This month on Pregnancy Has Entered the Chat, join host Chloe Belk and author Leah Outten as she shares her story of open adoption from the birth mother's point of view.

Leah is the author of The Sixteenth Year, a birth mother in a fully open adoption, and a mother of five whom she parents with her husband. She is a speaker and passionate advocate in the adoption community.

Leah shares her story as God guided her through it, from finding out she was pregnant as a teen, to making an adoption plan, to her relationship with her daughter over twenty years later. Listen in as Leah shares the beauty and difficulties in her journey and resources to support birth mothers.

• 00:32: Leah's Introduction

• 1:47: Emotions She Felt as She Found Out She Was Pregnant

• 3:44: Her Decision to Place for Open Adoption

• 8:45: Did she face any pressure in her decision-making process?

• 11:00: "Leah Shower"

• 15:16: "Soda Bottle" Analogy for Grief

• 17:08: How Her Community Made her Feel Supported

• 19:10: What beauty and difficulty has come as a result of her open adoption?

• 23:59: How She Hoped for the Best with Her Relationship with Her Daughter and Protected Her Heart

• 27:14: Would you recommend writing a letter to your child during your pregnancy?

• 29:45: Resources for Adoption

• 33:18: Leah's "Why" for Serving in the Adoption Community

Resources mentioned:

Get Leah's book, The Sixteenth Year: https://www.amazon.com/Sixteenth-Year-Open-Adoption-Memoir/dp/1645900509

The Ampersand Initiative: https://www.theampersandinitiative.com/

Leah's devotional for birth moms, Flourishing Hope: Birth Mom Edition: A Devotional for Birth Moms Growing in Unexpected Places: https://amzn.to/4rfXzKu

Leah's devotional for women facing unplanned pregnancies, Flourishing Hope: A 30-Day Devotional for Pregnant Women in Unexpected Places: https://amzn.to/3LW0doL

Holly Chandler is on staff at The Pregnancy Network and a great friend of Chloe, host of Pregnancy Has Entered the Chat. Join Holly and Chloe as they discuss their breastfeeding journeys, the difficulties they faced, and how to process your breastfeeding journey not going as planned.

• 00:42: Holly's Introduction

• 1:27: Holly's Journey with Breastfeeding Both of Her Kids

• 20:32: Emotions Surrounding Breastfeeding Struggles

• 23:43: Misconceptions About Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding

• 29:28: Holly's Advice for the Breastfeeding Mom Who is Struggling

• 31:30: How Holly's Experience Impacts Her Encouragement for Other Moms

• 33:28: Holly's "Why" for Serving at The Pregnancy Network

Make an Appointment for Lactation Services at The Pregnancy Network:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuENvdJR9CwpbMGH2yGwL1cBEbMiV5BLJDX3CiNMDFFhm1Kw/viewform

Additional Resources Mentioned:

How to Overcome Formula Feeding Guilt Article: - https://www.momwell.com/blog/overcoming-formula-feeding-guilt

The Formula Mom Instagram Page -

https://www.instagram.com/theformulamom/?hl=en

Amanda Somers joins host Chloe Belk to discuss the ins and outs of newborn care. Amanda is a faithful volunteer at The Pregnancy Network for our Pregnancy 101 class. Tune in as she tackles topics like must-have baby items, infant illness, car seat safety, and more.

In a hurry? Skip to the section that's most relevant to you.

0:30: Amanda's Introduction

1:35: How to Prepare Before Baby Comes

4:08: Must-Have Baby Items

6:53 Need-to-Know Information about Newborns

10:52: Signs to Watch for When Baby Gets Sick

14:51: Burns, Water Safety, and Falls

19:15: Car Seat Safety

21:51: Amanda's Why

Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Site:

https://www.safeguilford.com/