Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy

Your birth doesn't have to look dramatic from the outside for it to have affected you deeply.

You can have a "textbook" birth and healthy baby and still walk away replaying it at 2am, feeling like something wasn't right, like nobody was really listening to you.

And if that's you, you are not being dramatic, and you are not ungrateful. You're human.

I sat down with Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett — a health psychologist and board-certified lactation consultant who has spent her entire career researching birth trauma, postpartum depression, and breastfeeding.

And this conversation is one I think every pregnant mama AND new mama needs to hear, because she was able to call out many things moms think but don't quite know what to do with...or if it's normal.

Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode:

[2:30] How a birth that looks completely "normal" from the outside can still leave a mama traumatized.

[6:00] Why "at least you have a healthy baby" shuts moms down, and what to say (or not say) instead. 

[14:00] Why your lizard brain detects "threat" differently than your rational brain and what that means for how birth lands emotionally.

[18:00] What moms actually need in those first few weeks postpartum.

[24:00] The real signs of postpartum mood disorders and why it's bigger than just "the baby blues." 

[30:00] Why isolation is one of the biggest struggles of new motherhood.

[34:00] The simple, doable things that help (Most don't involve medication.) 

[38:00] The fascinating research on how breastfeeding down-regulates your stress response.

[42:00] Dr. Kendall-Tackett's one message for every mama about asking for support, and why it will get better. ❤️

🎁 Dr. Kendall-Tackett made a free download for all of you called "Making Peace with Your Birth Experience." Whether or not you've experienced trauma, I think every mama should have it tucked in her back pocket. Grab it at www.myessentialbirth.com/trauma

One important note: This episode is for information and education, not medical advice. If you are struggling, please reach out to a trusted provider. You are not alone. 💛

Connect with Dr. Kendall-Tackett:

• Find her here on Facebook
• Visit her Website
• Get Her Book: Breastfeeding Doesn't Need to Suck

Links Mentioned:

• Free Download: Making Peace with Your Birth Experience: www.myessentialbirth.com/trauma
• My Essential Birth Course
• 3 Free Exercises
• My Essential Birth Instagram

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! 

Some stories are too tender and too good to leave sitting in the archives, and Sally's is one of them. 

Sally shares her unmedicated hospital birth, and she does it gracefully, while her sweet grandpa had passed away just days before she went into labor. Her story is a powerful picture of the goodness of God woven through both grief and joy, all in the same week.

We talk about how giving birth brought her and her husband closer than ever, and the little things she brought to the hospital that made a real difference, the snacks, the water bottle, the comb, the fan, all the tiny tools that kept her energized, hydrated, and distracted from the intensity of contractions. 

Sally is also a wedding photographer who shot 25 weddings while pregnant and worked right up until the day before labor, so we get into how her active, fitness-focused lifestyle shaped her whole experience. 

I hope this one speaks to your heart the way it spoke to mine.

Here are some highlights from the episode:

[3:10] How Sally shot 25 weddings while pregnant — and worked right up until the day before she went into labor. 

[6:45] Why she compares an unmedicated birth to running a marathon (she's run a few, so she'd know)...and I have to agree 😏 

[9:30] Choosing her provider and hospital blind during COVID — and why she couldn't even tour her birth space. 

[13:15] The role her husband played — the book he read, the way he prepared, and why she says she never felt alone for a second (tune in dads!! 😉)

[17:40] The daily prep that made the biggest difference — breathing, worship music, and the ice pack rehearsal.

[22:30] Her water starts leaking... and she goes to church anyway (that's my kind of mama - using anything and everything to distract yourself and carry on in the very best way.

[26:00] The heartbreaking loss that hit her family the same week — and why she wonders if it set off her labor. 

[30:15] The back labor she didn't expect, the shaking, and the snacks that got her through.

[34:20] The moment she knew her baby was coming — fast. 

[37:00] The honest truth about not instantly bonding with your baby — and why that doesn't mean anything is wrong with you. (This is a very important message for every mom to hear, please tune in here)

[40:00] The little tools she swears by for labor — the comb, the water bottle, the stroller fan — how she uses them and how they will come with her for every birth.

One quick note: 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

My Essential Birth Instagram

3 FREE Exercise Guide

Water Bottle

Portable Fan

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! 

What if the way you’re told to push during birth isn’t actually the whole story? And what if leaking, pelvic pain, painful sex, or feeling like your body just never fully recovered after having a baby aren’t things you simply have to live with?

In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Sara Reardon, aka The Vagina Whisperer — a board-certified pelvic floor therapist with 20 years of experience — to talk about the part of your body that plays a HUGE role in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery, but doesn’t get nearly enough attention. We’re talking about how your pelvic floor changes during pregnancy, how to breathe and push more effectively, what actually happens to your pelvic floor during birth, and why the standard “6 weeks and you’re cleared” checkup may not tell the whole story.

Whether you're pregnant and preparing for birth, newly postpartum, or years past your last baby, this conversation will help you understand your body in a whole new way — and recognize when something isn’t just something you’re supposed to “put up with.”

Here are some highlights from the episode:

• What actually counts as "not normal" — and why no amount of leaking is something you just have to live with
• Why your pelvic floor changes no matter how you give birth — vaginal OR C-section
• The signs that tell you it's time to get pelvic floor support
• What to focus on in each trimester — strengthening early, birth prep later
• The truth about exercising during pregnancy (and why the old advice was wrong)
• How to actually push your baby out — and why your breath matters so much
• Why "6 weeks and you're cleared" doesn't cut it, and what real recovery timelines look like
• The connection between breastfeeding, low estrogen, and pelvic floor healing that most moms are never told
• Why it's never too late to get help — 3 months, 3 years, or 3 decades postpartum
• Sara's biggest takeaway for every mama on putting herself back on the list

🎁 Sara made all of you a FREE childbirth prep guide with her top 8 pelvic floor tips for birth — how to push, how to breathe, positions, stretches, and recovery tips nobody talks about. Grab it at www.myessentialbirth.com/pft

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

Connect with Sara:

✅ Free Pelvic Floor Prep Guide: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/PFT

📱 Instagram: www.instagram.com/the.vagina.whisperer

🌐 Website: thevaginawhisperer.com

📖 Her book: Floored: A Woman's Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage

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 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!

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! 

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!