Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy

My Essential Birth
  • 4.8 (733)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Birth is amazing, beautiful, wonderful . . . and it can throw you for a loop! Despite our very best birth “plans,” we can find ourselves taking some twist and turns during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum that we don’t expect. Enter the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast! Hey mama! My name is Stephanie, and I’m a mom of three boys, and two girls, a professional doula, childbirth educator, and the creator of the Online Birth Course - My Essential Birth www.myessentialbirth.com. I love to help mothers just like you feel empowered and confident during pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood by taking my years of knowledge and personal/professional experience in the birth world and breaking down complex birth topics to make preparing for labor & birth a breeze! Every week, you’ll hear from myself & other women ready to share their knowledge with other pregnant moms about pregnancy and birth topics that will have you feeling knowledgeable and in the driver’s seat of your best birth experience. Your best birth starts here >>>> www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted 

  1. 3d ago

    Before You Say Yes In Labor, Ask These Three Questions

    What would you do if you were deep in labor and someone walked in and said it was time to talk about Pitocin, breaking your water, or maybe even a cesarean? I am you through the exact moment that catches most mamas completely off guard in the birth room (myself included, and I share about it), and the three questions that can slow everything down, get you the information you actually need, and help you make decisions from a place of confidence instead of fear. With my first baby, I was told we needed an emergency cesarean. And even in that moment of urgency, I wish I had known what I am sharing in this episode. That there is almost always time to ask questions. That a recommendation is not a requirement. That I had more say than I realized. This is the episode I wish every pregnant mama could hear before she ever walks into the birth room. It is not about being difficult or argumentative, it is about knowing how to gather information and make the best decision for you and your baby no matter what comes up during labor. I promise this will be an episode you will want to save and jot notes down from. Share it with your birth partner and listen together if you can! Here are some highlights from the episode: Why the toughest moment in labor is often not the intensity of the contractions and how to be ready for itThe one thing you can do when a recommendation comes up that immediately gives you more controlThe thoughts that run through every mama's mind when a big decision lands mid-labor and why you are not aloneQuestion #1 to ask your provider the moment a recommendation comes up, and what the answer tells youQuestion #2 that opens up a conversation most providers are not going to have with you unless you askQuestion #3 that turns a blanket recommendation into something specific to you and your situationWhy making decisions from confidence instead of fear has a real physiological effect on your laborHow to make sure your birth partner knows all three questions before you go into laborDon'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” podcastSelect “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" podcastClick 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 titlesLet's Connect! Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted Email: hello@myessentialbirth.com.  Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

    18 min

  2. May 20

    Eating for Your Cycle, Gut Health & Fertility with Nora DeBora

    What if understanding your menstrual cycle could completely change the way you prepare for pregnancy and transform how you feel in your body every single month? I sat down with Nora DeBora, functional fertility coach, holistic nutritionist, fertility awareness practitioner, and host of the Ultimate Pregnancy Prep Podcast, to talk about everything from eating for your cycle and seed cycling to gut health, hormone testing, and the fertility information most conventional providers are simply not sharing with their patients.  Whether you are trying to conceive, currently pregnant, or just want to understand your hormones better, this conversation is one I know you are going to come back to again and again. I honestly took mental notes the entire time we were recording this one...and wrote some down when I got to listen again! 😉  Nora has this incredible way of making really complex information feel totally doable and accessible, and she is so passionate about helping women become truly body literate so they can advocate for themselves, support their fertility, and feel their best no matter where they are in their journey.  I just know you are going to love her as much as I do. Grab a notebook for this one, you are going to want it!  Here are some highlights from the episode: What your menstrual cycle is actually telling you about your health and how to read the signsThe four phases of the cycle, what your hormones are doing in each one, and what symptoms are normal versus red flagsHow to eat for the follicular and luteal phases to support your estrogen, progesterone, and egg healthSeed cycling. What it is, how to do it, and why Nora says it is one of the simplest places to startThe three tests Nora runs first with every fertility client, and what they find that conventional medicine missesThe gut health and hormone connection that could be the missing piece for so many womenWhat biofilm is and why antibiotics alone often cannot clear a chronic infection like recurring UTIs or BVFour practical things every woman can do right now if she is thinking about getting pregnantSafe doses of CoQ10 and NAC and why Nora takes them herself even when she is not trying to conceive 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” podcastSelect “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" podcastClick 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 titlesLet's Connect! Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted Email: hello@myessentialbirth.com.  Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

    52 min

  3. May 13

    Birth Story: Pitocin Induction, 24 Hours of Unmedicated Labor & a 9lb 12oz Baby — Mary Richardson's Story

    Birth doesn't always go the way you planned, but preparation never goes to waste. In this encouraging birth story, My Essential Birth Mama Mary Richardson shares her journey from planning a home birth to an unexpected hospital transfer, a Pitocin induction she never saw coming, and over 24 hours of unmedicated labor that pushed her further than she ever thought she could go. From the daily prep she did throughout pregnancy, to the moment everything shifted at 41 weeks and three days, to delivering a 9lb 12oz baby boy, I just know you are going to love Mary and everything she shares in this episode. ❤️  What I love most about Mary's story is not just what happened, it's how she handled it.  She is honest about the hard parts, gracious about the things she would do differently, and so genuinely encouraging to every mama who is doing all the things and wondering if it will matter when birth surprises her. It absolutely does.  This episode is proof of that. I promise you do not want to miss this one, in fact, save it and come back to it as you get closer to your birth! Here are some highlights from the episode: How Mary navigated... nausea, sciatica, white coat syndrome, and a GBS positive result throughout her pregnancyThe provider switch she made at 20 weeks and why finding the right support changed everything for herThe daily habits and preparation that carried her through 24+ hours of unmedicated laborWhat happened at her 41 week ultrasound and how she and her husband navigated the decision to transferWhat unmedicated labor through a Pitocin induction actually felt like — and the coping strategies that helped mostThe moment during transition in the bathtub that she says was one of her favoritesHer third degree tear recovery and the holistic healing tips that actually made a differenceHer honest breastfeeding journey from those first hours to four months inHer most powerful advice for both moms and dads going into birth 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” podcastSelect “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" podcastClick 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 titlesLet's Connect! Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted Email: hello@myessentialbirth.com.  Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

    48 min

  4. May 6

    Tylenol, Vaccines & Autism: What Every Pregnant Mom Needs to Know with Dr. Ari Calhoun

    Is Tylenol really safe during pregnancy? Does it cause Autism? What about vaccines? And are you getting the nutrients your baby's brain actually needs? What if the most important health decisions you make during pregnancy are the ones nobody told you to think about? In this incredible & informational episode, I sit down with Dr. Ari Calhoun, naturopathic doctor, mama of two, and founder of Wholesome Brain Medicine. We're diving into the hot topics moms are actively Googling but rarely getting straight answers on: the Tylenol and autism connection, vaccines during pregnancy, and the specific nutrients that shape your baby's developing brain from the very beginning. Dr. Ari has a gift for giving you the real information without the fear spiral, and I think you're going to walk away from this episode feeling informed, empowered (and a little relieved!). Here's some highlights from the episode: The Tylenol and autism connection — what the current research actually shows and why some babies may be more vulnerable than othersHow to think through pregnancy vaccines (Tdap, RSV, and flu) individually instead of treating it as a simple yes or no decisionThe prenatal nutrients most providers aren't talking about, and why the form matters just as much as the doseWhy your microbiome during pregnancy could shape your child's long-term health in ways that might surprise youThe golden window around birth that most moms don't know exists and how to protect itSSRIs, antibiotics, and birth plans through the lens of neurodevelopmentHow to hold risk and peace at the same time, and make confident decisions even when there's no perfect answer If you've ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice, dismissed by a provider, or just wanted someone to talk to you like an informed adult, this is that episode.  Dr. Ari reminds us that you don't have to know everything to do right by your baby.  You just have to care enough to ask the questions. And if you're listening to this? You already do.  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” podcastSelect “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" podcastClick 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 titlesLet's Connect! Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted Email: hello@myessentialbirth.com.  Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

    1h 7m

  5. Apr 29

    Birth Story: When Birth Brings Both Loss and Healing | Sarah’s Story

    What would you do if the pregnancy you carefully prepared for suddenly took an unexpected turn? In this powerful and deeply meaningful birth story, My Essential Birth Mama, Sarah, joins me to share the journey of her second pregnancy — one that began with a clear vision for a very different birth experience after a difficult first birth. Determined to do things differently, Sarah switched providers, chose midwifery care, hired a doula, and intentionally prepared both mentally and physically for the low-intervention birth she hoped to have. But during a routine ultrasound, everything changed. Faced with devastating news about her baby’s health, Sarah and her husband had to navigate the emotional reality of carrying their son while not knowing how much time they would have with him. When labor began naturally at 31 weeks, something unexpected happened. Sarah experienced the calm, peaceful, unmedicated birth she had worked so hard to prepare for. After Benson was born, she and her husband were able to spend precious moments holding and loving their son, moments that would hold both heartbreak and healing. I’m so grateful Sarah was willing to come share Benson’s story. This episode is about advocating for yourself in pregnancy, preparing for the birth you want, trusting your body, and finding meaning even in the hardest moments of motherhood. Here are some highlights from the episode: • Why Sarah chose to switch from an OB to a midwife after her first birth experience • How she and her husband prepared together for a different kind of birth • The daily mindset and physical preparation she focused on for an unmedicated birth • The routine ultrasound that revealed something unexpected about her baby • What it’s like navigating pregnancy after receiving devastating news • How labor began naturally at 31 weeks • The peaceful, low-intervention birth experience she had hoped for • The precious moments they were able to spend holding and loving their son • How this birth brought both heartbreak and unexpected healing • Sarah’s encouragement for mothers facing difficult pregnancy news Sarah’s story is one that will stay with you long after the episode ends. It’s a reminder that even when birth doesn’t unfold the way we expect, it can still hold  love, meaning, and beauty. If this episode touches your heart, consider sharing it with another mom who may need to hear Sarah and Benson’s story today. ❤️  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” podcastSelect “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" podcastClick 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 titlesLet's Connect! Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted Email: hello@myessentialbirth.com.  Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

    59 min

  6. Apr 22

    Birth Story: Early Labor, Life Flight Refusal & a 32-Week Baby Who Stunned His Nurses with Christa & Morgan

    In this incredible birth story, My Essential Birth parents Christa and Morgan take us through one of the most incredible journeys I have ever had the honor of sharing on this podcast.  From a heartbreaking miscarriage to living on the road during pregnancy, to refusing a life flight and driving eight hours home, to an unmedicated delivery nobody saw coming (and a 32-week baby who left every nurse in the NICU completely speechless) this story will stay with you long after you finish listening. This episode is PROOF that when you prepare, advocate, and work together as a couple — you can have an amazing experience no matter which twist and turns pregnancy and birth take. I promise, this is one you do not want to miss! Here's some highlights from the episode: 🚐 How Christa and Morgan navigated their pregnancy while living on the road across Montana  🥩 The unconventional nutrition approach that kept Christa thriving  🔍 Why Christa switched midwives mid-pregnancy and why trusting your gut about your provider matters so much  🚗 The moment her water broke seven weeks early, the life flight they refused, and the seven hour drive home  💪 How Morgan showed up as a birth partner in the most critical moments and what every dad needs to hear  🏥 Their NICU experience and the baby who shocked every single person on staff  💛 Their honest, real advice for moms and birth partners  If you are pregnant, have a birth partner by your side, or just need a reminder of what faith and preparation can do, this episode is for you. Grab your partner, put your earbuds in, and let Christa and Morgan's story remind you that you are so much more capable than you realize. 🥹 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” podcastSelect “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" podcastClick 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 titlesLet's Connect! Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted Email: hello@myessentialbirth.com.  Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

    1h 32m

  7. Apr 15

    3 Birth Plan Mistakes That Lead to Regret (And What to Do Instead)

    What if the birth plan you worked so hard on… actually set you up for disappointment? Most moms spend hours researching, Googling templates, and checking every box, and still walk away from birth feeling blindsided, unprepared, or like the whole experience just happened to them. And it's not their fault. It's because nobody ever showed them what a birth plan is actually supposed to do, or the mistakes that quietly sabotage even the most prepared moms in the birth room. In this episode, I'm talking about the most common birth plan mistakes I see all the time, and more importantly, exactly what to do instead. Whether you're just starting to think about your birth plan or you already have one and something feels off, this episode is going to change the way you think about it completely. Here are some highlights from the episode: • Why the birth plan templates you find online might be working against you • The real reason birth plans fall flat when labor actually begins • Mistake #1: The mindset shift that changes how you approach your birth plan • Mistake #2: The powerful (and totally underused) way to use your birth plan before you ever step foot in a delivery room • Mistake #3: Why planning only for your ideal birth can leave you feeling lost when things shift • How to use your birth plan to learn something really important about your provider ahead of time • The free Birth Map download that makes the whole process feel so much easier: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/birthplan Birth doesn't have to go perfectly for you to walk away feeling incredible about your experience. What matters most is that you felt informed, understood your options, and had a voice every step of the way. I know you're going to love it, mama. 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” podcastSelect “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" podcastClick 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 titlesLet's Connect! Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted Email: hello@myessentialbirth.com.  Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

    20 min

  8. Apr 8

    Before You Say Yes to an Induction, Ask These 3 Questions

    What would you do if your doctor mentioned induction at what felt like a totally routine appointment, and suddenly you were nodding along to something you weren't even sure you agreed to? In this week's episode, I'm walking you through what's really happening when induction comes up, why it feels so hard to push back in the moment, and the three questions that can completely change the conversation with your provider.  Whether you're 37 weeks and caught off guard or just want to feel prepared before that moment comes, this episode is for you! I am so passionate about this topic, and I know it's one that so many mamas need to hear.  A recommendation is NOT a requirement, and you deserve to feel confident and informed about every decision you make for yourself and your baby. This is an episode I wish every pregnant mom could hear before she walks into that appointment! Here are some highlights from the episode: Why so many moms leave provider appointments confused about what just happenedThe real difference between a recommendation and a requirementWhy it feels almost impossible to say no in the moment — and why that's not your faultThe timeline pressure behind induction and what may actually be driving itThe 3 questions every pregnant mom needs before agreeing to an inductionWhat your options really are if you choose to waitHow to ask for more time without feeling difficult or disrespectfulWhat informed consent actually looks like — and what it means to feel truly in control of your birthYou do not have to walk into that appointment unprepared. Tune in, take notes, and remember — being informed is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself and your baby. I can't wait for you to hear this one! 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” podcastSelect “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" podcastClick 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 titlesLet's Connect! Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted Email: hello@myessentialbirth.com.  Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

    17 min
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4.8
out of 5
733 Ratings

About

Birth is amazing, beautiful, wonderful . . . and it can throw you for a loop! Despite our very best birth “plans,” we can find ourselves taking some twist and turns during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum that we don’t expect. Enter the Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy Podcast! Hey mama! My name is Stephanie, and I’m a mom of three boys, and two girls, a professional doula, childbirth educator, and the creator of the Online Birth Course - My Essential Birth www.myessentialbirth.com. I love to help mothers just like you feel empowered and confident during pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood by taking my years of knowledge and personal/professional experience in the birth world and breaking down complex birth topics to make preparing for labor & birth a breeze! Every week, you’ll hear from myself & other women ready to share their knowledge with other pregnant moms about pregnancy and birth topics that will have you feeling knowledgeable and in the driver’s seat of your best birth experience. Your best birth starts here >>>> www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted 

Information

  • Creator
    My Essential Birth
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    351
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy
  • Show Website
    Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy

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