Vaccines: What Every Mother Needs to Know
You’ve probably had this moment: you’re sitting in a provider’s office, pregnant belly in front of you, when someone says, “This is what you’ll get at your next appointment.” No conversation. No options. Just a directive.
If your stomach has ever dropped in that moment, wondering: “Do I even get a say here?” This episode is for you, mama.
I sat down with Alexandra Galaska, the powerhouse behind Just the Inserts, to talk about how to cut through fear, confusion, and the “this is just what we do” culture in medicine.
Alexandra’s journey began as a new mom overwhelmed by conflicting voices. What she uncovered (the actual government-issued manufacturer inserts for pharmaceuticals and vaccines) became the foundation of her mission: helping parents make truly informed decisions with confidence, not coercion.
This conversation is not about being “for” or “against” anything. It’s about equipping yourself with facts, frameworks, and questions so you can walk into your provider’s office as the CEO of your health and your child’s, not a passive spectator.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, dismissed, or scared you’ll “get it wrong,” lean in.
Alexandra’s practical, non-alarmist approach is exactly what so many of us wish we had when we first became moms.
We cover:
- [06:45] The moment Alexandra realized “just trust the system” wasn’t enough, and why she started digging into inserts.
- [12:10] How invisible nudges (like “This is what good moms do…”) shape our medical choices more than we realize.
- [18:22] The difference between medical advice and medical coercion, and how to recognize the line.
- [26:05] Why the provider efficiency models often leave informed consent out of the room (and what to do about it).
- [33:40] Exactly where to find official pharmaceutical inserts and how to read them without spiraling.
- [41:55] The surprising section of inserts that parents should always check first.
- [48:20] How to collaborate with your provider using both their expertise and your intuition, because mother’s intuition is data.
- [52:15] Alexandra’s encouragement for moms who feel stuck between “trust the experts” and “go down the internet rabbit hole.”
Links & Resources
- Follow Alexandra on Instagram: @JustTheInserts
- Find Alexandra’s FREE, no email required Course:
Make Informed Medical Decisions - Join me inside the My Essential Birth Course, where I’ll guide you step by step through the medical options, decisions, and preparations that lead to a birth you feel confident about and truly love.
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P.S. Important note, mama: This email podcast episode is for education and empowerment only and isn’t medical advice. Your health history is unique. Please make decisions with a qualified clinician you trust, using official sources and your own values. You’ve got the wisdom. Let the info serve you. 💛
