Moms in the Middle

Co-Host, Elly shares she and her husband’s raw and honest experience of trying to conceive for four long years, the emotional rollercoaster of failed treatments, and the resilience they found within themselves. She opens up about the various fertility treatments they explored, from natural methods to medical interventions, and ultimately their decision to pursue IVF. Through candid storytelling, E...

Join Heidi and Elly on  Moms in the Middle  as they unpack the latest research on epidurals, recently discussed on the  Evidence Based Birth  podcast with Rebecca Dekker. Learn why it’s crucial to look beyond sensational headlines, how to critically read studies, and the importance of preparing for a smooth labor. Get empowered with practical tips for making informed decisions about your birth pla...

On this week's episode, co-host Elly, shares her incredible journey through IVF, premature membrane rupture at 36 weeks, and her empowering low-intervention hospital birth in honor of her son, Braxton, who turned 5 last week! Join us as Elly opens up about her emotional rollercoaster, from the challenges of infertility to the triumph of welcoming her baby into the world. Despite facing prematu...

Join Elly on this week's episode of  Moms in the Middle  as she shares a fun and empowering four-step framework to transform your birth experience. Learn how to take control, develop a positive mindset, connect with your intuition, and embrace flexibility for a confident and joyful birth journey. Perfect for expecting moms seeking inspiration and practical tips. Tune in and get ready to rock y...

Are you interested in becoming a doula or jumping into birth work full time? In this solo episode, Heidi dives into frequently asked questions about how she started and sustained a professional doula business! She talks about her journey into doula work (more about that on Episode One of the podcast!), figuring out a business model, how she got her first few clients, building a trusted reputation...

In this episode of Moms in the Middle , we explore the vital role of partner support during childbirth! Join us as we discuss how partners can actively participate in the birth process, with expert tips from a doula's perspective. Learn how to provide emotional, physical, and mental support, communicate effectively, and advocate for your loved one. We also dive into how doulas and partners can...

In this episode of Moms in the Middle, we share our top takeaways from the Integrative Obstetric Care (IOB) Conference. We learned from so many amazing fellow birthworkers and care providers about the benefits of an integrative and more holistic approach during pregnancy. We learned so much more than what we already knew: the benefits of chiropractic care and prenatal yoga, essential nutrition for...

Celebrate Earth Day with Moms in the Middle as we explore sustainable parenting practices. From thrifting to second-hand baby gear and eco-friendly cleaning products, Heidi shares her tips for low-tox living and sustainability. Learn how to minimize waste with food and household goods, and join us in embracing a more eco-conscious lifestyle for our families and the planet. We're not perfect no...

Ready to dive deep into the rollercoaster ride of your menstrual cycle? Join us on this episode of Moms in the Middle as Elly spills the tea on what really goes down during each phase. Forget what you thought you knew—your period isn't the star of the show. We're shining a spotlight on ovulation and why it's the real MVP. From the mood swings of menstruation to the empowering energy of...

Join us on this episode of Moms in the Middle as we reconnect after life happened and forced us into radio silence. We dive into the relatable struggle of decision fatigue, sharing our own experiences and coping strategies for navigating the endless choices that come with motherhood. Then, we tackle the topic of mommy makeovers, offering candid insights and perspectives on this often-discussed but...

Join us on this special episode of Moms in the Middle as Elly celebrates the 2-year anniversary of her second “birth”day with her daughter Brenley’s birth story. From the shock of discovering a natural pregnancy after IVF with her first born, to the dramatic entrance of her daughter into the world, Elly’s story is one of resilience and advocacy. In this episode, Elly candidly recounts the emotiona...

Settle in for some casual mom (and doula) talk on this week's episode of Moms in the Middle! Heidi & Elly catch up on the past week discussing the woes (or lack thereof) of Daylight Savings time, a recent birth they attended with great examples of how collaborative care is so important to improving birth outcomes, and a killer prenatal yoga class with Jenny from Full Circle Yoga KC! Check...

We're at it again! Drawing inspiration from candid discussions on Reddit threads, we're giving our unsolicited advice to two topics that many parents can relate to: parenting pet peeves and coping with postpartum anxiety. We share our experiences as well as our own struggles with postpartum anxiety and our tips for navigating your first time away from baby. If you have situations or topics...

In this episode of Moms in the Middle, we discuss the crucial topic of birth advocacy and informed decision-making. Drawing from our experiences both as mothers and birth professionals, we explore the pivotal role that advocacy plays in ensuring a positive birth experience for both parents and babies. We emphasize the importance of trusting one's intuition and feeling empowered to make informe...

Join us on this enlightening episode of Moms in the Middle as we delve into the often overlooked realm of sexual health during pregnancy and postpartum. Our guest, Bethany Peterson, an amazing pelvic floor physical therapist, shares her journey into this specialized field and sheds light on the importance of normalizing body conversations, especially within the context of motherhood. From tackling...

This week, Elly and Heidi sit down to hear all about Heidi's second birth! Heidi opens up about her early pregnancy loss before this pregnancy and the perinatal mental health issues she dealt with; ending in a culmination of what she would consider her "ideal" low-intervention, unmedicated, hospital birth. Join us for an episode that hilariously enough, is as long as Heidi's enti...

Heidi hosts the podcast this week with her husband, Joe, and they have a raw discussion about how they have divided household labor over the years. From navigating young marriage, figuring out a relationship that looks different from their parents; to working jobs with different stress levels, fluctuations in workloads, and lots of random things in-between... They review the book "Fair Play&q...

This week we recap Heidi’s 30th birthday festivities and then dive in to a discussion about setting boundaries as parents and the enduring impact of generational influences on modern parenting. Whether you're a seasoned parent seeking validation or a newcomer navigating the joys and challenges of raising children alongside us, this episode offers valuable insights and relatable anecdotes to in...

This week on Moms in the Middle, we jump into the highs and lows of our breastfeeding journeys with each of our kids. From tongue ties, colic, and cracked nipples to oversupplies and reflux... you'll see that even "successful" breastfeeding journeys are never seamless. We both chat about our confidence in nursing our second babies, including the support we wish we knew about sooner....

Join us on this week's episode of Moms in the Middle as Elly dives deep into the world of pelvic floor health with the highly knowledgeable Dr. Meg Schwartz, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach. Pregnancy is a transformative journey, and understanding the crucial role the pelvic floor plays in this process is essential for the well-being of expectant and n...

In this episode of Moms in the Middle, we're sharing candid stories about navigating the holiday season, overcoming illness, and finding joy amidst the chaos. Join us as we reflect on the highs and lows of the festive period, offering relatable insights into the challenges of being moms. We're unveiling our personal goals for 2024, hoping to inspiring listeners with our resolutions and asp...

In this special episode of Moms in the Middle, hosts Heidi and Elly sit down with Meg Duke, a perinatal mental health therapist, to explore the crucial topic of setting boundaries and practicing self-care during the holiday season. Join the conversation as they discuss strategies to navigate family dynamics, prioritize mental well-being, and find balance in the midst of holiday chaos. Don't mi...

Heidi and Elly give their unsolicited opinions to reddit threads asking the burning questions parents are thinking of this holiday season... "What do I get my wife for Christmas? How do we enforce boundaries with family while still prioritizing relationships? Am I risking my newborns health by bringing them to that family Christmas party?" Enjoy listening to their thoughts and experience...

Heidi and Elly kick off this holiday season recapping their Thanksgiving festivities which included sick kiddos for both of them and a little Black Friday shopping before diving in to the holiday traditions they've started with their own families thus far in their parenting journeys! Join them all month for special episodes that relate specifically to parenting during the holiday season! As al...

Heidi and Elly share their experiences of traveling with babies and toddlers both domestically and internationally. What works, what didn't and how to set yourself up for a successful and enjoyable trip!  As always, please leave a rate and review, and feel free to follow  ⁠⁠⁠Heidi⁠⁠⁠  and  ⁠⁠⁠Elly⁠⁠⁠  on Instagram for more content! We love hearing from you. Got a comment or episode idea? Paren...