Meet Hilary Ogro Plante

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hilary Ogro Plante a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Hilary, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

After having my first son, I really became interested in helping other moms who were pregnant or in the postpartum period because I could see how much support new parents really need. I was so stressed out while pregnant and I didn’t want to prepare for birth at all, because I felt like not knowing what was going to happen would help me not be so anxious. I walked into that birth experience just waiting for the nurses and doctors to tell me what to do. It ended up being fine, but everything felt completely out of my control. After giving birth, a friend asked me to come over so she could ask me some questions about birth and taking care of a baby. While sitting there talking about her concerns, a lightbulb went on in my head. “New parents need support. Childbirth classes aren’t giving them all the information and help they need. Maybe I can be the support new parents need.” Once my son turned 1, I decided to sign up for a Birth Coaching certification program in hopes of helping some of my friends go through their pregnancy and birth journey. I completed the training right as my second son was born. I saw firsthand how important it was that I learned how to advocate for myself in birth and really communicate what I needed. Because of my ability to advocate for what I wanted, my second birth was significantly better. I felt like I was more in control and was able to make decisions with a clear mind. At the time, I had been a 3rd grade teacher for 7 years. I woke up one morning a little nervous to go back to teaching after my maternity leave was over. This was the first time in 7 years I ever thought, “wait…no one is making me go back.” From that moment on, I changed my career path and decided to start Momentum Birth Coaching. I get to spend more time with my own kids while also supporting expectant parents through my prenatal coaching. It’s a dream come true and I love getting to work with new parents to lift the burden of anxiety during the birth prep process.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I offer prenatal coaching services for soon-to-be parents who want to walk into their birth experience feeling confident, informed, and prepared. My coaching sessions are designed to help parents navigate the complexities of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with a clear plan and actionable strategies. I focus on building trust with my clients and equipping them with tools to advocate for themselves, communicate effectively with their birth team, and make empowered decisions. Coaching sessions are completely tailored to the needs of my clients. This can range from helping them set up a registry to thinking through concerns and fears around birth. My services are great for any parents who are expecting a baby, but they’re especially fitting for parents who may not want a doula in the room but still want expert guidance leading up to the big day.

What excites me most about this work is witnessing the transformation in parents as they move from feeling unsure or anxious to feeling capable and ready. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that I’ve helped them go into such a monumental moment in their lives with confidence.

Something I’m particularly proud of is my free birth plan template, available on the website, which offers a great starting point for families to articulate their preferences for labor and delivery. Thinking through a birth plan ahead of time is one way to significantly reduce stress around birth. I’m also excited to share that I will have a new course coming out soon related to reducing anxiety around birth. This course will provide practical steps to reduce anxiety and feel more confident not only during birth but also throughout the postpartum period.

I love that Momentum Birth Coaching is all about giving parents the skills and mindset they need to take control of their birth experience—because when you feel prepared, you can focus on the excitement around welcoming your baby to the world!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I think what helps me the most is the experience of my own two pregnancies and births. For my first birth, I was way too anxious to learn anything about the birth and postpartum period. I went into it blind. This resulted in a birth experience where I felt like I was just asking everyone else in the room to make decisions for me. Before my second birth, I learned what my preferences were and also how to advocate for myself while in labor. This significantly changed how I felt about that birth experience. Since I have experienced both ends of this birth prep spectrum, I have the ability to be empathetic to new parents who are in either position. I have been there and I get it. This is what drives my desire to help others.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m seeking partnerships with a diverse range of professionals who share our commitment to supporting families through the birthing process. I’m particularly interested in collaborating with wellness practitioners, including experts in prenatal and postnatal fitness, nutritionists, and mental health professionals, as they can offer valuable resources for emotional and physical well-being. I also see great potential in partnering with content creators and influencers who focus on birth, parenting and maternal health to help spread our message. If you’re interested in collaborating, please reach out to me at hilary@momentumbirth.com or visit our website at www.momentumbirth.com. I’m excited to work together to have a meaningful impact on the lives of new families!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.momentumbirth.com
• Instagram: @momentumbirth
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momentumbirth

Image Credits

Joyful.e Photography
Mary Lewis Photography