Birth Story Podcast

Heidi catches up with Gina Conley in 2025 to update their conversation from 2022. In 2022, Gina shares about her first 2 births and 2 miscarriages and how Mamaste Fit came to be. In this episode, Gina shares about her new book, Training for Two, and digs into her final two homebirths.  If you haven't listened to the 2022 episode, I have replayed in just before this episode in 219....start there! X...

This is a replay of episode XXX in 2022. The follow up episode 220 is up next and is Part 2 where I catch up with Gina in 2025 and hear two more homebirth stories and an update on the Mamaste Education and Fitness platform. Make sure to listen to both episodes! XOXO Heidi 

Bec thought she knew everything she needed to to have a smooth Home birth for her son- after all she'd been teaching prenatal yoga and birth classes for over 20 years at the time. But when her birth ended up in a hospital transfer and unplanned cesarean she started looking more deeply into what had happened, and where she might have missed something. In doing so she discovered a missing piece in h...

This is a replay of episode 210 to celebrate and promote the launch day of FLOORED, by Dr. Sara Reardon aka The Vagina Whisperer. Out today!  You can buy your copy HERE.  XOXO- Heidi 

In this podcast episode, Julia Winn shares her unmedicated Pitocin birth story, detailing her journey from induction to delivery. Her induction plan for a cervical ripening process without an epidural, her unexpected exposure to listeria, and the decisions she faced as labor progressed. From the intense contractions brought on by Pitocin to the incredible support of her doula (Catherine 😀) who is...

Sasha Niz Konrad is the founder and CEO of Sashamama Wellness, a brand dedicated to non-toxic, holistic wellness solutions for pregnant and postpartum women. With a background as a prenatal and postpartum yoga instructor and a deep passion and interest in holistic maternal and hormone health. Sasha has combined her expertise and personal journey to create thoughtfully curated, safe, and effective...

How does Birth Order impact you and your parenting? Dr. Robert V.V. Hurst was born in Hammond Indiana and has been practicing orthodontics in Covington Louisiana for over 35 years. During this time he has used his office and patients as his living laboratory to study his patient's personality traits and birth orders. Out of this has come a unique and workable theory that accurately finds a person'...

Drumroll....I am proud of myself for pumping out the ever popular Doula Diaries! I had a crazy week of births around the full Blood Moon of March 14, 2025.  I went to a homebirth, a birth center birth, and 2 hospital births in the same week. Let's see how they all played out. This week was reminding me that birth is unpredictable. It can be long, it can be short, it can be uncomplicated, it can be...

Today is World Downsyndrome Day! Celebrating all of our homies with an extra chromy. Thank you for being here and sharing this podcast episode with someone that you know that is parenting and/or pregnant and Down's Syndrome is part of their story.  Heidi sits down with Abby Rose Green of the  HERself Podcast  to chat about fertility, an unexpected anatomy scan, an amniocentesis, chromosomal unique...

Thank you Michelle Smith for recording these beautiful birth affirmations to help get through birth and to practice before birth! If you have 8 minutes, come back to this episode every day! XOXO Heidi You can find Michelle's Birth Ease Method for Hypnobirthing at https://www.birtheaseservices.com/  

What is pelvic floor therapy? Dr. Sara Reardon had two unmedicated vaginal births with no perineal tearing.  So, how? Sara has her online pelvic floor fitness platform The V-Hive (everyone can try free for 7 days) and her book available for pre-order now and releasing June 10, 2025 Floored: A Woman's Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage   3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listen...

Heidi talks through her birth statistics from 2024 with her fall interns Katie, Cat, and Mariza. Take a dive into cesarean section rates, how long labors lasted, and more fun data in this annual episode! We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at https://www.birthstory.com/online-course   Resources: Birth Story Academy Online Course Shop My...

Are you ready to hear the amazing birth story of Kenzie Petty with her partner Jackson by her side? Let's do this! And since Kenzie is a baddy and won survivor and crushed a primal unmedicated birth...she has a bunch of ways to connect and save you money on all of her favorite things. Make sure to follow her if you aren't already! Here is what you need to know! XOXO Heids Favorite baby product or...

3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today:  craniosacral is very gentle and can be used on anyone, but especially babies very soon after birth, no matter if the birth was smooth, or traumatic it can help with feeding (no matter how you feed your baby), sleep issues, tongue ties, and meeting developmental milestones it's never too late to start craniosacral treatments   Favor...

Today Heidi interviewed Cora Howard, a mother of two and the owner of Write to Heal, a coaching program for birthing people that have experienced cesarean births. Here is a little more about Cora Howard and this episode. In Cora's words: "In this episode, we'll explore the emotional journey of recovering from a C-section and rediscovering your sense of self. I'll share my personal birth stories, i...

Today Heidi interviewed Chelsea Skaggs, the founder of Postpartum Together, a coaching program for parents to continue to grow their relationship after having kids. Here is a little more about Chelsea Skaggs and this episode. In Chelsea's words: "Having a baby creates a huge shift in your relationship. More than half of couples report decreased satisfaction in their marriage after having a baby, b...

Today's interview is with Marisa Rodriguez of Luxe Baby Custom Newborn Care. In Marisa's Words: "I want to share how my postpartum and birth experience changed my views from a caregiver to a mother and how it shaped my views and also led to the way I support other Moms in the postpartum period. I will be discussing my remote services and how they can support new parents."   3 Key takeaways from th...

Today Heidi interviewed Kristen Stegall, CEO of Novice Studios, a podcast production company based in Charlotte, NC. Here is a little more about Kristen Stegall and this episode. In Heidi's words: "In this episode, I interview my client Kristen Stegall about her pregnancy journeys, from navigating a missed miscarriage in 2020, to delivering her rainbow baby in 2022. We discuss her long prodromal l...

Today Heidi interviewed Mary Farrelly, also known as the NICU translator. Here is a little more about Mary Farrelly and this episode. In Mary's words: "Hi, I am Mary Farrelly - a certified NICU nurse, nurse educator, doula and the founder of The NICU Translator where I help to bring more joy and less trauma to a NICU experience through empowered education and individualized support. In today's epi...

Sabia Wade (she/they), is a Black, queer, CEO, author, educator, full-spectrum doula, investor, and expander of Black luxury. Sabia is the founder of Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings , an accessible and inclusive training program for community care workers, and For the Village , a non-profit providing doulas at no or low-cost to low-income and marginalized communities in San Diego. As a coach, bo...

Today Heidi interviewed Amy Lloyd. Here is a little more about Amy and this episode. In Amy's words: "I graduated nursing school in 2011 and started working in the NICU. I travel nursed and ended up in Denver, CO for 7 years. I mainly worked in the NICU but worked for Nurse Family Partnership for 4 years (an amazing nationwide program for 1st time moms that qualify based on income!)  I got married...

Today's episode is all about understanding magnesium, where it comes from, why we need it, what the dosing is, and how critical this mineral is for pregnancy. Magnesium Lotion Shop started with Tiffany having restless legs during pregnancy and postpartum, not knowing until much later it was because of a magnesium deficiency. Tiffany created a DIY version of lotion that worked, and shared it on her...

Did you listen to the previous episode 197? Start there. I interviewed David Arrell, the author of Welcome to Fatherhood, in 2021. This is a part 2 follow up in 2024 to that initial discussion.  This episode is about hoow men can achive their highlest level of healthy mascunlinity and embrace fatherhood and partnership successfully.  Please share this episode with a father or soon to be father you...

David Arrell, the author of Welcome to Fatherhood, chats with Heidi about this powerful book to help male partners with new fatherhood transitions.  Please share this episode with a father or soon to be father in your life. XOXO Heidi  PS. David mentions his favorite baby products in this episode which is include the Babytone Sensor and the Frida nose sucker . 

Ashley Schein is a mother, a writer, and a writing workshop facilitator. She leads workshops, both in person and over zoom. In this episode she talks about the benefits of writing and sharing your birth story in a safe space, and gives some guidance on how to get started so that your story can unfold naturally and beautifully on the page. Ashley also shares about how writing helped her process her...