After a traumatic birth experience, Michaela experienced symptoms of depression three weeks into the newborn phase. Feelings of hopelessness would surface with each new day, which compounded with the peak of lockdown. Michaela advocated for her mental health and ultimately received the treatment she needed to break through. Look to our website for more articles on motherhood: https://www.ahmaandco.com/ Want to stay connected? Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ahmaandco/ Join our...

For our anniversary episode, we have a very special guest who is making waves in motherhood: Leslie Schrock is an accomplished author with two books that bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical advice for working families. Her breakout hit book, 'Bumpin': The Modern Guide to Pregnancy,' has become a go-to resource for parents navigating the simultaneously beautiful and challenging journey of pregnancy. Her second book, 'Fertility Rules: The Definitive Guide to Male and...

Gal is a mother of 4 with one set of twins and 3 empowering natural birth stories. She was intentional with her birth plans and care provider selections. Ultimately, she pursued hypnobirthing as well as an at-home birth for her youngest child and loved each experience in its own way. There's a fear element in societal portrayals of birth that Gal is trying to dispel with childbirth education and outreach, such as this podcast. Fair warning: listening to this episode might make you look...

Stephanie's faith, love and pain emanate through her recollection of the stillbirth experience with Elodie, her first daughter. Despite her intuition and voicing concerns throughout her pregnancy, the gaps in Elodie's development in utero were missed. Hear Stephanie's perspective after her special day with Elodie and how she keeps Elodie intertwined in her family's life. Look to our website for more articles on motherhood: https://www.ahmaandco.com/ Want to stay connected? Follow us on IG:...

Dr. Sonya Ye, our Chief Health Officer, is back to hear from parents across generations who share their preparation and experiences for childbirth. Sonya shares tools, resources and her perspective of the labor and delivery experience from a doctor’s point of view. The episode highlights things parents may not know about in going into labor and giving birth at a hospital. Episode Timestamps: 5:49 - Prenatal classes suggested to prepare for the big day. 8:00 - Importance of credible resources...

A type A planner at heart, Nicole built a comprehensive birth plan with three scenarios and communicated with her hospital to set expectations. Given her low pain tolerance and spinal fusion, it was important for her to plan ahead. During the big delivery day, however, she found some shocking news that derailed her plans. This highlighted a lack of interdisciplinary communication and advocacy became even more important. Look to our website for more articles on motherhood:...

Infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant after a year of attempting to conceive. This impacts roughly 15% of couples in America. If you’re approaching your 30s or 40s and want to have a family some day, chances are, issues of fertility have crossed your mind. Perhaps you are currently struggling or know someone who has been trying for months or even years. In this episode with our Chief Health Officer Sonya Ye, we explore natural ways to boost fertility and get the body ready...

Happy New Year! It's a wonderful opportunity for reflection and intention. We sit down with Esther, Ahma & Co's founder and CEO to discuss accomplishments of the year and top secret plans for 2023. Margaret and Esther also share personal goals and their outlook for the new year. To be in the loop on our new developments, sign up on our website: https://www.ahmaandco.com/ Want to stay connected? Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ahmaandco/ Join our chatter room on Facebook:...

Writing a birth plan can be intimidating to first time moms and parents and this episode helps walk you through step-by-step and offers a free template. Taking the time to think through your options can help you or your partner better advocate in the delivery room. I felt empowered having done some research and decision-making prior to entering labor and it gave me the confidence I needed to have the birth experience I wanted. If you're an expecting mom, I hope this helps you frame your...

Is your family entering a new chapter and needing to decide amongst childcare options? Yobe, preschool teacher turned childcare center director and children's book publisher, gives us the inside scoop of what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to open the lines of communication with your childcare provider. Hear her take on topics from teaching philosophies to drawing a line with childcare providers babysitting off-hours. Yobe is a publisher of children's books fostering diversity...

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and Jessica opens up on miscarrying her first pregnancy. While still absorbing the shock of the non-viable fetus, due to unforeseen circumstances, she becomes temporarily isolated from her partner. Listen to her journey on conceiving again and how her first pregnancy impacted her experience later. If you are going through this journey and need support, reach out to your network and let your inner circle in. And if you’re looking for ways to...

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and we’re opening the dialogue today with one of our Ahma & Co writers, Jeanne. She talks about her physical and emotional journey in miscarriage last year and reflects on her strength to move through grief. Jeanne walks us through the doctor’s visits and the Dilation and Curettage out-patient procedure from both a patient and nurse perspective. This is not an easy topic to chat about, and I found myself fumbling on the words to say as...

We have our first male on the show - my husband Jing! If you've been listening to Ahma Need A Minute, you know that Jing played a crucial role in the birth of both our sons. As we celebrate our 7th year of marriage, tune in to hear reflections of our labor and delivery story, how we've grown as parents, and how we find "balance." If you have topic ideas or want to talk about this episode, join our facebook group or comment on the episode's instagram post! Check out our website for more...

Beth and Erika divulge details on family planning with a fertility clinic, sperm donor selection, and a traumatic emergency c-section. Coming around their son's first birthday, they reflect on their love for their nanny, the joys of parenthood, and the (newfound) decision for Erika to carry next. Check out our website for more articles on motherhood: https://www.ahmaandco.com/ Want to stay connected? Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ahmaandco/ Join our chatter room on Facebook:...

Jade (a first time mom) has Q&A with Margaret (the host of Ahma Need A Minute) on topics around birth planning, labor and delivery, preparing for postpartum, partner support, and breastfeeding. If you're expecting and don't know where to start, this episode can spark some ideas for your birth preparation. Check out our website for more articles on motherhood: https://www.ahmaandco.com/ Want to stay connected? Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ahmaandco/ Join our chatter room...

Jade is our first expecting mom on the show - due this September with baby #1. She talks about her experience navigating the unknowns and overwhelms of pregnancy (including an amniocentesis test!) and shares how her training in Mindfulness and Reiki have helped. If you need a minute - as someone family planning, pregnant, raising kids, or just being a human - Jade takes us through a short meditation to re-center, relax, and remember you got this! To learn more about Jade and her practice,...

Christine is a mom of two and has over 15 years of experience as a clinical dietitian. In addition to sharing her two very different birth stories (one including placenta previa), she also shares her journey of working with patients with Cystic Fibrosis. To learn more or support families with Cystic Fibrosis, check out https://www.cff.org/ Check out our website for more articles on motherhood: https://www.ahmaandco.com/ Want to stay connected? Follow us on IG:...

The Case Family shares the trials and tribulations of conception (insemination) and how they chose a donor. Before confirming the pregnancy, Rebecca had to return to sea for service. Fortunately, she made it back towards the end of Kassie’s pregnancy and they tell their labor and delivery story in a light and humorous way. Throughout the episode, you can hear the love they have for each other, and how motherhood has further strengthened their relationship. Check out our website for more...

As a birth doula, postpartum caregiver, postpartum chef, and maternal health advocate, Shelley from New Mother Caregiving is our first subject matter expert on the show. She talks about the importance of the first 40 days postpartum, the differences in postpartum care in Western and Eastern cultures, and tangible advice on what support caregivers can do for the mother. To find out more about New Mother Caregiving, browse resources such as online courses and recipes check out Shelley's...

A short message from Margaret, your podcast host, on current events and the evolution of Ahma Need A Minute. Join the Ahma & Co Slack Channel HERE Two ways to support people who need abortions:  https://abortionfunds.org/funds/ This website aggregates abortion funds throughout the nation. People who need an abortion and can't afford one can apply for funding here. https://www.ifwhenhow.org/ This organization provides a free and confidential helpline for legal advice regarding charges...

After an unplanned c-section, Eda went through the motions of frustration, disappointment, and self-doubt. With support from her husband, she became vocal on her needs and priorities and gained confidence that shone in her second labor and delivery experience. As a member of the Coast Guard, she also reflects on how policies have improved for serving mothers and the movements underway. Check out our website for more articles on motherhood: https://www.ahmaandco.com/ Want to stay connected?...

If you’re an expecting mom, partner or support person of a mom who plans to breastfeed, this episode is for you. After struggling to feed her newborn daughter at the hospital after an unplanned and traumatic c-section, Christina dove into understanding the agenda behind imposing breastfeeding on new mothers. She uncovers gaps in the industry and speaks to the heavy load that mothers face in providing for their babies. Check out our website for more articles on motherhood:...

Emma is a stay at home mom of two boys that came into the world during the height of the pandemic. During her pregnancy, she had preconceived notions of a beautiful delivery and breastfeeding journey, and was later disenchanted. Emma shares her truth and the hardships in postpartum. Despite these obstacles and realizations, Emma’s smile radiates throughout the episode as she describes her family and the love they share. Check our website for more articles on motherhood:...

On top of the pressures of being a first-time-mom, Sally delivered her daughter at the beginning of lockdown. In talking with her doctor, she discovered she had postpartum anxiety. Mental health continues to be a taboo topic, and Sally hopes by sharing her story, more mothers (and their partners) will understand the importance of validating the situation and seeking help. Coming off her second maternity leave, Sally is enjoying the reopening of her lifestyle and social life with her beautiful...