This episode brings a sense of belonging and unconditional love as I talk about the fundamentals of self-care, connection, and purpose.

If you want to reach out to me with any questions or just for someone to talk to, my favorite thing is to Hold the Mom. You can email me at [email protected], and/or DM me on instagram, facebook (Diane Epperson), or substack. I’m here for you and I love you already!

Also, I offer a 90 minute birth processing session for $88. You are invited to process your birth with me in a safe space if it feels aligned with you. ❤️❤️❤️ Just reach out to know more.

Please share this podcast with someone who comes to mind if it resonates. 💕

In this podcast episode I read some of my work and expound on the topic of Birth Processing. It is one of the most excellent acts of self care— healing past self and making room for light with future birth(s)/ a more fulfilling and joyful present and future.

If you’d like to try out birth processing, try Kim Tanner, a remarkable coach who helped me with mine,

https://kimtannercoaching.com/

or if you like my approach, you can sign up for your session here at MY WEBSITE.

If you have any questions or want to chat about if I’d be a good fit for you with this sacred work, simply email me at [email protected] or DM me on Facebook, Instagram (@holdthemom) or Substack.

If you want to read more from me, check out my substack: HERE

And if you want to get on my email list, just scroll down a bit on my main website and put your name and email in (and mark the box allowing for news and updates)! I send “Seen on Saturday” encouraging emails every single week, and it’s one of my favorite ways to connect with the moms I support! ❤️

Thank you 🥲 for listening to my podcast. Thank you to my amazing Aunt Fae whose kindness and connection were the example I follow now in my birth processing sessions.

I love you, and talk to you on the podcast next time where I’ll have another interview with someone incredible!

This episode explores

✨how vulnerable and raw birth can be,

✨our identity and role as women during different seasons of life,

✨the skill of discovering our intuition and unlearning false self-concepts,

✨being open to learning new ways of support and care during birth and beyond.

You will love Katie’s dynamic storytelling and wisdom that is shared as you listen!

And this is Part 2, so if you haven’t already, be sure to listen to Part 1 (Episode 11: Why Choose Home Birth?).

If you want to interview Katie to see if she’d be a good fit to be your doula and/or childbirth educator, simply email me at [email protected] and I’ll get you her information!

Curious about out-of-hospital birth? Wondering if a doula is worth it? Navigating your pregnancy wanting to have a different experience this time?

This episode is for you.

Katie Craig is such a deep and beautiful well of information. Join us in part 1 of our interview where we cover

💕Is home birth safe?

💕How do my husband and I handle fear with childbirth approaching?

💕How can I figure out the support I’ll need?

and enhance your journey by learning from one of the very best.

Don’t forget to listen to Part 2 (also out now!) which covers roles of womanhood (Maiden, Matriarch, Mega, and Chrone), energetic seasons, types of feminism, birth as a spiritual and physical journey, resilience, intuition and stewardship.

If you want to interview Katie to see if she’d be a good fit to be your doula and/or childbirth educator, simply email me at [email protected] and I’ll get you her information!

My loves, this episode is kinda pretty long. I thought about rerecording because I usually try to keep it manageable. But when I relistened, there wasn’t anything I could get myself to cut or leave out. So I figured, because the end of pregnancy can feel like it lasts 1000 years, you’ll have time to hear the entire thing! 😅

Strategies from my own pregnancies as well as a few from other moms about how we got through 3rd trimester. Because IYKYK we could use some empowering strategies!

Resources I mention:

Evidence Based Birth

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/

Books I love for great research while you’re still in 3rd Trimester:

The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson

Transformed by Birth by Britta Bushnell

Safe Infant Sleep by James J McKenna

Also a great Social Media Resource is the Facebook Group: Utah Birth Forum

And if you want have a postpartum prep session and/or lifecoaching and/or postpartum doula services with me, all you gotta do is direct message me on Facebook, Instagram, or Substack, or email me at [email protected] 💕

In this, the second part of my fun interview with Alyssa McBride: Mama of 3, RN, somatic coach, and perinatal and postpartum depression survivor, we discuss practical ways to ask for help, the power of breathing (something you can always control!), and some awesome resources to empower you through your matrescence!

Alyssa’s free postpartum support groups: https://intermountainhealthcare.org/classes-events/detail/beyond-birth-4th-trimester-support?location=&startDate=06-24-2026&sortBy=soonest

Free Nervous System Regulation Guide: https://thriveandshinecoaching.myflodesk.com/x4c61jvca3

Retreat waitlist: https://www.thriveandshinecoaching.net/retreat

In this, part 1 of 2 of my amazing interview with Alyssa McBride: Mama of 3, RN, somatic coach, and perinatal and postpartum depression survivor, Alyssa and I have a fervent discussion about what it really feels like to go through mental illness during pregnancy and postpartum, including dealing with scary thoughts, and the power of asking for and getting help.

Resources shared:

Alyssa’s free postpartum support groups: https://intermountainhealthcare.org/classes-events/detail/beyond-birth-4th-trimester-support?location=&startDate=06-24-2026&sortBy=soonest

Free Nervous System Regulation Guide: https://thriveandshinecoaching.myflodesk.com/x4c61jvca3

Retreat waitlist: https://www.thriveandshinecoaching.net/retreat

Ever feel like you’re in survival mode? You need to hear this today.

Photo by Jared Subia on Unsplash

If you want to try out life coaching with me, and/or share your story on the podcast, simply email me at [email protected]! Love you so much! 😘

Note: the original posting of this podcast had an audio glitch. Here is the fixed version! 😘

What a delightful interview I had with the remarkable Hannah Douglas, Co-founder of Sleepybelly: an Australian company known for their incredible Pregnancy Pillows and other products for baby and mama.

Hannah tells of the origin story of Sleepybelly, along with what is different about their pregnancy pillow from others on the market. She truly Holds the Mom with her determination to show up and work hard to help mothers everywhere feel comfortable and supported.

Their beautiful products are available here:

https://sleepybelly.co/

and she offers a special Discount Code for our listeners: Holdthemom10 to save 10% on anything in their shop!

In today's podcast I present 3 Strategies for actually getting some sleep with a newborn!

😴 Adjust your expectations for a few months and slow down

😴 Have a system/ rhythm where you are getting help regularly

😴 Bedsharing

The links I mention in the podcast:

the "How to Sleep Train YourSELF" week challenge for my paid substack subscribers!

Your guide to safe bedsharing: The Safe Sleep 7

If you want to come to my free Safe Bedsharing Workshop on JUNE 17 @ Noon MDT, just email me at [email protected] or let me know by reaching out to me on Facebook or Instagram or Substack in my DMs. Can't wait to see you there, teach you more about this important topic, myth bust, and answer your questions!