You've got the nursery done, the registry checked off, and the hospital bag packed — but are you actually ready?

This week, Catie and Danielle sit down with Nina Spears, founder and CEO of Baby Chick, certified baby planner, birth and postpartum doula, and author of the brand-new The Baby Chick Guide to Positive Pregnancy. With 15+ years of experience supporting 800+ families and attending over 350 births, Nina has seen it all — and she's here to talk about the one thing most moms skip: preparing for becoming a mother.

Nina breaks down why our culture obsesses over baby stuff but ignores the emotional, physical, and relational shifts that hit hardest after delivery. She shares what she wishes every mom knew before coming home from the hospital, how to navigate the identity crisis of returning to work, and why the most capable women often struggle the most.

If you've ever looked at your baby and thought "now what?" — this episode is for you.

📖 Pre-order Nina's book and enter to win over $5,500 in prizes (Halo, Mockingbird, Coterie + more): baby-chick.com/positive-pregnancy-book

Subscribe to Nina's free newsletter and explore all things pregnancy, postpartum, and early motherhood at baby-chick.com

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & Welcome 01:35 – Nina's Origin Story: How a Childless 23-Year-Old Became a Baby Expert

05:22 – "Baby's Here, Now What?" — How Unprepared Are Moms Really?

07:02 – Why Our Culture Celebrates the Baby But Forgets the Mother

10:50 – The Most Common Thing Moms Wish They Had Prepared For

13:43 – Identity Shifts, Mom Guilt, and Learning to Ask for Help

15:34 – How Baby Chick Was Built (and How Nina Vets What Gets Published)

18:39 – The Information Overload Problem — and How to Find Trustworthy Advice

21:57 – Returning to Work as a Completely Different Person 24:12 – The Emotional Reality of the Fourth Trimester (and Beyond)

27:25 – If You Want a Village, Be a Villager

29:36 – Why the Moms Who Look Like They Have It Together Often Struggle Most

30:48 – The One Thing Nina Wishes Every Mom Knew Before Baby Arrives

33:27 – About the Book + Giveaway Details