Her Village

This week on Motherhood Intended , Jacqueline opens the episode with an honest reflection on why this season of the podcast has looked different — and why that difference has actually been a gift. In this heartfelt intro, Jacqueline shares what life has looked like behind the scenes, including:  • balancing toddlerhood, therapies, and packed family schedules  • navigating a season of growth in mar...

The holidays can be magical — but if you’re trying to conceive, they can also feel incredibly heavy. Between family gatherings, triggering comments, pregnancy announcements, disrupted routines, and the emotional weight of longing for a baby, this season brings unique challenges that often go unspoken. In today’s solo episode, Jacqueline shares a supportive and practical guide for navigating the ho...

If you’ve ever stared at your lab results and thought, “Wait… is this good or bad?” — this episode is for you. Today, Jacqueline breaks down the most common (and most confusing) parts of fertility testing in simple, empowering language. From AMH and egg quality to antral follicle counts, HSGs, thyroid levels, and partner testing, you’ll walk away feeling informed, prepared, and a whole lot less al...

In this heartfelt episode, Jacqueline is joined by her husband, Josh, to talk openly about something that’s become a major part of their family’s life lately: ABA therapy. After their oldest son was diagnosed with level 1 autism and ADHD at age six, they spent months sitting with the news, learning, questioning, and honestly…trying to figure out what actually felt right for their family. Fast forw...

When motherhood takes an unexpected turn, where do you find the strength to keep going? In this emotional and powerful episode, host Jacqueline Baird sits down with Kath Hansen —a Brisbane mom of four, founder of the baby brand Bubba Cloud , and host of The Modern Mother Podcast . Kath opens up about her youngest son Odin’s rare congenital heart condition, months spent in the NICU, and the raw rea...

What if your anger toward your body isn’t something to hide — but a sign that it’s finally time to start healing? If you’ve ever felt angry at your body — for not doing what you hoped it would, for betraying your trust, or for making something as natural as motherhood feel impossibly hard — this episode is for you. In this solo episode, Jacqueline opens up about the unspoken emotion so many women...

Insurance and infertility are two words that rarely bring comfort, but understanding how to navigate your coverage can change everything about your experience. In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline shares her best guidance for reading your policy, asking smart questions, and knowing your rights when it comes to fertility care. She explains what “infertility coverage” really means, how...

October can be a heavy month for many mothers. It’s a time to honor the babies who never made it earthside and the women who continue to carry their memories with love and courage. In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline opens her heart for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. She shares her story of losing her daughters Charlotte, Cecilia, and Maren, and how those experiences con...

Pregnancy comes with a lot of choices. A clear plan for information and advocacy can turn overwhelm into confidence at every step. In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline welcomes Dr. Dallas Reed to unpack the essentials of prenatal genetics and decision making. You will learn when to consider carrier screening before pregnancy, how NIPT fits into first trimester care, and a simple set...

Have you ever left a doctor's appointment feeling unheard, overwhelmed, or with more questions than answers? You're not alone.  Self-advocacy is a skill many of us weren't taught but desperately need, especially when navigating fertility challenges and motherhood. Jacqueline shares her personal experiences with infertility, pregnancy loss, and raising children with special needs, an...

You fought so hard to become a mom, but why doesn’t every moment feel magical? Parenting after infertility comes with hidden challenges that most people never talk about. In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline opens up about the invisible baggage many moms carry after infertility treatments, loss, NICU stays, or surrogacy. She shares her own story of bringing home her children after ye...

When your path to motherhood doesn’t go as planned, how do you rewrite the story? For Dr. Andrea Ali-Panzarella, that answer came through surrogacy, and a book that changed everything. In this episode of Motherhood Intended , host Jacqueline Baird sits down with Andrea, a pediatrician, mother, and author, to talk about her deeply personal experience with infertility, pregnancy loss, and ultimately...

In this vulnerable bonus episode, Jacqueline opens up about the emotional toll of navigating infertility during a season filled with pregnancy announcements, baby showers, and growing bumps everywhere you turn. If you’ve ever felt left out, behind, or broken as the only one not pregnant in your circle, this episode is for you. With compassion and real-life insight, Jacqueline offers powerful tools...

In this episode, Jacqueline opens up about her entire journey to motherhood, from hopeful beginnings and unexpected infertility, to devastating losses, NICU stays, IVF, and eventually surrogacy. She vulnerably shares the highs, lows, and in-betweens of becoming a mom to three beautiful children, explains why there is no one “right” way to build a family, and lists multiple different family buildin...

In this deeply compassionate episode of Motherhood Intended , Jacqueline opens up about the emotional toll of the “waiting season” during the fertility journey. Whether you’re waiting for test results, a cycle to begin, or answers that feel impossibly out of reach, Jacqueline shares her own experiences and insights to help you feel seen and supported during this often invisible and very isolating...

Season 5 comes to a close with a heart-to-heart from host Jacqueline Baird—reflecting on the powerful stories shared, the community built, and a new chapter that’s just beginning. In this special solo episode, Jacqueline opens up about her own fertility journey and the inspiration behind Your Fertility Village —a new support community for women navigating infertility, IVF, TTC, loss, surrogacy, or...

In this episode, Jacqueline sits down with Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie, a neonatologist and AAP spokesperson, to explore what truly builds a strong foundation between parents and their newborns. From NICU realities to bonding after surrogacy, this episode is a science-meets-heart deep dive into connection, communication, and ditching the pressure to “do it all.” What you’ll learn: Why bonding isn’t...

In today's episode, Jacqueline sits down with Betsy Goldbeck, a mom of four, to share the emotional and complex journey of her son Aiden, born with a serious heart defect. From an unexpected diagnosis mid-pregnancy to a traumatic birth and multiple hospital stays, Betsy opens up about life as a special needs mom, the toll it’s taken on her family, and the resilience that continues to carry th...

In this episode of Motherhood Intended , Jacqueline chats with Evonne Roman who is a single mom, entrepreneur, and the founder of Sweet Gear about the transformative journey from corporate life to creative independence. Evonne shares the deeply personal story behind her business launch, the realities of solo parenting, and how reclaiming her identity fueled her professional and personal reinventio...

In today's episode, Jacqueline has a conversation with Sarah Trott—tech executive, mom of three, and creator of the Fourth Trimester Podcast —to explore the crucial yet often overlooked postpartum period. They dive deep into how technology can compliment , not replace, the support new parents need, and Sarah shares the inspiration and utility behind her latest project, Hello Gaia, an AI-power...

In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline celebrates a significant milestone: the first birthday of her daughter Lorelei, who was born via surrogacy. Joined by her husband Josh, the two reflect on their journey from deciding to pursue surrogacy to reaching this joyous milestone. They discuss the emotional highs and lows, the logistics and financial challenges, and the overwhelming joy of...

In this episode, Jacqueline delves into the challenges and strategies of managing screen time for children. She shares her personal experiences navigating screen usage for her three kids, especially during the pandemic. Jacqueline discusses the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and her practical approach, such as using a screen time token system and visual timers. She highlights t...

Starting Solids: Evidence-Based Baby-Led Feeding with Cindy the Baby Dietician In this episode, Jacqueline chats with Cindy, an experienced dietician and lactation consultant, about safe and effective methods for introducing solid foods to babies. Cindy discusses the general recommendations for starting solids at around six months, the signs of readiness, and debunks common myths about baby-led fe...

In this episode, Jacqueline welcomes on Melissa Tuleja, a working mom and advocate for an alcohol-free lifestyle. They discuss the concept of being 'sober curious,' especially within the context of motherhood and dealing with postpartum anxiety. Melissa shares her journey of quitting alcohol, the positive changes she experienced, and how the pandemic influenced her drinking habits. They...

In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline welcomes on Angela Howard, a certified hypnotherapist and creator of the Motherwell app. Angela shares her journey into hypnotherapy, emphasizing its potential to help mothers overcome burnout, anxiety, and stress. She explains the science behind hypnotherapy and how it differs from common misconceptions. Angela introduces the Motherwell app, desi...