When Motherhood Isn’t What You Imagined: Expectations, Overwhelm & Becoming Present

PCOS, Hysterectomy & Hope: A Raw Conversation Every Woman Needs to Hear

In this powerful episode of If I Knew Then: Mom Edition, Maria and Alecia dive into the raw realities of motherhood—unexpected pregnancies, infertility struggles, PCOS, hysterectomy recovery, emotional healing, and the self-advocacy women desperately need in the medical system. Alecia opens up about her journey from multiple false pregnancies to rebuilding confidence and becoming a life coach who now helps women reclaim their voice, self-worth, and inner strength. This episode is honest, emotional, and empowering—reminding every mother that her story matters. 👩‍💻 About the Guest: Alecia Henderson is a women’s life coach helping mothers rebuild confidence, heal emotionally, and step into their power. After navigating infertility, PCOS, unexpected pregnancies, and a hysterectomy, she now empowers women through mindset work, emotional support, and self-advocacy. 📧 Free eBook: Email thealeciaeffect@gmail.com IG: @aleciahenderson6 FB: Alecia Henderson TikTok: @aleciahenderson @thealeciaeffect 👩‍💻 About the Host: Hosted by Maria Moreno, certified pediatric sleep consultant, coach, educator, and founder of Mindful Mother. I help moms reclaim rest, confidence, and calm, without guilt. From sleep plans and eBooks to coaching and community, my mission is to support the entire journey of motherhood, from newborns to the preschool years and beyond. 🌐 Work with me + Resources: ➤ Sleep training & parenting support [https://calendly.com/mindfulmother/chatwithmaria] 📲 Stay Connected: Instagram: @mindfulmother_sleep Instagram: @tumago Instagram: @ifiknewthenpodcast Facebook: Mindful Mother TikTok: @mindfulmother_sleep YouTube: If I Knew Then Podcast 🛒 Products & Partnerships: Sensory Blankets: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tumago [https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tumago] Pacifier: Soothebeginningshttps://soothebeginnings.com/products/soothe-beginnings-pacifier-starter-kit?sca_ref=8172596.eF2ZuRFJfE&sca_source=M.M.SOOTHE [https://soothebeginnings.com/products/soothe-beginnings-pacifier-starter-kit?sca_ref=8172596.eF2ZuRFJfE&sca_source=M.M.SOOTHE]Savings & Investing: Sofihttps://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=58790401-992a-4904-b797-84a2c3fc1835&isAliasGcp=false [https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=58790401-992a-4904-b797-84a2c3fc1835&isAliasGcp=false]Budgeting: Monarchhttps://www.monarchmoney.com/referral/3rgiubpwo8?r_source=share [https://www.monarchmoney.com/referral/3rgiubpwo8?r_source=share]🎧 Listen on All Podcast Platforms: Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music iHeartRadio Goodpods Thank you for tuning in! If this episode gave you a fresh perspective, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with a parent who needs to hear this. ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and insights for educational and supportive purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, therapy, or counseling. Always consult with your pediatrician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your child’s needs.

The Mother You Needed — Becoming Her for Your Children

In this episode of the If I Knew Then, Mom Edition podcast, host Maria Moreno and guest Lara Bokovay delve into the complexities of motherhood, exploring themes such as childhood memories, the impact of parenting on children, and the importance of conscious parenting. They discuss the challenges of maternal instincts, the journey of self-awareness in parenting, and the significance of accountability in shaping a child's environment. The conversation emphasizes the need for parents to understand their own behaviors and reactions, and how these influence their children's development. Through personal anecdotes and insights, they provide valuable tips for navigating the ups and downs of parenting, ultimately encouraging a mindful and present approach to raising children.🎙 ABOUT THE GUEST - Lara Bokovay Lara Bokovay is a woman, a mother, and an intuitive coach and nervous system guide whose journey through burnout, betrayal, and solo motherhood powers her work. She supports moms in healing ancestral and childhood wounds, setting loving yet firm boundaries, and rebuilding their lives with presence, softness, and deep inner trust. IG- @larabokovay 🎙 ABOUT THE HOST — Maria Moreno Certified pediatric sleep consultant, motherhood coach, educator & founder of Mindful Mother — helping moms reclaim rest, confidence, and calm without guilt. Work With Me + Resources: https://calendly.com/mindfulmother/freeconsultation [https://calendly.com/mindfulmother/freeconsultation] https://www.mindfulmother.biz/ [https://www.mindfulmother.biz/] Sleep plans • eBooks • Coaching IG: @mindfulmother_sleep · @tumago · @ifiknewthenpodcast Facebook: Mindful Mother · TikTok: @mindfulmother_sleep YouTube: If I Knew Then Podcast Products & Partnerships: Blankets — Tumago ▶ https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tumago [https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tumago] Pacifier — Soothe Beginnings ▶ https://soothebeginnings.com/products/soothe-beginnings-pacifier-starter-kit?sca_ref=8172596.eF2ZuRFJfE&sca_source=M.M.SOOTHE [https://soothebeginnings.com/products/soothe-beginnings-pacifier-starter-kit?sca_ref=8172596.eF2ZuRFJfE&sca_source=M.M.SOOTHE] Savings — Sofi ▶ https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=58790401-992a-4904-b797-84a2c3fc1835&isAliasGcp=false [https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=58790401-992a-4904-b797-84a2c3fc1835&isAliasGcp=false] Budgeting — Monarch ▶ https://www.monarchmoney.com/referral/3rgiubpwo8?r_source=share [https://www.monarchmoney.com/referral/3rgiubpwo8?r_source=share] 🎧 Available on: Spotify · Apple Podcasts · Amazon Music · iHeartRadio · Goodpods If this episode gave you a new perspective, don’t forget to like, subscribe & share it with a mom who needs to hear this. ⚠ Disclaimer: This conversation is for support and education only, not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional for personal guidance.

Navigating Fatherhood: Building BirthBridge for New Parents

In this Dad’s Edition Special of the If I Knew Then, Mom Edition podcast, host Maria Moreno sits down with Nathaniel Gallant, founder of BirthBridge, to explore the beautiful and complex journey of fatherhood. Nathaniel shares his personal experiences as a dad, his inspiration for creating BirthBridge, and his mission to build a community-driven platform where new parents can easily access the support they need. The conversation dives into the importance of being a present father, navigating the birth and postpartum experience, and how community resources can transform early parenthood. Together, Maria and Nathaniel discuss the value of honest reviews, accessible education, and compassionate care for families, reminding us that parenthood is not meant to be done alone. 🎧 GUEST — Nathaniel Gallant Nathaniel Gallant is a devoted father and the founder of BirthBridge, a platform created to connect new parents with essential resources, support, and guidance throughout their parenting journey. With a passion for family values and community connection, Nathaniel works to bridge the gap between families and trusted birth professionals, including midwives, doulas, and postpartum specialists, helping parents feel supported every step of the way.IG: @mybirthbridge📧 hello@mybirthbridge.com https://mybirthbridge.com/ [https://mybirthbridge.com/] 🎙 ABOUT THE HOST — Maria Moreno Certified pediatric sleep consultant, motherhood coach, educator & founder of Mindful Mother — helping moms reclaim rest, confidence, and calm without guilt. Work With Me + Resources: https://calendly.com/mindfulmother/freeconsultation [https://calendly.com/mindfulmother/freeconsultation] https://www.mindfulmother.biz/ [https://www.mindfulmother.biz/] Sleep plans • eBooks • Coaching IG: @mindfulmother_sleep · @tumago · @ifiknewthenpodcast Facebook: Mindful Mother · TikTok: @mindfulmother_sleep YouTube: If I Knew Then Podcast Products & Partnerships: Blankets — Tumago ▶ https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tumago [https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tumago] Pacifier — Soothe Beginnings ▶ https://soothebeginnings.com/products/soothe-beginnings-pacifier-starter-kit?sca_ref=8172596.eF2ZuRFJfE&sca_source=M.M.SOOTHE [https://soothebeginnings.com/products/soothe-beginnings-pacifier-starter-kit?sca_ref=8172596.eF2ZuRFJfE&sca_source=M.M.SOOTHE] Savings — Sofi ▶ https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=58790401-992a-4904-b797-84a2c3fc1835&isAliasGcp=false [https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=58790401-992a-4904-b797-84a2c3fc1835&isAliasGcp=false] Budgeting — Monarch ▶ https://www.monarchmoney.com/referral/3rgiubpwo8?r_source=share [https://www.monarchmoney.com/referral/3rgiubpwo8?r_source=share] 🎧 Available on: Spotify · Apple Podcasts · Amazon Music · iHeartRadio · Goodpods If this episode gave you a new perspective, don’t forget to like, subscribe & share it with a parent who needs to hear this. ⚠ Disclaimer: This conversation is for support and education only, not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional for personal guidance.

Balancing Business and Babies: A Mom's Journey

In this episode of If I Knew Then: Mom Edition, host Maria Moreno sits down with Becky Clark, a Nervous System & Somatic Regulation Coach, to explore the link between emotional overwhelm, stress, and the body’s natural need for safety and regulation. Together, they unpack the hidden effects of motherhood on the nervous system — from constant overstimulation and burnout to the guilt that comes with slowing down. Becky shares practical tools to help moms move from survival mode to embodied calm through somatic awareness, grounding techniques, and nervous-system-based self-care. This heart-to-heart conversation is a reminder that you don’t need to “fix” yourself to feel better — you just need to come home to your body. ✨ If you’ve ever felt anxious, disconnected, or like your emotions are “too much,” this episode will change the way you relate to your body and your motherhood journey. ABOUT THE GUEST — Becky Clark Nervous System & Somatics Regulation Coach Becky helps women reconnect with their bodies through nervous system regulation, somatic awareness, and emotional safety work. Her programs empower clients to move from stress and survival into calm, confidence, and embodied living. 📩 Connect with Becky: Instagram: @beckyclarksomatics [https://www.instagram.com/beckyclarksomatics/profilecard/?igsh=NTczMjdxZTcwbTd3] Website: beckyclarkcoaching.com [https://www.beckyclarkcoaching.com/somaticpartylive?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAade1JrJXXylpUuS88IbByF_mF3bjq5m7j38SYl9HlxdNOn-0UtxkSOJrVrFOw_aem_hUtJ9I92MklgL58qd1TZrQ] Email: admin@beckyclarkcoaching.com 🎙 ABOUT THE HOST — Maria Moreno Certified pediatric sleep consultant, motherhood coach, educator & founder of Mindful Mother — helping moms reclaim rest, confidence, and calm without guilt. Work With Me + Resources: https://calendly.com/mindfulmother/chatwithmaria [https://calendly.com/mindfulmother/freeconsultation] https://www.mindfulmother.biz/ [https://www.mindfulmother.biz/] Sleep Plans • eBooks • Coaching IG: @mindfulmother_sleep · @tumago · @ifiknewthenpodcast Facebook: Mindful Mother • TikTok: @mindfulmother_sleep YouTube: If I Knew Then Podcast Products & Partnerships: Blankets — Tumago ▶ https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tumago [https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tumago] Pacifier — Soothe Beginnings ▶ https://soothebeginnings.com/products/soothe-beginnings-pacifier-starter-kit?sca_ref=8172596.eF2ZuRFJfE&sca_source=M.M.SOOTHE [https://soothebeginnings.com/products/soothe-beginnings-pacifier-starter-kit?sca_ref=8172596.eF2ZuRFJfE&sca_source=M.M.SOOTHE] Savings — Sofi ▶ https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=58790401-992a-4904-b797-84a2c3fc1835&isAliasGcp=false [https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=58790401-992a-4904-b797-84a2c3fc1835&isAliasGcp=false] Budgeting — Monarch ▶ https://www.monarchmoney.com/referral/3rgiubpwo8?r_source=share [https://www.monarchmoney.com/referral/3rgiubpwo8?r_source=share] 🎧 Available on: Spotify · Apple Podcasts · Amazon Music · iHeartRadio · Goodpods If this episode gave you a new perspective, don’t forget to like, subscribe & share it with a mom who needs to hear this. ⚠️ Disclaimer: This conversation is for support and education only, not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional for personal guidance.

When Motherhood Isn’t What You Imagined: Expectations, Overwhelm & Becoming Present

In this episode of If I Knew Then: Mom Edition, host Maria Moreno sits down with Dr. Sandra Fernandes, a mother, wife, physician, and certified life coach, to unpack the realities of modern motherhood: the pressure to “do it right,” emotional overload, breastfeeding expectations, and the deep need for self-care and mental rest. Together, they share personal stories, professional insights, and practical takeaways on: Relearning emotional regulation in motherhood Why stress and overwhelm have become “normalized” How expectations shape our guilt and identity as moms Being present without burning yourself out Protecting maternal mental health while raising humans This conversation is a reminder that every child — and every mother — is different… and you are not failing just because it feels hard. ⏱ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Motherhood Stories 04:12 The Journey to Motherhood 12:07 Relearning Coping Mechanisms 20:53 Embracing the Unexpected in Parenting 23:38 Navigating Breastfeeding Expectations 27:22 The Pressure of Motherhood 31:30 Mental Health and Maternal Well-being 35:23 Finding Balance in Parenting 38:00 The Importance of Presence 47:57 Redefining Normal in Motherhood 👩‍💻 ABOUT THE GUEST — Dr. Sandra Fernandes Dr. Sandra is a mother, wife, certified life coach, and family medicine physician. After witnessing how often women’s overwhelm and stress are dismissed as "normal," she launched a coaching practice helping women break free from chronic overwhelm and reclaim what she calls “time wealth,” the ability to spend their time and energy on what matters most. Email: sfernandes.coaching@gmail.com IG/Threads/TikTok: @SandraFernandesMD Website: http://www.sandrafernandes.com/ "Nervous System Reset" Freebie: https://www.sandrafernandes.com/35nervoussystemresets [https://www.sandrafernandes.com/35nervoussystemresets] 🎙 ABOUT THE HOST — Maria Moreno Certified pediatric sleep consultant, motherhood coach, educator & founder of Mindful Mother — helping moms reclaim rest, confidence, and calm without guilt. Work With Me + Resources: https://calendly.com/mindfulmother/freeconsultation [https://calendly.com/mindfulmother/freeconsultation] https://www.mindfulmother.biz/ [https://www.mindfulmother.biz/]Sleep plans • eBooks • Coaching IG: @mindfulmother_sleep · @tumago · @ifiknewthenpodcast Facebook: Mindful Mother • TikTok: @mindfulmother_sleep YouTube: If I Knew Then Podcast Products & Partnerships: Blankets — Tumago ▶ https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tumago [https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tumago] Pacifier — Soothe Beginnings: https://soothebeginnings.com/products/soothe-beginnings-pacifier-starter-kit?sca_ref=8172596.eF2ZuRFJfE&sca_source=M.M.SOOTHE [https://soothebeginnings.com/products/soothe-beginnings-pacifier-starter-kit?sca_ref=8172596.eF2ZuRFJfE&sca_source=M.M.SOOTHE] Savings — Sofi: https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=58790401-992a-4904-b797-84a2c3fc1835&isAliasGcp=false [https://www.sofi.com/invite/money?gcp=58790401-992a-4904-b797-84a2c3fc1835&isAliasGcp=false] Budgeting- Monarch: https://www.monarchmoney.com/referral/3rgiubpwo8?r_source=share [ https://www.monarchmoney.com/referral/3rgiubpwo8?r_source=share] 🎧 Available on: Spotify · Apple Podcasts · Amazon Music · iHeartRadio · Goodpods If this episode gave you a new perspective, don’t forget to like, subscribe & share it with a mom who needs to hear this. ⚠ Disclaimer: This conversation is for support and education only, not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional for personal guidance.