Made for Minnesota Moms

If you've ever been curious about acupuncture but weren't sure if it was "really" for you, this episode is your answer. Megan sits down with Meaghan Moakly, licensed acupuncturist and founder of Azalea Acupuncture and Aesthetics in Minneapolis, to talk about how traditional Chinese medicine supports women through every phase of the motherhood journey.Meaghan breaks down what acupuncture actually is (spoiler: it's just one piece of a much bigger system), what to expect at your first appointment, and why your practitioner is asking to look at your tongue. They also get into the real stuff: preconception prep, pregnancy symptoms, baby positioning, labor support, and why postpartum care shouldn't stop at six weeks.Plus, Meaghan shares two incredibly simple wellness habits rooted in Chinese medicine that you can start today, and she opens up about navigating her own fertility journey and first pregnancy while running her practice.In this episode:What traditional Chinese medicine actually includes beyond the needlesHow acupuncture supports fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum recoveryThe first 40 days and why postpartum care is a whole body priorityWhy your digestion and your anxiety might be more connected than you thinkTwo easy habits to improve energy and hormonal balance starting nowWhat to look for when choosing a licensed acupuncturist (hint: look for LAC)Real Life Rescue Kit:Takeout Rescue - BrimWorth the Effort Outing - Explore Minneapolis with your kids like they own the placeLocal Mom Resource - Dr. Britt Stammer (Episode 2)Meaghan's practitioner referral list: azaleampls.comConnect with Meaghan:Website: azaleampls.comInstagram: @azaleamplsMedical disclaimer:This episode is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.About Made for Minnesota Moms Made for Minnesota Moms is a podcast for Minnesota moms navigating pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and early motherhood. Hosted by Minneapolis newborn and family photographer Megan Norman, each episode features trusted local experts sharing practical resources you can actually use.Subscribe to the NewsletterSubscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on SpotifyWatch on YouTube Follow on Instagram: @MadeforMNMoms

What does a postpartum doula actually do? If you're picturing overnight newborn care, Joy McAfee is about to change everything you thought you knew.Joy is a certified postpartum doula, early childhood educator, and trauma-informed care practitioner based in the Twin Cities. She provides daytime postpartum support to help families heal, rest, and find their rhythm after baby arrives -- and her approach is unlike anything I expected.We talked about what postpartum support actually looks like in real life, why Joy focuses on daytime care, how she supports C-section moms, what sibling integration is and why it matters, and why postpartum doula support is not a luxury.Joy also shared her own story of severe postpartum depression after her first child, and how that experience became the foundation for the work she does today.In this episode:What a postpartum doula actually does (and what they don't)Daytime vs. overnight support and why Joy chooses daysThe fourth trimester and why support can matter up to 18 monthsHealing meals, light tidying, and reducing the mental loadEmotional and trauma-informed support after birthC-section recovery and how a doula supports surgical birthSibling integration for growing familiesHow to find a postpartum doula in MinnesotaMaking postpartum support affordable, including mutual aid and sliding scalesConnect with Joy McAfee: Website: https://www.joythevillagedoula.com/about Instagram: @joy_the_doulaMedical disclaimer:This episode is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider with questions about your health or your baby's health.About Made for Minnesota Moms Made for Minnesota Moms is a podcast for Minnesota moms navigating pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and early motherhood. Hosted by Minneapolis newborn and family photographer Megan Norman, each episode features trusted local experts sharing practical resources you can actually use.Subscribe to the NewsletterSubscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on SpotifyWatch on YouTube Follow on Instagram: @MadeforMNMoms

You're exhausted, baby won't latch, and you're convinced something is wrong with your supply. Dr. Jess Roth says the answer might actually be in your baby's nervous system.Megan sits down with Dr. Jess Roth, chiropractor and certified lactation consultant at Chiro for Moms, to talk about why feeding is a full-body experience for both mom and baby. Dr. Jess shares how she combines chiropractic care and lactation support in a single visit and why calming the nervous system first can make all the difference with latch.In this episode:Why breastfeeding is a full-body experience for mom and babyHow birth type (vaginal, cesarean, fast or long labor) impacts latch from day oneWhat pediatric chiropractic care actually looks like (spoiler: it's basically a baby massage)Signs a feeding issue might be structural, not a supply problemHow chiro can help with reflux, gas, and fussinessWhen to bring yourself and your baby in postpartumHer own experience with a tongue tie release and how she talked a nervous mom through the same decisionDr. Jess is also a new mom herself, which makes this conversation as real and relatable as it is practical. Whether you're pregnant, newly postpartum, or deep in the feeding trenches, this one is worth a listen.Find Dr. Jess and the Chiro for Moms team on Instagram at @dr.jessroth @ChiroforMoms and @ChiroforKidz, or reach out directly at [email protected] episode is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with questions about your health or your baby's care.About Made for Minnesota Moms Made for Minnesota Moms is a podcast for Minnesota moms navigating pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and early motherhood. Hosted by Minneapolis newborn and family photographer Megan Norman, each episode features trusted local experts sharing practical resources you can actually use.Subscribe to the NewsletterSubscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on SpotifyWatch on YouTube Follow on Instagram: @MadeforMNMoms

Ever get your labs back, hear "everything looks normal," and still feel terrible? You're not alone and that's exactly what NP Hannah Lewis is here to talk about.NP Hannah Lewis is a family nurse practitioner and co-founder of Radiant Health Collective in Osseo, MN. She specializes in functional medicine, taking a root-cause approach that blends conventional care with nutrition, lifestyle, and advanced lab testing to support women through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.In this episode, Megan and Hannah cover:What functional medicine actually is and how it differs from conventional careThe first labs Hannah runs the moment a patient is pregnant (ferritin, vitamin D, progesterone, full thyroid panel)How she supports women with thyroid conditions, hormone imbalances, and autoimmune issues like Hashimoto's during pregnancyWhat postpartum depletion really means and why it's not talked about enoughThe bounce-back culture pressure on new moms and why your postpartum body deserves grace, not a deadlineHow to find a functional medicine provider and what to expectWhether you're trying to conceive, currently pregnant, or deep in the postpartum fog, this episode is a reminder that "normal range" doesn't always mean optimal -- and you deserve a provider who digs deeper.Connect with Hannah Lewis: Website: RadiantHealthCollective.com Instagram: @HannahLewisFMPThis episode is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider with questions about your health.About Made for Minnesota Moms Made for Minnesota Moms is a podcast for Minnesota moms navigating pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and early motherhood. Hosted by Minneapolis newborn and family photographer Megan Norman, each episode features trusted local experts sharing practical resources you can actually use.Subscribe to the NewsletterSubscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on SpotifyWatch on YouTube Follow on Instagram: @MadeforMNMoms

What does it actually mean to support your body before, during, and after pregnancy -- without defaulting to a prescription for everything?In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Britt Stamer, a registered naturopathic doctor practicing in the Twin Cities, to talk about a more holistic approach to women's health. We cover what preconception care actually looks like, why so many moms feel dismissed by conventional medicine, and how naturopathic medicine fills the gaps -- especially in the postpartum window that often gets overlooked.Whether you're trying to conceive, currently pregnant, or deep in the postpartum fog, this conversation gives you a real look at what's possible when you work with a provider who's looking at the whole picture.In this episode:What naturopathic medicine is (and what it isn't)Preconception care: what to do before you're even pregnantHow to support your body and hormones postpartumSigns your body is asking for more support than it's gettingHow to find a naturopathic doctor in Minnesota and what to expectGuest: Dr. Britt Stamer, ND Host: Megan Norman, Minneapolis Newborn + Family PhotographerThis episode is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard in this episode.About Made for Minnesota Moms Made for Minnesota Moms is a podcast for Minnesota moms navigating pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and early motherhood. Hosted by Minneapolis newborn and family photographer Megan Norman, each episode features trusted local experts sharing practical resources you can actually use.Subscribe to the NewsletterSubscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on SpotifyWatch on YouTube Follow on Instagram: @MadeforMNMoms