Mom2Mom Podcast

Most of us picture pushing the same way: flat on our back, feet in stirrups, someone counting to ten. That's one option, but it's not the only one. Not even close. In this episode, we're talking about pushing positions for labor and why where you push matters just as much as how you push. From squatting and hands and knees to sideline pushing, closed knee pushing, and small modifica...

Natural ways to progress labor are one of the most searched topics as a due date gets closer, and also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we're talking about what actually supports your body during labor and what tends to work against it. We're not handing you a roadmap, because labor doesn't work that way. What we can give you are real, tangible things we see make a di...

What happens when your water breaks is one of the most common questions we get as doulas, and the answer rarely matches the Hollywood version. In this episode, we're talking through both sides of the water breaking conversation. The one where your water releases on its own at home, and the one where your provider suggests breaking it for you. Both come with options, and both deserve real info...

Your baby is here, and in a lot of ways that moment can feel like the finish line. But the story of how they got here, how it felt, what it asked of you, lives on long after the birth. This is why your birth story matters. In this episode, we're talking about the full weight of a birth experience. The pride. The grief. The moments that surprised you. The comments that landed wrong. The pieces...

When people hear the word Pitocin, it often gets described as "synthetic oxytocin," so it's easy to assume the two are basically the same thing. They're not, and that distinction matters more than most of us realize. In this episode, we're walking through what oxytocin actually does during labor, why it's so much more than the "love hormone" nickname, and ho...

If your first reaction to "placenta encapsulation" is a hard no, we get it. Stephanie had the same reaction 13 years ago. But stay with us, because by the end of this episode, a lot of moms find themselves thinking: okay, this actually makes sense. In this episode, Stephanie and Nikki break down what placenta encapsulation really is, how the process works, and the top five reasons moms a...

If you've been having contractions that feel completely real and then just stop, you are not imagining it. And you are not doing anything wrong. Prodromal labor is one of those experiences that doesn't get talked about nearly enough, and yet so many people go through it feeling confused, defeated, and alone. This episode is for anyone currently in it, anyone who has been through it, and...

This one is for the dads, partners, and support people who want to help during birth but aren't sure what that actually looks like. Here's the truth: you do not need to be a birth expert to be an incredible support person. You just need presence, awareness, and a willingness to prepare. And that's exactly what we're getting into today. Stephanie and Nikki share the real, practi...

You've probably heard it before: don't hold your breath while pushing. Maybe you're holding onto that advice tightly as you prep for birth, especially if you've been practicing breathing techniques for labor ahead of time. We get it. And we want to give you the full picture. In this episode, Stephanie and Nikki sit down for an honest conversation about breathing, pushing, and w...

When families ask, “Is there evidence that doulas really make a difference?”  —the answer is yes. In this episode of the Mom2Mom Podcast, we break down the scientific evidence for doulas and what research actually shows about the benefits of doula support during labor and birth. Using high-quality data summarized by Evidence Based Birth, we explore how continuous labor support—especially from a do...

Cervical checks are one of the most common parts of pregnancy and labor care—but they’re often offered without much explanation. In this episode of the Mom2Mom Podcast, we talk about cervical checks, what they actually tell us, what they don’t tell us, and why they are always optional—both in pregnancy and during labor. We break down cervical checks in pregnancy, when cervical checks during labor...

Mother’s intuition is often misunderstood — dismissed as anxiety, overthinking, or emotion — yet it plays a powerful role in pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and motherhood. In this episode of the Mom2Mom Podcast, we talk about what mother’s intuition really is, how it shows up in the body and nervous system, and why it deserves a seat at the table alongside medical guidance. We share real birth room...

The birth ball is one of the simplest—and most effective—tools we use as doulas to support comfort, movement, and confidence during labor. In this episode, we break down why the birth ball matters, how it supports active movement and pelvic mobility, and the real-life ways we guide clients to use it during early labor, active labor, and transition. We talk through common birth ball positions, part...

Childbirth education is one of the most common topics we get asked about— and also one of the most confusing. In this episode, we’re breaking down what childbirth education actually is, why so many classes sound the same, and how to choose a course that truly supports your birth—not someone else’s version of it.  We talk through the different types of classes (hospital-based, virtual, on-demand, m...

We’re sharing the best gifts for new moms—real products we use, love, and recommend as doulas. Whether you’re pregnant, prepping for postpartum, shopping for a friend, or building your holiday wish list, this episode is full of thoughtful, practical ideas that make motherhood easier. We cover top picks for pregnancy, birth prep, postpartum recovery, newborn essentials, and calming tools for toddle...

If you’ve ever heard someone mention the “5–5–5 postpartum rule” and wondered, okay…but what does that actually look like in real life? This episode is your new best friend. We’re breaking down the 5–5–5 rule the way we explain it to our own clients: five days in your bed, five days on your bed, five days around your bed… and zero days trying to pretend you didn’t just grow and birth a whole human...

In this episode, we're flipping the script as our very own Stephanie Sinclair—founder of How2Mom—takes the guest seat! Julie from Being Better Everyday podcast is a millennial mom, corporate professional, and founder of P&W Designs, where she helps women-lead small business owners grow side hustles into thriving businesses through strategic branding, web design, and SEO. We’re diving into...

The fourth trimester is messy, magical, and often overlooked. In this episode of the Mom2Mom Podcast , we sit down with Dr. Chrissy from MotherBaby Wellness Co. to talk about postpartum recovery, chiropractic care, and why every new mom needs a village of support. From body aches after birth to the truth about fast labors, we explore what real healing looks like in those first weeks and how gentle...

This week on the Mom2Mom Podcast , we’re doing something a little different. Stephanie was called to a birth (real life as a doula!), so we didn’t want you to miss an episode. We’re bringing you a special replay from the Reclaiming Your Hue Podcast , where Stephanie and Nikki share their personal journeys through motherhood, entrepreneurship, and building How 2 Mom . In this heartfelt conversation...

When Rachel was 36 weeks pregnant with her first child, she wasn't sure a doula was right for her family. Her husband worried they might end up with someone who'd be distracting during labor, but after meeting Stephanie from How2Mom, everything clicked. "You just felt like family," Rachel recalls of that coffee shop interview. Little did they know this connection would span yea...

When Christine and Alex welcomed their son via VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) in June 2024, it marked a powerful moment of healing after a traumatic cesarean during COVID and two pregnancy losses. “Every birth is a miracle,” Alex said, “but for us, it just seemed like a different kind of miracle.” Their experience highligts how crucial the right support is after birth trauma. When Christine’s...

Ryan Flash, a Twin Cities therapist specializing in working with dads, discusses the unique challenges fathers face in adjusting to parenthood and the importance of seeking support. He highlights the lack of resources for dads compared to moms and emphasizes that men are increasingly seeking therapy to become better fathers and partners. Ryan's practice, Discovery Mental Health, offers indivi...

Aemelia, a Board-Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), is the owner of Bellflower Lactation in the Twin Cities. Inspired by her own breastfeeding challenges with her three daughters, she founded Bellflower Lactation to provide evidence-based, family-focused lactation care. Aemelia's approach is unique in that she emphasizes the...

Can chiropractic care help those babies who seem to struggle no matter what you do? Dr. Chadd Burckhardt shares his journey from treating athletes to focusing on pediatrics and pregnancy after a pivotal experience with a colicky baby. He emphasizes the importance of the nervous system in overall health and explains how stress during pregnancy and birth can impact a child's development. Dr. Ch...

Are you ready to go from barely surviving to thriving and have the knowledge and personalized support to change your health for good?  Join me and Autumn Enloe from Autumn Enloe Nutrition as we discuss how blood sugars can affect our energy, metabolism and hormone health. Autumn is a Registered Dietitian who is passionate about helping women with a functional nutrition approach. She won’t promote...