When Rachel was 36 weeks pregnant with her first child, she wasn't sure a doula was right for her family. Her husband worried they might end up with someone who'd be distracting during labor, but after meeting Stephanie from How2Mom, everything clicked. "You just felt like family," Rachel recalls of that coffee shop interview. Little did they know this connection would span years and support multiple beautiful births across their family.

This episode weaves together the birth journeys of two sisters, Rachel and Katy, who each found their way to the same doula but experienced vastly different labor stories. Rachel's first birth unfolds as she labors past her due date, finding her rhythm in a powerful shower session before delivering her daughter in water. Though beautiful, a fourth-degree tear leaves medical professionals warning her against future vaginal births.

Katy's story reveals the courage it takes to trust your intuition when facing medical pressure. After being told her baby was "too big" to birth naturally, she holds firm in her belief that her body knows what to do. Her journey stretches to nearly 42 weeks, culminating in an intense back labor that challenges her plans for an unmedicated birth but ultimately leads to her daughter's arrival after 37 hours of labor.

The narrative comes full circle with Rachel's second birth, where despite warnings about her previous tear, she listens to her body's wisdom. In a moment of pure instinct, she catches her own baby boy after just two pushes, healing not just physically but emotionally from her first birth experience.

These intertwined stories highlight how birth unfolds differently for every person—even sisters. As Katy beautifully summarizes, "Honor your intuition, your instincts... Each instance is unique." Whether you're currently expecting, planning a family, or simply fascinated by birth stories, this episode offers powerful insights into the journey of bringing life into the world with courage, support, and deep trust in your own body's capabilities.

Thank you so much for listening to the Mom2Mom Podcast! This podcast is meant to empower women and bring the community together through storytelling and education. Here, you will find encouragement, support and community. We are your community. And we’re so happy to have you!

Join the email list to be notified when episodes go live HERE!

Please also make sure to comment, share and subscribe!

xoxo, Stephanie

Let's Connect:
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When Christine and Alex welcomed their son via VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) in June 2023, they achieved what many told them was impossible. Their journey wasn't just about a birth preference – it was about healing from profound trauma after a cesarean delivery during COVID lockdowns followed by two devastating pregnancy losses.

"Every birth is a miracle," Alex reflects, "but for us, it just seemed like a different kind of miracle." Their story illuminates how critical provider selection becomes after experiencing birth trauma. When their midwife group suddenly deemed Christine ineligible for VBAC at 20 weeks pregnant, they found themselves searching for alternatives. This pivotal moment led them to a supportive family medicine doctor and birth doulas who would become their advocates, educators, and emotional anchors.

The determination required for their successful VBAC cannot be overstated. Christine pushed for an extraordinary five and a half hours across two sessions – a duration that would have resulted in cesarean in most hospital settings. What made the difference? A provider who trusted her body, doulas who offered positioning strategies and unwavering encouragement, and what Christine and Alex repeatedly reference as their powerful "why."

Most remarkable was the collaborative spirit in their birth space. Their provider took a step back, allowing the doulas to guide positioning and comfort techniques while monitoring safety. As she later told them directly: "You would not have had a vaginal birth had it not been for your doulas."

For Christine, this birth represented profound redemption: "It was the best day of my life, the most healing, the most empowering." And in a beautiful twist of serendipity, throughout labor, Alex had been calling Christine a "warrior" without realizing their son's name, Gunner, literally means "warrior."

Have you experienced birth trauma? We'd love to hear how you've navigated healing and how your birth team has supported your journey.

Thank you so much for listening to the Mom2Mom Podcast! This podcast is meant to empower women and bring the community together through storytelling and education. Here, you will find encouragement, support and community. We are your community. And we’re so happy to have you!

Join the email list to be notified when episodes go live HERE!

Please also make sure to comment, share and subscribe!

xoxo, Stephanie

Let's Connect:
Website (how2mom.com)
Instagram (@how2mom)
Facebook (@how2mom)
TikTok (@how.2.mom)
Twitter (@how_2_mom)
Linkedin (@how2mom)
Pinterest (@how2mom)
YouTube (@how2mom)

Ryan Flash, a Twin Cities therapist specializing in working with dads, discusses the unique challenges fathers face in adjusting to parenthood and the importance of seeking support. He highlights the lack of resources for dads compared to moms and emphasizes that men are increasingly seeking therapy to become better fathers and partners.

Ryan's practice, Discovery Mental Health, offers individual therapy and a group program called Launchpad Dads, designed to help fathers navigate the emotional and practical aspects of parenthood. He stresses the importance of dads doing their own research and building community with other fathers. He also discusses common issues dads face, such as postpartum depression and anxiety, and how therapy can help them understand and manage their emotions, ultimately leading to a stronger family unit.

Thank you so much for listening to the Mom2Mom Podcast! This podcast is meant to empower women and bring the community together through storytelling and education. Here, you will find encouragement, support and community. We are your community. And we’re so happy to have you!

Join the email list to be notified when episodes go live HERE!

Please also make sure to comment, share and subscribe!

xoxo, Stephanie

Let's Connect:
Website (how2mom.com)
Instagram (@how2mom)
Facebook (@how2mom)
TikTok (@how.2.mom)
Twitter (@how_2_mom)
Linkedin (@how2mom)
Pinterest (@how2mom)
YouTube (@how2mom)

Amelia, a Board-Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), is the owner of Bellflower Lactation in the Twin Cities. Inspired by her own breastfeeding challenges with her three daughters, she founded Bellflower Lactation to provide evidence-based, family-focused lactation care. Amelia's approach is unique in that she emphasizes the importance of mental health in the breastfeeding journey, recognizing the impact of stress, anxiety, and depression on both parents and babies.

Bellflower Lactation offers a variety of services, including prenatal consultations, virtual and in-person visits, and home visits. Amelia's comprehensive approach to lactation care includes assessing oral function, providing individualized feeding plans, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal outcomes for families. She also highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing tethered oral tissues (tongue and lip ties) and offers education and support for families navigating these challenges.

Thank you so much for listening to the Mom2Mom Podcast! This podcast is meant to empower women and bring the community together through storytelling and education. Here, you will find encouragement, support and community. We are your community. And we’re so happy to have you!

Join the email list to be notified when episodes go live HERE!

Please also make sure to comment, share and subscribe!

xoxo, Stephanie

Let's Connect:
Website (how2mom.com)
Instagram (@how2mom)
Facebook (@how2mom)
TikTok (@how.2.mom)
Twitter (@how_2_mom)
Linkedin (@how2mom)
Pinterest (@how2mom)
YouTube (@how2mom)

Can chiropractic care help those babies who seem to struggle no matter what you do? Dr. Chadd Burckhardt shares his journey from treating athletes to focusing on pediatrics and pregnancy after a pivotal experience with a colicky baby. He emphasizes the importance of the nervous system in overall health and explains how stress during pregnancy and birth can impact a child's development.

Dr. Chadd's practice, The Wellery, offers a unique approach to chiropractic care, utilizing neurological scans to assess and address nervous system imbalances. The clinic fosters a welcoming, family-friendly environment where patients feel comfortable and supported. Dr. Chadd emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to health, involving a team of practitioners and lifestyle changes. He encourages listeners to trust their intuition and seek support from professionals like doulas and chiropractors who prioritize their well-being.

Thank you so much for listening to the Mom2Mom Podcast! This podcast is meant to empower women and bring the community together through storytelling and education. Here, you will find encouragement, support and community. We are your community. And we’re so happy to have you!

Join the email list to be notified when episodes go live HERE!

Please also make sure to comment, share and subscribe!

xoxo, Stephanie

Let's Connect:
Website (how2mom.com)
Instagram (@how2mom)
Facebook (@how2mom)
TikTok (@how.2.mom)
Twitter (@how_2_mom)
Linkedin (@how2mom)
Pinterest (@how2mom)
YouTube (@how2mom)

Connect with Autumn here:

Website: https://autumnenloe.com/

1:1 coaching program: https://autumnenloe.com/nutritioncoaching/

Pre-order book:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wslpvd

Target: https://bit.ly/3ULqkPM

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autumn.enloe.nutrition/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autumnenloenutrition

Thank you so much for listening to the Mom2Mom Podcast! This podcast is meant to empower women and bring the community together through storytelling and education. Here, you will find encouragement, support and community. We are your community. And we’re so happy to have you!

Join the email list to be notified when episodes go live HERE!

Please also make sure to comment, share and subscribe!

xoxo, Stephanie

Let's Connect:
Website (how2mom.com)
Instagram (@how2mom)
Facebook (@how2mom)
TikTok (@how.2.mom)
Twitter (@how_2_mom)
Linkedin (@how2mom)
Pinterest (@how2mom)
YouTube (@how2mom)

Join me and repeat guest, Sarah as she shares her birth experience with her singleton. Months back Sarah shared her twin birth story (https://mom2mompodcast.buzzsprout.com/2077791/13212755-twin-mama-opts-for-a-surgical-birth-to-bring-her-babies-earth-side-safely) but we had to have her back to share what it was like to go into preterm labor with her first baby, and just how different that experience was. Sarah's birth stories go to show how different each birth experience can be and that options are always present, and different with each.

Thank you so much for listening to the Mom2Mom Podcast! This podcast is meant to empower women and bring the community together through storytelling and education. Here, you will find encouragement, support and community. We are your community. And we’re so happy to have you!

Join the email list to be notified when episodes go live HERE!

Please also make sure to comment, share and subscribe!

xoxo, Stephanie

Let's Connect:
Website (how2mom.com)
Instagram (@how2mom)
Facebook (@how2mom)
TikTok (@how.2.mom)
Twitter (@how_2_mom)
Linkedin (@how2mom)
Pinterest (@how2mom)
YouTube (@how2mom)

Join me as I interview Michelle who is a pelvic floor physical therapist and owner of Moms in Motion PT.

Michelle is married to Ryan and has two daughters, ages 2 and 4. She loves being outdoors and has been building a new "kitchen garden" this year, where she hopes to grow many fruits and vegetables.

She is passionate about helping pregnant and postpartum moms stay healthy, comfortable, and doing all the activities they love. She and her team have worked with over 250 women in the last couple of years and they look forward to helping many more through the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience!

Moms in Motion PT is a go-to solution for moms to keep up with their kids, have smoother pregnancies & deliveries, and eliminate leaking, heaviness, and pain. They treat women in all stages of life. Pregnant women, busy moms, athletes, working women. They help with pelvic health issues as well as optimizing movement and birth preparation!

Here is the link to the free c-section guide Michelle put together for our listeners:

https://momsinmotionpt.com/csectionrecovery

You can follow Michelle and Moms in Motion PT here:
https://www.momsinmotionpt.com/
https://www.instagram.com/moms.in.motion.pt

Thank you so much for listening to the Mom2Mom Podcast! This podcast is meant to empower women and bring the community together through storytelling and education. Here, you will find encouragement, support and community. We are your community. And we’re so happy to have you!

Join the email list to be notified when episodes go live HERE!

Please also make sure to comment, share and subscribe!

xoxo, Stephanie

Let's Connect:
Website (how2mom.com)
Instagram (@how2mom)
Facebook (@how2mom)
TikTok (@how.2.mom)
Twitter (@how_2_mom)
Linkedin (@how2mom)
Pinterest (@how2mom)
YouTube (@how2mom)