In this episode, Amy and Claire have the chance to sit down and talk about the upcoming series featuring some of the most powerful leaders in indigenous maternal health. Each episode speaks for itself but we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the importance of uplifting and highlighting some of the incredible work that is being done to improve health outcomes for native people both on the national level as well as in our own state and communities. We're thrilled and honored to be able to share these conversations with you. Amy will be our guest host over the next few weeks and this is a great opportunity to get to know her better. 

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For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

I don't know how many times Ashley and I have walked into the office and opened with the typical "How are you?" only to dive into deep, honest mom to mom conversation that usually leads to laughter, tears and ultimately a deep sigh of relief. This episode is that and I have a lot of faith that the things we talk about and touch on might deliver the same strong dose of validation and encouragement to our listeners. Finding people who understand what we're going through is so important; we hope to become some of those people for you here at Mother Love. Thank you for all you do behind the scenes- we see you.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

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For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

In this episode, Annie Tague and I talk about what it is like to discover and adapt when your kiddo is diagnosed with a food allergy. Her daughter, Sally, has lived with Celiac Disease all of her life and over the past 10 years, Annie has learned a lot about the adjustments and advocacy that is required to keep her family happy and healthy. What does eating out look like? Birthday parties and other social celebrations? Travel? It's not easy but the Tague family handles it with grace, humor, and love. Plus, Annie is as funny as she is real and brings her experience as the owner of Mountainside Montessori to the conversation; a perspective that always seeks to bring light and truth to any topic. 

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

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For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Miranda was placed in the Montana's foster care system at the age of 8 and she is a survivor, through and through. In this episode she shares her story which is, as you might guess, pretty emotional. Now that she has an 8-year-old daughter of her own, life looks very different, and she explains that she's had to face most of her parenting challenges by just thinking of what happened to her as a kid and then doing the opposite. We talk about what it's taken for her to build a life of peace and security for her and her family, about the importance of learning to accept help, and about the pieces of parenting that are often left out of the conversation due to stigma and shame but MUST be discussed. Today, Miranda is a fierce advocate for youth in Montana's care system and works hard every day to ensure that they get to participate in decisions regarding their care. Miranda is giving kids the chance to speak because she knows the pain of being kept silent. This one is POWERFUL.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

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For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Welcome to the first episode of Mother Love Season 3! This time, we meet Christina Hostetler, whose journey to motherhood was not an easy one, to say the least. She shares how struggling with infertility was emotionally difficult and, at times, super lonely and how she made it through. Then, when she was just about out of hope, TWINS! We get to talk about her incredible birth story and what those first few months of raising two babies was like for her.  3 years in, she's grateful and has super helpful insight on what's made all the difference during this intense time.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

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For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

In this final episode of season 2, Claire has the chance to connect with Kyriaki Birkeland whose work on behalf of moms is almost too long to list. Kyriaki is a podcaster, blogger, mom, actress and, author. She her passion for helping other moms stems from the many trials she faced and overcame as a new mom. Her book, "Motherhood is Big Enough" is designed and illustrated for babies and young children but the words help moms to recognize that they are doing the hardest and most important job in the world and that is more than enough.

show notes:

visit Kyriaki's website: https://www.thedenmother.net/
order the book here: https://www.thedenmother.net/products
Listen to Kyriaki's podcast, The Denmother Podcast, on any mainstream listening platform.

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

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For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Single motherhood. Leaving an abusive relationship. Starting over. C-section recovery. Facing fears. Finding hope. And, postpartum mood disorders. All of these led Brooke Campbell to what she now calls her "passion project". As Vice President of the Postpartum Resource Group (PPRG) in Kalispell, Brooke describes the incredible work being done to support new moms in the Flathead Valley and how community members are showing up to make sure moms don't feel like they have to do all of this alone.

Show Notes:

For information about services mentioned in this episode visit:
https://www.postpartumresourcegroup.org/

Certified Nurse Midwife Jana Sund's Clinic: Kalispell Midwives & Women's Clinic
https://www.kalispellmidwives.clinic/

Power: Surviving and Thriving After Narcissistic Abuse (book)

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

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For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

Anna Baker is a powerhouse of a person. It's just her nature. So, when the birth of her first went from a home birth plan to a hospital setting to the OR and resulted in a c-section she felt distraught, disconnected, and utterly disempowered.  Anna was, of course, relieved to have a healthy baby but having to spend the first precious hour of motherhood completely isolated in a recovery room was traumatic, to say the least. This is the story of how she emerged from that experience, surrounded herself with supportive women and went on to have two successful Vaginal Births After Cesarean (VBACs) at home. Each of Anna's birth stories have impacted her in important ways and have motivated her teach, connect with and empower women in all sorts of ways. If you're a mom (or know a mom) who's had to toss her birth plan out the window and navigate the intense and complicated emotions that go along with that, this one's for you.

Show Notes:

Red Ants Pants Foundation
(organization through which Anna teaches workshops for women)

Redtail Woodworks (Anna's Website)

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

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For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

In part two this story, Kyla and I talk about life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (her experience) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit PICU (my experience). Kyla says that that time felt like "forever and the same day, over and over"  and I can't think of a better way to say it. Her baby boy, Conner, is now 6 months old and greets each new day with the a gummy smile and shining eyes. Life isn't all rainbows and butterflies, but Kyla and her family know what true gratitude feels like, deep down in their bones.
 
 
 LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org
 
Specific services relevant to this episode (found on LIFTS.org)

Statewide Support Groups

Search " early intervention services" on
LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org

Search "counselors" on LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org

Hand to Hold - NICU Babies, Parent Support (website)

Hand to Hold (podcast)

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

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For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

In this episode, Kyla opens up about her experiences with pre-term birth, secondary infertility, and the anticipatory grief that happens when starting a family goes drastically different than expected. If you or someone you love walked a similar path and they seem overwhelmed and alone, this episode will feel like medicine. Or, if you're not sure what to say or how to empathize families that may face different challenges than your own, Kyla's journey will help guide you. She and her family are all survivors and their strength and grace helps to shed light and offer hope.

LIFTS online resource guide: https://hmhb-lifts.org

Specific services relevant to this episode (found on LIFTS.org)

Statewide Support Groups

Infertility and Pregnancy Loss Support Group (Billings)

Taking Charge of Your Fertility (book) by Toni Weschler

Hand to Hold - NICU Babies, Parent Support (website)

Hand to Hold (podcast)

Enjoying the podcast? We’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes! Take our LIFTS Podcast Listener Survey at hmhb-mt.org/survey.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram 

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, check out the LIFTS online resource guide at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/