In this powerful episode, we’re diving into the real conversation around sterilization including tubal ligation and salpingectomy and why so many women are still being asked, “Are you sure you don’t want more children?” instead of being fully educated on potential risks, long-term effects, and life after surgery.

Why is the focus often on future babies… instead of future health?

We explore:

• The pressure many women feel when making permanent reproductive decisions
• Informed consent vs. subtle coercion
• What providers may discuss — and what sometimes gets overlooked
• Potential long-term effects and complications women deserve to know about
• How to advocate for yourself in medical spaces

This episode speaks to both parents and medical providers. It challenges us to reflect on how we approach autonomy, education, and true informed consent in reproductive healthcare.

As a doula and someone with personal experience navigating this conversation, I’m sharing both evidence-based insight and lived reality. Because women deserve more than just being asked if they might change their minds they deserve full information, respect, and bodily autonomy.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed, pressured, or under-informed about your reproductive choices, this conversation is for you.

You deserve support even if you don’t want someone physically in the room!

In this episode, I break down my brand new Virtual Doula Care Package and how it offers comprehensive prenatal education, real-time labor support, and postpartum check-ins all virtually.

From practicing breathing and labor positions to having someone on call when contractions start, to postpartum feeding support and mental health referrals this package was created to meet families exactly where they are. Because evidence-based, compassionate support should be accessible and flexible!

find more about our virtual doula support here:https://moonandmotherdoulacare.godaddysites.com/shop/ols/products/virtual-doula-support-package

Birth is one of the most vulnerable and powerful experiences of your life and your voice deserves to be heard in it.

In this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to advocate for yourself in the delivery room. From communicating your preferences clearly, to navigating unexpected changes in your birth plan, to working with your care team instead of against them I’m breaking down practical, non-confrontational ways to speak up with confidence!

We’ll talk about:

• How to prepare before labor so you feel empowered

• What informed consent actually looks like in real time

• Phrases you can use to ask questions and slow things down

• How your partner or support person can advocate without speaking over you

• What to do if you feel unheard even during labor

Advocacy doesn’t have to mean conflict. It means collaboration, clarity, and protecting your experience.

Whether you’re planning a hospital birth, birth center, or anything in between, this episode will leave you feeling educated, confident, and ready to walk into your birth knowing you have options and a voice.

Because this is your birth!

More resources:

Evidence based birth L&D advice on advocacy:

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-349-an-l-d-nurses-advice-for-advocating-in-the-birth-room-with-trish-ware-the-labor-nurse-mama/

Evidence based birth advocating for yourself:

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/advocating-for-yourself-during-labor-with-heather-mccullough/

Postpartum changed me in ways I didn’t expect and not all of them were beautiful or Instagram-worthy. In this episode, I’m sharing my real postpartum journey: the physical recovery, the emotional whiplash, the identity shift, and the quiet moments no one really talks about. This is an unfiltered conversation about what happens after the baby arrives, for anyone who’s been there, is there now, or wants a more honest picture of motherhood.

Postpartum resources: https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/postpartum-resources

https://postpartum.net

https://www.wdhospital.org/wdh/services-and-specialties/women-and-childrens-center/birth-center/postpartum-mental-health

Breastmilk may be liquid gold but, consent is priceless. In episode 3, we unpack the realities of breastfeeding, including the often misunderstood “every 2 hours” rule, how consent applies to feeding parents and why education matters more than rigid guidelines. This is a real, unfiltered conversation about feeding your baby while honoring your body, your limits, and your choices.

In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most common and misunderstood questions in birth and postpartum care: What exactly is a doula and what is a doula not?

We talk about the real role of doulas, how they support birthing people and families emotionally, physically, and informationally, and why hiring a doula is about adding support not replacing partners, family members, or loved ones.

Whether you’re pregnant, supporting someone who is, or just curious about doula care, this episode will help clear up myths, set realistic expectations, and explain how doulas work alongside your existing support system.

Resources:

https://evidencebasedbirth.com

https://www.dona.org/what-is-a-doula-2/

In This Episode, We Talk About:

•Giving birth during Covid in 2020 and 2022

•How lack of support shaped my path to doula work

•Why everyone deserves access to care and advocacy

Resources & Mentions:

•DONA International

•Birthing Gently

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support!

Follow along on Instagram:@moonandmotherdoulacare

https://moonandmotherdoulacare.godaddysites.com