Birth Story Podcast

Heidi shares an unedited recording of a birthday conversation with her mom about Heidi's birth on November 2, 1978. Her mom recalls being past due (due on Halloween), spending a normal workday, then labor starting at home while Heidi's dad was an hour away at the coast with friends; several girlfriends came over to support her as contractions continued. When her water broke around 10:00–10:30 p.m., her friend Pam drove her to the hospital, where her mom labored mostly in bed in a 1978 hospital setting and remembers labor as "slow, slow, slow, fast, fast, fast," with a quick, unstoppable pushing phase similar to her other births. She believes a doctor (likely Dr. Curry, from a two-doctor rotation) delivered Heidi around 8:00 a.m.; Heidi was about eight pounds, and her dad was not allowed in for the birth and fell asleep while sitting with her earlier. They also discuss how Heidi's name was chosen and briefly touch on breastfeeding and the mom's earlier postpartum struggles with a prior baby who couldn't keep milk down and eventually did better on lactose-free formula.

In this birth story episode, Heidi talks with her former doula client Christine about a pregnancy marked by unimaginable loss and resilience. While navigating her first pregnancy at 37, Christine was also caring for her sister, who was battling stage three vulva cancer. Her sister passed away on Christmas Eve — just two weeks before Christine developed severe preeclampsia and was induced at 33 weeks at Duke University Hospital. After a long induction, Christine delivered her son via emergency C-section, and he spent time in the NICU. A powerful story about grief, advocacy, and finding support in unexpected places. If you are looking for a doula in Charlotte, NC you can connect with Heidi at BirthStoryBoutique.com We always have seats availabe in Birth Story Academy. Use the link https://www.birthstory.com/all-products/birthstoryacademy and code LOVE to receive $50 off this amazing childbirth education class!

Today's episode is with Bethany Burdine as she chats about working with a doula from Birth Story Boutique and her positive induction birth story with an epidural and a vaginal birth. I would love to have you follow in Bethany's footsteps with your childbirth education preparation by jumping into Birth Story Academy . Use code LOVE for $50 Off. XOXO- Heidi

Today Heidi interviewed Holly Swenson, author of Stop, Drop, Grow & Glow. Here is a little more about Holly Swenson and this episode. In Holly Swenson's words: "During our podcast we will dive into my Stop, Drop, Grow, & Glow framework, the 5 Rights of Parenting, reaction vs. response, reflection as a superpower, and the importance of self-care. I am the mother of four boys. We started with twins and went on to have four children in four years! All pregnancies were healthy. I absolutely loved being pregnant. I am a wellness advocate and truly working and connecting with others to help parents everywhere to step into their thrive in life, instead of just merely surviving the extended season of parenthood." 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: 5 Rights of Parenting Stop, Drop, Grow, & Glow Framework Self-care is the secret sauce in parenting 3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode: Parenting Wellness Intention Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?: baby bouncer / swing I am an award-winning and best-selling author on the rise and on a mission to bring more wellness, joy, and intentionality to parenting and beyond. In addition to being an author, I am also a BSN, RN, wellness blogger, the mother of four incredible sons, and a perpetual student of life based in Montana. Writing my first book Stop, Drop, Grow, & Glow, which launched last fall, was a deep calling and a way I could be of service to parents everywhere. Website: https://liveyourglow.live/ Instagram: @hollyswenson_liveyourglow ___________________________________________________________________ We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $50 off with code LOVE at https://www.birthstory.com/online-course Resources: Birth Story Academy Online Course Shop My Birthing Workbooks and Guides I'm Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I've supported the deliveries of over one thousand parents in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I'll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy person on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! Instagram (You will find my Birth Bounds in my stories each week) YouTube Birth Story Boutique Doula + Pregnancy Concierge Services in Charlotte, NC Birth Story Media™ Website Pinterest

Today Heidi interviewed Nichelle Sublett, Fertility Coach and founder of Start Asking Fertility, a coaching program for individuals and couples walking through a fertility journey. Here is a little more about Nichelle Sublett and this episode. In Nichelle Sublett's words: "I'd like to discuss why I became a fertility coach, the services I offer, and why working with me will help people feel empowered, supported, and confident while navigating their fertility journey—whether that means trying to conceive naturally, undergoing treatments like IVF, or exploring alternative paths to parenthood.. I want the listeners to truly understand the benefit and value of working with a fertility coach when trying to conceive, and that it's quite different from traditional CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). I am happy to give updates on my current life and how going through infertility has shaped me as a mother to my two kids. As a fertility coach, I help singles and couples thrive, rather than just survive their unique fertility journeys. I work with clients for a minimum of 8 weeks, and give them emotional support, help them identify lifestyle changes, educate them on holistic options, assist with treatment decisions, help them identify triggers, give them tangible coping strategies, help them build resilience, and prepare them for doctor's appointments. I provide 1:1, confidential coaching sessions to provide extra support, while helping them find connection and make informed decisions. My mantra is to empathize, educate, and empower." 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: You don't have to navigate infertility alone. Infertility is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but support is available. A fertility coach provides emotional, mental, and strategic guidance to help you feel empowered and in control. Listeners will learn why fertility coaching is different from traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Fertility journeys are unique, and the support should be unique too. 3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode: IVF journey Fertility coaching Infertility support Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?: Swaddle Me Velcro swaddles and the Haakaa Silicone Pump Nichelle Sublett, a fertility coach, mom of two IVF miracles, wife, infertility warrior, miscarriage survivor, fertility advocate, Mrs. NC 2018, TEDx Speaker, and the Founder of Start Asking Fertility. I live in Charlotte, NC and I have a master's in medical science and 15 years experience as a medical liaison. I previously worked for two big pharmaceutical companies and a national healthcare system. Website: Start Asking Fertility Instagram: @startaskingfertility and @nichellewsublett TikTok: @nichellewynnsublett YouTube Channel: @startaskingfertility, (1) Nichelle Sublett - YouTube ___________________________________________________________________ We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $50 off with code LOVE at https://www.birthstory.com/online-course Resources: Birth Story Academy Online Course Shop My Birthing Workbooks and Guides I'm Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I've supported the deliveries of over one thousand parents in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I'll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy person on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! Instagram (you will find my Birth Bounds in stories each week!) YouTube Birth Story Boutique Doula + Pregnancy Concierge Services in Charlotte, NC Birth Story Media™ Website Pinterest

This episode is a replay of a previous episode with Nichelle Sublett where she shared about her fertility journey. We are replaying this episode today because Nichelle came on the podcast again to talk about her fertility coaching program, which is called Start Asking Fertility.

As many of you have noticed the podcast took a bit of a pause, but I am back! Here is a life update with where I have been the last year.