Birth, Baby, and Life

We’ve all heard the myths: Pregnancy ruins your body. Motherhood drains you. Your best health is behind you once you have kids. But what if the truth is the COMPLETE opposite?In this episode of the Birth, Baby, and Life Podcast, I share the science-backed benefits of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding for women’s long-term health. Lower cancer risks, stronger bones, and even a sharper […] The post BBL 217: What REALLY Happens to a Woman’s Body After Pregnancy? appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

We hear so much about screenings, tests, and monitoring, but what about actually preventing complications before they even begin? It's a massively overlooked factor in a healthy pregnancy and a safe birth!In this episode, I unpack the difference between catching a problem early and taking proactive steps to avoid it completely. I share why prevention […] The post BBL 216: The #1 Overlooked Factor for a Healthy Pregnancy (It’s NOT More Tests!) appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Must-know: Exactly how to say no to medical procedures during childbirth!  Many mamas feel bullied and overwhelmed during labor... ...and as a pregnancy coach, I’m passionate about helping you understand your rights, advocate for yourself, and make decisions that feel right for you and your baby.  I hold nothing back in this episode!Topics I Cover in […] The post BBL 215: How to Refuse Medical Procedures During Childbirth appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

I’m sharing the hard-earned lessons I’ve learned from my  eight pregnancies and births. I cover how to honor this incredible time in your life, nurture yourself and your baby, and step into the power of pregnancy and birth - join me in today's episode!Topics I Cover in This Podcast: Pregnancy is a time to honor, […] The post BBL 214 – What 8 Babies Taught Me About Pregnancy and Birth appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

I’m tackling some of the most pervasive medical and legal abortion myths in today’s episode. From the semantics of abortion to the rhetoric surrounding pregnancy health emergencies, I’ll unpack what’s really happening and why these narratives are often misleading.I’ll share personal stories, research, and examples to clarify the differences between pregnancy losses and elective abortion, […] The post BBL 213: What You’ve Been Told About Abortion is Wrong appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Today we're talking a topic that’s become both personal and political: is pregnancy really dangerous? I explore the rising maternal mortality rates, the impact of nutrition and lifestyle on maternal health, and why prevention is just as important—if not more—than early detection.You’ll hear me bust myths, share powerful insights on how the biology of  pregnancy […] The post BBL 212: Is Pregnancy Actually Dangerous? appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Parenting young children is always exciting, often overwhelming, and as an autistic mama I know it can feel chaotic sometimes! In this episode, I’m wrapping up our Neurodivergent Mothering series by sharing practical steps to create a home environment where everyone thrives.  I’ll talk about sensory-friendly spaces, routines that nourish both you and your little […] The post BBL 211: The Neurodivergent Mama appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

How do you handle breastfeeding and caring for a newborn as a neurodivergent mom? In today's episode, I share reassurance and practical strategies for managing those intense first months - everything from establishing calming routines for you and your baby to finding comfortable breastfeeding positions and creating sensory-friendly environments. Topics I Cover in This Podcast: Why […] The post BBL 210 – The Neurodivergent Breastfeeding Mom & Newborn appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Today we're talking about experiencing childbirth when you're a neurodivergent woman. I’ll walk you through creating a supportive birthing space that respects your needs.   Let's talk about handling sensory sensitivities, advocating for yourself, and the first moments with your new baby!Topics I Cover in This Podcast:How is childbirth different for neurodivergent women?You are not alone […] The post BBL 209 – The Neurodivergent Birth appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Let's talk neurodivergent pregnancy - particularly for autistic mamas. Practical advice, validation, or perspective… I've packed it all into this episode. Join me as I share insights, tips, and a bit of my own journey through eight pregnancies! Topics I Cover in This Podcast: Why autistic women struggle to talk with care providers How sensory issues […] The post BBL 208: The Neurodivergent Pregnancy appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Today's episode is in response to an email from a listener who’s feeling overwhelmed with negative messages about womanhood and mothering. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the noise around being a woman today—this one’s for you. An honest look at being a woman… and practical steps to feel both more settled and excited about this […] The post BBL 207: How to Recover from Negativity About Womanhood and Mothering appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

In this week’s podcast, I dive deep into a critical issue that impacts women and girls in pregnancy, birth, and motherhood: the dangers of erasing women from these conversations. In an era where “birthing person” and “chestfeeding” are becoming normalized, we must ask: Who is this really serving? Women are the heart of these experiences. By using gender-neutral language, […] The post BBL 206: The Case Against Erasing Women From Pregnancy & Birth appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Here's what you need to know about breech birth. From myths to realities, I'm covering it all, including what a physiologic breech birth really looks like and how it differs from head-down births.Is vaginal breech birth as risky as it's made out to be? Spoiler: It's not always what you think!  Topics I Cover in […] The post BBL 205 – Breech Birth: What You Need to Now appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Hoping to get pregnant? Here are 7 steps to boost your fertility! Each of these steps is evidence-based and won't just help you get pregnant, they'll help you conceive a healthier, happier baby. Plus, many of these steps help you prevent pregnancy complications before they ever happen. There's a LOT you can do.Topics I Cover […] The post BBL 204: 7 Steps to Boost Fertility Holistically appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

What is quantum fertility? Quantum biology is one of the newest fields to look at fertility, pregnancy, and birth. In today's episode I share what all of that means, and how you can conceive a vibrant, healthy baby on a quantum level! Topics I Cover in This Podcast: What exactly is quantum biology - and why […] The post BBL 203: How to Use Quantum Fertility to Conceive a Healthy Baby appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

You cannot consider birth, life, and mothering without at some point wrestling with abortion.  I felt it was time to address that issue on the podcast. I've spent a lot of time talking about mothering, choosing to have babies, and the journey that a woman goes on when she makes those choices. Let's talk about how […] The post BBL 202 – The Sword is Not With the Goddess: Abortion and Women appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

The pregnancy and birth journey can be a powerful experience for a woman. Is this episode I explore birth as a journey into chaos where you, the heroine, bring your baby back. Gain strength, inspiration, and a greater appreciation for this incredible time of your life! Topics I Cover in This Podcast: What do chaos […] The post BBL 201 – The Birth Journey: Into Chaos appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Pregnancy and childbirth are important - but do they mark a rite of passage in a woman's life? Today's episode explores that question in depth, looking at both history and how the modern-day journey to motherhood. I also share some important ways you can honor this time and explore the deep meaning it holds for you […] The post BBL 200: Are Pregnancy & Childbirth a Rite of Passage? appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Pronatalism is about being open to more babies for the good of future generations, but what does pronatalism mean for women? We talk about the positives in this episode, and I also lay out a roadmap for women who want to have a full, satisfying life - and a few happy babies along the way!Topics […] The post BBL 199: What Does Pronatalism Mean for Women appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

What is pronatalism, and why does it matter for you? It might not be what you think! This episode digs into why every mom needs to understand pronatalism... and how it will impact your children. Topics I Cover in This Podcast: What is pronatalism?Why should we worry about population and demographicsAn economic argument for more babies?!Are babies […] The post BBL 198: A Pronatalism Primer for Moms appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Is mothering a project? Every woman today is told that having children can put her career on hold, or even put her life on hold!  In today's podcast I argue that mothering your children is your most important project. Listen in to discover why your children are not the end result of this project (hint: I'll […] The post BBL 197: Why Mothering is Your Greatest Project appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

What do women REALLY want in childbirth?  That's the question I looked at as I researched and wrote my senior thesis...  ...and I found surprising insights in contrasting two 1970s home birth services. Listen in to discover how both lower and higher income women could advocate for the experience they wanted... ...and take back birth for themselves […] The post BBL 196: What Women REALLY Want in Childbirth appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Is it possible for a single mom to take the kids camping, and enjoy it? Yes!  Today's episode shares our camping adventures. I walk you through how I prepared for this trip, what went well, and what I plan to change next time. Spoiler alert: there will definitely be a next time because it was […] The post BBL195 – How I Took 5 Kids Camping as a Single Mom appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

What do you do when your doctor doesn't support natural birth and keeps pushing tests and interventions you don't want? Today's episode goes over practical strategies for building your confidence and having open, respectful conversations with your doctor. Listen in to find out exactly what to do. Topics I Cover in This Podcast:Why not knowing […] The post BBL194: What to do When Your Doctor Isn’t Supportive of Natural Birth appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Everyone in your family can get upset: crying baby, tantruming toddler, fighting kids, and an overwhelmed, angry mama yelling at them all! Stressed parents and anxious kids create a cycle of anger, stress, and more anxiety that keeps perpetuating itself - so today, I’ll share strategies to help everyone in the family calm down. When […] The post BBL193: How to Help Everyone in the Family Calm Down appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Moms often need to, or want to, work… but you feel guilty having to handle it all as a working mom. However, the reality of mothering and working is much different than popular beliefs… (and even the myths we have about how working and parenting mix). Join me in today’s episode for an eye-opening look […] The post BBL192: How to Handle It All as a Working Mom appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Can you have it all when you're a mom? How do you ditch the housework and handle the busy life that comes with caring for small children, work, laundry, meals, and more? Every mom is busy - and you probably have some serious guilt. Join me today for encouragement and practical strategies for how mamas […] The post BBL191: Mom Balance – Why You Need to Ditch the Housework appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

How much pregnancy weight gain is normal? Should you worry about it? What does weight gain in pregnancy mean - or not mean? We’re going to talk about where the pounds come from in pregnancy, how much weight you should gain, and what that means for you in today’s episode. Topics I Cover in This […] The post BBL190: How Much Pregnancy Weight Gain is Normal? appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Get practical, evidence-based information on how to prevent preeclampsia, one of today's most feared pregnancy complications. While we still don't completely understand this dangerous condition, we do have excellent, tested methods to prevent it (or even take steps towards reversing it!). Join me in today's episode where I outline nutritional strategies, supplements, lifestyle changes, and […] The post BBL189: How to Prevent Preeclampsia: An Evidence-Based Guide appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Did you know that IUGR and pregnancy diet can be related?  Hearing that your baby has fetal growth restriction is really scary, and you probably wonder if there's anything you can do. The good news is you can absolutely help your baby catch up and grow better. In today's episode, I talk about what evidence […] The post BBL188: IUGR Pregnancy Diet – What You Need to Know to Get Baby Growing appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Your birth partner is your biggest helper during labor... but there's a problem. Many mamas want a natural birth but end up feeling totally overwhelmed on their birthing day - and even before then. They don’t feel like their birth partner is on board - or helpful at all! Here's how to get your birth […] The post BBL187: How Your Birth Partner Can Really Help appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

When you plan a natural birth you often get people who doubt you and who don't approve of your birth choices. They may be concerned that you're doing something dangerous, or that you're suffering when you don't need to. This can really affect relationships, so we're talking through how to deal with it in today's […] The post BBL186: How to Deal With People Who Don’t Approve of Your Birth Choices appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Feeling stress during your pregnancy? You're not alone! Today's episode covers how stress affects your unborn baby - plus what you can do to handle stress during your pregnancy. I also share why stress (and how you deal with it) can be GOOD for your baby, so don't miss this episode! Topics I Cover in […] The post BBL185: How to Deal with stress in pregnancy appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

People think childbirth is at worse very dangerous and at best a gamble. But when women believe only "experts" are qualified to "manage" birth, they lose confidence and fail to see their own strength. Join me in today's episode as we bust some myths about childbirth safety... and talk about what you can do to […] The post BBL 184: Why Childbirth is Much Safer Than You Think appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Mom burnout is real - every mome experiences it, and it keeps you from being the mama you want to be. In today's episode I dive into a practical strategy to take the first step out of mom burnout - so you can be the happy mom you'd like to be. Topics I Cover in […] The post BBL 183: How to Overcome Mom Burnout appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Pregnancy and childbirth offer the chance to explore the feminine power of women. Dig deep and find the strength that already lives inside you. You find this reserve during pregnancy, pull on it during birth - and use it over and over and over again as you go through life as a mama. Let's dig […] The post BBL 182: Childbirth and the Feminine Power of Women appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Many moms tell me they can't follow their intuition during pregnancy and birth because they don't have any intuition. Listening to your needs is the first step to discovering your inutition. In today's episode I talk about how to listen to your needs - and how to share your needs - even when you're busy […] The post BBL 181: How Moms Can Get What They Need appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

What do you need to consider when you choose a doctor or choose a midwife for your pregnancy? Today's episode covers what's really important (hint: it's what you want) and how you can both grow your trust in yourself and find a great care provider for your pregnancy. Topics I Cover in This Podcast:What does […] The post BBL 180: How to Choose a Pregnancy Doctor or Midwife appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

I've talked to thousands of women about preparing for childbirth - and labor pain is one of the biggest worries. Can you handle it? Will you lose it? Today's episode focuses on how we think about pain in birth - and how we can handle it.Topics I Cover in This Podcast: Why our views on […] The post BBL 179: Straight Talk on Labor Pain Perceptions appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Money and kids - are they like oil and water? You can enjoy both your money and your kids - today's episode talks about living well on a budget with a growing family!Topics I Cover in This Podcast: How to let go of fear and find happiness - even on a budget! The pros and […] The post BBL 178: Living Well on a Budget with a Growing Family appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Toddlers are beautiful, tiny humans - and they can be one of the most confusing creatures on the planet! Here’s how to handle common toddler behavior and set your toddler up for success: Topics I Cover in This Podcast:Working on toddler behavior: why things sometimes get worse before they get betterThis rule of thumb will […] The post BBL 177: Taming Toddlers appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

We give a lot of lip service to mothers and how important they are… but does our culture actually value mothers? Everything today is about “science” and “experts” - and slick marketing. As a mother you are indescribable value and worth. Your influence on your family cannot be underestimated. Listen to this episode to understand […] The post BBL 176 – The Value of Mother appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Can you give birth without fear?  What exactly is a fearless birth?  Why is there so much sheer terror around birth in modern culture, and why aren’t women prepared when labor begins?  I cover all of this - and how YOU can give birth without fear in today’s episode Topics I Cover in This Podcast:Can […] The post BBL 175 – You Can Give Birth Without Fear appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Many women worry they’ll get pushed into interventions they don’t want during birth. This episode covers how to find your voice during childbirth - so you feel confident in saying what you want… and what you don’t want… and can have the sacred birth experience you want! Topics I Cover in This Podcast:Why you have […] The post BBL 174: How to Speak Up For Yourself During Childbirth appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

There are a lot of weird pregnancy changes nobody talks to you about! Everyone expects to get a bigger belly and maybe have their ankles swell, but on today’s episode I’ll dig into some of the changes that happen in your mouth, to your eyes, and even down there where people are embarrassed to talk […] The post BBL 173: Pregnancy Body Changes Nobody Tells You About appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Have you ever considered catching your own baby? While it may sound impossible, it’s one of the most awesome feelings a mama can experience - I have caught my last five babies and treasure those timeless moments. Listen in to today’s episode as I describe why you should catch your own baby - and how […] The post BBL 172: The Best Birth Positions to Catch Your Own Baby appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

It’s almost time for your baby’s birthday and you’re hoping for a great natural birth. You know a birth plan is important - but writing one is confusing! What should you include? What should you leave off? Should it have pictures, icons, bells and whistles? Listen in to today’s episode where I share my best […] The post BBL 171: Write the Perfect Natural Birth Plan appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Every mom wants to be a perfect mom - but every mom makes mistakes. Sometimes you get overwhelmed, burned out, and find yourself yelling at your kids. You feel like the world’s worst mom… but I promise you’re not. Listen to today’s episode for perspective - and practical tips to help you get back on […] The post BBL 170: What To Do When You Keep Yelling at Your Kids appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

It’s great to feel confident that natural birth works… but what do you do when labor throws the unexpected at you? This episode focuses on practical steps, skills, and options when something comes up before or during your labor and delivery. You’ll feel calmer, more confident, and more prepared for whatever your baby’s birthday brings! […] The post BBL 169: What To Do When Labor Throws the Unexpected appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.

Pregnancy and birth are a beautiful, forgotten rite of passage. While there are many profound times in a woman’s life, pregnancy and birth offer an incredible opportunity for growth. I talk about why this time is so unique and how you can step into the power and vulnerability it brings to find a new, stronger […] The post BBL 168: Pregnancy and Birth Are a Forgotten Rite of Passage appeared first on Natural Birth and Baby Care.com.