192 Stem cells, placenta cells, cord tissue cells OH MY! How and why to privately bank with ANJA HEALTH CEO, Kathryn Cross
Release Date: 04/20/2024
220 || Mamaste Fit's Gina Conley on her last 2 homebirths and her new book Training for Two
Birth Story Podcast
Heidi catches up with Gina Conley in 2025 to update their conversation from 2022. In 2022, Gina shares about her first 2 births and 2 miscarriages and how Mamaste Fit came to be. In this episode, Gina shares about her new book, Training for Two, and digs into her final two homebirths. If you haven't listened to the 2022 episode, I have replayed in just before this episode in 219....start there! XOXO Heidi There are still seats available for Birth Story Academy. Go to BirthStory.com and use code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND to get $20 OFF.
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219 || Mamaste Fit's Gina Conley on her first two births and better birthing (2020)
Birth Story Podcast
This is a replay of episode XXX in 2022. The follow up episode 220 is up next and is Part 2 where I catch up with Gina in 2025 and hear two more homebirth stories and an update on the Mamaste Education and Fitness platform. Make sure to listen to both episodes! XOXO Heidi
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218 || Homebirth with Bec Conant of the OM Birth Approach
Birth Story Podcast
Bec thought she knew everything she needed to to have a smooth Home birth for her son- after all she’d been teaching prenatal yoga and birth classes for over 20 years at the time. But when her birth ended up in a hospital transfer and unplanned cesarean she started looking more deeply into what had happened, and where she might have missed something. In doing so she discovered a missing piece in how certain movements, actions, and practices are key to creating balance throughout the body, and how practicing this way not only better prepares the body for labor, but also balances the mind to...
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217 || FLOORED with The Vagina Whisperer
Birth Story Podcast
This is a replay of episode 210 to celebrate and promote the launch day of FLOORED, by Dr. Sara Reardon aka The Vagina Whisperer. Out today! XOXO- Heidi
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216 || Unmedicated Induction with Julia Winn with a side of BV, Listeria, and Appendicitis
Birth Story Podcast
In this podcast episode, Julia Winn shares her unmedicated Pitocin birth story, detailing her journey from induction to delivery. Her induction plan for a cervical ripening process without an epidural, her unexpected exposure to listeria, and the decisions she faced as labor progressed. From the intense contractions brought on by Pitocin to the incredible support of her doula (Catherine 😀) who is part of Heidi's local doula company Birth Story Boutique and her amazing partner. Despite how difficult it was, the experience was empowering, and she reflects on the deep love and awe that come...
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215 || How to become a non-toxic pregnancy product mega researcher with Sasha Mama Wellness
Birth Story Podcast
Sasha Niz Konrad is the founder and CEO of Sashamama Wellness, a brand dedicated to non-toxic, holistic wellness solutions for pregnant and postpartum women. With a background as a prenatal and postpartum yoga instructor and a deep passion and interest in holistic maternal and hormone health. Sasha has combined her expertise and personal journey to create thoughtfully curated, safe, and effective products safe for anyone but especially mamas! Based in Charlotte, NC, Sasha is an advocate for self-care and empowerment for moms during every stage of their motherhood journey. We'll explore the...
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214 || Birth Order and the role it plays in our lives and parenting with Dr. Robert Hurst
Birth Story Podcast
How does Birth Order impact you and your parenting? Dr. Robert V.V. Hurst was born in Hammond Indiana and has been practicing orthodontics in Covington Louisiana for over 35 years. During this time he has used his office and patients as his living laboratory to study his patient’s personality traits and birth orders. Out of this has come a unique and workable theory that accurately finds a person's real birth order and explains their behaviors. Educated at Indiana University and Harvard, he has taught at both Tufts University and Louisiana State University. He has published numerous articles...
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213 || Doula Diaries: A week of Home Birth, Birth Center, and Hospital Births with MyDoulaHeidi
Birth Story Podcast
Drumroll....I am proud of myself for pumping out the ever popular Doula Diaries! I had a crazy week of births around the full Blood Moon of March 14, 2025. I went to a homebirth, a birth center birth, and 2 hospital births in the same week. Let's see how they all played out. This week was reminding me that birth is unpredictable. It can be long, it can be short, it can be uncomplicated, it can be complicated. Prepare for it....that's why I wrote Birth Story Academy. You can enroll in my online course and be ready for whatever labor throws at you. Enroll at BirthStory.com and use...
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212 || World Down Syndrome Day with Abby Rose Green of the HERSELF Podcast
Birth Story Podcast
Today is World Downsyndrome Day! Celebrating all of our homies with an extra chromy. Thank you for being here and sharing this podcast episode with someone that you know that is parenting and/or pregnant and Down's Syndrome is part of their story. Heidi sits down with Abby Rose Green of the to chat about fertility, an unexpected anatomy scan, an amniocentesis, chromosomal uniqueness, Down's Syndrome, and birth. Abby was originally planning an unmedicated homebirth. She shares how she changed plans and was still able to achieve the beautiful vaginal birth she so desired...
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211 || 8 Minute Birth Meditation Affirmations for labor preparation
Birth Story Podcast
Thank you Michelle Smith for recording these beautiful birth affirmations to help get through birth and to practice before birth! If you have 8 minutes, come back to this episode every day! XOXO Heidi You can find Michelle's Birth Ease Method for Hypnobirthing at
info_outlineWe will cover Kathryn’s “Founder’s Story” about why she founded Anja Health - after a near-drowning accident, her brother was left with cerebral palsy and umbilical cord blood stem cells could’ve helped save his life. Since they’re mixed race, they were unable to find a match in public banks, which inspired Kathryn to create an affordable private stem cell safe. We will talk about what cord blood banking is, why is it important and we’ll mention a few case studies, that will showcase a few of the 85+ diseases for which cord blood stem cells are approved as a treatment for.
3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today:
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If you’re pregnant you should definitely consider cord blood cord tissue and placenta banking. Placenta banking is an under utilized part of the birth plan
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Why Anja Health is different
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How cord blood, cord tissue, and placenta banking works and how much it costs.
3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode:
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Cord blood banking
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Stem cells
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Birth plan
Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?:
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the Complete plan for Lifetime of storage by Anja Health
Kathryn Cross is the CEO and Founder of Anja Health. Currently she is based in LA.
Website: anjahealth.com
Instagram: @anja.health
TikTok: @kathrynanja & @anjahealth
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/anjahealth
YouTube Channel: @anjahealth
XOXO -Heids
We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at https://www.birthstory.com/online-course!
Resources:
I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery.
Connect with Me!