brittany Olson: @becomingamotherpodcast

Dayna Becker: @daynerr157

Talia Tomoleoni - Mom of 2 boys (pregnant at time of recording) shares her journey to motherhood and the radical acceptance of the life changes that come along with it. Our conversation explores the emotional complexities of becoming a mom, the identity shift and the challenges of balancing expectations with reality. Talia reflects on her first pregnancy and birth story. She discusses the physical and emotional toll of postpartum recovery and the feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt during the early days of parenting.

She shares lessons learned, such as letting go of rigid expectations, simplifying parenting approaches, and focusing on love and stability for the child. She also discusses her current pregnancy, the differences compared to her first, and how she is preparing her toddler for the arrival of a sibling. The episode concludes with advice for new moms to trust themselves, relax, and embrace the journey of motherhood without succumbing to external pressures or unrealistic standards.

Instagram:

Brittany Olson: @becomngamotherpodcast

Talia Tomoleoni: @talia_tomo