Looking for all the best freebies and downloads?!

Click on the blog post {aka Show Notes} for any podcast below and the links are at the bottom! Enjoy!

Water: Nature's Epidural

 
Water is Mother Nature's epidural and has the ability to bring sweet relief and relaxation throughout the birth process. In this episode, we break down the safety of using water for birth, including giving birth in the water, understanding the policies and practices for your birthplace, when to jump in, how to use it effectively, and we even share our personal experiences from our own water births!
 
[4:58] Is a baby being born into water safe?
[7:02] Who can and cannot get into the water
[8:23] Know the policies and practices of your birthplace - Hospital
[10:49] Know the policies and practices of your birthplace - Birth Center/Home
[13:25] When to jump into the water!
[18:32] Two times to get into the water before hitting the "sweet spot"
[21:57] How to use the shower during active labor
[26:58] Using the tub during labor
[28:42] What should I wear in the tub?
[29:52] Stephanie's experience with laboring in a birth tub (at home)
[33:35] Cortney's experience with...
Continue Reading...

Birth: Enneagram Type 8

 
Strong, powerful, determined, and in-charge - if this sounds familiar then you might be a Type 8 mom and we definitely have a thing or two you want to hear when it comes to prepping for and giving birth!
 
[4:40] Your Strengths, even if you intimidate us a tiny bit...
[11:57] Watch out!
[15:10] Tips for Partner
[19:07] Why you'll love the My Essential Birth Course
 
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
 
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, you definitely should! We love breathing life into our mamas and don't want you to miss a thing. Plus we have some neat bonus episodes coming and if you're not subscribed you may miss them. Click >>here<< to subscribe in iTunes!
 
AND if you love all the great birth discussions, tips, and tricks you're hearing, make sure to head over to iTunes and give us a review. It will help other mamas just like you find the podcast and enjoy it too. Just click >>here<< to review,...
Continue Reading...

Interview with Fitness Coach & Mom: Shayli Campbell

 
We had the opportunity to interview Fitness Coach, Shayli Campbell, and ask her about pregnancy, exercise, nutrition, and postpartum. You'll hear how she walked through her cesarean birth and how exercise and good nutrition helped her throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
 
[4:34] Shayli shares their trials in getting pregnant + the strength she found through it
[6:48] Nutrition & exercise during pregnancy and curbing nausea
[10:18] First signs of pregnancy
[11:22] How she used the My Essential Birth course workbook to help her prep for the big day
[13:06] Birth story time!
[17:15] Vulnerability and how we help each other as birthing mothers
[19:31] How and why preparation and knowledge matters no matter how we birth
[21:13] What she wants to say to every mother
[22:14] Shayli's husband Jake answers some questions for us about supporting Shayli during birth
[27:10] Exercise Time: the importance of exercise during pregnancy
[29:07] Recommendations...
Continue Reading...

OB's vs Midwives Showdown

 
Don't let this title fool you- it's not that dramatic! We love both, and dislike both, depending on the provider. But the right provider for you will largely depend on what kind of birth experience you desire. Above all, find someone who respects and supports those birthing goals!
 
[2:45] The difference in Education/Schooling
[6:12] What kind of care each offers
[8:00] Who takes insurance and what that looks like
[8:57] Hot topic: Obstetricians are trained surgeons
[10:04] Midwives are trained in normal
[11:09] The different medications that can be prescribed during labor for each provider
[13:12] Cesarean birth rates
[14:11] What if a mom is high-risk??
[15:08] Reliance on medical tools
[15:50] The Med-wife
[22:16] OB vs Midwife during birth
[25:27] What we've observed as patients and doulas
[32:11] Questions to find the right provider for YOU
[33:29] Tell us who you chose and why!
 
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
 
If you haven't subscribed to the...
Continue Reading...

Hollywood Birth: Where They Get It Wrong

 
Birth always begins with either a pop-gush of waters breaking or a massive contraction, followed by screaming at your partner, and then squeezing his hand super hard while you push out a baby the size of a 2-month-old. That's Hollywood's version of birth, but how much of it is accurate? Hint: not a lot! We think you'll love listening to us debunk all the ways they get it wrong, why they do this, and what you can do about it.
 
[3:06] Pregnancy is always miserable & always a burden
[3:42] The father is always clueless
[5:13] Birth always begins with a gush of water or Level 10 contractions!
[6:40] Birth goes from zero to baby being born in a matter of minutes
[6:58] You have to fumble around just trying to get to the hospital
[7:51] The woman in labor screams at everyone and is angry at the father
[9:04] Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
[9:25] Birth only happens in the back of the car or a hospital
[10:24] You give birth on your back with your legs in...
Continue Reading...

Gestational Diabetes: What to Know

 

If you...

  • are pregnant and wondering what Gestational Diabetes is
  • are coming up on your Gestational Diabetes test
  • have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes

...we cover everything you need to know with Diabetes Specialist, Karina Robinson, in this episode! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @myessentialbirth and for even more great info head over check out our totally FREE Pregnancy Exercise Guide & other incredible downloads at www.myessentialbirth.com.

[1:54] Get to know Karina Robinson, Diabetes Specialist
[3:07] A little about her Gestational Diabetes Course
[3:47] What is Gestational Diabetes?
[5:16] How GD differs from Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes
[5:36] Who is at risk for having Gestational Diabetes
[6:19] What you can do to prevent it!
[7:58] The 1 hour and 3-hour test
[9:30] What if I fail the 1-hour test?
[11:07] The main concerns for baby if mom is diagnosed with GD
[13:35] Options for mom, including home birth
[14:15] Karina's Birth Stories with...
Continue Reading...

Birth: Enneagram Type 6

 
We are excited to continue our Birth + Enneagram series and this week our focus is on our loyal & responsible Type 6 mamas! We know how loyal and committed you are to your beliefs and the people you love, so we hope you know how much we support you and never want you to feel alone throughout this journey. 
 
[2:48] Your Strengths
[7:15] Watch Out!
[14:50] Tips for the Partner
[20:00] Why You'll Love the My Essential Birth Course
 
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
 
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, you definitely should! We love breathing life into our mamas and don't want you to miss a thing. Plus we have some neat bonus episodes coming and if you're not subscribed you may miss them. Click >>here<< to subscribe in iTunes!
 
AND if you love all the great birth discussions, tips, and tricks you're hearing, make sure to head over to iTunes and give us a review. It will help other mamas just like you find...
Continue Reading...

COVID-19: Birthing With Less Support

 
 
If you are pregnant and preparing to give birth during the COVID-19 global pandemic, this episode is for you! With many hospitals pulling back birth support we are getting so many questions about what mothers should do. This episode will help you prepare, as needed, for a birth with less birth support.
 
[2:08] Can you really "prepare" to have less support for birth?
[3:38] Listening to these podcasts are part of the foundation you are laying for your birth prep.
[5:48] Your partner should be prepared, especially if they are your only birth support + prepare other birth support in case your partner has signs/symptoms of COVID-19 and is unable to attend your birth with you
[7:31] HOW you prepare! - Some of our favorite books and podcast episodes.
[8:32] Birth videos + IG Content
[9:15] FREE Downloads from us to prepare you
[11:04] Know what it is evidence-based or not + stay healthy & low-risk so you have more options
[11:57] Decrease stress, yoga, and...
Continue Reading...

COVID-19 & Your Birthing Options

 
This podcast episode is hot off the press and in true Cort & Steph fashion, we break down the Pros AND Cons to birthing in/out of hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yup! We totally see it both ways and above all hope to speak peace to your heart. You are seen. You are heard. Your feelings- which may swing from gratitude one minute to sorrow the next- are valid. You are stronger than you know, and the story you pass down of birthing during a time of great global uncertainty will be revered for generations to come.
 
[2:00] ACOG, CDC, and WHO: What they're saying and what they recommend
[7:05] Telehealth
[7:37] Recommendations for COVID-19 & Breastfeeding Practices
[10:10] Other things to consider
[12:12] What to do with all of this information!
[19:00] Pros & Cons to Birthing In & Out of the Hospital During COVID-19
[27:04] Get prepared. You won't ever regret preparing "too much"...because there's no such thing!
 
Subscribe & Review in...
Continue Reading...

Things They Don't Tell You: Pregnancy Edition

 

Being pregnant is so much fun and we can prove it! Jump into this episode with us and learn about all the fun, disturbing, embarrassing, downright laughable things you have to look forward to as that baby and belly grow.
 
[2:35] Breasts, nausea, weight gain stretch marks + stuffy noses
[9:25] Sensitivity to smells, warmer body temp, and yes, your feet may grow 
[16:00] Prenatal Depression, yes it's a thing
[17:32] Constipation and other happenings downstairs
[20:55] Leg cramps, metallic tastes, and too many pillows
[24:42] Ridiculous pregnancy dreams
[28:49] Unsolicited advice - what's the quote about opinions being like bumholes?...everyone has one. HA!
[32:00] Remember the good
[33:06] Be Kind Anyways - Adapted by us from Mother Teresa
 
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
 
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, you definitely should! We love breathing life into our mamas and don't want you to miss a thing. Plus we have some neat bonus...
Continue Reading...
Close

50% Complete

Two Step

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.