Podcasts · Kids & Family · Education

Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy

My Essential Birth

300 episodes

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

Episodes page 2 of 6

  1. Getting Ready for Birth: What Most People Aren't Telling You

    · 32 min · Episode 322

    Join the My Essential Birth Course by Nov 7 and get TWO exclusive bonuses: The Belly Mapping Guide + Partner Belly Binding Video! Help your baby get into the best position for birth and support your healing postpartum.…

  2. Is My Baby on Track? What Every Mom Should Know About Milestones, Feeding & Early Development

    · 42 min · Episode 321

    Join the My Essential Birth Course by Nov 7 and get TWO exclusive bonuses: The Belly Mapping Guide + Partner Belly Binding Video! Help your baby get into the best position for birth and support your healing postpartum.…

  3. Birth Story: Her Water Broke Early...and Everything Changed w/Lisette & Doug Boal

    · 53 min · Episode 320

    Join the My Essential Birth Course by November 4th and get TWO exclusive BONUSES: The Belly Mapping Guide & Partner Belly Binding Video Tutorial. It's everything you need to help your baby be in the perfect position…

  4. The Gut-Baby Connection: What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Know

    · 34 min · Episode 319

    Your gut isn’t just about digestion — it’s shaping your baby’s health from the very first bite! In this episode, we uncover the surprising ways your gut impacts baby’s immune system, brain development, and even…

  5. Birth Story at a Military Hospital: Fast, Faith-Filled, and Unmedicated

    · 1 h 00 min · Episode 318

    This week I'm chatting with Daizjah, who shares her incredible first birth story at a military hospital. From finding out she was pregnant just weeks before her wedding, to preparing with CrossFit up until 34 weeks,…

  6. Pregnancy & Postpartum Nutrition: Myths, Milk Supply & Weight Loss

    · 57 min · Episode 317

    Join the My Essential Birth Course by October 7th and get exclusive Affirmations BONUSES: featuring a calming Birth Affirmations Audio Track and 25 beautifully crafted, printable Birth Affirmation Cards to keep you…

  7. "BIG" Baby?! The Exact Steps to Take Right Now!

    · 34 min · Episode 316

    Join the My Essential Birth Course by October 7th and get the exclusive Rise & Birth Pack (My Essential Birth Course PLUS downloadable Birth Affirmations Audio + Affirmation Cards) Grab it here:…

  8. Birth Story: Unmedicated Birth Story & Baking Sourdough During Labor with Rachel Weaver

    · 1 h 03 min · Episode 315

    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…

  9. Vaccines: What Every Mother Needs to Know

    · 58 min · Episode 314

    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…

  10. Am I Pregnant?! Answers for the First 6 Weeks

    · 35 min · Episode 313

    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…

  11. “After 4 Years of ‘Unexplained Infertility,’ Two Pink Lines: The Nutrition Shift That Changed Everything

    · 57 min · Episode 312

    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…

  12. Birth Story: Unmedicated First-Time Birth During a Georgia Snowstorm

    · 44 min · Episode 311

    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…

  13. Postpartum Healing Without the Pressure to “Bounce Back” with Dr. Jessica London

    · 41 min · Episode 310

    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…

  14. Breastfeeding Confidence: Preparing for a Positive Experience with Little Bear Lactation

    · 1 h 04 min · Episode 309

    "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,…

  15. Birth After Trauma: How Samantha & Matt Found Healing and Strength

    · 40 min · Episode 308

    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,…

  16. Vitamin D for Breastfed Babies: What You Need to Know

    · 31 min · Episode 307

    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…

  17. 3 Birth Stories, 3 Experiences: Maren Rider’s Journey to Home Birth Bliss

    · 43 min · Episode 306

    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…

  18. Top 5 Pregnancy Myths - Debunked!

    · 30 min · Episode 305

    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…

  19. Birth Your Way: Exploring Breech Births and Alternative Options with Bonnie Baker, CPM

    · 41 min · Episode 304

    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…

  20. SSRIs in Pregnancy: Benefits, Risks, & Your Options

    · 47 min · Episode 303

    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…

  21. Birth Story: Breaking Anxiety and Embracing Joy with Matthew & Sara

    · 51 min · Episode 302

    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…

  22. Freedom in Labor: The Essential Birthing Positions You Need to Know

    · 34 min · Episode 301

    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…

  23. Birth Story: How Jaycie Hohn Conquered Her Birth Fears with Mind Over Matter

    · 50 min · Episode 300

    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,…

  24. Pelvic Floor Mastery: Dr. Arielle Martone's Guide to Postpartum Wellness

    · 42 min · Episode 299

    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…

  25. Birth Story: Going Beyond 40 Weeks with Amber Mejia-Mohr

    · 51 min · Episode 298

    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…

  26. Decoding Labor: How Long Will Your Birth Journey Be?

    · 31 min · Episode 297

    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…

  27. Postpartum 101: Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle's Comeback

    · 30 min · Episode 296

    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…

  28. Ditching Unrealistic Expectations: Postpartum Advice from Doula Caitlin Wilder

    · 48 min · Episode 295

    In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by the wonderful Caitlin Wilder, a doula who brings so much honesty and compassion to the postpartum space. We’re talking all about what it really looks like after baby…

  29. Birth Story: Insights into Home Birth: Godelieve Peters-Boselie's Story of Strength and Preparation

    · 1 h 00 min · Episode 294

    In this episode, I have the absolute joy of chatting with Godelieve from the Netherlands about her beautiful and empowering home birth experience. She takes us through her fast-paced labor, the tools and techniques she…

  30. 8 Surprising Facts about Birth

    · 28 min · Episode 293

    In this episode, I’m sharing eight important truths about childbirth that often get overlooked—but can make such a difference in how empowered and prepared you feel. From the fact that your water might not break on its…

  31. Baby's Best Start: Craniosacral Therapy Unveiled with Meaghan Beames, CST

    · 42 min · Episode 292

    In this episode, I’m so excited to introduce you to Meaghan Beames, a craniosacral therapist who brings such a gentle, knowledgeable approach to supporting both babies and mamas. We’re diving into what craniosacral…

  32. Labor Pains and Gains: The Truth About Contractions

    · 22 min · Episode 291

    In this episode, we’re shifting the way we think about contractions—because yes, they’re intense and exhausting, but they’re also incredibly purposeful. Each one is helping your cervix open and bringing your baby…

  33. Birth Story: Premature Miracles: Kyla's Inspiring NICU Experience

    · 39 min · Episode 290

    This week’s episode is all about the power of advocacy—trusting your voice, your instincts, and your choices during pregnancy and birth. I’m honored to share Kyla’s incredible birth story, as she opens up about…

  34. Motherhood Unfiltered: Struggles, Joy, and Finding Balance with Sophie Harris

    · 41 min · Episode 289

    Stephanie King interviews Sophie Harris, a postpartum therapist, about postpartum challenges and self-care. They discuss overcoming self-neglect, emotional struggles, setting boundaries, and the importance of community…

  35. Unmedicated Home Birth: Liv & Matt's Story of The Gift of Their Christmas Baby

    · 1 h 07 min · Episode 288

    Stephanie discusses the empowering journey of Liv and Matt's home birth, highlighting their experiences, challenges, and preparations. They share initial fears, the importance of supportive people, and practical advice…

  36. Your Newborn and Vitamin K: Making Informed Decisions

    · 32 min · Episode 287

    Stephanie discusses the importance of knowing your options of administering Vitamin K to newborns. She covers various options including injections, oral doses, and maternal supplementation, weighing their benefits and…

  37. Harnessing the Power of Your Cycle: A Guide to Fertility with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack of Fertility Friday

    · 1 h 03 min · Episode 286

    The world of women's health is vast and often misunderstood, especially when it comes to fertility and menstrual cycles. But understanding these essential aspects of health can empower women to take charge of their…

  38. Reimagining Postpartum: Bridging Traditions and Modern Care with Dr. Kristal Lau

    · 1 h 09 min · Episode 285

    We discuss how postpartum should be mother-centered and family-focused. Dr. Kristal Lau shares insights on blending traditional and modern postpartum practices. They discuss the importance of planning for postpartum,…

  39. Crash Birth Course: Who Should Stand By You and What Do They Need to Know?

    · 33 min · Episode 284

    Select someone for your birth space who makes you feel loved and protected, rather than someone you feel obligated to include. They should support your wishes without personal motives or desires, believing in and…

  40. Overcoming Postpartum Struggles: Your Roadmap to Recovery

    · 39 min · Episode 283

    Stephanie encourages new mamas in this postpartum episode about what happens if your healing journey takes a turn. New moms are encouraged to take care of themselves postpartum, along with a reminder to help others…

  41. Birth Story: Unmedicated Birth Story of Embracing the Beauty of Natural Childbirth with Morgan Adams

    · 45 min · Episode 282

    Stephanie discusses the importance of communication and preparation for childbirth with guest Morgan. Morgan shares her positive birth experiences, contrasting her induced first labor with a natural second one,…

  42. Real Food Revolution for Fertility: Insights with Lily Nichols

    · 1 h 01 min · Episode 281

    Lily Nichols discusses the importance of focusing on both women's and men's nutrition for fertility. They emphasize the significance of preconception planning, optimal diets, and essential supplements. Lily shares…

  43. Creating a Family-Centered Birth Experience: Including Children in the Birth Space

    · 26 min · Episode 280

    If you're considering having little ones being in your birth space for the arrival of your newest little one, this is the episode for you! Stephanie discusses how to prepare your children for the sacred birth space and…

  44. Birth Story: A Parking Lot Miracle & Unplanned Birth Adventure with Ashley Worley

    · 54 min · Episode 279

    Ashley and Bryan share about their unexpectedly rapid labor/delivery experience, which culminated in their son Jack being born in a parking lot. They discuss the preparation and intuition that helped them through the…

  45. REBROADCAST: A Guide to Knowing Pain Management Options BEFORE Your Contractions Begin

    · 35 min · Episode 278

    You get to decide what will work best for you. It's important to plan for the birth you want, the one that will light you up and bring you joy, whether if it's with an epidural, an unmedicated birth, or somewhere in…

  46. Navigating Your Motherhood Journey: Real Advice from Real Moms

    · 30 min · Episode 277

    Stephanie shares advice for overwhelmed moms, emphasizing that feeling overstimulated is normal and temporary. Various moms share their own tips, including prioritizing self-care, maintaining routines, seeking outside…

  47. From Fear to Empowerment: Meagan Heaton's Journey to VBAC

    · 56 min · Episode 276

    This week, Stephanie interviews Meagan, a birth doula and VBAC advocate. Megan shares her personal experience with two unnecessary Cesareans and her triumphant VBAC afterwards. The episode explores VBAC logistics,…

  48. Pelvic Floor 101: What Every New Mom Needs to Know with Dr. Jessica London

    · 32 min · Episode 275

    This week's guest is Dr. Jessica London who will discuss pelvic health post-childbirth. We will cover symptoms like pelvic heaviness and prolapse, while also emphasizing conservative management through education and…

  49. What If I Don't Make It to My Birth Place?

    · 27 min · Episode 274

    In today's episode, we'll answer: "What if I don't make it to my birthplace?" While this situation will not affect most moms, it's always important to be prepared mentally and literally. When you come from a place of…

  50. Birth Story: The Strength of Surrender & Navigating the Unexpected with Elizabeth McCravy

    · 1 h 33 min · Episode 273

    In this episode, Elizabeth McCravy shares her unexpected C-section story, emphasizing strength, faith, and support. She challenges C-section stigma, highlights preparation for birth scenarios, and offers postpartum…

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