MamaBare

MamaBare

By MamaBare.podParentingKids & Family
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MamaBare episodes

  • Complete Placenta Previa | Our Story So Far

    In this episode of the *MamaBare Podcast*, I sit down with my husband to share a very real and vulnerable update on our current pregnancy — navigating a diagnosis of **Complete Placenta Previa** alongside the discovery of **black mold in our home**.

    When we first received this diagnosis, we were shocked by how few real-life resources and personal stories we could find. So many conversations felt clinical, fear-based, or incomplete. This episode is **chapter one of our story**, shared in hopes of filling that gap and letting other parents know they’re not alone.

    We open up about: • What led to the Complete Placenta Previa diagnosis • The emotional toll of uncertainty and waiting • Natural approach and mindset • Discovering black mold in our home and how it added another layer of stress • Why this feels especially hard after having a **previous home birth** • Processing the reality of a potential **C-section** — and why it feels unfair and unnatural for us • How we’re coping, communicating, and staying grounded through it all This conversation is raw, honest, and ongoing.

    We don’t have all the answers yet — but we’re choosing to share our journey as it unfolds. If you’re facing placenta previa, a high-risk pregnancy, or unexpected turns in motherhood, we hope this helps you feel seen. ✨

    This is just the beginning. Be sure to follow along for future updates and how this story ultimately unfolds for our family.

    🎧 Listen now on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

    #MamaBarePodcast #PlacentaPrevia #HighRiskPregnancy #PregnancyUpdate #BirthAfterHomeBirth #CSectionJourney #MotherhoodUnfiltered #PregnancySupport #RealLifeMotherhood

    52 min
  • Doula Shares Everything- Natural Birth Support Explained

    In this episode of MamaBare, Brie sits down with Kristi Waun, registered massage therapist, birth doula, and founder of Mindful Mums— to talk all things birth prep, labour, and postpartum recovery.

    Brie shares her personal experience working with Kristi during the birth of her son, and together they unpack what makes a truly supportive birth experience — from emotional care to physical recovery.

    We dive deep into:

    • ✨ What a doula really does (and how they’re different from midwives)
    • 🌿 The power of natural-minded birth support
    • 💆‍♀️ How understanding the body changes the birth experience
    • 🤱 Preparing for postpartum recovery and caring for yourself after birth
    • 🕯️ Why feeling safe and supported can completely change your labour
    • Whether you’re pregnant, planning a home birth, or just curious about how to create a calmer, more empowered birth — this episode will leave you feeling grounded, informed, and supported.

      🎧 Listen now and share with another mama who’s preparing for her birth journey.

      —

      👩‍🍼 Learn more about Kristi: mindfulmums.ca

      🌸 Follow MamaBare on Instagram: @mamabare.podcast

      🎥 Watch more episodes: MamaBare YouTube Playlist

      • 01:00 - Kristi's Experience and Background
      • 04:00 - What is a Doula?
      • 07:00 - Postpartum Support
      • 09:00 - Finding a Good Fit!
      • 12:14 - Birth Support Options in Ontario
      • 16:20 - Doula Early Labour Support
      • 21:37 - Pain Management (Physical and Spiritual)
      • 24:10 - Dealing With Transition & How Much Longer?
      • 28:47 - Doula vs Midwife
      • 31:05 - RMT Background
      • 33:15- Birth Prep - Ina May Gaskin
      • 37:50- Staying Fit in Pregnancy
      • 39:30 - After Birth Support
      • 44:30 - Babies First Bath
      • 46:43 - The Family Dynamic - Navigating Visits After Birth
      • 53:35- The Home Birth Shift & Taking Back Control
      • 55:50 - Advocating for the Birth Couple - Informed Consent
      • 59:35 - Mindful Mums - Doula Kristi Waun
      • 1 hr 4 min
      • Magnesium & Motherhood: The Overlooked Key to Pregnancy Wellness | ft. ITL Health

        In this episode of the *MamaBare Podcast*, we sit down with **Meaghan Esser & Lynae Morningstar from ITL Health** to talk all things **magnesium** — and why this essential mineral plays such a vital role in **pregnancy, postpartum, and overall wellness**.

        We cover:

        • 💫 Why magnesium is often called “the relaxation mineral”
        • 🤰 How magnesium supports fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery 🍼 Common signs of magnesium deficiency (especially for moms!)
        • 💧 The difference between magnesium forms — and what to look for in a supplement
        • 🌙 How magnesium can improve sleep, reduce stress, and support hormonal balance
        • If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re getting enough magnesium — or why it’s such a hot topic in the wellness world — this episode will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and ready to support your body naturally.

          🎧 Tune in and learn more about magnesium at [ITL Health](https://itlhealth.ca).

          Magnesium Comparison Chart: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nqYYgjBWBA9IXljDi2xGL-wKPlosvlUN/view?usp=drive_link

          #MamaBarePodcast #PregnancyWellness #MagnesiumForMoms #PostpartumHealth #ITLHealth #NaturalMotherhood

          00:00 – Welcome & Episode Intro

          03:20 – Why Magnesium Matters for Everyone (Especially Stressed Moms!)

          04:21 – Everyone is Deficient in Magnesium

          07:00 - Deficiency Symptoms

          11:58 – Magnesium in Pregnancy

          16:00 – Supplementation over Diet

          20:40 – Postpartum

          23:20 – My Magnesium Experience

          26:40 – How to Choose a Quality Magnesium Supplement

          31:07 - Which Form to Take During Pregnancy

          35:25 - Child Safe Magnesium

          39:25 – ITL Health

          44:14 - What Sets ITL Health Apart?

          56 min
        • Grace’s Birth Story | Honest & Empowering Home Birth Experience

          Thinking about a home birth but not 100% sure? This episode of the *MamaBare Podcast* is for you. We sit down with Taylor, baby Grace’s mom to hear her raw and honest *all-natural* home birth story—from the very first signs of labour to the moment Grace was placed in her arms.

          She shares why she chose a home birth, what it was really like to labour without interventions, and how having the right birth team made all the difference. If you’ve ever wondered what a safe, supported home birth can look like, this story will leave you feeling informed, inspired, and empowered to explore your options.

          **What we cover:**

          • * Why she chose a *natural* home birth with a midwife
          • * How she prepared her body and mind
          • * The progression from early labour to transition
          • * What helped her stay calm through contractions
          • * Meeting baby Grace at home
          • * Her advice for mamas considering home birth 💛
          • **Listen to the full MamaBare Podcast**

            🎙️ Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

            #MamaBarePodcast #HomeBirthStory #NaturalBirth #BirthWithoutFear

            **0:00** – Welcome & Introduction **1:45** – Why I Chose a Home Birth **6:10** – Preparing for a Natural Birth **10:25** – Early Labour Begins **15:55** – When Things Got Intense **22:15** – Transition & Pushing **32:58** – Meeting Baby Grace **34:37** – Immediate Postpartum at Home **42:10** – My Advice for Moms Considering Home Birth

            52 min
          • EP13 Breastfeeding Real Talk with Lactation Counselor Alexx Whitelaw

            In this episode, we sit down with **Alexx Whitelaw**—lactation counselor, mom of three, and breastfeeding advocate—to talk all things *nursing*. From latching struggles to supply worries to tandem feeding, Alex shares her personal journey and professional insights into what it really takes to make breastfeeding work.

            Whether you’re nursing your first baby or navigating a totally different experience with your third, this episode is full of practical tips, encouragement, and a whole lot of “you’re not alone.”

            **What we cover:**

            • * Common challenges (and solutions!) in the early days
            • * What lactation counselors actually do
            • * Managing oversupply, undersupply & cluster feeding
            • * Breastfeeding boundaries & mental health
            • * Support systems that *actually* help
            • This is the breastfeeding pep talk we all wish we had. 💛

              1 hr 11 min
            • EP12 What Is a Midwife? Exploring Midwifery Care in Ontario
              In this episode, we sit down with **Kailey Aboobaker**, a Registered Midwife in Ontario, to break down what midwifery care really looks like. We discuss what midwives do, how they support pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and why more families are choosing midwifery as their primary care option.
               
              Kailey shares how midwifery differs from OB care, who qualifies for a midwife in Ontario, and the role of midwives in both home and hospital births. Whether you're pregnant, planning to be, or just curious about your options—this episode is packed with insight, clarity, and empowerment.
               
              *What we cover:*
              • What is a midwife, and what do they do?
              • Midwifery vs. OB care: the key differences
              • Choosing a midwife in Ontario
              • The midwife’s role in birth settings (home, hospital, birth centre)
              • What kind of support you can expect through pregnancy and postpartum
              • This episode is a must-listen for anyone exploring a more personal, holistic approach to birth care in Ontario. 💛

                44 min
              • EP11 Unmedicated Home Birth- Everest's Birth Story

                In this episode, Brie shares the full story of her all-natural home birth with baby Everest. From why she chose to birth at home with a midwife and doula, to the moment Everest was born, this is a real, honest look at what a home birth can look like—messy, powerful, and completely on her terms.

                We talk about the common hospital “cascade of interventions” and why Brie wanted to avoid that route. She also shares what she did to prepare her body and mind for labour—from strength training to learning about the accuracy of ultrasounds and trying the Miles Circuit.

                This episode walks through it all:

                • Why Brie chose a home birth with a midwife and doula
                • Understanding the cascade of interventions
                • Birth prep: workouts, Miles Circuit, mindset
                • Early labour: first contractions & water breaking
                • Active labour & transition: riding the waves
                • What helped the most—and what surprised her
                • If you’re curious about home birth, natural delivery, or just love a good birth story—this one’s for you. It’s not sugar-coated, but it’s real and it’s encouraging.

                  00:00 Into

                  02:15 What I did to prepare

                  05:10 Why Home Birth?

                  06:05 Cascade of Interventions

                  09:45 Ultrasound Accuracy

                  14:48 Miles Circuit

                  15:54 First Contraction

                  20:21 Water Breaking

                  24:20 Active Labour

                  26:00 Body Release

                  27:58 Transition

                  29:46 Call Birth team

                  31:43 My BEST Position!

                  33:35 Double Peaks

                  37:15 Tub Time

                  40:15 Pushing

                  46:20 Episiotomy

                  48:45 Everest is Born!

                  55:00 Postpartum

                  1:02:00 Regrets?

                  1 hr 7 min
                • EP10: MamaBare Unfiltered – March Catch-Up

                  It’s time for another round of MamaBare Unfiltered, where we ditch the script and catch up on all things real life and motherhood. In this relaxed chat, we cover what’s been going on behind the scenes lately—because sometimes you just need a good vent, a few laughs, and a reminder that you’re not alone.

                  In this episode we chat about:

                  • Life lately and how we’re really doing

                  • Erryn’s ongoing home renos and birthday party planning chaos

                  • Brie's baby Everest hitting new milestones

                  • Sleep regressions, toddler attitudes, and mama burnout

                  • The little things we’re doing to feel like ourselves again

                    So grab your coffee (or wine—we’re not judging) and join us for a cozy catch-up with your mama besties. 💛

                    Adhesive Task Buttons: https://a.co/d/9tkK6Ur 

                    27 min
                  • EP9: Navigating Screen Time for Kids

                    Screen time—it’s a blessing and a challenge. Too much can affect sleep and emotional regulation, so how do we find balance? In this episode, we talk about introducing kids to screens safely with age-appropriate platforms and privacy settings. We also dive into recognizing warning signs of cyberbullying and online predators. Let’s navigate the digital world with confidence! 📱💛

                    49 min
                  • EP8: Co-Sleeping - How We Co-Sleep & Why

                    Co-sleeping—one of the most debated parenting topics! In this episode, we break down what co-sleeping is, its pros and cons, and our personal experiences. Erryn still co-sleeps with her 3- and 5-year-olds, even bed-sharing both girls, while Brie transitioned her baby to a crib at 8 weeks. We discuss how every family’s journey is unique and why there’s no shame in choosing what works best—as long as it's safe!

                    We also dive into the internet’s divisive take on parenting choices and why we're here to empower, not judge. Whether you co-sleep, crib sleep, or do a mix of both, this episode is all about supporting your parenting decisions! 💛

                    Espresso Maker: https://amzn.to/3XJrVYz

                    Tallow Lip Balm: https://gardenglow.ca/products/tallow-lip-balm

                    00:00 Intro

                    00:35 What is Co-Sleeping

                    01:33 Disadvantages of Co-Sleeping

                    03:40 Our Experiences with Co-Sleeping

                    04:08 Controversial Choice

                    05:12 Erryn decision to Co-Sleep

                    07:00 How long to Room Share?

                    12:00 How Brie set up to Co-Sleep

                    16:55 Transferring to the Crib?

                    19:10 Feeling judged

                    21:10 Rolling over at night!

                    25:25 Big kid bed!

                    36:36 Side Lying

                    39:23 Rocking Chair

                    46:49 Co-Sleeping Advantages

                    49:44 SWAP: Espresso Maker & Beef Tallow

                    55:12 Would You Rather Game

                    59 min

                  About MamaBare

                  From the publisher's feed

                  Join two lifelong best friends as they navigate the wild ride of motherhood at different stages, balancing the ups and downs with humour, heart, and an 80:20 approach to healthy living.