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

This is a replay of Episode 41!

Stick around because Jenna and I met up 4 years after this episode and recorded her most recent birth story! It is wild. So start here, and continue to episode 195 for the follow up story!

XOXO- Heidi

Jenna is an experienced Labor and Delivery nurse established in one of the busiest L&D hospitals in the country. Tune in as she recounts her sudden and surprising diagnosis with PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale) while pregnant with Baby #3 and how this rare condition impacted the natural delivery of her dreams.

Here is the article we reference with the entire L&D unit pregnant! https://www.fox17online.com/2019/04/19/its-in-the-water-32-butterworth-employees-pregnant-within-a-year

To talk to Jenna directly about her Birth Story or about her favorite baby products you can contact her on Instagram.

Looking for a Virtual Doula to create a custom birthing experience and guide you through your journey to parenthood in the United States? Contact Heidi at www.mydoulaheidi.com

For additional free birth education resources and to purchase Heidi’s book, Birth Story: Pregnancy Guidebook + Journal, visit www.birthstory.com.

Want to share your thoughts on the episode? Leave a review and send a message directly to Heidi on Instagram.

Today I chat with Gina Mundy about having a safe childbirth in a hospital. Pitocin should have their feelings hurt right now. Trigger warning as we discuss the stuff no one wants to think about, but that we all need to think about. Maternal and Fetal demise mentioned. Birth injuries mentioned. 

In her own words: 

I am an attorney specializing in childbirth cases, bestselling author, mother of three and wife. For over two decades, I have analyzed the mistakes that are made during labor and delivery. Drawing on this knowledge, I have authored the book "A Parent's Guide to a Safer Childbirth" to help parents prevent these mistakes and have a healthy baby.  Rather than merely getting involved after an unfortunate mistake was made, I have taken a proactive approach by getting involved before childbirth.  

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

• Point 1 Lessons learned from childbirth cases 

• Point 2 Most common facts in a childbirth case

• Point 3 How to have a safe chilbirth in a hospital

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

My book “A Parent’s Guide to a Safer Childbirth” 

Website: www.ginamundy.com

Amazon Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9KFNPNQ

Instagram: @GinaMundy  https://www.instagram.com/ginamundy/

Facebook: Gina Mundy, Author https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093989808329

Linked In: Gina Mundy https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-mundy-70318554/

Twitter: @ginamundy_  https://twitter.com/GinaMundy_

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

We will cover Kathryn’s “Founder’s Story” about why she founded Anja Health - after a near-drowning accident, her brother was left with cerebral palsy and umbilical cord blood stem cells could’ve helped save his life. Since they’re mixed race, they were unable to find a match in public banks, which inspired Kathryn to create an affordable private stem cell safe. We will talk about what cord blood banking is, why is it important and we’ll mention a few case studies, that will showcase a few of the 85+ diseases for which cord blood stem cells are approved as a treatment for.

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

• If you’re pregnant you should definitely consider cord blood cord tissue and placenta banking. Placenta banking is an under utilized part of the birth plan

• Why Anja Health is different 

• How cord blood, cord tissue, and placenta banking works and how much it costs.

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

• Cord blood banking

• Stem cells

• Birth plan

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

• the Complete plan for Lifetime of storage by Anja Health

Kathryn Cross is the CEO and Founder of Anja Health. Currently she is based in LA. 

Website: anjahealth.com

Instagram: @anja.health

TikTok: @kathrynanja & @anjahealth

Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/anjahealth

YouTube Channel: @anjahealth

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

My name is Sarah Latane. I live in the Shenandoah Valley of VA. I am a board certified behavior analyst and a stay at home parent. Brief overview of pregnancy; surprise pregnancy, early symptoms, initial MD care (on accident), early scare, practice transfer to midwife care, later symptoms (including GBS + and hypothyroid). Day/night of birth; prodromal labor and early labor at home, then hospital, never met before midwife, trauma response to cervical exam, decels, epidural, continued decels, cord prolapse diagnosed and emergency c-section. Some birth trauma, definitely the baby blues, then slowly progressing PPD turned postpartum rage, but mostly better now.

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

• Point 1: birth is extremely unpredictable; definitely have strong visions for your birth plan, but research other alternatives just in case (I NEVER considered that I would end up having a cesarean and had not researched or planned for this at all and I think it made coming to terms with it harder).

• Point 2 : maybe prepare for cervical exam if you have experienced sexual assault before and have a first exam pre-labor? I think this really would have helped me. 

• Point 3 : if possible, try to envision and plan for what after your birth will look like, e.g., what are your boundaries? And who can you enlist to advocate for you? I think (now that I have hindsight) realized boundaries and a strong advocate could have helped me avoid PPD/rage

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

• Point 1: cord prolapse

• Point 2 : birth trauma?

• Point 3 : postpartum depression/rage

Instagram: @sblatane

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 Part 2 of my discussion with Kelli!

During the podcast interviews we are going through 3 different birth stories as well as two losses. Each story is very unique in its own way and just goes to show how every birth can be different. We talk about Kelli's first birth being an induction with various interventions, her experience with two pregnancy losses, as well as the anxiety/mental health struggles she had during pregnancy, to having rainbow babies and a more hands off informed and empowering birthing experiences. 

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

• Each birth is different 

• Informed choices

• Finding a supportive OB or midwife is very important not just for birth but for pregnancy loss

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

• Natural Birth

• Hospital Birth

• Pregnancy after loss

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

• Favorite motherhood product: a pumping bra! It took me three kids to discover the magic of being hands free by using a pumping bra! I literally always held my breast pumps to me and when my last baby was in NICU it was such a game changer to be able to use my hands! 

In Kelli's words: "I am a registered nurse in the Kansas area who has a passion for all things birth.  As a die hard patient advocate, I want people to know that their birth doesn’t have to be at the hands of a 9-5 doctor and that people have every right to have a say in their care as well as be able to make informed decisions about their birth without being talked down to or coerced."

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

Instagram: @kellithelabornurse

Facebook Page: Kellithelabornurse:

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

TRIGGER WARNING Miscarriages and miscarriage information. Walking through what it is like to miscarry at home and to have a DNC. 

Part 2 are her rainbow baby birth stories if you prefer to skip ahead. 

During the podcast interviews we are going through 3 different birth stories as well as two losses. Each story is very unique in its own way and just goes to show how every birth can be different. We talk about Kelli's first birth being an induction with various interventions, her experience with two pregnancy losses, as well as the anxiety/mental health struggles she had during pregnancy, to having rainbow babies and a more hands off informed and empowering birthing experiences. 

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

• Each birth is different 

• Informed choices

• Finding a supportive OB or midwife is very important not just for birth but for pregnancy loss

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

• Natural Birth

• Hospital Birth

• Pregnancy after loss

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

• Favorite motherhood product: a pumping bra! It took me three kids to discover the magic of being hands free by using a pumping bra! I literally always held my breast pumps to me and when my last baby was in NICU it was such a game changer to be able to use my hands! 

In Kelli's words: "I am a registered nurse in the Kansas area who has a passion for all things birth.  As a die hard patient advocate, I want people to know that their birth doesn’t have to be at the hands of a 9-5 doctor and that people have every right to have a say in their care as well as be able to make informed decisions about their birth without being talked down to or coerced."

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

Instagram: @kellithelabornurse

Facebook Page: Kellithelabornurse:

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