Are you looking for a podcast to help you feel confident in your birth experience?
Then The Birth Journeys Podcast® is for you! We share powerful and transformative birth stories that illuminate the realities of childbirth. Hosted by a labor nurse and prenatal coach who specializes in transformational coaching techniques, this podcast goes beyond traditional birth narratives to foster healing, build trust, and create transparency between birthing individuals and healthcare providers.
In each episode, we dive into essential topics like birth preparation, debunking common misconceptions, understanding hospital procedures, and promoting autonomy in the birthing process. We also bring you the wisdom and insights of experienced birth workers and medical professionals.
This is a safe and inclusive space where every birth story is valued, honored, and deserves to be heard. Join us in exploring the diverse and unique experiences of birth givers, and discover how transformational coaching can empower your own birth journey.
Contact Kelly Hof at: birthjourneysRN@gmail.com
Site
RSS
Apple
Data updated on 14/07/2026
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
Discover shows related to Birth Journeys: Birth Stories and Birth Education for Moms & Pregnant Individuals, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
How do you mentally prepare for labor — not just physically, but emotionally?
Many pregnant women spend months creating a birth plan and learning about labor positions, breathing, and hospital policies. But one of the most important parts of childbirth preparation is often missing: how you show up for the experience of labor itself.
In this episode of The Birth Journeys Podcast, labor and delivery nurse Kelly Hof, BSN, RNC-EFM, shares a powerful conversation with mentor Neri Life Choma, veteran childbirth educator, doula trainer, and founder of the Birth Coach Method.
Together they explore the inner game of childbirth — the mindset and internal motivations that help mothers navigate the intensity of labor with confidence instead of fear.
Birth is often described as “natural,” but that message can be misleading. Like running a marathon, childbirth is an intense physical and emotional experience that benefits from intentional preparation and nervous system training.
In this episode you’ll learn:
• Why natural childbirth is often misunderstood • The difference between external and internal motivations in birth • How fear affects both medical teams and birthing mothers • Why childbirth preparation goes beyond information and birth plans • How prenatal coaching helps mothers work with their bodies during labor
If you're pregnant and preparing for birth, this conversation will help you think about labor preparation in a completely new way.
Connect with Neri Life Choma at https://birthcoachmethod.com/
The Birth Journeys Podcast® is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Every pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experience is unique. Information shared on this podcast — including personal birth stories — may not apply to your specific medical situation. Always consult your OB, midwife, or qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your care.
While I strive to share current guidance aligned with organizations such as ACOG and AWHONN at the time of recording, medical recommendations evolve as research advances. Guests are entitled to autonomy in their medical decisions and may share experiences that differ from current practice guidelines.
My intention is to provide balanced, evidence-informed education and create space for diverse birth experiences — while encouraging you to make informed decisions in partnership with your healthcare tea...
Mini-Episode: Preparing Your Older Child for Labor and a New Baby
Preparing Your Older Child for Labor and a New Baby
If you're pregnant with baby number two (or more) and wondering how to prepare your older child for labor, the hospital, and life with a new sibling — this episode is for you.
What happens to your toddler when labor starts? What if childcare falls through? Should your older child come to the hospital? How do you prevent sibling jealousy after baby arrives?
As a labor and delivery nurse and mom of two, I walk you through how to prepare your older child for labor in a way that feels calm, realistic, and emotionally safe — for both of you.
In this mini-episode, we cover:
• How to create a clear labor childcare plan • What to do if labor starts unexpectedly • How to talk to your child about birth in age-appropriate language • Whether siblings can be present during labor or in the hospital • The most important thing to do when your older child meets the baby • How to reduce sibling jealousy after bringing baby home • Simple ways to help your older child feel included without pressure • How to handle regression, clinginess, or big emotions postpartum
You’ll learn practical strategies supported by pediatric and child mental health guidance to help your older child adjust to a new baby without guilt, chaos, or heartbreak.
Preparing siblings for a new baby isn’t about forcing excitement. It’s about building emotional safety, predictability, and connection before labor begins — so everyone feels more secure when the family grows.
If you’d like the notes from this episode, including simple scripts and a checklist you can use, visit the show notes or follow the link in the description.
Coaching offer
Mini Episode: From Pumps To Peace: Choosing What Works For Your Baby And You
The first days of feeding a newborn can feel like a test you didn’t study for: alarms go off every two hours, pumps take over your counter, and every ounce feels like a verdict. We open up about low milk supply, the pull to “keep trying,” and the quiet relief that comes from choosing what actually works for your baby and your life. No shaming, no perfect-parent script—just honest stories and practical paths forward.
We dig into the real costs of chasing a plan that doesn’t fit: hours spent researching pumps and flanges, returning to shift work with a cooler bag in hand, and the mental math of leaving tables to pump in cramped back offices. There’s room here for the science and the context. Breast milk has well-documented benefits, yes, and there are safe, tested alternatives when your body says not today. We talk donor milk banks, how formula has evolved, and why cow’s milk shouldn’t replace breast milk or formula before age one. Along the way we unpack the long, messy history of feeding trends and remind ourselves that pressure often hides behind the word “support.”
The heart of the conversation is a mindset shift: do the best you can with the resources you have right now and let that be perfect. That means asking your pediatrician for alternatives if advice doesn’t fit your reality. It means measuring success by a fed baby, a calmer home, and a parent who still feels like a person. You’re not required to carry a story about what would have happened 200 years ago. You are allowed to choose the option that keeps your family steady today.
If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a kinder take on newborn feeding, and leave a quick review to help more parents find us. Your stories help others breathe easier—what choice brought you peace?
A healthy baby and a healthy mom can still leave a complicated story behind. We open the door to a birth that didn’t follow the plan: an epidural that didn’t work, Pitocin contractions that crashed like waves, and a mind trying to keep pace with a body doing the unimaginable. What sounded like chaos turns out to be wisdom—instinctive movement that helped a baby rotate and descend, progress made in spite of pain, and a partner steadying the room when words ran out.
Together we examine where control slipped and why that matters. We talk plainly about augmentation, how to assess whether an epidural is effective, and when dialing back Pitocin should be on the table. We explore the emotional fallout of early moments—jealousy when a partner holds the baby first, the sting of being told rather than asked, the reality of stitches and exhaustion. Along the way, we track how hospital culture is changing, from the golden hour of skin-to-skin to more thoughtful language that invites consent and restores agency.
This isn’t a tidy highlight reel. It’s a reframed narrative that honors labor as both physical work and emotional landscape. If your birth story still makes your throat tighten, you’re not broken—you’re human. Come hear how naming the moment things went sideways can loosen the knot, how instinct deserves credit, and how small shifts in communication can transform the way we remember meeting our children. If this conversation helps you see your own story with kinder eyes, share it with a friend, hit follow, and leave a quick review to help more parents find their footing.
A hurricane on the horizon, contractions five minutes apart, and a quick detour through a Chick-fil-A drive-thru—Erin’s first birth story doesn’t read like any class manual. What followed was a long labor, Pitocin without pain relief when an epidural failed, and a body contorting into whatever position brought a sliver of relief. When the anesthesiologist finally got it right and her waters were broken, everything shifted—one push and Kylie arrived. Together we unpack why that experience felt traumatic, how back labor can hint at a sunny-side-up baby, and why instinctive movement often becomes the most powerful tool you have.
The second time was a different world. Early March 2020, open triage bays, “flu” precautions that turned out to be COVID, and a race to get an epidural before the cutoff. Her water broke at home, the pressure told the real story, and a few pushes later, Kason was here. We compare what changed—baby position, timing, hospital flow, mindset—and explore the myth that a smooth birth equals success while a hard birth equals failure. Birth plans help, but listening to your body, asking for options, and protecting your headspace matter more.
We also go deep on postpartum truths: breastfeeding pressure versus low supply, family history that reframes expectations, and the permission to choose formula or donor milk without shame. Erin talks candidly about body image, the relief of having her partner home during lockdown, and how building Bump and Beyond became a lifeline for parents who need more than advice—they need a village. If you’ve ever felt out of control, second-guessed every choice, or wondered whether you did enough, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and practical insight.
If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs reassurance, and leave a review telling us one belief about birth or postpartum you’re ready to let go. Your story can help s
Control doesn’t create a meaningful birth experience—clarity does. We dive into the real purpose of a birth plan and show how to turn a rigid checklist into a living compass that anchors your values, guides decisions, and strengthens partnership with your care team. Instead of chasing a “perfect” script, we focus on agency, communication, and the skills that keep you grounded when labor takes an unexpected turn.
We trace the history of birth plans from the natural birth movement to modern templates and unpack how the purpose got lost. You’ll hear a reality check on pain management—what hospitals actually offer, how relief varies, and why unmedicated goals can morph into pressure. We lay out practical prep for coping: breathwork, positions, movement, mindset, and the environmental choices that help you feel safe. Then we dismantle the myth that staff are responsible for your experience and replace it with a model of partnership in which you lead with your voice while your team supports with expertise.
To move from scattered preferences to a cohesive vision, we offer coaching questions that clarify what you want to feel, which choices matter most, what’s in your control, and who needs to be aligned—your provider, partner, and doula. This value-first approach reduces confusion, improves decision-making under stress, and lowers the risk of birth trauma by keeping you informed, respected, and engaged. By the end, you’ll have a framework to document preferences with purpose and the confidence to adapt without self-blame.
If this resonates, share it with a friend who’s building a birth plan, subscribe for more coaching-led birth prep, and leave a quick review to tell us which question shifted your mindset.
Most moms are scared of labor because no one ever explains what the sensations actually feel like. So today, we’re breaking it down — in real, simple, honest terms.
In this video, we talk about: ✨ What early labor really feels like ✨ How contractions change as your body opens ✨ Why pelvic pressure feels so intense (and why it’s GOOD) ✨ The emotional “crisis moments” that happen right before progress ✨ How to reframe sensations so you feel confident instead of scared
When you understand what’s happening in your body, labor stops feeling like something to fear — and starts feeling like something you can move with.
If you want the notes from this video (including the labor sensation guide + the self-coaching prompts), comment NOTES below and I’ll send them to you. 💛
Birth often feels like a test you can fail, even when you and your baby are healthy. We tackle the missing support layer that changes that feeling: prenatal coaching that builds a grounded mindset, clear communication, and a flexible plan you can trust when things get real.
We start by naming the gap most parents feel between medical safety and emotional steadiness. I walk through how prenatal coaching complements your OB, midwife, nurses, and doula by focusing on beliefs, boundaries, and language. Together, we surface the quiet stories—like “natural is the only good birth” or “if I plan hard enough, I can control everything”—and gently replace them with thoughts that match your values. You’ll hear how to craft a birth vision that guides decisions without boxing you in when clinical realities change.
From there, we practice power-sharing with providers so consent becomes a conversation. I share simple, high-impact questions that help you pause, understand risks and benefits, and consider options without escalating conflict. We dig into what reduces emotional birth trauma: asking for explanations when safe, naming your preferences, and learning grounding tools that work in triage or transition. I also clarify what a prenatal coach does and doesn’t do—I’m not diagnosing or changing meds; I’m your thinking partner before birth and a steady guide in the debrief after.
If you’ve felt anxious at appointments, stuck between induction and waiting, wondering about epidurals or VBAC, or carrying a hard first birth into a new pregnancy, this conversation offers a way forward. You’ll leave with language to advocate, a mindset that lowers shame, and a vision that helps you feel like the leader of your birth story. If you want the detailed notes with questions to ask, common beliefs to revisit, and prompts to start your birth vision, comment “notes” and I’ll send them your way. Like what you heard? Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the show.
Your prenatal care should feel calm, respectful, and evidence-based—yet many of us hit a point where advice from a provider doesn’t match what we’ve learned or what our gut is telling us. That moment is disorienting. We break down why it feels so heavy, how to get grounded fast, and the practical steps to find alignment without burning bridges.
We start by naming the emotional waves that follow a shaken trust: fear that you’re missing something, grief for the relationship you thought you had, and the stress of choices you didn’t expect to make late in pregnancy. From there, we anchor to ACOG standards—the baseline for safe, evidence-based care—and highlight five clear red flags: recommendations that don’t align with guidance, dismissive responses to questions, a tone shift toward rigidity near your due date, inconsistent information inside a group practice, and that loud, unsettled intuition after appointments.
You’ll get simple, powerful scripts to slow things down in the room: ask for the medical reasoning, whether the advice is individualized or a policy, and whether there’s time to think before deciding. We talk through the “middle space” between staying and switching—how to sit with your feelings, confirm the guideline, and plan one focused follow-up conversation that can restore trust or confirm misalignment. If a switch becomes the right move, we share how parents successfully transition even late in pregnancy, how to transfer records smoothly, and how to reframe the change as moving toward the birth experience you want and deserve.
By the end, you’ll trust your intuition as data, know how to compare recommendations to ACOG guidance, and feel confident seeking a second opinion or a new provider when needed. If this helped, subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review telling us which question you’ll bring to your next prenatal visit.
Birth feels different when the room feels safe. We dig into how to choose a doula by focusing on connection, clarity, and calm rather than running a rigid checklist. Instead of quizzing someone for the “right” answers, we map the questions that actually reveal fit: their vibe during intensity, their range across home and hospital births, and how they help you stay informed without pushing an agenda. If your goal is a steadier nervous system and a smoother decision path, this conversation gives you the language to get there.
We break down what to ask and why it matters: how they describe their style, the types of births they’ve supported, their comfort with inductions and c-sections, and how they collaborate with nurses and providers when decisions move quickly. You’ll hear how to screen for flexibility and respect for your choices, plus the cues that signal a red flag—like fighting the hospital rather than helping you navigate it. We also cover communication plans, on-call timing, when they typically join you in labor, and how they include partners so your support team works as one.
Backups and advocacy round it out. You’ll learn how to ask about backup doulas and why a quick intro can ease last-minute stress. Then we define real advocacy in the hospital: making space for your voice, slowing moments for consent, and protecting your presence without speaking over others. By the end, you’ll know which few questions to ask, what a good answer sounds like, and how to trust the feeling in your body when the fit is right. If you’re planning a hospital birth, exploring unmedicated options, or anywhere in between, this guide helps you choose support that aligns with your values.
If this helped you get clear, follow the show, share it with someone planning their birth, and leave a quick review so others can find it. And if you want my notes from this video, comment “notes” below.
The Birth Journeys Podcast® is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Every pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experience is unique. Information shared on this podcast — including personal birth stories — may not apply to your specific medical situation. Always consult your OB, midwife, or qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your care.
While I strive to share current guidance aligned with organizations such as ACOG and AWHONN at the time of recording, medical recommendations evolve as research advances. Guests are entitled to autonomy in their medical decisions and may share experiences that differ from current practice guidelines.
My intention is to provide balanced, evidence-informed education and create space for diverse birth experiences — while encouraging you to make informed decisions in partnership with your healthcare tea...
The Birth Journeys Podcast® is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Every pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experience is unique. Information shared on this podcast — including personal birth stories — may not apply to your specific medical situation. Always consult your OB, midwife, or qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your care.
While I strive to share current guidance aligned with organizations such as ACOG and AWHONN at the time of recording, medical recommendations evolve as research advances. Guests are entitled to autonomy in their medical decisions and may share experiences that differ from current practice guidelines.
My intention is to provide balanced, evidence-informed education and create space for diverse birth experiences — while encouraging you to make informed decisions in partnership with your healthcare tea...
The Birth Journeys Podcast® is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Every pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experience is unique. Information shared on this podcast — including personal birth stories — may not apply to your specific medical situation. Always consult your OB, midwife, or qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your care.
While I strive to share current guidance aligned with organizations such as ACOG and AWHONN at the time of recording, medical recommendations evolve as research advances. Guests are entitled to autonomy in their medical decisions and may share experiences that differ from current practice guidelines.
My intention is to provide balanced, evidence-informed education and create space for diverse birth experiences — while encouraging you to make informed decisions in partnership with your healthcare tea...
The Birth Journeys Podcast® is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Every pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experience is unique. Information shared on this podcast — including personal birth stories — may not apply to your specific medical situation. Always consult your OB, midwife, or qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your care.
While I strive to share current guidance aligned with organizations such as ACOG and AWHONN at the time of recording, medical recommendations evolve as research advances. Guests are entitled to autonomy in their medical decisions and may share experiences that differ from current practice guidelines.
My intention is to provide balanced, evidence-informed education and create space for diverse birth experiences — while encouraging you to make informed decisions in partnership with your healthcare tea...
The Birth Journeys Podcast® is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Every pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experience is unique. Information shared on this podcast — including personal birth stories — may not apply to your specific medical situation. Always consult your OB, midwife, or qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your care.
While I strive to share current guidance aligned with organizations such as ACOG and AWHONN at the time of recording, medical recommendations evolve as research advances. Guests are entitled to autonomy in their medical decisions and may share experiences that differ from current practice guidelines.
My intention is to provide balanced, evidence-informed education and create space for diverse birth experiences — while encouraging you to make informed decisions in partnership with your healthcare tea...
Medical Disclaimer
The Birth Journeys Podcast® is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Every pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experience is unique. Information shared on this podcast — including personal birth stories — may not apply to your specific medical situation. Always consult your OB, midwife, or qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your care.
While I strive to share current guidance aligned with organizations such as ACOG and AWHONN at the time of recording, medical recommendations evolve as research advances. Guests are entitled to autonomy in their medical decisions and may share experiences that differ from current practice guidelines.
My intention is to provide balanced, evidence-informed education and create space for diverse birth experiences — while encouraging you to make informed decisions in partnership with your healthcare tea...
The Birth Journeys Podcast® is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Every pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experience is unique. Information shared on this podcast — including personal birth stories — may not apply to your specific medical situation. Always consult your OB, midwife, or qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your care.
While I strive to share current guidance aligned with organizations such as ACOG and AWHONN at the time of recording, medical recommendations evolve as research advances. Guests are entitled to autonomy in their medical decisions and may share experiences that differ from current practice guidelines.
My intention is to provide balanced, evidence-informed education and create space for diverse birth experiences — while encouraging you to make informed decisions in partnership with your healthcare tea...
The Birth Journeys Podcast® is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Every pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experience is unique. Information shared on this podcast — including personal birth stories — may not apply to your specific medical situation. Always consult your OB, midwife, or qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your care.
While I strive to share current guidance aligned with organizations such as ACOG and AWHONN at the time of recording, medical recommendations evolve as research advances. Guests are entitled to autonomy in their medical decisions and may share experiences that differ from current practice guidelines.
My intention is to provide balanced, evidence-informed education and create space for diverse birth experiences — while encouraging you to make informed decisions in partnership with your healthcare tea...
The Birth Journeys Podcast® is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Every pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experience is unique. Information shared on this podcast — including personal birth stories — may not apply to your specific medical situation. Always consult your OB, midwife, or qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your care.
While I strive to share current guidance aligned with organizations such as ACOG and AWHONN at the time of recording, medical recommendations evolve as research advances. Guests are entitled to autonomy in their medical decisions and may share experiences that differ from current practice guidelines.
My intention is to provide balanced, evidence-informed education and create space for diverse birth experiences — while encouraging you to make informed decisions in partnership with your healthcare tea...
