New Mom Talk: A Resource for Pregnant, Expecting Moms & New Moms & Pregnancy

This Episode is brought to you by Lovebug Probiotics. 

October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, a good reminder that postpartum depression is common, treatable, and nothing to face alone. For moms who haven't found relief with traditional treatment, newer options like ketamine are part of a growing conversation. Today we're joined by Gena Kosmides, MSN, RN, CRNP-PMH, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with extensive experience in ketamine therapy and SPRAVATO® (esketamine) treatment at The Mood Center, with locations in Annapolis and Columbia, Maryland. Her expertise includes caring for adults with treatment-resistant depression, and he...

Carol Ann Kates — former grocery store and deli owner/operator turned award-winning cookbook author of Secret Recipes from the Corner Market and Grocery Shopping Secrets — shares shop-floor wisdom and kitchen-tested tricks for reducing stress while grocery shopping and cooking in the postpartum months. Expect practical, empathy-first strategies for shorter store runs, faster meal prep, smart batching, and partner-friendly systems that protect recovery and preserve energy.

What we cover

If you're pregnant in California and you haven't looked into your maternity leave benefits yet — this episode is your sign. California has some of the most comprehensive maternity leave protections in the country, but the system is confusing, the deadlines are strict, and most moms don't find out what they were entitled to until it's too late.

Mariela sits down with Shelly Yehuda, a maternity leave advocate who helps California women navigate the system so they can maximize every benefit, protect their job, and actually be present with their baby in those early weeks — without the...

This episode is brought to you by Legendairy Milk. Use code NEWMOM15 at checkout to get 15% off She's Flowing.

Join us for an honest, practical conversation with Courtney Boylan, founder of Le Lolo, who’s on a mission to beautify postpartum care. Courtney reframes postpartum self-care as more than quick fixes or Instagram-ready moments — it’s about dignity, functionality, and building sustainable routines that honor new parents’ needs. She shares design-minded solutions, mindset shifts, and real-life routines for parents juggling newborn care, limited sleep, and other responsibilities.

What we cover

This episode is brought to you by Legendairy Milk. Use code NEWMOM15 at checkout to get 15% off She's Flowing.

Aly Wente — fifth-generation winegrower and Chief Revenue Officer of Wente Family Vineyards — joins us to talk real strategies for reconciling a demanding career and a thriving family life. Drawing on leadership at America’s oldest continuously family-owned winery and a modern, sustainability-minded approach, Aly reframes the idea of “balance,” shares systems that actually work, and names the practical supports that help prevent burnout while preserving what matters most.

What we cover

This episode is brought to you by InspiraSpark — thanks to Shannon Davis and the Little Balance Box for supporting the show.

Join us as Shannon Davis — mom, physical therapist, and inventor of the Little Balance Box — breaks down practical, research-informed ways parents can reduce the risk or impact of developmental delays at home. Shannon explains what “developmental delay” really means, reveals common baby gear and routines that can unintentionally hinder motor development, and walks through how the Little Balance Box was designed differently to support natural movement and balance. This episode is full of compassionate, actionable advice for caregi...

This episode is brought to you by Legendairy Milk. Use code NEWMOM15 at checkout to get 15% off She's Flowing.

You've fed the baby, done the laundry, remembered the pediatrician appointment, mentally scheduled tomorrow's daycare drop-off, and somehow still feel like you're forgetting something. Sound familiar? That's the mental load — and for new mothers, it rarely gets talked about the way it should.

In this episode, Mariela sits down with Dr. Minisha Ghimire, physician in internal medicine and obesity medicine, and founder of Momkinz, to have an honest, ey...

If you've ever looked around your house at 7pm and felt completely defeated by the clutter, the to-do list, and the sheer volume of stuff that comes with raising little ones — this episode is for you.

Mariela sits down with Blair Moht, mom of two boys and owner of The Organized Mommy Co., a professional organizing company built specifically for families. Blair's approach isn't about having a Pinterest-perfect home — it's about creating systems that actually work for real life, reducing the daily decision fatigue that quietly drains moms, and building habits that stick even...

Placenta encapsulation is one of those postpartum topics that gets a lot of raised eyebrows — but also a lot of passionate advocates. In this episode, we're getting into the what, the how, and the why behind turning your placenta into capsules, and whether it might be worth considering as part of your postpartum recovery plan. From the nutrients and hormones it contains to how it may support your mood, energy, and healing in those early weeks, this is the conversation that might just change how you think about what your body grew.

What You'll Learn:

Postpartum doula support can be one of the most meaningful investments a family makes — but most people don't think about the cost, logistics, or timing until after the baby is already here. In this episode, we're breaking down everything you need to know to plan ahead: what postpartum doulas actually do (and how they differ from birth doulas), what it realistically costs, and the creative ways families are making it more accessible — from FSA/HSA dollars to baby registry funds to sliding scale packages.

Kathryn walks us through the difference between a birth doula and a postpartum doul...

In this episode pediatric sleep consultant Meghan Kemna (former educator) breaks down the foundations of healthy sleep for babies and toddlers so families can move from exhausted and overwhelmed to confident and well-rested. We cover what a true sleep foundation looks like across the first few years, realistic expectations by age (newborn, 4–6 months, 6–12 months, toddler), and when to seek support. Meghan also explains the key elements of consistent routines—timing, environment, and cues—plus small, practical changes that produce big improvements, how sleep supports development and parental well‑being, and low-stress strategies for families with unpredictable schedules or multiple children.<...

In this episode Hennie Ng—specialist in resolving chronic pain and postpartum core & pelvic health—shares practical, compassionate strategies to help moms feel empowered, energized, and back in control of their bodies after birth. We unpack what “back in control” really means (shifting mindset from perfection to progress), how hormonal shifts, sleep loss, and healing affect energy, and simple, realistic steps to restore vitality without pressure or comparison. Hennie explains the complementary roles of movement, nourishment, and rest in rebuilding strength and confidence, offers actionable daily habits for physical and emotional support, and gives specific tips for reconnecting with your bod...

Mental health deserves a seat at the birth planning table. In this episode Maya McDaniel Bailey, MA, NCC, LPC — a perinatal mental health counselor specializing in trauma-informed care and mental health birth planning — explains why emotional preparation is as critical as physical preferences. Maya outlines common mental health considerations to address before labor, how providers can screen and support needs across pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and practical proactive steps parents can take to reduce risk for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. Learn how to build a mental-health informed birth plan that includes nervous system regulation strategies, crisis supports, continuity of c...

New parent? Breastfeeding can feel simple and overwhelming at once. In this episode Jaimie Zaki — nurse, doula, IBCLC, and mom of five — breaks down the most common early breastfeeding mistakes that undermine latch, milk supply, and confidence. Jaimie explains how improper positioning and latch can sabotage feeding even when supply is sufficient, why early or frequent supplementation can derail breastfeeding progress, and how well-meaning advice from family or social media can cause harm. Learn the early warning signs of trouble, practical fixes you can try at home, and when to reach a lactation professional for hands-on help. Tune in for...

In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most critical aspects of maternal health: hypertension and preeclampsia. Joining us is Fran Conti-Ramsden, an NHS Obstetrics and Gynaecology registrar and MRC-funded PhD fellow who is sitting at the fascinating intersection of clinical medicine and data science.

Fran shares her expertise on why high blood pressure occurs during pregnancy, the "red flag" symptoms that often go unnoticed, and how she is using AI and real-world data to create a more equitable future for women’s healthcare. Whether you are currently expecting, pl...

In this episode, we dive into the often-unspoken experience of a motherhood identity crisis with Rebecca, an international life coach and host of the Ambitious and Balanced Working Moms podcast. Rebecca helps career-focused moms stop feeling overwhelmed and “not enough” so they can be present with their kids while still pursuing meaningful, ambitious careers.

We explore what an identity crisis in motherhood really means, why it’s so common, and how the expectations of motherhood can clash with who we were before becoming moms. Rebecca shares the signs that a mom may be struggling with her sense of sel...

In this episode, we’re joined by Luna Aziz, founder and CEO of Legendairy Milk, to explore how ancestral remedies and modern science can work together to support women through pregnancy, postpartum, and every hormonal chapter beyond. Luna shares how her own experience with low milk supply—and a negative reaction to fenugreek—led her to research culturally rooted, time-tested alternatives that ultimately became the foundation of Legendairy Milk.

We discuss what ancestral remedies are, how they’ve been passed down through generations, and how moms today can thoughtfully evaluate which practices may be supportive during pregnancy and post...

In this episode, we’re joined by Joel Warsh, MD—also known as DrJoelGator—board-certified pediatrician, parenting educator, and author of Between a Shot and a Hard Place: Tackling Difficult Vaccine Questions with Balance, Data, and Clarity. Dr. Warsh specializes in integrative pediatrics and is known for helping parents navigate complex health decisions with nuance, evidence, and empathy.

We break down the most recent updates to the childhood vaccination schedule, why these changes were made, and how they may impact pediatric care routines and well-child visits. Dr. Warsh explains what parents should know (and what they don’t need t...

In this episode, we explore postpartum care through the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and the deeply nourishing concept known as the “sacred window.” Joining me is Christine Eck, founder and director of the Center for Sacred Window Studies, an educational resource dedicated to Conscious Postpartum Care rooted in Ayurvedic tradition.

Christine breaks down what Ayurveda is and how it views the postpartum period as a critical time for healing, restoration, and long-term well-being. We dive into the meaning of the first 42 days postpartum, why this window is considered sacred, and how inte...

Why do so many moms feel forgetful, overwhelmed, or emotionally on edge after having a baby? In this episode, I’m joined by Ashley Rocha, CEO & Founder of Ladywell and a trained herbalist specializing in women’s health, to unpack the real hormonal, mental, and physical reasons behind “mom brain” and “mom rage.” We talk about how postpartum hormone shifts, sleep deprivation, and the invisible mental load impact mood and memory, plus practical strategies moms can use to regulate emotions, reduce overwhelm, and feel more supported. This conversation is a must-listen for any mom navigating the early years of motherhood—o...

Breech presentation can bring up a lot of questions, uncertainty, and fear for expecting families—especially when conversations quickly turn to C-sections as the default option. In this episode of The New Mom Talk Podcast, we take a closer look at the current ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) guidelines on breech presentation and vaginal delivery, and what they actually mean for parents navigating this situation.

Our guest, Dr. Elliot Berlin, is a pregnancy-focused chiropractor, childbirth educator, and host of the Informed Pregnancy Podcast. He is also the creator of Informed Pr...