Today Heidi interviewed Chelsea Skaggs, the founder of Postpartum Together, a coaching program for parents to continue to grow their relationship after having kids. Here is a little more about Chelsea Skaggs and this episode.

In Chelsea's words: "Having a baby creates a huge shift in your relationship. More than half of couples report decreased satisfaction in their marriage after having a baby, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s no sugar coating that it’s humbling and hard work to understand yourself and your partner in the midst of such a big change but there are ways to become better at communicating and connecting so that you’re more of a team moving through the changes together."

3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today:

• Point 1: You need to understand where you keep looping in arguments and why that’s happening 

• Point 2: Understand when you’re telling yourself a story and need to get accurate details from your partner

• Point 3: Sex probably isn’t going to look the same as it did before, and that’s cool

3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode:

• Point 1: Relationship Coaching

• Point 2: Sex after baby

• Point 3: After kids

Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?:

Larken Nursing/Pumping bra (I still wear it 6 mo PP because it’s so cozy!)

Chelsea is a certified life and relationship coach who helps expecting and new parents to get out of the resentment and disconnect and build a relationship they are proud of so that they can enjoy the life they’ve built. She is a mom of two and her family lives in Central Ohio. 

Website: www.postpartumtogether.com

Instagram: instagram.com/chelseabrookeskaggs

Pinterest: pinterest.com/postpartumtogether

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@chelseaskaggs

Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/better.relationships.after.baby

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@ChelseaSkaggsCoach

We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at https://www.birthstory.com/online-course! 

Resources:

• Birth Story Academy Online Course

• Shop My Birthing Workbooks and Guides

I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery.

Connect with Me!

• Instagram

• YouTube

• My Doula Heidi Website

• Birth Story Media™ Website

Today's interview is with Marisa Rodriguez of Luxe Baby Custom Newborn Care. In Marisa's Words: "I want to share how my postpartum and birth experience changed my views from a caregiver to a mother and how it shaped my views and also led to the way I support other Moms in the postpartum period. I will be discussing my remote services and how they can support new parents."

3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today:

• The importance of listening to their intuition and to trust it

• Benefits of self care in the postpartum period

• The wide range of support that is available if needed

3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode:

• Custom newborn care 

• Postpartum support

• What’s right for you and your newborn

Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?: I am obsessed with the Shusher! It’s helped my diffuse many crying jags—I also love the portable sound machine by HUSHH

Who are you? What are your credentials? Where do you live? Please leave 1-3 sentences only. I am Marisa Rodriguez, founder of Luxe Baby Custom Newborn Care. I am a seasoned newborn care specialist, trained postpartum doula and new parent coach. I am based in Phoenix, AZ but serve families nationwide.

Website: www.luxebabycare.com

Instagram: @luxebabycare

XOXO -Heids

___________________________________________________________________

We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at https://www.birthstory.com/online-course

Resources:

• Birth Story Academy Online Course

• Shop My Birthing Workbooks and Guides

I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand parents in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy person on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery.

Connect with Me!

• Instagram

• YouTube

• Birth Story Boutique Doula + Pregnancy Concierge Services in Charlotte, NC

• Birth Story Media™ Website

• Pinterest

Today Heidi interviewed Kristen Stegall, CEO of Novice Studios, a podcast production company based in Charlotte, NC. Here is a little more about Kristen Stegall and this episode.

In Heidi's words: "In this episode, I interview my client Kristen Stegall about her pregnancy journeys, from navigating a missed miscarriage in 2020, to delivering her rainbow baby in 2022. We discuss her long prodromal labor, determining that a c-section was the safest way to deliver her baby, and processing a traumatic birth experience."

While I don't usually work at this hospital, it should be noted that Kristen says, " And it was fun to do the different positions and try the birth sling and to, you know, all the nurses, the staff there. I feel like very lucky that everybody there was so kind. And they were like, you guys do your thing. And they were like, we trust the doula and we trust you to tell us when you need something."

It feels good to be trusted by a hospital system as a doula. This was the last time I was at this hospital until October of 2024. 

3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today:

• A D&C is an abortion, and abortion is a healthcare tool that saves lives. Unfortunately the word “abortion” has been villainized, but ultimately it prevented an adverse outcome for Kristen’s missed miscarriage.

• An urgent c-section is different from an emergency c-section. In an emergency, you are completely put under general anesthesia and are asleep for the procedure. In Kristen’s urgent c-section, she was fully awake and numbed via epidural.

• If you had a c-section, you gave birth!! Don’t discount your experience or your role in bringing your baby into the world just because you didn’t give birth vaginally.

3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode:

• Missed miscarriage

• Abortion as healthcare

• Urgent C-section

Favorite baby product or new motherhood product: 

• Keekaroo Peanut Changer

• Hatch Sound Machine

• Portable Sound Machine with Lights (great for on-the-go naps in the stroller!)

Kristen Stegall is the CEO of Novice Studios, a video podcast production company based in Charlotte, NC. She is a wife to Matt, and mom to a happy toddler and two fur babies.

Website: https://novicestudiosclt.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novicestudiosclt/ 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@novicestudiosclt 

We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at https://www.birthstory.com/online-course! 

Resources:

• Birth Story Academy Online Course

• Shop My Birthing Workbooks and Guides

I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery.

Connect with Me!

• Instagram

• YouTube

• My Doula Heidi Website

• Birth Story Media™ Website

Today Heidi interviewed Mary Farrelly, also known as the NICU translator. Here is a little more about Mary Farrelly and this episode.

In Mary's words: "Hi, I am Mary Farrelly - a certified NICU nurse, nurse educator, doula and the founder of The NICU Translator where I help to bring more joy and less trauma to a NICU experience through empowered education and individualized support. In today’s episode we discuss all things NICU including the different levels of NICU care, ways to prepare prenatally for a known NICU admission, tips for empowered parenting in the NICU and ways to support friends and family who experience a NICU stay."

3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today:

• The different levels of NICUs and common NICU diagnoses

• Ways to prepare prenatally for a potential NICU stay

• How to support a family experiencing a NICU stay

3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode:

• NICU 

• NICU baby or NICU mom

• Preemie 

Here are the links to items I mentioned in the episode:

1. I am a NICU Mom: Coloring Through the NICU Journey

   • A therapeutic coloring book designed for NICU moms by a fellow NICU mom and NICU nurse, offering a creative outlet and moments of calm during a stressful time.

2. The NICU Notebook

   • A practical tool for parents to organize medical information, track progress, and record memories during their baby’s NICU stay.

3. Hello, Little Love: A Letter from a Parent to Their Baby in the NICU

   • This picture book celebrates the milestones of a NICU baby, offering encouragement and love to both parents and children.

4. Cradles of Courage

   • A heartwarming story that honors the bravery of NICU babies and their families, reminding them of their strength and resilience.

5. NICU Milestone Cards: a simple, easy way to remember the positives of the NICU experience and celebrate them through photos.

Mary Farrelly RN, BSN, RNC-NIC - I am a certified NICU nurse, nurse educator and trained doula who lives in Central Virginia. 

Ways families can work with me: 

Free Life After NICU Community: a private and safe space for NICU families to connect with each other while also having access to expert support and guidance.

1:1 Virtual Post-NICU Doula Support: book a free 30 minute call to learn more about ways we can work together to troubleshoot your concerns and build a unique plan to create a post-NICU environment where you and your baby can thrive together.

Navigating the NICU for Doulas Course: live virtual training will prepare doulas to be able to better support families through their NICU experience and transition home. 

Free NICU Birth Plan template: completely customizable birth plan template addendum that will help families be able to navigate the unexpected feeling more confident and empowered in their choices. 

Website: www.thenicutranslator.com

Instagram: @thenicutranslator

Facebook Group: The NICU Translator

___________________________________________________________________

We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at https://www.birthstory.com/online-course

Resources:

• Birth Story Academy Online Course

• Shop My Birthing Workbooks and Guides

I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand parents in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy person on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery.

Connect with Me!

• Instagram

• YouTube

• Birth Story Boutique Doula + Pregnancy Concierge Services in Charlotte, NC

• Birth Story Media™ Website

• Pinterest

Sabia Wade (she/they), is a Black, queer, CEO, author, educator, full-spectrum doula, investor, and expander of Black luxury. Sabia is the founder of Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings, an accessible and inclusive training program for community care workers, and For the Village, a non-profit providing doulas at no or low-cost to low-income and marginalized communities in San Diego.

As a coach, board member, investor, educator, and programming development consultant for organizations throughout the Birth and Reproductive Health Industry, every part of Sabia’s work centers on liberation of all people through Reproductive Justice. Her book, Birthing Liberation: How Reproductive Justice Can Set Us Free, is now available for purchase. Additionally, Sabia is a certified reiki practitioner, death doula, somatic practitioner, human design reader, wedding officiant, and is currently working toward becoming a Spiritual Director!

3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today:

•  How being a dominatrix is not just about sexuality

•  Doms and doula work

•  The role of doms and subs in birth and parenting

3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode:

• advocacy

• doula support

• dominatrix

Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?: Kindred Bravely Nursing Bra

Website: https://www.sabiawade.com/ 

Book: https://rep.club/products/birthing-liberation 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabiawade/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sabiawade 

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/doulasabia 

X: https://twitter.com/sabia_wade 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/thebirthneoterist 

Substack: https://www.birthneoterist.com/ 

Found Free Mentorship: https://found-free.circle.so/ 

______________________________________________________________________________

We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at https://www.birthstory.com/online-course! 

Resources:

• Birth Story Academy Online Course

• Shop My Birthing Workbooks and Guides

I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy person on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in parenting, pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

Connect with Me!

• Instagram

• YouTube

• My Doula Heidi Website

• Birth Story Media™ Website

Today Heidi interviewed Amy Lloyd. Here is a little more about Amy and this episode.

In Amy's words: "I graduated nursing school in 2011 and started working in the NICU. I travel nursed and ended up in Denver, CO for 7 years. I mainly worked in the NICU but worked for Nurse Family Partnership for 4 years (an amazing nationwide program for 1st time moms that qualify based on income!)  I got married and moved to Asheville, NC in 2021. We got pregnant on the first try! I did the NIPT and found out we were having a boy! At my first appointment they mentioned I had a bicornuate uterus. Since hearing I had a higher rate of a breech baby I was pretty convinced he would be breech and I would have a scheduled c-section. “Normal” pregnancy. I felt really good. Worked night shift in the NICU until 39 weeks. I got COVID at 26 weeks pregnant. The recommendation then was to have a growth ultrasound. I had one at 34 weeks where they discovered the left side of his heart and aorta were small. I was referred to MFM in Asheville and then onto MFM and cardiology in Charlotte. I was induced at 39.2 at Atrium. I had a good induction…foley bulb, pitocin, epidural, AROM, pushed for 45 minutes. My baby immediately went to the NICU. His echo showed he had coarctation of the aorta and he had surgery at 3 days old! We were in the hospital for 2 weeks before coming home to Asheville. We experienced lots of feeding difficulties. He came home with a NG tube, had reflux, and a weak suck. I was basically exclusively pumping from the start. I weaned off the pump at 9.5 months postpartum. At 3 weeks postpartum I had severe abdominal pain leading me to be readmitted for IV antibiotics. They believe I had endometritis. My baby just turned 1 8/29/22. He is doing great and will continue to be followed by cardiology for life but hopefully should not need any further interventions!"

3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today:

• Flexibility

• Advocating for your family

3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode:

• Congenital heart defect

• Epidural induction

• Exclusive pumping

Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? Boppy for baby. I usually buy my friends a nice pair of pajamas as everyone is usually focused on stuff for the baby!

Summary of guest experience – Currently live in Asheville, NC. Graduated nursing school in 2011 and have worked in the NICU as a RN ever since. Also have my CLC.

Please link your contact information for me to share in the episode.

Instagram: Amy Lloyd

We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at https://www.birthstory.com/online-course! 

Resources:

• Birth Story Academy Online Course

• Shop My Birthing Workbooks and Guides

I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery.

Connect with Me!

• Instagram

• YouTube

• My Doula Heidi Website

• Birth Story Media™ Website

Today's episode is all about understanding magnesium, where it comes from, why we need it, what the dosing is, and how critical this mineral is for pregnancy.

Magnesium Lotion Shop started with Tiffany having restless legs during pregnancy and postpartum, not knowing until much later it was because of a magnesium deficiency. Tiffany created a DIY version of lotion that worked, and shared it on her blog. Readers kept asking her to make them some. So she worked to develop a smooth, creamy, non-greasy formula. Today Magnesium Lotion Shop has two formulas - ORIGINAL (unscented) and SLEEP (lavender w/melatonin) - and both are plant-based, and non-toxic.

3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today:

• Magnesium is used by over 400 processes in the body, including healthy sleep cycles, blood circulation, muscle cramps, anxiety, regulating moods

• Over ⅔ of population is deficient in magnesium. Even more important in pregnancy and post-partum when baby gets first dibs on nutrients

• Topical magnesium avoids digestive distress/discomfort. Achieving healthy levels of magnesium requires consistent daily use 

3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode:

• Dosage (how much magnesium should we be aiming for?)

• Deficient (how do I know if I’m deficient?)

• Safe (is magnesium lotion safe during pregnancy and for kids?)

Magnesium Lotion Shop Founders are Michael and Tiffany Terczak, who live outside Greenville, SC

Tiffany is a grocery budgeting expert, sharing affordable family-favorite recipes, meal plans and shopping strategies at her blog Don’t Waste the Crumbs since 2012.

Michael is the CEO of Magnesium Lotion Shop with over 36,000 lotions sold and now available online and in seven different states across the country.

Website: https://magnesiumlotionshop.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magnesiumlotionshop/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/magnesiumlotionshop

XOXO -Heids 

We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at https://www.birthstory.com/online-course! 

Resources:

• Birth Story Academy Online Course

• Shop My Birthing Workbooks and Guides

I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand parents in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery.

Connect with Me!

• Instagram

• YouTube

• Birth Story Boutique Website - looking for a doula in Charlotte, NC? 

• Birth Story Media™ Website

Did you listen to the previous episode 197? Start there. I interviewed David Arrell, the author of Welcome to Fatherhood, in 2021. This is a part 2 follow up in 2024 to that initial discussion. 

This episode is about hoow men can achive their highlest level of healthy mascunlinity and embrace fatherhood and partnership successfully. 

Please share this episode with a father or soon to be father you know. 

You can connect with David at www.welcometofatherhood.com and use code BIRTHSTORY for a special discount when you check out.

XOXO- Heidi 

Looking for a doula in Charlotte, NC? Find my team and me at www.BirthStoryBoutique.com

To enroll in Birth Story Academy, head over to www.BirthStory.com and use code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND for $20 OFF for being a podcast listener. 

David Arrell, the author of Welcome to Fatherhood, chats with Heidi about this powerful book to help male partners with new fatherhood transitions. 

Please share this episode with a father or soon to be father in your life.

XOXO Heidi 

PS. David mentions his favorite baby products in this episode which is include the Babytone Sensor and the Frida nose sucker. 

Ashley Schein is a mother, a writer, and a writing workshop facilitator. She leads workshops, both in person and over zoom. In this episode she talks about the benefits of writing and sharing your birth story in a safe space, and gives some guidance on how to get started so that your story can unfold naturally and beautifully on the page. Ashley also shares about how writing helped her process her own birth experiences and gave her a new perspective. Listen until the end to hear her read the story of her daughter’s birth. 

3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today:

• Writing is healing. It can help us process what we’ve been through. It’s possible to write about the same experience more than once in different ways, which can lead to new understanding. 

• Writing your birth story is a beautiful way to honor yourself and your experience. It’s never too late to write your story. 

• There’s no one more qualified to write your birth story than you. Even if you don’t consider yourself a “writer.”

3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode:

• Writing your birth story

• Birth Story Workshop

• Writing to heal

Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?: 

One of those insanely long pieces of fabric that you wrap around your body so that you can wear your baby. It takes a bit of time on YouTube to figure it out, but once you have it down it’s miraculous for those early, early days when baby just wants to be on mama all. Of. The. Time.

Writing and storytelling have always been a part of Ashley’s life, both personally and professionally. Before becoming a mother, Ashley spent more than 15 years helping brands and organizations find their voices and tell their stories. Now, she helps people do the same by leading writing workshops. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two young kids. 

Website: www.wildwrites.co

Instagram: www.instagram.com/wildwrites

XOXO -Heids

We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at https://www.birthstory.com/online-course! 

Resources:

• Birth Story Academy Online Course

• Shop My Birthing Workbooks and Guides

I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery.

Connect with Me!

• Instagram

• YouTube

• My Doula Heidi Website

• Birth Story Media™ Website

This is a follow up birth story with baby #4 with Jenna Slot of the oh so popular episode 41 where we discuss her surprise PFO diagnosis. 

That episode was republished just before this one in Episode 194.

In Jenna's words: "We'll talk about my 4th birth story, which started with my water breaking in the elevator at work (work for me is as a labor and delivery nurse!).  I also talk about becoming an exclusive pumper when he refused to nurse (or couldn't nurse) because that was a hard pill to swallow after having successfully nursed 3 babies.  Also, my mom was at this birth and then shortly after was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, so I was also dealing with immense grief during my postpartum period.  I think both grief and exclusive pumping are topics worth discussing when they are present in pregnancy and postpartum!!"

3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today:

• Point 1 - sometimes a baby will not nurse even if you try absolutely everything.  And it's ok to feel sad about that!

• Point 2 - late epidurals and....why not!?!

• Point 3 - All birth stories are different. How unique my 4th one was compared to the first 3. 

3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode:

• Point 1 - regarding water breaking and confirmation - manicure, ferning

• Point 2 - exclusive pumping, lactation consulting, issues transferring milk

• Point 3 - late epidurals

Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?:  

I LOVED the solly wrap and the ergo carrier. 

Summary of guest experience – Who are you? 

I'm an L&D nurse in West Michigan.  I'm also a recently graduated and credentialed Women's Health Nurse Practitioner.  I live near Grand Rapids, MI.  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/Jennaslot

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/Jennaslot

XOXO -Heids

We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at https://www.birthstory.com/online-course! 

Resources:

• Birth Story Academy Online Course

• Shop My Birthing Workbooks and Guides

I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery.

Connect with Me!

• Instagram

• YouTube

• My Doula Heidi Website

• Birth Story Media™ Website