Episode 40: When Birth Doesn't Go As Planned with Aimee Denno

Episode 40: When Birth Doesn't Go As Planned with Aimee Denno

This week on Girly Pop Birth Talks, we sit down with Aimee Denno—former Labor & Delivery nurse, mama of two, and a woman whose birth journey has held both deep empowerment and unimaginable intensity. Aimee shares her story of two pregnancies, two vaginal births, and two attempted home births—one of which ended in a life-altering emergency when her second daughter needed resuscitation at home before being transferred by ambulance at just 10 minutes old. As someone who has supported countless families in birth as an L&D nurse, Aimee opens up about what it felt like to be on the other side—as the mother, not the provider. We talk about the emotional complexity of birth plans changing fast, NICU stays, trusting your instincts, navigating trauma, and finding healing while mothering little ones close in age. This conversation is raw, honest, powerful, and one that will stay with us for a long time. 🤍 In this episode we cover: ✨ Being both a birth professional and a birth patient ✨ Two very different home birth experiences ✨ Unexpected newborn respiratory complications + NICU stays ✨ Emergency resuscitation and ambulance transfer after birth ✨ Processing trauma while entering postpartum ✨ Motherhood, perspective shifts, and healing This episode is for the moms who know birth can be beautiful and wildly unpredictable—and for anyone who has had to rewrite their story while still finding strength in it. 🎙️🤍

Episode 39: Surprise Pregnancy, HELLP Syndrome & a Powerful Vaginal Birth with Grace Wixon

In this episode, we’re diving into a powerful, honest, and faith-filled conversation with a mama in her season of pre-conception for baby #3—reflecting on two completely different pregnancy and birth journeys that ultimately led her back to the same place: deep trust. Grace shares how motherhood wasn’t always something she long dreamed about—but when it came into her life, it became her greatest sense of purpose. Her first pregnancy was filled with awe and constant reminders of the miracle of life… but also fear. What began with a terrifying misdiagnosis of an interstitial ectopic pregnancy ended with an atypical HELLP Syndrome diagnosis, leading to a long and emotional 3–4 day induction prior to 37 weeks—and ultimately, a vaginal delivery that required deep surrender. Her second journey brought a completely different energy—more peace, more connection, and more trust in her body. This time, she experienced a full-term, 40+2 vaginal birth, feeling empowered and supported throughout. In this episode, we talk about:     •    Navigating pregnancies that don’t go as planned     •    Building trust with your body through uncertainty     •    Holding space for both fear and empowerment in birth     •    Faith, surrender, and trusting God’s timing     •    Nourishing yourself through every season of motherhood Grace also opens up about how becoming a mother became an unexpected space for healing—helping her work through years of body image struggles, disordered eating, and cycles of control, and instead learning to honor and trust her body. And a full-circle moment you won’t believe: Grace and her husband were both surprise babies… born on the same day, in the same hospital in Roseville, just hours apart—but didn’t meet until 25 years later 🤍 Oh—and despite a 3 lb and 3 inch difference between her babies, both births came down to just a few powerful pushes. This episode is your reminder that: ✨ You don’t have to have it all planned for it to be exactly right ✨ Your body is wise ✨ And sometimes, the most unexpected paths lead you straight into your purpose

Episode 37: Turning Fear Into Purpose with Michelle Canete

In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Cañete, a mom of three and doula, who shares her powerful journey through three very different — and increasingly fast — birth experiences. From a first birth filled with anxiety, lack of preparation, and feeling overwhelmed… to two precipitous labors that moved faster than anyone expected — Michelle walks us through what it actually feels like when your body takes over. We talk about: What it’s like going into birth unprepared — and how that shaped everything after The intensity and unpredictability of precipitous labor Transition happening in the car (yes… really) That “I have to poop” moment and what it actually means The mental shift from fear → trust in your body How experience can completely transform your birth perspective Michelle’s second and third births happened in just a matter of hours — with pushing phases lasting only minutes — and her stories are a reminder that birth doesn’t always follow the “expected” timeline. This episode is raw, fast-paced (just like her births), and full of those “wait… WHAT just happened?!” moments. Whether you’re a first-time mom or preparing for another baby, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about birth, intuition, and how quickly things can change. ⸻ Takeaways: Your first birth does not define your future births Preparation and education can completely shift your experience Fast labor is real — and can be intense, empowering, and a little chaotic Your body knows what it’s doing, even when it feels overwhelming ⸻ Connect with Michelle: Instagram: @_doulamichelle

Episode 36: Early Pregnancy, One Beautiful Birth & Becoming a Doula with Olivia Geller

In this episode of Girly Pop Birth Talks, we’re sitting down with Olivia Geller—birth doula, mom to a toddler, and newly pregnant with baby #2. Olivia shares her first birth experience and how it shaped the way she sees birth, motherhood, and the work she does today. Her story is a beautiful reminder that positive, uncomplicated hospital births exist—and they matter. What we talk about: *  Being newly pregnant (around 6 weeks!) and navigating early pregnancy  *  Life as a mom to a 2-year-old while entering a new season  *  Her first birth: an unmedicated, low-risk hospital birth at Kaiser Roseville  *  A 13-hour labor that felt “fast and easy-ish”  *  What made her feel safe, supported, and confident during her birth  *  Reflecting on a birth she genuinely loved  *  How her birth experience influenced her path into becoming a doula  *  Supporting families now as both a mom and a birth worker  Why this episode matters: We hear so many intense or complicated birth stories—but this one is a breath of fresh air. Olivia’s experience shows that birth can be calm, empowering, and even joyful. And sometimes, one positive experience is all it takes to change the direction of your life. If you’re pregnant, planning your birth, or just craving a grounded, encouraging story—this one’s for you. 🎧 Streaming on YouTube, Apple Podcasts & Spotify  💗 New episodes every Thursday

Episode 35: She Did It Anyway with Allie Burch

At 26, Allie is a single mom of two boys, a business owner, and in school to become a labor and delivery nurse and her story is one that will stay with you. In this episode, Allie shares what it looked like to do it anyway… through three pregnancies, two births, and seasons that would have broken most. We talk about:     • Becoming a young single mom and carrying the weight of it all     • Her first birth: a 23-hour labor, an unforgettable moment catching her own baby, and the aftermath no one prepares you for     • Postpartum complications, including a severe kidney infection and a third-degree tear     • The physical and emotional toll of healing while still showing up for her babies     • Her second birth and how it differed     • Building a business and pursuing nursing in the middle of motherhood     • The quiet strength, resilience, and softness it takes to keep going This episode is for the moms who didn’t have it easy… who carried more than they should have had to… and who showed up anyway. Allie’s story is powerful, honest, and deeply human and a reminder that strength doesn’t always look loud… sometimes it looks like surviving, healing, and continuing forward.