Mindful Mom-To-Be: An Audio Baby Prep Guide For Expectant Parents

PostpartumMental Health
Written By Kayce Hodos

Proactive Pregnancy = Peaceful Postpartum

Editor’s note: This companion piece to the Mindful Mom-To-Be audio series was originally published in 2023, but it’s gotten a 2026 update to reflect new resources and links.

Welcome to the companion piece to the “Mindful Mom-To-Be” audio series! If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can do that here.

Once you have it in your podcast player, make sure you click “all” to see the entire series and not just the most recent episode.

You’ll find all resources discussed on the podcast listed below by episode. If you don’t see something you’re looking for, shoot me an email and let me know, or message me on Instagram.

Nutrition and Perinatal Mental Health

We're all aware of how our appetite can affect our mood. (Hangry, anyone? )

Nutrition during pregnancy and postpartum is Katie Gantt's passion, and she's clarifying the confusing terminology (dietician vs. nutritionist), how she serves expectant mothers, the many ways food can impact perinatal mental health, and tips for prioritizing your nutrition needs in the fourth trimester.

Connect with Katie:

Why Hiring a Doula Is A Wise Choice For Birth and Postpartum

Considering a doula? This conversation with Aida Algarin of Central Carolinas Doulas of Fayetteville, NC, should help with your decision.

Aida tells us how having a doula's support can play a key role in your perinatal mental health. We discuss doula history, what to look for when hiring a doula, the many kinds of support doulas provide for expectant families, and so much more.

Connect with Aida:

Sleep and Your Postpartum Mental Health

Ah, sleep! Yes, your relationship with sleep changes forever when you become a parent, BUT there are some things you can do during postpartum to grab those zzzs and give your baby (and you!) the gift of a healthy sleep routine.

Jen Varela knows her stuff, and her passion for supporting new parents is obvious if you've ever heard her speak on this topic.

In this episode, we discuss tips and expectations, why newborns have the weirdest sleep habits ever, and the link between sleep and your mental health. You and your partner will both need to listen to this and save it for later (typically, when baby is around 4-5 months, at the earliest)! Timing matters when it comes to postpartum sleep expectations.

Connect with Jen:

Common Breastfeeding Problems and Solutions

If you're planning to breastfeed, you’ll want to connect with Lorraine during pregnancy to set yourself up with all the resources and guidance you’ll need when that fourth trimester rolls around! She's kind and warm, and she knows her stuff.

She takes an evidence-based approach to helping new moms tackle their breastfeeding worries, and she has extra training in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), so she has all the bases covered when it comes to educating women on the impact that lactation can have on their postpartum mental health.

Lorraine drops facts and dispels harmful myths about breastfeeding, and we are here for it!

Connect with Lorraine:

Is Your Pet Ready For Baby?

I'm so excited to spread the word about Jen Shryock and her amazing organization, Family Paws.

Jen and her team have been helping families transition from pet parents to parents with pets since 2002. You can hear how passionate she is about her mission to prevent unnecessary stress for everyone in the household with simple and smart strategies.

Educating yourself about how to safely bring baby home to meet your dog should be on your postpartum prep list, and Jen makes it so simple with her team of trained Dog Aware educators.

Connect with Jen:

Yes, Dads Can Experience Postpartum Depression and Anxiety, Too

We couldn't have a postpartum mental health prep podcast without an episode all about dads and partners!

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) affect fathers, too, at a surprising rate. We tend to have some harmful cultural stereotypes when it comes to a partner's role in becoming a parent, and Dr. Dan Singley is here to enlighten us.

We bust myths, we talk relationship maintenance strategies for parental mental health, and much more.

Connect with Dan:

Postpartum Boundaries, Fourth Trimester Expectations, and Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder Prevention

This episode is a solo experience with yours truly.

I'm sharing a little about my own story and discussing the benefits of planning how to set boundaries and expectations with family, friends, your partner, and yourself during pregnancy in order to set yourself up for a peaceful postpartum.

There’s also some real talk about the lowering your risk of PMADs and easing your transition to parenthood that no one else has probably told you.

Connect with me:

Kayce Hodos

 

Kayce Hodos, LCMHC, NCC, PMH-C, is a Perinatal Mental Health Specialist with over 20 years of experience. As a licensed therapist and a mom, she understands motherhood both professionally and personally. She loves helping highly sensitive women navigate the overstimulating chaos of modern family life with confidence and calm.

Kayce provides virtual counseling in NC, SC, and MI, walk and talk therapy in Wake Forest, NC, and coaching worldwide.

http://www.kaycehodos.com
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