Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy

Some stories are too tender and too good to leave sitting in the archives, and Sally's is one of them. 

Sally shares her unmedicated hospital birth, and she does it gracefully, while her sweet grandpa had passed away just days before she went into labor. Her story is a powerful picture of the goodness of God woven through both grief and joy, all in the same week.
We talk about how giving birth brought her and her husband closer than ever, and the little things she brought to the hospital that made a real difference, the snacks, the water bottle, the comb, the fan, all the tiny tools that kept her energized, hydrated, and distracted from the intensity of contractions. 

Sally is also a wedding photographer who shot 25 weddings while pregnant and worked right up until the day before labor, so we get into how her active, fitness-focused lifestyle shaped her whole experience. 
I hope this one speaks to your heart the way it spoke to mine.
Here are some highlights from the episode:
[3:10] How Sally shot 25 weddings while pregnant — and worked right up until the day before she went into labor. 
[6:45] Why she compares an unmedicated birth to running a marathon (she's run a few, so she'd know)...and I have to agree 😏 
[9:30] Choosing her provider and hospital blind during COVID — and why she couldn't even tour her birth space. 
[13:15] The role her husband played — the book he read, the way he prepared, and why she says she never felt alone for a second (tune in dads!! 😉)
[17:40] The daily prep that made the biggest difference — breathing, worship music, and the ice pack rehearsal.
[22:30] Her water starts leaking... and she goes to church anyway (that's my kind of mama - using anything and everything to distract yourself and carry on in the very best way.
[26:00] The heartbreaking loss that hit her family the same week — and why she wonders if it set off her labor. 
[30:15] The back labor she didn't expect, the shaking, and the snacks that got her through.
[34:20] The moment she knew her baby was coming — fast. 
[37:00] The honest truth about not instantly bonding with your baby — and why that doesn't mean anything is wrong with you. (This is a very important message for every mom to hear, please tune in here)
[40:00] The little tools she swears by for labor — the comb, the water bottle, the stroller fan — how she uses them and how they will come with her for every birth.
One quick note: this episode is for information and education, not medical advice. Always work with a provider you trust for your pregnancy and birth. 
Links Mentioned:
My Essential Birth Course
My Essential Birth Instagram

3 FREE Exercise Guide

Water Bottle
Portable Fan
Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!
Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 
On Apple Podcasts
Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
Select “Ratings and Reviews”
Click the stars!
Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 
On Spotify
Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
Click the 3 dots "..."
Select "Rate podcast"
Click the stars and write a quick review!
FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!
Here’s how to do it in just 2 seconds:
On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles
Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: hello@myessentialbirth.com. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

What if the way you’re told to push during birth isn’t actually the whole story? And what if leaking, pelvic pain, painful sex, or feeling like your body just never fully recovered after having a baby aren’t things you simply have to live with?
In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Sara Reardon, aka The Vagina Whisperer — a board-certified pelvic floor therapist with 20 years of experience — to talk about the part of your body that plays a HUGE role in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery, but doesn’t get nearly enough attention. We’re talking about how your pelvic floor changes during pregnancy, how to breathe and push more effectively, what actually happens to your pelvic floor during birth, and why the standard “6 weeks and you’re cleared” checkup may not tell the whole story.
Whether you're pregnant and preparing for birth, newly postpartum, or years past your last baby, this conversation will help you understand your body in a whole new way — and recognize when something isn’t just something you’re supposed to “put up with.”
Here are some highlights from the episode:
What actually counts as "not normal" — and why no amount of leaking is something you just have to live with
Why your pelvic floor changes no matter how you give birth — vaginal OR C-section
The signs that tell you it's time to get pelvic floor support
What to focus on in each trimester — strengthening early, birth prep later
The truth about exercising during pregnancy (and why the old advice was wrong)
How to actually push your baby out — and why your breath matters so much
Why "6 weeks and you're cleared" doesn't cut it, and what real recovery timelines look like
The connection between breastfeeding, low estrogen, and pelvic floor healing that most moms are never told
Why it's never too late to get help — 3 months, 3 years, or 3 decades postpartum
Sara's biggest takeaway for every mama on putting herself back on the list
🎁 Sara made all of you a FREE childbirth prep guide with her top 8 pelvic floor tips for birth — how to push, how to breathe, positions, stretches, and recovery tips nobody talks about. Grab it at www.myessentialbirth.com/pft
This episode is for information and education, not medical advice. Always work with a provider you trust for your pregnancy and birth.

Connect with Sara:

✅ Free Pelvic Floor Prep Guide: www.myessentialbirth.com/pft

📱 Instagram: www.instagram.com/the.vagina.whisperer

🌐 Website: thevaginawhisperer.com

📖 Her book: Floored: A Woman's Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage
Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!
Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 
On Apple Podcasts
Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
Select “Ratings and Reviews”
Click the stars!
Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 
On Spotify
Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
Click the 3 dots "..."
Select "Rate podcast"
Click the stars and write a quick review!
FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!
Here’s how to do it in just 2 seconds:
On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles
Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: hello@myessentialbirth.com. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

I love a good birth story, but this one has a little something extra. Taryn's not just telling you what happened, she's showing you how much the mental side of birth really matters AND what she did to prepare - which is the most valuable part!
She'd gone into her first two births thinking "I'm tough, I've got this," and learned the hard way that toughness isn't the same as being prepared. (join the club 😉)

So the third time, she did it differently. I first aired this back in 2023 and to-date is our most popular My Essential Birth Story!
Having an unmedicated birth is a huge decision and requires so much preparation physically AND mentally.

Your body will do what your brain tells it to! For your body to enter "Labor Land", it's imperative that mom feels safe and supported.

Taryn shares her birth story about how her support and mental preparation helped her achieve the birth she desired for her third baby girl.

[2:25] Meet Taryn — a mama of three girls in a tiny South Dakota town, with a birth story that was six weeks fresh when we recorded. 
[3:09] The road to her three girls — including the part of her story I think a lot of you are going to love.
[5:30] Why she finally switched providers — and the moment she realized she deserved someone who actually listened. (BIG cheer for her here!!  🎉 )
[9:32] The one thing she prepared for this time that she completely skipped the first two times. (It literally changed everything.) 
[11:09] Let's talk about "labor land" — what it actually feels like, and why Taryn says it was unlike anything she expected. 
[14:32] The weirdly simple trick she focused on during every contraction that kept her whole body relaxed. You're going to want to steal this one!!!
[17:05] What she did in those final weeks that had her walking into her induction WAY further along than ever before. 
[20:17] The blizzard, the induction, and the birth — and the moment things went from "this is going to take all day" to "she's coming out RIGHT NOW." 
[24:43] The peanut ball. The music. And the fast, intense ending nobody in the room saw coming. 
[36:12] The spiritual moment that carried her through — and the prayer that filled the room when she needed it most. I always love these parts of birth stories. 
[38:28] Her best advice for moms and partners — plus the little labor snack she swears by (trust her on this one). I actually get questions about what to bring to eat during labor all the time, so I know you'll love this!

Links Mentioned:
Dr. Marina Kimball of Begin with Family Chiropractic
Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!
Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 
On Apple Podcasts
Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
Select “Ratings and Reviews”
Click the stars!
Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 
On Spotify
Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
Click the 3 dots "..."
Select "Rate podcast"
Click the stars and write a quick review!
FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!
Here’s how to do it in just 2 seconds:
On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles
Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: hello@myessentialbirth.com. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

Sarah's whole world is focused on YOU — the mama. Because here's the truth we talked about: your baby can be healthy and you can still be sick. And nobody's really watching for that.
Sarah Thompson is a functional medicine provider who specializes in maternity care. 
And here's the thing that makes her work so different: most prenatal care is focused on your baby. 
We got into the stuff I think every pregnant mama deserves to understand, especially the things that are often preventable but rarely talked about until they become a full-blown emergency. 
We dug into preeclampsia and why so many cases could be caught way earlier than they are. We talked about the early markers hiding in labs you might already be getting. And then we got into protein and even though we did not fully agree, I think the conversation will benefit every mom. 😅 
I'm leaving that whole exchange in because I think it's so healthy to hear two people who care deeply about mamas talk it through with respect.

You get to take both perspectives and decide what feels right for you. 
Here are some highlights from the episode:
What functional medicine actually is — and why "care of the baby" and "care of the mother" are not the same thing
Why so many preeclampsia cases are preventable — and how early it really starts
The "preeclampsia mimickers" that look exactly like the real thing but aren't
How your thyroid plays a role in so many pregnancy complications
The protein conversation where Sarah and I respectfully disagreed and I greatly appreciate her perspective
Why your first-trimester body is begging for carbs — and the science behind those cravings
The truth about heme vs non-heme iron, and how to actually raise low iron
The thing you literally cannot diet or supplement your way out of (and most of us are guilty of it)
Why "warrior-style" workouts might not be serving your pregnant body — and what to do instead
The early lab markers that can flag preeclampsia risk — and the caution to have about who's reading them
Sarah's one message for every pregnant mama — the one that takes the pressure off
One quick note before you listen — this episode is for information and education, not medical advice. Always work with a provider you trust for your pregnancy and birth. 
Connect with Sarah:
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/functional.maternity/
🌐 Website: www.functionalmaternity.com
Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!
Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 
On Apple Podcasts
Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
Select “Ratings and Reviews”
Click the stars!
Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 
On Spotify
Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
Click the 3 dots "..."
Select "Rate podcast"
Click the stars and write a quick review!
FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!
Here’s how to do it in just 2 seconds:
On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles
Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: hello@myessentialbirth.com. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

This first aired in March 2023 and became one of my most downloaded birth stories. Once you hear Jo's "ask forgiveness, not permission" approach, you'll understand exactly why. 

Jo Gibson is an army wife. Her closest family lives nine hours away. Her insurance meant she had to give birth in a hospital, with a rotating team of midwives she'd never met before — and no real option to switch providers.
On paper, that's a tough setup for the unmedicated birth she wanted. But Jo did something I love. Instead of asking permission, she decided to ask forgiveness. 😏
She stopped asking her providers "can I do this?" and started telling them "this is what I'm doing." She flipped the whole dynamic...and it worked. She showed up to the hospital already eight centimeters, laboring in the ER while nurses tried to hand her a wheelchair, and had her baby boy completely unmedicated. Her husband did counter pressure for so many hours his arms were sore the next day (as they should be if you're doing it right...little tip for dads 😉).
Her birth story is so encouraging, especially if you're a military mama, or any mama who feels stuck with a provider or a hospital and wonders if she can still have the birth she wants. And Jo doesn't just share the wins. She talked about the parts she'd do differently too, which makes this one even more valuable. 
Here are some highlights from the episode:
What it's really like to prepare for birth as a military mom - far from family, with limited provider choices
The "ask forgiveness, not permission" approach that changed everything for Jo
How she handled a midwife who told her "most moms don't do that because birth is painful" (and what she did next)
The genius way she flipped the script with her providers...you'll LOVE this part
How her knowledge from the course actually earned her provider's buy-in and trust
Why counter pressure was hands down the most helpful thing she and her husband did
The birth affirmation cards she made herself — and the difference they made in real-time during her birth (they are seriously SO powerful mamas!!)
Her fast, intense labor at home, and why she trusted her gut to head in before hitting 3-1-1
Walking into the ER already eight centimeters with a bulging bag
The shift change that changed the course of her pushing stage...and what she'd do differently next time
Her reflection on tearing, hemorrhage, and immediate postpartum
Her best advice for moms and dads, including a postpartum tip every partner should hear
Just a reminder — this episode is for information and education, not medical advice. Always work with a provider you trust for your pregnancy and birth. 
Links Mentioned:
 🔗 My Essential Birth Course: myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
 🔗 3 Free Exercises: myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
 📱 Instagram: @myessentialbirth
Don't forget to RATE & FOLLOW the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast!
Leave a Review! ⭐️ Here's how >> 
On Apple Podcasts
Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
Select “Ratings and Reviews”
Click the stars!
Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved! 
On Spotify
Find "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" podcast
Click the 3 dots "..."
Select "Rate podcast"
Click the stars and write a quick review!
FOLLOW "Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy" so you never miss an episode that makes pregnancy & birth feel easier!
Here’s how to do it in just 2 seconds:
On Apple Podcasts → Tap the “+” Follow button in the top right corner of the show page.
On Spotify → Tap the “Follow” button right under the show titles
Let's Connect!

Three exercises to help prepare you for your BEST birth: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises
Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted
Email: hello@myessentialbirth.com. 
Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!