
The MamasteFit Podcast
169: Pregnant on Active Duty: Army Reality Checks, Leave Perks & Why Timing Matters
Gina (perinatal fitness trainer/birth doula) and Roxanne (certified nurse midwife) share their experiences being pregnant while active duty Army - noting it’s been about 10 years and policies may have changed! They explain their Army roles—Gina as an MP officer and cultural support team leader attached to all-male special operations units (plus airborne/jump master), and Roxanne as an Army nurse who moved into labor and delivery—then discuss how job demands affect when it’s realistic to plan pregnancy, how pregnancy can pull soldiers from key/physical roles, and how dual-military parenting adds major logistics and career pressure. They cover benefits like GI Bill, TRICARE, pensions, and improved parental leave (now 18 weeks for the birthing person and 12 weeks parental leave), plus practical issues like pumping, bottle refusal, and advocating for lactation spaces. They emphasize intentional pregnancy/postpartum fitness to support recovery and readiness, and point listeners to MamasteFit programs and a military discount. Birth Stories with Active Duty Service Members: Danielle’s Birth Story: Unmedicated Hospital Birth/Home Birth → Scheduled C-Section for Placenta Previa: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3g79heXnt3TnI52HaAuaiV?si=8E41bjdVSbWJhanYl8AzOg Ashley’s Birth Story: Pandemic Challenges + Unexpected Precipitous Labor: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YCe4UiCsjPjILQ4Rnxzdm?si=YW7UO4PxT8uyP2vVfSYS4Q Alyssa’s Birth Story: Unmedicated Hospital Induction & Postpartum Complications: https://mamastefit.com/alyssas-birth-story-unmedicated-hospital-induction-postpartum-complications/ 00:00 Welcome and Disclaimer 00:46 Meet the Hosts 04:07 Gina Army Officer Role 09:03 West Point Mixups 12:38 Back to Army Pregnancy Timing 13:12 Cultural Support Team Missions 20:40 Airborne Jumpmaster Stories 25:08 Roxanne Army Nurse Life 28:31 Labor and Delivery Specialty 30:02 Leave and Garrison Differences 32:24 Planning Life Events 34:19 Pregnancy Work Profiles 38:18 Career Timing Reality 45:01 Dual Military Challenges 50:40 Military Benefits Breakdown 55:20 Leave Policies Explained 01:00:40 Breastfeeding Logistics 01:05:01 PT Tests and P3T 01:08:51 Fitness and Readiness 01:12:59 Wrap Up and Programs ———— Grab Your Copy of Training for Two → https://amzn.to/3VOTdwH Your go-to guide for prenatal fitness, birth prep, and postpartum recovery. Start Preparing for Birth Today Download our free Birth Prep Circuit Guide → https://mamastefit.com/freebies/prepare-for-birth-circuit Grab our free Pelvic Floor Prep Guide → https://mamastefit.com/freebies/prepare-your-pelvic-floor-for-labor/ Learn how to relax and lengthen your pelvic floor to support a smoother labor and pushing phase. Explore Our Online Programs: Whether you're pregnant or postpartum—we’ve got you covered with expert-led fitness and education: ♀️ Prenatal & Postpartum Fitness Programs Childbirth + Postpartum Education Courses → https://mamastefit.com Just Had a Baby? Grab our free Postpartum Core Workouts → https://mamastefit.kit.com/core Start reconnecting with your core and feeling strong again—safely and confidently. ——— Follow Us on Instagram for Daily Tips + BTS https://instagram.com/mamastefit ——— ✨ Shop Our Favorites: ⚡️ Electrolytes we love → https://drinklmnt.com/mamaste Supplements we trust – 20% off with code MAMASTEFIT → https://thisisneeded.com/ginaandroxanne Maternity clothing we actually wear – 10% off with code MAMASTEFIT → https://rstr.co/lovesteady/3500 ——


