💛 A Heartfelt Thank You Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Thank you so much for being here and for listening week after week. This is our final episode of the year, and we are incredibly grateful for this community, this space, and every person who has tuned in, shared an episode, or supported the podcast along the way. Recording a new episode every single week this year has been a joy and a gift. Thank you to the incredible team behind the scenes who made it all possible, and thank you for showing up. We hope this season brings rest, connection, and joy. Happy New Year we’ll see you next year. In this special end-of-year episode of Positive Birth Podcast, we share a live-recorded conversation centered on one powerful theme: it takes a village. Recorded in front of a live audience, this episode brings together a midwife, a doula, parents, and community voices to reflect on what real support looks like during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. The conversation explores why positive birth stories matter, especially in a culture often filled with fear-based narratives. We hear reflections on advocacy, resilience, joy, and the beauty of birth — particularly from the perspectives of Black women, immigrants, and families navigating modern systems while longing for deeper community. Through honest dialogue, laughter, and lived experience, guests share how villages are built today: through family, chosen community, doulas, midwives, and intentional relationships. Topics include postpartum support, boundaries, rebuilding community care, differences between home and hospital birth, and why no one is meant to do birth or parenting alone. This episode is a reminder that positive births are happening every day, that support changes outcomes, and that community is not a luxury it’s essential.

The Full Doula Guide Bundle Series https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536108

Prenatal Foundations Guide https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536025

Third Trimester Prep Guide https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536053

Postpartum Wellness Guide + Template https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536076

Main Store- Check Out All The Full Doula Store https://admin.stan.store/stores/?tab=details

JOIN THE POSITIVE BIRTH CLUB!

LIMITED EDITION MERCH AVAILABLE NOW!

SHOP HERE: https://positive-birth-corner.myshopify.com/

Use code: clubPBC for free shipping on orders over $75!

In this episode of Positive Birth Corner, Anna returns to share the journey of her second birth, an experience she confidently calls her perfect birth. We talk about how different this birth felt from her first, the challenge of sharing a positive story in mom groups, and why positive narratives matter.

Anna reflects on her background as an independent oldest child and an immigrant, and how that shaped the way she approached pregnancy and birth. She shares how she became pregnant again when her first baby was just nine months old, how she prepared differently this time, and the steps she took to avoid a repeat of preeclampsia.

We discuss her research-driven personality, the shift she noticed at her original birth center, and her decision to walk into a hospital as an unregistered patient after 32 weeks. She breaks down what it was like navigating that process, what changed physically and emotionally in her second pregnancy, and how she handled early labor on the morning it all began.

The episode dives into what made this birth feel smooth, supported, and intuitive from the hospital environment to breathing, movement, and staying calm. Anna explains how her preparation paid off, why she never felt close to asking for an epidural, and what made this second experience feel empowering and uncomplicated.

Her story is honest, lighthearted, and full of moments that remind listeners that positive, beautiful births are happening each one unique, but equally worth celebrating.

The Full Doula Guide Bundle Series https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536108

Prenatal Foundations Guide https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536025

Third Trimester Prep Guide https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536053

Postpartum Wellness Guide + Template https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536076

Main Store- Check Out All The Full Doula Store https://admin.stan.store/stores/?tab=details

JOIN THE POSITIVE BIRTH CLUB!

LIMITED EDITION MERCH AVAILABLE NOW!

SHOP HERE: https://positive-birth-corner.myshopify.com/

Use code: clubPBC for free shipping on orders over $75!

In this episode of the Positive Birth Corner, we sit down with January as she shares the story of her first birth—an experience filled with surprises, intensity, and moments that still make her smile today. Jan became a mom at 27 and entered pregnancy with equal parts excitement and curiosity. She describes the anticipation of her first baby, her commitment to an unmedicated birth, and the joy she found preparing for motherhood.

Jan talks about choosing a birth center after feeling drawn to a more natural, holistic experience. She reflects on the classes she took, the support system around her, and her decision to keep her baby’s gender a surprise until the big day. When labor began right on her due date, things moved quickly. Her water broke at home, contractions intensified fast, and she arrived at the birth center surrounded by her mom, husband, doula, and a small team of loved ones.

She walks us through the raw, honest reality of fast labor: the pain, the humor, the unexpected moments, and the deep support she received from her birth team. Despite the intensity, Jan describes the powerful rush of relief and joy the moment her daughter was born at the same exact time of day she herself was born. It’s a beautiful, full-circle moment that highlights the incredible uniqueness of her story.

Jan's episode is a reminder that even the most intense births can be deeply positive, transformative, and filled with meaning.

The Full Doula Guide Bundle Series https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536108

Prenatal Foundations Guide https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536025

Third Trimester Prep Guide https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536053

Postpartum Wellness Guide + Template https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536076

Main Store- Check Out All The Full Doula Store https://admin.stan.store/stores/?tab=details

JOIN THE POSITIVE BIRTH CLUB!

LIMITED EDITION MERCH AVAILABLE NOW!

SHOP HERE: https://positive-birth-corner.myshopify.com/

Use code: clubPBC for free shipping on orders over $75!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

In this episode of Positive Birth Corner, host MaryNissi sits down with Sam, a first-time mom who gave birth at 36 and shares a powerful, honest, and deeply personal birth story.

Sam talks about growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, meeting her husband later in life, and stepping into motherhood with both excitement and uncertainty. With a medical background and a sister who had multiple home births, she found herself somewhere in the middle unsure of what kind of birth she wanted, and eventually realizing she needed more support. That’s when she asked MaryNissi to be her doula.

Sam walks us through the beginning of her labor at home, the early contractions, the calm (sometimes too calm) presence of her husband, and the grounding comfort of a hot shower and movement as things intensified. After hours of laboring at home, she arrived at the hospital already 9.5 cm dilated still breathing calmly, surprising everyone.

What followed was a long and challenging pushing phase, complicated by her baby being sunny-side-up. Sam shares the physical and emotional intensity of those hours: the heat, the nausea, the frustration, and the strength she didn’t know she had. She also shares the beautiful moment of clarity she experienced—looking out the window, seeing a bright full moon, and sensing that something sacred was unfolding.

With honesty and vulnerability, Sam reflects on the expectations she carried into birth, how hard she was on herself, and why hearing her doula say “You did amazing” meant so much afterward.

This episode highlights how unique every birth is, how important support can be, and how motherhood often begins in moments of both strength and surrender.

The Full Doula Guide Bundle Series https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536108

Prenatal Foundations Guide https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536025

Third Trimester Prep Guide https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536053

Postpartum Wellness Guide + Template https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536076

Main Store- Check Out All The Full Doula Store https://admin.stan.store/stores/?tab=details

In this episode of Positive Birth Corner, MaryNissi talks with Jordan, husband to Moraa from Episode 1, who shares what it was like to experience the birth of their child from the partner’s perspective. Jordan reflects on the mix of excitement and nerves he felt as a first-time dad, and how he and Moraa prepared together through classes, research, and choosing the right doula. Even with all their preparation, nothing could have predicted the night labor began, right in the middle of a Philadelphia hurricane. As streets flooded and the storm intensified, Jordan and Moraa navigated getting their dog to family, driving through blocked roads, and making it to the hospital while contractions grew stronger.

Jordan describes the challenge of staying calm and supportive while everything around them was chaotic, from the storm outside to unexpected delays and procedures once they arrived at the hospital. He also shares some of the lighter moments including Moraa’s water breaking directly on his shoes that helped keep him grounded, quite literally. Through his story, Jordan offers an honest and heartfelt look at what it means to support a partner through birth: staying flexible, staying present, and trusting the process even when things don’t go as planned.

The Full Doula Guide Bundle Series https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536108

Prenatal Foundations Guide https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536025

Third Trimester Prep Guide https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536053

Postpartum Wellness Guide + Template https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536076

Main Store- Check Out All The Full Doula Store https://admin.stan.store/stores/?tab=details

💫 In this episode, host MaryNissi talks with Anna, a Russian immigrant about her first birth experience. Her birth story is one of preparation, intuition, and trusting your body and desires for birth no matter what the preconceived standards might look like.

After spending months reading, researching, and immersing herself in everything birth-related (over 20 books and countless podcasts!), Annie entered the final weeks of pregnancy ready to meet her baby — but also determined to avoid unnecessary interventions. When her blood pressure began to rise and her provider recommended induction, Anna chose instead to trust her instincts, give her body space, and keep walking, resting, and praying.

Her patience paid off. Labor began naturally and from the first contraction to the final push, Anna leaned into the process she had prepared so deeply for. This conversation captures the beauty of informed choice, the power of calm preparation, and the grace in trusting your body and the process when birth unfolds in its own timing.

The Full Doula Guide Bundle Series https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536108

Prenatal Foundations Guide https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536025

Third Trimester Prep Guide https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536053

Postpartum Wellness Guide + Template https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536076

Main Store- Check Out All The Full Doula Store https://admin.stan.store/stores/?tab=details

🌸 In this heartfelt and empowering episode of The Positive Birth Corner, we sit down with Natashja James, a licensed counselor, yoga teacher, and first-time mom who welcomed her daughter just two weeks before her 37th birthday.

Natashja shares how she turned her early fears about pregnancy and “advanced maternal age” into a story of faith, preparation, and strength. From building a holistic birth team to creating a peaceful, empowering atmosphere in the hospital, Natashja’s story reminds us that birth can be calm, informed, and deeply personal—no matter your age or circumstances.

With a birth dream team that included:

• A doula (shoutout to Alicia!)
• A mental health counselor specializing in perinatal wellness
• A herbal medicine dietitian This holistic approach helped Natasha support both her mind and body throughout pregnancy.

Natasha emphasizes the importance of prenatal mental health—not just postpartum. She shares practical ways she protected her peace, including therapy, yoga, and mindful preparation. Though she was eventually induced at 41 weeks, Natasha describes how her preparation paid off & her birth was filled with intention and calm.

🌸 Natashja James is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified School Counselor, Social Worker, and Yoga Teacher based in Philadelphia, PA. She is the founder of Peace Be Still Holistic Health, an inclusive practice that centers the wellness of students and young professionals from diverse communities and identities.

Her work also embraces new mamas; especially those navigating the layered realities of education, career, and family life. As a toddler mom with lived experience of postpartum anxiety, Natashja shows up in session with authenticity, compassion, and a whole-person approach that honors culture, identity, and lived experience.

Website: peacebestillhealth.com

Instagram: @pbsholistichealth

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/namaste.natashja/

Postpartum Support International Directory: https://psidirectory.com/listing/peace-be-still-holistic-health.html

The Full Doula Guide Bundle Series

https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536108

Prenatal Foundations Guide

https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536025

Third Trimester Prep Guide

https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536053

Postpartum Wellness Guide + Template

https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536076

Main Store- Check Out All The Full Doula Store

https://admin.stan.store/stores/?tab=details

AD: The National Nurse-Led Care Consortium, an affiliate of PHMC. is a nonprofit public health organization working to strengthen community health. They host programs like Nurse-Family Partnership, which focuses on serving first-time pregnant people in Philadelphia through biweekly visits with a nurse home visitor. If you’re pregnant and interested in learning more about this program, visit the website at nurseledcare.phmc.org

💚 In this heartfelt conversation, MaryNissi sits down with her former nurse and now dear friend Rachel, to talk about the real impact of nurse-led care on new parents.

Rachel shares how her calling into nursing began unexpectedly, tracing it back to a trip to Belfast, Ireland, where she first witnessed the power of community-based health. What started as a seed of curiosity grew into a life of service, helping first-time moms navigate pregnancy, birth, and everything that comes after.

Together, MaryNissi and Rachel unpack what it really means to feel supported, not just medically, but emotionally and spiritually. They talk about the sacredness of early motherhood, the confidence that comes from being seen and educated, and how positive birth experiences can ripple out into every area of a woman’s life.

There’s laughter, reflection, and a few honest moments about what postpartum really feels like the mix of joy, vulnerability, and discovery that comes with learning who you are as both a mother and a person.

💭 What You’ll Hear

• The moment MaryNissi realized birth could be both powerful and peaceful.
• How nurse-led programs help parents trust their instincts and their bodies.
• Why education and compassion make such a difference in birth outcomes.
• The power of sharing positive birth stories — and how they can shift entire narratives.

💬 Favorite Moments

“If I can do that, if I can give birth and advocate for myself, I can do anything.” — MaryNissi

“Trust yourself. Your body and instincts will lead you in the right direction.” — Rachel

💚 Closing Thought

Empowerment in birth doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from being informed, supported, and seen. And when that happens, new parents don’t just survive the journey… they thrive through it.

The Full Doula Guide Bundle Series

https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536108

Prenatal Foundations Guide

https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536025

Third Trimester Prep Guide

https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536053

Postpartum Wellness Guide + Template

https://stan.store/lemonlifedoula/lemonlifedoula_store/page/3536076

Main Store- Check Out All The Full Doula Store

https://admin.stan.store/stores/?tab=details