I’ve been a mom for six years and a motherhood writer for four, and my greatest passion—aside from raising my two amazing daughters—is sharing everything I’ve learned with other moms in hopes of inspiring a more joyful motherhood experience. I’ve learned so much from other incredible moms, doctors, doulas, midwives, and experts who’ve shown me how fulfilling and supported this season of life can truly be, and truly believe that when a mother feels well—emotionally, mentally, and physically—it sets the tone for a more connected, secure, and even magical childhood. I’m currently pregnant with our third baby, and I feel incredibly grateful—not just for the privilege of getting to know and raise another child, but also for the opportunity to approach this pregnancy and postpartum season in a way that aligns with my values and the wisdom I’ve gained over the years. I promised myself that if I were ever pregnant again, I would prioritize my own well-being, because that’s what matters most. Now, I get that chance—and I’m running with it.
My hope is that with each intentional choice, I’ll feel more supported and empowered throughout this pregnancy—and that I’ll show my daughters that bringing new life into the world doesn’t have to be rooted in fear or struggle. With the right resources and support, pregnancy can be a transformative, grounded, and even healing experience.
Hiring a Doula and Midwife
As I prepare for this birth, I’ve been learning so much about the benefits of hiring a doula—and honestly, I’m blown away by what the research shows. Unlike OB-GYNs, who often spend just a few minutes with you during appointments and typically show up only when it’s time to catch the baby, doulas offer continuous, personalized support throughout pregnancy and labor. Studies show that having a doula can reduce the chances of a C-section by nearly half and lower the risk of preterm birth by almost 30%. They also increase the likelihood of breastfeeding and attending postpartum visits.
Midwives offer incredible benefits, too. Midwifery-led care has been linked to a 24% reduction in preterm births and a 19% decrease in fetal loss before 24 weeks gestation. Plus, births at midwife-led centers tend to have lower cesarean rates—around 7.6%, compared to nearly 20% in hospital-based care—along with fewer low birth weight babies and NICU admissions. Mothers cared for by midwives are also more likely to breastfeed at discharge.
When you look at countries like the UK and the Netherlands, where doulas and midwives are an integral part of maternity care, it’s no surprise their maternal outcomes are significantly better than here in the U.S. Beyond the statistics, doulas are known to shorten labor, reduce the need for pain medication, and greatly improve satisfaction with the birth experience. Perhaps most importantly, doulas have been shown to reduce racial disparities in maternal health and lower healthcare costs overall. All of this just makes so much sense to me—and I’m feeling really good about choosing this path for my birth.
My first two pregnancies felt like a series of medical emergencies, to put it mildly. So when I found out I was pregnant with our third and final baby, I knew I needed to do things differently. Meeting with my doula helped me feel in control instead of overwhelmed. She encouraged me to switch from my longtime OB-GYN—who often rushed appointments and was hard to reach—to a midwife who truly listens. My first visit with my midwife lasted over 30 minutes, a stark contrast to the typical 5–10 minutes I got with my OB-GYN, who was often unavailable unless I scheduled months ahead. Instead of feeling like a number in a spreadsheet, I finally felt heard and cared for.With the support of my doula and midwife, I’m also learning to truly trust my body. During my previous pregnancies, my instincts were often drowned out by fear—especially after going into preterm labor at 26 weeks. Every contraction sent me into a panic spiral, and I leaned too heavily on tests, cervical checks, and rushed opinions from overworked providers. But now, I know my body. I know that early contractions are normal for me, and that I’ve carried two babies to full-term despite those early signs. I’m asking more questions, doing my own research, and feeling more confident in my ability to advocate for myself. I’m not just preparing for this birth—I’m reclaiming it.
Using a Lactation Consultant
After my first daughter was born, I primarily turned to my family for lactation advice. They meant well, but no one had extensive breastfeeding experience—and their suggestions didn’t exactly align with my goals. They encouraged me to stop nursing by the time she had her first tooth, to supplement with formula, and to give up pumping when I went back to work. It was all well intended advice because it’s just what they knew, but none of those sentiments felt right to me. Despite the pressure, I continued to nurse my first baby until she was 18 months old, pumping three to four times a day, and exclusively breastfeeding. I’m so proud I stuck with it and followed my own instincts.
Still, breastfeeding wasn’t smooth sailing with my second baby—we actually had quite a painful start. Eventually, I remembered a random number I’d been given at the hospital, tucked inside a folder full of paperwork—for a lactation consultant. She told me to stop pumping and just nurse on demand. Those three little words, nurse on demand, were magic for me. Within a couple of days, my supply evened out, my baby was happy, and I was no longer in agony. I will never forget that moment—it’s when I realized how essential it is to get your breastfeeding advice from a true expert.
Now, I know just how powerful that kind of support really is. International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are the most trusted and qualified experts available. They’re trained to help with everything from latch issues and low milk supply to pumping logistics and nursing after a NICU stay. And research backs that up. Working with a lactation consultant can help moms breastfeed longer and more successfully—on average, extending the duration of any breastfeeding by more than three weeks and significantly increasing the chances of exclusively breastfeeding.
And it’s not just short-term help. Another study showed that for every additional IBCLC per 1,000 births, there was a 5% increase in exclusive breastfeeding at six months and a 4% increase in breastfeeding at one year. That’s huge when you think about how many women struggle to meet their breastfeeding goals—often not because they lack desire, but because they lack the right support and adequate maternity leave.
It makes me wonder why we don’t we consider lactation consultants as necessary as we do pediatricians. And I’m curious why more pediatricians aren’t trained in lactation. After all, breastfeeding is a major part of newborn care—it affects bonding, immunity, development, and even a mom’s mental health. And yet, so many new moms are sent home with little more than a pamphlet or a phone number they may never call. I learned the hard way that IBCLCs aren’t just helpful—they’re essential.
This time around, I have a team of amazing IBCLCs I trust, and I know exactly who to call if I run into issues. I’m also part of a wonderful online breastfeeding group, Done Naturally, that reminds me I’m not alone. In this group, I can ask any question and an experienced IBCLC answers. I still expect the occasional side-eye for exclusively breastfeeding or nursing beyond infancy—but honestly, I don’t care at all. Breastfeeding has been one of the most precious, empowering parts of motherhood for me—and I won’t let outdated opinions or bad advice dim that.
Now, I tell every new mom: if you’re planning to breastfeed, an IBCLC is worth every penny. And if you have a Little Honey Money baby registry, it’s the perfect place to allocate funds for that support. It’s one of the most meaningful gifts you can give yourself and your baby.
Registering with Little Honey Money
What I need most during this pregnancy is financial support to hire a doula and pay my high-risk medical bills. What I don’t need this pregnancy is more baby stuff.
This is my third pregnancy, and we already have all the tangible baby items we need. But I also know that when a new baby is on the way, family and friends naturally want to help—and without guidance, that support often shows up as adorable outfits, blankets, and stuffed animals. While those gifts are thoughtful, they aren’t what we truly need right now. That’s why I registered with Little Honey Money. It gives my loved ones a meaningful way to support my pregnancy and postpartum journey in the ways that matter most to our family.
I’m halfway through this pregnancy, and already, meeting with my doula and midwife has radically shifted my mindset and improved the care I’m receiving. You truly can’t put a dollar amount on the peace their support has brought me—and in turn, my whole family. Every mom deserves to feel nurtured during pregnancy and postpartum, and the right doula or midwife helps make that possible. For other families, that support might look like meal delivery, a housecleaning service, or a part-time nanny. Every family’s needs are different, and that’s the beauty of Little Honey Money—it gives you the flexibility to invest in the kind of support that leads to real, whole-family wellness.
Had Little Honey Money been an option during my first or second pregnancy, I absolutely would have chosen a cash fund registry then, too. Even as a first-time mom, I would have preferred the flexibility to invest in the few essentials I truly needed—alongside the kind of support that makes a lasting difference. It’s also worth noting that two of our biggest registry items were never even used—a crib and a Pack ‘n Play. What’s worse is we were gifted three of the latter. Our babies slept in a small bedside bassinet and spent most of their time in my baby carrier or playing on the floor with me. The crib and Pack ‘n Plays collected dust until we eventually donated them.
That experience was a lesson in how much stuff new moms are given that simply doesn’t get used. A cash fund registry offers something so much more valuable—the ability to purchase what’s needed, when it’s needed—whether that’s physical items, postpartum care, or support services that directly improve a family’s well-being.
It’s wild when you really think about it—after graduations and weddings, people show up with gifts, cash, and all kinds of support. But having a baby? That might be the biggest life change of all, and yet it often comes with the least financial help. Pregnancy and postpartum bring massive physical, emotional, and mental shifts. Your body changes, your identity evolves, and the demands on your time, energy, and finances multiply overnight. And still, culturally, we don’t treat this transition with the same level of care or celebration. It’s time we normalize giving generously to new families—whether through baby registries, meal trains, paid leave, or support services like doulas and postpartum care. Because bringing new life into the world isn’t just a beautiful moment—it’s a seismic shift. Families deserve to be truly supported through it.
Final Words of Wisdom
I’m genuinely excited—not just about experiencing a more empowered pregnancy—but about helping other moms do the same. Little Honey Money is part of a radical shift in maternal health and wellness, making it possible for families to invest in the support they actually need. I’m passionate about normalizing flexible, cash fund registries because this kind of care changes lives—starting with the mother’s and extending to her baby’s.
I feel incredibly honored to be working with a doula, a midwife, and an IBCLC—true heroes who are revolutionizing maternal care. When moms are supported—when they feel safe, heard, and nourished—everything changes. We’re not just talking about birth outcomes—we’re talking about brain development, bonding, and laying the foundation for a lifelong, thriving relationship between a mother and her child.
Even as a high-risk pregnancy patient, I feel more at peace this time. If I find myself in the hospital again, I’ll honor that voice inside me that grows stronger each time I trust it. I’ll ask questions. I’ll advocate for myself. I won’t let fear silence my intuition, my experience, or the wisdom I’ve gained over the years. I know there will still be challenges—but this time, I’m prepared in a way that reflects my deepest values: community care, informed choices, and self-trust.
This time, I believe in my body. I’m surrounding myself with the right support. And I’m creating a postpartum plan that nourishes not just my baby—but me, too. And that, to me, is what it truly means to get it right.
Emily Shepard is a mother of two with a third on the way, motherhood writer, and advocate for maternal health education.
