Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy

This is quick and information-filled episode about placenta previa, including, what it is, how it's diagnosed during pregnancy, how it will affect your birth, and of course I leave you with all the good news. Maybe you're early in pregnancy and don't know what this is yet, or perhaps you're later in pregnancy and have been diagnosed. Either way, this is an excellent topic for e...

This episode dives deep into everything you want to know about placenta encapsulation. From postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders, to what to do if your partner isn't on board. Listen in as expert, Shannon Sheppard, answers all of these questions and much more. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @myessentialbirth and for even more great info head over to www.myesse...

We know from our years of serving women, taking them step by step through childbirth education, that there is a power to birth and work to be done in order to achieve the birth you desire. This episode highlights some important key things for you to do in order prepare for the birth that you want! From exercises, to meditation, and labor rehearsals, all the work that you put into preparing will pa...

Our loving warning to you is to make sure that you get pregnant before letting your partner listen to this adorable list! Ha! We must say we had a ton of fun recording this podcast and thinking through all of things our poor partners have to deal with. As moms, we mostly embrace all of the changes that happen to our body; from our growing belly, to lack of sleep and funny food cravings … because,...

We stress the importance of having a vision for your birth and finding the right provider to support you through that process, but how exactly do you get there? There are likely going to be some obstacles you will face as you work through what you know you want for your birth, understanding what questions to ask your provider, thinking through real-life scenarios you may come up against and having...

With so many decisions to make during pregnancy and postpartum, we know that vaccines are not only a hot topic but are also at the forefront of everyone's mind with all that 2020 brought. As with all of our topics we discuss here on the podcast, we try to give you the very best, credible information so that you can research, ask questions, and make an informed decision that is right for you a...

Tune into this excellent conversation we had with prenatal yoga instructor, doula, Lamaze Childbirth Educator, and mother, Deb Flashenberg as we discuss why it's so important to have balance in the pelvis throughout pregnancy and birth.  Deb shares her personal and professional experience including how she went from a five-hour pushing stage with her first baby to a five-minute pushing stage...

It's not that you can't eat a ton, or that you're swollen, the heartburn, exhaustion, or crazy pregnancy dreams, so do you know what it is!? We have seen a massive increase in this challenge for pregnant women especially since Covid hit in 2020. Don't worry though, we've got you covered. We'll tell you what you need to know, what your options are, and how to be prepar...

This is probably the thing moms are most curious about as they approach their due date! When do I head into the hospital? When do I call the midwife at the birth center? How will I know it's really time? Whether you are birthing medicated or unmedicated, we have some excellent tips for you to know when it's time to get into the car and head to your birthplace, as well as when it's j...

We know you're wondering exactly what you can expect when you arrive at the hospital during active labor and this episode is going to walk you through the step by step of what happens from the time you drive up to your birthplace until the time you take your sweet baby home in your car. Most importantly we are going to tell you what the usual procedures are as well as your options because it&...

This episode starts with two stories about a birthing mother named "Jessica" and we have a feeling you may relate to her quite a bit, but you'll have to tell us if you're relating more to Jessica's scenario #1 or scenario #2! As mothers, we do the very best that we can in preparing ourselves for this beautiful, sacred experience of birth, and having the very best birth tea...

We know that if you're following along with us there's a good chance you are not planning for a cesarean birth. It may surprise you to learn what the number one reason is that providers list on medical paperwork when performing a cesarean birth. Nothing to fear though! As usual, we are going to give you all the details you need to understand the background to why this occurs, how to keep...

Often when we head to our birthplace we are walking away from all of the things that bring us comfort. What if we told you that there was a way to create more of an at-home experience in whatever setting you're birthing in AND that it will even help your labor to progress more comfortably? Oxytocin and adrenaline have an interesting relationship and when oxytocin is flowing it's generall...

If you ask around, chances are you're going to find some moms who have had an episiotomy and it may leave you wondering if you will need one too. Don't worry! We've got you covered. In case you're wondering what an episiotomy is, it's a cut made with scissors into your perineal area to make more room for baby's grand entrance into the world. There's some debate a...

We hear this a lot as doulas and it seems to get a lot of attention once every month when women are approaching their due date...so is it true that a full moon brings on labor? You will definitely want to tune into this fun episode where we talk about the research, the personal and professional experiences we've had, and give you our take, as well as the facts, behind this concept. Don't...

We know you get to hear ALLLL of the craziest birth stories while you're pregnant and you're probably wondering, "How do I make sure my birth isn't like THAT?" Well, today we're answering your questions about what causes a longer or shorter labor and what you can do to have some control over it! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @myessentialbirth and for eve...

We know this is a pretty hot topic right now and we've been getting quite a few questions about whether moms should bear down and push their babies out OR if they should let their body do the work on its own. Well, as per usual, we've broken down all of the details you will need in order to answer this burning question. We discuss the length of the pushing stage, what it looks like with...

You are not alone in wanting to know what happens if your water breaks and what you should do if it does. We hope you love how we broke this down into the different ways this can happen, funny scenarios of where it can happen, and even some role play to show you how you can safely and comfortably speak with your provider about when and if it's time to head into your birthplace. Plus, we take...

Perhaps you've heard of the stages of birth or labor before, and maybe you haven't, but once you understand what they are and how to tell when you've reached each stage, it will make a huge impact on how you and your partner work through the process of labor. This episode breaks down these highlights into what's happening in each stage as well as what you will feel or notice as...

We often get comments like, "I'm so sad I just found your podcast/birth course, I only have a few weeks until I give birth." To which we say, GREAT! That means you still have time to do tons of prep work. In case you're wondering about the very most important things you can do when you have just a few weeks to prepare, we break it down and give you our best advice! Make sure to...

Whether you're a Stay-At-Home, Work-At-Home, or Working mom, there are definitely some good things (benefits), some not-so-great things (risks), and ways to make it successful (preparation - sound familiar?). We are here to shower every mother, no matter the situation she feels is best, with love and support! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @myessentialbirth and for even more grea...

The most intense, shortest, and possibly the most important part of the birth process, Transition not only moves you into the next stage of birth but also the transition into motherhood. This episode takes you through the mechanics of what's happening inside of the body during this stage, the spiritual side of transition, why surrendering is SO necessary, and what your partner must do to prep...

We asked, you told us, and then we made an entire episode quoting all of your incredible suggestions for what every mom should have during pregnancy, birth, & postpartum! We absolutely LOVE this birthing community that we get to be a part of. You are all so supportive, fun, and wise. We hope you enjoy this week's episode made BY you, FOR you! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @m...

The last two weeks of pregnancy can be a bit tricky because #1 you don't know when those last two weeks will actually be and #2 it feels exciting and exhausting all at the same time! We've broken it down into the most useful things you can do to transition from having baby inside to bringing home a newborn during that final countdown. We're talking about everything from prepping fre...

We talk A LOT about how to take care of yourself during pregnancy,  but what about that "Fourth Trimester" after baby is born? We had a very special interview with Jaren Soloff, RD (Registered Dietician), IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), and author of The Postnatal Cookbook where we discussed the special nourishment a mother needs after giving birth to her baby...