Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy

Instead of letting birth just "happen" to you, be an active participant in it! Educate yourself, know your options, and stand up for yourself! Your baby and your body are working together to help you achieve your best birth. ✨ In this week's episode, we're chatting with Cassidy Jacobsen about her birth experience. While you can't control every aspect of birth, you CAN adv...

"What can I do to treat my mastitis?" It happens to so many mamas, and it can be painful, overwhelming, and just the absolute worst. 😭 But don't worry, I've got some incredible birth professionals from the Milk Minute Podcast here to help! Heather O'Neal and Maureen Farrell are going to give us all the deets on the new protocol for treating mastitis! We'll also talk...

Overall, the most important thing, is that you have a lot more power than you realize when it comes to your birth experience. Take that power and run with it! If you can be on the same page as your birth support (especially your provider!), be educated and knowledgeable, and communicate with your birth partner about what you want, you CAN achieve the birth of your dreams! 💜 To Leave a Review ⭐️...

I can’t wait for all of you to hear this week’s episode. Not only because the topic is dear to my heart, but also so is the wonderful woman I get to interview. I have the pleasure of interviewing Meagan Heaton from VBAC Link. My goal is never to pressure you into having a certain kind of birth (medicated/unmedicated, hospital setting/birth center/home birth, etc.) I want you to know your OPTIONS i...

We love when we're able to hear from both mama and birth partner about the birth experience! Justina and Kace Knowles share about the unmedicated birth of their son in a hospital and how their faith, communication, and the birth course prepared them. To Leave a Review ⭐️ Open Apple Podcasts Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast Select “Ratings and Reviews” Click the stars! Select “W...

As with every test or procedure during pregnancy, I want mamas to know about options, benefits, and risks. Whether you decline the test, ask for a second opinion, wait a few days, etc. ultimately, the choice is up to you! I want you to be informed and empowered by your knowledge. This week's podcast episode is about nonstress tests! To Leave a Review ⭐️ Open Apple Podcasts Find “Pregnancy &a...

As moms we focus a lot on our babies - as we should! And it’s easy to get caught up in what our baby needs so much that we forget some of what we need too. So this is a quick and simple episode all about what mom is going to need at the birth place and once she gets home. This is the perfect episode to have your birth partner listen to so they can help you get prepped for the postpartum period.  T...

This week, I’m bringing even more evidence-based, excellent conversation today! Something we probably don’t spend enough time talking about is pelvic health during pregnancy and postpartum. If you’re anything like me, even with all of my study of birth, you may not even know that pelvic floor therapists are a thing. Well, lucky for you . . . that’s about to change! I have two pelvic floor therapis...

While it's so important to be prepared for birth, labor, and delivery, at the end of the day, you need to get out of your own way! You can do all the things, but your body knows what it's doing and was made to birth your baby! Carly McMunn shares her unmedicated, hospital birth story with us this week, and I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did! Feel free to email us at hello@myesse...

Preparation is key! We'll talk about actionable, exciting things that you can do to prepare for contractions before your labor even begins! Visualizing what is happening to your body physically, mentally creating space to relax, and knowing what real contractions feel like are just a few of the ways you can make sure you are preparing yourself for your best birth! Feel free to email us at hel...

When it comes to breastfeeding, mamas have alllll the questions! My guest this week, Jacqueline Kincer, is an IBCLC and the founder of Holistic Lactation. She shares her wisdom and expertise in a way that is empowering and encouraging to all mamas no matter what stage of their breastfeeding journey they are in! 💜 Feel free to email us at hello@myessentialbirth.com or DM us on Instagram @myessenti...

For many mamas, baby's sleep can be a huge worry and cause us to second-guess every choice we make. We'll talk about what's "normal" surrounding breathing and wake patterns and how to anticipate your baby's needs. From sleep schedules to wake windows to co-sleeping, we will discuss them all so you can decide what is best for you and your baby! Feel free to email us at...

One of my favorite parts of what I do is getting to be a part of and hearing the incredible birth stories in the My Essential Birth community. Lorelei shares about how she did not see birth as a beautiful experience but something she had to get through to get to the baby. Positive birth stories are vital and empowering to other women and such an important part of preparing for your own birth exper...

Get the inside perspective from Labor & Delivery nurse, Courtney Hart! We talk about birth plans, questions to ask, and how to best utilize your birth team in a hospital setting! 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 Podcasts Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast Select “R...

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...