Motherhood Intended

In this episode, Jacqueline sits down with Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie, a neonatologist and AAP spokesperson, to explore what truly builds a strong foundation between parents and their newborns. From NICU realities to bonding after surrogacy, this episode is a science-meets-heart deep dive into connection, communication, and ditching the pressure to “do it all.”

What you’ll learn:

• Why bonding isn’t about perfection—it’s about ...

In today's episode, Jacqueline sits down with Betsy Goldbeck, a mom of four, to share the emotional and complex journey of her son Aiden, born with a serious heart defect. From an unexpected diagnosis mid-pregnancy to a traumatic birth and multiple hospital stays, Betsy opens up about life as a special needs mom, the toll it’s taken on her family, and the resilience that continues to carry them forward. This is a story of stre...

In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline chats with Evonne Roman who is a single mom, entrepreneur, and the founder of Sweet Gear about the transformative journey from corporate life to creative independence. Evonne shares the deeply personal story behind her business launch, the realities of solo parenting, and how reclaiming her identity fueled her professional and personal reinvention. Whether you’re dreaming of a new ...

In today's episode, Jacqueline has a conversation with Sarah Trott—tech executive, mom of three, and creator of the Fourth Trimester Podcast—to explore the crucial yet often overlooked postpartum period. They dive deep into how technology can compliment, not replace, the support new parents need, and Sarah shares the inspiration and utility behind her latest project, Hello Gaia, an AI-powered, trustworthy parenting resource to...

In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline celebrates a significant milestone: the first birthday of her daughter Lorelei, who was born via surrogacy. Joined by her husband Josh, the two reflect on their journey from deciding to pursue surrogacy to reaching this joyous milestone. They discuss the emotional highs and lows, the logistics and financial challenges, and the overwhelming joy of bringing Lorelei into their family....

In this episode, Jacqueline delves into the challenges and strategies of managing screen time for children. She shares her personal experiences navigating screen usage for her three kids, especially during the pandemic. Jacqueline discusses the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and her practical approach, such as using a screen time token system and visual timers. She highlights the importance of high-quality conte...

Starting Solids: Evidence-Based Baby-Led Feeding with Cindy the Baby Dietician

In this episode, Jacqueline chats with Cindy, an experienced dietician and lactation consultant, about safe and effective methods for introducing solid foods to babies. Cindy discusses the general recommendations for starting solids at around six months, the signs of readiness, and debunks common myths about baby-led feeding. She shares practical tips on ...

In this episode, Jacqueline welcomes on Melissa Tuleja, a working mom and advocate for an alcohol-free lifestyle. They discuss the concept of being 'sober curious,' especially within the context of motherhood and dealing with postpartum anxiety. Melissa shares her journey of quitting alcohol, the positive changes she experienced, and how the pandemic influenced her drinking habits. They also talk about the benefits of non...

In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline welcomes on Angela Howard, a certified hypnotherapist and creator of the Motherwell app. Angela shares her journey into hypnotherapy, emphasizing its potential to help mothers overcome burnout, anxiety, and stress. She explains the science behind hypnotherapy and how it differs from common misconceptions. Angela introduces the Motherwell app, designed to provide accessible self-car...

In this episode, Jacqueline is joined by Amy Wiebe, a mother and the creator of 'Olea the Magical Sleep Fairy.' Amy details her innovative approach to solving children's bedtime issues, combining story magic with the science of human design. She shares the origins of Olea, how it transformed bedtime routines for her kids, and the broader positive impacts on both children and parents. Amy also explains how to begin in...

In this episode of The Village Chat, Jacqueline and her sister, Megan, delve into the topic of age gaps between siblings. They share their personal experiences and discuss the pros and cons of having children several years apart. Megan, who has an almost five-year-old son, talks about her thoughts and feelings on potentially expanding her family and the challenges that come with it. The sisters also compare their own experiences gr...

In this episode, Jacqueline welcomes back Angela LeBlanc, a pelvic floor physical therapist, who returns to share insights on the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional health, focusing particularly on Mercier Therapy. Angela discusses her own fertility journey, involving issues like ovulation problems, low progesterone, and dealing with ineffective treatments. She shares how Mercier Therapy became a pivotal part of ...

Parenting Hacks to Simplify and De-Stress Your Life

In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline welcomes her sister Megan to The Village Chat as they discuss practical strategies to simplify parenting and household management. They touch on meal themes like 'Taco Tuesday' to reduce meal planning stress, incorporating kids in routine activities to teach responsibility, and decluttering techniques to create a more pea...

Pelvic Floor Health: An In-Depth Talk with Dr. Angela LeBlanc, DPT, PT

In this episode, Jacqueline welcomes her cousin Angela, a pelvic floor physical therapist, to discuss the crucial topic of pelvic floor health. Angela explains how the pelvic floor functions, debunks common myths, and highlights the importance of individualized care. They also delve into various conditions that pelvic floor therapy can help with, such as constipa...

In this episode, Jacqueline reflects on the last nine months following the birth of their daughter, Lorelei, through a gestational carrier. She answers common questions about the process, explains different types of surrogacy (gestational vs. traditional, compensated vs. altruistic), and details the importance of professional guidance. The discussion also covers the legal aspects, the selection requirements for surrogates, and the ...

NEW YEAR, NEW EPISODES!
A new segment of Motherhood Intended has been added! It's called 'The Village Chat' and it's a shorter weekly episode where Jacqueline welcomes someone from her village (family, friends, local moms, etc.) onto the show to have a little chit-chat! Different topics are touched on each week, but the hope is to balance out the sometimes heaviness of the of the show with some lighter topic...

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Happy Season 5! Happy 2 Year Podcast Anniversary! Happy Birthday to your host, Jacqueline Baird! The podcast is back after a brief end-of-year hiatus and there is a lot to celebrate...

To kick off a new season of the Motherhood Intended Podcast, Jacqueline welcomes onto the show Wendy Gossett, a parenting and relationship coach, author, and host of the Not So Normal Parenting Podcast. Wendy discusses the si...

In this bonus episode, Jacqueline provides support and advice for individuals facing infertility during the holiday season. Acknowledging that holidays can be a challenging time for one in six couples dealing with infertility, she offers tips on managing emotional triggers, selectively attending events, preparing responses to intrusive questions, and taking breaks from trying to conceive. This episode emphasizes the importance of s...

In this final episode of Season 4, Jacqueline welcomes Casey Hawkins, who bravely shares her personal journey of coping with a rare disease diagnosed during pregnancy, the birth of her rainbow baby, experiencing a second-trimester miscarriage, and the emotional recovery that followed. Casey discusses the challenges of a difficult pregnancy, the subsequent grief from her loss, and the healing power of community support and therapy. ...