What do you think you’ll want your first meal to be after having your baby? And does it really matter how we’re fueling our bodies after the baby is born?

Holly, her husband Eric, and their 3 children live in Southern California, where they love homeschool, skateboard, and cook. They have built an incredible company, Restorative Roots, that delivers nutrient-dense postpartum meals to mothers across the country. From a tiny kitchen venture to a nationwide business, Holly and Eric are proud to offer support during such a transformative time- the postpartum experience.

This week, we’ll be speaking to Holly about her 3 birthing experiences, how postpartum has changed for her over time, and ways in which we can be set up for success and healing in the critical first few days and weeks after birth.

Episode Roundup:

1. Isn’t there so much beauty in the concept of taking radical responsibility for what we can control, and then allowing grace and faith to fill in that which we cannot? I can see this both in birth, along with postpartum. Holly mentioned how she did what she could to prepare for a healthy labor and birth, but she knew that there was ultimately a level that she could not control. Let’s apply this to postpartum. There are things that we CAN do: We can plan. We can make or purchase nutrient-dense meals and ready our space for rest. We can seek to have support as much as possible. However, some things may truly be out of YOUR control. Maybe you don’t live near family, or you don’t have income to spare to hiring help… Let’s take charge where we can, do the best that we can with what we have, and give grace where we are not in complete control.
2. I loved all of the creativity that Holly shared about preparing for a nutrient-dense postpartum: Having cooking days with your friends, sharing a list of approved recipes or instructions on your meal train, asking for friends and family to pitch in for a box from Restorative Roots as a pregnancy gift instead of some random contraption that your baby will probably outgrow in a week anyway… nourishment and healing after birth are the gifts that keep on giving and impact you for months to come.
3. And finally, Holly ended so beautifully with this: Let’s all practice asking for and accepting help. Let people help you. Let them bring you food. Let them refill your water. Let them put your groceries in the car for you. What a beautiful thing it can be both for you as the receiver, but also for the other person– allowing them to truly be helpful and a blessing.

Links:

Whole Mother Homebirth | wholemotherhomebirth.mykajabi.com/presale

Youtube |

Restorative Roots | restorativeroots.com (use code HAPPYHOMEBIRTH for $20 off your first order)

We talk about trusting your instincts a decent amount around here– but what does it look like to LEARN how to lean into those instincts?

This week we’re speaking with Lisa, who found the confidence to trust her instincts during pregnancy, which has changed her trajectory both as a mother as well as an entrepreneur and coach. Lisa Villani is a rebellious doula, sassy sales coach, hip-hop dancer, and mama to her spunky son in Buffalo, NY. She's married to her ride-or-die and believes fiercely in building a life where both parents get to thrive. After an unmedicated, out-of-hospital birth cracked her wide open, Lisa made it her mission to help women rewrite the narrative of motherhood, money, and identity. A survivor in every sense—of divorce, disordered eating, and a medical system that tried to silence her—she now stands as the loudest voice in the room for women ready to own their power, whether they're giving birth or selling their offers. She's also the host of the Loudmouth Lisa podcast—because playing small was never an option.

Episode Roundup:

1. Connection. We see the theme of connection flowing through Lisa’s story, and I think that we also see connection in the way that Lisa tells her story. Lisa is so clearly a connector. One of my favorite parts of this interview was hearing the beauty in Lisa’s connection with her son, Enzo, from the very beginning. She spent time dancing with him en utero, and she felt this pull their physical connection together. During the first part of the day as she went into labor, she spent time connecting with him as she labored alone, during her pushing phase, we see her turn inward to reconnect with her baby and to tell him that they were going to work together to push him out now— and they did! And then immediately postpartum, Lisa spent those six hours that her husband needed to sleep connecting individually with this beautiful little soul that was now on the outside. As I think of Lisa stepping into this new area of motherhood, where she allows Enzo to go spread his wings through beginning his new co-op, I think of how that connection is what is allowing that little boy the confidence to try new things. Lisa cut the cord after her birth and traded one connection for another, and she like all of us as mothers, will experience those cord cutting moments again and again. The connection didn’t end when she cut the cord, but it transformed. And here she is again with a transforming connection as her little one starts something new. My goodness, the depth and beauty of growing and changing while maintaining tethered to one another.
2. And next, I want to emphasize the power of what Lisa is sharing with other mothers, women and mompreneurs through her deep understanding of sales. She sees that her ability to trust herself and to know and accept the value that she brings to others is what makes herself and the women that she works with successful. These very same lessons that she has learned through motherhood: To listen to her instincts, to be the vibrant, bold mother and woman that she was designed to be. That is her gift to her family, and that is her gift to the world and those whom her work touches.

Links:

Whole Mother Homebirth | wholemotherhomebirth.mykajabi.com/presale

Interview Application | interviewwithkatelyn.my.canva.site/direct-to-landing-page

Youtube | https://youtu.be/vOX6ZwIKrB0?si=89yOWGXndtEa5yVe

Restorative Roots | restorativeroots.com (use code HAPPYHOMEBIRTH for $20 off your first order)

If you had an arduous labor due to your baby’s positioning once, it’s sure to happen similarly if your next baby takes the same position, right?

Ashley Atwood and her husband Sam have 3 active and lively boys. They are a homeschooling family and love adventure and being outdoors. Ashley is a self described birth nerd and loves educating herself about all things birth and pregnancy and discussing all they entail. She feels that education about birth and pregnancy is so important to the birthing experience. Her hope is for all women to take the initiative to learn because birth matters! If it’s in the cards, she would love to become a midwife or doula one day when her children are grown.

Episode Roundup:

1. Ashley’s second birth unfolded in a way that seemed completely different from her first baby’s birth, despite the two being born posterior. I think this is such a helpful reminder to those of you who have had a birth experience that was difficult- and you’re worried about it happening exactly the same way the next time. Remember, this birth is not your last birth. This is a different birth and can be a different experience.
2. For those of us who may fall into the labor denier category, it’s important to remember that someone on the outside may be able to see what’s happening more clearly than we can, and I’ll add this is especially true with second, third and beyond births when both spouses have been through the experience before. When Ashley was doing laundry and dropping to the floor for contractions, it clued Sam in that she was a good bit further along in labor than she realized. Thankfully he was able to reach out to the team and loop them in on what was happening!
3. And now, I want to end with a section of Ashley’s own words from her application. This was so touching, and I feel like it needs to be heard by so many: “And with my third, it was like he was lavishing on his grace- giving me what I absolutely don’t deserve, but did it anyway! It was like he one upped Himself to show me His goodness. He knows me intimately and knows how much birth means to me and how I deeply value it and am in awe of it, and he gave me all my births as a gift, and I am so thankful. He could have made babies come any way He wanted, but He chose to use us, women to bring forth life in a truly miraculous way. I struggle to understand His love and grace and also struggle to believe it about myself and my births have helped me to experience more of His love and to just be in awe of Him that He loves us because He loves us- he chooses to and that’s it. It has nothing to do with what I have done, but all of what He’s done for me. And what a reminder that is of His ultimate love poured out for me on the cross.”

Links:

Whole Mother Homebirth | wholemotherhomebirth.mykajabi.com/presale

Interview Application | interviewwithkatelyn.my.canva.site/direct-to-landing-page

Youtube | https://youtu.be/aeSddUAUrEA

Restorative Roots | restorativeroots.com (use code HAPPYHOMEBIRTH for $20 off your first order)