Birth, Baby! | Guidance for Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum, and Parenting

Sharp pulling pains in the belly, groin, or hips during pregnancy can feel alarming, especially for first-time parents.

In this episode of the Birth, Baby! Podcast, host Ciarra Morgan sits down with Dr. Katherine Melot, owner of BirthCo chiropractic, to discuss round ligament pain during pregnancy, what causes it, how to relieve discomfort, and when pregnant women should seek additional medical support.

We talk about the physical c...

In this episode, we explore gestational diabetes, its causes, testing methods, and management strategies. Our expert guest Lily Nichols shares evidence-based insights to help expectant mothers understand and navigate this common condition.

Key Topics:

• What is gestational diabetes and how it differs from type 1 and type 2 diabetes

• Causes and risk factors of gestational diabetes

• Timing and methods of testing f...

Motherhood changes everything…including the mother herself.

In this episode, host Ciarra Morgan sits down with Chelsey Scaffidi, the author of The Mother Year, to discuss matrescence, the seasons of motherhood, and the profound identity shifts women experience when becoming mothers.

As both a mother and attorney, she shares honest insight into the emotional, mental, and relational transformation that often accompanies mother...

In this episode, we explore how trauma and vicarious trauma can affect birth workers, including the signs of burnout, emotional overload, and unresolved triggers. Guest expert Lacey Fisher shares practical strategies for managing difficult birth experiences, setting healthy boundaries, practicing meaningful self-care, and protecting your mental health while working in high-stress birth environments.

TETRIS article from Psychology T...

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but what if you had personalized, judgment-free support along the way?

In this episode, I’m joined by a parent coach and founder of a training company for parent coaches to break down what parenting coaching actually is (and what it’s not). We talk about how parent coaching differs from therapy, who benefits most from this type of support, and why more families are turning to ...

One of the most nuanced skills a doula can develop is knowing when to step in during labor, and when to simply hold space.

In this episode, host Ciarra Morgan sits down with k’mae martinez, a fellow birth doula, to discuss the balance between hands-on labor support and calm presence. Inspired by a recent conversation with a midwife who shared that some doulas may not intervene enough to help support labor progression or fetal...

AI is rapidly changing online business, and the birth world is no exception. From content creation and marketing to workflows and client communication, more doulas are using AI tools to save time and grow their businesses.

But in a profession built on trust, emotional support, and human connection, where should doulas draw the line?

In this episode, host Ciarra Morgan sits down with Doula Darcy, former postpartum doula and now doul...

Pregnancy after loss carries both hope and heartbreak at the same time.

In this episode of the Birth, Baby! Podcast, host Ciarra Morgan welcomes back Elaine Nguyen, a mother who previously shared her stillbirth story, to now share her journey through pregnancy and birth after loss as she welcomed her miracle baby.

We discuss the emotional complexity of pregnancy after stillbirth, navigating fear and anxiety, learning to hold grief ...

Sleep can be one of the biggest stressors for new and growing families—but many parents don’t realize there is professional support available beyond simply “waiting it out.”

In this episode, I’m joined by Jayne Havens, a pediatric sleep consultant and founder of Center for Pediatric Sleep Management to talk about what sleep consultants actually do, how they support families, and when it may be time to ...

If you’re a doula working with an agency, or considering it, understanding whether you’re classified as an employee or an independent contractor isn’t just a technical detail… it directly impacts your pay, taxes, legal protections, and overall work experience.

In this episode, I sit down with fellow doula agency owner, Allison Coleman, to break down the real differences between employee and contractor roles...

Hearing the words high blood pressure during pregnancy can feel overwhelming but understanding what it actually means can make a huge difference in how you navigate your care and your birth.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the differences between chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia in a way that’s easy to understand and actually helpful. We’ll talk about how each condition is diagno...

In this birth story episode, Shelby shares her powerful journey through pregnancy, HELLP syndrome, a premature delivery, months long NICU experience, and her inspiring approach to birth planning and recovery. She also shares her second and third TOLAC/VBAC plans and outcomes. This episode highlights the importance of informed choices, listening to your intuition, and advocating for your birth experience.

Shelby’s Bio: My name...

If you’ve had a baby before and expected getting pregnant again to be straightforward, but it’s not, you’re not alone! In this episode, I’m joined by a fertility doula to talk about secondary infertility—what it is, why it happens, and the emotional complexity that often comes with it. This is a topic that’s not talked about enough, and many families feel confused or even guilty for struggling wh...

Pregnancy is often seen as a time of joy, but for many, it can also be a time of increased vulnerability and risk.

In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Ciarra sits down with Laramie Gorbett, an expert in domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, to unpack the realities of abuse during pregnancy. Together, they explore how relationship dynamics can shift, the warning signs that are often overlooked, and how...

Being told your labor “isn’t progressing” can feel discouraging and for many families, it’s the moment where birth plans suddenly shift. But what does “failure to progress” actually mean?

This episode breaks down the true definition of labor dystocia based on current ACOG guidelines, including what actually counts as progress in labor. We’ll talk about dilation, effacement, and station (and...

Evelyn Houder is back to share her stories of home birth after cesarean and her transformative journey through motherhood. She details the contrast of these experiences with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum compared to her first. From her initial struggles with IVF to her decision to pursue a home birth, Evelyn emphasizes the importance of intuition, advocacy, and finding the right support during the birthing process. She reflects ...

Maxine Eiland is back to discuss how hormonal cycles influence women's training, energy, and recovery, emphasizing the importance of honoring the body's signals and adjusting workouts accordingly.

With a passion for supporting women through all stages of life—including fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause and beyond—Maxine offers personalized training programs tailored to each individual's needs. Her approach emp...

In the world of childbirth, the conversation around doulas often leans heavily towards natural births, leaving many to wonder: what happens when a C-section is necessary? Spoiler alert: doulas are just as crucial during surgical births. In this episode, we’ll explore the invaluable support that a doula can provide during both planned and unplanned C-sections, ensuring that families feel informed, supported, and empowered.

Get...

Mary Farrelly, RN, BSN, RNC-NIC, C-ND, a NICU nurse, educator, and doula trainer, joins Ciarra to shares her expertise on the NICU experience. She discusses what the NICU is, common reasons for NICU stays, how families can prepare, and the vital role of NICU doulas in supporting families through this challenging journey.

Mary has over a decade of experience supporting babies and families through some of the most complex beginnings....