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Show Notes:

[1:11:] Our reviewer of the week, Leliz86, says: “Still in preconception here! ‍ I stumbled upon this podcast when I started searching for meaningful and educational podcasts that fit my hopes and dreams for my first time pregnancy at 36! I love the content - I feel so informed and empowered to make all the decisions, prepare myself to be my healthiest for me and my baby! I absolutely love that there’s even episodes that help new dads! I can’t wait to sign up for the birth course and love that they cover pregnancy, some preconception health, and birth stories! Determined to listen to every single episode - Thank you for all that you do! 

We love when we're able to hear from both mama and birth partner about the birth experience! Justina and Kace Knowles share about the unmedicated birth of their son in a hospital and how their faith, communication, and the birth course prepared them.

[2:30] Justina and Kace Knowles introduce...

As with every test or procedure during pregnancy, I want mamas to know about options, benefits, and risks. This week's podcast episode is about nonstress tests: when you need it, when you don't, and how to prepare! Whether you decline the test, ask for a second opinion, wait a few days, etc. ultimately, the choice is up to you! I want you to be informed and empowered by your knowledge. It's a quick, informative episode that I hope you'll benefit from!  

Show Notes:

[1:12] Apple Podcasts didn’t like me this week and wouldn’t let me see my reviews. It is what it is! ‍

[2:05] This episode is going to be a quickie but a goodie! If you are coming up to your guess date, you’re pregnant with multiples, have low amniotic fluid, feel decreased movements from your baby, or for any other reason your provider has ordered a nonstress test or NST, this episode is for you. 

[2:53] What is a non stress test? A nonstress test is a prenatal test used to...

 Show Notes:

[1:11] Our reviewer of the week, lulu_daisy_1001, said: “This was the first podcast I listened to when I found out I was pregnant. Information was presented in such a fair, balanced, and non-judgmental way. In particular, I LOVED hearing different birth stories - they reinforce what an amazing and positive experience birth should be! I had a beautiful, natural birth on my own terms armed with so much knowledge from this podcast!”

This is exactly what I hope every single mom is able to say at some point. That you had a positive birth experience, whatever that looks like for you, and that the podcast was part of that knowledge and preparation. 

 A few weeks ago, I felt a little down trying to balance all the roles of being a mom, running a business, homeschooling, being a wife, and just life in general. But I read a few reviews, and it reminded me of why I do this! I have such a great desire to help other women through birth and postpartum....

 Show Notes:

[1:11] Our reviewer of the week is Courtney Clare, and she says: “I love this podcast so much, not only as a pregnant mama myself, but as a Registered Labor and Delivery Nurse! Stephanie does such a great job at covering ALL the relevant and important topics in digestible segments of information, and then turning that information into concrete resources and talking points for women to bring to their birth team. AND offers such a great balance of clinical and “crunchy.” Thank you for the work you do getting this essential information into the hands of moms everywhere!”

This week, I’m bringing even more evidence-based, excellent conversation today! Something we probably don’t spend enough time talking about is pelvic health during pregnancy and postpartum. If you’re anything like me, even with all of my study of birth, you may not even know that pelvic floor therapists are a thing. Well, lucky for you . . . that’s...

Show Notes:

[1:11] Our reviewer of the week is Madi Mackley, and she said: “I started listening to the podcast as soon as I found out I was pregnant. My goal was to give birth at the hospital with a walking epidural, and I was hoping to be induced. After listening to every episode and learning every unbiased aspect of birth, my perspective changed, and I had an unmedicated birth at a birth center at 41 weeks and 1 day! I owe it all to this podcast and the My Essential Birth course for achieving the birth I wanted! :) Just found out baby number 2 is on the way and it’s time to start listening to every episode again!

We’ve had Madi on our podcast before, and she shared her birth story! You can listen to it here! Thank you to all of those who love listening to the podcast and who have left a review!

While it's so important to be prepared for birth, labor, and delivery, at the end of the day, you need to get out of your own way! You can do all the things, but your...

Show Notes:

[1:16] Our reviewer of the week is JumelleT, and she says: “This is the best pregnancy and birth podcast ever! I am just about 25 weeks pregnant and have been SO enjoying your podcast. Every day I try to listen to a new podcast from the past. I've found your content so educational, fun and motivational. Because of listening to you and learning so much, I've been working hard on my birth plan. We are a military family and relocating from California to North Carolina when I will be 30 weeks. Ugh! After a ton of searching, I finally found a provider that I'm excited about - a midwifery in Wilmington, NC. I'm also doing pelvic floor PT as well. To those other mamas who may be moving or considering switching providers in your second trimester or later, this podcast has a ton of related birth stories and tips to help. Just wanted to say thank you for your content - I've been deeply enjoying it and will continue to!”

I love the action of creating a birth plan! We...

Show Notes:

When it comes to breastfeeding, mamas have alllll the questions! My guest this week, Jacqueline Kincer, is an IBCLC and the founder of Holistic Lactation. She shares her wisdom and expertise in a way that is empowering and encouraging to all mamas no matter what stage of their breastfeeding journey they are in!

[1:12] This week’s topic comes up ALL the time! “How do I feed my baby should I choose to breastfeed?”

[1:43] My guest, Jacqueline Kincer, is the founder of Holistic Lactation. She started the company 6 years ago. She is a stockbroker turned mama/business owner/podcaster/IBCLC/all the things! She found that the hardest part of new motherhood was breastfeeding. She also hosts a podcast: The Breastfeeding Talk and has launched a line of herbal supplements for breastfeeding moms. She wants to show up and serve moms in any way that she can!

[3:19] What is a lactation consultant? What is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant...

Show Notes:

[1:11] Our reviewer of the week is morganstep13, and she says: “5 stars! I love this podcast! I’m not pregnant or a mom yet, but I still love listening to this podcast, and I find it really helpful to know this information so I can be fully educated when I do become pregnant! I love how you give lots of perspective and your voice is so soothing, haha! Keep up the great work!”

I am fully aware that my voice is not soothing, but thank you! I am so impressed whenever I hear about women who are not mothers yet, but they listen to the podcast! If you want to hear about a specific topic, send them my way! Send me an email at [email protected].

For many mamas, baby's sleep can be a huge worry and cause us to second-guess every choice we make. We'll talk about what's "normal" and how to anticipate your baby's needs. 

[2:24] If you haven’t heard yet, I am in the process of creating a postpartum course! We are scripting as we speak! ...

Show Notes:

[1:17] Our Reviewer of the Week, Celina Souffrant, said: “I started listening to this podcast about two weeks ago. I’m 34 weeks into my pregnancy, and it has been so helpful. The highlights for me are definitely the birth stories because it makes birth so much more relatable. In particular, I loved Sally’s recent birth story. Her tips, exuberant faith and infectious energy really transformed my perception of what a natural birth can look like. Please keep up the good work!”

I can’t get enough birth stories! This week’s particular birth story has a special place in my heart! I’m so excited to have Lorelei and her husband, Jason, here with me on the podcast.

One of my favorite parts of what I do is getting to be a part of and hearing the incredible birth stories in the My Essential Birth community. Lorelei shares about how she did not see birth as a beautiful experience but something she had to get through to get to the baby....

Show Notes:

[1:12] Our reviewer of the week is Hailey987416, and she said, “These ladies give you ALL the details - tips and tricks, the real truth about everything! So grateful! I am living abroad in Germany for my first birth and I am so happy my sister-in-law told me about you two! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

I’m excited you’re here! I have another amazing woman on with me today so if you’re looking for more tips and trips, I hope you’ll get that out of today’s episode!

[1:42] I want to tell you how Courtney and I connected! She reached out to me about the GBS podcast episode because she saw some discrepancies and had evidence to back it up! I loved how passionate she is about what she does and how much she cares about women. I responded to her email and asked her to be on the podcast!

[3:32] I ask Courtney to introduce herself. ‍ She emphasized that we’re all here for the same reason, which is to get evidenced-based...