In today's episode, first time mama Jackie Fox shares her story. She was about 1 year postpartum at the time of recording and very passionate about maternal health and postpartum care (same, girl!!)

In today’s episode I have health coach Amanda Ratkowski on the podcast. She’s a brand new mama to her baby girl living on mini farm land with her husband and their five animals. She shares about how her experience was the polar opposite of what she prepared for. She prepared for a birth center birth but went past 42 weeks and was induced in the hospital, labored for days, and ended up needing a C-section. She still got her midwife care which she speaks to the benefits of throughout. A major theme she shares of is the art of letting things go. Amanda is so laid back and easy to talk to and she shares so openly about many aspects of her motherhood journey thus far. I hope you enjoy her story!

TOPICS AMANDA SHARES:

AMANDA'S TIPS + RESOURCES:

Gentle Birth Hypnobirthing app

Hypnobirthing The Mongan Method (book)

Breastfeeding Accounts

@legendairymilk

@thebreastfeedingmentor

@az.breastfedbabies

Co-sleeping Accounts

@cosleepy

@heysleepybaby

REACH OUT TO AMANDA:

@amandaratkowski

In today's episode, Dawn tells of the birth of her two boys and her experience thereafter. I share her outlook and philosophy on the power of what it means to be a woman and I love how she shares about how motherhood is everything. She goes into some detail of her two birth experiences -- one birth center turned hospital birth with an epidural, and the second a birth center birth that ended up being her dream birth. She has the most kind soul and I felt so inspired by talking with her. She was so prepared for postpartum and naturally possess maternal wisdom. I hope you enjoy her story as much as I did.

TOPICS SHE GOES INTO:

DAWN'S TIPS & RESOURCES:

The First 40 Days (book)

Save money during pregnancy and hire someone to do PP visits (midwife, doula, etc.) regardless of where you birth or what type of birth you have

Join mom groups on Facebook

Connect with Dawn on IG @dawnmichelleknight

Email Dawn: [email protected]

Today I have Debra Bauman on the podcast. She shares her very difficult and exhausting experience of having a baby from preconception on. Talking to her was so easygoing; it felt like I was chatting with my sister or a really close friend. She keeps it real by being open and forward about how dark postpartum can get when you’re isolated and alone with a newborn during a pandemic. She goes deep into everything from two years of infertility struggles to how different she would like next time to be, if there ever is a next time. I hope you appreciate how vulnerable she is and enjoy her story as much as I did!

TOPICS SHE COVERS:

THINGS SHE WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY NEXT TIME:

RESOURCES AND ADVICE:

Talk to your health care team if you feel any bit off, even while pregnant. Mental health is so important.

Exclusive Pumping Resources

@pump_mama_pump

@onewiththepump

Connect with Debra at @mamaminutesfitness

In today’s episode I welcomed my long-time bestie, Bouchra Nafi-Krause, to the podcast. You'll feel our natural friendship chemistry throughout but also hear of so many insights into the common and often shared realities of motherhood. From things like feeling like you’ve prepared but realizing otherwise to having extreme worries and fears in postpartum and eventually making peace with things after baby #2. Bouchra is not only my friend but also one of the most selfless people I’ve ever met. She makes an outstanding mama to her two girls, Leena and Layla and gives everything she does 120%, from her family and friendships to her career (and she could use some reminders to REST) ;)

THINGS BOUCHRA SHARES:

BOUCHRA'S TIPS AND RESOURCES:

Join local mom groups on Facebook to make connections

What to Expect When Expecting app

Meal Trains for Postpartum (start one for yourself or a loved one here)

In today's episode I got to chat with Amy about her experience as a triathlete, birth doula, and mom of 5! She's had very positive pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences. As much as she loves being postpartum, she also knows that this chapter of having babies is finally closing for her. Talking with Amy was a joy and I hope you enjoy as much as I did!

THINGS AMY SHARES:

AMY'S TIPS + RESOURCES:

Amy's website: https://lunedoula.com/ (Moon Phase Sisterhood for Ventura County locals)

Put YOURSELF first after kids

Do things that remind you of who you were before becoming a mom

Talk to / connect with others

See a therapist

@badassmotherbirther

@evarosebirth

@thenakedbirthcoach

@moonhoneymama

@wild.pregnancy_free.birth

Today on the podcast I have Lonnie on to share about becoming a new mom to her daughter Harper. She shares about how she would give birth over and over again before going through the fourth trimester, since she had such a smooth birth experience and not so much with PP. I could personally relate to many points in Lonnie’s story and I hope you gain some mama wisdom from listening!

TOPICS LONNIE SHARED:

NEXT TIME LONNIE WOULD LIKE:

RESOURCES:

Lonnie's Facebook

Massachusetts General Hospital + Harvard Perinatal Mental Health app

Today on the podcast I chat with Stephanie about her birth and early postpartum experience with her wife and new son Maison. She shares everything from having a fairly positive emergency C-section experience to having to emotionally grieve over her past self after becoming a mom. She even shares about tackling her diabetes with simple nutrition interventions. It was lovely to talk to Stephanie about her transition into motherhood and hear of her optimism and gratitude. I hope you enjoy her uplifting story as much as I did!

TOPICS WE COVER:

STEPHANIE'S INSTAGRAM RESOURCES:

Connect with Stephanie @stephgeffrard

Postpartum Mental Health @4th.trimester.wellness

Baby + Toddler Sleep @heysleepybaby

Speech + Feeding @eatplaysay

Breastfeeding Help @lactationhub

Podcast written and produced by Natalie Welch

Audio Engineering by Kevin Welch

Today on the podcast I chat with Krista, mama to her daughter Willow and psychotherapist that specializes in working with women, especially pre- and postnatally and those who are TTC. She’s also the host of the podcast Conversations on Well-being where she covers everything from wellness and relationships to motherhood and healing. Krista and I had very similar emotional and even physical experiences. She shares things like dealing with burnout while pregnant, waves of antepartum depression (depression before baby arrives), a very long home birth labor, struggles with the newborn phase and breastfeeding, and so much more. This conversation was therapeutic to the both of us and I hope that you can relate in some way to her story.

Topics we cover:

KRISTA'S RESOURCES:

@livewildbewell

@hormonehealingrd

Are You Menstrual Podcast

The Birth Hour Podcast

First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother (book)

Orgasmic Birth (book)

The Business of Being Born (film)

CONNECT WITH KRISTA:

Podcast: Conversations on Well-being

Website: therapywithkrista.com

IG: @therapywithkrista

Today on the podcast I spoke to Shannon Buhera and learned of her story becoming a mom and how it shifted her whole identity. She shares the birth experiences of her two children, both of which were nothing like what she really prepared for. We talk about everything from her totally loving being pregnant but having an intense fear of blood and hospitals to having a long C-section recovery due to infection and a beautifully unique view on what it means to go through the birthing process.

Some of the topics we cover:

CONNECT WITH SHANNON:

IG: @nights_andnaps

TikTok: @nights_andnaps

FREE Guide to Starting a Sleep Consulting Business