From Infertility to Full Circle Healing

In this Episode, Kelsey shares the decade long journey of infertility that made her hate Mothers Day, and the full circle healing that eventually led her to starting a podcast all about the joy of mothering.  Because she understands the struggle of infertility and postpartum depression, she is even more grateful for the privilege of motherhood, and wants to celebrate all the moms out there!  Subscribe now, share this show with a mom friend, and join the conversation! 

Connect with Kelsey:

@creating.intentional.mothers
[e-mail]

Episode Transcript

Kelsey (00:00):
Today's episode is all about why I'm here, why I
started this podcast, and why Idecided that today, Mother's
Day, was the day it needed tolaunch. Spoiler alert, it's
personal, it's heartfelt, andit's rooted in a decade long
journey that changed my lifeforever.

(00:25):
Welcome to motherhood, the bestjob in the world. I'm your host,
Kelsey Redd, a stay at home momjust like you, sharing practical
parenting tips so you can findultimate joy in mothering. I
have felt such an urgency to getthis podcast going.

(00:46):
Even amidst the sometimescrippling feelings of imposter
syndrome, I have been driven bythe determination to get this
out to you all today. Mother'sDay is a perfect day to honor
the sacred role of mothers andto celebrate all the women who

(01:07):
have shaped us and nurtured usthroughout our lives. I am so
passionate about the role ofmothers and it feels like I
needed to celebrate that todayand I wanted to launch this
podcast with all the energy ofthis celebration and honoring
and the sacred space formothers. These are the exact

(01:29):
themes that I hope to weave intoevery episode of Motherhood, the
best job in the world. Butthere's another reason and it's
a little more personal.
I feel like this podcast launchtoday has brought me full circle
in my journey of struggle andhealing. Mother's Day hasn't

(01:53):
always been easy for me. Infact, there's been many years
that I didn't want to evenacknowledge Mother's Day. For
years and years and years, itwas a day that brought a mix of
hope and heartbreak, but mostlyheartbreak and pain. Because for
over a decade, I walked thepainful road of infertility.

(02:17):
And that's why my passion andappreciation for motherhood is
as strong as it is. And that'sreally what began this whole
journey to this podcast. Let metake you back. For over ten

(02:39):
years, my husband and I dreamedof starting a family. We prayed,
we planned, we went throughcountless doctor's appointments,
treatments, moments of holdingour breath hoping this would be
the month.
There were tears, and questions,and grief and pain. Times that I

(03:03):
wondered if I would ever get tohold my own child. Infertility
is a journey that really testsyour heart, your faith, and your
strength in ways I can't evendescribe. And because I've been
through it, I have a very acutesensitivity to anyone whose path

(03:24):
to motherhood looks differentthan they imagined it would.
Because of the experiences I'vegone through, I learned some
profound lessons.
I learned that motherhood isn'tjust about giving birth, it's
about love, sacrifice, and thefierce determination to create a
family no matter how that familycomes to be. My years of

(03:49):
infertility shaped me. I spentmy career trying to make meaning
out of this suffering by openinga private practice that focused
on infertility counseling, andcounseling women with perinatal
mood disorders. And when Ifinally was able to start my own
family, through the help ofmedical technology, I eventually

(04:14):
had twins born through IVF. Andbecause of the challenges
leading up to it, I cherishevery moment of motherhood in a
way I don't think I would haveotherwise.
When I finally did hold mychildren in my arms, after all
the waiting and all theheartache, it was like the world

(04:36):
shifted. I knew from the time Iwas born that motherhood was all
I wanted to do. And after iteluded me for so many years, and
then I was finally granted theprivilege, I decided then and
there that motherhood was thegreatest gift, the hardest job,

(04:58):
but the most beautiful callingthat I would ever have. And I
knew I wanted to share thatpassion with others. So that's
why I'm here.
That's why I'm on this podcast.And that's why I'm so passionate
about sharing this with you.Motherhood, the best job in the
world isn't just a catchy title.It's my truth. I believe

(05:24):
motherhood is a sacred role.
Whether you're a biological mom,an adoptive mom, a foster mom, a
stepmom, or a woman who nurturesothers with a mother's heart. I
want this to be a space where wecan celebrate every story, the
triumphs and even the messymoments.

(05:44):
I experienced postpartumdepression after my twins were
born despite everything that I'mtelling you about how grateful I
was and how much I appreciatedthe opportunity. I still felt
the hormonal and biologicalreaction to such a huge shift in
my reality when it came toparenting these two babies. So I

(06:10):
understand both sides of it.
I know that we can love and begrateful and cherish the
opportunity to be a mother, andwe can also feel like we're
drowning and suffering and feeldepressed and anxious about this
mothering journey. But I wantthis to be a place of hope. So

(06:31):
if you're listening and you'rein the thick of infertility,
loss, or waiting for your ownmiracle, I see you. And I've
been there. And I want you toknow that your journey matters.
And your love is already makingyou a mother in so many ways. So

(06:52):
what can you expect frommotherhood, the best job in the
world? Each episode will explorethe highs and lows of
motherhood, everything fromparenting tips, to self care for
moms, to stories that make uslaugh and cry as you can tell
we're already crying. I promiseto keep it real because

(07:13):
motherhood is too wild foranything less than that. And I
want to hear from you.
My dream is for this podcast tobe a community where your
stories are heard. I would lovefor you to reach out to me. So
as we wrap up this firstepisode, I want to leave you

(07:33):
with a little challenge. ThisMother's Day, take a moment to
honor a mother in your life.Whether it's your own mother, or
a mom friend, send us text, givea hug, or say a thank you.
Let's spread the love that makesmotherhood so special. But take

(07:56):
a moment as well to honor thecute little humans in your life
that give you the title ofmother. What a blessing it is to
be involved in their lives. Whata beautiful thing it is to be
raising the future generation.What a sacred responsibility we

(08:21):
have in regards to these littlepeople that we get to influence.
If you're already loving thispodcast, please subscribe, leave
a review and share it with afriend. You can find me on
Instagram or wherever you listento your podcast. I would love to

(08:42):
hear from you to hear yourstories, to hear what you need,
to hear what's going well inyour life. That's it for episode
number one of motherhood, thebest job in the world. Thank you
for joining me on this Mother'sDay launch.
I'm Kelsey Redd, and I'm sograteful to be on this journey

(09:02):
with you. So until next time,remember, you're doing the best
job in the world. If thisepisode has added any value to
your life, please reach out tome. I would love to connect with
you. Find me on social media orclick on the podcast website.

(09:24):
I'll see you next time onMotherhood, the best job in the
world.