5 Things Missing From Most Birth Plans (and How to Fix Them)

Stop Putting Yourself Last This Holiday Season

This week, we’re talking about something that every mom needs to hear — especially during the holidays: stop putting yourself last. Between the travel, the traditions, and the endless to-do lists, it’s easy to lose yourself in making everything perfect for everyone else. But what if this year looked different? What if you started your day doing something for you first — before answering to everyone else’s needs? In this episode, Jordyn shares a heartfelt reminder that self-care isn’t selfish (I know you’ve heard it before, but this time it’s really important you listen) — it’s necessary. You’ll walk away with simple, practical ways to prioritize yourself during the busiest season of the year, so you can show up as the calm, grounded version of you that your family actually needs. Because the holidays don’t need more perfection — they need a mom who remembers herself, too.   Currently pregnant and want a birth plan that goes beyond just a piece of paper? Head over to https://instinctualmotherhood.com/BeyondTheBirthPlan [https://instinctualmotherhood.com/BeyondTheBirthPlan] to download your Birthplan Blueprint today! Your birth deserves your voice mama!

Do I Really Need a Doula? Birth Support, Informed Consent & Advocacy with HeHe Stewart

Assumptive language robs women of autonomy. True informed consent gives it back. This conversation with HeHe Stewart, doula and childbirth educator, dives into how to recognize coercion in both prenatal appointments and the birth room, why doulas are critical for first-time moms (and their partners), and the exact scripts you can use to pause, decline, or request. If you’ve ever wondered whether you “need” a doula, this episode will show you why support, advocacy, and choice aren’t luxuries—they’re essential. In this episode, you’ll learn: * How to spot assumptive language and shift the conversation * Why true informed consent is more than just saying “yes” * The real role of a doula (and why your partner benefits, too) * Key questions to ask OBs, midwives, and doulas before birth * Simple scripts to pause, decline, or request care without confrontation Resources & Links * Find a doula near you: DoulaMatch [https://doulamatch.net/] * Follow HeHe on Instagram: @tranquilitybyhehe [https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/] * HeHe’s website: TranquilityByHehe [https://www.tranquilitybyhehe.com/] * Free resource—Instinctual Birth Plan Blueprint [https://instinctual-motherhood.kit.com/instinctual-birth-plan-blueprint]

From Toddlers to Teens: My Current Season of Motherhood

Motherhood isn’t color-coded planners and spotless houses. It’s meltdowns over the wrong snack, potty training struggles, and teenagers rolling their eyes like you’re the least cool person alive. And yet, it’s also bedtime milestones that leave you both proud and teary, little voices learning new words, and kids who are slowly becoming best friends. In this episode, I’m taking you behind the mic and sharing what life really looks like for me right now. From raising two toddlers while also navigating the teenage years, to considering another baby, to shifts I’m making in my own life and this business. I want this to feel like we’re sitting down for a coffee date and catching up on real life, not just the highlight reel. You’ll hear: - The messy and magical parts of our current season (potty training, speech progress, and teenagers testing limits) - The shifts I’m making personally—from not drinking, to leaning deeper into motherhood, to refining where I want this business to grow - What’s happening behind the scenes at Instinctual Motherhood, including the free Birth Plan Blueprint and a new mini-workshop on advocacy I’m building for you - The reminders I’m holding onto about motherhood, kids, and finding joy in the everyday This isn’t a five-step strategy episode - it’s a real, unfiltered life update. My hope is that it encourages you to embrace your own messy, beautiful season of motherhood and know that you’re not alone in figuring it all out. And if you’re expecting or know someone who is, don’t forget to grab my free Instinctual Birth Plan Blueprint—a guide to help you move beyond just checking boxes and create a plan that reflects your instincts, your values, and your voice. Download it now at instinctualmotherhood.com/birthplan [http://instinctualmotherhood.com/birthplan?utm_source=chatgpt.com].

If You’ve Perfected Your Baby Registry, It’s Time to Plan Your Birth

You’ve probably spent hours researching strollers, car seats, and swaddles for your registry… but what about your birth plan? In this episode of Instinctual Motherhood, I’m sharing what I wish I had known before writing my first birth plan. From the mistake of “just going with the flow,” to why every mom needs a backup plan, how to define your non-negotiables, and the role your partner and doula can play in advocating for you—you’ll learn what a birth plan is really about, and why the paper itself isn’t the power…the process is. No matter where you plan to give birth—hospital, birth center, or home—this conversation will help you create a birth plan rooted in your instincts and feel confident making decisions when it matters most. ✨ Grab your free Instinctual Birth Plan Blueprint at instinctualmotherhood.com/birthplan [https://instinctualmotherhood.com/birthplan?utm_source=chatgpt.com] and start building a plan that truly reflects you—not just a checklist. Want to go deeper into the spectrum of birth? Don’t miss Episode 023. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/instinctual-motherhood-podcast/id1796820980?i=1000723427919] And if you’re looking for clean, non-toxic supplements to support every season of motherhood, I love Just Ingredients [https://just.crrnt.app/1MDj78wd]—from vitamins to electrolytes and protein powders, they have everything you need to stay nourished. Use code Jordyn.Riegel [https://just.crrnt.app/1MDj78wd] at checkout for 10% off.

5 Things Missing From Most Birth Plans (and How to Fix Them)

Most moms spend hours on their baby registry but only minutes on their birth plan—and it shows. The truth? Most birth plans are just checklists that leave out the pieces that matter most. In this episode of Instinctual Motherhood, I’m breaking down the 5 things missing from most birth plans—and how to add them in so you can walk into birth feeling prepared, supported, and empowered. From instincts and emotional safety to advocacy, flexibility, and postpartum planning, this episode will give you the tools to create a birth plan that actually works for you (not just your provider). Want step-by-step support creating yours? Download my FREE Instinctual Birth Plan Blueprint at InstinctualMotherhood.com/birthplan [https://instinctual-motherhood.kit.com/instinctual-birth-plan-blueprint]. Get 10% off Just Ingredients [https://just.crrnt.app/1MDj78wd] supplements when you use code Jordyn.Riegel at checkout