Ep55: Educating Yourself and Preparing for Childbirth with Mom-to-Be Amber Manning

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We have an exciting episode today: this is the first time I've ever had a guest on the podcast who is currently pregnant! I thought it would be wonderful to have someone on who is on the same journey as a lot of my listeners, so today we have the honor of hosting Amber Manning.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Amber is an Occupational Therapist based in Dallas, Texas. She and her husband recently got married and are expecting their first baby in April, so they've jumped wholeheartedly into educating themselves about pregnancy and birth.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Amber shares some of the resources she's found really helpful during her pregnancy and talks about how she's applied what she's learned so far. We chat about switching doctors, being flexible with your birth plan, and advocating for yourself throughout your pregnancy and birth.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We also discuss some of the mental health aspects of pregnancy and why it's okay if you don't feel perfectly happy and excited every second of your pregnancy.</span></p> <p><strong>In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">How Amber and her husband found out they were pregnant not long before their wedding</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">What resources they have used to educate themselves before their baby arrives</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why Amber wanted to switch doctors right away</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">How she has advocated for herself throughout her pregnancy, and how her husband is making sure he will be able to advocate for her during childbirth</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why it's important to have a birth plan and birth wishes, but stay flexible and open to change</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400