Episodes

Send us a text Ever found yourself face to face with unexpected health complications during pregnancy, wondering how to navigate the path ahead? I invite you to join me in this special episode, featuring Dr. Amy Tiffany, a board certified physician specializing in internal and lifestyle medicine, and a board certified health and life coach. Dr. Tiffany bravely peels back layers of her own birthing stories, fraught with challenges including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and heart failure. F...

Send us a text Ever found yourself questioning what correct positioning during breastfeeding looks like? How it impacts not only the baby's nourishment but also the mother's well-being? Come join the rich conversation we have with Christina Walsh, a physical therapist specializing in integrative manual therapy, as we unveil the answers to these queries and more. Christina brings to the table her wealth of wisdom on how to use pillows creatively for body support, tips on focusing on the baby's la...

Send us a text Have you ever wondered what giving birth in a foreign country might feel like? We plunge into an engaging conversation with Stefanie Fernandes, a certified parenting coach and hypnobirthing teacher, who courageously navigates us through her intriguing birthing experiences in Denmark. Despite encountering language barriers and differences in medical care, Stefanie casts a comforting light on her experiences, describing the warmth and control she felt throughout her journey. She eve...

Send us a text Unlock the truth behind epidurals and labor anesthesia in our enlightening conversation with Dr. Bella Speight, a board certified anesthesiologist. What are the actual risks? Dr. Speight debunks these myths and lays it all bare, offering a reassuring perspective on the minimal risks involved for healthy patients and the importance of correct positioning during the procedure. She also explores unmedicated delivery, shedding light on why some women may opt for this route. Dive deep...

Send us a text Welcome to an insightful conversation I had with Megan McCutchen, a therapist who dedicates her career to perinatal mental health. We navigate the murky waters of intrusive thoughts, a common yet unsettling phenomenon among women during pregnancy and after birth. These fleeting thoughts, ranging from harmless fears to catastrophic scenarios, often serve as indicators of postpartum OCD or perinatal anxiety. Megan and I explore how to perceive these thoughts as they are - just thoug...

Send us a text Unpack the mysteries of postpartum mental health with our special guest, therapist Jennifer Byrnes, LPC, PMH-C. Jennifer, an expert in perinatal mental health and trauma, offers clear-cut explanations on the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression – two conditions often misunderstood by many. She helps demystify these conditions, underlining their differences in timing, severity, and duration, and also elaborates on their respective symptoms. If you're a new mom, o...

Send us a text Today, we invite you to join an enlightening discourse with our esteemed guest, Dr. Stephanie Waggel. We discuss the groundbreaking science behind the new medications approved to treat postpartum depression, which are sparking new hope for postpartum depression patients. Dr. Waggel adeptly unravels the science behind these drugs, making complex medical terms digestible and fascinating. In our dialogue, we also step into the realm of controversies and implications of these FDA-appr...

Send us a text Have you ever wondered about the riveting journey a woman embarks on when entering motherhood? What if you had the chance to hear honest, raw stories from a mother who's experienced it all? Join me as I sit down with Jenna Hodge, a mother to three precious miracles, to hear her tale, filled with unexpected twists and turns, about her childbirth journeys and postpartum experiences. From the intense pain of being induced to the unforeseen experiences of an epidural, Jenna does not h...

Send us a text Imagine facing your dream of becoming a mother, only to be met with fertility issues, an arduous 80-hour induction, and a subsequent C-section without adequate anesthesia—this was the reality for Mary Buffington, MSN, RN, my guest for this episode. As a nurse, presenter, advocate, and coach, Mary has used her personal experiences to promote change, specifically in the realm of trauma-informed care for postpartum mothers in a hospital setting. Our conversation delves into the often...

Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Waggel, a perinatal mental health psychiatrist and mother of two, vividly recounts her unique experiences in conceiving, childbirth, and parenting. In this personal narrative, Dr. Waggel unveils her journey of planning her first pregnancy amidst kidney cancer follow-up tests. She shares how she made informed choices about her doctor, pediatrician, and birth plan, which included a scheduled induction. Parenting is indeed an uphill task, and it can be ...

Send us a text Join me for an enlightening journey through the adventures of motherhood with my exceptional guests. Discover why Jennifer Byrnes champions early mental health support, learn to stop and smell the roses of maternity with Michelle Powers, embrace your ability to face challenges with Jennie Weill, and hear Emily Finnell's call to trust yourself and not rely too heavily on outside advice. Erika Yalowitz and Mila Little remind you to have faith in where you are being led and trust the...

Send us a text Have you ever wondered how you would handle a deeply desired pregnancy with fetal anomalies deemed incompatible with life? In Sabrina's case, the stakes were as high as life and death, not just for her baby, but potentially for her, too, if she continued the pregnancy. I invite you to journey through the heartrending story of Sabrina Fletcher, a mother of three and a TFMR (termination for medical reasons) Doula, who bravely faced this very situation. Sabrina shares the precious me...

Send us a text What if I told you that yoga could not only help you manage the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy, but also transform your labor experience and enhance postpartum recovery? Our guest, Devin Garcia, a seasoned yoga and flexibility instructor and a resilient mother, is here to unravel the transformative power of yoga during the maternal journey. She shares her own experience with yoga during pregnancy and labor, including how she didn't just survive but thrived through ...

Send us a text Want to kickstart your fertility journey with the right nutrition? This episode, featuring fertility nutritionist Evelyn Kennedy, promises to be a goldmine of valuable insights. We delve right in by discussing how your diet directly impacts fertility. Evelyn emphasizes the need to take charge of your meals, minimize dining out, and tailor nutrition to your unique needs, helping you stay in control of your fertility journey. We then transition to the delicate balance between nutrit...

Send us a text Imagine facing the challenges of PCOS, navigating complex fertility treatments, and ultimately experiencing the joy of becoming a mother. That's the journey that my guest, Michelle Powers, a certified nurse midwife and mother of two, takes us on. From her experiences with intrauterine insemination and IVF, to her heartwarming and hilarious story of welcoming her sons into the world, Michelle's narrative is a source of light for those in their own fertility journey. Michelle doesn'...

Send us a text Imagine standing on the precipice of one of life's greatest adventures, only to find the path far more treacherous than you'd ever anticipated. That's the reality for our guest, Erika Fox, a dedicated OR nurse in a fertility center and one-time labor and delivery nurse. Erika’s journey through the maze of fertility treatments is a testament to the resilience and strength many couples display in their quest to start a family. From handling the whirlwind of tests, procedures, and s...

Send us a text What if you had to make an unimaginably difficult decision about your unborn child's future? In a heartfelt conversation, we're joined by the incredibly brave Rachel Redmond as she shares her emotional journey of terminating a wanted pregnancy due to a rare fetal anomaly called Dandy Walker Malformation. Through Rachel's story, we aim to bring awareness, understanding, and much-needed support to those facing similar challenges. As we navigate Rachel's experience, she opens up abou...

Send us a Text Message. What if your personal journey through pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancies, and a home birth could empower others facing similar struggles? That's exactly what Arya Pretlow, a certified nurse, midwife, lactation consultant, yoga therapist, and soon-to-be doctor-of-nursing practice, shares with us in this enlightening episode. We delve into Arya's rollercoaster experiences, from infertility heartaches to a successful home birth, and how these moments have shaped her career,...

Send us a text What if you could have a more positive and empowered childbirth experience with the help of a doula? Join me as I sit down with Micah Burgess, a mother of six, doula, and host of the My Doula Micah podcast. Together, we uncover the vital role of teamwork in the delivery room and how a doula can create a comforting atmosphere for mothers during labor and delivery. Our insightful conversation explores the critical relationship between labor and delivery nurses and doulas, emphasizin...

Send us a text In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mila Little, a mother of four and former teacher who now works from home in the health and wellness industry. Mila's journey to motherhood has been marked by both joy and heartache, including a traumatic hospital birth, two beautiful hospital births, a pregnancy loss, and a home birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mila begins by sharing her first birth experience, which she describes as traumatic. She talks about how unprepared s...

Send us a text Dr. Waggel is a mother, physician, author, motivational speaker, teacher, cancer survivor, marathon runner, and founder of Improve Medical Culture. She has a degree in psychology, biology and medicine and has over 17 years of experience working in the mental health field. Dr. Waggel completed a four-year undergraduate degree in only three years, receiving the highest distinction, summa cum laude. She also completed a Master of Science in Biology Degree with high honors. In the l...

Send us a text Chelsea Atkinson is the mother of 3 and an esthetician at Aesthetic Artistry Laser Center. In this episode she shared her birth journeys and challenges. Chelsea’s 3 pregnancies have each been very different, and she has navigated multiple medical complications of pregnancy, and challenges with breastfeeding, all while managing her personal journey with depression and anxiety. In this episode she shares how she has powered through, grown emotionally, and learned to advocate for her...

Send us a text In this episode, we discuss medications that help ease the discomfort - both physical and emotional, that women are already overwhelmed with when confronted with the difficult choices of considering ending a pregnancy. We focus on two drugs: mifepristone (RU-486) and misoprostol (cytotec). My guest, Dr. Shweta Patel, an OB/GYN, and reproductive health expert, shares her insights on the different uses, effectiveness, and safety profiles of both medications. Additionally we focus on...

Send us a text Erika is the mother of one, she Is on the advisory board for BRAWS and is a champion for reproductive freedom Erika works as an intake officer in juvenile court, and she was recently a candidate for state senate in Virginia. In this episode she shares her birth story and fertility journey. If you want to learn more about BRAWS visit the website: https://www.braws.org Coaching offer Kelly Hof: Labor Nurse + Birth Coach Basically, I'm your birth bestie! With me as your coach, you w...