Home Podcasts Birth Journeys: Birth Stories and Birth Education for Moms & Pregnant Individuals
Birth Journeys: Birth Stories and Birth Education for Moms & Pregnant Individuals

Birth Journeys: Birth Stories and Birth Education for Moms & Pregnant Individuals

Kelly Hof, BSN, RN: Labor Nurse & Prenatal Coach 129 Episodes May 6, 2026

The Birth Journeys Podcast® helps expectant mothers and pregnant individuals feel confident about childbirth by sharing transformative birth stories. Hosted by labor nurse and prenatal coach Kelly Hof, the show covers birth preparation, hospital procedures, and debunks common misconceptions while promoting autonomy. It also features insights from birth workers and medical professionals, creating a safe, inclusive space for all birth experiences. The podcast uses transformational coaching techniques to foster healing and trust between birthing individuals and healthcare providers.

Episodes

Mini Episode: What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag (Labor Nurse Spills the Tea)
Mini Episode: What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag (Labor Nurse Spills the Tea) May 6, 2026 552 Send us Fan MailPreparing your hospital bag for labor and delivery can feel overwhelming, especially when Pinterest lists make it seem like you need to pack your entire house. In this episode of The Birth Journeys Podcast®, labor and delivery nurse Kelly Hof breaks down what you actually need in your hospital bag, what the hospital already provides, and how to avoid overpacking during pregnancy.If
Delayed Cord Clamping Explained: Timing, Benefits & What Actually Matters
Delayed Cord Clamping Explained: Timing, Benefits & What Actually Matters Apr 6, 2026 681 Send us Fan MailYou’ve heard “30 seconds,” “a few minutes,” or “wait until it stops pulsing”… but how long should you actually delay cord clamping?In this episode, we break down what the research shows, what current guidelines from American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend, and why more time isn’t always more beneficial.You’ll learn: ✔️ Why at
Mini-Episode: Why the Sounds You Make in Labor Can Change Everything
Mini-Episode: Why the Sounds You Make in Labor Can Change Everything Mar 26, 2026 464 Send us Fan MailContractions don’t just hurt—they can trigger a full-body stress response. Many moms instinctively tense up, hold their breath, or make high-pitched sounds, which can push the nervous system into fight-or-flight and make labor feel more intense and harder to manage.In this episode, we break down the science of labor breathing techniques and vocalization in childbirth, and how small
Mini-Episode: Matresence: The Birth Of A Mother (Why Postpartum Feels So Overwhelming)
Mini-Episode: Matresence: The Birth Of A Mother (Why Postpartum Feels So Overwhelming) Mar 19, 2026 572 Send us Fan MailPostpartum isn’t just physical recovery after birth, it’s the beginning of becoming a mother. In this episode, we talk about what postpartum really feels like and why so many women feel overwhelmed, anxious, or unlike themselves after having a baby.If you felt prepared for birth but unprepared for postpartum, you are not alone. Many new moms experience intense changes, including ho
Mini-Episode: Why Birth Prep & Birth Goals Are Not The Same Thing
Mini-Episode: Why Birth Prep & Birth Goals Are Not The Same Thing Mar 11, 2026 865 Send us Fan MailHow 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, labo
Mini-Episode: Preparing Your Older Child for Labor and a New Baby
Mini-Episode: Preparing Your Older Child for Labor and a New Baby Mar 4, 2026 897 Send us Fan MailPreparing Your Older Child for Labor and a New BabyIf 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
Mini Episode: From Pumps To Peace: Choosing What Works For Your Baby And You
Mini Episode: From Pumps To Peace: Choosing What Works For Your Baby And You Jan 28, 2026 410 Send us Fan MailThe 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 s
Mini Episode: What If Losing Control Is The First Lesson Of Motherhood
Mini Episode: What If Losing Control Is The First Lesson Of Motherhood Jan 25, 2026 1005 Send us Fan MailA 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,
Hurricanes, Epidurals, And Holding On with Erin Hall
Hurricanes, Epidurals, And Holding On with Erin Hall Jan 21, 2026 3918 Send us Fan MailA 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 h
Mini Episode: The REAL Purpose of a Birth Plan
Mini Episode: The REAL Purpose of a Birth Plan Jan 7, 2026 760 Send us Fan MailControl 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
Mini Episode - What Does Labor Actually Feel Like?
Mini Episode - What Does Labor Actually Feel Like? Dec 24, 2025 531 Send us Fan MailMost 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 righ
Mini-Episode: What is Prenatal Coaching?
Mini-Episode: What is Prenatal Coaching? Dec 17, 2025 488 Send us Fan MailBirth 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 h

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