Womb and Word

What do you do when the birth you prayed for becomes thebirth story you never planned for?In this deeply honest episode of the Womb & Word Podcast, host Kim sitsdown with Vanessa Sapp to talk about pregnancy, chronic illness, unexpectedbirth changes, and learning how to surrender control in motherhood.Vanessa shares her journey of navigating pregnancy while living with MultipleSclerosis (MS), the fears that came with managing a chronic condition, and theemotional reality of preparing for one kind of birth—only to experiencesomething completely different.From discovering her baby was breech to facing the likelihood of a C-section,this episode explores the emotional weight of shifting expectations, makinginformed decisions, and finding peace in the unknown.This conversation is for every mother who has ever felt like her birth storydidn’t go the way she imagined.💛 Sometimes healing begins when we release the version of the story wethought we needed.✨ In this episode, we discuss:• Pregnancy with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)• High-risk pregnancy and medical decision-making• Breech baby and unexpected birth plan changes• Emotional impact of C-section preparation• Fear, disappointment, and loss of control• The role of faith in navigating uncertainty• Marriage, communication, and support systems• Learning to pivot in motherhood💬 Memorable Moments:“Parenthood is pivot hood.”“Taking care of me is also taking care of my baby.”“You’re going to feel broken… and that’s okay.”🎙️ Guest: Vanessa SappInstagram: @vanessabequinn🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube📲 Follow: @wombandwordpod⚠️ Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace professionalmedical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

What really happens to a woman’s mind and emotions after birth?In this powerful episode of the Womb & Word Podcast, host Kim sits down with Brittany Maffitt, a licensed psychotherapist and founder of Worthy to Live Therapy, to unpack the truth about postpartum mental health.From postpartum depression and anxiety to OCD and birth trauma, this conversation goes beyond surface-level awareness and dives into the real emotional experiences mothers face — often in silence.💔 Many women don’t just struggle physically after birth — they struggle mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually.✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:What PMADs (Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders) actually includeThe difference between postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and psychosisWhy many women feel like they are “failing” instead of recognizing symptomsSubtle signs of postpartum mental health struggles that families often missWhat postpartum OCD really looks like (intrusive thoughts & compulsions)How birth trauma impacts mothers emotionally — even months laterWhy bonding with your baby doesn’t always happen instantlyThe truth about postpartum rage and hidden depressionHow faith and therapy can work together in healingWhy every family should prepare mental health support before birth💡 Real Talk Moments You Don’t Want to Miss:💔 “1 in 8 women experience postpartum depression”😔 “You don’t feel like a statistic… you feel like you’re failing”🖤 “When moms look at birth photos, they see survival — not celebration”⏳ “Bonding doesn’t run on a clock”🤍 “You can love your baby and still struggle in motherhood”🤍 About Our Guest:Brittany Maffitt is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in perinatal mental health, reproductive trauma, and complex PTSD. She is the founder of Worthy to Live Therapy and supports women through the emotional realities of motherhood.📲 Follow Brittany:Instagram: @worthytolivetherapy🎙️ About Womb & Word Podcast:Womb & Word is a safe space where we:🌿 Educate on maternal health & advocacy📖 Share real and unfiltered motherhood experiences✨ Provide expert and faith-based guidanceWhether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or supporting a mother — this podcast is for you.📲 Follow & Connect:Instagram: @WombAndWordPodcast📩 Email: [email protected]📣 Join the Conversation:👍 Like this video💬 Comment your thoughts or experience🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations on maternal health⚠️ Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

DON’T GIVE BIRTH BEFORE ASKING THIS | The Questions & Numbers Every Mom MUST KnowWhat if the difference between a safe birth and a traumatic one… came down to the questions you didn’t ask?In this powerful and eye-opening episode of the Womb & Word Podcast, host Kim breaks down the critical questions every expecting mother must ask — your provider, your hospital, and even your doula — before stepping into the delivery room.Backed by real data and lived experience, this episode dives deep into the maternal health crisis, exposing the gaps in care, the importance of advocacy, and why being informed is no longer optional — it’s essential.This is not just an episode…This is preparation. This is protection. This is power.🔹 The top 5 questions to ask your OB, midwife, or provider🔹 What your hospital isn’t telling you about interventions & C-section rates🔹 How to choose a provider who respects your birth preferences🔹 The truth about doulas and how they support your birth experience🔹 What “low intervention birth” actually means🔹 How hospitals handle postpartum care (and what to look out for)🔹 Why implicit bias & anti-racism training in hospitals matters🔹 How to advocate for yourself before, during, and after birthThis episode reveals the must-have contacts you need before labor:📞 Labor & Delivery Unit direct number📞 After-hours OB / Midwife contact📞 Patient Advocacy Office📞 Charge Nurse / Nursing Supervisor📞 Hospital Risk Management / Compliance📞 Medical Records Department📞 Hospital Ethics Line📞 State Health Department & Licensing Board👉 These numbers could protect your voice, your rights, and your experience.💬 “It doesn’t matter your age, income, or education… the risk is still higher.”💬 “This is a system that continues to fail to listen, protect, and respond.”💬 “This is not just another motherhood podcast — this is advocacy.”💬 “Faith and advocacy can coexist.”Womb & Word is more than a podcast — it’s a movement.We create a space where women are:🌿 Educated on maternal health & birth advocacy🌿 Empowered through real stories & expert insight🌿 Guided through pregnancy, birth & postpartum with faithWhether you’re pregnant, planning, or learning — this is for you.🌐 Website: velahaven.com📸 Instagram: instagram.com/velahaven🎙️ Podcast IG: instagram.com/wombandwordpod🎵 TikTok: tiktok.com/@velahaven📧 Email: [email protected]📩 Podcast Email: [email protected]▶️ YouTube: / @kimmariedoulaIf this episode spoke to you:👍 Like this video💬 Comment your thoughts or experience🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations on maternal healthmaternal health awareness, questions to ask before giving birth, hospital birth tips, pregnancy preparation checklist, birth advocacy, doula support during labor, C-section rates explained, maternal mortality rates US, Black maternal health crisis, labor and delivery tips, postpartum care in hospitals, birth plan questions, pregnancy education podcastThis podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personal medical decisions.✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🚨 CRITICAL: Numbers Every Pregnant Woman Should Have💡 Real Talk Moments You Don’t Want to Miss:🤍 About Womb & Word Podcast:📲 Follow & Connect:📣 Join the Conversation:🔎

What is it really like to experience both a hospital birth and a home birth?In this powerful episode of the Womb & Word Podcast, host Kim sits down with Chanel Foot — a birth doula, placental encapsulator, and founder of Remini Birth Services — to explore the real, unfiltered truth about childbirth options.From a 24-hour hospital labor to an 8-hour home birth, Chanel shares her personal journey, the emotional highs and lows, and the lessons no one prepares you for — especially when it comes to postpartum recovery, mental preparation, and advocacy during birth.This episode is not just a story — it’s a guide for expecting mothers who want to feel informed, empowered, and prepared for whatever birth journey they choose.The difference between hospital birth vs home birthWhat actually happens during a long labor vs a shorter oneWhy mental preparation is key for home birthThe truth about postpartum pain and recoveryCommon myths about home birth safetyThe role of midwives, doulas, and support systemsWhat no one tells you about home birth responsibilitiesHow to choose the right birth provider for you💡 Real Talk Moments You Don’t Want to Miss:“24 hours in labor… vs 8 hours at home”“I was in pain… it felt like I got jumped.”“A lot of home birth preparation is mental”“It’s not like the old days — you’re not alone”Chanel Foot is a dedicated birth doula and placental encapsulator, helping women navigate pregnancy, labor, and postpartum with confidence and care. She is the founder of Remini Birth Services and supports families across Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia.📲 Follow Chanel:Instagram: @remedydoulaservicesWomb & Word is a safe space and community where we:Educate on maternal health & advocacyShare real birth storiesProvide faith-based and expert guidanceWhether you’re pregnant, planning, or simply learning — this podcast is for you.📲 Follow & Connect:Website: velahaven.comInstagram: instagram.com/velahavenWomb & Word Podcast IG: instagram.com/wombandwordpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@velahavenEmail: [email protected]: www.youtube.com/@KimMarieDoulaIf this episode resonated with you:👍 Like this video💬 Comment your thoughts or experience🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations on maternal health📩 Email us: [email protected] birth vs hospital birth, natural birth experience, postpartum recovery, doula support, midwife care, pregnancy journey, labor and delivery story, maternal health awareness, unmedicated birth, birth preparation tipsThis podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personal medical decisions.✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:💡 Real Talk Moments You Don’t Want to Miss:🤍 About Our Guest:🎙️ About Womb & Word Podcast:📣 Join the Conversation:🔎 Keywords (for SEO): home birth vs hospital birth, natural birth experience, postpartum recovery, doula support, midwife care, pregnancy journey, labor and delivery story, maternal health awareness, unmedicated birth, birth preparation tips⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personal medical decisions.

What are the pregnancy red flags you should never ignore? 🚨In Episode 3 of the Womb & Word Podcast, host Kim Marie sits down with Hadassah Bellot, a licensed midwife and reproductive justice advocate, to discuss the critical warning signs during pregnancy that every expecting parent should understand.With so much noise surrounding pregnancy and birth, one truth remains clear: pregnancy does not fail women — systems do. In this powerful conversation, we explore how families can recognize early warning signs, trust maternal intuition, and confidently advocate for their health and their baby’s well-being.Drawing from her extensive experience in home births, birth center care, and community-based maternal healthcare, Hadassah shares valuable insights into the importance of individualized prenatal care, informed decision-making, and respectful maternity care. Together, we break down common misconceptions about midwives, the differences between hospital and community birth settings, and how pregnant individuals can recognize when something may require medical attention.If you are pregnant, postpartum, trying to conceive, or supporting someone who is, this episode provides essential education and practical guidance for navigating pregnancy with confidence and clarity.🎙 About the PodcastWomb & Word Podcast is a maternal wellness platform dedicated to empowering families through real stories, faith-centered conversations, and expert guidance on pregnancy, postpartum recovery, infant sleep, and birth advocacy.Connect With UsPodcast: @wombandwordpodHost (Kim Marie): @velahavenGuest (Hadassah Bellot): @dasthemidwifeTopics Discussed in This Episode• Pregnancy red flags every expecting parent should know• Why decreased fetal movement should never be ignored• Trusting maternal intuition during pregnancy• The BRAIN method for informed medical decisions• Key differences between hospital births, home births, and birth centers• Understanding the role of licensed midwives in maternal care• How to advocate for yourself in healthcare settings• What respectful maternity care truly looks like👍 Subscribe to the channel for more conversations on pregnancy, postpartum recovery, infant sleep, maternal health, and birth advocacy.Share this episode with a friend, partner, or expecting parent who could benefit from this important conversation.

In this powerful second episode of Womb & Word, host Kim Marie sits down with guest Wisléne Riley to unpack the life-altering reality of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)—a condition far more serious than “just morning sickness.”While nausea in pregnancy is common, HG is not. It can mean relentless vomiting, rapid weight loss, dehydration, hospitalizations, and deep emotional distress. Yet so many women are dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told to simply “push through.”In this episode, we discuss:The difference between typical morning sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum The physical and mental health toll of HGAdvocacy tips if you’re not being taken seriouslyThe importance of early intervention and informed careHow faith, support, and education change outcomesThis conversation is for women who feel unheard, partners who want to understand, and families navigating high-risk pregnancy challenges.You deserve care. You deserve to be believed. You deserve support.Whether you're pregnant, postpartum, trying to conceive, or supporting someone who is—this episode will equip you with knowledge and confidence.✨ Need a doula? Visit: www.velahaven.com🔗 Connect with Womb & Word: https://linktr.ee/wombandwordpodcastSubscribe, share, and join us as we restore faith, reclaim advocacy, and redefine maternal health.

In this inaugural episode, host Kim Marie, a birth and postpartum doula, pediatric sleep specialist, childbirth educator, and lactation consultant, introduces a sacred space created to educate, empower, and restore confidence for women navigating pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.Rooted in faith, evidence-based care, and real-world advocacy, this episode breaks down why “just having a baby” is no longer enough—and why informed consent, preparation, and support matter now more than ever. Kim Marie unpacks: What Womb & Word truly represents—life, intuition, vulnerability, and God’s Word The realities of maternal health today, especially for marginalized communities Why advocacy in the labor and delivery room is essential (and not confrontational) The B.R.A.I.N. framework for making empowered medical decisions Common advocacy traps families fall into—and how to avoid themThe vital role of doulas in improving birth outcomes and protecting maternal wellbeing This episode is a wake-up call and an invitation—to slow down, ask questions, trust your body, lean into faith, and reclaim your voice in the birth space. Whether you’re pregnant, postpartumNeed a Doula? Visit: www.velahaven.comCheck here for all social links: https://linktr.ee/wombandwordpodcast

A sneak peek into our Womb & Word convos too good not to share 💕Trailer featuring : @yaniquechantalle @dasthemidwife @gloriouspushbirth🎧 Episodes dropping February 10 — everywhere you listen🔗 in bio to stay up to date