Lacey Castilleja Fisher joins host Ciarra Morgan to discuss the emotional complexities surrounding fertility struggles and perinatal mental health. She highlights common mental health challenges faced by individuals trying to conceive, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. Lacey offers coping strategies, emphasizes the importance of support systems, and discusses the significance of setting boundaries to protect mental health. The conversation also touches on the emotional impact of jealousy, grief, and the need for open communication between partners. Lacey provides insights on how friends and family can support those experiencing fertility challenges, fostering understanding and compassion throughout the journey.

Lacey Castilleja Fisher is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Clinician and founded Open Heart Counseling of Austin PLLC, a small group practice in Austin, Texas. Lacey became passionate about working with parents that struggle with PMAD’s, specifically PTSD, after her own experience of becoming a mother and experiencing trauma after her newborn was unexpectedly admitted to the NICU. This led to Lacey learning as much as she could about perinatal trauma, pregnancy and infant loss, NICU trauma and fertility struggles. Lacey served as the Clinical Director for The Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Alliance of Texas, now Nurtured Tx, from 2018-2023 and loves teaching other clinicians about reproductive mental health.

Website: http://www.openheartcounselingatx.com/lacey-reproductive-mental-health-sandtray.html

FB and IG: @‌openheartcounselingofaustin

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

Host Samantha Kelly interviews Kim Yancy, a mother, foster mom, and surrogate carrier. Kim shares her journey through motherhood, including her experiences with pregnancy, postpartum challenges, and the unexpected news of carrying twins. The conversation delves into the emotional complexities of high-risk pregnancies and the impact of loss, as Kim recounts her experience with the loss of one of her twins. In a future episode, Kim will be back to discuss her journey into surrogacy.

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

The hosts share their experiences as doulas, focusing on the fastest births they’ve witnessed - some were precipitous labors! They discuss the differences between first and second births, the impact of HypnoBirthing, and the joy of supporting families as they grow. The conversation highlights the unpredictability of labor, the challenges faced, and the rewarding moments that come with being a doula.

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

In this conversation, Allison Coleman, an experienced doula and trainer, and Ciarra Morgan discuss the essential aspects of choosing a doula training program. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, support, and the need for a comprehensive curriculum that aligns with personal values and career goals. The conversation also covers the significance of evaluating the reputation of training programs, understanding costs, and the relevance of accreditation in the non-regulated field of doula work. Ultimately, the discussion aims to guide aspiring doulas in making informed decisions about their training and career paths.

Allison Coleman is “mom” to four fabulous, now-grown people. She runs an active Postpartum Doula agency in Austin, Texas, works as an independent birth and postpartum doula in Asheville, NC, and runs a well-respected postpartum doula certification program called ABG Postpartum Doula Certification program

Would you like to train to be a postpartum doula? Use code CIARRA5OFF at checkout for a 5% discount! www.ABGdoulaTraining.com https://www.instagram.com/abg_pp_doula_training/

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

Midwife Leonora Colon is back to discuss the challenges of burnout faced by birth workers, particularly midwives and doulas. The conversation explores the emotional and physical toll of the profession, the importance of self-care, and strategies for managing burnout. The hosts and Leonora share personal experiences and practical tips for maintaining health and well-being while navigating the demands of birth work, including the significance of sleep, recovery, and building a supportive community. They also touch on the unique challenges faced by birth workers who are pregnant and the importance of setting boundaries to ensure longevity in the profession.

Website: www.HomeBirthHoney.com IG: @‌HomeBirthHoneyATX

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: www.BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

Allison Waage, president of Nurtured Texas, joined us to discuss the organization's mission to improve perinatal mental health resources in Texas. She highlighted the services offered, including therapy vouchers and an online directory called Christie's List, aimed at making mental health care more accessible. There are significant barriers families face in accessing perinatal mental health care, including societal stigma and socioeconomic disparities.

Allison Waage is a native Texan, mom of two, and a passionate advocate for maternal and child health. As President of Nurtured TX, she is dedicated to expanding access to perinatal mental health resources across Texas. With a background in maternal health nursing and public health, Allison combines professional expertise with personal experience, having navigated a high-risk pregnancy and a perinatal mental health disorder herself. Before leading Nurtured TX, she worked on state-level initiatives to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, deepening her commitment to supporting birthing people and families.

Website: nurturedtx.org IG: @nurturedtx

Listeners can use coupon code BIRTHBABY for 20% off their continuing education courses in the Nurtured TX Course Library through the May 2025.

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

In this episode, Kimberly Berry shares her inspiring journey to becoming a birth doula, motivated by her personal experiences and a desire to support other families. She discusses her initial misconceptions about the role of a doula, the impactful training she received, and the rewarding experiences of her first birth as a doula.

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

In this episode, Brittany Huber is back to share her experiences with her pregnancies and births, focusing on the journey to her second baby, the challenges of a VBAC, and the joy of her third surprise baby. She discusses the emotional and physical aspects of pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery, highlighting the importance of support and informed choices in her birthing experiences. Brittany shares her personal journey through labor and delivery, reflecting on her experiences with each of her children. She discusses the differences in her labor experiences, the challenges she faced, and the support she received from her family and medical team. The conversation also touches on postpartum recovery, the importance of rest, and the dynamics of welcoming a new baby into the family.

Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!

Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcast Email: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.com Website: BirthBabyPodcast.com

Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!