Entering Motherhood: Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum Support

Hello again and welcome to day 11 of “Heal Your Trauma, Mama” over the course of these 30 days my hope is for you to become more aware of yourself and the strength that you have in motherhood. I hope this allows you the time to look deeper and heal so that you can be more present and look at motherhood in a whole new way.

Hello again and welcome to day 10 of “Heal Your Trauma, Mama” over the course of these 30 days my hope is for you to become more aware of yourself and the strength that you have in motherhood. I hope this allows you the time to look deeper and heal so that you can be more present and look at motherhood in a whole new way.

32. Try it, Try Everything This an episode from the HYTM workshop Heal Your Trauma, Mama Become more aware of yourself and the strength that you have in motherhood. Allow yourself the time to look deeper and heal so that you can be more present and look at motherhood in a whole new way. Ideal for mothers who are TTC, pregnant, or in the early years of motherhood. What’s Included: Initial one-on-one healing session (60 minutes) with Sarah to gain a deeper understanding of why you wish to begin this healing journey. Access to 12-week self-led workbook and other material focused on supporting mothers who are looking to heal from trauma associated with pregnancy, birth, and the early motherhood transitions. Final one-on-one session (60 minutes) with Sarah after completing material to ensure you feel confident and empowered to continue on a path of healing and becoming the mother you wish to be. Book an initial discovery call for FREE today

Hello again and welcome to day 8 of “Heal Your Trauma, Mama” over the course of these 30 days my hope is for you to become more aware of yourself and the strength that you have in motherhood. I hope this allows you the time to look deeper and heal so that you can be more present and look at motherhood in a whole new way.

Hello again and welcome to day 7 of “Heal Your Trauma, Mama” over the course of these 30 days my hope is for you to become more aware of yourself and the strength that you have in motherhood. I hope this allows you the time to look deeper and heal so that you can be more present and look at motherhood in a whole new way.

Cason and I talk about how it is possible to thrive in motherhood. We dive into what her journey has been like as a mom for the past six years and how much she has changed since those early postpartum days. We also discuss what she's learned and how she now uses that knowledge to help other mamas see that it can happen in their own life as well. Contact Cason Schulze: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyitscason/ https://linktr.ee/cason

Hello again and welcome to day 6 of “Heal Your Trauma, Mama” over the course of these 30 days my hope is for you to become more aware of yourself and the strength that you have in motherhood. I hope this allows you the time to look deeper and heal so that you can be more present and look at motherhood in a whole new way.

Hello again and welcome to day 5 of “Heal Your Trauma, Mama” over the course of these 30 days my hope is for you to become more aware of yourself and the strength that you have in motherhood. I hope this allows you the time to look deeper and heal so that you can be more present and look at motherhood in a whole new way.

Hello again and welcome to day 4 of “Heal Your Trauma, Mama” over the course of these 30 days my hope is for you to become more aware of yourself and the strength that you have in motherhood. I hope this allows you the time to look deeper and heal so that you can be more present and look at motherhood in a whole new way.

Hello again and welcome to day 3 of “Heal Your Trauma, Mama” over the course of these 30 days my hope is for you to become more aware of yourself and the strength that you have in motherhood. I hope this allows you the time to look deeper and heal so that you can be more present and look at motherhood in a whole new way.

Hello and welcome to day Two of “Heal Your Trauma, Mama” over the next 30 days my hope is for you to become more aware of yourself and the strength that you have in motherhood. I hope this allows you the time to look deeper and heal so that you can be more present and look at motherhood in a whole new way.

Hello and welcome to day one of “Heal Your Trauma, Mama” over the next 30 days my hope is for you to become more aware of yourself and the strength that you have in motherhood. I hope this allows you the time to look deeper and heal so that you can be more present and look at motherhood in a whole new way.

In this episode we talk with April Hall Gill about different ways you can use your placenta after the birth of your child.

Jennie Boone, owner of Tiny Duck Parenting, and I discuss ways to improve your child's sleep and how it can provide you with more freedom in motherhood. Every mother knows how challenging it can be to have a sleepless night and the stress it puts on everyone. Jennie helps parents learn ways to manage bedtime more efficiently and provides continuous support during this learning process. Every child is different and friends and family can let you know what worked for their child but they may not have the understanding or experience when it comes to your unique experience. It’s all about looking at the big picture and finding what works best for you and your child specifically. Age definitely matters and every month is different because each developmental stage makes a huge difference in the sleep process. You can search all over the place for answers but some resources may not have the information you need because they do not specialize in it, this is why it makes sense to work alongside someone like Jennie to really help along this transition. Follow Jennie for tips on sleep and connect with her if you’re looking to get that extra added attention so that your child can successful enjoy bedtime and you as the mom are able to get the sleep you deserve and need to feel your best. Contact Jennie Boone: Website: https://tinyduckparenting.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinyduckparenting/

Sarah Weeger, the creator of Hey Weegs, and I chat about what her journey was like early postpartum and how it compelled her to start selling her greeting cards. Sarah was already creating cards of her own for friends and family and transitioned to selling them so she can continue to spread the joy of her unique words and absolute attention to any situation for so many people. May is mental health awareness month and this episode is so fitting due the sensitivity and realness in which we discuss postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression. Sarah shares her own personal struggles as well as ways to help new moms navigate the difficult mental aspects of motherhood. We also discuss amazing ways of how you can show a new mom you care by asking open ended questions and sending them words of encouragement even in situations you may not have any personal experience with. Sometimes all it takes is to simply be along side a new mom and let her know you are there to support her and listen. Contact Sarah Weeger: Website: https://heyweegs.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyweegs/

In this episode we speak with Layne Stowell who is a health coach who specializes in busy mamas who are looking for ways to prioritize their health. We discuss our own personal struggles of dealing with toddlers and newborns and how it’s still important to find time for ourselves. Layne is a mom of two herself and was diving into health ever before her kids but noticed just how much help us mamas need and discovered ways that she was finding to improve her own health so she was set on sharing that with others and helping fellow mamas along the way in an absolutely fun and supporting way. We talk about habit stacking and also about how these new ways of improving yourself should be realistic and something you can maintain for years to come. We know there are so many different products and methods floating around and how hard it can be to know which is right but listening to yourself and understanding your body and what you’re capable of incorporating into your life is key. Also, understanding that you deserve this and you are worthy of having a healthy lifestyle. She is just such a fun person to talk to and she’s super passionate about health and being a mama. If you loved this episode and enjoyed hearing this conversation please share with a friend and feel free to reach out to her and let her know you heard her on the podcast. Contact Layne Stowell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laynestowell/

For those of you that do not know I lost my mother at a very young age, I was only 9 when she passed away from cancer. My dad remarried years later and I also then lost my stepmom from cancer when I was in college. This for sure has completely changed the way I have entered motherhood and the way I parent my daughter. In this episode you can hear clips from an episode I did on another podcast called Daughters Without Moms, you can catch the full episode here. There are also clips from friends and family of their favorite memories from both my mom and stepmom. Special thanks to those who shared their memories in this episode: Kathy Bademan Melissa Lehr Danielle Schagrin Kate Gallen Lauren Appolonia Kathy Galliher Kay Bademan Contact Beth from DWOM (Daughters Without Moms) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daughterswithoutmoms/ Daughters with out Moms Mother’s Day Circle May 4th 2021 at 7:00PM

Courtney has been through preeclampsia and a caesarean and is here to share her story with us through it all. We talk about what it was like for her to start tracking her blood pressure at 32 weeks and how she really wasn't even informed why or what was going on. Then at 33 weeks she had hit the number the doctors told her about went in, had to wait a few hours, and then was admitted for 24 hours of monitoring. Her stay ended up turning into 3 days and it was determined that she had mild preeclampsia. She was able to return home but then at 35 weeks headed back to the hospital because she was experiencing contractions and when she arrived it was determined she was already 3-4 cm dilated. She talks about what this was like and her feelings of anxiety and how she wasn’t sure what was going on. The caesarean rate at this hospital was low and the doctor tried to have her remain in labor for as long as possible but when her babies heartbeat started to drop it was time to head to the operating room. As soon as her baby was born she was sent off to the NICU and Courtney couldn’t even get to see her daughter until 27 hours after she was born. She doesn’t remember much due to the medication she was on for the caesarean but she shared her feelings of failure and hate towards her daughter for having to go through so much. She talks about how she still felt so alone and afraid at around 8 weeks postpartum and was asking her doctor what was going on. Her daughter is now approaching 2 years old and their connection has drastically improved. She has also discovered that in sharing her story with others she has found tremendous healing and gained some serious empathy. I am so appreciative of this conversation and the courage Courtney has to talk about the hard side of motherhood and the things most keep hidden. Feel free to check out her blog Knock on Motherhood or the podcast her and her husband have started called Knock on Parenthood. Contact Courtney Smith Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knockonmotherhood/ https://www.instagram.com/knockonparenthoodpodcast/

We talk about what it was like for Kelli to enter motherhood for the first time and what it’s been like since. When first looking into foster care her coordinator had said if it’s meant for you it will work out. She had always wanted kids so she found a way to make that possible even though she was single and hadn't had kids of her own yet. Even though it took a bit longer to finally be placed with a child, in less than 3 months she worked hard and made it possible to become eligible to be a foster mom. Kelli needed to prepare for any age and all the potential trauma that that comes with fostering. Like many new moms, she still faced the fears of ‘can I actually do this?" and "I don’t know what I’m doing!” and she also took part in getting to share the news with her family. She realized that there was a lot of learning and growing in her journey and that she was now responsible for things like doctors appointments and setting rules, but overall she said she has never felt more purposeful and more fulfilled than when she is a foster mom. She soon realized she needed to put everything she had into someone else day and night and later learned how to find ways to still find time for herself. She suggests that other new foster moms learn to say yes to people that offer to help you and find things that the kids can do that are fun for them so you can have some time for yourself. The transition of sending them back to their family is what you hope for but its still hard and very bitter sweet. Her family has been supportive and her nieces and nephews also love the idea but they also feel the separation when the kids transition back to their family. Some might say it’s hard to see them go but Kelli reassures us that It’s hard to let them go but these kids need this love and they need people to hold that space for them, the whole point is to care too much. If you’re looking into being a foster parent yourself reach out to other foster parents in the area and get to know the steps that are needed specifically for you. If you know a foster mom be sure to take a moment to appreciate them, be empathetic, and support them where you can. After all, we are all mothers coming together on this journey of Entering Motherhood. Recommended Books The Connected Parent by Lisa Qualls and Karyn Purvis PhD The Connected Child by Kryn Purvis PhD The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene Contact Kelli Boyce Instagram @fosteringsolo

Hannah and I talk about our cesarean section experiences and what it was like for us during postpartum. If you didn’t know, April is Cesarean Awareness Month and we are so passionate about sharing our point of view and what we personally went through on such a relevant topic, and we're not afraid to speak out about the parts moms typically don't talk about. After Hannah’s second child she felt like she had a lot to say and wanted to share it with other moms so she started a blog called Keeping it Peachy. We highlight parts from her one post “The mental recovery post-Caesarean section that nobody talks about” and dive deep into how we felt physically and more so mentally after a cesarean section. We both agree that it’s just so awesome that even though we’re on different sides of the world we can still connect and have these amazing conversations about motherhood. We are certainly not alone and there is so much goodness that can come from sharing our stories and expressing how we’re feeling in each stage of being a mom. I hope this conversation helps make you feel more connected and feel normal in those early moments as you are entering motherhood. Be sure to join us in the Entering Motherhood Facebook Group and share your thoughts on this episode. Contact Hannah Lantry: Website: https://keepingitpeachy.com.au Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepingitpeachytheblog/

In this episode we speak with Angela, creator and yoga teacher behind Feel at Om, about mindfulness and yoga specifically focused around motherhood. We discuss how taking time for yourself and prioritizing you is important in being able to be ALL there and present with our family. Sometimes all we need is just another mom to be there to support us and guide us along and let us know how to potentially navigate this journey. It’s so often heard that when mom in a good mood, the whole family is in a good mood. Yoga is not only an amazing workout but also an amazing way to recenter and allow yourself to be more in-tune with yourself and be present with others. We embrace the process of letting go and learning to cope with this transition of motherhood. The program with Angela is starting May 3rd 2021. It is designed to occur over 6 weeks but is able to be taken at your own pace. Be sure to head on over to her website and get to know more information about her program and preregister. She acknowledges that it doesn’t always have to be that serious and you can be present with your kids even just by dancing in the kitchen or simply reading a book. Catch the guided meditation at the end of the episode for a little extra added bonus. Let us know what shape you envisioned and be sure to join us in the Entering Motherhood Facebook Group and share your thoughts on this episode. Contact Angela Mattingly: Website: https://feelatomyoga.com Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/feelatomyoga Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feelatomyoga

Megan Champion, the host of On The Hard Days, and I talk about the challenging moments of motherhood and what her journey has been like having a child who may be tough to handle. She is an elementary school teacher, wife, and a mom of three (7 year old twins, and a 4 year old). Over the years she has found ways to navigate this journey into motherhood and ways to accept her children for who they are help see them where they’re at and support them to the best of her ability. She admits that she does not have it all together, no-one does, but she has found that accepting herself and taking moments to recognize what she brings to the table has helped tremendously. Remember you are not alone and there are more moms out there that are going through exactly what you are going through. The first step she suggests on being able to do this yourself is to take a piece of paper and think of just one small moment and jot down all the positive strengths that you brought to that situation to support your children. She gives an example of how she did this as she was cooking dinner with her children. Megan’s main mission is to support mothers who specifically are raising those tough kids, the ones who say “I didn't see this coming when I started parenting”, “this child is really different from me”, or “this child is struggling”. If you feel like there’s a mismatch and you’re feeling shame or guilt going on as a mother, she says these are her people and if this sounds like you please reach out to her. Contact Megan Champion: Website: https://www.ontheharddays.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/432579651389988 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/on.the.hard.days/

In this episode we talk with Megan Danelz, owner of Heart Strings Music Therapy Services located in Greenville, SC. We discuss how music can be used to help children develop speech and motor skills to be able to communicate more efficiently and improve social skills in everyday activities. Specifically we dive deep into two major interventions used in the NICU that can be used to prepare baby to be ready to come home sooner. Those two things worked on are non-nutritive sucking and multimodal stimulation. For non-nutritive sucking the goal is to have the baby being able to feed on their own by a using a PAL (pacifier-activated-lullaby) system. She also walks us through the steps used for the multimodal stimulation process that helps newborns be used to being over stimulation in a positive way. Megan’s favorite thing about what she does is being able to help any person at any walk of life reach their fullest potential through the use of music. This work not only benefits our children but directly helps us mamas to be closer with our children in a fun and interactive way. It also can help our children grow and progress. What mother doesn't want for her children? This can be such a calming stress relieving experience for all involved. Contact Megan Danelz: Website: https://heartstringsmts.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/HeartStringsMTS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartstringsmts/ Music Lessons: https://goldenstripmusicschool.com To find a music therapist in your area go to: https://www.musictherapy.org

In this episode I explain how you can begin to heal your postpartum body simply by being more aware of the type of food you fuel your body with during this time. The main components to consider when choosing meals in the postpartum period would be to have them be fully cooked, warm, contain as few ingredients as possible, and be high in protein and fats. With more and more research being done about women in the postpartum period it makes me so eager to be on the front line of this and share all the information I'm discovering and learning about everyday. I seriously geek out about this stuff and love sharing it with y’all. It’s important to understand that we are all different and all require a deeper understanding of how our own individual bodies are functioning and reacting to the food we consume in order to properly heal. Listen in on this episode to learn how to get started on healing your postpartum body. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entering_motherhood/ Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/enteringmotherhood/ 1:1 Coaching: https://www.enteringmotherhood.com/1on1coaching Postpartum Nutrition Course: https://www.enteringmotherhood.com/group-course If you’re looking to become a certified postpartum nutritional coach email me at [email protected]

In this episode we speak with Jo Ingram about the birth of her first daughter and the traumatic experience she had during this time. She experienced postpartum hemorrhaging and ultimately ended up having to receive a subtotal hysterectomy. She shares her story of finding support during this time for other PPH mothers and how she modeled others journey through surrogacy to take the same route for her life. Taking one step at a time she successfully completed her family with a set of twin girls years after her daughter with the help of a surrogate. We discuss how it’s important to find a place to share our disappointments and worries as well as our joy. There is such a need to share that early motherhood phase together with other moms who are in the same stage of motherhood. Finding a postpartum support group before the birth of your child can be helpful so that you have that support set in place before the baby comes. Her own personal mantra in her life and in her business is “I can make the impossible, possible”. How to contact Jo Ingram: Instagram: @iamjo.ingram www.iamjoingram.com Podcast: Action Taker Tribe

This episode is full of so many authentic moments Leah and I have experienced throughout motherhood so far. As a mother of 3 she has had years of transitioning into motherhood and shares what she has found to be most meaningful as she travels along this journey with faith and love by her side. To best enjoy this episode I strongly encourage you to take a moment to yourself and enjoy listening in on our conversation over your favorite cup of coffee or warm drink of choice. Sharing a conversation and a cup of coffee is one of Leahs favorite things to do and also how we met. She is a doula in the Greenville area and loves serving women and being there for them during their transition into motherhood. How to contact Leah Kilmer: Loving Birth Doula Services on Facebook @doulaleahdawn

We explored the benefits of having a pelvic floor therapist during pregnancy and postpartum with Dr. Ashlee De Nooy, owner of Body Works Women's Health and Wellness. Her knowledge on women’s health is so comforting and it was interesting to hear her discuss what we can notice in our own bodies to better improve our health. Ashlee also explains to us what a first visit looks like at a pelvic floor therapy appointment. She talks about how something as simple as breathing is a core concept that is able to allow us to have better pelvic floor health. The individualized care is ultimately what makes the difference when going to a specialist and allows for a deeper understanding of what each client is experiencing in their own unique body. How to contact Dr. Ashlee De Nooy: Body Works Women’s Health and Wellness Located in Greer, SC https://www.bodyworks-physicaltherapy.com/

In this episode we talk with Toby Pollack and discuss what you can do to help clear the mental noise associated with motherhood and focus on what matters most in being a mom. She believes that the quality of life is related to mental wellness and is working so passionately to help moms achieve a life that they love and are proud of. We talk about creating mantras to use in our everyday life that can help us feel safe and heard. One of my favorites were “I am safe and my baby is safe”. This quick and effective tips can make all the difference when we’re struggling and simply need to be reminded how well we’re doing as a mom. Remember you are not broken, this is normal, and it’s okay to ask for help. You can always ask for help and we strongly encourage you to seek the help you need if something feels off because motherhood does not have to look like how others tell you it is, you have the power to let those opinions all go, and life is what you say it is. How to contact Toby Pollack: Instagram: @TobyPollack_ Voxer: @TobyPollack

In this episode we talk with Audra Caldwell, a mom to three wonderful kiddos and grateful to be here. We discuss her personal journey during all three births of her children and what it was like during the postpartum period with each of them. Her first being a fully medicated hospital birth, her second was an unmedicated hospital birth, and then her last was a home birth. Audra is currently in the process of starting her own business and is on a journey that I am so excited to see her pursue. Her insights as a mother and the knowledge she has gained in motherhood are so amazing to listen to and learn from.

In this episode we talk with Justine, host of the podcast Expecting Rainbow, and we learn what it was like for her to become a first time mom. We hear about her son Steven, who lost his life while in the womb at 22 weeks and the ways Justine still honors her son even though he is no longer physically here. I hope you enjoy this episode and it shows you that we are not alone and even though we all have our own unique stories we are certainly all still mothers and entering motherhood in our own special ways. Contact Justine: Instagram @expectingrainbow [email protected] www.expectingrainbow.com

In this episode we go over how chiropractic care can help during pregnancy and postpartum. We also dive into long term effects if issues go untreated and how adjustments can help no matter what stage of motherhood you’re at. This episode is fully of so much juicy technical information that you will surly learn something new and want to consider chiropractic care for yourself and your family. How to contact Dr. Jenny Malkiel www.gomodernchiropractic.com [email protected] @modernchirogvl (instagram) Search for a Webster certified chiropractor in your area www.icpa4kids.com

In this episode we cover 5 ways on how you can encourage your support system to work for you and make the postpartum period easier for everyone, especially yourself. I hope you find this episode as helpful and informative as I did. Suggested Books to Read The First Forty Days by Heng Ou Nurture by Erica Chidi Cohen The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson Awake at 3 am by Suzannah Neufeld If you’re in upstate SC and are looking for a birth doula, child birth educator, or postpartum doula you can contact Kirsten through her website. www.threelittlebirdsbirthservices.com

In this episode I discuss a few ways that I have found to best navigate postpartum since becoming a mom. We all have our own unique journeys and what works best for each and every single one of us. I encourage you to be brave and find out what resonates with you the most and continue to do the things that make you feel most like you.

This episode breaks down how the idea for entering motherhood was born. I talk about the transition of what it was like for me to become a mom and what ultimately lead me to creating this space where mothers can come together and share their postpartum experiences. I hope you enjoy the story and discover how this journey has changed you.

This podcast is a place where you can expect to hear stories and helpful tips from birth workers, health care professionals, and new moms just like you. These episodes are designed to help take on a journey to learn new things about yourself, how you can become more empowered, and gain a deeper understanding of what’s going on as you are entering motherhood.