As I get ready to take a break for maternity leave, I wanted to record one last episode to reflect on what this pregnancy has really been like behind the scenes.

The second half of pregnancy has brought its fair share of challenges — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

From dealing with pelvic pain and SPD to navigating waves of prenatal anxiety, it’s been a lot. I also talk about what it’s been like trying to balance work, motherhood, and the pressure to stay "relevant" online, all while growing a human.

I’m sharing updates on my maternity leave plans, how I’m setting boundaries for my mental health, and why I felt it was important to share this chapter, even the messy parts.

If you're pregnant now, hoping to be, or just juggling a million things while trying to stay grounded, I hope this episode resonates.

In this episode, I open up about:

• What it’s really been like dealing with SPD, pelvic pain, and prenatal anxiety
• How I’m balancing business, family, and the realities of growing a baby
• Why I’m stepping back from social media
• Giving myself permission to rest
• Thoughts on maternity leave in Israel and what I’m hoping for postpartum
• Letting go of the pressure to “keep up” and embracing the newborn phase with presence
• + so much more

Connect with Lauren:

Instagram

Courses

Apply to work with me

Recipes

Get my FREE eBook: How to Boost Your Egg Quality- a Step by Step Guide

Thank you so much for listening to the About Health and Hormones Podcast! If you loved today’s episode, I would love to know! Please leave a rating and review so I can make this podcast even better for you all. I would love to connect with you.

I’m so glad you were here today, and I wish you all health and happiness!

This episode was edited and produced by Intent Media.

Yael Trusch is a financial educator and the host of the Jewish Money Matters Podcast, where she empowers people to develop a positive relationship with their money that is also aligned with their values.

Yael brings a unique blend of Torah wisdom and practical financial strategies to her work, helping women integrate spirituality and financial wellness. She holds an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and has years of experience teaching both Torah and financial literacy.

Listen in to hear Yael share:

• How her background in Torah teaching led her to financial education
• Why we need to normalize talking about money
• How to align your financial decisions with your personal and spiritual values
• The importance of "money dates" for couples and how to do them right
• Strategies to teach children healthy and values-based financial habits
• Why giving to charity (maaser) is a powerful spiritual and financial tool
• + so much more!

Connect with Yael

Instagram- @yaeltrusch

Podcast- Jewish Money Matters

In this episode, I’m sharing my personal journey as I prepare for my third childbirth—this time, leaning deeply into the practice of hypnobirthing. I open up about what this experience has been like for me, how I’ve used techniques like deep breathing, visualization, and affirmations to stay calm, and why I believe it’s so important to challenge the way we’ve been taught to think about labor and birth.

I also talk about some of the most common myths around birth—especially the idea that pain and fear are just part of the deal—and offer a different perspective rooted in trust, peace, and choice. Whether you’re planning a home birth or hospital birth, what matters most is creating an environment that supports you physically and emotionally.

In this episode, I share:

• How I’ve reframed my beliefs about pain, fear, and danger in childbirth
• The hypnobirthing tools I’ve found most powerful and how I use them
• What actually happens in the body during labor—and how mindset plays a huge role
• My thoughts on choosing between home and hospital birth here in Israel
• What I’ve learned about midwives, post-birth care at the milon, and navigating the birth system
• How I’m protecting my birth bubble and preparing to welcome this baby with joy
• What birth costs look like in Israel and how I’ve planned for it
• +so much more

Whether you’re pregnant, planning to be, or just curious about a different way to approach birth, I hope this episode inspires you to trust your body and your voice in the process.

Connect with Lauren:

Instagram

Courses

Apply to work with me

Recipes

Get my FREE eBook: How to Boost Your Egg Quality- a Step by Step Guide

Thank you so much for listening to the About Health and Hormones Podcast! If you loved today’s episode, I would love to know! Please leave a rating and review so I can make this podcast even better for you all. I would love to connect with you.

I’m so glad you were here today, and I wish you all health and happiness!

This episode was edited and produced by Intent Media.