On today’s episode, we hear Katie’s story! We are taking this episode to get to know Katie, her experience as a birth worker, and what led her to where she is today! A self-proclaimed talker, Katie shares her thoughts and reflections on how someone with little knowledge or experience with birth became motivated to learn all she could about the birth world and become a mother, a doula, and an educator. Katie talks about plans for the future and how she wants to help people prepare for birth, mentally and physically.

 TOPICS INCLUDE: 

-learning about birth 

-shifting perspectives of birth 

-being inspired to become a doula 

-learning from each other 

-research in birth 

-vacations as a kid 

-living in Delaware 

-shifting priorities 

TIME STAMPS: 

1:00 introduction 

3:50 having no prior knowledge of birth 

6:33 Katie’s birth story 

19:30 different types of birth methods 

23:01 being a hustler 

25:06 current part of Katie’s story 

30:20 what’s next 

31:58 what birth planning entails 

35:50 random question

On today’s episode, Megan and Katie share the struggle! Sometimes it’s easy to put on a smile and pretend like everything is great, because we don’t want to feel like we are complaining. But, let’s be real, we all struggle from time to time. And it can be reassuring to hear that you aren’t alone in the struggle! Join us today as we open up authentically about when and how we struggle, as well as how we cope!

TOPICS INCLUDE:

-honoring the need to rest

-values versus priorities

-taking time to recharge & reset

-finding your why

-being on autopilot

-10% easier, 10% more fun

-connecting through music

-using mindset to your advantage

TIME STAMPS:

1:00 introduction

2:23 why Katie is running late

4:08 values and priorities

6:50 doing things that nourish you

8:35 where you why comes from

11:05 activities to recharge

14:15 10% easier

17:40 talking about things that make you happy 

20:29 mindset shifts

22:58 something to celebrate 

25:35 one random question

On today’s episode, Megan and Katie dive into Megan’s origin story! Admittedly, talking about herself gives Megan some anxiety, but she decided to full send it today as I ask Megan questions about her childhood, struggles with chronic pain, and what led her to physical therapy. We hear about Megan’s journey through mindfulness and therapy, and the role it’s played in healing trauma. We also dive deep into Megan’s experience with endometriosis and the lack of understanding surrounding it. These experiences frame so much of what we discuss on the podcast. You don’t want to miss this conversation!

TOPICS INCLUDE:

-how Katie and Megan met

-struggles with chronic pain    

-mindfulness based stress reduction

-journey with endometriosis and IVF

-looking forward on the year

TIME STAMPS:

1:00 introduction

4:19 Megan’s childhood

7:06 deciding to go to PT school

13:50 meditation and mindfulness

23:44 struggles with endometriosis

36:20 one random question

RESOURCES:

Nancy’s Nook: https://nancysnookendo.com/

On today’s episode, Megan and Katie expand upon last week’s conversation of sex and pregnancy. So many of us are uptight and intimidated by having conversations about sex, even though the majority of us are having or have had sex! We talk about the parallels between giving birth and having sex, as well as, the challenges that can arise with sex and pregnancy. We also cover the dreaded 6 week postpartum visit and why you shouldn’t be asking your OB/GYN questions they don’t have answers to. Regardless of what many people think, there is no timeline for when it’s right to have sex postpartum. Join us to hear how we suggest people navigate this delicate topic!

TOPICS INCLUDE:

-orgasmic birth

-changes in intimacy during pregnancy

-stimulation in early labor

-the “how” of sex during pregnancy

-overcoming fear of returning to sex

-the 6 week postpartum visit

-feelings of guilt for not returning to sex 

TIME STAMPS:

1:00 introduction

2:03 orgasmic birth

7:10 covering sex in childbirth education

13:45 sex to induce/encourage labor

18:20 fear of sex after birth

20:30 when to have sex postpartum 

30:02 random question

On today’s episode, Megan and Katie discuss practicing the One Word Concept instead of New Year’s Resolutions. Katie tells us about her word last year and reflecting back on her memories from 2022. And then we hear how Megan and Katie pick words for 2023 that seem opposite, but play into each other. Megan explains how choosing a single word to focus on can manifest in so many different areas of life. This episode is is FULL of actionable tips to streamline your focus for the year. 

Welcome to the show!

TOPICS INCLUDE:

-choosing your word

-Me

-It’s not about me.

-silencing the inner-critic

TIME STAMPS:

1:00 introduction

4:19 words for 2023

9:00 the inner-critic

10:24 Katie’s 2023 word

15:41 Katie’s random question

RESOURCES:

100 days of rejection

Word for the year

Mel Robbins

On today’s episode, Megan and Katie discuss something juicy…sex around pregnancy. While Katie gets tons of questions about sex during pregnancy, Megan lends her experience as a pelvic floor physical therapist to the postpartum sex discussion. Katie delves into the importance of experiencing intimacy with your partner during pregnancy and how that can look different for different people. Megan gives us a crash course on pelvic floor physical therapy and the roll relaxed pelvic floor muscles play in birth and postpartum. Megan and Katie DO NOT shy away from this delicate conversation! Tune in to learn!

Welcome to the show!

TOPICS INCLUDE:

-expanding the conversation

-different types of intimacy

-education around the anatomy of pregnancy

-the problem with kegels

-relaxing the pelvic floor

TIME STAMPS:

1:00 introduction

2:59 sex in pregnancy

7:28 pelvic PT 101

11:23 RELAX

19:01 connecting to your body

21:43 trauma-informed care

23:37 random question

RESOURCES:

Why we can stop calling them Kegal’s

Ora RIng

Etsy

Homunculus 

On today’s episode, Megan and Katie discuss the birth of We Deserve Better, conversations happening in private that should be happening in public. We hear what lead Megan to pelvic floor physical therapy and her journey with endometriosis. Katie also shares why she became a doula after the birth of her children. Together, Megan and Katie are here to change the conversation around women’s health, and show everyone they have a say in how they get care.

Welcome to the show!

TOPICS INCLUDE:

-how they met

-what to look forward to

-birth doula work

-pelvic floor physical therapy

-getting the care you deserve 

TIME STAMPS:

1:00 introduction

6:25 Megan’s start in pelvic PT

12:24 Katie becoming a doula

21:40 making policy changes 

24:50 getting quality care

26:40 surprise question 

RESOURCES:

Tami Kent https://www.wildfeminine.com/    

Kripalu https://kripalu.org 

Lee Albert https://www.leealbert.com/ 

DONA https://www.dona.org 

Lamaze https://www.lamaze.org  

Debra Pascali Bonaro  https://www.debrapascalibonaro.com/

Delaware Birth Directory www.delawarebirthdirectory.com