I love a good birth story, but this one has a little something extra. Taryn's not just telling you what happened, she's showing you how much the mental side of birth really matters AND what she did to prepare - which is the most valuable part!

She'd gone into her first two births thinking "I'm tough, I've got this," and learned the hard way that toughness isn't the same as being prepared. (join the club 😉)

So the third time, she did it differently. I first aired this back in 2023 and to-date is our most popular My Essential Birth Story!

Having an unmedicated birth is a huge decision and requires so much preparation physically AND mentally.

Your body will do what your brain tells it to! For your body to enter "Labor Land", it's imperative that mom feels safe and supported.

Taryn shares her birth story about how her support and mental preparation helped her achieve the birth she desired for her third baby girl.

[2:25] Meet Taryn — a mama of three girls in a tiny South Dakota town, with a birth story that was six weeks fresh when we recorded. 

[3:09] The road to her three girls — including the part of her story I think a lot of you are going to love.

[5:30] Why she finally switched providers — and the moment she realized she deserved someone who actually listened. (BIG cheer for her here!!  🎉 )

[9:32] The one thing she prepared for this time that she completely skipped the first two times. (It literally changed everything.) 

[11:09] Let's talk about "labor land" — what it actually feels like, and why Taryn says it was unlike anything she expected. 

[14:32] The weirdly simple trick she focused on during every contraction that kept her whole body relaxed. You're going to want to steal this one!!!

[17:05] What she did in those final weeks that had her walking into her induction WAY further along than ever before. 

[20:17] The blizzard, the induction, and the birth — and the moment things went from "this is going to take all day" to "she's coming out RIGHT NOW." 

[24:43] The peanut ball. The music. And the fast, intense ending nobody in the room saw coming. 

[36:12] The spiritual moment that carried her through — and the prayer that filled the room when she needed it most. I always love these parts of birth stories. 

[38:28] Her best advice for moms and partners — plus the little labor snack she swears by (trust her on this one). I actually get questions about what to bring to eat during labor all the time, so I know you'll love this!

Links Mentioned:

Dr. Marina Kimball of Begin with Family Chiropractic

Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!

Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 

On Apple Podcasts

1. Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
2. Select “Ratings and Reviews”
3. Click the stars!
4. Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 

On Spotify

1. Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
2. Click the 3 dots "..."
3. Select "Rate podcast"
4. Click the stars and write a quick review!

FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!

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• On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
• On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles

Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: [email protected]. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM! 

Sarah's whole world is focused on YOU — the mama. Because here's the truth we talked about: your baby can be healthy and you can still be sick. And nobody's really watching for that.

Sarah Thompson is a functional medicine provider who specializes in maternity care. 

And here's the thing that makes her work so different: most prenatal care is focused on your baby. 

We got into the stuff I think every pregnant mama deserves to understand, especially the things that are often preventable but rarely talked about until they become a full-blown emergency. 

We dug into preeclampsia and why so many cases could be caught way earlier than they are. We talked about the early markers hiding in labs you might already be getting. And then we got into protein and even though we did not fully agree, I think the conversation will benefit every mom. 😅 

I'm leaving that whole exchange in because I think it's so healthy to hear two people who care deeply about mamas talk it through with respect.

You get to take both perspectives and decide what feels right for you. 

Here are some highlights from the episode:

• What functional medicine actually is — and why "care of the baby" and "care of the mother" are not the same thing
• Why so many preeclampsia cases are preventable — and how early it really starts
• The "preeclampsia mimickers" that look exactly like the real thing but aren't
• How your thyroid plays a role in so many pregnancy complications
• The protein conversation where Sarah and I respectfully disagreed and I greatly appreciate her perspective
• Why your first-trimester body is begging for carbs — and the science behind those cravings
• The truth about heme vs non-heme iron, and how to actually raise low iron
• The thing you literally cannot diet or supplement your way out of (and most of us are guilty of it)
• Why "warrior-style" workouts might not be serving your pregnant body — and what to do instead
• The early lab markers that can flag preeclampsia risk — and the caution to have about who's reading them
• Sarah's one message for every pregnant mama — the one that takes the pressure off

One quick note before you listen — this episode is for information and education, not medical advice. Always work with a provider you trust for your pregnancy and birth. 

Connect with Sarah:
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/functional.maternity/
🌐 Website: www.functionalmaternity.com

Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!

Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 

On Apple Podcasts

1. Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
2. Select “Ratings and Reviews”
3. Click the stars!
4. Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 

On Spotify

1. Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
2. Click the 3 dots "..."
3. Select "Rate podcast"
4. Click the stars and write a quick review!

FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!

Here’s how to do it in just 2 seconds:

• On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
• On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles

Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: [email protected]. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM! 

This first aired in March 2023 and became one of my most downloaded birth stories. Once you hear Jo's "ask forgiveness, not permission" approach, you'll understand exactly why. 

Jo Gibson is an army wife. Her closest family lives nine hours away. Her insurance meant she had to give birth in a hospital, with a rotating team of midwives she'd never met before — and no real option to switch providers.

On paper, that's a tough setup for the unmedicated birth she wanted. But Jo did something I love. Instead of asking permission, she decided to ask forgiveness. 😏

She stopped asking her providers "can I do this?" and started telling them "this is what I'm doing." She flipped the whole dynamic...and it worked. She showed up to the hospital already eight centimeters, laboring in the ER while nurses tried to hand her a wheelchair, and had her baby boy completely unmedicated. Her husband did counter pressure for so many hours his arms were sore the next day (as they should be if you're doing it right...little tip for dads 😉).

Her birth story is so encouraging, especially if you're a military mama, or any mama who feels stuck with a provider or a hospital and wonders if she can still have the birth she wants. And Jo doesn't just share the wins. She talked about the parts she'd do differently too, which makes this one even more valuable. 

Here are some highlights from the episode:

• What it's really like to prepare for birth as a military mom - far from family, with limited provider choices
• The "ask forgiveness, not permission" approach that changed everything for Jo
• How she handled a midwife who told her "most moms don't do that because birth is painful" (and what she did next)
• The genius way she flipped the script with her providers...you'll LOVE this part
• How her knowledge from the course actually earned her provider's buy-in and trust
• Why counter pressure was hands down the most helpful thing she and her husband did
• The birth affirmation cards she made herself — and the difference they made in real-time during her birth (they are seriously SO powerful mamas!!)
• Her fast, intense labor at home, and why she trusted her gut to head in before hitting 3-1-1
• Walking into the ER already eight centimeters with a bulging bag
• The shift change that changed the course of her pushing stage...and what she'd do differently next time
• Her reflection on tearing, hemorrhage, and immediate postpartum
• Her best advice for moms and dads, including a postpartum tip every partner should hear

Just a reminder — this episode is for information and education, not medical advice. Always work with a provider you trust for your pregnancy and birth. 

Links Mentioned:
 🔗 My Essential Birth Course: myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
 🔗 3 Free Exercises: myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
 📱 Instagram: @myessentialbirth

Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!

Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 

On Apple Podcasts

1. Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
2. Select “Ratings and Reviews”
3. Click the stars!
4. Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 

On Spotify

1. Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
2. Click the 3 dots "..."
3. Select "Rate podcast"
4. Click the stars and write a quick review!

FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!

Here’s how to do it in just 2 seconds:

• On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
• On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles

Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: [email protected]. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM! 

🗝️ From The Vault: I first shared this one about a year ago. I still get comments on it and I think it may be one of my most favorite conversations about true consent - no matter the topic! I guess it helps that this one is a hot topic 😜 but it still stands!!

You've probably had this moment: You're sitting in a provider's office, pregnant belly in front of you, when someone says, "This is what you'll get at your next appointment." No conversation. 

If your stomach has ever dropped in that moment, wondering "do I even get a say here?" — this episode is for you, mama.

I sat down with Alexandra Galaska, the powerhouse behind Just the Inserts, to talk about how to cut through fear, confusion, and the "this is just what we do" culture in medicine. 

Alexandra's journey began as a new mom overwhelmed by conflicting voices — and what she uncovered (the actual government-issued manufacturer inserts for pharmaceuticals and vaccines) became the foundation of her mission: helping parents make truly informed decisions with confidence, not coercion.

I want to be really clear about something before you listen — this conversation is not about being "for" or "against" anything. 

It's about equipping yourself with facts, frameworks, and questions so you can walk into your provider's office as the CEO of your health and your child's, not a passive spectator. 

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, dismissed, or scared you'll "get it wrong," you're not alone and I know you will love this episode. Alexandra's practical, non-alarmist approach is exactly what so many of us wish we had when we first became moms. 

Here are some highlights from the episode:

• [06:45] The moment Alexandra realized "just trust the system" wasn't enough — and why she started digging into inserts
• [12:10] How invisible nudges (like "this is what good moms do") shape our medical choices more than we realize
• [18:22] The difference between medical advice and medical coercion, and how to recognize the line
• [26:05] Why provider efficiency models often leave informed consent out of the room — and what to do about it
• [33:40] Exactly where to find official pharmaceutical inserts and how to read them without spiraling
• [41:55] The surprising section of inserts that parents should always check first
• [48:20] How to collaborate with your provider using both their expertise and your intuition — because mother's intuition is data
• [52:15] Alexandra's encouragement for moms who feel stuck between "trust the experts" and "go down the internet rabbit hole"

Links & Resources:
 📱 Follow Alexandra on Instagram: @JustTheInserts
 🎓 Alexandra's FREE, no email required course — Make Informed Medical Decisions: justtheinserts.com/training-course
 🔗 Join me inside the My Essential Birth Course: myessentialbirth.com/getstarted

Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!

Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 

On Apple Podcasts

1. Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
2. Select “Ratings and Reviews”
3. Click the stars!
4. Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 

On Spotify

1. Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
2. Click the 3 dots "..."
3. Select "Rate podcast"
4. Click the stars and write a quick review!

FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!

Here’s how to do it in just 2 seconds:

• On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
• On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles

Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: [email protected]. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM! 

🗝️ From The Vault!

Every so often there is an episode I just cannot let sit in the archives, and this is one of them. 

It first aired in April 2022, and it is such a good one to bring back — because here is what I keep noticing: inductions are getting offered more and more, for more and more reasons.

Which is exactly why I tell every mom to understand what it would be like if an induction could happen, even if the goal is to not have one. That way, if it comes up, you are ready instead of scrambling.

So in this episode we get into what an induction actually is, the reasons one might land on the table (the truly necessary ones and the... not so much), all things Pitocin and why those contractions feel like their own beast, and the one thing that matters most when it comes to preparing. 

And if you end up wanting an epidural or leaning on another tool along the way, that is completely okay, but this episode will prep for how to do it unmedicated! None of this is about doing birth perfectly. It is about walking in informed and staying part of every decision. 

Here are some highlights from the episode:

• [6:15] What a medical induction actually is and what every mom should know about working through labor with pitocin, unmedicated (if that's the goal)!
• [7:25] The different induction methods explained simply: Pitocin, breaking your water, Cervidil, Cytotec, Foley bulb, and the Cook's catheter (and why I don't love Pitocin plus breaking your water alone)
• [10:48] The real reasons a mom might need an induction, and the ones that aren't so medically necessary
• [12:36] So many moms end up with an epidural during an induction — and why the number one reason why
• [16:00] All things Pitocin: how it's given, why those contractions feel SO different, and the mental game that comes with it
• [22:04] The single most important thing you can do to prepare for an induction
• [22:31] What a Bishop score is and how it predicts whether your induction will go smoothly
• [24:51] Supplements to prepare your body 
• [26:56] The physical and mental prep that makes the biggest difference
• [40:55] The difference between doing hard things and suffering, and why that line matters so much

Links Mentioned:
🔗 My Essential Birth Course: myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
🔗 3 Free Exercises: myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
🔗 Dr. Christopher's Birth Prep Tinctures: https://amzn.to/3qzwqSC
🔗 Evening Primrose Oil: https://amzn.to/3qzwqSC
🔗 Red Raspberry Leaf Tea: https://www.amazon.com/Yogi-Womens-Raspberry-Leaf-Tea/dp/B00H3SXWIY/

Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!

Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 

On Apple Podcasts

1. Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
2. Select “Ratings and Reviews”
3. Click the stars!
4. Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 

On Spotify

1. Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
2. Click the 3 dots "..."
3. Select "Rate podcast"
4. Click the stars and write a quick review!

FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!

Here’s how to do it in just 2 seconds:

• On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
• On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles

Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: [email protected]. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM! 

I first aired this one back in July 2023 and it became one of the most downloaded episodes I have ever put out. 

Prodromal labor is one of those topics almost nobody talks about, until you are the one lying awake at 2am wondering if THIS is finally it. 

So I pulled it out of the vault and dusted it off, because if you are anywhere near the end of your pregnancy, you are going to want this one in your back pocket. ❤️

Can we talk about the most emotionally confusing part of late pregnancy for a second? 😅

You start having contractions. Real ones... the kind that get longer and stronger and closer together. Your heart starts racing. 

THIS IS IT. You text everyone. You maybe even head in. And then it fizzles out. 

Nothing. False alarm. And a couple days later it happens all over again.

That is prodromal labor. 

And it is not in your head, it is not you doing something wrong, and you are absolutely not being dramatic. 

It is real, it is exhausting, and in this episode I am walking you through exactly what it is, why it happens, and how to survive it — mentally AND physically — without losing your mind in the process. 

I polled you guys a few weeks back on the topics you wanted to hear about, and this one came up over and over. So here it is. 💛

Here are some highlights from the episode:

• What prodromal labor actually is — and how it is different from real labor contractions and Braxton Hicks
• The different ways it can show up, and why it tends to start around 36 to 37 weeks
• The surprising role your baby's position plays — and what you can do to help
• The positional tricks, exercises, and chiropractic care that can calm things down
• The mindset shift that helps you see prodromal labor completely differently
• Why you are not to blame — and the everyday things like dehydration and heat that can trigger contractions
• The head-to-toe check I want every mama to do when prodromal labor shows up
• The good news nobody mentions — why every single one of these contractions is actually working for you
• How I personally reframed prodromal labor into the best practice run I could have asked for
• The very real mental and emotional exhaustion of it — and permission to feel all of it
• How common it actually is, and whether having it once means you will have it again
• The difference between prodromal labor and active labor (a listener question)
• How to truly take care of yourself while you are in the thick of it

Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!

Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 

On Apple Podcasts

1. Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
2. Select “Ratings and Reviews”
3. Click the stars!
4. Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 

On Spotify

1. Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
2. Click the 3 dots "..."
3. Select "Rate podcast"
4. Click the stars and write a quick review!

FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!

Here’s how to do it in just 2 seconds:

• On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
• On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles

Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: [email protected]. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM! 

This episode first aired back in August 2023 and it went on to become one of the most downloaded birth stories I have ever put out. 

So I'm bringing it back! Whether this is your first time hearing Jamie's story or you are coming back around again, I think you are going to love it. ❤️

Jamie Peterson always knew she wanted to at least TRY for an unmedicated birth. She gathered all the information she could, took the My Essential Birth course with her husband, saw a Webster certified chiropractor, walked and squatted and drank her red raspberry leaf tea, and hired a doula to help bridge the communication gap with her husband when she was deep in labor.

And then birth did what birth does... it went completely off script. 😅

Jamie went in for a routine appointment at 39 weeks and 5 days. 

Her provider offered a membrane sweep, mentioned it could break her water but she doubted it would, and the moment she went for it, Jamie's water was everywhere. 

From there things moved FAST. She got to the hospital around 5:30, kept telling the nurses she was fine and settling in, requested a bath at what she thought was early labor, and got checked to find out she was already at a nine. Her first baby was born at 7:10pm. Water broke at 4:10. Baby in her arms three hours later. 

As a FIRST time mom. 👀

This is one of those birth stories that will change what you think is possible, especially if you are a first time mama who has been told to brace for a 24 hour labor. 

Jamie is funny, humble, and so honest about the preparation she did and how much of it mattered. I know you are going to love her as much as I do. ❤️

Here are some highlights from the episode:

[2:36] Meet Jamie — living in Minnesota with her husband Erik and her daughter Noa who just turned one in March. She is honest right out of the gate that she hated being pregnant, and we get into allll of it. 😂

[4:45] The glucose test scare — what happened when she failed the one-hour test "miserably," and the twist that came with the three-hour. 👀

[6:38] Choosing a hospital birth with a low intervention team — and the one tradeoff that came with it.

[8:18] How she "tested" her providers on their induction protocol — and why their answer told her she was exactly where she needed to be. 💪

[8:18] The quote that stopped me in my tracks — it took her husband nine months to learn how to support her, and nine months for her to learn how to be supported by him. 😅

[10:54] Everything she did to prepare — the birth course on the ball every night, Webster chiropractic care from 12 weeks, acupuncture, walking, squats, red raspberry leaf tea, and the affirmations she loved. This is the part that made all the difference. 💪

[10:54] Why she hired a doula — and whether her birth went anything like she pictured. 😅

[18:13] Her birth — the membrane sweep that did NOT go as expected, the "just get settled in" moment that turned into something else entirely, and a labor that left every nurse in the room stunned. 👀

[18:13] Pushing as a first-time mom — the mindset shift that had her thinking "well, that wasn't so bad, I can do it again." 💪

[28:40] How she coped through contractions — the one position that was the only thing that helped.

[30:19] Postpartum — immediate skin to skin, delayed cord clamping, and Erik's sweet "I thought we were supposed to wait" moment. ❤️

[31:24] Jamie's best advice for moms and dads — including a reminder you are going to want to hold onto long after birth. 💛

Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!

Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 

On Apple Podcasts

1. Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
2. Select “Ratings and Reviews”
3. Click the stars!
4. Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 

On Spotify

1. Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
2. Click the 3 dots "..."
3. Select "Rate podcast"
4. Click the stars and write a quick review!

FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!

Here’s how to do it in just 2 seconds:

• On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
• On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles

Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: [email protected]. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM! 

This one first aired back in November 2025 and you guys loved it. It ended up being one of the most downloaded episodes I have ever done.

So I am bringing it back out of the vault because it's just too good to let it sit there! 

This is the stuff nobody really tells you about getting ready for birth. The things I wish I had known before my first baby. So whether you are hearing it for the first time or coming back around again, grab a notebook and settle in. I think you are going to love it. ❤️

You’ve been prepping for birth, but with so much conflicting advice, it’s easy to feel nervous or unprepared… and you’re not alone! In this episode, I’m breaking down what most people don’t tell you about getting ready for labor — from birth myths and epidurals to baby positioning, mindset, and practical ways to feel confident no matter how your birth unfolds.

We’re covering what really matters during birth prep, including how to:
 • Spot the signs of active labor and plan for support
 • Understand epidurals, pain, and movement — what providers often don’t mention
 • Influence your baby’s position safely during pregnancy
 • Use mindset, flexibility, and planning to stay calm and confident
 • Prepare your birth partner to truly be your rock in the delivery room
 • Focus on three simple, actionable things you can start today to feel ready

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I ready for this?” or “What actually matters for a smooth birth?” — this episode is for you. It’s honest, empowering, and full of practical tips to help you feel informed AND ready for your best birth yet!

Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!

Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 

On Apple Podcasts

1. Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
2. Select “Ratings and Reviews”
3. Click the stars!
4. Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 

On Spotify

1. Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
2. Click the 3 dots "..."
3. Select "Rate podcast"
4. Click the stars and write a quick review!

FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!

Here’s how to do it in just 2 seconds:

• On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
• On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles

Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: [email protected]. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM! 

Back by popular demand, this is one of 2026's most-listened episodes. If you're building your birth plan right now, grab your notebook and tune in, mama!

What if the birth plan you worked so hard on… actually set you up for disappointment?

Most moms spend hours researching, Googling templates, and checking every box, and still walk away from birth feeling blindsided, unprepared, or like the whole experience just happened around them. 

And it's not their fault. It's because nobody ever showed them what a birth plan is actually supposed to do, or the mistakes that quietly sabotage even the most prepared moms in the delivery room.

In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on the most common birth plan mistakes I see all the time, and more importantly, exactly what to do instead. 

Whether you're just starting to think about your birth plan or you already have one and something feels off, this episode is going to change the way you think about it completely.

Here are some highlights from the episode:

• Why the birth plan templates you find online might be working against you
• The real reason birth plans fall flat when labor actually begins
• Mistake #1: The mindset shift that changes how you approach your birth plan
• Mistake #2: The powerful (and totally underused) way to use your birth plan before you ever step foot in a delivery room
• Mistake #3: Why planning only for your ideal birth can leave you feeling lost when things shift
• How to use your birth plan to learn something really important about your provider ahead of time
• The free Birth Map download that makes the whole process feel so much easier: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/birthplan 

Birth doesn't have to go perfectly for you to walk away feeling incredible about your experience. 

What matters most is that you felt informed, understood your options, and had a voice every step of the way. I know you're going to love it, mama. 

Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!

Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 

On Apple Podcasts

1. Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
2. Select “Ratings and Reviews”
3. Click the stars!
4. Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 

On Spotify

1. Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
2. Click the 3 dots "..."
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4. Click the stars and write a quick review!

FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!

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• On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
• On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles

Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: [email protected]. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM! 

This is a rebroadcast of one of our most loved episodes — whether you are listening for the first time or coming back for another listen, I know you are going to get something out of it. Enjoy! ❤️

I have three babies I gave birth to and two girls who made me a mama in a different way — and all three times I gave birth I was planning to go unmedicated.

It only happened once.

And it was not because my body failed me. It was because I did not have the tools I needed and I did not know then what I know now. 

About nutrition. About mindset. About preparing my birth partner. About what actually helps once you are deep in labor and things get really hard.

That is exactly why this episode exists. In this one I am walking you through everything — starting in pregnancy with nutrition, movement, posture, and mindset work, and moving all the way through labor with the tools, positions, support, and options that make the biggest difference when you are working toward an unmedicated birth. 

There is no judgment here about how you choose to give birth. But if unmedicated birth is your goal — I want you to have every single thing you need to get there. ❤️

Here are some highlights from the episode:

• Why staying healthy and low risk gives you the most options for your birth — and where nutrition fits into all of it
• The three exercises and daily movement that prepare your body for labor — and how to actually build the habit
• Why your posture matters more than you think for your baby's position
• Mindset work, positive affirmations, and why this might matter even more for mamas who have given birth before
• Labor practice — what it is, why it works, and how to do it starting today
• How to prepare your birth partner so they actually know how to support you when it counts
• Understanding how birth physiologically works — and why that knowledge changes everything about how it feels
• Knowing your options before you get to the induction conversation
• Why staying home longer is one of the most powerful tools for an unmedicated birth 
• Water as nature's epidural, freedom of movement, emptying your bladder, and eating and drinking in labor
• Being adaptable — why you should never be suffering just to stay unmedicated, and how to make confident decisions if things shift

Links Mentioned:
 🔗 My Essential Birth Course: myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
 🔗 3 Free Exercises: myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
 📱 Instagram: @myessentialbirth

Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!

Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 

On Apple Podcasts

1. Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
2. Select “Ratings and Reviews”
3. Click the stars!
4. Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 

On Spotify

1. Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
2. Click the 3 dots "..."
3. Select "Rate podcast"
4. Click the stars and write a quick review!

FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!

Here’s how to do it in just 2 seconds:

• On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
• On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles

Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: [email protected]. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!