Any Questions? A Podcast About Conception, Pregnancy and Realistic Motherhood

What items have absolutely saved us in the newborn stage? What do I regret putting on our baby registry? What surprising things are we using and which items have we totally ditched?

Find out in this week's follow up to the last episode where I continue to go through our registry and discuss what we're using and not using in the first few months of baby's life.

Now that we're a few weeks into this whole parenthood thing, it's time to look back at our baby registry and all the things we use in newborn life.

What are our newborn essentials? What do we regret registering for? What are we actually using and what could we have skipped? Tune in for part one this week and part two to follow!

What does a doula do and are they worth their big price tag? I'll share all about our experience working with a doula - how we found her, what she did pre/during/post labour and delivery, and whether it was all worth it.

Want to share your fertility, pregnancy or parenting journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

Last week we covered my incredibly fast labour and delivery but the story doesn't stop there!

Tune in to hear the drama that happened with delivering my placenta, why I needed to uphold a boundary with my MIL, the scary news when we failed one of the newborn tests, and everything that happens during a hospital stay after you've given birth.

Want to share your fertility, pregnancy or parenting journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

After literal years of our TTC/infertility journey and a rollercoaster ride of a pregnancy, we are finally on the other side. My little one is here!

In this episode, I'm sharing all about my labour and delivery experience. Suffice to say, it did NOT go as I expected it to. My little girl also makes her first podcast appearance - listen out for her little cry during the episode.

Thank you so much for listening and supporting me through this entire journey!

Want to share your fertility, pregnancy or parenting journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

The time has finally come: This is my LAST PODCAST EPISODE before our baby girl arrives!

By the time you're listening to this, hopefully we are in the early stages of newborn life and thriving (or at least surviving) on limited sleep and cuddles. But at the time of recording, I am uncomfortably pregnant and just a few days (!!) away from giving birth!

Tune in as I share how I've spent my final days/weeks of pregnancy, what I learned at my last OB appointment, the plans for my induction, and a special message to all of the lovely listeners who have been with me on this journey!

In the final weeks/months of pregnancy leading up to baby's arrival, what did we do to prepare ourselves and our home? Did we prioritize the right tasks and is it ever possible to feel fully ready for a newborn?

In this week's episode I'll go through the to-do list and schedule my husband and I put together for our last minute baby prep - including making freezer meals, testing out baby gear and finalizing our birth plan. I'll share what we did, why the timing worked (or didn't!) and how I felt about all of our prep.

After being fur parents for the last eight years, how are we preparing our dog to meet her new baby sister?

In this episode, I'm sharing everything we've done during my pregnancy to prepare our dog for our incoming baby. I'm covering the course we took (and important takeaways from it!), how we've prepped our house and what changes we've made to our dog's routine.

I'm also talking about our plans for our dog during labour, delivery and postpartum, including the first time our dog will meet our baby!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

This week we're talking all about birth plans or birth preferences - the document you share with your care team to let them know what you want and don't want during labor and delivery.

I'll share exactly what's on my birth plan and tips for putting together your own birth preferences doc!

Plus, I'm shouting out a few listeners who wrote in with feedback. Be like them by clicking the link below and sharing your thoughts with me.

What am I packing in my hospital bag for labor and delivery? And, maybe more importantly, what am I skipping and and NOT bringing to the hospital?

I'll also share when I think you should have your hospital bag packed, what you should pack into, and any outstanding items I still need to buy with baby's birth right around the corner!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

Do you really need to take a course all about labor, delivery, postpartum and newborn care? Is prenatal education all it's cracked up to be?

And if you do decide to take a prenatal class, what kind should you go for? In-person or online? Private or in a group?

In today's episode, I'm sharing our experience taking a six week prenatal course. Listen in to learn what I loved about the course, what I hated and what I recommend you do for your own pregnancy/birth education.

Everyone talks about preparing for labour and delivery, but what about postpartum? Turns out, there's lots to think about when it comes to making your postpartum plans!

In this episode I cover everything my husband and I are planning for the postpartum period - from dog care and feeding ourselves to how we want to share our baby news and our rules for visitors.

We've also shared some of this plan (aka our postpartum rules) with our parents to set some boundaries and hopefully get ahead of any issues. Wish us luck!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

They tell you that you get to breathe a big sigh of relief once you make it past 12 weeks of pregnancy, but I'm calling BS! It seems like there's always something new to worry about in pregnancy and the uncertainty never ends.

In this episode, I'm reflecting on what it's been like to deal with pregnancy anxiety, how it's impacted my pregnancy, how I try to deal with it, and why I'm pretty sure this pregnancy anxiety is just going to transform into parenting anxiety once our baby gets here!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

In this week's episode I'm looking back over my baby registry and wondering where I went wrong...kidding (sort of)! But I am going to dive into the mistakes we made with our registry, what I would NOT have put on there and my thoughts on why people insist on buying off-registry gifts.

Happy 2025! We're starting the new year on an emotional note with this episode all about gestational diabetes - aka the diabetes you can get diagnosed with in pregnancy.

I explain what it is, my experience of getting diagnosed and working with a diabetes clinic, and how all of this is feeling like some diet culture BS that is really not good for my mental health!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

Merry Christmas & Happy Bonus Episode!

Instead of skipping this Wednesday, I thought I'd share a quick bonus episode with 26 of the pregnancy mantras and positive birth affirmations I've used or plan to use through my TTC/pregnancy/labour journey.

While I'm not the most woo-woo person, I do believe in the power of words and have found these words to be very helpful. And hopefully you will too!

PS: Thank you for being such a wonderfully supportive community. Wishing you all the best and chat again in the new year!

This week we're talking all things BABY SHOWER - how to plan one and lessons learned from ours. I'll go over how we planned our shower, what food/drinks were served, what activities we had and, most importantly, what I'd do differently if I could do it again!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

Can you believe my 2nd trimester is over? Neither can I! It feels like I've been pregnant for years but also like I blinked and woke up in the 3rd trimester.

In this week's episode, I'm recapping my second trimester by answering some questions, talking about the highlights and lowlights, and sharing the must-haves that got me through.

In this week's episode we're talking parents, in-laws and pregnancy.

How have my parents/in-laws been there for me, or not been there for me, throughout my pregnancy? Do I wish they were more or less involved? And what can I do to improve any red flags before they turn into grandparents pushing boundaries?

Listen in as I thank the community, talk about my experiences so far, and rant probably a little too long about my mom and MIL (I love them, I swear!).

After shouting out two lovely listeners, I dive into 15 tips for creating your baby registry. Because as first time parents, it is overwhelming, to say the least, to put together a huge list of things you think you might need for your baby.

I'll cover how many items you should add, which items you definitely shouldn't add, where to make your registry, the best way to send it out for your baby shower and more!

With an endless number of names to pick from (and opinions from others) it can be very overwhelming for new parents to decide on a name for their little one.

In this episode, I'm taking you through a quick guide for choosing a name and then 15 ways to test to make sure it's the one. Plus, I'll share the pros and cons of waiting until the birth to announce your chosen name!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

After a big THANK YOU to the audience for your incredible support, I dive into the latest in my pregnancy journey: dealing with a short cervix.

I'll take you through the multiple ultrasounds, progesterone and, finally, the cerclage procedure I had, plus plans for monitoring. Welcome along on another ride of my pregnancy roller coaster!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

A babymoon, a trip that you (and your partner, if you have one) take before baby arrives, is one of my favourite pregnancy traditions! It's a great time to bond with your partner, connect about upcoming parenthood, relax and indulge, and maybe buy a cute onesie or two!

In this episode I'll share all about our relaxing honeymoon, and tips for planning your own: when to go, where to go and how to make it feel different than any other vacation!

Now that I'm about halfway through my second trimester, I'm going through a checklist of 28 things you're supposed to do in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Which ones have I done, which ones am I skipping and which ones am I behind on?

Need a 1st trimester checklist? Go back and listen to Ep #92!

Before I jump into the anatomy scan experience (also known as the detailed ultrasound, mid-pregnancy ultrasound or anomaly scan), I share some listener feedback and rant way too long about boundaries in friendship and offering support to those who are struggling.

(If the rant isn't for you, feel free to skip to about the 22 minute mark to get to the anatomy scan stuff. Sorry!)

Once I (finally) get onto the scan, I talk about my experience doing the scan twice, what you need to know beforehand, tips to prep and what to ask your care providers.

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

So am I having a boy or a girl? You have to tune in to find out! I also chat all about gender preferences (both yours and the ones put on you by friends/family), the normalcy of gender disappointment and how to cope if the gender (s*x) of your baby is not the one you expected or wanted.

Big shout out to the listeners who inspired/requested this episode and wrote in with lots of great thoughts! If you have your own thoughts for a future episode, let me know in the form below!

Source mentioned: https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/pregnancy/gender-disappointment

This week we're talking all about body image during pregnancy and my experience as a plus size pregnant person. No matter what size or shape body you're in, I hope this episode is relatable and leaves you feeling a bit more love for your amazing body!

PS: We've made it to Episode #100 of the podcast! Thank you for listening and hanging out with me for 100 episodes.

TW: genetic testing and conditions, test results, talk of pregnancy termination

In an emotional episode, I'm taking you through our journey with genetic testing during pregnancy, some bad results we received, how I'm handling (or not handling!) it and what comes next. It's a lot of waiting, anxiety and missing out on the joys of pregnancy. Apologies for the tears in this episode and thank you, in advance, for your support and well wishes!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

In this week's episode I'm sharing 10 things that got me through my first trimester of pregnancy, plus a few extra things you may need.

Prenatal genetic testing (or, more accurately, prenatal genetic screening) is a controversial issue for some parents and a big decision for all pregnant people.

After sharing a bit of a pregnancy update (2nd trimester, maybe not as fun as it should be!), I go into the different testing options available (like the SIPS, NIPT and NT), how we decided on the right tests for us, how you can make your decision and the roller coaster we've had with testing so far.

PS: I mention a few times that I'm going to look into the nuchal translucency ultrasound. Unfortunately, after doing a bit more research after I recorded, it turns out you have to be between ~10-13 weeks pregnant for this test and I'm past that.

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

We've reached the end of my 1st trimester! In this podcast I'm answering questions all about my first trimester of pregnancy, sharing the biggest surprises and what I'm looking forward to in the next trimester.

Even if you don't want to throw a gender reveal party (or if you do!) a lot of expecting parents are curious about their baby's s*x and if baby is a boy or girl. In this episode I dive into the different options parents have when it comes to finding out, what tests you can do and how my husband and I came to our decision.

PS: Guess if we're having a girl or boy in the poll on Spotify or by filling out my Google Form below!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

In this week's episode, I'm breaking down what you can expect during your first few prenatal appointments, based on my experience working with a midwifery practice. Obviously experiences will vary, but I hope this sheds some light on the process in case you're nervous or just curious about what to expect (when you're expecting)!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

As I near the end of my first trimester (!!), I'm going through a checklist of 25 things I was supposed to do. How many did I do, did I do them right and which ones do I still need to check off? If you're planning a pregnancy, look ahead to what's on your 1st trimester to-do list!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

I've done a few episodes on the best ways to announce a pregnancy and the best time to announce...but that was all theoretical. What actually happened when it was our turn to share our pregnancy news?

In this episode, I'm sharing how we told our closest loved ones our news, if my expectations matched up with reality, some of the odd feelings I was left with, and my tips for when you get to make your announcement!

When it comes to choosing care during your pregnancy, the options (at least where I live) are midwife, OB (obstetrician) or family doctor. So which to choose?

In this episode, I explain how I came to choose a midwife, why I like the midwifery model of care and how my first appointment at my midwife clinic went. I also dispel some common myths about midwives!

Ultimately, you should choose a healthcare practitioner who makes you feel safe and comfortable. I hope this episode helps if you're considering a midwife!

PS: I'm collecting questions for my 1st trimester recap episode! Have a q for me or my partner? Leave it in the Google Form below!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

What is a dating scan? When do you have your first pregnancy ultrasound? Will you hear baby's heartbeat and go home with adorable sonogram photos?

In this episode, I'm filling you in on my experience going for two dating ultrasound scans. While every clinic/office is different, I hope this episode will help you understand what to expect for your own scan!

PS: I'm collecting questions for my 1st trimester recap episode! Have a q for me or my partner? Leave it in the Google Form below!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

If you've spent any amount of time TTC-ing or in the fertility game, you're likely familiar with early pregnancy symptoms. You've probably spent a lot of time in the mirror examining if your boobs got any bigger or wondering if that twinge was a cramp or something else.

I spent years doing that and now that I'm pregnant (eek!), I thought it'd be fun to go through a list of common early pregnancy symptoms and see which ones I actually experienced. Find out if constipation, spotting and acne really happen, plus what the deal is with morning sickness!

They say that parents never stop worrying but I say that worry starts well before you're a parent. But what do we actually do with all of this worry? How do we stop it from taking over if there's always something to worry about?

Plus, now that I'm into a new phase of my baby journey, I'm talking about upcoming changes to the podcast. Tune in for my announcement and then fill out the Google Form below (or Spotify question box) with your thoughts!

TW: This episode discusses pregnancy test results. I completely understand if you're not in a space to hear an episode like this right now and I'm sending you a lot of love.

In this episode, I take you through a few days in my life wrapping up my second IUI, waiting (and receiving) blood pregnancy test results and an anxiety-inducing weekend. By the end, I've got some exciting news to share!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

Whether you're TTC (trying to conceive), pregnant or parenting, it can be hard to escape other people's opinions, ideas and advice. Even when they mean well and even when they're a trusted source of info, sometimes all of those voices are just too much!

In this episode, I'm chatting about how to know when the external voices are too much, how to check in with yourself about what you really need, and how to block out the unnecessary noise!

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

A lot of people decide that once they have a kid it's time to move out to the suburbs, get a stable job and buy a minivan. While I've never subscribed to that line of thinking, I am now considering the idea of moving back to my hometown to be closer to family if/when we have a child... in fact, my husband suggested it!

Would you consider moving to be closer to friends/family so your kid has playmates and you have built in babysitters? I'm discussing the pros and cons in today's episode, as well as things to consider before making a big move.

Plus a little TTC update on my latest IUI round, and some listener feedback!

I'm back with part two of my IUI story. What is the actual process like and, more importantly, did it work? Tune in to learn more and hear my thoughts and feelings on the whole thing. Get ready for some waterworks (sorry!).

Inspired by a listener q, I'm diving into what happens during a preconception check up, what tests you'll take and when your doctor will recommend you take them.

But more importantly, I'm talking about why you might want to push for preconception testing and why you might not. Is it important to know what's going on ahead of time or better to wait and see?

Reference: Episode 54: How can I prep for TTC?

After 2+ years of tests, medications and appointments, my husband and I are finally embarking on the next stage of our TTC journey: intrauterine insemination aka IUI.

In this episode, I'll walk you through the first steps of the IUI, what I've had to do and how I'm feeling about the whole thing. Whether assisted fertility procedures are part of your journey or not, I hope this episode answers some questions and lets you know you're not alone.

Inspired by a listener question, what do you do if you're ready to start TTC and get going on your fertility journey but your partner isn't there yet? It's hard to be patient when you feel that you're ready to get pregnant and become a parent.

Listen in as I share my advice and reframe the question to make it about when we will be ready, rather than when they will be ready.

Want to share your pregnancy or TTC journey? Have feedback for the podcast? Have an episode idea?

If you're in the thick of your fertility journey, working on TTC, it can often feel like you're falling behind on some invisible race as everyone arounds you announces pregnancies and takes baby photos. So what do you do when you can't get out of the race mindset?

One of the biggest certainties when it comes to TTC (trying to conceive) and any fertility journey is that nothing is certain! The whole thing is a roller coaster and constantly trying to deal with an uncertain future. As someone who loves to plan ahead, this has been one of my biggest struggles.

So today on the pregnancy podcast I'm talking through how I deal with the uncertainty of TTC, little things I've done to find some certainty in my life, and our big (but very tentative) plans for 2025!

PS: If you're listening to this the day it came out, Happy Valentine's Day!