What if the most important preparation for birth isn't actually about the birth itself?
In this conversation, I sat down with entrepreneur, coach, and mother Jean Madson to explore what it really means to prepare for birth and postpartum. While we expected to spend much of our time talking about postpartum, the conversation naturally unfolded into something much bigger: trust, support, and the often-overlooked challenge of learning to receive care.
Jean shares her first birth experience, including an unexpected transfer from a birth center to the hospital, how intentional preparation allowed her to navigate those changes with confidence, and why she believes the support she accepted during postpartum made all the difference. We also explore the realities of preparing for twins, the privilege and barriers that exist within maternity care, and why building a trusted support team may be one of the most important parts of preparing for parenthood.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why preparation is about more than creating a birth plan
How trust in your care team can shape your birth experience
The role of doulas, midwives, and building a support system
Navigating unexpected changes, including hospital transfers
Why allowing support can be one of the hardest parts of postpartum
The tension between independence and receiving care
Setting boundaries while still letting people help
The realities of breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, and early postpartum
How privilege, access, and community shape the transition into parenthood
One of my favorite reminders from this conversation:
"The reason the challenging moments didn't lead me into depression or anxiety... was because of the support I allowed."
Whether you're preparing for birth, navigating postpartum, or simply reflecting on what it means to let yourself be supported, I hope this conversation leaves you feeling a little less alone.
Connect with Jean:
Website: https://whole-human-co.myflodesk.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmadison_/
Connect with Lesha:
Website: https://www.leshanelson.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesha__nelson/
