Although about 80% percent of mamas start off breastfeeding, by 3 months only about half of them are exclusively breastfeeding. So, what vital information should you know before baby arrives to increase your breastfeeding success? Cindy Leclerc tells us more. Check it out!

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastbreastfeedingprep/

If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!

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For a lot of people, the idea of gaining weight -even if for such a fabulous cause as pregnancy- can be stressful. Genevieve Howland is here to talk about ways you can tackle your anxiety, triggers, and body image issues as well how to easily establish good nutrition habits that can serve you past pregnancy and postpartum. Check it out!

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastweightgain

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During a hospital birth, labor and delivery nurses are an essential part of your birth team, even though you may have never met them before. In this episode, Mandy Irby and I talk about ways to foster that connection. We also discuss why nurses may love and hate birth plans, how to navigate triage, the difference between hospital rules and body rules, why IV sticks can be so tricky, the poorly named fundal massage, and oh, so much more. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-labor-nurse

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Today's show is all about nutrition during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant, you’re probably very familiar with all the things you should avoid eating. But can the things you do eat help lower your risks of prematurity, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and other complications? To learn more, I’ll be talking with Amy V. Haas.

As humans, we’ve got enormous energy-hungry brains, made up of rare building blocks. How does your pregnant body and the placenta build your baby’s brain from scratch, and what should you eat before, during and after pregnancy to help it be the healthiest? Dr. Theresa Nesbitt has the answers. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastgrowahealthybrain

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What are the 4 components of pain? Does pain equate suffering? If the signal doesn’t make it to the brain, is it pain? And how can you (and your partner!) change that signal before it arrives? Pain specialist Julie Bonapace has answers. Check it out!

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastworkingwithpain/

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We try to make birth practical by measuring, overseeing and monitoring it, when really, it’s an experience that flows seamlessly from one stage to another, taking the birthing woman deep into laborland. How can we better describe what she goes through? Whapio describes the holistic stages of birth and tells us more. In this first episode of a 2 part series, we start with embarking into labor, and just past what is usually considered as transition. Next week we move through the “rest and be thankful” phase, all the way to the birth of the baby, the magic that happens in the first moments, and the weaving of the story that goes on for ever.

In this episode of the Birthful podcast, I talk with sleep consultant Rebecca Michi about newborn sleep. How do newborns sleep, and when do they start sleeping through the night? What’s the best way to set down a healthy sleep foundation? Are there things you should avoid doing? How can you get more sleep? Listen to the answers to all these questions and more. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastnewbornsleep

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Use the code BIRTHFUL at RXBAR.com/birthful to get  25% off your first order

And use the code BIRTHFUL at Bebomia.com to get $200 of registration for doula training

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It’s extremely common for pushing stages to be managed, with laboring people reclining on their backs and being told to grab behind their knees and pull them open towards their ears, while tucking their chins, and holding their breath for a count of 10. Is this really the best way? Does it support physiology? And what effect does it have on the baby, and on the perineum that’s receiving the brunt of that exertion? The fabulous Whapio is here to tell us more. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-pushing-stage

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Vaccines - How do vaccines work? Do they carry risks? Are they all created equal? Does it matter when they are given, and how does that relate with the CDC’s recommended schedule that includes 49 doses before the age of 6? Dr. Paul Thomas is here to help us navigate this polarized and often overwhelming issue, including the flu vaccine for pregnant woman, the Hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, the caution with the MMR vaccine, and the HPV vaccine for preteens. Check it out.

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4 stories, one Mighty Mama - We continue on our “Birth Stories” for the summer series! Megan Othling is here to tell us about her four - yup four-  birth stories.  She explains how birth can happens as much in your head as in your body, and how facing the unexpected feelings you are having for your child can be just what’s needed for them to be born. Check it out!

Today’s show is about the essential preparation you need, in order to have the birth you want. Did you know that choosing your care provider and where to give birth, can greatly determine the type of birth you have? What things do you need to consider? Will a birth plan help or hurt? In this episode, I’ll help you find that answers.

Today we are going to be talking about what it means to go into birth intuitively. If you’ve never been pregnant before, you’ve probably wondered how will I know when labor starts? Only to have moms tell you “oh, you’ll know” - but what else will you know, and how can you use it to your advantage during labor? To learn more, today I'll be talking to the extremely perceptive Lesley Everest.

Today we are celebrating 2 million downloads for the podcast, and so I’m doing things a bit differently. Instead of our regular episodes, this is going to be a minisode with some of my favorite birth mantras to convey physiology and help you navigate labor, but since we hit two million downloads, I’ll be sharing these mantras over two minisodes. You get one today and another next week. These mantras are part of what I talk about with my doulas clients during prenatals, so hopefully they will prove super useful for you as well, and maybe - in a way - I’ll be there in spirit during your birth, cheering you on. Check it out. 

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-birth-mantras-part-1

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Go to womanofvalorbirth.com to learn more about doula, educator and exercise specialist, Megan Othling.

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It’s not called labor for nothing, but is there a purpose to the pain? What happens when you stop thinking of birth as an emergency, and start seeing it as a physiological emergence? If you assume that your confidence will falter, then, can preparing differently help you have a better experience? Rhea Dempsey tells us more. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-purpose-labor-pain

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Mariah Robinson has had four very different birth stories, that include a traumatic vaginal birth with an epidural, two inductions with one ending in a cesarean, and an unplanned home birth with fetal ejection reflex, than involved her tablecloth. For this last one, she also put in a lot of work to get over her fears of an unmedicated birth. Stay tuned.

Vote for our SXSW panel! Go to panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote and search for Tectonic Shifts in Childbirth Today.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-unplanned-home-birth-no-fear-story

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The good news is that figuring out how to parent your newborn is something you can do while you discover what type of parent you want to be, and most of the time, your baby will lead the way. The even better news is that it will probably involve a skin-to-skin extravaganza. Dr. Bob Hamilton is here to tells us more.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-parenting-newborn

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Culturally, we may have this idealized dream of life with baby, where everything falls into place seamlessly, and that all you need to take care of your little one is love and the things on your registry. Oh, if it were so. Tracy Cutchlow helps examine those myths and more. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-motherhood-myths

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Birth is filled with uncertainty, and with that come the fears and what ifs: what if something goes wrong, what if the pain is too much, what if my wishes aren’t respected, What if I need a cesarean, what if I poop? All are valid, but not very helpful feelings. So how can you deal with them? Alexia Leachman has answers. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastbirthfears

If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!

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Today we’re taking a closer look at nutrition during pregnancy. You’ve probably heard you should stay away from raw fish, soft cheeses, deli meats, and runny eggs - but is this really the case? Does avoiding these foods keep you from getting the nutrition you really need for your health and your baby’s development? Lily Nichols has answers. Check it out!

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-Pregnancy-Diet-Nutrition-What-to-Eat

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Maya’s second homebirth was in strong contrast with her first. Instead of almost three days, labor flowed so fast that her midwife almost missed it. During her first, the pushing stage was also quite difficult, and so much of the preparation she did during her second pregnancy was guided by a desire to minimize trauma and bring heaps of pleasure and joy into the experience. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-pleasurable-homebirth-COVID-story

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Sign-up for my Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course

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Since they aren't growing a baby inside their bodies, it usually takes a bit longer for partners and dads-to-be to realize the magnitude of changes coming their way. What are some ways to prepare for becoming a dad, connecting with your kids, and showing up in a way you can be proud of? JaMone Alexander has answers. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-fatherhood

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Kids aren't born racist, so how do these biases get absorbed? What can you do to intentionally bring up anti-racist kids? Is it ever too early to start talking about race, and what are some ways to do so with your babies, toddlers, kindergarteners, and older children? Dr. Qadira Ali Huff has answers. Go listen.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-antiracist-children

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Instead of posting a new episode, this week we are amplifying the voices of Black podcasters.

We encourage you to take the time you would have used to listen to this week's Birthful episode to expand your listening options. 

Hear what they have to say:

• All About Pregnancy and Birth Podcast
• Birth Stories In Color Podcast
• Natal
• Homecoming podcast
• Fertility Friday
• Dem Black Mamas
• Woke Mommy Chatter
• Experiencing Motherhood: Single & Black
• Mahogany Momology
• Black Mom Diaries
• That Black Couple

If you have other shows you would recommend, please share them with us.

We are @birthfulpodcast on Instagram and @birthful on facebook. 

For her third birth, Melonie Fitch was planning a birth center birth, but when the quarantine began, she and her husband decided to have a home birth instead. All that changed when at 39 weeks and five days, her blood pressure unexpectedly skyrocketed, instantly risking her out of a home birth and causing her to be medically induced for preeclampsia. Check it out.    

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-preeclampsia-COVID-story

Support our sponsors: 

Go to FullCirclePrenatal.com and use the code BIRTHFUL for 10% off your order. 

Go to birthful.com/simplybreastfeeding and use the code birthful for 15% off their breastfeeding course.

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There are so many opinions and judgments around how and where infants should sleep, that it can be hard to figure out what would work best for your family. How did we get here? What are an infant’s biological sleep needs? What risk factors should you consider when setting up the sleep environment? Is bedsharing as dangerous as we are led to believe? Dr. James McKenna has answers. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-infant-sleep

Support our sponsors: 

Go to FullCirclePrenatal.com and use the code BIRTHFUL for 10% off your order. 

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Kara Fransted and her husband had never considered having a home birth, but as the pandemic hit and there was a real possibility of her husband having to miss the birth of their third child, they looked into it. Nevermind that she was already 38 weeks pregnant. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-homebirth-switch-COVID-story

Support our sponsors: 

Go to FullCirclePrenatal.com and use the code BIRTHFUL for 10% off your order. 

Go to birthful.com/simplybreastfeeding and use the code birthful for 15% off their breastfeeding course.

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Check out our Birthful.com/COVID resource page.

Sign-up for my Thrive with Your Newborn online postpartum preparation course

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Today is all about midwives! What is midwifery care? What are the different types of midwives? Are they all certified? Where do they provide care? Are they only for when you are having a baby? Do they do the same things as OB’s? What are the advantages of OBs, perinatologists, and midwives working together? Missy Cheyney has answers. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-midwives/

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Postpartum can be a difficult and very isolating time of life. That's why building your village of support ahead of time is so incredibly important. But what do you do when your village is also in isolation? How can you and your partner support yourselves and each other during these times? Perinatal relationship specialist Elly Taylor has answers.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-postpartum-COVID

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After having a cesarean birth for a failed induction, Mandy Morine was determined to have a VBAC. She did all the things to prepare and set up an extensive team to support her. Then COVID hit, and Mandy found herself having to adjust to virtual doula support, a closed yoga studio, canceled bodywork appointments, and feeling she was losing her resources. So what happened when her water broke early, and she found herself facing another induction? Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-VBAC-COVID-story

Support our sponsors: 

Go to FullCirclePrenatal.com and use the code BIRTHFUL for 10% off your order. 

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Check out our Birthful.com/COVID resource page.

Canceled fertility cycles, face-to-face appointments, bodywork sessions, baby showers, having as many people as you want at your birth, a postpartum period surrounded by a loving village… These are just a few of the anticipated experiences you may have lost during these times. And all that loss can be bringing up a lot of grief. So, how can you work with your body to process that grief, along with the anxiety and fear you may be carrying? Will all this result in trauma? Parijat Deshpande has answers. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-grief-anxiety-pregnancy-COVID

Support our sponsors: 

Go to FullCirclePrenatal.com and use the code BIRTHFUL for 10% off your order. 

Go to birthful.com/simplybreastfeeding and use the code birthful for 15% off their breastfeeding course.

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Sign-up for my Own Your Birth online birth prep series -hurry, starts April 16th!  

Want to share your COVID birth story? Click to fill our form.

Check out our Birthful.com/COVID resource page.

Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

How do you prepare for virtual doula support? What about the technology? What can you practice ahead of time? Does this shift your partner's responsibilities? Do you keep your laptop open the whole time? How does it differ from regular doula support? Jakki Devereaux, mother of three, shares her experiences with receiving virtual doula support by choice, and more. Check it out.

Show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-virtual-doula-support

Sponsors: 

YogaSleep.com/birthful for an exclusive 20% off a sound machine.

embrwave.com/birthful for $50 off your Embr Wave bracelet.

If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to subscribe!

Want to share your COVID birth story? Click to fill our form.

Register for my Own Your Birth online birth prep series starting April 16th.

Check out our Birthful.com/COVID resource page.

Title music: "Vibe Ace" by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: "Air Hockey Saloon" by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

In today’s episode, Adriana Lozada focuses on the essentials of partner labor support during this time of the pandemic. Many hospitals are limiting birth support to one healthy person, so we wanted to do a special episode on how to prepare for providing labor support during these times, and also help birth partners feel more confident about their active involvement in the process. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-labor-support-essentials

Support our sponsors: 

Go to FullCirclePrenatal.com and use the code BIRTHFUL for 10% off your order. 

Go to birthful.com/simplybreastfeeding and use the code birthful for 15% off their breastfeeding course.

If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to subscribe!

Sign-up for my Own Your Birth online birth prep series -hurry, starts April 16th. 

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

For her first birth, Krissy Whitehead didn’t have much of a plan, other than getting an epidural. That birth was a lovely experience, so what made her alter her birth wishes with each consecutive birth, and choose a home waterbirth for her fourth one? Go listen. 

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-four-births-different-wishes-story

Support our sponsors: 

Go to YogaSleep.com/birthful for an exclusive 20% OFF A SOUND MACHINE.

Go to betterhelp.com/BIRTHFUL to get 10% off your first month.

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Sign-up for my Postpartum preparation courses at Birthfulcourses.com

Click to grab my free postpartum plan

Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

Is there a best time to introduce solid foods? What foods should you start with? Is it best to do baby-led weaning, purees, or a mix? What about nutritional requirements, allergies, water, texture windows, and flavor windows? Is food before one just for fun? Does your baby have any say on this? Lily Nichols has answers. Go listen.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-starting-solid-foods

Support our sponsors: 

Go to YogaSleep.com/birthful for an exclusive 20% off a sound machine.

And go to Vistaprint.com and enter promo code Birthful for free shipping on all your business cards. Limited time offer.

If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to subscribe!

Click to grab my free postpartum plan.

Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

Mandy Alexander got pregnant at 40, having had bariatric surgery 7 years before that. During pregnancy, she worked through her fear of childbirth and ended up with the unmedicated and collaborative birth experience she was looking for. However, breastfeeding was a whole other beast. Mandy was prepared for many difficulties, but not that her body may just not make milk. Go listen.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-bariatric-geriatric-induction-unmedicated-story

Support our sponsors: 

Go to betterhelp.com/BIRTHFUL to get 10% off your first month.

And go to YogaSleep.com/birthful for an exclusive 20% off a sound machine.

If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to subscribe!

Sign-up for my Postpartum preparation courses at Birthfulcourses.com

Click to grab my free postpartum plan

Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

How should you touch a laboring person during contractions? How should you touch them in between contractions? Should you use both hands? Should you lean in? How fast should you go? Why is touch helpful at all? Yiska Obadia has answers. Check it out!

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at  birthful.com/podcast-comforting-touch-massage-labor

Support our sponsors: 

Go to birthful.com/simplybreastfeeding and use the code birthful for 15% off their breastfeeding course.

Go to expectful.com/birthful to get a free, one month trial.

If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to subscribe!

Click to grab my free postpartum plan

Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

Both of Molly Chesterson’s labors have started with inductions but under different circumstances. After having an epidural for her first birth, Molly was hoping for an epidural free experience the second time around. It was an intense close call at the end, when she went from 4 centimeters to baby in about 30 minutes, while her husband was getting food! Go listen to this rollercoaster ride.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-scheduled-induction-without-epidural-story

Support our sponsors: 

Go to YogaSleep.com/birthful for an exclusive 20% off a sound machine.

Find FamilyAlbum on your favorite app store, or go to Family-Album.com

If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to subscribe!

Sign-up for my Postpartum preparation courses at Birthfulcourses.com

Click to grab my free postpartum plan

Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

You may have heard that uncontrollable shaking is a very common part of labor and immediate postpartum. But is there a neurological purpose to all this shaking? And is the management of the third stage of labor, truncating the resolution, down-regulation and integration of the primal birth process, basically messing with neurological completion? Lesley Everest shares her thoughts. Go listen.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-shaking-primal-birth

Support our sponsors: 

Find FamilyAlbum on your favorite app store, or go to Family-Album.com

And go to betterhelp.com/BIRTHFUL to get 10% off your first month.

If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to subscribe!

Click to grab my free postpartum plan

Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)