In this conversation, Amy Volk, a registered nurse and lactation consultant, discusses the various types of lactation providers, their qualifications, and the importance of seeking support both prenatally and postnatally. She emphasizes the need for parents to recognize signs that may indicate the need for lactation support and the role of insurance in accessing these services. The discussion also highlights the importance of co-care among different healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive support for breastfeeding families.

Amie Volk, MSN, RN, IBCLC (she/her/hers) is a registered nurse with six years of pediatric and newborn experience. Her first job as a nurse was in labor, delivery, and postpartum. This job is what really piqued her interest in supporting breastfeeding and chest feeding families. She has worked at a pediatric clinic for the past three years where she has particularly enjoyed helping new families transition into their role as parents. Amie completed her lactation specific education and clinical hours through University of California at San Diego’s Pathway 2 Program.

She is passionate about educating and empowering parents in their feeding journey and is interested in seeking further education and experience in perinatal mental health, bottle refusal, and exclusive pumping. Amie strives to provide inclusive, empathetic, and evidence-based care to all families, no matter what their feeding journey looks like.

Amie is available for home visits in Central and North Austin, office visits in North and South Austin, and virtual visits worldwide.

https://www.itsmorethanmilk.com/

Instagram: instagram.com/amievolk.lactation

Please feel free to reach out with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, send in an email 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 leave a review on your favorite place to listen to podcasts.

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

Other ways to connect:

http://www.EmpoweredBeginningsATX.com http://www.BirthBabyAcademy.com

In this conversation, Kaitlyn Scott, a labor and delivery nurse and birth photographer, shares her unique experiences of pregnancy, labor, and the transition to becoming a labor and delivery nurse. She discusses her personal journey of having two babies outside of the hospital, the importance of having a doula, and the empowering experience of home birth. Caitlin also reflects on her career shift to labor and delivery nursing and the significance of supporting mothers during childbirth.

Kaitlyn Scott is a dedicated labor and delivery nurse and seasoned ER nurse whose career sits at the heart of life's most transformative moments. With a unique blend of clinical expertise and deep compassion, she supports families through both the expected and unexpected. Beyond the hospital setting, she is also a birth and family photographer, capturing powerful and intimate stories about birth and families. Her perspective behind the camera is shaped not only by her nursing experience, but by her own journeys - having two out-of-hospital births. With a rare combination of professional insight, lived experience, and artistic vision, she brings a grounded and empathetic view on birth.

Website: https://www.kaitlynscottphotography.com/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/kaitlynscott_photography Special Offer: If you book birth photography with her, she will throw in a FREE maternity shoot or newborn shoot!

Please feel free to reach out with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, send in an email 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 leave a review on your favorite place to listen to podcasts.

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

Other ways to connect:

http://www.EmpoweredBeginningsATX.com http://www.BirthBabyAcademy.com

Moriel Levy joins Ciarra Morgan discusses the importance of baby proofing homes to ensure child safety. She emphasizes that baby proofing is not just about installing safety devices but also about understanding the unique hazards that come with having a mobile child. The discussion covers when to start baby proofing, common hazards that parents often overlook, and the benefits of hiring professionals versus DIY solutions. Moriel also provides insights on how to approach baby proofing in homes where children visit occasionally, such as grandparents' houses.

Moriel Levy is the owner of Juniper Babyproofing, an Austin-based company helping families make their homes safer for little ones. She is a chemical engineer and a mom of a two-year-old. She brings both personal experience and childproofing knowledge to relate to her clients and help them find the right safety solutions for their homes.

Use code BIRTHBABY for 50% off your in-home child safety evaluation (Austin TX area) - book at http://www.juniperbabyproofing.com/evaluation

https://www.juniperbabyproofing.com/

Instagram: @‌juniperbabyproofing

Please feel free to reach out with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, send in an email 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 leave a review on your favorite place to listen to podcasts.

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

Other ways to connect: http://www.EmpoweredBeginningsATX.com http://www.BirthBabyAcademy.com

MJ Saunders, owner of See My Baby Live, is back to discuss the various types of elective ultrasounds available to expectant parents. This conversation focuses on the importance of these procedures for emotional connection and reassurance during pregnancy. The discussion covers the timing of ultrasounds, the technology used, and the significance of choosing a qualified provider to ensure safety and accuracy. MJ also highlights the emotional aspects of pregnancy and how elective ultrasounds can help alleviate anxiety for parents-to-be.

With over 15 years of experience as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS), MJ Saunders has dedicated her career to providing compassionate and high-quality ultrasound imaging. Her journey into sonography was fueled by a lifelong passion for the medical field and a deep desire to connect with families during one of the most exciting times of their lives.

Use PODCAST at check out and get 25% off any package!

Website: https://seemybaby.live/ Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/seemybaby.ultrasoundaustin

Please feel free to reach out with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, send in an email 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 leave a review on your favorite place to listen to podcasts.

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

Other ways to connect:

http://www.EmpoweredBeginningsATX.com http://www.BirthBabyAcademy.com

Carolina Ochoa, a childcare coordinator with Cultural Care Au Pair joins Ciarra Morgan to talk about how Au Pairs help families and what the process looks like. The conversation delves into the qualifications, responsibilities and experiences of au pairs and their hosts, emphasizing the added benefit of the exposure to different cultures.

Carolina Ochoa is Local childcare Coordinator with Cultural Care Au Pair, serving families in Austin, Texas and beyond. With more than eight years of experience in the au pair world, Carolina has guided countless families through the program while building strong, supportive communities for both host parents and au pairs. She is a recipient of the Cultural Care Excellence Award and holds a degree in Social Communication, bringing a strong foundation in communication and human connection. Originally from Brazil, Carolina previously worked in HR in the tech industry before moving to the U.S. She’s passionate about cultural exchange, global family building, and empowering young people to experience the world through international exchange.

Contact: carolina.ochoa@lcc.culturalcare.com 209-640-3436 http://culturalcare.com/lcc/cochoa/

Please feel free to reach out with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, send in an email 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 leave a review on your favorite place to listen to podcasts.

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

Other ways to connect:

http://www.EmpoweredBeginningsATX.com http://www.BirthBabyAcademy.com

Cynthia Tinajero, creator of Mamistad New Moms Network, joins host Ciarra Morgan to discuss the importance of community and connection for new parents. She shares her journey of being diagnosed with depression in her first trimester of pregnancy and how she created this group to support other people through the journey of entering motherhood. She emphasizes the importance of flexibility in motherhood and the need to embrace challenges and maintain an open mind. Cynthia highlights the significance of community and support groups for new mothers, encouraging them to connect with others and share experiences in an effort to avoid the feeling of isolation that becomes all so common.

Cynthia Tinajero created the Mamistad New Moms Network in 2005 to help first-time pregnant women share the exciting, yet daunting journey of becoming a new mom. We continue to see new moms struggle with PMADs (perinatal mood & anxiety disorders) and isolation. Our increased awareness of these issues has taught us that having other moms to relate to and share the journey can be extremely helpful. Connection can validate a new mother and affirm her journey. Moms groups become playgroups and when partners join in, communities are born!

Mamistad’s Mission: to ease the transition to new motherhood through curated support groups that lead to strong communities, and provide information and resources via our website and podcast, Mom Chat with Mamistad.

Mamistad groups are currently in the DC area, Austin, TX, and Denver, CO. Soon, we hope to be everywhere!

Please feel free to reach out with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, send in an email 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 leave a review on your favorite place to listen to podcasts.

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

Other ways to connect:

http://www.EmpoweredBeginningsATX.com http://www.BirthBabyAcademy.com

Katelyn Henry joins Ciarra Morgan to share her unexpected journey to a home birth, detailing the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. From finding the right support in a doula and midwife to navigating the intensity of labor, she emphasizes the importance of trusting oneself and the process. The discussion also touches on postpartum experiences and the joy of welcoming a new baby into the world, highlighting the emotional and physical transformations that accompany childbirth.

Katelyn is a nutrition-based chef, chef teacher, recipe developer, and new mama whose passion for food began with her own healing journey after being diagnosed with celiac disease as a teenager. Learning how to create food that was both deeply nourishing and delicious became the foundation of her life’s work. Over the past 15 years, she’s catered retreats around the world, taught cooking classes, run coaching programs, and developed recipes that bring comfort and vitality to the table.

Now, Katelyn shares her kitchen with her daughter, Harmony, where meals are as much about presence and connection as they are about flavor. She writes about food and motherhood on Harmony Eats (her Substack), offers recipes and resources, and shares daily inspiration on Instagram @‌klcuisine.

You can follow her work at:

• Substack: https://klcuisine.substack.com/

• Instagram: @‌klcuisine

• Website: fivedfoods.com

Please feel free to reach out with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, send in an email 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 leave a review on your favorite place to listen to podcasts.

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

Other ways to connect:

http://www.EmpoweredBeginningsATX.com http://www.BirthBabyAcademy.com

Maxine Eiland, a dedicated fitness professional and the founder of Divine Mama Strength, based in Austin, Texas, joins host Ciarra Morgan to discuss the challenges of postpartum recovery and the societal pressures surrounding 'bounce back culture.' She emphasizes the importance of nourishing the body, understanding emotional and physical recovery, and recognizing the signs of readiness for exercise. Maxine debunks common myths about postpartum fitness and stresses the need for self-care and prioritizing health, not just for oneself but also as a role model for children. The discussion highlights the significance of community support and self-love in the journey of motherhood.

Divine Mama Strength was born from Maxine's firsthand experiences as both a mother and a woman navigating the often-overlooked challenges of pregnancy and postpartum recovery. She understands how isolating and physically demanding these transitions can be and is passionate about building a community that provides the knowledge, resources, and encouragement women need to feel empowered.

With a passion for supporting women through all stages of life—including fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause and beyond—Maxine offers personalized training programs tailored to each individual's needs. Her approach emphasizes strength, empowerment, and holistic well-being, aiming to help women feel confident and strong in their bodies.

At Divine Mama Strength, Maxine creates a supportive community where women can connect, share experiences, and achieve their health and fitness goals together. Her expertise and compassionate coaching have made her a trusted resource for women seeking to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle throughout their unique journeys.

Maxine is BIRTHFIT certified along with Yoga L1, CrossFit L1 and nutrition certifications.

For more information about Maxine and Divine Mama Strength, visit divinemamastrength.com and follow on Instagram at @‌divinemamastrength.

Please feel free to reach out with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, send in an email 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 leave a review on your favorite place to listen to podcasts.

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

Other ways to connect:

http://www.EmpoweredBeginningsATX.com http://www.BirthBabyAcademy.com