If you’ve ever wondered what a peaceful, physiological, deeply empowering home birth can look like — especially with a big baby — this episode will become your new obsession.

Today, Taylor Ward walks us through her beautiful birth story of her 9 lb 12 oz baby boy born at home… after going 8 days past her due date… with zero cervical checks, no stitches, and the most intuitive, grounded labor mindset you’ve ever heard.

If you’re craving real-life encouragement, home birth inspiration, mental preparation tips, and reassurance that your body truly can do this — this one's for you!

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

2:47 – Life with two under two
What daily life looks like with two little ones and the surprising perspective Taylor wants every pregnant mom to hear.

5:58 – Her pregnancy journey
Energy shifts, wild third-trimester leg cramps, breastfeeding while pregnant, and navigating a dip in milk supply.

11:40 – Leg cramps + mental health
What finally helped her cramps and how she moved through an unexpected emotional spiral.

17:15 – Hospital birth vs. home birth
Why she switched birth settings the second time and how her midwives supported every decision.

19:47 – Preparing mentally + physically
Mindset work, fear release, and the positioning techniques that helped with a late-pregnancy transverse baby.

23:42 – Her birth partner’s role
How her husband supported her emotionally, physically, and with toddler care so she could rest.

29:06 – Saying “no” to induction… again
What happened the first time — and why she chose a completely different path at 41+ weeks.

31:48 – The Birth Story
Waters breaking at night, the birth space, her visualizations, quiet rest periods, and laboring in the birth pool.

42:36 – Pushing + meeting baby
What pushing positions actually worked and the calm, joyful moment she met her nearly 10 lb baby.

48:24 – Immediate postpartum care
Why she skipped stitches, skipped cervical checks, and how she settled in after birth.

52:54 – The first 24 hours
Healing, bonding, resting, and soaking in that dreamy newborn bubble.

55:03 – The mental work behind her contractions
Her spiritual reflections, relaxation tools, and the techniques (like a birthing comb + counter-pressure) that made all the difference.

1:00:53 – Her best advice for moms
Her message for every pregnant woman — plus her husband’s powerful encouragement for home birth families.

1:05:39 – How birth strengthened their marriage
How this shared experience deepened their connection and why her husband loved the birth videos inside the My Essential Birth Course.

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Pregnant and already worried about how your baby will sleep? Forget cry-it-out and rigid sleep methods — there’s a gentler, biology-based way to support your baby’s rest. In this episode, Pediatric Sleep Expert Louise Herbert shares what every pregnant mom needs to know before your little one even arrives.

Learn how to set up your baby’s environment, support their natural rhythms, and protect your own mental health...yep that matters and we talk about why in this episode!

Some Highlights!!

1:23 – Louise’s inspiration
Her personal journey with her daughter and why she’s dedicated to helping families sleep peacefully.

4:35 – Why common sleep methods fail
Cry-it-out, intermittent soothing, chair method… what these approaches miss and why sleep isn’t a skill to teach.

8:21 – The “sleep puzzle”
How to align your baby’s biology so every piece — safety, rhythm, hormones, and environment — fits naturally.

10:50 – My personal story
Lessons learned trying cry-it-out and intermittent soothing with my own kids.

13:41 – The environment matters
Light, movement, and even the timing of pumped breastmilk influence your baby’s rest. Learn how circadian rhythm and sensory nourishment impact sleep.

18:46 – Connection over perfection
“You are your baby’s moon and stars.” Why your presence matters more than “doing it right.”

23:28 – The myth of the unicorn sleeper
Most babies wake at night — and that’s normal. Synchronicity is the key to restful nights.

29:39 – Sleep milestones: newborn to 1 year
What’s normal, what’s a red flag, and how to minimize stress during developmental peaks.

32:36 – Preparing before birth
Safe sleep, room-sharing, and steps you can take now to set your baby up for rest from day one.

38:42 – “Your way is a beautiful way”
A reminder that you don’t have to match anyone else’s parenting path — trusting yourself is enough.

39:49 – Sleep & maternal mental health
Why your baby’s well-being is deeply tied to your emotional state, and what really helps reduce your stress...spoiler alert - it's not more sleep 🤯 

43:49 – The sensitive window
The first three years of life wire your baby’s brain for love, connection, and resilience — shaping their future and yours.

47:58 – Louise’s book, Rest Assured
A must-read for expecting moms — filled with stories, visualizations, and practical support for early parenthood.

It was so refreshing to chat with Louise and feel like she really gets it and to make all the things we go through as moms - the thoughts we have, the stress we experience, the sleepless nights, all just a little bit more normal and not overwhelming. I left our conversation so grateful for her work and that there is constantly evolving, and better information for moms! 

✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!

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Let's Connect!

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Email: [email protected].
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Join the My Essential Birth Course by Nov 7 and get TWO exclusive bonuses: The Belly Mapping Guide + Partner Belly Binding Video! Help your baby get into the best position for birth and support your healing postpartum.

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!

Grab the Black Friday Bundle NOW at myessentialbirth.com/blackfriday. It's everything you need to have a Birth & Postpartum you LOVE!

✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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.
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Let's Connect!

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Email: [email protected].
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Join the My Essential Birth Course by Nov 7 and get TWO exclusive bonuses: The Belly Mapping Guide + Partner Belly Binding Video! Help your baby get into the best position for birth and support your healing postpartum.

You know your baby better than anyone — but when it comes to milestones, feeding, or development, it’s easy to second-guess yourself...and you're not alone! In this episode, I’m joined by Jordyn Gorman of Eat, Play, Say — a pediatric therapist and mama who helps parents support their baby’s growth holistically.

We’re covering baby milestones, early intervention, starting solids, feeding confidence, and how to trust your mama gut. If you’ve wondered, “Is my baby on track?” or “Should I start solids yet?” — this one’s for you, mama.

In this episode:
• When to trust your gut vs. seek early intervention (and it’s free in the U.S.)
• How to know if baby is ready for solids — and what to start with
• Breastfeeding, bottle-feeding & formula facts for confident feeding choices
• High-protein, nutrient-dense foods for babies who need more calories
• Why play is the most powerful tool for development (ages 0–5)
• The impact of screens & distraction on early childhood development
• How to advocate for your child when something feels “off”

From feeding to milestones, this episode is your guide to understanding your baby’s whole-body development — and trusting your instincts every step of the way. 

✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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.
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Let's Connect!

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Email: [email protected].
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Join the My Essential Birth Course by November 4th and get TWO exclusive BONUSES: The Belly Mapping Guide & Partner Belly Binding Video Tutorial. It's everything you need to help your baby be in the perfect position for birth AND to support your belly postpartum!

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One day she sneezed... and everything shifted. 😳 When Lisette’s water broke before 36 weeks, her home birth plans changed in an instant — but her confidence didn’t. What followed was a powerful story of faith, flexibility, and teamwork that shows how beautiful births can happen anywhere. If you’re a mama who wants to feel calm, prepared, and empowered no matter what birth brings, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to trust your body and your baby. 

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

1:45 – A Rocky Start That Turned Into a Miracle

4:02 – The Moment She Switched from Hospital to Home

6:58 – Why Home Birth, Really?

8:48 – A Partner All In

11:58 – The Daily Habits That Set Her Up for Success

18:10 – When Plans Change: Her Water Breaks Early 😳

22:40 – The Calm Before Baby’s Debut

28:24 – What Contractions Really Felt Like

30:21 – Inside Her Mind During Labor

33:53 – Building Your Dream Birth Team (and Plan for it Financially)

35:52 – Her Best Advice for Mamas-to-Be 💕

38:07 – Dad’s Turn: What He Learned from the Inside

42:34 – When Baby’s Coming Early…

44:30 – His Secret to Supporting Mom During Labor

46:12 – Knowledge = Confidence
How understanding birth and taking a comprehensive birth course gave them both peace and power when making decisions.

47:23 – Dad's Final Advice for Couples

49:43 – Reflections from Dad

Every birth story teaches us something powerful — and Lisette’s will have you smiling, nodding your head as she walks you through her pregnancy and birth, and feeling more confident about your own.

I hope you'll take a listen to see how preparation, faith, and teamwork turned unexpected twists into a beautiful, empowering birth story.

Get super prepared, just like Lisette & her husband, with the My Essential Birth Course AND get TWO incredible BONUSES when you join now through November 4th ONLY!!

✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!

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Let's Connect!

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Email: [email protected].
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Your gut isn’t just about digestion — it’s shaping your baby’s health from the very first bite!

In this episode, we uncover the surprising ways your gut impacts baby’s immune system, brain development, and even lifelong wellness.

From what to eat each trimester, to testing negative for Group B Strep, to preparing your body for birth and postpartum recovery — we’re covering the gut secrets every pregnant mom needs to know. 

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

1:01 – Your gut = your baby’s gut!
How every bite you take builds your baby’s immune system and brain — from the inside out.

4:35 – Ditch the pills!
Why “real food” beats supplements every time — and which foods pack the biggest punch.

8:10 – The secret to testing negative for Group B Strep
Plus, the truth about antibiotics & your microbiome no one’s talking about.

11:22 – Sleep, rest & movement = gut magic
How your daily rhythm affects your digestion, energy, and mood (and how to fix it fast).

14:15 – The golden trimester for your gut
Prevent Gestational Diabetes, balance blood sugar & feel so good while growing baby.

20:49 – Baby brain, fat stores & your third-trimester gut
What to eat now to fuel your baby’s final growth spurt and prep for postpartum recovery.

25:57 – Constipation SOS 🚨
When digestion slows, here’s how to get things moving naturally (and what to know about iron).

27:14 – Birth bacteria & baby’s first immunity boost
The real reason vaginal birth, colostrum & vernix are nature’s ultimate health gifts.

Gut health touches everything — your energy, your sleep, your digestion, your baby’s future health. Tune in to discover how to create a thriving gut (and a thriving baby) from the very start. 

Head to the Episode Show Notes for ALLL the links mentioned (there's a lot this week including some freebies & coupons!):

https://www.myessentialbirth.com/blog/the-gut-baby-connection-what-every-pregnant-woman-needs-to-know

✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!

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Let's Connect!

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This week I'm chatting with Daizjah, who shares her incredible first birth story at a military hospital.

From finding out she was pregnant just weeks before her wedding, to preparing with CrossFit up until 34 weeks, mental rehearsals, the role that faith played, and a labor playlist... to the big day—Daizjah takes us through every detail.

You're going to love this inspiring, and faith-filled birth story!

Here's what you'll learn in this episode:

• 2:04 – Meet Daizjah: Military Veteran and wife to a military husband.
• 3:24 – A Natural Start: How she let her body adjust after getting off the pill (spoiler - it didn't take long 😉) and what she experienced in each trimester
• 9:00 – Military Hospital Reality: Navigating care when you don’t get to pick your provider 
• 11:10 – The Doula Difference: Why hiring a doula transformed her birth experience
• 14:08 – Patience at 40+ Weeks: Staying calm without induction pressure
• 17:19 – Pregnancy Prep Essentials: Exercise, red raspberry leaf tea, chiropractor visits, stretching, and swapping her office chair for a birth ball
• 19:58 – Breathwork & Mental Prep: The one practice she says made all the difference in labor
• 21:27 – Faith in Pregnancy: How faith and a special scripture gave her courage and power from God
• 23:41 – Early Labor & First Contractions: How it all started at 2 AM and the very first thing she noticed
• 29:00 – Labor Progression at Home: Walks, stretches, spicy food, and water labor to encourage contractions...what worked best?!
• 34:00 – Hospital Arrival & Intense Labor: Laboring in the tub, the mucus plug, positioning, and working through contractions
• 37:00 – Pushing & the Birth: How she handled pushing, birthing positions, and witnessing her baby’s birth
• 46:41 – Immediate Postpartum & Skin-to-Skin: Delayed cord-clamping, getting her baby to her chest, and bonding
• 49:00 – Her Best Advice for Moms & Dads: Take a listen, it's so good!!

Whether you’re just starting your pregnancy journey or counting down the final weeks, Daizjah’s story is a powerful reminder that preparation, faith, and trusting your body can make all the difference.

If you’re ready to feel empowered, confident, and inspired for your own birth, this episode is a must-listen AND the My Essential Birth Course is your next right step!

https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted

✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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.
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Let's Connect!

Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: [email protected].
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Join the My Essential Birth Course by October 7th and get exclusive Affirmations BONUSES:
featuring a calming Birth Affirmations Audio Track and 25 beautifully crafted, printable Birth Affirmation Cards to keep you grounded, confident, and inspired for birth.

Grab it Here: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted

Everywhere you turn, someone has an opinion about what you should eat during pregnancy, how fast you should bounce back postpartum, or the “magic foods” that will skyrocket your milk supply. But how much of it is actually true?

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Brooke Harmer— mama, nutritionist, and postpartum advocate — to answer questions like; Should I eat this? How do I increase my milk supply? How can I lose some of this baby weight? - yep, we cover it all!

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

3:00 — Meet Brooke & Why She’s So Passionate About This Work
Her story and why nutrition is more than just food for moms.

7:05 — Pregnancy Nutrition (Without the Overwhelm)
The #1 thing to focus on that keeps it simple and stress-free.

10:32 — Eating During Labor?!
Why food is fuel — even when you’re in the thick of contractions.

17:52 — Epidural Moms, This Is for You
Spoiler: you still need to eat. Here’s why.

18:45 — Vaginal vs. Cesarean Recovery
How birth type changes what your body needs to heal.

21:27 — “Colic” Isn’t Real?
Why Brooke says colic is the IBS of baby diagnoses.

24:22 — If You’re Given Antibiotics Postpartum…
The crucial step you can’t skip for your recovery.

28:37 — The Myths That Keep Moms From Healing
Why salads and smoothies may not be the best postpartum foods.

34:07 — The Truth About Postpartum Weight Loss
Where your focus should actually be (and how to get there safely).

42:21 — How Birth Experience Affects Breastfeeding
What no one tells you about birth and milk supply.

46:29 — Boosting Milk Supply
Simple steps that actually work.

49:20 — The #1 Thing Moms Need Postpartum
Brooke’s most important advice for every mama.

Links we mentioned in the episode:  

Brooke's Website: https://www.thewellnourishedmama.com

The Well Nourished Mama Membership: https://www.thewellnourishedmama.com/app 

The Confident Mama Masterclass: https://thewellnourishedmama.myflodesk.com/the-confident-mama 

The New Mama Postpartum Recovery Cookbook: https://thewellnourishedmama.myflodesk.com/the-new-mama 

Just Ingredients (bone broth & probiotic): https://justingredients.us/
Needed Probiotics: https://thisisneeded.com/

✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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 title.

Let's Connect!

Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: [email protected].
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

Join the My Essential Birth Course by October 7th and get the exclusive Rise & Birth Pack (My Essential Birth Course PLUS downloadable Birth Affirmations Audio + Affirmation Cards) Grab it here: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted

If you've ever been told you have a suspected "BIG" baby, you know that the stress of hearing that statement can be overwhelming. Talks of extra ultrasounds, monitoring, induction, and even cesarean birth start becoming part of your regular office visits. You want to make the very best, and safest decisions for your baby during this pregnancy and birth, but maybe you're feeling unsure about the information or pushed into interventions you're uncomfortable with.

You're in the right place!! In this episode, I walk you through, step-by-step, exactly what having a suspected "BIG" baby means, what all of your options really are, and what you need to do to prepare yourself and your birth partner for a birth you'll love! Never fear mama. Take some nice deep breaths and get to listening. 🎧 

Check out the Show Notes Here: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/blog/big-baby-the-exact-steps-to-take-right-now

✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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.
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Let's Connect!

Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: [email protected].
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

Join the My Essential Birth Course by October 7th and get the exclusive Rise & Birth Pack featuring a calming Birth Affirmations Audio Track and 25 beautifully crafted, printable Birth Affirmation Cards to keep you grounded, confident, and inspired for birth. Learn more: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted

Okay, Mama, this one is tender, faith-filled, and downright empowering. Rachel (mom of two under two in Michigan) brings us into her living room for an unmedicated home birth that was calm, supported, and so her. 

From a late-pregnancy breech scare to a Spinning Babies breakthrough, from Olive Garden eggplant parm to a labor playlist featuring Maverick City’s “Use To This,” this story sparkles with surrender, community, and a baby girl who absolutely heard her mama’s voice in the womb.

Well Cover: 

• 05:40 — Breech at 37 Weeks: Plus a quick framework for handling a late-pregnancy curveball (educate, pray/meditate, assemble team, talk to baby).
  
  
• 15:30 — How She Turned Baby Head-Down: A Spinning Babies session,  chiropractic care, belly banding, and talking to her baby. 
  
  
• 24:45 — Home Birth Setup That Saved Chaos: Pre-staged tub/hoses, dim lights, hot/warm towels and a husband who went on an ice run. 
  
  
• 34:55 — Coping Like Intervals (Active Labor) Treat contractions as 60-second sprints, why low moo-ing works, and when to get in/out of tub.
  
  
• 47:20 — When the Water Would Not Break, To A Healthy Baby In Three Pushes: What a bulging bag of waters feels like, getting consent, why AROM sped things up, then three-push delivery and golden hour at home.

Before you go, I want to remind you that Rachel didn’t just “luck out” with a calm, empowering home birth. She trained for it. She learned how to advocate when her first birth wasn’t aligned, she knew how to talk with her midwives about breech, and she had practical tools ready for every stage of labor. That kind of confidence doesn’t just happen… It’s built.

That’s why I’m always shouting from the rooftops: a birth course changes everything.

Birth is one of the most physically intense, emotionally charged, and spiritually transformative events of your life. If you’d prep for a marathon, why wouldn’t you prep for birth?

When you join the My Essential Birth Course, you’re literally stacking your tool belt so that when the curveballs come (breech, stalled labor, induction talk, strong emotions, partner nerves), you’ve already practiced your lines, your moves, your mindset.

That’s what makes space for the magic: singing your labor song in the tub, laughing between contractions, eating yogurt in your own bed with a brand-new baby on your chest. Learn more and join today >> https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted

✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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 title.

Let's Connect!

Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: [email protected].
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!