Her Village

Latest Episodes:

Forever Carried — Honoring Pregnancy and Infant Loss Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

October can be a heavy month for many mothers. It’s a time to honor the babies who never made it earthside and the women who continue to carry their memories with love and courage.

In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline opens her heart for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. She shares her story of losing her daughters Charlotte, Cecilia, and Maren, and how those experiences continue to shape her as a mother today. This conversation is a safe space for every woman who has known loss, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, a failed transfer, or the loss of a child after birth.

Jacqueline also offers comfort through science and faith, revealing the remarkable fact that fetal cells remain in a mother’s body forever, proving that we truly carry our babies in our hearts and in our biology. She speaks about healing through connection, the creation of Your Fertility Village, and ways to honor the memory of every baby gone too soon. This is a gentle, compassionate episode that reminds listeners they are never alone.

Questions answered in this episode:

How do we honor Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month in a way that brings comfort and connection?
What does science reveal about how mothers continue to carry their babies after loss?
How can sharing your story help you heal and remind others they are not alone?
What does invisible grief look like when it comes to failed transfers and embryo loss?
How can communities like Your Fertility Village provide support through infertility and loss?

Links mentioned in the episode:

Local listeners: Join Jacqueline at the annual SHARE Walk to Remember to honor, connect, and support those impacted by pregnancy and infant loss.
Not local or can't make the event, but want to support? Donate to help provide comfort and resources to grieving families.

✨ Free Resource for You ✨
Want to feel more confident and prepared at your next doctor’s appointment? I created a simple, one-page tool just for you — the Doctor’s Appointment Prep Sheet.

With space to track your symptoms, jot down questions, and take notes, this free worksheet will help you walk into your appointment feeling empowered and walk out with clarity.

👉 Grab your free copy here: https://motherhoodintended.kit.com/prepsheet

Connect beyond the podcast:

Your Village
Instagram
Facebook group
Text
Email: hello@motherhoodintended.com
Support the show!

CURIOUS ABOUT SURROGACY? Help give the absolute greatest gift to deserving intended parents and learn more about becoming a surrogate (plus you can earn up to $650 just for taking the first few simple steps!)

Support the show

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Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: https://hervillage.kit.com/products/founding-membership 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

Making Informed Choices in Pregnancy with Dr. Dallas Reed Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Pregnancy comes with a lot of choices. A clear plan for information and advocacy can turn overwhelm into confidence at every step.

In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline welcomes Dr. Dallas Reed to unpack the essentials of prenatal genetics and decision making. You will learn when to consider carrier screening before pregnancy, how NIPT fits into first trimester care, and a simple set of questions that helps you respond calmly to new information in the clinic or on the birthing unit. Dr. Reed also explains SneakPeek early gender testing in plain language, including timing and reliability.

This is a practical and encouraging guide for anyone expecting or planning to be. You will walk away with a calmer mindset, a smarter approach to appointments, and a better understanding of which tests are worth your attention.

What you will learn in this episode:

How carrier screening works, why prior to pregnancy is ideal, and what results can mean
Where NIPT fits in early pregnancy care, including what it screens and when it is offered
A simple plan of questions to ask your team now, next, alternatives, and what if we wait
How SneakPeek early gender testing works, when you can use it, and how to interpret results
Ways to advocate for yourself while staying flexible for a safer, more positive birth experience

Links mentioned in the episode:

SneakPeak Early Gender Test - learn more here! For $20 off your purchase, use Promo Code: Motherhood20
More info on prenatal screening

✨ Free Resource for You ✨
Want to feel more confident and prepared at your next doctor’s appointment? I created a simple, one-page tool just for you — the Doctor’s Appointment Prep Sheet.

With space to track your symptoms, jot down questions, and take notes, this free worksheet will help you walk into your appointment feeling empowered and walk out with clarity.

👉 Grab your free copy here: https://motherhoodintended.kit.com/prepsheet

Connect beyond the podcast:

Your Village
Instagram
Facebook group
Text
Email: hello@motherhoodintended.com
Support the show!

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

Self-Advocacy in Infertility and Motherhood: Navigating Doctor's Appointments and Care Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever left a doctor's appointment feeling unheard, overwhelmed, or with more questions than answers? You're not alone.
Self-advocacy is a skill many of us weren't taught but desperately need, especially when navigating fertility challenges and motherhood. Jacqueline shares her personal experiences with infertility, pregnancy loss, and raising children with special needs, and how she discovered that being your own advocate isn't optional—it's essential.

In this episode you'll learn:

Practical strategies for making your voice heard in medical settings.
How to prepare for appointments.
The importance of second opinions and switching providers when it's just not a good fit.
Your body, your voice, and your story matter.
You deserve care that sees you, hears you, and respects you. Whether you're sitting in a fertility clinic, an OB/GYN office, or a pediatrician's waiting room, this episode will empower you to advocate with confidence.

✨ Free Resource for You ✨
Want to feel more confident and prepared at your next doctor’s appointment? I created a simple, one-page tool just for you — the Doctor’s Appointment Prep Sheet.

With space to track your symptoms, jot down questions, and take notes, this free worksheet will help you walk into your appointment feeling empowered and walk out with clarity.

👉 Grab your free copy here: https://motherhoodintended.kit.com/prepsheet

Connect beyond the podcast:

Your Village
Instagram
Facebook group
Text
Email: hello@motherhoodintended.com
Support the show!

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

Parenting After Infertility and Why Gratitude Alone Is Not Enough Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

You fought so hard to become a mom, but why doesn’t every moment feel magical? Parenting after infertility comes with hidden challenges that most people never talk about.

In this episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline opens up about the invisible baggage many moms carry after infertility treatments, loss, NICU stays, or surrogacy. She shares her own story of bringing home her children after years of heartbreak, and why the pressure to feel grateful every second can actually make motherhood harder. With honesty and encouragement, she reveals how infertility trauma doesn’t just vanish once you become a parent, it simply changes shape.

You’ll hear why it’s normal to feel anxious, tired, and imperfect even after your miracle arrives, and how you can give yourself permission to show up as a real mom instead of a “perfect” one. This conversation will reassure you that gratitude and grief can coexist, and that being human doesn’t make you ungrateful...it makes you a mom.

Questions answered in this episode:

What does parenting after infertility really feel like, and why do joy and grief often coexist?
How can NICU trauma, recurrent loss, or IVF shape postpartum anxiety and hyper-vigilance?
What is gratitude guilt and how do you break the cycle when hard days hit?
Which simple grounding tool helps calm the “what ifs” in real time?
How can you build your village and give yourself permission to be an imperfect, amazing mom?

Support the show

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Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

How One Woman’s Surrogacy Journey Became a Book for Moms Everywhere Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

When your path to motherhood doesn’t go as planned, how do you rewrite the story? For Dr. Andrea Ali-Panzarella, that answer came through surrogacy, and a book that changed everything.

In this episode of Motherhood Intended, host Jacqueline Baird sits down with Andrea, a pediatrician, mother, and author, to talk about her deeply personal experience with infertility, pregnancy loss, and ultimately, becoming a mom through surrogacy.

Andrea opens up about the emotional toll of trying to conceive, how her medical background shaped her perspective, and the unexpected journey that inspired her to write a book for families walking a similar path. This conversation is full of honesty, hope, and healing—whether you’re considering surrogacy, navigating infertility, or just want to hear a story of strength and resilience.

Questions answered in this episode:

What is it really like to go through surrogacy after infertility and loss?
How did Andrea’s medical background as a pediatrician influence her fertility journey?
What emotional challenges come with choosing surrogacy as a path to motherhood?
Why did Andrea decide to write a book based on her surrogacy experience?
How can families feel more supported when facing fertility struggles?

Learn more about Dr. Andrea Ali-Panzarella and her book Every Family is a Tree: https://www.andreaali-panzarella.com/

Join the waitlist for Your Fertility Village + get your free quiz!

Support the show

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Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

BONUS: Summertime...& When Everyone Else Is Pregnant… And You’re Not Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

In this vulnerable bonus episode, Jacqueline opens up about the emotional toll of navigating infertility during a season filled with pregnancy announcements, baby showers, and growing bumps everywhere you turn. If you’ve ever felt left out, behind, or broken as the only one not pregnant in your circle, this episode is for you. With compassion and real-life insight, Jacqueline offers powerful tools for protecting your peace and reminding you that your path to motherhood is still unfolding—beautifully and on your own terms.

Inside This Episode, You’ll Learn:

How to navigate baby showers, gender reveals, and social media triggers
Why it’s okay to set boundaries—even with people you love
What to do when you feel like the “odd one out”
Practical ways to protect your nervous system and emotional health
Encouragement for staying grounded while waiting for your turn

You Are Not Alone If You’ve Ever Felt:

Like everyone else is pregnant except you
Triggered by constant announcements or baby talk
Torn between celebrating others and grieving your own journey
Pressured by family or confused by your own emotions

This episode is for you!

Join the waitlist for Your Fertility Village + get your free quiz!

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

BONUS: Family Building Options After Infertility and How I Knew Our Family Was Complete After Years of Fertility Challenges Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Jacqueline opens up about her entire journey to motherhood, from hopeful beginnings and unexpected infertility, to devastating losses, NICU stays, IVF, and eventually surrogacy. She vulnerably shares the highs, lows, and in-betweens of becoming a mom to three beautiful children, explains why there is no one “right” way to build a family, and lists multiple different family building options for those facing infertility.

What You’ll Learn:

Jacqueline’s complete fertility journey from IUI to IVF to surrogacy
The emotional and physical realities of infertility and loss
Insight into IVF, embryo testing, surrogacy, egg/sperm donation, and more
The differences between gestational vs. traditional surrogacy
Why it’s okay to grieve the story you thought you’d have
Options available to build a family when things don’t go as planned

Support the show

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Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

BONUS: How to Cope When Nothing Seems to Be Happening (When You're Trying To Get Pregnant) Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

In this deeply compassionate episode of Motherhood Intended, Jacqueline opens up about the emotional toll of the “waiting season” during the fertility journey. Whether you’re waiting for test results, a cycle to begin, or answers that feel impossibly out of reach, Jacqueline shares her own experiences and insights to help you feel seen and supported during this often invisible and very isolating stage. She offers grounding practices, mindset shifts, and an invitation to rest rather than constantly prepare — reminding you that this season is not wasted.

What you'll hear:

Why the “waiting season” can feel so overwhelming — and why it’s not actually a passive phase
Practical tools to ground yourself when everything feels out of control (daily rituals, journaling prompts, affirmations)
The importance of reframing rest as necessary, not indulgent, while trying to conceive
How therapy and community support can be essential tools, even if you’re “just” in the waiting

Mentioned in the Episode

Click here to take the Fertility Path Quiz

PLAYLISTS:

Connect with the podcast:

Facebook: Motherhood Intended Community
Instagram: @motherhood_intended
Leave a review for the podcast
Apply to be a guest on the show!

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

The Village We All Deserve: A New Chapter in Infertility and TTC Support Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

Season 5 comes to a close with a heart-to-heart from host Jacqueline Baird—reflecting on the powerful stories shared, the community built, and a new chapter that’s just beginning.

In this special solo episode, Jacqueline opens up about her own fertility journey and the inspiration behind Your Fertility Village—a new support community for women navigating infertility, IVF, TTC, loss, surrogacy, or adoption.

She also shares:
💛 A look back at Season 5’s most meaningful moments
🎧 New Spotify playlists curated by topic (so you can find what you need, when you need it)
🌻 What to expect inside Your Fertility Village
📅 Season 6 will premiere August 21—with bonus episodes over the summer

If you’ve ever felt alone on your path to motherhood, this episode is for you.
👉 Join the waitlist for the Village at bit.ly/yourfertilityvillage

PLAYLISTS:

Connect with the podcast:

Facebook: Motherhood Intended Community
Instagram: @motherhood_intended
Leave a review for the podcast
Apply to be a guest on the show!

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

Why Baby Bonding Matters More Than Baby Gear with Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie May 29, 2025

Show notes

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: