Moon & Mother Podcast

Sex after birth is one of the most talked about but least honestly discussed parts of postpartum life. In this episode, we’re breaking it all down in a real, non-judgmental, evidence-based way.We’re talking about why the standard 6-week wait isn’t just a suggestion it’s about healing from a literal internal wound where the placenta detached. Think about it this way: you wouldn’t ignore medical guidance for healing anywhere else in your body your uterus deserves that same care.But healing isn’t just physical.From shifting hormones to sleep deprivation, identity changes, and mental health your desire (or lack of it) makes sense. We normalize all of it here.We also dive into:Why postpartum bodies feel different during sexVaginal dryness, pelvic floor changes & discomfortThe emotional side of intimacy after birthWhy you might not feel “ready” at 6 weeks and why that’s okayThe reality of increased fertility postpartum (yes, even before your first period)Birth control considerations you may not have thought aboutAnd most importantly we explore ways to rebuild intimacy without pressure: connection, communication, touch, and redefining what closeness looks like in this season.This episode is for anyone navigating postpartum recovery, supporting a partner, or wanting honest, shame-free education about sex after birth.link to our other resources: https://beacons.ai/doulakyra

Just listened to this episode and feeling a little overwhelmed?That’s where I come in!Coaching gives you a space to ask questions, talk things through, and actually feel supported not just informed.Because hearing it is one thing… having someone guide you through it is everything.Let’s connect 🤍Link: https://beacons.ai/doulakyra

If you're in the final weeks of pregnancy, you know exactly what I'm talking about.Your phone starts buzzing constantly… “Any baby yet?” “Still pregnant?” “Is today the day?”And while these messages usually come from a place of love and excitement, they can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and even emotionally exhausting when you're already navigating the final stretch of pregnancy.In this episode, we’re talking about how to survive the flood of “Is the baby here yet?” texts without losing your sanity.I’m sharing practical ways to protect your peace, set boundaries, and shift the focus back to what actually matters you, your body, and your baby.In This Episode We Talk About:Why the final weeks of pregnancy can feel mentally heavier than people expectWhy constant check-ins can unintentionally add pressureSimple ways to set boundaries with friends and familyScripts you can use when responding to messagesLetting go of the pressure to update everyone in real timeProtecting your emotional space as you prepare for laborBecause the truth is: Babies arrive on their own timeline not the group chat’s.And you deserve the space to experience the end of pregnancy without feeling like you’re constantly reporting in.Resources for Expecting ParentsIf you’re pregnant or preparing for birth and want more support, education, and real-life tools for navigating pregnancy and postpartum, I’ve created resources just for you.Visit my website to explore:• Birth and postpartum support • Free educational resources for parents • Doula services in New Hampshire and Maine • Helpful tools for navigating pregnancy, birth, and the newborn stage👉 Check it out here: https://beacons.ai/doulakyraIf you enjoyed this episode, make sure to:⭐ Follow the podcast ⭐ Leave a review ⭐ Share this episode with a pregnant friend who might be drowning in “any baby yet?” texts.And if you're local to New Hampshire or Maine and looking for a doula, I’d love to connect with you.

In our longest episode yet, we’re welcoming our very first guest, Jordyn Franke. Jordyn is a military spouse and mom of two who courageously shares her real, raw journey through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.In this episode, Jordyn opens up about the highs, the challenges, and the deeply personal moments that shaped her experiences becoming a mother. From navigating pregnancy to processing her birth experiences and adjusting to postpartum life, her story is honest, powerful, and incredibly important.Real lived experiences matter, and Jordyn’s story is one that so many parents will be able to connect with, learn from, and feel seen by.If you’re pregnant, postpartum, or deep in motherhood, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Interested in sharing your story on the podcast? I’d love to connect. Email me at [email protected] to chat about being featured on a future episode.✨ Because every birth story deserves to be heard!

Birth isn’t just physical it’s deeply emotional and hormonal. In this episode, we’re talking about how to make your birth space feel safe, calm, and supportive whether you’re birthing at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital. Because when you feel safe, your body works better!Why Safety Matters in BirthWe break down the science in simple terms:Birth relies heavily on oxytocin the hormone that fuels contractions.Stress hormones like adrenaline can slow or stall labor.Feeling observed, unsupported, or uncomfortable can impact how labor progresses.Your Physical EnvironmentNo matter where you’re birthing, here are ways to create comfort:Dim the lights (or ask staff to)Bring familiar smells (essential oils if allowed, your pillow, a blanket)Play music or calming soundsLimit unnecessary interruptions when possibleWear your own clothes if allowedLittle changes can make a big difference.!When we protect the birth space, we protect the hormones. And when we protect the hormones, we support the physiology of birth.If this episode helped you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone preparing for birth 🤍Link to my website for meet & greets and more: https://beacons.ai/doulakyra

Bringing home a new baby is beautiful but it can also feel overwhelming, exhausting, and isolating. In this episode, we’re talking honestly about something many parents struggle with: asking for help postpartum.So many families are told “it takes a village,” yet no one teaches us how to actually build or use that village. Today we break down why asking for help feels hard, why support matters for recovery and mental health, and practical ways to communicate your needs without guilt.In This Episode We Discuss:Why postpartum support is essential not a luxuryCommon reasons parents struggle to ask for helpLetting go of the pressure to “do it all”How partners, friends, and family can truly support new parentsSpecific ways to ask for help clearly and confidentlyCreating a postpartum support plan before baby arrivesProtecting your healing, rest, and mental healthPractical Examples of Help You Can Ask For:Meal prep or grocery runsHelp with older childrenHousehold chores or laundryHolding baby so you can shower or sleepEmotional check-ins and companionshipAppointment or postpartum visit supportReminder:Accepting help does not mean you’re failing it means you’re prioritizing recovery, bonding, and long-term wellbeing for both you and your baby.Connect With Us:Follow along for evidence-based education, real conversations about parenthood, and supportive birth & postpartum resources.https://beacons.ai/doulakyra

Choosing where you give birth is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make during pregnancy and it’s about so much more than just location. In this episode, we’re breaking down how to choose the hospital setting that feels right for you, your values, and your birth goals.Whether you’re newly pregnant, weighing your options, or reconsidering where you plan to deliver, this episode will help you feel empowered, prepared, and confident in choosing the setting that best supports your needs and your birth vision.

Thinking about hiring a doula but unsure when the right time actually is? In this episode, we’re breaking down the ideal time to bring a doula onto your birth team and why earlier support can completely change your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience.Whether you just saw two pink lines or you’re nearing your due date, this episode will help you understand when doula support can be most beneficial and how hiring at different stages impacts your care.Key Takeaways:✨ There is no “wrong” time to hire a doula support is valuable at every stage.✨ Hiring earlier allows for deeper relationship-building and personalized preparation.✨ Doulas support not just birth, but confidence, education, and postpartum transition.✨ Even last-minute support can positively impact your birth experience.

In this powerful episode, we’re diving into the real conversation around sterilization including tubal ligation and salpingectomy and why so many women are still being asked, “Are you sure you don’t want more children?” instead of being fully educated on potential risks, long-term effects, and life after surgery.Why is the focus often on future babies… instead of future health?We explore:The pressure many women feel when making permanent reproductive decisionsInformed consent vs. subtle coercionWhat providers may discuss — and what sometimes gets overlookedPotential long-term effects and complications women deserve to know aboutHow to advocate for yourself in medical spacesThis episode speaks to both parents and medical providers. It challenges us to reflect on how we approach autonomy, education, and true informed consent in reproductive healthcare.As a doula and someone with personal experience navigating this conversation, I’m sharing both evidence-based insight and lived reality. Because women deserve more than just being asked if they might change their minds they deserve full information, respect, and bodily autonomy.If you’ve ever felt dismissed, pressured, or under-informed about your reproductive choices, this conversation is for you.

You deserve support even if you don’t want someone physically in the room!In this episode, I break down my brand new Virtual Doula Care Package and how it offers comprehensive prenatal education, real-time labor support, and postpartum check-ins all virtually.From practicing breathing and labor positions to having someone on call when contractions start, to postpartum feeding support and mental health referrals this package was created to meet families exactly where they are. Because evidence-based, compassionate support should be accessible and flexible!find more about our virtual doula support here:https://moonandmotherdoulacare.godaddysites.com/shop/ols/products/virtual-doula-support-package

Birth is one of the most vulnerable and powerful experiences of your life and your voice deserves to be heard in it.In this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to advocate for yourself in the delivery room. From communicating your preferences clearly, to navigating unexpected changes in your birth plan, to working with your care team instead of against them I’m breaking down practical, non-confrontational ways to speak up with confidence!We’ll talk about:• How to prepare before labor so you feel empowered• What informed consent actually looks like in real time• Phrases you can use to ask questions and slow things down• How your partner or support person can advocate without speaking over you• What to do if you feel unheard even during laborAdvocacy doesn’t have to mean conflict. It means collaboration, clarity, and protecting your experience.Whether you’re planning a hospital birth, birth center, or anything in between, this episode will leave you feeling educated, confident, and ready to walk into your birth knowing you have options and a voice.Because this is your birth!More resources:Evidence based birth L&D advice on advocacy:https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-349-an-l-d-nurses-advice-for-advocating-in-the-birth-room-with-trish-ware-the-labor-nurse-mama/Evidence based birth advocating for yourself: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/advocating-for-yourself-during-labor-with-heather-mccullough/

Postpartum changed me in ways I didn’t expect and not all of them were beautiful or Instagram-worthy. In this episode, I’m sharing my real postpartum journey: the physical recovery, the emotional whiplash, the identity shift, and the quiet moments no one really talks about. This is an unfiltered conversation about what happens after the baby arrives, for anyone who’s been there, is there now, or wants a more honest picture of motherhood.Postpartum resources: https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/postpartum-resourceshttps://postpartum.nethttps://www.wdhospital.org/wdh/services-and-specialties/women-and-childrens-center/birth-center/postpartum-mental-health

Breastmilk may be liquid gold but, consent is priceless. In episode 3, we unpack the realities of breastfeeding, including the often misunderstood “every 2 hours” rule, how consent applies to feeding parents and why education matters more than rigid guidelines. This is a real, unfiltered conversation about feeding your baby while honoring your body, your limits, and your choices.

In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most common and misunderstood questions in birth and postpartum care: What exactly is a doula and what is a doula not?We talk about the real role of doulas, how they support birthing people and families emotionally, physically, and informationally, and why hiring a doula is about adding support not replacing partners, family members, or loved ones.Whether you’re pregnant, supporting someone who is, or just curious about doula care, this episode will help clear up myths, set realistic expectations, and explain how doulas work alongside your existing support system.Resources: https://evidencebasedbirth.comhttps://www.dona.org/what-is-a-doula-2/

In This Episode, We Talk About:•Giving birth during Covid in 2020 and 2022•How lack of support shaped my path to doula work•Why everyone deserves access to care and advocacyResources & Mentions:•DONA International•Birthing GentlyIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support!Follow along on Instagram:@moonandmotherdoulacarehttps://moonandmotherdoulacare.godaddysites.com