Justina had a smooth and healthy pregnancy until 23 weeks, when things took a drastic and unexpected turn. Caused by an incompetent cervix, Justina delivered their son severely premature at only 24 weeks and two days, and their unexpected NICU journey began. They quickly got acquainted with the NICU life that was consumed by pumping breastmilk, beeping monitors and pure chaos. Despite the odds, Carter was doing everything to be expected from a 24 weeker, but Justina and her husband hadn't quite comprehended the severity of his preterm birth.

Things quickly changed on Carter's third day of life, and Justina and Dan were left with a devastating decision. Carter passed away peacefully in his Dad's arms that evening, taking a piece of his parents heart with them. Carter's parents have worked tirelessly to not only keep Carter's memory alive, but to honour his sweet life. From their devastating loss, Justina and Dan created Carters Cause, which is a foundation to help support other families who are walking similar journeys.

You can visit https://www.carterscause.org/ to find resources on the NICU, Infant Loss and so much more goodness, or find them on Instagram @carterscause.

Shortly after Brittany delivered their son, her and her husband knew deep down that he had Down Syndrome. It took over 24 hours to receive the official diagnosis, bur in that time they experienced such a variety of feelings, which I think so many of us parents can relate to.

Since having sweet Henry, Brittany has added 'Down Syndrome advocate' to her many roles and she genuinely couldn't be happier.

What is it like receiving a completely unexpected diagnosis? How has society conditioned us to view people with disabilities? How are some easy ways to help our children deeply practice inclusion?

All things answered by this beautiful mama on today's episode!

Find Brittany and Henry on Instagram at: brittanymaycaffet

If you're anything like me, you have heard the term 'doula' often, but never truly knew the ins and outs of the job. I've watched so many Moms share their experiences through pregnancy, labour and delivery while using the support of a doula, and every one of them has raved about it.

On today's episode, Lindsey comes on and shares her experience as a doula in Calgary, Alberta. She walks us through all the ins and outs of being a doula, and what you can expect if you hire one. We cover everything from how doulas support women during their pregnancy, all the way through to postpartum.

At just 15 weeks pregnant, Tabitha started to experience symptoms that, in her gut, she knew weren't right. She was taken to the hospital multiple times but because she was still so early in her pregnancy, she was told that the symptoms she was experiencing were just normal pregnancy aches, pains, and sickness.

At just 22 weeks Tabitha was admitted into the hospital with severe preeclampsia. She was retaining 30lbs of fluid, her face was so swolen that her eyes were almost forced closed, her blood pressure was absolutely the light the roof, and she truly felt like she was going to die. She spent weeks on bedrest and monitored extremely carefully, as they were worried for both her and her sons life. She managed to keep her baby in for 3 weeks, and delivered him severely premature at just 25 weeks gestation.

Join us on todays episode as Tabitha shares what it felt like to go misdiagnosed for so long, what her symptoms of preeclampsia were, and her traumatic and fast delivery.

Have you ever left a situation feeling awkward, uncomfortable, and maybe even disrespected when it comes to how others treat your kids? Whether it's at meal time expectations, how to discipline or the language you use with your kids... having and holding boundaries can be life changing!

I learned the importance of setting boundaries very early on in my motherhood journey.. Derek and I take a lot of pride in our parenting and have a tons of conversations about how we want our kids to be raised. But, something I found was that even though we had boundaries set and had talked about different scenarios, others (family, friends and even strangers) were overstepping and it often left me feeling overwhelmed and upset. The missing piece was HOLDING our boundaries and learning how to respectfully verbalize our expectations to others.

In this episode, Kristi gives a ton of great advice around how to have the necessary, and sometimes hard, conversations, how to hold our boundaries, when we should hold strong on our boundaries and when we can bend, and even walks us through some examples of having hard conversations.

Let's go chat, mamas!

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Come hang out with us on Instagram!

The Messy Mama Podcast: @themessymamapodcast

Kristi Yeh: @parentselfcare

When Erica and her husband found out they were expecting their first baby, they started dreaming about typical parent things: the nursery, baby names and what their daughter would look like.

But, that all came to an abrupt halt at 20 weeks when Nia was misdiagnosed with a lethal disease. Erica and her husband spent weeks learning and praying, trying to figure out what the best move for their family was.

After many scans and tests, the Drs were finally able to diagnose Nia with a rare form of Dwarfism, and while the chances of survival were low, they never lost faith.

Join us as Erica shares the intimate details of their pregnancy, what it was like to have a horrendous misdiagnosis, what it was like delivering a baby who had such a low odds of survival, and hear how 3 year old Nia is doing today!

In honour of NICU awareness month, Neonatologist Anna Zimmerman and 2X Nicu Mom, Taryn Argue chat about 10 important things to know about the NICU.

While our experiences and roles within the NICU are very different, we both believe that the NICU is such an incredibly special place, and are so grateful for it.

In this episode we cover everything from who is involved in taking care of NICU babies, what your baby needs to accomplish in order to head home, how to feel supported while you navigate the hospital stay, and everything in between!

This joint episode is brought to you by Mighty Littles Podcast and The Messy Mama Podcast.

Join our communities on Instagram!

Taryn and The Messy Mama Community: @themessymamapodcast

Anna and The Mighty Littles Community: @mightylittles

In last weeks episode (ep. 31) we heard from Ariel, who is a surrogate and is passionate about educating others on what surrogacy entails. This week, I am so excited for you to hear from Angelina, a Mama who welcomed her twins via surrogacy. I have loved learning about surrogacy, and think it’s been so special to hear about surrogacy from both sides!

In today's episode we hear of Angelina's journey to motherhood. While it started off with IVF, losses, and ultimately, news that it is unsafe and life threatening for her to carry a baby, it also includes her story of creating their family through surrogacy.

Angelina shares about how she went about finding a surrogate, what it is like to watch another woman grow your babies, and the blessings that her surrogate, Shaylene, brought to her.

Let's go chat, mamas!

Through todays conversation with Ariel, I learned that there is SO much that goes into surrogacy that isn't always thought or talked about!

How does a family member become matched with a surrogate? Who is it that utilizes surrogacy? What is the process of surrogacy like? How does it feel to birth a child that biologically and legally isn't yours? Do you get paid to be a surrogate? And perhaps the hardest realization of all, is that like any other pregnancy, loss and miscarriage are very real.

Ariel answers all of these questions and so much more as she shares her journey of welcoming 2, soon to be 3, surro-babies into the world!

Let's go chat, mamas!

Pelvic Floor Health//

Have you ever been chatting with a girlfriend and felt reassured when she admits that she also... leaks? BEEN THERE! But did you know that just because incontinence is actually very common, it isn't normal, and is actually VERY treatable?!

Today's guest, Kim Vopni, is here to talk all about vaginas and a healthy pelvic floor.

Are you uncomfortable, yet? GOOD! We need to normalize these conversations!

What are signs of an unhealthy pelvic floor? Should you leak after having a baby? Is there anything we can do to prevent tearing while delivering our babies? What about prolapse? How do we talk to our kids about their body parts in a way that helps them feel empowered and educated?

ALL questions that I ask Kim on today's episode!

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Kim's Credentials!

BA in Psychology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Health and Fitness

Restorative Exercise Specialist™

Certified Personal Trainer

Certified Pre/Post Natal Fitness Consultant

Certified Fitness For Fertility Specialist

Certified Pfilates Instructor

Hypopressive Method trainer.

Please visit Kim's website to learn all of the ways that she can support you!

https://www.vaginacoach.com/

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A big thanks to Heritage Baby for being this weeks sponsor!

Kayleigh uses such a beautiful colour palette and the softest European Linen to create really stunning slings, loveys, bibs and blankets.

Each carrier purchased from Heritage will also support Plan International Canada.  This gift will save lives by providing malaria medications, antibiotics and other important medicines, as well as supplies , such as stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and delivery table.

You can find Heritage Baby and her beautiful products on Instagram @heritagebabydeisgns, and can follow the link in her bio to shop!