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Birth is amazing, beautiful, wonderful . . . and it can throw you for a loop! Despite our very best birth “plans,” we can find ourselves taking some twist and turns during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum that we don’t expect. Enter the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!
Hey mama! My name is Stephanie, and I’m a mom of three boys, and two girls, a professional doula, childbirth educator, and the creator of the Online Birth Course - My Essential Birth www.myessentialbirth.com.
I love to help mothers just like you feel empowered and confident during pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood by taking my years of knowledge and personal/professional experience in the birth world and breaking down complex birth topics to make preparing for labor & birth a breeze!
Every week, you’ll hear from myself & other women ready to share their knowledge with other pregnant moms about pregnancy and birth topics that will have you feeling knowledgeable and in the driver’s seat of your best birth experience.
Your best birth starts here >>>> www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
316 Episodes
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Join the My Essential Birth Course by October 7th and get the exclusive Rise & Birth Pack featuring a calming Birth Affirmations Audio Track and 25 beautifully crafted, printable Birth Affirmation Cards to keep you grounded, confident, and inspired for birth. Learn more: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted Okay, Mama, this one is tender, faith-filled, and downright empowering. Rachel (mom of two under two in Michigan) brings us into her living room for an unmedicated home birth t...
Get Started with the My Essential Birth Course for only $87! (https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted) You’ve probably had this moment: you’re sitting in a provider’s office, pregnant belly in front of you, when someone says, “This is what you’ll get at your next appointment.” No conversation. No options. Just a directive. If your stomach has ever dropped in that moment, wondering: “Do I even get a say here?” This episode is for you, mama. I sat down with Alexandra Galaska, the powerhous...
Get Started with the My Essential Birth Course for only $87! (https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted) The first six weeks of pregnancy can feel like the longest waiting game of your life. Heck, those two weeks after you have sex may as well be a year!! Even once you’ve got the positive test, and your body is already shifting, that first prenatal appointment still doesn’t happen for weeks. Cue: late-night Googling, second-guessing every cramp or craving, and wondering what’s actually no...
Four years of infertility. Two failed IUIs. A spot on the IVF waitlist. And then… six months after shifting her food and lifestyle with PrimalBod (use code MEB100 for $100 off if you want to try it!), Dominique’s story took a turn she’ll never forget: two pink lines in an Airbnb, before a wedding, shoving the test in her husband’s face while he was still scrolling his phone. (ICONIC.) This conversation is part raw honesty, part “wait, why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?”, and fully a remin...
What happens when your due date collides with a snowstorm in Georgia? When I first connected with Abby, I knew her birth story was going to be special, but GAH!! It’s so good and I just know it’s going to inspire every mama listening. As a first-time mom, she navigated early bloody show, a surprise snowstorm, and nearly three days of labor with an amazing, calm, grounded intuition that’s absolutely contagious. From the nausea that knocked her off her feet in the first trimester to the “crunch...
No one told me that postpartum recovery isn’t just about “getting back to normal.” It’s about rebuilding from the inside out, pelvic floor, core, energy, mindset, and that what you do (and don’t do) in those early days matters more than you think. That’s why I brought Dr. Jessica London, pelvic floor therapist and mama’s best friend in recovery, on the podcast to walk you through exactly what’s happening in your body and how to move forward, without overdoing it. (And she was kind enough to s...
"You probably shouldn’t learn how to swim when you're drowning." That one hit me hard—and it’s exactly why this episode exists. Whether you’re a first-time mama, or you’ve had a difficult breastfeeding journey before, this conversation is going to leave you feeling empowered, educated, and supported. I sat down with Jamie Zaki, an IBCLC, doula, nurse, and mom of five (yes, five!), to talk about how to prepare for breastfeeding before baby arrives. Jamie shares her real, raw postpartum story—i...
From trauma to triumph — Samantha and Matt’s birth story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible. After a terrifying first birth that left them both shaken, they came into baby #2’s birth with education, preparation, and a whole lot of heart. With gestational diabetes, high-risk care, and past trauma stacked against her, Samantha shares how she found her strength, leaned on her partner, and birthed her baby in just over 6 hours, naturally, confidently, and joyfully. This episode is a ...
If you’ve ever been told that your exclusively breastfed baby has to take vitamin D drops, you’re not alone. But maybe, like me, you paused and thought, “Wait… why?” In this episode, I’m walking you through the real reason behind the recommendation, what the research says, how sunlight plays a big role, and what your options are when it comes to supporting your baby’s health. Plus, I share a personal reflection that had me tearing up—because motherhood is beautiful, messy, and fleeting. Let’s...
What do you get when you mix Irish twins, a surprise pregnancy, and a determined mama ready for her first home birth? A fast, powerful, and totally redemptive third birth story! 🙌 In this episode, Maren takes us through the highs, the stalls, and the five-minute pushing stage that made her say: “I’m never going back to the hospital.” She shares the mental prep that kept her grounded, how her husband and mom tag-teamed support, and why letting her body lead was the best decision she could’ve m...
Ever heard someone say you're “eating for two”? Or that once you’ve had a cesarean, you’ll always have to? Let’s set the record straight, friend! In this episode, I’m breaking down five of the most common pregnancy myths that are still floating around out there—and giving you the real, evidence-based truth (with a side of tough love and encouragement, of course). ✨ You don’t need to follow all the advice being thrown your way. You just need good information and a whole lot of trust in your in...
What if breech didn’t automatically mean cesarean? In this episode, I sit down with my good friend and midwife Bonnie Baker to talk all about breech babies—how they’re born, when it’s safe, and what your options really are (especially outside of a hospital setting). Whether you’re a birth junkie or you just found out your baby is breech, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Show Notes HERE! Where to find Bonnie: WebsiteInstagramLinks Mentioned: My Essential Birth CourseMy Essential ...
Let’s talk about something that affects so many mamas but often gets brushed under the rug—mental health during pregnancy. In this episode, I’m getting real about SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), what they are, how common they are, the benefits and the risks (yes, for both mom and baby), and—most importantly—the wide range of options available to you. This episode came straight from one of you (I love when that happens!), and I want you to know that no matter where you are on ...
This week’s episode is such a treat because we’ve got a birth story—and not just any birth story—one that includes both mama and dad! Sarah and Matthew share the story of how they prepared (physically, mentally, and emotionally) to bring their baby girl into the world. Their journey is such a powerful reminder of what intentional preparation, trust, and partnership can look like. Sarah walks us through her health challenges before pregnancy, how she got her body ready to conceive, what labor ...
In this episode, we’re talking all about one of my favorite topics—freedom of movement during labor! I’m diving into why it’s so important to listen to your body and move in ways that feel good as you work through contractions. From squatting to hands-and-knees to standing and swaying, we’ll explore how different positions can make a big difference in your comfort and your baby’s progress. Spoiler: lying on your back isn’t your only option—and it’s definitely not the best one for everyone. I’...
This week, we’re celebrating 300 episodes of Pregnancy and Birth Made Easy—can you believe it?! I’m so honored to mark this milestone by sharing an incredibly raw, honest, and empowering birth story from Jaycie Hohn, one of our amazing My Essential Birth students. She walks us through her pregnancy journey, her labor experience, and the beautiful support she received from her husband. She also shares heartfelt advice for both moms and dads as they prepare for birth. It’s the perfect reminder ...
In today’s episode, I’m so excited to welcome Dr. Arielle Martone to the show! Arielle is a physical therapist and postpartum coach who is truly passionate about helping moms feel strong, supported, and at home in their bodies again after birth. Whether you’re freshly postpartum or it’s been years since you gave birth, this conversation is full of powerful insights and gentle reminders that healing is always possible. I can’t wait for you to hear it! Show Notes HERE! Where to Find Arielle: In...
In this episode, I’m chatting with the amazing Amber, who takes us through her powerful journey during her 41-week pregnancy with her third baby. She opens up about navigating a high-risk diagnosis, the ways she prepared for labor, and the challenges she overcame during birth. Amber’s story is such a beautiful reminder of the strength that comes from trusting yourself, leaning into support, and using relaxation techniques to stay grounded. Her wisdom and heartfelt advice are sure to resonate ...
In this solo episode, I’m diving into the natural rhythms of labor and how we can work with them—not against them. We’ll talk about what the stages of labor really look like, how long they typically last (because every body and every birth is different!), and what can influence how labor unfolds—like baby’s position or certain medical interventions. I’m also sharing tips for staying comfortable at home in early labor, plus some emotional support to help you feel grounded and confident. Whethe...
In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that so many of you have asked about—your menstrual cycle after baby. When does it come back? Why is it irregular? What’s up with all the bleeding and hormone shifts? I’m breaking it all down for you with a gentle, supportive approach. We’ll chat about how nutrition, stress, breastfeeding, and even certain supplements can play a role in your cycle returning—and how to care for your body as it finds its rhythm again. Whether your period’s back, MIA, or ...
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one more thing worth noting about VAERS: ANYONE can make a report and they don't have to provide proof. So not all of the reports are factual. Some are left by trolls (people trying to be funny or who like to stir the pot), some are left by people with political agendas (anti-vaxxers, etc.), and some are left by conspiracy theorists and hypochondriacs. You can look at specific reports and many of them are obviously false.
I really enjoyed this podcast. I have nursed all 5 and will soon be nursing #6. have used LLL and a consultant several times and I still learned alot from Sally! Thank you!!
Hpatitis B is not just sexually transmitted. Also, the reason the hep B vaccine is given so early is because it provides the best lifetime protection when given early.
My husband encapsulates my placenta. and I have done a belly only cast, and I have cloth diapered in the past!