The Gut-Baby Connection: What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Know

Join the My Essential Birth Course by Nov 4 and get TWO exclusive bonuses: The Belly Mapping Guide + Partner Belly Binding Video! Help your baby get into the best position for birth and support your healing postpartum.You know your baby better than anyone — but when it comes to milestones, feeding, or development, it’s easy to second-guess yourself...and you're not alone! In this episode, I’m joined by Jordyn Gorman of Eat, Play, Say — a pediatric therapist and mama who helps parents support their baby’s growth holistically.We’re covering baby milestones, early intervention, starting solids, feeding confidence, and how to trust your mama gut. If you’ve wondered, “Is my baby on track?” or “Should I start solids yet?” — this one’s for you, mama.In this episode: • When to trust your gut vs. seek early intervention (and it’s free in the U.S.) • How to know if baby is ready for solids — and what to start with • Breastfeeding, bottle-feeding & formula facts for confident feeding choices • High-protein, nutrient-dense foods for babies who need more calories • Why play is the most powerful tool for development (ages 0–5) • The impact of screens & distraction on early childhood development • How to advocate for your child when something feels “off”From feeding to milestones, this episode is your guide to understanding your baby’s whole-body development — and trusting your instincts every step of the way. ✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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 title. Let's Connect!Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedEmail: [email protected]. Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

Join the My Essential Birth Course by November 4th and get TWO exclusive BONUSES: The Belly Mapping Guide & Partner Belly Binding Video Tutorial. It's everything you need to help your baby be in the perfect position for birth AND to support your belly postpartum!-------One day she sneezed... and everything shifted. 😳 When Lisette’s water broke before 36 weeks, her home birth plans changed in an instant — but her confidence didn’t. What followed was a powerful story of faith, flexibility, and teamwork that shows how beautiful births can happen anywhere. If you’re a mama who wants to feel calm, prepared, and empowered no matter what birth brings, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to trust your body and your baby. Here’s What You’ll Learn in This Episode:1:45 – A Rocky Start That Turned Into a Miracle 4:02 – The Moment She Switched from Hospital to Home6:58 – Why Home Birth, Really?8:48 – A Partner All In 11:58 – The Daily Habits That Set Her Up for Success18:10 – When Plans Change: Her Water Breaks Early 😳 22:40 – The Calm Before Baby’s Debut28:24 – What Contractions Really Felt Like30:21 – Inside Her Mind During Labor33:53 – Building Your Dream Birth Team (and Plan for it Financially)35:52 – Her Best Advice for Mamas-to-Be 💕38:07 – Dad’s Turn: What He Learned from the Inside42:34 – When Baby’s Coming Early…44:30 – His Secret to Supporting Mom During Labor46:12 – Knowledge = ConfidenceHow understanding birth and taking a comprehensive birth course gave them both peace and power when making decisions.47:23 – Dad's Final Advice for Couples49:43 – Reflections from Dad Every birth story teaches us something powerful — and Lisette’s will have you smiling, nodding your head as she walks you through her pregnancy and birth, and feeling more confident about your own.I hope you'll take a listen to see how preparation, faith, and teamwork turned unexpected twists into a beautiful, empowering birth story.Get super prepared, just like Lisette & her husband, with the My Essential Birth Course AND get TWO incredible BONUSES when you join now through November 4th ONLY!!✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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 title. Let's Connect!Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedEmail: [email protected]. Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

Your gut isn’t just about digestion — it’s shaping your baby’s health from the very first bite!In this episode, we uncover the surprising ways your gut impacts baby’s immune system, brain development, and even lifelong wellness.From what to eat each trimester, to testing negative for Group B Strep, to preparing your body for birth and postpartum recovery — we’re covering the gut secrets every pregnant mom needs to know. Here’s What You’ll Learn in This Episode:1:01 – Your gut = your baby’s gut!How every bite you take builds your baby’s immune system and brain — from the inside out.4:35 – Ditch the pills!Why “real food” beats supplements every time — and which foods pack the biggest punch.8:10 – The secret to testing negative for Group B StrepPlus, the truth about antibiotics & your microbiome no one’s talking about.11:22 – Sleep, rest & movement = gut magicHow your daily rhythm affects your digestion, energy, and mood (and how to fix it fast).14:15 – The golden trimester for your gutPrevent Gestational Diabetes, balance blood sugar & feel so good while growing baby.20:49 – Baby brain, fat stores & your third-trimester gutWhat to eat now to fuel your baby’s final growth spurt and prep for postpartum recovery.25:57 – Constipation SOS 🚨When digestion slows, here’s how to get things moving naturally (and what to know about iron).27:14 – Birth bacteria & baby’s first immunity boostThe real reason vaginal birth, colostrum & vernix are nature’s ultimate health gifts.Gut health touches everything — your energy, your sleep, your digestion, your baby’s future health. Tune in to discover how to create a thriving gut (and a thriving baby) from the very start. Head to the Episode Show Notes for ALLL the links mentioned (there's a lot this week including some freebies & coupons!):https://www.myessentialbirth.com/blog/the-gut-baby-connection-what-every-pregnant-woman-needs-to-know✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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 title. Let's Connect!Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedEmail: [email protected]. Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

This week I'm chatting with Daizjah, who shares her incredible first birth story at a military hospital.From finding out she was pregnant just weeks before her wedding, to preparing with CrossFit up until 34 weeks, mental rehearsals, the role that faith played, and a labor playlist... to the big day—Daizjah takes us through every detail.You're going to love this inspiring, and faith-filled birth story!Here's what you'll learn in this episode:2:04 – Meet Daizjah: Military Veteran and wife to a military husband.3:24 – A Natural Start: How she let her body adjust after getting off the pill (spoiler - it didn't take long 😉) and what she experienced in each trimester9:00 – Military Hospital Reality: Navigating care when you don’t get to pick your provider 11:10 – The Doula Difference: Why hiring a doula transformed her birth experience14:08 – Patience at 40+ Weeks: Staying calm without induction pressure17:19 – Pregnancy Prep Essentials: Exercise, red raspberry leaf tea, chiropractor visits, stretching, and swapping her office chair for a birth ball19:58 – Breathwork & Mental Prep: The one practice she says made all the difference in labor21:27 – Faith in Pregnancy: How faith and a special scripture gave her courage and power from God23:41 – Early Labor & First Contractions: How it all started at 2 AM and the very first thing she noticed29:00 – Labor Progression at Home: Walks, stretches, spicy food, and water labor to encourage contractions...what worked best?!34:00 – Hospital Arrival & Intense Labor: Laboring in the tub, the mucus plug, positioning, and working through contractions37:00 – Pushing & the Birth: How she handled pushing, birthing positions, and witnessing her baby’s birth46:41 – Immediate Postpartum & Skin-to-Skin: Delayed cord-clamping, getting her baby to her chest, and bonding49:00 – Her Best Advice for Moms & Dads: Take a listen, it's so good!!Whether you’re just starting your pregnancy journey or counting down the final weeks, Daizjah’s story is a powerful reminder that preparation, faith, and trusting your body can make all the difference.If you’re ready to feel empowered, confident, and inspired for your own birth, this episode is a must-listen AND the My Essential Birth Course is your next right step!https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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 title. Let's Connect!Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedEmail: [email protected]. Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

Join the My Essential Birth Course by October 7th and get exclusive Affirmations BONUSES:featuring a calming Birth Affirmations Audio Track and 25 beautifully crafted, printable Birth Affirmation Cards to keep you grounded, confident, and inspired for birth.Grab it Here: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedEverywhere you turn, someone has an opinion about what you should eat during pregnancy, how fast you should bounce back postpartum, or the “magic foods” that will skyrocket your milk supply. But how much of it is actually true?In this week’s episode, I sit down with Brooke Harmer— mama, nutritionist, and postpartum advocate — to answer questions like; Should I eat this? How do I increase my milk supply? How can I lose some of this baby weight? - yep, we cover it all!Here’s What You’ll Learn in This Episode:3:00 — Meet Brooke & Why She’s So Passionate About This WorkHer story and why nutrition is more than just food for moms.7:05 — Pregnancy Nutrition (Without the Overwhelm)The #1 thing to focus on that keeps it simple and stress-free.10:32 — Eating During Labor?!Why food is fuel — even when you’re in the thick of contractions.17:52 — Epidural Moms, This Is for YouSpoiler: you still need to eat. Here’s why.18:45 — Vaginal vs. Cesarean RecoveryHow birth type changes what your body needs to heal.21:27 — “Colic” Isn’t Real?Why Brooke says colic is the IBS of baby diagnoses.24:22 — If You’re Given Antibiotics Postpartum…The crucial step you can’t skip for your recovery.28:37 — The Myths That Keep Moms From HealingWhy salads and smoothies may not be the best postpartum foods.34:07 — The Truth About Postpartum Weight LossWhere your focus should actually be (and how to get there safely).42:21 — How Birth Experience Affects BreastfeedingWhat no one tells you about birth and milk supply.46:29 — Boosting Milk SupplySimple steps that actually work.49:20 — The #1 Thing Moms Need PostpartumBrooke’s most important advice for every mama.Links we mentioned in the episode:  Brooke's Website: https://www.thewellnourishedmama.comThe Well Nourished Mama Membership: https://www.thewellnourishedmama.com/app The Confident Mama Masterclass: https://thewellnourishedmama.myflodesk.com/the-confident-mama The New Mama Postpartum Recovery Cookbook: https://thewellnourishedmama.myflodesk.com/the-new-mama Just Ingredients (bone broth & probiotic): https://justingredients.us/Needed Probiotics: https://thisisneeded.com/ ✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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 title. Let's Connect!Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedEmail: [email protected]. Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

Join the My Essential Birth Course by October 7th and get the exclusive Rise & Birth Pack (My Essential Birth Course PLUS downloadable Birth Affirmations Audio + Affirmation Cards) Grab it here: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedIf you've ever been told you have a suspected "BIG" baby, you know that the stress of hearing that statement can be overwhelming. Talks of extra ultrasounds, monitoring, induction, and even cesarean birth start becoming part of your regular office visits. You want to make the very best, and safest decisions for your baby during this pregnancy and birth, but maybe you're feeling unsure about the information or pushed into interventions you're uncomfortable with. You're in the right place!! In this episode, I walk you through, step-by-step, exactly what having a suspected "BIG" baby means, what all of your options really are, and what you need to do to prepare yourself and your birth partner for a birth you'll love! Never fear mama. Take some nice deep breaths and get to listening. 🎧 Check out the Show Notes Here: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/blog/big-baby-the-exact-steps-to-take-right-now ✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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 title. Let's Connect!Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedEmail: [email protected]. Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

Join the My Essential Birth Course by October 7th and get the exclusive Rise & Birth Pack featuring a calming Birth Affirmations Audio Track and 25 beautifully crafted, printable Birth Affirmation Cards to keep you grounded, confident, and inspired for birth. Learn more: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedOkay, Mama, this one is tender, faith-filled, and downright empowering. Rachel (mom of two under two in Michigan) brings us into her living room for an unmedicated home birth that was calm, supported, and so her. From a late-pregnancy breech scare to a Spinning Babies breakthrough, from Olive Garden eggplant parm to a labor playlist featuring Maverick City’s “Use To This,” this story sparkles with surrender, community, and a baby girl who absolutely heard her mama’s voice in the womb.Well Cover: 05:40 — Breech at 37 Weeks: Plus a quick framework for handling a late-pregnancy curveball (educate, pray/meditate, assemble team, talk to baby).15:30 — How She Turned Baby Head-Down: A Spinning Babies session,  chiropractic care, belly banding, and talking to her baby. 24:45 — Home Birth Setup That Saved Chaos: Pre-staged tub/hoses, dim lights, hot/warm towels and a husband who went on an ice run. 34:55 — Coping Like Intervals (Active Labor) Treat contractions as 60-second sprints, why low moo-ing works, and when to get in/out of tub.47:20 — When the Water Would Not Break, To A Healthy Baby In Three Pushes: What a bulging bag of waters feels like, getting consent, why AROM sped things up, then three-push delivery and golden hour at home.Before you go, I want to remind you that Rachel didn’t just “luck out” with a calm, empowering home birth. She trained for it. She learned how to advocate when her first birth wasn’t aligned, she knew how to talk with her midwives about breech, and she had practical tools ready for every stage of labor. That kind of confidence doesn’t just happen… It’s built.That’s why I’m always shouting from the rooftops: a birth course changes everything.Birth is one of the most physically intense, emotionally charged, and spiritually transformative events of your life. If you’d prep for a marathon, why wouldn’t you prep for birth?When you join the My Essential Birth Course, you’re literally stacking your tool belt so that when the curveballs come (breech, stalled labor, induction talk, strong emotions, partner nerves), you’ve already practiced your lines, your moves, your mindset. That’s what makes space for the magic: singing your labor song in the tub, laughing between contractions, eating yogurt in your own bed with a brand-new baby on your chest. Learn more and join today >> https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted ✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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 title. Let's Connect!Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedEmail: [email protected]. Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

Get Started with the My Essential Birth Course for only $87! (https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted)You’ve probably had this moment: you’re sitting in a provider’s office, pregnant belly in front of you, when someone says, “This is what you’ll get at your next appointment.” No conversation. No options. Just a directive.If your stomach has ever dropped in that moment, wondering: “Do I even get a say here?” This episode is for you, mama.I sat down with Alexandra Galaska, the powerhouse behind Just the Inserts, to talk about how to cut through fear, confusion, and the “this is just what we do” culture in medicine. Alexandra’s journey began as a new mom overwhelmed by conflicting voices. What she uncovered (the actual government-issued manufacturer inserts for pharmaceuticals and vaccines) became the foundation of her mission: helping parents make truly informed decisions with confidence, not coercion.This conversation is not about being “for” or “against” anything. It’s about equipping yourself with facts, frameworks, and questions so you can walk into your provider’s office as the CEO of your health and your child’s, not a passive spectator.Show notes HERE!!Links & ResourcesFollow Alexandra on Instagram: @JustTheInsertsFind Alexandra’s FREE, no email required Course: Make Informed Medical Decisions Join me inside the My Essential Birth Course, where I’ll guide you step by step through the medical options, decisions, and preparations that lead to a birth you feel confident about and truly love. ✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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 title. Let's Connect!Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedEmail: [email protected]. Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

Get Started with the My Essential Birth Course for only $87! (https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted) The first six weeks of pregnancy can feel like the longest waiting game of your life. Heck, those two weeks after you have sex may as well be a year!! Even once you’ve got the positive test, and your body is already shifting, that first prenatal appointment still doesn’t happen for weeks. Cue: late-night Googling, second-guessing every cramp or craving, and wondering what’s actually normal.In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on those early weeks. From my own experiences (yes, even as a birth educator, I was up at 3 a.m. searching symptoms 🙋‍♀️) to what I see with my doula clients, I want you to feel seen, supported, and not alone in this in-between stage.Show Notes here: https://www.myessentialbirth.com/blog/episode-313-am-i-pregnant-answers-for-the-first-6-weeks Links Mentioned: 3 Exercises to Help Prepare for Your Best Birth (https://www.myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises)Click here for a list To Ask Your Doctor/OB Provider (https://www.myessentialbirth.com/OB)Click here for a list To Ask Your Midwife (https://www.myessentialbirth.com/midwife)Join the My Essential Birth Course for step-by-step pregnancy and birth prep (https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstarted)  ✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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 title. Let's Connect!Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedEmail: [email protected]. Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!

Four years of infertility.Two failed IUIs.A spot on the IVF waitlist.And then… six months after shifting her food and lifestyle with PrimalBod (use code MEB100 for $100 off if you want to try it!), Dominique’s story took a turn she’ll never forget: two pink lines in an Airbnb, before a wedding, shoving the test in her husband’s face while he was still scrolling his phone. (ICONIC.)This conversation is part raw honesty, part “wait, why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?”, and fully a reminder that your body is powerful when you give it what it actually needs.Dominique doesn’t hold back about the tears, the supplements, the trial-and-error, and the eventual breakthrough. And she shares the exact shifts that cleared her brain fog, steadied her energy, reduced pain, and ultimately supported fertility.This episode is a love letter to women in the thick of the fertility journey. Show Notes Here✨ Links MentionedEpisode 268: Prenatal Nutrition: The Lies & The Truth, with Candi FrazierPrimalBod Program: Save $100 with code MEB100DM me on Instagram @myessentialbirthAnd mama… If nutrition is how you build your baby, birth education is how you protect the experience of bringing them earthside. Inside The My Essential Birth Course, you’ll find evidence-based tools, confidence-building strategies, and even guidance around food + fuel for pregnancy and postpartum.Learn more and enroll today. ✨ Don’t forget to FOLLOW the show 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 title. Let's Connect!Join the Course! https://www.myessentialbirth.com/getstartedEmail: [email protected]. Follow @myessentialbirth on INSTAGRAM!