Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy

What can I expect in the first 24 hours after my baby is born? For mom, we’ll talk about all the things such as afterbirth, tearing, and what’s going on with your body. For baby, we’ll talk about tests, medical procedures, and even paperwork! Feel free to email us at hello@myessentialbirth.com or DM us on Instagram @myessentialbirth if you have any questions! To Leave a Review ⭐️ Open Apple Podca...

Ever heard the terms "failure to progress" or "mandatory vaginal exams"? We'll talk about the lies behind these phrases and the choices you have when it comes to your body and your birth experience. I know there is a lot of information about vaginal exams, natural stalls, and failure to progress. in this episode. Overall, I want you to know that vaginal exams are not an ab...

When it comes to labor, we can feel overwhelmed and unsure about what our bodies are doing to prepare for bringing our baby earth-side. I’m going to answer the most common questions about contractions, fluids, and when it’s time to head to your birth place.  There are no dumb, wrong, bad, or embarrassing questions! Feel free to email us at hello@myessentialbirth.com or DM us on Instagram @myessent...

We tackle a question this week that catches many moms off guard when it comes to their birth process. “Why is my provider planning to give me a shot of Pitocin before I deliver my placenta?” We’re going to talk about all of your OPTIONS so you can make an informed decision. I hope you took some notes or at least mental notes of things to discuss with your provider when it comes to managing the thi...

Feeling a little unsure of what to pack in your birth bag? Not to worry! We asked our mamas what items they think are essential, and we’ve made a free checklist for you to make packing so much easier! 📝 I hope this episode was helpful. Don’t forget to download our free checklist! 📝 Feel free to email us at hello@myessentialbirth.com or DM us on Instagram @myessentialbirth if you want to add anyt...

What if you could have a registry for the SUPPORT you need postpartum in addition to the THINGS you need for your baby? 🤩 This week, we talk to Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of BeHerVillage, about the importance of empowering mothers to have the registry they want! 🙌🏼 Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @myessentialbirth and for even more great info head over to www.myessentialbirth.com to...

We love positive birth stories here at My Essential Birth!  👏🏻  This week, I interviewed, Stephanie Garrity, who shared about her birth experience with her rainbow baby. While the birth map she pictured for the birth of her son may not have included many of the things that brought him into her arms, she felt the birth course prepared her for all the options, which allowed her to look back at her...

OB’s and MD’s and Midwives, oh my! 😏 We’re going to talk about the training, certification, and background each of these providers is required to have in order to practice. Maybe you’re like me, and once upon a time, I thought OB’s were the only option when it came to a provider for your birth experience. 😆 My goal is for you to know what your options are so you can choose a provider based on th...

When it comes to your birth experience, one of the most important things you can do to prepare is putting together your birth team. Doulas can be an incredible asset to you as you think about who you want to support you during your labor experience. Learn about the benefits of a doula here and why having one may or may not be the perfect fit for YOUR birth. Links Mentioned: My Essential Birth Cour...

Are you overwhelmed with what to ask your provider, midwife, or hospital regarding what you want for your birth experience? Well, listen in! I walk you through what questions to ask, give background information behind those questions, and encourage you to educate and empower yourself to stand up for the birth you want. 🤱🏼 SIDE NOTE: To get the most out of this podcast episode, I’d like to encour...

Sally shares her unmedicated, hospital birth experience despite dealing with family loss the same week she went into labor. She talks about the goodness of God and how her experience of giving birth has brought her and her husband closer than ever before. We also talk about a few small things to have with you during labor that will help you keep your energy up, keep you hydrated, and distract you...

Pregnant mama, Jessica, and I uncover some of the stigmas of pregnancies over age 35 such as being considered high-risk, immediate plans for induction, and more! I talk with Jessica Estrada, a first time mama at the age of 43, about her pregnancy experience. She shares her story, struggles, and what she wants other mamas who are pregnant over age 35 to know. Jessica discusses things like how famil...

I want today’s episode to be something you can save, download, refer back to, and listen to consistently! 🎧 What we talk about today is something you can use NOW that will make your labor and birth experience so much easier! A huge bonus is that your birth partner can help you with this too! (I’ll wait while you pause this episode to go get them to listen with you.) 😉 It can be frustrating at fi...

This week we're breaking down everything you need to know to prepare yourself physically and mentally for an induction without an epidural. I cannot stress the importance of going into labor with the mindset of possibly having an induction and preparing yourself for that outcome. I'll also discuss all things Pitocin: what it is, what it does, and how it can affect you, your baby, and lab...

Madison shares how her birth goals changed over time and a red flag that caused her to change service providers. Madison also discusses the moment she found the birth center for her and what led her to that decision. Madison shares the preparation she did regularly for an empowered birth. She shares her spiritual birth story and how she surrendered her body after a long and exhausting labor. Altho...

There are two things that stand out when it comes to how to take care of ourselves prenatally; nutrition & exercise. Mind-blowing right?! Nope...but doing some simple things while you are pregnant will help you feel better and stay in control of your pregnancy and birth decisions. Today I'm speaking with Holly Roser who is a personal trainer who specifically deals with pregnant women. She...

Kayla and her husband, Grant, share about what mattered most when preparing for their first birth and how they are getting ready to meet this baby! Kayla openly shares about her struggle with and ultimate decision to become a mother. Her and Grant discuss the open communication that was so crucial for them prior to and during pregnancy. Kayla also discusses her concern with the changes having a ch...

Birth trauma is real and it can happen to women even when they've have done everything in their power to NOT have it happen, and it's NOT their fault! If you are wondering what you can do to avoid it OR you have experienced birth trauma and want to know how to heal from it, tune in this week!  Karina Robinson, childbirth educator, doula, and almost midwife 😏 joins me as we walk through...

If there is one thing I have learned as a life lesson that is also 100% applicable to all things birth, it's that every single challenge can be an incredible learning lesson and this holds true for what happened while women were pregnant and birthing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Challenges like pulling birth partners out of the birth rooms (unacceptable btw), moving healthy, low-risk moms to...

If you haven't heard of "Occupational Therapy," join the club! I literally never heard of this until Kayln reached out to me and it's something I think every mom should be aware of. In case you have NO idea what OT's do - it's holistic care from professionals that are trained to help people get back to all of their normal things they do in life. It can be as "sma...

I have had so many questions recently about testing positive for Group B Strep or GBS and the number one concern is, "Will this ruin the birth that I want?" I'm here to break down what GBS is, how it affects pregnancy and labor, ways that you can decrease your chances of testing positive, what happens if you choose to use antibiotics, and also options other than antibiotics should y...

Placenta encapsulation was a foreign concept just a few years ago, but now as it becomes more mainstream there are tons of questions around who should have it done, what the benefits actually are, if there are risks involved and when to avoid encapsulation, how Covid-19 has affected placentas, and how to find someone who really knows what they're doing. Today I get to answer all of those ques...

Use code: MYESSENTIALBIRTH20 for 20% off The Fresh Test ! You come up to your glucose test between week 24-28 during pregnancy and often there's only one option given - "The Glucose Drink." This drink is filled with artificial coloring, flavors, dextrose, brominated soybean oil (banned in Europe, Japan, and India....and also patented as a flame retardant in the United States). So, y...

There's a lot of information out there when in comes to pregnancy, birth and parenthood so what do you actually need to know when you're preparing for the journey ahead? If you're here, you're probably a mama who wants ALL the information and wants to be as prepared as possible! If so, this episode is for you! I'm joined this week by Jessica Lorion, the host and producer o...

One of the first things on our minds as soon as we have our babies is feeding them. Those first few days can feel like a blur and if you're choosing to breastfeed you may be feeling overwhelmed by ALL of the things you need to learn seemingly overnight. If you're worried about if you're producing enough or whether your baby is eating enough, or what the heck is happening to your nip...