Episode 25 - HeHe Stewart: Before the BirthIn this episode of The Triumphant Birth Podcast, host Jamie Raisleger sits down with HeHe Stewart, a leading childbirth educator, doula, and founder of The Birth Lounge to talk about what she's doing to prepare for the birth of her first child. Hehe is passionate about reforming maternity care by centering patient autonomy and ensuring families have the tools they need to make informed choices, and she exemplifies that beautifully with her approach to her own birth.
Together, Jamie and HeHe explore the importance of building a supportive and collaborative birth team, planning for postpartum, and even creating a “catastrophe plan” to protect your wishes if unexpected complications arise. This conversation highlights the power of education, preparation, and advocacy in transforming the way families experience birth. Hehe’s story and work through The Birth Lounge serve as a reminder that birth can be individualized and that with the right support, families can step into the process feeling empowered, respected, and confident.
About the GuestHeHe Stewart is a leading childbirth educator, advocate, and maternity care reform expert. With a Master’s in Human Development and over a decade of experience, she empowers families with evidence-based birth prep, informed decision-making, and postpartum readiness. She is a fierce advocate for informed consent, reducing unnecessary interventions, and ensuring patient autonomy in birth.
Beyond working with families, HeHe is actively involved in legislative efforts to improve women’s health policies and expand access to midwifery care. She works to reform maternity care by advocating for patient rights, increased birth options, and improved maternal health outcomes.
As the host of The Birth Lounge Podcast, she interviews leading experts in pregnancy, women’s health, and newborn development, giving parents the knowledge they need to navigate birth and postpartum with confidence. Her work continues to drive meaningful change through education, advocacy, and policy reform.
In This Episode:00:00 Introduction to HeHe Stewart and Her Mission
02:50 HeHe's Origin Story in Birth Work
05:46 Intentional Preconception Journey
08:17 Building a Support Team for Pregnancy
11:25 Navigating Healthcare Choices
13:57 Empowerment Through Informed Decision-Making
37:13 Empowering Birth Experiences
41:25 Intentional Pregnancy and Due Date Privacy
44:03 Postpartum Planning and Support
48:42 Protecting Sacred Time After Birth
53:44 Creating a Catastrophe Plan
59:02 The Birth Lounge: Empowering Parents
01:05:09 Embracing Autonomy in Birth Choices
Resources:IG: @tranquilitybyheheIG: @thebirthloungehttps://www.thebirthlounge.com/joinIG: @triumphant_birthAffiliates:👟 Uni Shoes – Use code JAMIE82061 for $10 off your order
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