S6 Ep 13 - There Has Got to Be a Better Way to Do This: Improving Pumping at Work With Patrice Meagher, MilkMate
Release Date: 03/26/2024
Fertility Freedom - Host Julia Explores Family Today
Stork'd
In this bonus episode, Julia took a moment on the 4th of July to reflect on the importance of reproductive freedom. She appreciates living in Massachusetts, where mandatory insurance coverage allowed her to undergo IVF treatments. However, she expresses concerns about potential changes to these laws due to the current political climate, noting that some states already have restrictions. Julia emphasizes the need to cherish our freedoms to build families in ways that feel right to us. She also reflectes on the diverse stories shared on the Stork'd podcast—some heartbreaking, others showcasing...
info_outline
Stork'd Munchkin | S6 Ep 19 - Finding Peace After Six Years of Infertility Treatment Without Answers with Abbe Feder
Stork'd
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Abbe Feder shares how she found peace after six years of infertility treatment and still has no answers to why IVF didn’t work for her. If you loved this Stork’d Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts! Resources:
info_outline
Stork'd Munchkin | S6 Ep 19 - The Emotional Rollercoaster When IVF Doesn't Work With Abbe Feder
Stork'd
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Abbe Feder shares that when she started IVF, she automatically thought that it would work and she would have a baby. Listen as she shares the emotional rollercoaster she felt when she started IVF and it didn’t work. If you loved this Stork’d Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts! Resources:
info_outline
S6 Ep. 19 - Leaning on Levity To Break the Grief: 6 Years of Unexplained Infertility With Abbe Feder, InCircle Fertility
Stork'd
Abbe Feder is the founder of InCircle Fertility and host of the Fertility Chic. In this episode, Abbe shares her own six-year journey through unexplained infertility, including her initial reluctance to turn to assisted reproductive technology. Ultimately, Abbe and her husband tried IUI and then IVF with multiple failed transfers and loss. After a traumatic birth experience and emergency hysterectomy, Abbe is the proud mom of twins. Abbe leans on her experience and a deep well of empathy and tools to guide hopeful parents through the infertility experience. InCircle Fertility is...
info_outline
Stork'd Munchkin | S6 Ep 18 - I Felt Erased - Maintaining Your Own Individuality While Balancing Parenthood
Stork'd
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Brittany Ross discusses how during her first pregnancy she didn’t want to lose her identity and become “just a mom.” If you loved this Stork’d Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts! Resources:
info_outline
Stork'd Munchkin | S6 Ep 18 - Embracing Parenthood on Your Own Terms with Brittany Ross
Stork'd
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Brittany Ross shares advice to those who find out they are pregnant and may not feel the expected emotional reaction to finding out you are and that you are allowed to feel however you want to feel. If you loved this Stork’d Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts! Resources:
info_outline
S6 Ep. 18 - Can’t I Be More Than Just “Mom”? - Retaining Identity in Parenthood with Brittany Ross, Comedian
Stork'd
Brittany Ross, a Los Angeles-based actor and stand up comedian opens up with refreshing authenticity about her journey into motherhood. She candidly shares her experiences of feeling like she lost her identity during her first pregnancy, as others only saw her as a mom-to-be and, after giving birth, felt defined solely by motherhood. Now pregnant again, Brittany reflects on navigating this journey differently, realizing she can embrace her role as a caring mom and her identity as a professional and individual woman. Join us as Brittany shares her insights and experiences in this honest and...
info_outline
Stork'd Munchkin | S6 Ep 17 - Leaning on Your Village: Ronit and Vida’s Advice for Those Experiencing a Miscarriage
Stork'd
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Ronit Menash and Vida Delrahim, co-founders of WeNatal, give advice to those who are experiencing a miscarriage. They emphasize leaning on your “village” and encourage listeners that it’s not the end of the story. If you loved this Stork’d Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts! Resources: WeNatal is offering a special discount to listeners of Stork’d. Go to WeNatal.com/Storkd
info_outline
Stork'd Munchkin | S6 Ep 17 - Why Doesn’t Anyone Know This? Sperm Quality and Conception
Stork'd
In this Stork’d Munchkin, Ronit Menash and Vida Delrahim, co-founders of WeNatal, discuss this shocking vital revelation: the quality of sperm can significantly affect fertility, contributing up to half of the reason for miscarriage. They banded together to address this and created a men’s prenatal vitamin. If you loved this Stork’d Munchkin, check out the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts! Resources: WeNatal is offering a special discount to listeners of Stork’d. Go to WeNatal.com/Storkd
info_outline
S6 Ep 17 - We Need to Talk About Sperm Quality - With WeNatal Founders Ronit Menash and Vida Delrahim
Stork'd
Ronit Menash and Vida Delrahim, the founders of WeNatal, join Julia on a poignant episode of the podcast to share their journeys to expand their respective families and create WeNatal. As close friends who endured miscarriages within days of each other, their bond grew even stronger. Together, they uncovered a vital revelation: the quality of sperm can significantly affect fertility, contributing up to half of the reason for miscarriage. In response, they developed specialized supplements for both men and women to boost fertility before trying to conceive. They delve into the potential...
info_outlinePatrice Meagher, the creator of MilkMate, joins Julia to address the challenge new mothers face in the workplace: the lack of a safe and private environment for breastfeeding. Patrice shares her journey as a working mom of four, when unsuitable pumping spaces at work forced her to end her breastfeeding journey prematurely. We discuss the politics of feeding your child, how time inefficient and emotionally draining pumping can be, the unique challenges of pumping at work and so much more.
Are you struggling with finding a suitable place to breastfeed at work? Are you spending too much time washing pump parts and carrying supplies back and forth, affecting your productivity? MilkMate offers a groundbreaking solution for working mothers who need to pump at work. Patrice educates employers and emphasizes providing a conducive space for lactating employees. If this topic resonates with you, take advantage of this informative episode of Stork'd and share it with a friend.
IN THIS EPISODE:
-
[2:51] Patrice shares her professional journey and how the difficulties of breastfeeding her child at work formed the concept of MilkMates
-
[7:10] Patrice shares her breastfeeding journey with her four children
-
[10:08] Patrice discusses the tools involved in breastfeeding and other things a new mom may not know
-
[15:50] Discussion of MilkMate’s service, the process and the benefit to the mom and the employer
-
[20:18] The importance of explaining to an employer what is involved in breastfeeding so that they understand the need for a private, stocked space
-
[24:25] Patrice discusses what people don’t know about breastfeeding
-
[28:03] What Patrice desires for the future of breastfeeding
-
[31:42] Patrice shares what family means to her
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
-
Many new moms feel pressure to breastfeed, but a lack of comfortable and private spaces at work can make it a real challenge. Some moms leave the workforce because they have to choose between working and breastfeeding.
-
Don’t get discouraged or down on yourself if breastfeeding doesn’t work for you. It is difficult, expensive and time-consuming. Don’t let social media force you into something you don’t want.
-
MilkMate is a service that allows working moms to continue working safely and privately while breastfeeding their babies.
RESOURCE LINKS:
BIOGRAPHY:
MilkMate’s Founder and CEO, Patrice Meagher, created MilkMate out of her own lived experience, becoming a mom to her four children while also building her career as a high-powered commercial real estate executive. Her mission in creating MilkMate is simple: She wants to support and empower working moms everywhere – and it starts with her turnkey breast pumping solution purpose-built for workplace wellness rooms.
During her time representing landlords throughout Manhattan, Patrice experienced the rise of health and wellness initiatives in the workplace and began helping employers and landlords design wellness areas to comply with new laws requiring dedicated space for breast pumping. All the while, she chose to breastfeed her four children and continued to do so even after she returned to work from maternity leave. It didn’t take her long to realize that the process surrounding breast pumping at work was inefficient and inconvenient. She knew there had to be a better way.
In 2020, Patrice left her commercial real estate job to start MilkMate so that no mother would ever have to choose between her family and career due to the challenges of breast pumping in the place of work.