Gina (perinatal fitness trainer/birth doula) and Roxanne (certified nurse midwife) share their experiences being pregnant while active duty Army - noting it’s been about 10 years and policies may have changed! They explain their Army roles—Gina as an MP officer and cultural support team leader attached to all-male special operations units (plus airborne/jump master), and Roxanne as an Army nurse who moved into labor and delivery—then discuss how job demands affect when it’s realistic to plan pregnancy, how pregnancy can pull soldiers from key/physical roles, and how dual-military parenting adds major logistics and career pressure. They cover benefits like GI Bill, TRICARE, pensions, and improved parental leave (now 18 weeks for the birthing person and 12 weeks parental leave), plus practical issues like pumping, bottle refusal, and advocating for lactation spaces. They emphasize intentional pregnancy/postpartum fitness to support recovery and readiness, and point listeners to MamasteFit programs and a military discount.
Birth Stories with Active Duty Service Members:
Danielle’s Birth Story: Unmedicated Hospital Birth/Home Birth → Scheduled C-Section for Placenta Previa: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3g79heXnt3TnI52HaAuaiV?si=8E41bjdVSbWJhanYl8AzOg
Ashley’s Birth Story: Pandemic Challenges + Unexpected Precipitous Labor: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YCe4UiCsjPjILQ4Rnxzdm?si=YW7UO4PxT8uyP2vVfSYS4Q
Alyssa’s Birth Story: Unmedicated Hospital Induction & Postpartum Complications: https://mamastefit.com/alyssas-birth-story-unmedicated-hospital-induction-postpartum-complications/
00:00 Welcome and Disclaimer
00:46 Meet the Hosts
04:07 Gina Army Officer Role
09:03 West Point Mixups
12:38 Back to Army Pregnancy Timing
13:12 Cultural Support Team Missions
20:40 Airborne Jumpmaster Stories
25:08 Roxanne Army Nurse Life
28:31 Labor and Delivery Specialty
30:02 Leave and Garrison Differences
32:24 Planning Life Events
34:19 Pregnancy Work Profiles
38:18 Career Timing Reality
45:01 Dual Military Challenges
50:40 Military Benefits Breakdown
55:20 Leave Policies Explained
01:00:40 Breastfeeding Logistics
01:05:01 PT Tests and P3T
01:08:51 Fitness and Readiness
01:12:59 Wrap Up and Programs
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👇 Start Preparing for Birth Today
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Learn how to relax and lengthen your pelvic floor to support a smoother labor and pushing phase.
💻 Explore Our Online Programs:
Whether you're pregnant or postpartum—we’ve got you covered with expert-led fitness and education:
🏋🏻♀️ Prenatal & Postpartum Fitness Programs
🎓 Childbirth + Postpartum Education Courses
→ https://mamastefit.com
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⚡️ Electrolytes we love → https://drinklmnt.com/mamaste
🌿 Supplements we trust – 20% off with code MAMASTEFIT → https://thisisneeded.com/ginaandroxanne
👖 Maternity clothing we actually wear – 10% off with code MAMASTEFIT → https://rstr.co/lovesteady/3500
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