Holistic Pregnancy

Hey, welcome! We're talking about my top 3 pregnancy MUST DO's today.. but first, we've got a few announcements! FIRST..... We're taking a little break! We'll be back in August with fresh content, new guests and plenty of education to go around! In the meantime, this is a great opportunity to binge previous episodes AND/OR join the course community and get to work! Use cod...

Today, we are talking with Liz Kohut, a certified peristeam specialist. Liz stumbled upon Vaginal Steaming following a miscarriage in 2018 after her doctor suggested a D&C and she declined. Liz knew there had to be a more natural and non-invasive option. After she saw the positive effects of regular Vaginal Steaming (also known as peri, womb or yoni steaming), she decided to take the Peristeam...

Folate is one of the most talked about nutrients in pregnancy, but also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we break down what folate actually does, why the form matters, and how it impacts methylation and your baby’s development. I’m joined by Dr. Eric Ciappio and Lauren Eisen from Balchem, the company behind Optifolin+®. We talk through folate vs. folic acid, what MTHFR actually mean...

Choosing where to give birth is about more than picking a location. In this episode, we walk through how hospital, birth center, and homebirth settings differ, what each one is designed for, and how to think through this decision in a way that aligns with your body, your values, and your pregnancy. We talk about how to think about safety beyond just emergency access, how the hospital model of care...

I’m joined by Lizzie Bolliger (known online as @fiercelizzie) for a conversation about what advocacy during labor actually looks like in real life. We talk about why birth education alone isn’t always enough, how institutional momentum shows up during labor, and how preparation before labor can dramatically change the experience in the room. If you’ve ever wondered how advocacy really works when l...

In this episode, we’re breaking down pregnancy nutrition in simple, practical terms. Instead of focusing on restriction, we’re looking at pregnancy like a construction project — because your body is literally building a baby, a placenta, new blood volume, and preparing for postpartum recovery. All of that requires raw materials, and food is where those materials come from! We’re also talking about...

We talk a lot about intuition in the pregnancy and birth space. But intuition isn’t something you magically access when labor starts . It’s something you strengthen — and it starts in the body. In this episode, I sit down with kinesiologist and Pilates specialist Rachael Robertson to explore how embodied movement builds trust, awareness, and nervous system regulation. We discuss: What embodiment a...

In this episode, I am sitting down with Jes Reynolds, founder of Born From Her and the world’s only Holistic Root-Cause Hyperemesis Gravidarum Practitioner, to explore hyperemesis gravidarum from a completely different angle. Rather than accepting HG as random or unavoidable, Jes explains how mineral depletion, nervous system stress, nutritional gaps, and preconception preparation may all play a r...

The Estimated Due Date (EDD) is based on Naegele’s Rule — a 200-year-old formula that assumes a 28-day cycle and ovulation on day 14. In this episode, we unpack why that’s overly simplistic, how ultrasound “dating” plays into it, and how a single date creates unnecessary urgency around induction. We also cover: What’s actually considered a normal gestation range How the label “overdue” shifts deci...

In this episode of the Holistic Pregnancy Podcast, I’m joined by Illie Balaj, CEO and Founder of Live Healthillie, for a grounded and practical conversation about what optimal health really looks like before pregnancy. You can find her on Instagram at @healthillie! We dive into why true preconception health goes far beyond “just taking a prenatal” and why fertility isn’t only about your cycle. Ili...

In this episode of the Holistic Pregnancy Podcast, I’m breaking down one of the most common fears around birth: pain . Instead of talking about how to avoid it, I explain how pain actually works in labor, and why understanding it can completely change the way you experience birth. I share why labor pain is different from injury pain, how the brain interprets pain through fear and expectation, and...

In this episode of the Holistic Pregnancy Podcast, Taylor is joined by Moran Liviani, a doula and childbirth educator with nearly 14 years of experience, to explore how trauma, both birth-related and non-birth-related, can shape a woman’s labor, birth, and transition into motherhood.  Moran shares her own journey through a traumatic first birth, followed by two deeply healing experiences that tran...

In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the most misleading labels in modern maternity care: “low risk.” We talk about why this label often creates a false sense of safety, how it can actually lead to less support instead of more, and why being low risk doesn’t automatically protect you from unnecessary intervention. This conversation is about shifting from complacency to curiosity—so you’re not...

In this episode of the Holistic Pregnancy Podcast , we sit down with Brooke Gonseth for a grounded, no-fluff conversation about minerals, stress, and HTMA testing—and why this matters so much in pregnancy and postpartum. Brooke shares her personal journey into the holistic space after navigating her own health challenges, what led her to mineral nutritional balancing, and how HTMA testing became s...

In this episode of the Holistic Pregnancy Podcast, I unpack a distinction that doesn’t get talked about enough: the difference between wanting a natural birth and being prepared for birth. We talk about how labels and aesthetics don’t actually protect birth—and how true preparedness has far less to do with identity and far more to do with education, decision-making skills, and flexibility. This ep...

In this episode, we explore how indecision — not emergencies or complications — shapes birth outcomes more than most people realize. We talk about the difference between passive and intentional pregnancy, how “we’ll see” often defaults to institutional momentum, and why decisions are still being made even when we think we’re postponing them. We break down how small, early choices quietly compound,...

In this episode of the Holistic Pregnancy Podcast, I am joined by Katelyn Fusco, host of the Happy Homebirth Podcast. Katelyn and I dive into the power of storytelling in birth and motherhood; we talk about how storytelling has always been one of the primary ways women have shared wisdom, processed experiences, and passed down knowledge—especially when it comes to birth. We explore how the stories...

In this episode, we talk about how to handle judgment, concern, and unsolicited opinions during pregnancy and birth. We break down why fear-based reactions happen, how to spot them quickly, and how to stop taking them personally. You’ll learn how to set firm but kind boundaries, protect your energy, and stay rooted in self-trust — even when the people around you don’t understand your choices. What...

This interview is from episode 217 of the Entering Motherhood podcast where I had the opportunity to chat with Sarah Marie Bilger about preparing for the final weeks of pregnancy, especially for home birth. We cover the hormonal progression before labor, shifting your mindset from doing to allowing, boosting oxytocin through rest and connection, and simple physical practices (gentle movement, Spin...

In this episode, we’re sitting down with Christine Eck, founder of the Center for Sacred Window Studies, to unpack what Ayurvedic-informed postpartum care can actually look like in real life. We talk about why the first 40 days matter so much, how warmth, rest, and nourishment support deep healing, and simple ways to bring these ancient principles into a modern home. If you're looking to bulk...

In this episode, we walk through a holistic holiday gifting guide for pregnancy, postpartum, and crunchy living. We cover three main categories of meaningful, non-clutter gifts: nourishment (freezer meals, broth, herbal blends, homemade staples), self-care (comfort items, bodywork, experiences), and education (books, classes, and the Nested & Nourished holiday BOGO). We also touch on holistic...

In this episode, we are talking about the importance of holistic prenatal nutrition, emphasizing that traditional dietary advice is often outdated and insufficient for pregnant women. You'll learn about why balanced blood sugar matters, the significance of animal-based foods and the importance of minerals during pregnancy. We are also debunking common myths surrounding weight gain and craving...

Gestational diabetes doesn’t have to be scary or confusing — especially when you understand how food and physiology actually work together. In this episode, I’m joined by Lily Nichols, RDN , a leading voice in prenatal nutrition and author of Real Food for Gestational Diabetes , Real Food for Pregnancy , and Real Food for Fertility . We’re talking about: What real food blood sugar balance looks li...

In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how to create a birth plan that’s clear, confident, and actually respected in the birth room. We’ll talk about what to include (and what to skip), how to use language that gets your team on board, and why tone, formatting, and teamwork matter just as much as your actual preferences. You’ll learn: The psychology behind short, confident birth language How t...

In this week’s episode, we’re diving deep into the topic of Rhogam (also known as Anti-D) and the Rh factor—what it means, when it’s offered, and how to make an informed decision about whether it’s right for you. This is one of those topics that’s often brushed over in prenatal care, but understanding it can make a huge difference in how you approach your pregnancy from a place of awareness and au...