Why do so many women struggle to trust their bodies, their instincts, and their decisions—especially in birth and motherhood?

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow doula, Veda Weinert, cofounder of Women to Women Informed Health, to talk about how our culture and medical system systematically undermine women's self-trust—from puberty to postpartum—and how we can start reclaiming it.

We share personal stories, real examples from the birth room, and actionable ways to reconnect with your body’s cues. You'll hear:

• How medical providers unintentionally (or intentionally) erode trust
• The impact of early messages around periods, birth control, and hunger cues
• How cycle syncing and natural family planning can build body literacy
• What it actually looks like to trust yourself during birth
• And how to protect your self-trust when you're deep in the system

Whether you're preparing for birth or just starting to reconnect with your body after years of tuning out—this episode is for you.

Women to Women Informed Health

Instagram @womentowomenih

Instagram: @kayla_mackenzie_birth

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In this episode of A Mother Is Born, I sit down with Grace, a therapist who specializes in OCD and trauma, to talk about how OCD can show up during pregnancy and postpartum—and why so many parents don’t realize they’re experiencing it.

We cover:

• What OCD actually is (and common myths)
• The difference between intrusive thoughts and intuition
• How to find safe, informed providers
• Treatment options beyond medication
• Our personal experiences with postpartum OCD

Whether you’re a new parent, a birthworker, or just curious about what no one tells you about intrusive thoughts—this episode is packed with clarity, compassion, and practical support.

Resources Mentioned:

• International OCD Foundation
• Postpartum Support International
• Grace’s practice: peacefulriverutah.com

Instagram: @kayla_mackenzie_birth

In-Person or Virtual Birth Support

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Why are breasts celebrated in beer ads but hidden when feeding a child? Why do we expect postpartum bodies to “bounce back” like birth never happened? Why do most of us have false ideas about how female sexual anatomy actually works?

In this episode, I sit down with my sister Adri for a conversation about how the sexualization of women’s bodies affects nearly every part of our lived experience—from birth and breastfeeding to bras, body hair, and shame.

We talk about what we learned to expect of our bodies growing up, what culture taught us to hide, and how that plays out in the birth room, the postpartum period, and even basic body functions like feeding a baby.

This isn’t just a conversation about birth—it’s about unlearning shame and reclaiming your body on your own terms.

🔍 What we talk about in this episode:

• How modesty culture contributes to shame
• Body hair removal, bras, and the “bounce back” body
• The difference between stretching and unfolding in the vagina (rugae 101)
• What the “husband stitch” is—and why it still gets joked about
• Breastfeeding in public, body autonomy, and the cost of cultural discomfort
• How women are sexualized and objectified even in the birth room.

💬 If this episode made you think differently about your body—share it with a friend.

Or better yet, leave a review and help others find conversations like this one.

More support, freebies, and birth services at 👉 kaylamackenzie.co

Instagram: @kayla_mackenzie_birth

In-Person or Virtual Birth Support

Book a virtual consultation