Motherhood Equipped

Nausea, Energy, and Pregnancy Symptoms: What Your Body Is Really Saying with Samantha Franceschini 

In this episode, we sit down with women’s health and mineral expert Samantha Franceschini to explore the critical role of nutrition and mineral balance in fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery. Samantha shares her personal journey into maternal health, common nutrient gaps that impact women’s well-being, and why symptoms like fatigue and nausea shouldn’t always be considered “normal.” We also discuss the importance of individualized care, foundational health habits, and how HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) testing can uncover deeper insights into overall health and hormonal balance.

Sam’s Suggestions: Methalylated Folate Prenatal + much more linked on her Instagram @Nurturewithsam

Work with Sam: Nurture With Sam
Connect with Sam.
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In this episode, my friend Noor shares her unmedicated birth story and the unexpected challenges that followed.

After achieving the natural birth she hoped for, Noor faced postpartum complications that required medical intervention, including a spinal block. She opens up about the emotional impact of being separated from her baby, the frustration of plans changing, and the reality that birth (and motherhood) doesn’t always go as expected.

This conversation is an honest reminder that motherhood is hard—and being prepared for that truth can change everything.

Connect with Noor on Instagram
Follow the Podcast on Instagram @MotherhoodEquipped
And share this episode with a friend who could use encouraging! 
 

Most women accept pelvic floor issues as just part of postpartum, but what if the secret to a stronger, leak-free body lies in a surprising, scientific approach?

Dr. Angie, a pelvic health expert, reveals how breath work, fascia, and reflexive muscle activation are transforming recovery for women worldwide. Her groundbreaking insights debunk common myths: Kegels alone aren't enough, and surgery isn't the only solution. Instead, she shares practical, science-backed strategies to restore core strength, prevent leaks, and optimize birth and postpartum recovery.

Connect with Dr. Angie on Instagram here or send her an email at [email protected]
Connect with Dr. Angie on her website Core Recovery Method here. 

Questions? Comments? Leave us a note at [email protected]

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Dr. Angie’s Recommendations:

Breathwork: Dr. Angie emphasizes that breathwork is the number one thing you can do during pregnancy to prepare for delivery. She suggests connecting with your breath and having good control over it.

Slowing Down Breathing: She advises slowing down your breathing and pushing the bounds of your lung capacity.

Simple Exercise: A simple exercise she recommends is to slowly inhale through your nose and see how long you can sustain the inhale. She suggests trying to inhale for four seconds or more.

In this episode, Irene shares how her unexpected birth journey inspired a mission to help women embrace their innate power. From the importance of relaxation techniques like active resting and environment setting, to how the mind-body connection can accelerate labor and reduce pain, her insights will change how you view birth forever. Discover the lesser-known tools like the mile and spinning baby circuits that help labor progress naturally, and hear why having a focused support person — whether a doula, partner, or friend — can be a game-changer in managing stress and maintaining control. We break down common myths about labor, like the idea that pain is inherently bad — and show how shifting this narrative transforms your entire experience. Irene explains why non-medicated birth isn't about pride, but a conscious choice rooted in health and empowerment, and discusses how to navigate unexpected outcomes with grace and confidence.

Most importantly, you'll learn how supporting your mental and emotional well-being during postpartum can be as vital as in labor, especially when faced with feelings of loss and identity shift. Perfect for first-time moms, partners, and anyone preparing for the unpredictable journey of childbirth, this episode arms you with practical strategies, inspiring stories, and the reassurance that, yes — you can do this. Irene's compassionate, evidence-based guidance helps you understand that birth is not only possible without fear, but that it's also a profound celebration of your strength.

Follow Irene Kim at www.kindledlifetherapy.com to access her resources, courses, and ongoing support. If you're ready to reframe your approach to birth and embrace the most athletic, powerful version of yourself, this episode is your essential guide.

Connect with us here! 

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Stuart Fischbein, an OB-GYN who has spent decades advocating for physiologic birth, informed consent, and preserving birth skills like vaginal breech birth, twin birth, VBAC, and hands-off support of normal labor.

This conversation is deeply personal. Before the breech birth of my second baby, I faced intense pressure toward a C-section and very little guidance. Dr. Stu’s work gave me the context and confidence I needed to trust my body and make informed decisions.

We talk about why fewer interventions often lead to better outcomes, what actually happens when birth is undisturbed, the role babies play in labor, the truth about breech birth, and how fear replaced skill in modern maternity care. We also cover hospital policies moms can decline, epidurals, choosing a supportive provider, and what truly mother-and-baby-centered care could look like in the U.S.

This episode is for any mom who wants to understand her options, reduce fear, and approach birth with confidence and clarity.

Learn more about Breech without Borders here and their breech delivery directory here. 

Connect with Dr. Stu through his website or on Instagram.

Listen to his podcast here!
Follow Motherhood Equipped here!

In this episode, I’m joined by Kaya Purohit, MS, co-founder of Beeya Wellness, a company transforming women’s hormone health through simple, realistic, food-based solutions.

Kaya is a mom, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for helping women feel informed, empowered, and supported in every season of life.

We talk about why hormone health doesn’t need to be complicated or restrictive, how nourishing the body with the right foods can create real change, and what busy moms can focus on today to support their hormones without adding more stress to their plates. 

In this episode, we cover:

• Why a food-first approach is foundational for hormone health
• Common hormone challenges moms face and what’s often overlooked
• How to support hormones naturally in busy seasons of motherhood
• The importance of feeling informed rather than overwhelmed
• Kaya’s journey as a mom and wellness entrepreneur
• Simple shifts that can make a big impact on energy, cycles, and overall well-being

RESOURCES

LINKS: Connect with Kaya: [email protected]
Follow Beeya: https://www.instagram.com/beeyawellness/ 

Learn more about Beeya: https://beeyawellness.com/ 

Kaya's Recommendations:

1. Seed Cycling: Kaya explained the concept of seed cycling as a food-as-medicine approach to support women's hormonal health. This involves rotating specific seeds throughout the menstrual cycle to balance hormones.
2. Postpartum Advice: She emphasized the importance of rest and self-care during the postpartum period, suggesting that new mothers should allow themselves time to recover and not rush back into work.
3. Energy and Nutrition: Kaya recommended focusing on movement and maintaining balanced blood sugar levels through proper nutrition to boost energy levels. She also shared a unique tip of using ice water to refresh and reduce anxiety.
4. Advocacy in Healthcare: Kaya advised women to find compassionate healthcare providers and to bring someone to appointments who can help advocate for their needs.
5. Balancing Motherhood and Career: She shared her personal experience of balancing career ambitions with motherhood, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and focusing on what truly matters.

In this episode, I’m joined by Kenna Gonzales, a homeschool mom of four and passionate VBAC advocate who turned her own C-section recovery into a powerful journey of education, healing, and empowerment. Kenna shares what led her to pursue a VBAC, along with the emotions many moms carry after a surgical birth and the desire for a different experience moving forward.

We talk through common VBAC myths, how to know if you may be a candidate, and the first steps moms can take if they’re feeling both fear and hope. Kenna also shares how mindset, nutrition, movement, education, and choosing a truly supportive provider play a critical role in VBAC preparation. This episode is for any mom who wants clear information, compassionate encouragement, and confidence to advocate for herself as she explores her birth options after a C-section.

RESOURCES
Get Kenna’s VBAC guide HERE.

Kenna's Book Rec: The Birthing Partner

Connect with Kenna: https://www.instagram.com/kennagonzales/ 

In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend Maddy Krasa, a Christ-centered mama of two who shares her deeply personal birth story marked by an unplanned C-section, emotional recovery, and learning to trust God when everything unfolded differently than she had hoped. 

We talk honestly about grief, surrender, and the quiet ways God meets us in postpartum recovery. Maddy shares how the Lord brought truth into the lies she battled, what helped her heal emotionally, and how her story has been redeemed into a testimony of faith. This episode is for any mom walking through an unexpected birth, a traumatic C-section, or needing reassurance that God is still present, purposeful, and near.

Connect with Maddy: https://www.instagram.com/maddykrasa/
Learn about Safe Space: https://www.healingcare.org/resources 

In this heartfelt conversation, Alayna shares her transformative birth stories, highlighting the deep connection between faith and motherhood. From her first experience, where she learned the importance of surrendering to God, to the challenges faced during her second birth, Alayna emphasizes the power of prayer, intuition, and finding joy amidst chaos. Her journey illustrates how each birth experience shaped her understanding of faith and the beauty of trusting in God's plan.

Follow along with Alayna and her journey as a mom HERE!
Connect with me here!

Motherhood Equipped is for moms who want to feel confident, supported, and aligned with who God created them to be. Each episode shares practical wellness tips, biblical encouragement, natural pregnancy and postpartum guidance, birth stories of all kinds, and real conversations about identity, marriage, and raising little ones with intention. Hosted by Brigitta Borinstein, a mom of two, wellness advocate, and both home-birth and hospital-birth mama, this show equips you with simple tools to thrive in your health, your motherhood, and your walk with the Lord. Perfect for moms seeking to feel equipped in all things motherhood, wellness, faith, and birth! 

Tired of being referred to as “just” a mom? In this conversation, Eunice Ray lends her wisdom and experience to emphasize the profound impact of motherhood, the importance of faith, and the role of women in nurturing families. Eunice shares her wisdom on the significance of creating a healthy home environment, the timeless values embodied by the Proverbs 31 woman, and the challenges mothers face in today's society. You’ll end this episode feeling a renewed sense of confidence in the mother’s critical part in shaping future generations and equipped with timeless advice to stay grounded amidst societal pressures.

Subscribe to Eunice’s Substack HERE!
Connect with me here!