Welcome to Growing with HeHe, a bold new series from Informed Pregnancy Media. You may know HeHe Stewart as a doula, educator, and advocate for trauma-informed birth, but this time, she's turning the spotlight inward.

From her roots in a small Mississippi town, to founding The Birth Lounge, HeHe...

HeHe Stewart opens up about her roots in rural Mississippi, where life and birth intertwined daily. She reflects on growing up in a conservative home, her bond with her sister, and the early caregiving that earned her the nickname "Baby Whisperer". Through college and beyond, HeHe's journey from ...

This episode follows HeHe’s shift from early childhood education to doula work. Witnessing the stress new parents faced leaving infants at childcare, she realized many challenges began with traumatic births. Disappointed by the lack of depth and mentorship in traditional doula training, she chose...

This episode explores HeHe’s love story with her husband Nick, from their unexpected grad school meeting to a decade of growth before marriage. She reflects on their long-distance years, career pivots, and shared dreams of starting a family. But when HeHe discovered she was pregnant earlier than ...

In this episode, HeHe reflects on the surprise of an unplanned but welcome pregnancy and the early physical changes that followed, like showing a small bump by just 7 to 8 weeks. While she processed the news emotionally, Nick immediately shifted into planning mode, building spreadsheets within ho...

HeHe shares early pregnancy surprises and challenges including leg and foot cramps and how magnesium helped, plus early constipation despite staying active and hydrated. Sensory changes were intense with heightened smell and taste, and cravings consisted of fish tacos, chocolate milk, and cold ce...

At 10 weeks, HeHe has an early ultrasound, seeing the baby move and possibly suck its thumb with visible limbs, heartbeat, and brain hemispheres. She also discovers she has an anterior placenta which excites her given what she knows from being a doula: it’s linked to easier labor. It’s confirmed ...

In this episode, we meet HeHe’s husband Nick. He shares his EMT and healthcare background, how they met, and their reactions to the surprise pregnancy. The conversation highlights their contrasting personalities, HeHe’s planning versus Nick’s spontaneity, and how his crisis training helped him su...

Nick and HeHe share why they waited to announce their pregnancy and how they planned a playful, unforgettable reveal for their families. From crafting a “baby-themed” dinner menu to unveiling the news through a clever dessert, they walk through each behind-the-scenes moment—including dodging HeHe...

Tuning In: Weeks 13–15: HeHe reflects on her second-trimester shifts - physically, mentally, and emotionally. She talks about choosing to wear a continuous glucose monitor to better understand her blood-sugar patterns, and how small tweaks to her diet and daily rhythms boosted her energy and slee...

"The Popcorn Moment" - HeHe celebrates a meaningful milestone—feeling her baby’s first flutters, which she lovingly describes as “popcorn.” With an anterior placenta, the sensation is especially meaningful. She reflects on hearing the heartbeat with Nick during a recent Doppler check, and the sup...

“Assembling the Birth Dream Team” - HeHe and Dr. B discuss Week 17, and the exciting decision to officially select a home-birth midwife. HeHe explains that their choice was guided not only by qualifications, but by energy, trust, and emotional alignment. She shares a look at her full birth team: ...

“The Anatomy Scan” - HeHe experiences her own 20-week anatomy scan - something she has supported countless families through as a doula, but before now that never personally undergone. After a long wait at the hospital, she was mesmerized by the detailed views of her baby’s spine, feet, kidneys, a...

“Feeling the Kicks, Feeling the Change” - HeHe and Dr. Berlin recap a memorable Father’s Day, highlighted by a heartfelt gift “from the baby” that moved Nick to tears. HeHe describes the life-changing moment when she and Nick felt the baby kick from the outside for the first time. She also dives ...

“Halfway There” - The excitement and emotion of reaching the midpoint of HeHe's pregnancy has arrived. Nick joins the episode to share his awe during the anatomy scan, especially at the vivid images of the baby’s spine, heart, and brain. They reflect on the unforgettable moment he felt the baby k...

“Hiccups, Hokas & A Giant Whomp” - HeHe reflects on the whirlwind of weeks 21-23, highlighting major gains from pelvic floor physical therapy as her strength, stability, and understanding of core support continue to evolve. She shares her playful belly-patting experiment to pre-condition her baby...