The Ovary Action

Christina is a micro-premie survivor who was 1 lb. 8 oz at birth, at 25 weeks with a 14% chance of living. After defying all the odds, here she is as an adult and she wants to tell her story. Connect with Christina: Instagram: https://instagram.com/clgagnon30?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Michelle Mayefske is a certified birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, fat activist and author. She has made it her mission to change the way people approach plus pregnancy and birth. Through her teaching and social media networks, she seeks to empower and educate plus size expecting parents-and their birth partners-so they may seek the positive birth they want and deserve. Her ongoing trainings for birth professionals are paving the way in increasing truly size inclusive care across the globe. Connect with Michelle: Website:https://www.fatandpregnant.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fat.and.pregnant/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fatandpregnant Offers with our partners! Needed: https://thisisneeded.com/?rfsn=4608703.549df3&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4608703.549df3 Use code OVARYACTIONPOD for 20% off one time purchase orders or first three months of our one month subscribe and save subscription option.

We love a home birth story and this week, we get three!! Stephanie joined me this week to tell us about how she prepped her home for home birth, the unique aspects of each of birth, including the fact that one of them was unassisted, and the fact that she is starting her own doula journey. Thank you so so much Stephanie for being so vulnerable and allowing us to experience the magic of these stories. Offers with our partners! Needed: https://thisisneeded.com/?rfsn=4608703.549df3&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4608703.549df3 Use code OVARYACTIONPOD for 20% off one time purchase orders or first three months of our one month subscribe and save subscription option.

Today's topic: Surrogacy! Krystle Gard joined me this week to tell us the ins and outs of becoming a surrogate. She shares the process of matching with a family, what communication looks like throughout pregnancy, as well as her experiences in birth and postpartum. As a mom of 3, she also touches on the excitement of seeing her own kids experience her third journey as a surrogate. Thank you so much, Krystle, for sharing such an intimate and incredible experience with us. Connect with Krystle! Instagram: https://instagram.com/familiesbuildingfamiliesafs?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= All Families Surrogacy  (AFS) SEEDS- Society of Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy Bridgetown Baby Doula & Lactation Birth First Education Center Offers with our partners! Needed: https://thisisneeded.com/?rfsn=4608703.549df3&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4608703.549df3 Use code OVARYACTIONPOD for 20% off one time purchase orders or first three months of our one month subscribe and save subscription option.

What an honor it was to have Jenn Scott Pickett as my guest this week! Jenn and I are family and I am forever grateful to have her as such big part of my story and journey. Today, we hear a bit of her story. Jenn shares the pregnancy and birth story of her third child who was diagnosed with gastroschisis - a defect that caused his intestines to grow on the outside of his body. It goes without saying that this made her experience much more nuanced than any others she had had before. She shares the scary parts, the sad parts, the incredible parts, the magical parts, and everything in between. Connect with Jenn! Website: jennscottpickett.com Medium: https://medium.com/@jennscottpickett Jenn's Instagram: https://instagram.com/jennscottpickett?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Salty Mermaid's IG: https://instagram.com/saltymermaident?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

CW: stillbirth This week, I had the lovely Allie Page on to share her story. She talks about her experiences through her first pregnancy and birth that left her so excited to do it all again. Next, she talks through her second pregnancy. This pregnancy, with her daughter, resulted in a stillbirth. Allie talks through the intense emotions that she and her family went through at this news so gracefully. Mercy was her name and Mercy Season is what they call that season of their lives. She describes this season as hard, but beautiful. She rounds out the episode with the story of her next pregnancy and of the many synchronicities between the two. Allie had found her place in the birth world - starting as a birth doula and now teaching childbirth education and working on some incredible projects!! Connect with Allie! Website: https://www.birthofamothersummit.com/?fbclid=PAAaYh-xUM4M6CPY8whwhT6-61oXIaK2HBEEDxg1Rr4pfvsQsb8tmuWpE3bNs Instagram: https://instagram.com/alliepage?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

This week’s guest is Petra Cruz of Birthing Come True. Petra joined me for this episode to share the story of her vaginal birth after three cesareans. She walks us through her journey to this specific delivery, including details of her previous deliveries. She even talks about how she dreamt of this delivery months and months before and actually got to see that dream come true. Now, not only is she a mother, she is a birth doula, placenta, encapsulation, specialist, and podcaster! Connect with Petra! Website: https://birthingcometrue.com/ The Birth Junkie: https://thebirthjunkiepodcast.buzzsprout.com/2130166 Instagram: https://instagram.com/birthing_come_true?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/DoulaPetra/?mibextid=LQQJ4d The Fearless VBAC Workbook: https://birthingcometrue.com/fearless-vbac-freebie

Happy Tuesday! This week's guest is Maris Feeley. She is a co-owner of Carolina Birth & Wellness, birth doula, childbirth educator, reproductive rights advocate, bad ass, and so much more. Maris talks us through her journey as a birthworker - starting as an abortion doula and transforming over time as a supporter of families in so many avenues. She is such a delight to work with and I am grateful to call her a friend and mentor. Important note before diving into this episode:  CW: obstetric violence  Connect with Maris!  Body Reclaimed Website: http://bodyreclaimed.com/?fbclid=PAAaZKC96q_tomtyfZrEa9swR0_fPDPD5B__aKK7ZskscO4aYojL5gBApotLQ Instagram: https://instagram.com/body.reclaimed?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Carolina Birth and Wellness Website: https://www.carolinabirthandwellness.com/instagram?fbclid=PAAaZ33p8AvChUpEdjQqAR-DuYC1WV8UOX-SDeSO8Fw6PGWEyCfv1MhChc5cM Instagram: https://instagram.com/carolinabirthandwellness?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Connect with us! We are taking submissions to share your story via DMs on Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.ovaryaction?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU= Send us a message to set up an interview!

Fathers need support too. I had such a powerful conversation with Baaba Khesu SaAb about exactly that. He is a father, husband, spiritual life coach, daddy doula, medicine man, Ra Sekhi healing artist, and so much more. He speaks on the way that his work is meant to create waves across generations to find the nurturer within and then teach the next generation to lead with that same love. He talks about the support that the non-birthing parent can provide on such a deep level starting even before conception and what that support looked like within his family as be supported his wife during their unassisted home births. There are so many rich, soul grabbing pieces of this conversation and I am so grateful to share it here. Connect with Baaba Khesu: Website: https://www.baabakhesusaab.com/?fbclid=PAAabNrZJY2eZgBkvn6-dSuiaNUZ5jI42tNDKr69slACJtVBmGMjuVnf5fs_o Daddy Doula IG: https://instagram.com/babadaddydoula?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Sacred Sons IG: https://instagram.com/sacredsons?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

This week's episode features my friend Emily Chaffee. She is the founder and co-owner of Carolina Birth and Wellness, a birth doula, massage therapist, placenta encapsulation specialist, and even more! Emily takes us to and through her IVF journey. She talks about the ups, downs, waiting periods, and deciding to not put life on hold. Connect with Emily:  Website: https://www.carolinabirthandwellness.com/  Instagram: https://instagram.com/carolinabirthandwellness?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolinabirthandwellness?mibextid=LQQJ4d  Connect with us! We are taking submissions to share your story via DMs on Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.ovaryaction?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU= Send us a message to set up an interview!

Oh, the beauty that lies in this episode. TaRa Thomas tells her homebirth story so beautifully that you can feel the energy that was in that room. She moved to Florida to be able to have the birth she envisioned. She walks us through her arrival to the decision to birth at home and all the way to her sweet babe's water birth and the connection between her birth and her grandmother. TaRa shared the photo she speaks of with me to be put on our Instagram, so click right here to see that magic! We also chat about her beautiful breastfeeding journey and the way she leans deeply into her intuition. Thank you TaRa, a million times, for sharing your story here!! Connect with us! We are taking submissions to share your story via DMs on Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.ovaryaction?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU= Send us a message to set up an interview!

Riley Baran joins us this week to take us along her journey to doula work, her philosophies, and we do a Q&A to answer YOUR questions! Riley is a birth and postpartum doula in located in Canada and she has the most fun spirit! Connect with Riley!  Website: https://www.babystepscanada.com/?fbclid=PAAaYr-acthBH18ITHwwuO_GHdS6hWETcYwvrzTWiajrReXZ2rRcku_6UiNbY  Instagram: https://instagram.com/baby_steps_canada?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=  Connect with us! We are taking submissions to share your story via DMs on Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.ovaryaction?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU=  Send us a message to set up an interview!  Offers with our partners! Needed: https://thisisneeded.com/?rfsn=4608703.549df3&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4608703.549df3 Use code OVARYACTIOPOD for 20% off one time purchase orders or first three months of our one month subscribe and save subscription option.

This week, I had the opportunity to connect with a doula in my area! Julia Talarico is a Rochester native who now lives in Raleigh! We chat about her work as a social worker and her journey to birthwork. Connect with Julia!  Instagram: https://instagram.com/deardoula_nc?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=  Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/deardoulanc  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deardoulanc?_t=8a31jEZcWZn&_r=1  Connect with us! We are taking submissions to share your story via DMs on Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.ovaryaction?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU= Send us a message to set up an interview!

Did you know sleep and health go hand in hand? This week, I talked to Quanisha McGruder of Butterfly Rose Village. Quanisha is a creative writer, full-spectrum doula, licensed massage therapist, and infant and family sleep specialist who guides families through different paths into and through parenting. She has so many incredible things going on and is making an impact in the birth community and her community in San Antonio, TX.  Connect with Quanisha!  Instagram: https://instagram.com/butterflyrosevillage?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=  The Zzz Hive: https://instagram.com/thezzzhive?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=  San Antonio Black Doula Collective: https://instagram.com/sablackdoulacollective?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=  Connect with us! We are taking submissions to share your story via DMs on Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.ovaryaction?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU=  Send us a message to set up an interview!  Offers with our partners! Needed: https://thisisneeded.com/?rfsn=4608703.549df3&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4608703.549df3 Use code OVARYACTION20 for 20% off one time purchase orders or first three months of our one month subscribe and save subscription option.

This week’s episode is suuuuuch a rich one! Gretchen Marie is a Certified Fertility Awareness Educator and Trained Birth Doula. With a practical approach to the magic of conception, Gretchen facilitates fertility coaching sessions and provides online courses that combine biology and spirituality. So magic on all levels!! It was such a delight to chat with Gretchen and to connect with a friend to dances along the same wavelengths. A note: we had some crazy technical difficulties and it was quite a challenge to edit this episode. Ultimately, I had to lay my perfectionist self to rest and just allow this episode to be. Luckily, nothing was lost in the chaos, it just may sound a bit robotic at times! Connect with Gretchen: Website: https://www.gretchenmarie.com/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/gretchenmarie_fertility?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gretchenmarie.fertility?mibextid=LQQJ4d TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gretchenmarie_fertility?_t=8Zf5Bake92g&_r=1 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gretchenmarie_fertility Connect with us! We are taking submissions to share your story via DMs on Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.ovaryaction?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU= Send us a message to set up an interview! Offers with our partners! Needed: https://thisisneeded.com/?rfsn=4608703.549df3&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4608703.549df3 Use code OVARYACTION20 for 20% off one time purchase orders or first three months of our one month subscribe and save subscription option.

What can be learned from a traumatic birth in order to create the beautiful birth experience you’ve dreamed of? In this week’s conversation, we hear about how Beth Connors did just that. Beth is a CNM and childbirth educator. She shares her traumatic experience with her first birth and what steps she took to achieve a beautiful water birth with her second. Connect with Beth!  Website: https://www.bethconnors.com/  Instagram: https://instagram.com/bethconnors_cnm?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethconnors.cnm?mibextid=LQQJ4d  Connect with us! We are taking submissions to share your story via DMs on Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.ovaryaction?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU=  Send us a message to set up an interview!  Offers with our partners!  Needed: https://thisisneeded.com/?rfsn=4608703.549df3&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4608703.549df3 Use code OVARYACTION for 20% off one time purchase orders or first three months of our one month subscribe and save subscription option.

Shannon Berrios is this week’s guest! She is a curandera, doula, and soon to be yoga teacher located in Philadelphia. Her work runs deeply with the roots of her Latino and Indigenous culture with the mission “to restore and preserve it's health and wellness especially through it's own traditional means.” Connect with Shannon!  Website: https://www.labotanicapa.com/  Instagram: https://instagram.com/labotanicapa?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=  Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/LaBotanicaPA/?refsrc=deprecated&_rdr  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@labotanicapa?_t=8ZF88osXaMl&_r=1  Read up on the history of Puerto Rico: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1568585616?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_TGH3H5JZMRKXBQ575VKY  Connect with us! We are taking submissions to share your story via DMs on Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.ovaryaction?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU= Send us a message to set up an interview!  Offers with our partners! Needed: https://thisisneeded.com/?rfsn=4608703.549df3&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4608703.549df3  Use code OVARYACTION for 20% off one time purchase orders or first three months of our one month subscribe and save subscription option.

This week’s guest, Amber Matteson talks us through her journey to birth work and where she is now as a safe space creator and doula. She is a full spectrum doula who’s work is trauma informed, HAES (Health at Every Size) centered, LGBTQ+ affirming, and evidence based. Amber also speaks her wisdom regarding going full time and managing the business side of doula work. This episode was so fun to record and I’m so grateful to have been able to connect!!  Connect with Amber!  Instagram: https://instagram.com/intimateconnectionsdoula?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intimateconnectionsdoula?mibextid=LQQJ4d  Website: https://www.intimateconnectionsdoula.com/  Connect with us! We are taking submissions to share your story via DMs on  Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.ovaryaction?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU=  Send us a message or use the link to set up an interview!  Offers with our partners! Needed: https://thisisneeded.com/?rfsn=4608703.549df3&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4608703.549df3  Use code OVARYACTION for 20% off one time purchase orders or first three months of our one month subscribe and save subscription option.

Welcome back! This week we are chatting with Dee Scott about her journey through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with a support system that was not so supportive. Dee is my aunt and it was so interesting to listen to her share her story the way she experienced it. We are connected by a large family and often times things get misconstrued and jumbled up within the many relationships involved. We talk about ovarian cysts and having them surgically removed, developing preeclampsia, an induction with a quick labor, and finding your voice to ask for what you need. Thank you, Dee, for being vulnerable and sharing your wisdom. Connect with us! We are taking submissions to share your story via DMs on Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.ovaryaction?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU= Send us a message to set up an interview! Offers with our partners! Needed: https://thisisneeded.com/?rfsn=4608703.549df3&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4608703.549df3 Use code OVARYACTION for 20% off one time purchase orders or first three months of their one month subscribe and save subscription option.

This episode features the magnificent Erin Beth!! She shares the journey to her first pregnancy as well as the twists and turns that ultimately led to the birth of her son. She goes on to tell us how her passion for photography and love the birth space has brought her here as an award winning birth photographer/videographer based in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. This is such a special episode and I’m forever grateful to get to share it on this platform. Connect with Erin Beth Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinbethbirth?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinbethbirth?mibextid=LQQJ4d YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ErinBethBirth Website: https://www.erinbethbirth.com/ Connect with us! We are taking submissions to share your story via DMs on Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.ovaryaction?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU= Send us a message to set up an interview! Offers with our partners! Needed: https://thisisneeded.com/?rfsn=4608703.549df3&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=4608703.549df3 Use code OVARYACTION for 20% off one time purchase orders or first three months of their one month subscribe and save subscription option.