Cindy discusses her 5th pregnancy which ended in a loss via ectopic pregnancy. She opens up about her journey, how the Creighton Method and Napro Technology helped her see the red flags in this pregnancy. She talks about advocating for herself with multiple physicians. We discuss postoperative recovery and the grief that came from this loss. We discuss the importance of mental health, healing and good friends. This type of loss is hard to overcome, it feels like a cycle of hope that ends in heartbreak. We hope this story, that was hard to share, helps someone out there that needs to hear these words. You are never alone in your experiences, it is so very important to hold onto that sentiment in your darkest of days. You are loved.

Alex speaks to us about losing her infant daughter, Noel, 10 years ago. At 19 weeks pregnant she received the devastating news that her daughter had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and would not survive long after birth. When given the option to terminate her pregnancy, Alex made the decision to “carry her child to her death”. Her daughter was taken home on hospice and lived for 15 days. We discuss navigating grief, how grief challenged her marriage, parenting after loss and therapy. Alex and her husband have gone on to have 2 more daughters she shares with us how to incorporate their sister in their lives. She discusses the dichotomy of joy and grief. We know Alex’s story will touch many lives and we are so thankful for her honesty. “There are times when I see my girls holding hands, playing togerher and I cry. That is joy and grief coexisting. I am fully taking in that moment, that my two living daughters are here, but I’m also very aware that my first born is not here, and that’s ok.” In honor of Noel (April 22 - May 11, 2013)

On this week’s episode we talk to a Labor and Delivery Registered Nurse. She has been a nurse since 2018 and worked in L&D units in El Paso before starting her travel nursing career. She talks to us about how her travel assignments have differed from her work in El Paso as well as how they have shaped her views on physiological and unmedicated birth. We talk about some tips for women who are giving birth in El Paso. We talk about potential limits as a nurse and working for the hospital and within the hospital system. Disclaimer: The views expressed are not to be taken as medical advice of any kind based sheerly on the experiences our guest has had in the years she’s been working.

We explain why we have taken a break from the pod (as Cindy's dad would call it). Cindy lost her dad and grandma in the span of 2 months. Karla also talks about losing her mom almost 11 years ago. We hope our vulnerability helps anyone who has experienced loss or knows someone that has. To our mom and dad, we love you, you are our angels and you live through us and our kids. Rest in peace.

We talk with Lauren. She’s 29 years old married with two children. She tells us her birth stories, her son was born in the hospital, she became a doula and when she was pregnant with her daughter she knew she’d want a home birth. She talks about both experiences as well as her passion for birth work. We talk a bit about doula life and placenta encapsulation. If you’d like to contact her follow her on Instagram: @ladyyleebirthco and @_ladyylee

We speak to Marcy a 29 year old El Paso native, mom to a 6 year old son. She is also a proud surrogate and currently 4 1/2 weeks postpartum. We are so honored to have her share her surrogacy journey. We discuss her pregnancy and postpartum with her son and compare it to her pregnancy/postpartum as a surrogate. She also talks about her husband’s reaction and ultimately how he supported her through this. We talk about how she explained this to her son and how they incorporated him through the experience. She provides great information for those that have ever considered being surrogates and is excited to be a resource for those women. You can reach out to her on Instagram: @marcyy_raee.

Molly Talks about raising children with Autism We’re excited to share this episode with our community. Thank you @mreyes1831 for sharing your experience as a mother advocating for your children with Autism and providing assistance to the community. She talks about building a community for families to support each other with Autism The importance of being the voice for your children when seeking help and resources The joys and challenges of this journey and the importance of finding community.

We talk with Kevin (Karem’s husband from episode 5). He talks in depth about male infertility and their journey with IVF. He gives us insight into the stigma of infertility as well as how he handled the journey with his wife’s help. We also have him tell us the story of the birth of their daughter. He also talks about how postpartum and adjusting to fatherhood was for him! Feel free to contact Kevin through his Instagram if you have any questions about his journey: @kevlambo

We talk with Teresa! Teresa is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Montana. Teresa holds a Master’s in Mental Health counseling and postgraduate training in Perinatal Mental Health and Trauma Therapy. She is passionate about working with mothers and providing support through their season of motherhood. Motherhood can evoke difficult emotions, and Teresa provides mothers with a space to learn how to nurture themselves. Her expertise derives from personal experiences and helping women enjoy motherhood more. Personally, Teresa is a mother of a toddler and a wife. Her “why” for supporting mothers began after she transitioned into motherhood. She is determined to fill the gap in maternal mental health for women who experience difficulty navigating this major life transition.

Maria tells us the birth stories of her 2 sons. One was born in a military hospital in El Paso, Texas. Her second son was born in a local hospital in South Korea. She talks about the differences between birth in the U.S and birth overseas. She talks about transitioning to being a mom of two in a different country. Join us for our conversation with Maria.

In this episode we talk to Kari Beadner, CFCP, CBD and owner of Ashwood Fertility Care Center. We talk about her journey to becoming what she calls a wholistic women’s health advocate. Her passion for women is evident in the work she does as a birth doula, bereavement doula, and FertilityCare Practitioner. We talk in depth about fertility awareness methods more specifically the Creighton Model of cycle charting, Napro Technology and the work she does through her business. This episode is a great way to reclaim power over our cycles and giving hope to women who have struggled with painful periods, heavy or irregular cycles, infertility, recurrent miscarriages and so much more. If you are a woman, raising women, this episode is for you! Karla and I were left asking why we weren’t taught about this sooner, but are so happy that we know now. Kari is doing such important work with not only reaching women that are of child-bearing age, but also those who are younger and helping us all be proud of our cycles instead of seeing them as a woe of womanhood. Please follow Kari on social media: @karibeadner, @ashwoodfertilitycare and check out her website for free resources and to get in touch with a FertilityCare Practitioner (http://www.ashwoodfertilitycare.com)

We talk to Dr. Elizabeth Willison, a Certified Pelvic Rehab Physical Therapist and owner of El Paso Pelvic Health Physical Therapy in El Paso. We talk about the importance of pelvic rehab and how it can impact your life in and out of motherhood.

Karla talks about her postpartum experience. She admits not having prepared enough for postpartum and not expecting how hard the transition to motherhood was going to be. Karla is a social, strong, independent, business woman, but in the first year postpartum she was filled with anxiety and rage. She talks about having lost herself and her journey to finding herself. Motherhood changes you, you aren’t the same person you were pre-kids and you need to find yourself again.

We talk to Annie Kuntz, a local community midwife. We discuss her birth experiences (4 children all homebirths and 2 ended up in transfers to hospitals), her journey to becoming a midwife, misconceptions around midwifery and home births (to include safety and hospital transfers), the differences between the obstetric model of care versus the midwifery model of care, and so much more. Not everyone is aware of the different options available in our “small” city. Enjoy exploring the different options for birth available to us in the Sun City.

Hello welcome to my series Motherhood Out Loud. A safe place for mothers to talk openly about their experiences without fear of judgement or shame. My hope for this is to allow women to realize that we are not alone in the variety of emotions we feel during this time and I hope that we provide a more loving community for future moms and to bring an end to the thoughts that “this is just what it’s like to be a mother, you have to just push through alone and in silence.” Let’s take our power back and live motherhood out loud.

Cindy discusses her back to back miscarriages as well as her passion for birth leading to the home birth of her son.

Jen, a Registered Nurse, talks about her motherhood journey. We hear the story of the birth of her daughter, what she has learned and what she is doing differently as she prepares for the arrival of her second baby.