Badass Momma: 4th Trimester Lessons

In this episode, Danielle gets real about the messy, unfiltered side of postpartum recovery—navigating blood loss, iron infusions, intrusive thoughts, and the weight of anxiety that clung to every moment. She shares the raw truth of what healing looked like: therapy sessions, hypervigilance, a body that didn’t feel like her own, and the small support systems that made survival possible. Shedding l...

In this emotionally raw and beautifully honest episode, Ashley and Danielle pick up where the story left off—coming home from the hospital with their newborn, Jett. But this isn’t just about the car ride. It’s about the emotional weight of stepping out of the safety of hospital walls and into the unknown world of new parenthood. From a 3-hour snowstorm drive that mirrors their inner overwhelm to t...

Danielle shares what it felt like to finally be discharged from the hospital—without Jett. From navigating accessibility issues at the hotel to the haunting silence of being separated from her newborn, this episode unpacks a night that felt anything but healing. Take your journey with this podcast to the next level by joining our monthly membership program! Get accountability on self-care, and a c...

Danielle never got a full explanation for why she hemorrhaged after giving birth—so in this episode, she begins to piece it together out loud. From uterine exhaustion to vasospasms and a surprise second incision, she and Ashley unpack the causes of her blood loss, the eight transfusions, and what it meant to land in the ICU.This conversation goes beyond the clinical. It’s about the people who show...

After 38 hours in the ICU and a brush with death, Danielle found herself in a recovery room—physically wrecked, emotionally raw, and unsure how to begin this whole "being a mom" thing. In this episode, she walks us through what those first moments post-birth really felt like, from confusion and frustration to quiet, unexpected humor. If you’ve ever felt like you were dropped into motherhood withou...

What happens when birth turns into a fight for survival? In this raw and powerful episode, I take you inside my ICU experience—the pain, the fear, and the resilience that carried me through. From enduring Pitocin contractions on a gurney while being rushed to treat an embolism to the moment I realized just how critical my condition truly was , I share the moments that shaped my fight to live. You’...

In Part 1, I shared the moments leading up to Jett’s birth—the exhaustion, the unexpected turns, and the first signs that something wasn’t right. But what happened next? That’s where things took a terrifying turn. In Part 2, we pick up right where we left off. What started as relief and celebration—calling my mom, announcing Jett’s name—quickly spiraled into a full-blown medical crisis. One moment...

In this deeply personal episode, Danielle shares the beginning of her birth story—one marked by resilience, unexpected challenges, and raw emotions. With her wife Ashley by her side, she recounts the journey leading up to the birth of their son, the mental and physical toll of the experience, and how EMDR therapy has helped her process the trauma. Expect honesty, vulnerability, and a real look at...

In this episode of Badass Momma: 4th Trimester Lessons, Lynette Christine Norman shares her incredible journey of resilience and transformation. From navigating the challenges of teenage motherhood and overcoming generational trauma to embracing love and spiritual growth, Lynette’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and healing. She opens up about her traumatic birth experiences, de...

In this episode, From Miscarriages to Motherhood: Ashleigh’s Tenacious Journey, Ashleigh opens up about her raw and deeply personal path to becoming a mother. She shares candid reflections on navigating miscarriages, IVF challenges, and learning to advocate for herself during a high-risk pregnancy. From teething troubles to moments of mom guilt and the evolving nature of friendships, Ashleigh brin...

In this episode, Danielle shares a deeply personal reflection on processing trauma and grief, particularly surrounding the loss of a pregnancy. Together with her co-host, she explores the challenges of navigating emotional triggers, the pitfalls of toxic positivity, and the transformative power of naming and releasing emotions. They discuss the importance of building a supportive community, settin...

In this episode we explore the powerful journey of a couple navigating infertility, IVF, and the transformative challenges of the fourth trimester. Through raw, honest reflections, they share their emotional highs and lows, the resilience needed to push through loss, and the strength they found in their partnership. This episode is a testament to the unbreakable bonds formed through love, persever...

In this episode, we sit down with Ellen, a mother and surrogate, to explore her deeply personal and transformative journey through pregnancy and surrogacy. Ellen candidly shares her experiences with her own children’s births, which included both easy pregnancies and challenging labor and deliveries, as well as her decision to become a surrogate for another family. We delve into the emotional and p...

This episode was such a fun one, and a theraputic chat for my new friend. Allison. We dive deep into the journey of motherhood with her. From her early days as the go-to babysitter among friends to navigating the emotional and physical challenges of pregnancy and childbirth, Allison shares her story with honesty and heart. She opens up about her unexpected experiences during labor, the pressures o...

In this episode of "Badass Momma: 4th Trimester Lessons," Amber shares her remarkable journey through fertility challenges, pregnancy, and early motherhood. With a background in the medical field, Amber opens up about the anxiety and mental strain of knowing too much about the potential risks during her pregnancy with her daughter Willow. Despite these challenges, she finds joy in the mi...

In this episode, we sit down with Lauren, an ICU nurse who shares her incredible journey from handling critical care to embracing motherhood. Lauren discusses her challenging pregnancy, the realities of postpartum mental health, and the unexpected hurdles she faced, including a dramatic vacation incident. Her story is one of resilience, empowerment, and the strength it takes to balance professiona...

In this episode, Rachael Woolsey shares her deeply personal and traumatic birth experiences, including the unexpected survival of her son despite dire medical predictions. She discusses the emotional and physical challenges she faced, the lack of support from medical professionals, and the ongoing struggles with anxiety and bonding with her children. Rachael highlights the importance of a supporti...

In this heartfelt episode, we dive into the journey of motherhood, exploring the emotional highs and lows of pregnancy, childbirth, and the 4th trimester. Our guest, Alyssa Boies, shares her personal experiences with IVF, the challenges of new parenthood, and the importance of self-care. Through candid conversations, we discuss the significance of support systems, balancing relationships, and embr...

In this episode, we explore the profound journey of early motherhood, reflecting on the experiences of Cathy, a mother adjusting to life with her 18-month-old. We discuss the emotional and physical challenges, the importance of support systems, and the realities of bonding with a newborn. Take your journey with this podcast to the next level by joining our monthly membership program! Get accountab...

In this heartfelt episode, we dive into the raw and unfiltered realities of new parenthood. Join us as we share personal experiences of labor, delivery, and the often-overlooked challenges of the postpartum period. From sleepless nights and hospital frustrations to the emotional rollercoaster of postpartum rage and anxiety, we discuss it all. We highlight the importance of self-advocacy, the menta...

Welcome to 'Badass Momma: Lessons for the 4th Trimester' I'm so glad you're here. I don’t know about you but society doesn’t always tell the whole truth about birth and postpartum. I'm on a mission to change that. I'm sitting down with my friends, who just happen to be experts in this field as they are mommas too! We get real about the fourth trimester. We're talking ab...

My friend Paula Schuster shares her mothering background, a career in corporate America, transition to life coaching, sound healing, and podcasting. She discusses her journey and recounts her experiences with pregnancy and childbirth, including the premature birth of her son, Caleb, at 26 weeks, and the emotional and physical challenges faced during his NICU stay. You'll hear how her stress li...