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Pulling Curls Podcast: Pregnancy & Parenting Untangled

Pulling Curls Podcast: Pregnancy & Parenting Untangled

By: Hilary Erickson
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 Join Hilary Erickson, RN BSN and mom to three as she tackles the subjects you NEED To know about. We will untangle the sticky parts of pregnancy, parenting, home life and even some travel. As an expert in all these areas -- Hilary knows NO ONE IS AN EXPERT, but people sure give it a good try and make the best choice for their family.Copyright © 2019 · by Erickson Creative LLC Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • Unexpected Pregnancy: You're Not Alone – Processing Grief and Finding Support - 264

    Unexpected Pregnancy: You're Not Alone – Processing Grief and Finding Support - 264
    Nov 4 2025
    In this episode of "The Pulling Curls Podcast: Pregnancy & Parenting Untangled," Hilary Erickson | The Pregnancy Nurse® is joined by Erin Galloway from She Might to discuss the complexities of unplanned and unexpected pregnancies. Together, they unpack the wide range of emotions—from shock and grief to adjusting expectations and seeking support. The conversation highlights how common these experiences are, the importance of giving yourself grace, and why finding community, such as She Might, can make a real difference during uncertain times. Big thanks to our sponsor The Online Prenatal Class for Couples -- if you're looking for support & helping your partner support you too -- it's the class for you! Today's guest is Erin Galloway. Erin is a licensed master social worker and certified perinatal mental health professional dedicated to empowering women, supporting families, and connecting people with resources and community. Erin is the CEO of She Might, the online resource and community for women walking through unexpected motherhood. Erin is a mom of two, a Phoenix Suns fan, Americano enthusiast, and podcast lover. Links for you: Get resources for your unplanned pregnancy: https://www.shemight.com/resources Episode with Dani's pregnancy story: https://www.pullingcurls.com/262-getting-pregnant-advocacy/ Timestamps: 00:00 Unexpected Pregnancies Affect Everyone 05:32 "Unexpected Pregnancy After Years Trying" 09:29 "Parenthood Decisions and Identity Impact" 10:17 "Navigating Reactions to Unplanned Pregnancy" 13:30 Navigating Pregnancy and Unexpected Grief 18:46 "Unexpected Twists in Pregnancy" 22:26 Varied Emotions in Birth Stories 24:06 Navigating Pregnancy Challenges Together 28:08 Effective Communication for Better Support 29:49 Maternity Support & Resources Hub 32:56 "Pulling Curls Podcast Appreciation" Keypoints: Unplanned or unexpected pregnancies are very common—almost half of pregnancies in the U.S. fall into this category, and they can happen to anyone, regardless of age, relationship status, or birth control use.Many misconceptions exist about unplanned pregnancies, such as the belief they mostly happen to teenagers or people in crisis, when in reality, they affect people from all walks of life.Feeling conflicted, numb, overwhelmed, or not immediately excited about a pregnancy is normal—even among those who tried to conceive or are experienced in pregnancy and childbirth.Unplanned pregnancies can trigger complex emotions, including grief for one's previous lifestyle, personal identity, and future plans that are suddenly shifted or delayed.The reactions of partners, family, and friends to the news of an unexpected pregnancy can be surprising or disappointing, often because they, too, are processing shock or need time to adjust.Grief around unexpected pregnancy is valid—people may experience ambiguous or disenfranchised grief, mourning the loss of their former freedoms or the plans they thought they'd have.There is a wide spectrum of feelings experienced throughout pregnancy and postpartum, no matter how the pregnancy happened; bonding with the baby and feelings about motherhood develop differently for everyone.Support groups, mental health professionals, and online communities like She Might provide essential resources and a sense of belonging for those navigating unexpected pregnancies.Social media tends to showcase only the positive or "picture-perfect" aspects of pregnancy and motherhood, but tough emotions and struggles are far more common than people might share publicly.Recognizing and celebrating small wins, seeking help, and finding ways to bring pieces of pre-pregnancy joy into new routines can help parents cope and adapt through the journey of an unplanned pregnancy. Producer: Drew Erickson Keywords: unplanned pregnancy, unexpected pregnancy, perinatal mental health, emotional response to pregnancy, pregnancy grief, ambiguous loss, disenfranchised grief, perinatal mood disorders, maternal anxiety, postpartum depression, pregnancy community support, partner reactions, family reactions to pregnancy, pregnancy and career, maternity leave planning, pregnancy timeline, birth control failure, high risk pregnancy, pregnancy symptoms, prenatal class, pregnancy and identity, adjusting to motherhood, parenting support groups, pregnancy support communities, online pregnancy resources, She Might, Pulling Curls Podcast, Pregnancy Nurse, relationships during pregnancy, financial concerns with pregnancy, pregnancy after infertility
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    33 mins
  • What Every Pregnant Family Should Know About the NICU - 263

    What Every Pregnant Family Should Know About the NICU - 263
    Oct 21 2025
    In this episode of The Pulling Curls Podcast, hosts Hilary Erickson and Dr. Janene Fuerch, a neonatologist at Stanford, dive into what every pregnant family should know about the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). They discuss why it's important to understand NICU basics—even if you're planning a smooth delivery—and share practical tips on how to cope if your baby needs extra care, including ways to stay connected, manage stress, and support bonding. The episode also highlights exciting innovations aimed at making NICU stays safer and more comfortable for babies and families, plus insights on hospital levels and advocacy for neonatal advancements. Big thanks to our sponsor Laborie -- LifeBubble® Umbilical Catheter Securement System LifeBubble is made of a Soft Medical Grade Silicone to minimize skin irritation, Reduces the Risk of Catheter Migration and Early Discontinuation, and Protects the Insertion Site of our most vulnerable patients. Find them on Instagram @laborie_ob Today's guest is Janene Fuerch, MD. She is a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Associate Director of the Biodesign Innovation Fellowship Program at Stanford University, and Co-Director of Impact1 where she mentors and advises entrepreneurs in the pediatric and maternal space through all aspects of medical device development, from identifying clinical needs to commercialization. Her specific areas of investigational interest include the development and commercialization process of neonatal, pediatric and maternal health medical devices. She is a national leader in neonatal resuscitation, ECMO, device development and has been an AHRQ, FDA and NSF funded investigator. But her work extends outside of the academic realm to industry having co-founded EMME (acquired by Simple Health 2022) an award-winning reproductive health company, medical director for Novonate (acquired by Laborie 2023) a neonatal umbilical catheter securement company and notable consultant for Vitara (EXTEND - artificial environment to decrease complications of prematurity), Laborie, Ceribell, Novocuff and Avanos™. Janene is passionate about improving the health of children and newborns through medical device innovation and research. Links for you: Previous Laborie Episode on Forceps (260) Timestamps: 00:00 NICU Challenges: Bonding & Separation 06:55 Choosing the Right Hospital Level 09:47 Bonding with Baby After Separation 14:06 NICU Innovation: Challenges and Opportunities 15:14 Umbilical Catheter Infection Solution 18:17 NICU Bonding and Communication Tips 21:59 Premature Baby Care Innovations 25:04 Prioritizing Investment in Children's Future Keypoints: Many families are surprised when their baby needs to go to the NICU, so it's important for all pregnant families to know some basics about what to expect.The NICU can range from having just a couple of extra staff in the delivery room to having 15 people if a baby needs help, making the birth experience much more intense and involved.Planning ahead with your partner about who will go with the baby in case of separation can help make a stressful situation a little easier.About 10% of babies need some help breathing at birth, but most recover quickly; only a small percentage require NICU care beyond the basic interventions.NICUs are graded by levels (I-IV), and knowing what level your hospital offers can help families prepare—higher-level NICUs can treat more complex issues but aren't always necessary for uncomplicated births.If your hospital isn't a level III or IV, babies needing higher-level care may need to be transferred, which could mean temporary separation from parents; hospitals always work to reunite families as quickly as possible.NICU nurses are passionate, skilled, and deeply care about the babies and their families, creating a loving and safe environment even during stressful times.Parents can support their recovery and milk production by getting rest and using NICU technologies (like webcams) to stay connected—it's okay to take breaks and trust the NICU staff.Emerging technologies like Labry's Life Bubble are making NICU stays safer and more comfortable, allowing parents to hold their babies even when special catheters are in place.Skin-to-skin contact in the NICU is highly beneficial for both babies and parents, helping with bonding, milk production, and even neurodevelopment; parents are encouraged to ask staff about timing and any concerns about wires or tubes. Producer: Drew Erickson Keywords: NICU, neonatal intensive care unit, premature babies, neonatologist, types of NICU levels, level 1 NICU, level 2 NICU, level 3 NICU, level 4 NICU, hospital delivery, separation from baby, bonding with baby, skin-to-skin contact, umbilical catheters, infection prevention, NICU innovations, Labry, Life Bubble, technology in NICU, neonatal health, maternal health, NICU nurses, milk production, pumping breast milk, ...
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    27 mins
  • Unconventional Conception Stories and Advocacy in Motherhood with Dani Morin - 262

    Unconventional Conception Stories and Advocacy in Motherhood with Dani Morin - 262
    Sep 19 2025

    In this episode of The Pulling Curls Podcast, Hilary chats with Dani Morin about the many paths to pregnancy, navigating tough relationships with healthcare providers, and whether you can really trust AI for pregnancy advice. Dani shares her unique experience of becoming a mom through different methods, including home insemination, and opens up about the challenges she faced after loss and while being a single parent. The discussion is honest, real, and packed with supportive insights for anyone on their own parenthood journey.

    Big thanks to our sponsor The Online Prenatal Class for Couples -- if you're looking to get prepared with your partner, it's your best option!

    Today's guest is Dani Morin child safety advocate and CPST on TikTok. Helping parents make informed parenting decisions and providing product research to help moms make the perfect baby registry.

    Find her on: Tiktok (@danimorin13) or Instagram (@danimorin_)

    Links for you:

    Baby Proofing 101: Dani Morin’s Mission for Baby Safety Awareness (her previous episode)

    Timestamps:

    00:00 "Life-Altering Realization of Parenthood"

    05:58 Overcoming Grief and Rediscovery

    15:20 "Embracing Parenthood Despite Loss"

    20:26 Navigating Fertility Challenges Alone

    23:06 "Sperm Donation Normality Perception"

    29:51 IVF Expenses and Fertility Misconceptions

    33:07 Vanishing Twin Syndrome Explained

    40:15 Struggles Changing High-Risk Doctor

    43:24 Alone for Life-Changing Ultrasound

    50:10 Plane Safety and Medical Workaround

    56:11 Birth Center Inequality

    01:01:18 Three Key Takeaways from Episode

    Keypoints:

    • Dani Morin shares her experiences with three very different paths to pregnancy, from an unplanned pregnancy in her 20s to home insemination as a single mom, and eventually a natural conception after getting married.
    • The episode highlights the emotional aftermath of Dani's first pregnancy, including the life-changing impact of her son’s tragic loss and her journey through grief, sobriety, and rediscovering her sense of purpose as a mother.
    • Dani describes how early parenting trends and online information influenced her choices—she candidly discusses how she embraced “all-natural” parenting, even using products later shown to be unsafe, and how she has since shifted to an evidence-based approach.
    • Hilary and Dani emphasize that unplanned pregnancies are far more common than most people believe, and that being surprised by pregnancy doesn't make anyone less of a mom.
    • Dani details her experience with home insemination using donor sperm as a cost-effective and empowering option for single women or couples with fertility challenges, demystifying and normalizing this choice.
    • The conversation explores the stigma, criticism, and unsolicited advice Dani encountered online and in real life regarding her non-traditional paths to motherhood.
    • Dani shares practical tips for others considering home insemination, including financial readiness, emotional support, and building a “village” before taking that step.
    • The difficulties of navigating healthcare, especially when you’re high risk or dissatisfied with your provider, are explored—Dani discusses real challenges in switching OBs, accessing support, and advocating for yourself during pregnancy.
    • Dani and Hilary discuss the limitations—and some dangerous pitfalls—of using AI and online sources for pregnancy advice, and stress the value of trustworthy, evidence-based resources.
    • Throughout the episode, the importance of compassion from healthcare providers, honest conversations, and finding the right support network for your unique pregnancy and parenting journey shines through.

    Producer: Drew Erickson

    Keywords:

    getting pregnant, home insemination, sperm donor, unplanned pregnancy, single mom by choice, IVF, IUI, PCOS, tilted cervix, prenatal care, child loss, grief, parenting guilt, Baltic amber teething necklace, child safety, product safety, natural parenting, evidence-based parenting, social media advocacy, birth plan, switching OB providers, high risk pregnancy, gestational hypertension, low dose aspirin in pregnancy, twin pregnancy
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    1 hr and 2 mins
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