Entering Motherhood: Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum Support

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast with your host, Sarah Marie Bilger. In today's episode, we delve into the critical topic of birth support options. Whether you're planning a VBAC, exploring free birthing, or setting up your birth team, we'll help you navigate and make informed choices. Sarah and Katelyn discuss the importance of interviewing providers, under...

Welcome to the Entering Motherhood podcast, your resource for holistic and evidence-based practices to support you on your unique motherhood journey. Join host Sarah Marie Bilger, a wife, mom of two, VBAC mama, and doula, as she empowers and informs you through expert insights and personal stories. Whether you're trying to conceive, pregnant, or newly postpartum, this podcast is your guide to embr...

Welcome to this enlightening episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, hosted by Sarah Marie Bilger. Join us as we delve into the holistic world of motherhood with Kristy Vacari, a seasoned doula, nutritionist, and yoga teacher. Kristy shares her profound insights on breath work and self-care, offering a grounding presence to mothers navigating their unique journeys. In this episode, Kristy open...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, hosted by Sarah Marie Bilger, a dedicated birth and postpartum doula. This week, we delve into the unexpected: how to handle an unplanned out-of-hospital birth. Whether you're at home or on the way to your birthing center, things don't always go as planned, and we're here to guide you through it. Sarah emphasizes the impor...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Entering Motherhood! In this episode, host Sarah Marie Bilger sits down with Celeste Yvonne, a mom, author, and advocate for sobriety, especially within the context of motherhood. They delve into Celeste's journey towards sobriety and discuss the pervasive "mommy wine culture" that has become so normalized in today's society. Celeste shares her personal e...

Welcome to another episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast hosted by Sarah Marie Bilger. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating and crucial aspects of labor: cervical dilation and effacement. Learn about the process, understand what to expect, and discover tips to help your body progress naturally. Sarah explains the significance of dilation and effacement, how they are measured, and the...

In this episode, we delve deep into the impactful and heartfelt story of Victoria Greene, a local mom who bravely shares her experience with postpartum psychosis. Victoria opens up about the challenges she faced, from the initial manic episodes to her journey through the healthcare system, and the eventual diagnosis of postpartum bipolar. She recounts the emotional highs and lows, the struggle for...

In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, host Sarah Marie Bilger, discusses labor inductions. She covers both medical and non-medical methods, offering insights and tips to help expectant mothers make informed decisions. Sarah emphasizes understanding one's body, the importance of patience, and the need for open conversations with healthcare providers. She also shares strategies to avoi...

In this episode of Entering Motherhood, Sarah Marie converses with Suzzie Vehrs, a doula and childbirth educator. Suzzie shares her contrasting birthing experiences: an emergency cesarean section for her first daughter and an empowering natural birth for her second. The discussion emphasizes the importance of informed consent, effective communication with healthcare providers, and the supportive r...

In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, host Sarah Marie Bilger, a wife, mother of two, and doula, discusses the critical topic of blood pressure during pregnancy. She explains the importance of monitoring blood pressure, detailing the differences between low and high blood pressure and their potential impacts on both mother and baby. Sarah offers insights into managing blood pressure...

In this episode of Entering Motherhood, we chat with Lisa Marchiano, a Jungian analyst, author, and podcaster, to explore the psychological dimensions of motherhood. Lisa shares insights from her books, "Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself" and "The Vital Spark: Reclaim Your Outlaw Energies and Find Your Feminine Fire." The discussion covers key Jungian concepts like individuation, dreams, and...

In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, host Sarah Marie discusses Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and its impact on pregnancy, labor, and birth. She covers the testing process, treatment options, and considerations for both positive and negative results. Drawing from her own personal experiences, Sarah Marie provides insights and practical advice, emphasizing informed decision-making and...

In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, host Sarah Marie Bilger interviews Gina Mundy, a childbirth attorney and author. Gina shares her journey into the specialized field of childbirth law, driven by her desire to ensure safer childbirth experiences. She discusses common issues in childbirth, such as the use of Pitocin, and emphasizes the importance of having a designated baby advocat...

In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, host Sarah Marie Bilger shares her personal journey of transitioning from a career as a mechanical engineer to becoming a full-time doula. She discusses how motherhood shifted her priorities and led her to pursue her passion for supporting mothers through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Sarah reflects on the challenges and fulfillment of her ne...

Hey there, beautiful souls! In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, our host Sarah Marie Bilger sits down with Daniela Procopio, the creative mind behind Solma, a ready-to-drink lactation support beverage. Daniela opens up about her own journey into motherhood, sharing the ups and downs she faced with breastfeeding and the struggle to find postpartum support. These heartfelt experience...

In this episode, host Sarah Marie Bilger goes behind the scenes of what it’s like to be a doula. From what a doula is, to what a doula does and how doulas navigate being on call and structuring out their schedule. We dive deep and still have so much to share. If you liked this episode and want more questions answered reach out and let us know what behind the scene questions you have on doula life....

In this podcast episode, Susie Taaffe, CEO and founder of Skanties, an anti-shapewear brand, joins the host to discuss motherhood, body image, and self-acceptance. Susie shares her personal experiences as a single mom of three, the challenges of parenting, and the importance of gratitude even during tough times. She emphasizes the value of seeking help and the significance of capturing memories th...

In this episode, host Sarah Marie Bilger discusses the importance of preparing for an unmedicated birth. She emphasizes the need for intentional preparation, education, and support to empower mothers in making informed choices for their birth experience. Sarah shares valuable insights on assembling a supportive birth team, setting clear birth preferences, and engaging in both physical preparation...

In this episode of "Entering Motherhood," host Sarah Marie Bilger and guest Maisie Ruttan, a twin mom and former nurse turned sleep consultant, discuss the challenges of toddler sleep, especially in the context of welcoming a new child into the family. Maisie shares her journey from nursing to sleep consulting after her own experience with twins and IVF. She emphasizes the normalcy of sleep issues...

In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, host Sarah Marie Bilger shares insights on maternity, birth, and newborn photography. She covers finding a photographer, creative maternity photo ideas, poses to highlight the baby bump, and capturing key birth moments while maintaining privacy. Sarah also discusses preparing for a newborn photoshoot at home and the importance of scheduling it ea...

In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, host Sarah Marie Bilger and guest Mikki Gardner, a life and conscious parenting coach, delve into the complexities of co-parenting and motherhood. They discuss the emotional journey of becoming a mother, the societal pressures on women to "do it all," and the importance of self-awareness and personal growth in parenting. Mikki shares her expertis...

Discover the transformative support of postpartum doulas in this comprehensive podcast episode. From newborn care to breastfeeding assistance, explore how postpartum doulas empower new mothers through the challenges of early motherhood. Uncover the benefits, debunk myths, and find your support system so that you are able to experience a confident and nurturing postpartum journey. Click here for fu...

In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, host Sarah Marie Buhler interviews Kate Walker, a mother of two and author, about her 20-year journey in motherhood and career. They discuss the challenges of balancing work and family, the impact of mobile devices on parenting, and the importance of routine. Kate shares insights from her book, reflecting on motherhood, marriage, and career trans...

Discover the transformative power of birth doulas! Join us as we delve into the essential role of doulas in enhancing childbirth experiences. From navigating labor with confidence to advocating for your birthing preferences, learn how doulas empower expecting parents every step of the way. Whether you're curious about the benefits of doula support or seeking guidance on finding the perfect doula f...

Alicia Krasko is a Stepmom Coach and has been a stepmom of 2 for more than a decade. She has been a part-time and full-time stepmom and is now an "empty nester" as far as stepkids go. Her and her husband have a 4 year old daughter together. Alicia's story is one of resilience and growth. Instead of surrendering to the difficulties, she learned to embrace and work with the challenges, accepting tha...