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Show Notes:

[1:11] Our reviewer of the week, Epultar, said: “Game Changer for a first birth! I listened to every episode during my first pregnancy 2 years ago. About to go through it all again with my second pregnancy. This podcast and Stephanie’s Instagram really helped me feel like such a strong & educated mama when it came down to delivery. I don’t think it would’ve gone as smoothly as it did without her. Now I know what I’m capable of and I’m not scared at all for the next one. Thank you so much for all of this helpful information.”

Thank you for your review and congrats on pregnancy #2!

Parents get so much "advice" on what to do and what not to do when it comes to baby sleep. Kim West, author and sleep coach, takes a gentle baby-led approach to creating sleep habits that will guide you and your family on your sleep journey.

[1:51] I’m excited to have Kim West here with me talking about newborn sleep! We talk about what...

 Show Notes:

[1:11] Our reviewer of the week is, JennaK3491, and she says, “This podcast has been such a blessing for me! I have been binge listening just about every day since 32 weeks (just hit 37 weeks this week). (I’m due at the end of March 2023.) When I found out I was pregnant, I didn’t think I had so many opinions about pregnancy and birth and was honestly just going with the flow. I am the type that has to know all about what is happening to me and all about some self study research, so podcasts were perfect for me! I listen on the way to and from work, during work, while doing house work on the weekends, and basically whenever I have free time. I am planning on having an unmedicated birth in the hospital with an OB, I hired a doula and am currently doing all the things to prepare! This podcast has helped me to much gain confidence (despite the negative comments and birth stories from people around me) to have an unmedicated birth and feel good about...

 Show Notes:

[1:11] Our review of the week, sls610, said: “First podcast I listened to while pregnant! I LOVE this podcast! I’ve been listening to it for about 2 months since finding out I was pregnant, and it’s been so helpful in teaching me all the different things to think about for labor and delivery. I started from the beginning and hope to listen to all the episodes before I’m due in June! Stephanie’s ethos for birth is so similar to how I’m thinking about it (holistic combined with western medicine practices) so I feel right at home with this podcast. I even signed up for the My Essential Birth course, and my husband and I are starting tonight! So excited!! Thank you for all the helpful info!”

Thank you for this review and jumping into the course! I love hearing when you guys tell me you started listening to the very beginning episodes! We’re almost 200 episodes in! You’re doing the work and having incredible birth...

Show Notes:

[1:11] Our reviewer of the week is twinplex, and she said: “For my first pregnancy, I really didn’t research or plan for birth at all. I just figured my body would know what to do! I ended up with a C-Section, and here I am planning a VBAC with my 2nd and love listening to this podcast! I find it very informative, and it’s really helping me to be knowledgeable stepping into my next labor/delivery experience! I feel much more prepared, and therefore, at peace with whatever will come my way for this next delivery!”

Thank you for your review! I relate to this 100%! You are in the right place to learn about pregnancy, birth, and motherhood!

[2:09] Today, I have Cassidy Eisenfeld, who I found on Instagram! I want to talk about baby wearing today, and she wears her babies everywhere! This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart because I didn’t get helpful information on this topic until it was too late for me to do! 

[2:56] How we...

Show Notes:

When it comes to labor, we can feel overwhelmed and unsure about what our bodies are doing to prepare for bringing our baby earth-side. I’m going to answer the most common questions about contractions, fluids, and when it’s time to head to your birth place. 

[1:12] It’s been a WHIRLWIND, y’all! We have moved across the country from Utah to Florida this past week! We’re excited for our new home and the potential that this new place holds for us! 

[2:45] This week’s episode was prompted by a question that we received in the private My Essential Birth Facebook group! ( Commercial Break: You can get access to this group by joining the My Essential Birth course!)

[3:05] Our reviewer of the week is Sarah Travaille, and she said, “I started listening to this podcast when I was 8 weeks pregnant (I am now 34 weeks), and it has been my saving grace. The knowledge I have gained from listening has been invaluable. I feel beyond...

Show Notes:

Sometimes a negative experience can be the catalyst we need to make a change in our lives. Courtney Hart talks about how her first birth experience changed her life, how she prepared her mind and body for her second birth, and how our podcast made all the difference!

[1:11] The Reviewer of the Week is Andrea.mn and she says, “I love listening to this. She has such a great soothing but energetic voice to listen to and I love all of her knowledge she shares, as well as the birth stories we get to hear! Thanks for what you do!”

Today’s episode is a birth story with one of our previous interviewees! We interviewed Courtney Hart: a Labor & Delivery nurse and certified breastfeeding counselor who works in the Labor Delivery Recovery Postpartum (LDRP) unit at the hospital.

[1:54] I have Courtney Hart reintroduce herself. She is a Labor & Delivery nurse and certified breastfeeding counselor. She has come back to share her positive birth story and...

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[1:11] Our reviewer of the week, Lexi Nuttman, says, “First time mom . . . feeling EMPOWERED! Hello there, I am a first time mom and about halfway through my pregnancy. Since listening to this podcast (more like binging the podcast), I have learned SO much about what type of birth I want. I am feeling so confident and empowered to start this journey. I loved the podcasts so much I decided to join the birth class . . . loving it so far. Thanks so much for this information and pros and cons of everything!

Update: second time around and STILLLLLL learning new information and binging this podcast! :)

We love that you guys are here to stay and continually doing the work! This is why I do what I do!

[2:13] I hope this week’s topic really resonates with you guys. I’ve said it before, I think the most exciting part of pregnancy (other than finding out you’re pregnant!) is figuring out that you’re in labor!

Most births are not like the movies....

Show Notes:

Baby-Led Weaning helps your baby establish a healthy relationship with food starting with their very first foods. Benefits include reducing the severity of picky eating, lowers allergy risks, increases diet diversity, and stops the meal time battles. Listen for more benefits!

[1:11] Our reviewer of the week is, Ashley Worley, and she says, “I discovered the podcast thanks to a friend who passed it along. I am pregnant with our first and was looking for something both positive and education. I’ve voraciously been diving into episodes and feel exponentially more confident than I did just weeks ago about our decision for an unmedicated birth place birth. Stephanie has been incredibly helpful in helping me learn all things birth and prepping and planning, now putting into action daily stretches, relaxation, and completing my birth plan. Now to dive into birth stories and we pray and imagine our dream birth knowing it’s all in God’s hands and will be...

Show Notes:

I want this episode to give you some things to think about when it comes to delayed cord-clamping and questions to ask your provider. We’ll talk about the pros and cons and different methods of cord-clamping, which I hope will help you make the decision of how you want to handle it for you and your baby a little easier!

[1:11] Our reviewer of the week, KaitlynL2021, says: “Absolutely love this podcast. My husband and I are hoping to get pregnant in the next year, and this podcast makes me so excited. When we started talking about having kids I was nervous because I didn’t know anything. Now I feel confident and like I know what I’m getting myself into. I also feel like I have options and there isn’t one “right” way to give birth. I love that this podcast gives all of the options from crunchy to conventional, and I can’t wait to be in the birth class one day in the future!”

I am so excited! You totally get it and...

Show Notes:

Educating yourself about birth and knowing your options opens you up to so many more choices when it comes to the birth experience you want! Marin's birth story shows the importance of not only educating yourself, but also on staying firm with your choices and decisions on what is best for you and your baby. 

[1:11] Our reviewer of the week, Vandp13, says: “Best podcast AND host! I am just entering the 3rd trimester of my 3rd pregnancy, and I am a self proclaimed birth and breastfeeding nut. I found this podcast when I was about 10 weeks pregnant, and I have been binging ever since - some episodes I even listen to 5+ times! She is so good at giving pregnant mamas all their options and empowering them to advocate for themselves! I reached out to Stephanie on Instagram, and she replied so quickly and didn’t give me a ‘one size fits all’ answer. She asked me questions so she could answer me specifically, which I thought was amazing! I...