I think this review is going to be long... First-time mom here! I started listening to this podcast during my first trimester, and I was always sure that when my pregnancy approached its final stretch, I would take the birth course, for sure. My intention was to learn how the health system works in this country since I am from Venezuela, and things work very differently there. I needed to learn what I would face during my pregnancy and birth living in New York. Unfortunately, my pregnancy and my life have gone through many challenges in the recent months. The results of the genetic test (NIPT) came back with a high risk for triploidy, and I had to undergo an amniocentesis. After many tears and days of waiting, I received the news that my baby was healthy, and that the test results could be caused by a vanishing twin or perhaps just a false positive. Everything started to go well and my partner and I decided to move apartments and rent a bigger place to receive our baby. By surprise, on the same day that we signed the lease contract and paid for our new apartment, my partner received the news that he was being laid off. 😔 We just moved to our new place, and here I am, 32 weeks pregnant, underpaid, working full-time, without the right to paid maternity leave, exhausted but doing the best I can, and he is moving heaven and earth to get a job as soon as possible. This took away my hopes of joining the birth course and many other plans I had, but with all the things I have learned on the podcast, I feel empowered and have enough knowledge to get to meet my baby soon. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and your experiences with us. Thanks, Stephanie, and thanks also to Courtney because I listened to all of your episodes girls and enjoyed them and learned so so much. I didn't know what type of birth I wanted, and thanks to you I now know what I want, and I am confident in myself because I have the tools and knowledge to bring my baby into the world the way I deserve it. In my heart, you are not only my teachers but you’re also my friends. ❤️ Lots of love from this foreign mom-to-be living in New York.

As a mom whose endured 6 previous back to back miscarriages, listening and being informed on pregnancy and labor is preparing me for our THRIVING baby we are about to welcome to the world in September. I’m so blessed to listen to these stories and information I need.

Your episodes always make me feel more calm about everything pregnancy related! I asked questions on Instagram and you made another episode about it to answer my questions. Thank you for always catering to the women you serve and ensuring we are informed about what is happening during pregnancy birth and postpartum. I always recommend your podcasts and the three exercises! I did the three exercises and had a fast labor and only pushed for 12 minutes with my first baby. Baby number 2 is due in July and hoping for a similar experience. Thank you again! -Ashley

I am obsessed with this podcast! During my pregnancy I listened to every episode and I felt so much more educated on birth and prepared for it. Would recommend to any pregnant mom!!

I just had my third baby a few months ago and I wish I would have known about this class and podcast for my other two. I never felt more prepared going into birth and even though things didn’t go exactly how I wanted, I was well informed and able to make decisions for my self and able to have a natural birth in a hospital. This podcast has been so great but the class goes into so much more detail and I highly recommend taking it if you haven’t already! I can’t thank you guys enough.

I had felt so defeated after having a traumatic vaginal birth full of interventions and a painful C-section with my 2nd. With my 3rd, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to even try for a VBAC as I had no confidence in my own ability to birth my baby. Then…. as if by divine intervention, I found this podcast during that 3rd pregnancy. It changed everything for me. I went from feeling like birth happened to me twice to going on to have two more babies via beautiful and redemptive VBACs (last one completely unmedicated). Stephanie does a great job informing mothers on their options and potential hiccups in the pregnancy and birthing process so listeners can make the best decision for themselves and their babies. This podcast and the birth course are a must for any woman. My husband was also grateful for the easily digestible information from both the podcast and course. I am forever thankful and still listen to the podcast weekly ❤️ - Katie

Binge listener here! Third time mom prepping for my natural birth (March/April due window!) after my first two births didn’t quite go as expected. I love the unbiased and extremely informative conversations, and have been going back to listen to all the labor prep episodes as baby time nears! I especially like the early episode about what to do when you’re sick of being pregnant… haha! Thanks for all you do.

This podcast and birth course helped me overcome the anxiety I had after my first birth that was filled with interventions. With all the information this podcast offers and the birth course, I was empowered and was able to have an unmedicated amazing birth experience with my second! So grateful for the My Essential Birth course and the pregnancy and birth made easy podcast. I’m obsessed with all things pregnancy and postpartum now!

So much great info, I truly can't stop listening! I was quite nervous about birth before but honestly cannot wait. Thank you for all of the great content and your advocacy for a natural birth!

Prepping for my first birth with a deployed husband - I feel like there are so many extra worries in addition to figuring out pregnancy and birth. Finding this podcast, I’m actually getting excited about my pregnancy and birth because I feel educated without feeling pressured in a certain direction. Thanks for helping me get my excitement back!

I wanted to reach out and personally thank you for all of the work that you put into your web course and podcast. I listened to your podcast every day throughout my recent pregnancy and I know that it made a significant difference in my pregnancy and labor. I am a first time mama and got to have the home birth of my dreams next to my husband, mom (and doula) and midwife. Throughout my first trimester, I was so anxious about labor and delivery and was so uneducated in all aspects of birth. Thanks to your podcast, not only was I empowered to have my baby at home, but it was unmedicated too! And despite complications and almost needing to transfer to hospital, I had so much peace and confidence throughout every contraction. My whole labor was only 9 hours, with pushing for just over one hour. My midwife said if baby hadn’t been in a posterior position, she would have missed my birth! I know not everyone gets to have a birth like this, but I know my experience is thanks to the preparations I made from listening to your online course and podcast. Thank you!!

This podcast has been one of the few that have brought me some peace and overall knowledge without scaring me about pregnancy. I love the positive birth stories and the educational ones like rhogam, hemorrhages, etc. thank you and I will be joining the course for next baby!!

I have listened to this podcast during my first and second pregnancies. The second time around, I also purchase the My Essential Birth course to prepare for a “natural” delivery in a hospital setting and hired a doula. I was more prepared the second time. The podcast is wonderful and is packed full of information. However, I would recommend investing in the birth course as it gives a comprehensive, organized and sequential overview of the L&D process and how to prepare. Thank you, Stephanie and team for your amazing work to support and empower pregnant women!

First time mom here. I have learned so much during this pregnancy listening to multiple podcasts. I came across this podcast going into my 3rd trimester and it became my favorite to listen to. It was both educational as well as positive and empowering. It just made me feel good. Stephanie knows what she is talking about and her presentation is very down to earth and easy to understand. My favorite episodes are the birth stories. I love the way Stephanie approaches them and the questions she asks. I love hearing the different ways birth looks for every mom. I also loved the mindset they put me, filling me with confidence that I can do this too. We are planning a unmedicated homebirth, and I will be listening to this podcast till that day comes and even after . Thank you for helping me prepare for this birth !!

I have been listening to this podcast for close to a year now and have become so passionate about educating myself and others on pregnancy and birth! My husband and I have been married for a year and a half & plan to start a family within the next few years. Stephanie, your podcast has made me feel prepared & empowered for when that time comes. I can’t wait to start our family & I will definitely be taking the birth course. I have been sharing this podcast with anyone and everyone who will listen! THANK YOU!!

Found this podcast at 4 weeks pregnant with an unexpected baby! I’m only 21 and had ZERO knowledge of anything birth or baby related and was so in the dark. This podcast has provided me with so much confidence and knowledge, I’m now 32 weeks and planning for an un medicated hospital birth! Thank you so much for all your podcast and the birth course!

I first heard of the My Essential Birth podcast through someone’s TikTok post and started listening to it on my commute to work around the end of second trimester/start of third trimester. It was going to be my first birth and I knew I wanted to do it unmedicated, if possible, but I had no idea what to do to prepare myself. I listened to all of the episodes that mentioned unmedicated births and it gave me hope that not only could it be possible, but it can be a positive experience as well. I got the unmedicated birth that I wanted and my daughter was born exactly on her due date! I absolutely love sharing my birth experience with others. Thank you Stephanie for your wonderful podcast!

I started listening when I was around 6 weeks pregnant and I cannot get enough of this podcast. I’m now 25 weeks and will be signing up for the birth course this weekend. I already feel so much more prepared and well educated about pregnancy and birth just from listening and can’t wait to start the course. I love how all the information is presented in an objective way for you to interpret and make educated decisions on your own. I HIGHLY recommend this podcast to all my pregnant friends and even anyone who is trying to become pregnant. I look forward to continuing to listen and learn!

If you’re thirsty for knowledge and want to dive deep into pregnancy learning, then this podcast is for you. I have already been through pregnancy twice with pretty good experiences, but the My Essential Birth Podcast has expanded my understanding of not only the birth process, but with tools to help me navigate the ever changing medical landscape of pregnancy and birth. I think the greatest tool of all is the in-depth research that Stephanie provides as well a relatable and caring touch. Stephanie is not only a great host but someone who truly cares about her listeners and wants to help women have positive birth experiences. I know this because she has discussed my questions personally and given me resources to explore on my own. I’m so glad I found this podcast!

I listened to this podcast during my entire first pregnancy. I loved the mix of birth stories, education, and practices. I felt empowered to advocate for myself and ask a lot of questions, which lead to confidence in my body and trust in my provider. I chose the epidural route and was satisfied with my experience bringing my son into the world. I just found out I am pregnant with baby #2 and started listening again. Stephanie feels like an old friend and I can’t wait to catch up with her! Honestly, I could go on and on about how this podcast has been a blessing and encouragement in my motherhood journey.

I highly recommend this podcast to anyone expecting, and I highly recommend the course as well. Between the podcast and course, I was empowered to switch providers at 32 weeks and have the home birth I wanted. My midwife and doula were so impressed by how much information I knew and how prepared I was. It was all thanks to My Essential Birth. Thank you Stephanie!

I absolutely love this podcast and literally recommend it to every single pregnant woman I see and to friends and family who are starting their pregnancy journey! I truly believe knowledge is power especially in a world where women tend to have to advocate a little harder than we’d like. I have a 16 month old and my husband and I are starting our journey of adding another babe so naturally I need to re-listen and listen to all the new episodes. Words can’t describe how much I love the podcast - keep doing what you’re doing and know your work is SO appreciated.

Your very last podcast was made for me (212)! My fiancé and I want children very soon after we get married, I know exactly the kind of birth that I want, he’s hesitant because he’s worried something will happen outside of a hospital. Im definitely strapping him to a chair and make him listen to all your episodes haha!

I binge listened to this podcast! It was so helpful to listen to and learn all of the things I didn’t know about labor and childbirth, even though this was my second pregnancy. I decided I wanted to do a natural delivery this time around and this podcast taught me so much. I am happy to say I am 3 weeks postpartum after a wonderful 4 hour labor and delivery and what I learned from this podcast is totally how I was able to make that happen. I recommend this to all of my friends who are expecting and I still listen to it even though I have delivered!

I just LOVE this podcast. I found you just by searching pregnancy podcasts as I am currently almost 20 weeks pregnant with our rainbow baby. I’m naturally anxious and my ways to cope are often educating myself via reading or listening to podcasts. Finding this has been a lifesaver and has actually made me more comfortable with doing a natural delivery and standing in my decision. Even getting hubs into listening too! Going to be signing up for the birth course soon. Can’t wait!! And also thank you for creating this podcast!

As a first time mom, I did so much research before we tried to conceive because I wanted to determine what kind of birth would be best for me and I wanted to prepare as best I could for pregnancy. Coming across Stephanie’s podcast was the biggest blessing! It was exactly what I needed to make an educated decision regarding what was best for me and my baby. After listening to her extensive knowledge on everything birth related, I decided that a home birth was what I wanted! I love how Stephanie takes you through the whole process of birth all the way up to what to expect post partum. Because of this podcast, I knew how to advocate for myself, how to select a midwife, how to prepare my mind and body for birth, how to stay healthy during pregnancy…I could go on and on. She discusses almost everything you could ever need to know about birth. Because of the confidence I gained through the information in this podcast, I was able to deliver my baby at home even though she flipped last minute and was breech. Reminding myself that “If they can do it, I can do it”, got me through 30 hours of labor. I am so thankful and blessed that Stephanie has taken the time and energy to put out this podcast. I tell every expectant mother I know about it! Thank you!

I went through and hit “play next” on all the episodes I didn’t want to miss at 38 weeks pregnant (when I realized the books I picked out were never going to get read). I had to be induced but had the confidence to ask for the least interventions (so my waters were broken instead of pitocin given right away). I advocated to walk around and get in the tub and ended up delivering baby without medications (and not even realizing I was about to do it 😅). This podcast gave me the confidence to believe in myself! Thank you!!!

So happy to have found this podcast! I found My Essential Birth at the end of my first trimester. We had hired a doula very early on and was so grateful to have the resources to be able to do so. However, being a military family I think My Essential Birth is awesome for anyone who may not have those resources readily available. And even for those who do! Had we found My Essential Birth earlier on, we probably would have done both. I found so much comfort in this podcasts the last few weeks (currently 38 weeks and READY). Any last minute fears, questions, concerns or things I hadn't even thought of were addressed in these podcasts. I listen to them on my walks or while driving to work and have tried many podcasts throughout my pregnancy but only truly enjoyed this one. I love that it is so real, provides non bias information, and personal stories that are so relatable. As someone who enjoys structure and controlled chaos, pregnancy is not that and I believe knowledge is power. My NP even said the other day, "you know what you're talking about, so I am not worried about you wanting to make your own decisions". Would love to provide an update when my dude arrives and would be happy to share my story on the other side! Thank you so much!! :)

This podcast was one of the most fantastic resources throughout my entire pregnancy and helped me feel very prepared and informed ahead of my birth this past spring. I had a spectacular birth experience and was able to navigate conversations with my providers confidently to ensure that my baby and I were safe but that my preferences and values were adhered to and respected. I showed this podcast to my doula and will continue telling friends and family about it any chance I get!

I found this podcast about a week ago and have not stopped binging episodes. I really love the positive birth stories! It seems most of my friends have traumatizing birth experiences, normally ending in an emergency c section. Since before getting pregnant my husband and I have discussed working towards an unmedicated hospital birth. I’m now 23 weeks pregnant and feeling more confident than ever that we can do this! Thanks for giving an amazing resource of knowledge and positivity!

This podcast was my best resource during pregnancy! I just had my first baby and before the birth I listened to every episode of this podcast! My birth preferences went out the door when my babe was diagnosed with fetal growth restriction and I was scheduled to be induced early. This podcast gave me the strength and knowledge to stay positive and continue forward to have the most amazing natural(ish) hospital birth. Now I have a beautiful baby girl who is as healthy as can be at 1 week old. Thank you!

Pregnant with my second baby and I’m on round 2 of binging every episode because I find them so educational and empowering! Anytime anyone tells me they are expecting I immediately suggest this podcast and birthing course because I know they made all the difference in my first labor.

I’m halfway through my second pregnancy and longing for information to expand my knowledge on what I can do to have a more natural birth (as in no induction, no Pitocin etc.) and this podcast is giving me ALL THE DETAILS!!! I. Love. It. Def recommend to moms wanting to be in charge of their birth rather than letting hospitals decide how YOU birth🤍🤍🤍🤍. (Don’t know what my user is but my names Carson lolololol) EDITING TO ADD: Jane the Virgin - Darcy had a home birth! (Listening to Hollywood birth episode!)

First can I say if you are here, send to a friend. This podcast could not be more amazing! I just had my second baby, my VBAC baby successfully with an induction I did not want but was needed due to preeclampsia. I listened to the “Induction without an Epidural” podcast on repeat during my first 12 hours in the hospital. I can’t thank you enough for all the information you make so accessible to parents. I felt so knowledgeable throughout the entire process. At one point during transition I said “I feel like I’m going to throw up” once out of the contraction I looked at my doula with so much joy and said “Ahhh! I feel like I’m going to throw up” because of my knowledge from this podcast I knew I was in transition at that point in my labor. I can’t thank you enough for what you do for mamas! You are amazing!!!

I’ve only listened to a couple episodes but I really love how every story is told. I love the educational side and the emotional side of the episodes. This has helped me feel “heard” in a way but also realize that I need to keep learning. Love this podcast!

This podcast is amazing beyond words. My husband and I are still in preconception, but planning to start trying to conceive in a few months, and I have been obsessively listening to these episodes. I have learned so much from Steph (and Courtney), and feel so prepared and confident - I know I’ll be ready to navigate the twists and turns of pregnancy and delivery when my times comes. Steph shares all of the options and evidence so calmly and clearly, yet her passion for empowering us to assess the data from our own perspective to make the best choices for our own journeys is so obvious and abundant. I am also a pelvic floor and sports physical therapist, and love that the data she presents is accurate and well researched, and that the way she presents it is absolutely in line with empowering each mama to own her options and be at the center of her care - as patients should be. Can’t wait to re-listen during my future pregnancy(s?) and will absolutely be signing up for the course as well. If you are ready to feel freaking inspired and empowered about what your body can do, and prepared for all the choices and surprises along the way, then get excited and start listening.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this podcast. I found this podcast later on in my pregnancy but so glad I did. We moved to a new state where we didn’t know a single person half way through my pregnancy. I was terrified know that I was going to be laboring without my momma there to support me and encourage me like she did with my other babies and had to count on my husband who while amazing in other areas was not so amazing in the lab our and delivery room. I was about 34 weeks pregnant with baby number 4 when I stumbled across this podcast while desperately looking for encouragement and tips to get me through the labor and delivery process on my upcoming birth. I knew I wanted a natural unmedicated birth after having 3 with an epidural in a hospital. Unfortunately due to finances so close to baby I was unable to take the birth course :( but I binged these podcasts and thanks to Stephanie I had so much more knowledge and confidence in myself to stand up for what I wanted out of my birth and was able to teach my husband what I was learning and give him tips and we practiced and prepared. With everything I used from these podcasts, the help of a very supportive midwife and my husband I’m so happy to say that I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy completely unmediated in May. Thank you Stephanie for everything you discuss and for reminding me almost every time I listen that I AM STRONG and I can do anything I set my mind too as long as I’ve done the homework, practiced and wasn’t afraid to ask questions. There is no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t have been able to do it without everything I’ve learned here.

I am SO thankful for you and for this podcast. Through binge listening daily (haven’t even taken the course yet!), I have no fear or anxiety about delivering my first baby in November. As soon as I found out I was pregnant in March, I started listening to your podcast and feel so empowered, educated and excited for the remainder of my first pregnancy and for birth and postpartum!

Not sure if I’ll keep recommending this to clients. Really disappointed in the recent episode normalizing the fertility industry and medical industry completely taking advantage of and manipulating a couple multiple times over and then acting like it was no big deal because at least they had their babies 😕 Felt really out of character.

I love love love this podcast so much. My husband and I are not trying yet (hopefully soon!) but I stumbled upon this podcast trying to stay awake on a drive one night and I was immediately hooked! Stephanie (& Courtney for those older episodes) does such a good job of giving all sides to any scenario, decision, or piece of advice & truly make learning about my body & birth so fun & exciting! I know I will end up listening to all the episodes twice— once now & again when we are pregnant! ❤️

Hey Stephanie; My name is kristen and I am so thankful for your podcast!!! As soon as I was a day late for my period I knew I was pregnant and the first thing I did was try to find a podcast that fit what kind of birth experience I knew I wanted to have. I am so grateful that I found this so early in my very first pregnancy. I binged listen from the very first episode all the way to the most current episode (started at 4 weeks pregnant and now I am 17 weeks). And I feel so empowered, knowledgeable, and confident to have a natural unmediated birth that I have always dreamt about. I knew I wanted this kind of birth experience before we even started trying so I had my husband on board before we were even pregnant. Thank you for filling us with so much knowledge and helping us feel confident in all the choices we are making leading up to welcoming our first baby into our lives! I would love to come on and share my birth experience after baby comes in late November. 😊💛💛💛

I think I found you while listening to all the Lily Nichols podcasts interviews I could find! Between you and Lily… I have all the pregnancy info I could ever want! I had hypertension and a 38 week induction last labor that ended in a c section (ugh) and am doing all I can to prevent hypertension the next go around (god willing!). Thankful for this podcast to keep me company on my daily thee mile walks! You are knowledgeable, concise, and frankly entertaining. Keep up the good work and know that you are changing lives!!!

Hi my name is Hannah and I’m currently 26 weeks pregnant and found this podcast back when me and my husband first started trying. All of the information in this podcast is easy to digest and non bias. I love hearing about all of my options for birth and learning about all the ways my partner can support me throughout. We recently began taking the My Essential Birth course and we are feeling confident and educated as we get closer to our due date. Absolutely recommend to anybody looking for ways to feel more prepared and in control of your birth no matter what that looks like for you!

As a pediatric and prenatal Doctor of Chiropractic and pregnant for the first time, this has been such a fun podcast to listen to! I work within the birth world and I’m still learning new things during each episode. Planning my first natural birth in a birthing center in October, and excited to have found a podcast that aligns with my views!

I found this podcast when I was about 12 week’s pregnant and binged so many episodes. This podcast gave me the enough information that I was able to recall advice and birthstories, and feel confident to listen to my body while having contractions at 33 weeks pregnant and realizing this was it. My baby was ready to meet me earth-side and wanted celebrate Mother’s Day with me. I’ve only discussed birth plans with my husband over short conversations no details. I was able to get through labor with confidence because I was able to remember the stages of labor. This podcast is a MUST HAVE!!! I’m so thankful I found this podcast and that you put so much effort into giving great information, advice and making everything about pregnancy and labor relatable. I give so much credit to my confidence to this podcast. Thank you so much for changing my life and helping me welcome my sweet baby girl into this world.

I loved all of the positive birth stories! I love all the information Stephanie gives and she helped me make informed decisions for my own birth. I was able to become confident and have the unmedicated birth I dreamed of. The weeks before I listened to all of the birth stories over and over to help me dispel some of my fears.

I found this podcast at 6 weeks pregnant while bedridden due to my HG pregnancy…this has been the most helpful podcast! With so much amazing information in every episode! I want to let every mom to be know about it! I’m 27 weeks now❤️

Stephanie (along with Courtney in early episodes) does an amazing job of laying out all of the options a birthing momma has before, during, and after pregnancy. She provides awesome information on how to choose a provider, what questions to ask, what different types of providers have to offer, pros and cons of all the different locations you can plan to give birth, how a doula can help, what is “normal” and how to know when medical interventions may truly be needed, and so much more! I listened to this entire podcast from the beginning when I found out I was expecting. I am now holding my beautiful 3 month old daughter as I write this, and I remain inspired and incredibly thankful to have this podcast as a resource. I felt empowered in the decisions that I made throughout my pregnancy, and I was able to have the home birth that I dreamed of!

I am 27 years old and 27 weeks with my first! I originally found this podcast while searching for information on delayed cord clamping after seeing an Instagram account reference it and didn’t know what it was all about. After I heard Stephanie & Courtney discuss all of the evidence in a truly non-biased way, I was hooked and have since listened to about 75% of the episodes and am a part of the birth course. I have learned SO many things I had no clue about. Stephanie (and formerly Courtney) have made me feel so confident going into my first birth that despite what twist or turns may happen, I feel confident that I have the knowledge to choose what is right for me and baby. My mom is very into naturopathic medicine while my sister is a family practice MD…I’m somewhere in the middle when it comes to healthcare. As you can imagine, hearing both sides to all of these topics has been empowering for me to make my OWN decisions about what I want birth to look like for me. Thanks Stephanie for all you do for women and families!

I have six boys, two adopted and four biological. I have listened to this podcast throughout my last two pregnancies…I wish I found it sooner!!!!!!! I have had four very different births. One I didn’t prepare for, one I did, and then the last two I started preparing the moment I found out I was pregnant. I listened to this podcast almost daily and even re listened to episodes in order to soak up all of the knowledge possible, I did the exercises and ate a very careful diet. However, probably the most important takeaway from this podcast, was that even though I prepared, things may not go the way I planned. Boy, with my last two the sure did not go the way I was planning and preparing. Having educated myself and knowing the options when things got crazy made a huge difference. I’m so thankful that God allowed me to discover this podcast as it was invaluable, and so thankful for God’s hand of protection on me and my babies! God Bless!