Join Sarah Marie Bilger and Katelyn Bayless in this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast as they delve into the importance of movement during pregnancy. Discover how staying active can help prepare your body for birth and ease the transition into motherhood. From squats to intuitive labor positions, this episode covers essential tips and practices to empower pregnant women. Whether you are pregnant or supporting someone on their pregnancy journey, this conversation provides actionable...

Welcome to the Entering Motherhood podcast, your trusted companion on the journey to empowered and informed motherhood. In this episode, hosted by Sarah Marie Bilger and her co-host Katelyn, we delve into the intricacies of pain management during labor and the birthing process. Discover a blend of holistic mindfulness and evidence-based practices designed to support your unique pathway into motherhood, whether you're trying to conceive, pregnant, navigating postpartum, or assisting others in...

Welcome to the Entering Motherhood podcast, hosted by Sarah Marie Bilger. In this episode, join Sarah and co-host Katelyn for a deep dive into the "cascade of interventions" in childbirth. Explore how seemingly small medical interventions during labor can lead to a series of additional procedures, often culminating in a cesarean birth. Learn about the importance of being informed about potential interventions to make empowered decisions during your pregnancy and birthing journey. Get insights...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, hosted by Sarah Marie Bilger, a dedicated wife, VBAC mom, and experienced doula. In this episode, Sarah and co-host Katelyn, co-creator of the O.W.N. Your Birth Childbirth Education Course, delve into the pivotal topic of setting boundaries during pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Join the conversation as we explore how establishing clear boundaries not only helps in defining your needs but also plays a crucial role in...

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast with your host, Sarah Marie Bilger. In today's episode, we delve into the critical topic of birth support options. Whether you're planning a VBAC, exploring free birthing, or setting up your birth team, we'll help you navigate and make informed choices. Sarah and Katelyn discuss the importance of interviewing providers, understanding cesarean rates, and establishing a supportive team that aligns with your birth plan....

Welcome to the Entering Motherhood podcast, your resource for holistic and evidence-based practices to support you on your unique motherhood journey. Join host Sarah Marie Bilger, a wife, mom of two, VBAC mama, and doula, as she empowers and informs you through expert insights and personal stories. Whether you're trying to conceive, pregnant, or newly postpartum, this podcast is your guide to embracing the unpredictability of birth and motherhood with confidence. Tune in to our latest series,...

Welcome to this enlightening episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, hosted by Sarah Marie Bilger. Join us as we delve into the holistic world of motherhood with Kristy Vacari, a seasoned doula, nutritionist, and yoga teacher. Kristy shares her profound insights on breath work and self-care, offering a grounding presence to mothers navigating their unique journeys. In this episode, Kristy opens up about her personal experiences with home births, the challenges of early motherhood, and her...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, hosted by Sarah Marie Bilger, a dedicated birth and postpartum doula. This week, we delve into the unexpected: how to handle an unplanned out-of-hospital birth. Whether you're at home or on the way to your birthing center, things don't always go as planned, and we're here to guide you through it. Sarah emphasizes the importance of staying calm, trusting your body, and creating a safe, relaxing environment. She...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Entering Motherhood! In this episode, host Sarah Marie Bilger sits down with Celeste Yvonne, a mom, author, and advocate for sobriety, especially within the context of motherhood. They delve into Celeste's journey towards sobriety and discuss the pervasive "mommy wine culture" that has become so normalized in today's society. Celeste shares her personal experiences, including the challenges she faced and the pivotal moments that led her to quit...

Welcome to another episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast hosted by Sarah Marie Bilger. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating and crucial aspects of labor: cervical dilation and effacement. Learn about the process, understand what to expect, and discover tips to help your body progress naturally. Sarah explains the significance of dilation and effacement, how they are measured, and the factors that can influence their progress. Whether you're a first-time mom or have given birth...

In this episode, we delve deep into the impactful and heartfelt story of Victoria Greene, a local mom who bravely shares her experience with postpartum psychosis. Victoria opens up about the challenges she faced, from the initial manic episodes to her journey through the healthcare system, and the eventual diagnosis of postpartum bipolar. She recounts the emotional highs and lows, the struggle for proper medical support, and the strength it took to navigate this difficult period. Join us as...

In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, host Sarah Marie Bilger, discusses labor inductions. She covers both medical and non-medical methods, offering insights and tips to help expectant mothers make informed decisions. Sarah emphasizes understanding one's body, the importance of patience, and the need for open conversations with healthcare providers. She also shares strategies to avoid unnecessary inductions and highlights the significance of trusting one's instincts during...

In this episode of Entering Motherhood, Sarah Marie converses with Suzzie Vehrs, a doula and childbirth educator. Suzzie shares her contrasting birthing experiences: an emergency cesarean section for her first daughter and an empowering natural birth for her second. The discussion emphasizes the importance of informed consent, effective communication with healthcare providers, and the supportive role of doulas. Suzzie highlights the significance of creating a birth plan, advocating for...

In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, host Sarah Marie Bilger, a wife, mother of two, and doula, discusses the critical topic of blood pressure during pregnancy. She explains the importance of monitoring blood pressure, detailing the differences between low and high blood pressure and their potential impacts on both mother and baby. Sarah offers insights into managing blood pressure through lifestyle choices and emphasizes the significance of regular monitoring. She also...

In this episode of Entering Motherhood, we chat with Lisa Marchiano, a Jungian analyst, author, and podcaster, to explore the psychological dimensions of motherhood. Lisa shares insights from her books, "Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself" and "The Vital Spark: Reclaim Your Outlaw Energies and Find Your Feminine Fire." The discussion covers key Jungian concepts like individuation, dreams, and maternal anger. Lisa emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and reclaiming personal...

In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, host Sarah Marie discusses Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and its impact on pregnancy, labor, and birth. She covers the testing process, treatment options, and considerations for both positive and negative results. Drawing from her own personal experiences, Sarah Marie provides insights and practical advice, emphasizing informed decision-making and open communication with healthcare providers. She also shares tips for reducing the risk of a...

In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, host Sarah Marie Bilger interviews Gina Mundy, a childbirth attorney and author. Gina shares her journey into the specialized field of childbirth law, driven by her desire to ensure safer childbirth experiences. She discusses common issues in childbirth, such as the use of Pitocin, and emphasizes the importance of having a designated baby advocate during labor. Gina also highlights the role of doulas and the significance of making informed...

In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, host Sarah Marie Bilger shares her personal journey of transitioning from a career as a mechanical engineer to becoming a full-time doula. She discusses how motherhood shifted her priorities and led her to pursue her passion for supporting mothers through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Sarah reflects on the challenges and fulfillment of her new career, emphasizing the importance of aligning with one's values and passions. She also shares...

Hey there, beautiful souls! In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, our host Sarah Marie Bilger sits down with Daniela Procopio, the creative mind behind Solma, a ready-to-drink lactation support beverage. Daniela opens up about her own journey into motherhood, sharing the ups and downs she faced with breastfeeding and the struggle to find postpartum support. These heartfelt experiences inspired her to craft Solma, packed with all the good stuff to boost milk production. Their...

In this episode, host Sarah Marie Bilger goes behind the scenes of what it’s like to be a doula. From what a doula is, to what a doula does and how doulas navigate being on call and structuring out their schedule. We dive deep and still have so much to share. If you liked this episode and want more questions answered reach out and let us know what behind the scene questions you have on doula life. More episodes to come that are packed with birth and postpartum knowledge to help you...

In this podcast episode, Susie Taaffe, CEO and founder of Skanties, an anti-shapewear brand, joins the host to discuss motherhood, body image, and self-acceptance. Susie shares her personal experiences as a single mom of three, the challenges of parenting, and the importance of gratitude even during tough times. She emphasizes the value of seeking help and the significance of capturing memories through videos. Susie also talks about her journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, aiming to...

In this episode, host Sarah Marie Bilger discusses the importance of preparing for an unmedicated birth. She emphasizes the need for intentional preparation, education, and support to empower mothers in making informed choices for their birth experience. Sarah shares valuable insights on assembling a supportive birth team, setting clear birth preferences, and engaging in both physical preparation and mental visualization. Her passion for assisting mothers through pregnancy, birth, and...

In this episode of "Entering Motherhood," host Sarah Marie Bilger and guest Maisie Ruttan, a twin mom and former nurse turned sleep consultant, discuss the challenges of toddler sleep, especially in the context of welcoming a new child into the family. Maisie shares her journey from nursing to sleep consulting after her own experience with twins and IVF. She emphasizes the normalcy of sleep issues in toddlers and preschoolers and the importance of a gentle, nurturing approach to help children...

In this episode of the Entering Motherhood podcast, host Sarah Marie Bilger shares insights on maternity, birth, and newborn photography. She covers finding a photographer, creative maternity photo ideas, poses to highlight the baby bump, and capturing key birth moments while maintaining privacy. Sarah also discusses preparing for a newborn photoshoot at home and the importance of scheduling it early. Her tips aim to help parents preserve the special moments of pregnancy and early parenthood...