Katy Huie Harrison, PhD

Katy Huie Harrison, PhD, is an author, mom, recurrent miscarriage survivor, & owner of Undefining Motherhood. She lives in Atlanta with her husband (affectionately known on the internet as "Husband,") son (Jack), and daughter (Branham). She believes our society puts too many expectations on women that make womanhood and motherhood restrictive. Her goal is to shift the paradigm about what it means to be a woman and mother, giving all women a greater sense of agency over their own lives. You can find Katy and her work featured in places like CNN's Headline News, Romper, Scary Mommy, Love What Matters, & more.

Dear Everyone, Let’s Be Honest About the Postpartum Experience

Let’s just be honest here, y’all. Even if you had an “easy” birthing experience (I use quotes because, does such a thing really exist?), the postpartum experience is a beast. It’s a period full of emotion, discomfort, sleep deprivation, tenderness, and the realization that you’ve been lied to by your friends and family. A lot. […]

So Your Friend Had a Miscarriage and You’re Pregnant? How to Support Her

I’ve heard it literally thousands of times, and I’ve experienced it from both sides: “My friend had a miscarriage and I’m pregnant. What do I do?” In this article, let’s talk about the many complicated nuances of this situation. There are so many ways to show your support: create a miscarriage care package, learn to […]

The Gifts I Want are Not What You Think, Mom. Love, Your Toddler

Dear Mom (and Dad, Santa, and all the other people who buy me things), I know you have big plans for me this year, and I get it. After all, it is my first Christmas where I’m interested in the decorations and squeal over the music and can actually open gifts. It makes sense that […]

6 Benefits of Natural Birth You Probably Haven’t Considered

The benefits of natural birth are on the mind of any woman preparing to bring a child in the world. It’s easy to get scared away from an unmedicated birth, especially after reading about the disadvantages of natural birth. After all, pain management is one of the few controllable things women choose about the laboring […]

Painful Sex After Episiotomy: Lifelong Scars from a Traumatic Birth Story

Birth stories often fall into two categories: lovely and full of warmth and downright horrifying. In fact, we’ve published several birth stories that run the gamut from joyful to petrifying. Unfortunately, Melanie’s story falls into the latter category. A German mama living in France, Melanie gave birth to her child in a French hospital where […]

Maternal Mortality in the US: We Haven’t Come As Far As We Think

What is maternal mortality? The CDC defines “pregnancy related deaths,” often referred to as “maternal mortality,” as “the death of a woman while pregnant or within 1 year of the end of a pregnancy.” And it’s terrifying to realize that maternal mortality rates have been steadily increasing in the United States. Undefining Motherhood is, in […]

The Universal Realm of Motherhood: Why We Must Help Haiti NOW

It’s a relatively cool day for a tropical climate. A lovely, comfortable 78 degrees. But in Madaline’s small, cinder block home, the mood of its inhabitants in no way reflects the gloriousness of the weather. Schools have been closed since September, so her 6 children help her make trips back and forth to the river […]