The Unplanned Podcast with Matt & Abby
Episode: “Mood swings, pregnancy rage & baby names: 2nd trimester Q&A”
Date: April 29, 2026
Hosts: Matt & Abby Howard
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Theme: Second Trimester Pregnancy Q&A, Navigating Grief, Naming Babies, and Family Insights
Episode Overview
In this candid, heartfelt Q&A episode, Matt and Abby Howard answer listener questions about Abby’s second trimester, pregnancy after loss, navigating "gender disappointment," dealing with mood swings and pregnancy rage, choosing baby names, and preparing for their third boy. The conversation is warm, humorous, and deeply personal, offering advice, insights, and real talk about the ups and downs of growing a family after grief.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Baby Names: Ones They Love, But Won’t Use
[00:20, 46:51, 51:05]
- Abby shares a list of baby names they adore but won’t be naming this child: Quincy, Finley, Sloan, Luca, Rad, Ferris, Ramsay, Fletcher, Decker.
- Matt admits he would love to use "Fletcher," but their chosen name is already set for this baby.
- Playful debates over names show their differences and preferences.
- Quote: "You basically pick them out and then I just say if I like them or not." – Matt [51:05]
- Abby notes that some names, like Griffin, were on their list early, and even negative feedback from others doesn't bother them if they love it.
- Quote: "Do you know how much that offended me? Zero. Because I love the name Griffin." – Abby [49:48]
2. Announcing the Gender and Navigating ‘Gender Disappointment’
[01:21–06:27]
- The couple recently announced they’re having a boy and received over 1,000 listener questions, with half relating to gender disappointment.
- Abby opens up about "gender disappointment" being more about grieving their lost pregnancy than wishing for a particular gender.
- Quote: "It isn't even necessarily the right word—disappointment. I really just think it was all attached to grief." — Abby [04:17]
- Matt relates the feelings to his own family's experiences and finds acceptance and excitement about a third boy.
- Quote: "Now that I get to go through this—what my parents went through, having three boys—I’m so stoked." – Matt [05:52]
3. Pregnancy After Loss & Ongoing Grief
[06:27–09:02; 42:10–44:44; 54:12]
- Abby recalls her parents' loss of a baby girl and resonates deeply with complex feelings surrounding gender and grief.
- The couple expresses vigilance with extra ultrasounds in this pregnancy and the difference between “moving on” and “growing through grief."
- Quote: "I just made peace at the very early on that this was gonna be probably a lifelong grieving process." – Abby [42:21]
- They discuss openly with their kids about losing their sister Emerson, explaining: "Her body stopped working." – Abby [53:21]
- Rainbows have taken on a new meaning for the family — reminders of their daughter.
- Quote: "I like to think of, like, when I see a rainbow, it's her saying hi." – Matt [54:31]
4. Handling the 2nd Trimester: Symptoms, Energy, and Excitement
[09:36–14:46, 44:44–46:51]
- Abby’s favorite thing: feeling kicks, often gets emotional thinking about it.
- Tips for maintaining energy: dig deep, keep moving, rely on gym routine, caffeine in moderation.
- Quote: "There's a reserve beneath exhaustion that you find. Once you push past wanting to nap, it gets easier." – Abby [11:14]
- Cravings are broad—Abby wants to eat everything, especially late in the day.
- Registry tips: focus on diapers, wipes, swaddles, a good car seat; their must-haves have changed since baby #1.
- Abby is moving towards glass bottles after learning more about plastics.
- They have not yet prepped for the newborn, which is different from prior pregnancies.
5. Parenting Philosophy Changes With Baby #3
[17:39–20:24]
- Both say their approach is "chill the F out" compared to first-time parenting.
- Quote: "Something as simple as your baby crying—wait 60 seconds and if they stop crying, you don't need to rush in." – Matt [17:53]
- They value their established community and support network now more than with baby #1, which eases anxiety.
- More confidence and less stress comes from experience and knowing how to distinguish the seriousness of cries or parenting issues.
6. Mood Swings, “Pregnancy Rage,” and Emotional Resilience
[22:06–26:42, 40:49–41:49]
- Abby reflects on mood swings and says therapy—and life experience—help more than blaming hormones.
- Quote: "I don't feel as emotionally unstable as previous pregnancies—that's probably therapy, more than hormones." – Abby [24:35]
- Matt affirms Abby’s resilience and inspiration, handling two boys during pregnancy.
- Quote: "You've been resilient and you've been an inspiration." – Matt [24:20]
- Open talk about postpartum rage, shame, and recovery, emphasizing honest communication and planning ahead.
7. Open Q&A: Listener Questions
a. Preventing Stretch Marks
[34:06–35:50]
- Abby: “I just moisturize a lot, but I’m not convinced anything moves the needle. I have them, and they don’t bother me.”
b. Advice for Wanting Another Baby When Partner Isn’t Sure
[64:15–65:02]
- Abby: “Have an honest conversation, then let it rest for months. Both need to be on board.”
c. Baby Moon & Postpartum Plans
[65:48–67:30]
- Planning a baby moon (if possible), and this time, prioritizing private recovery: no overnight guests for the first month.
d. Funny Pregnancy Moments
[67:59–69:10]
- Recurring jokes about peeing, bodily changes, tooting in the car (“Red alert!”—Matt [68:32]), and the baby always showing private parts in ultrasounds.
e. How They Talk About Death with Their Kids
[52:22–54:08]
- Matt and Abby use direct but age-appropriate language and try to keep the conversation open for their boys to process.
8. Joys and Challenges of Raising Boys
[37:04–38:18]
- Matt and Abby embrace the all-boy-dynamic (their own upbringing helps), but Abby jokes about “outsourcing” trendiness to her nieces.
- Quote: "I do think girl moms are just so much more fashionable and trendy than boy moms, so... my nieces will help me out." – Abby [38:07]
9. Reflections on Healing, Bravery, and Living in the Present
[55:35–59:25]
- Abby: "People who’ve gone through grief aren’t broken—they’re stronger. Entering this pregnancy knowing we could lose this baby makes me feel stronger, not weaker."
- They discuss bravery in trying again and accepting the absence of guarantees in life or parenting.
- The family finds meaning in living fully and presently—taking their kids to Disneyland as an example.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Gender Disappointment and Grief:
"Disappointment isn't even necessarily the right word... it was all attached to grief, but now it's just excitement." – Abby [04:17]
- On Parenting Evolution:
"Chilling the f out, I think, is what we've learned." – Matt [17:49]
- On Postpartum Planning:
"What we’re doing is just Abby, me, and our newborn. Sending the boys to grandma and grandpa's—so we can focus on each other those first days." – Matt [66:56]
- On Sillier Moments:
"You've been dropping some bombs in the car... Can you just be like, 'red alert'?" – Matt [68:32]
- On Bravery After Loss:
"It's not going to happen, and that's why this is brave... If you could just show me a magic ball, this would require no bravery of me." – Abby [56:40]
- On Family Naming Dynamics:
"If anybody needs name suggestions, just holler at your girl right here. She's an expert baby name generator." – Matt [65:38]
Important Segment Timestamps
| Timestamp | Topic |
| --- | --- |
| 00:20 | Baby names they love but won’t use (recurring throughout) |
| 01:21 | Reaction to third boy & gender disappointment |
| 06:27 | Discussing family history, grief, and pregnancy scans |
| 09:36 | Fears for third child's sibling bonding |
| 12:13 | Registry must-haves & product recommendations |
| 17:39 | What they’ll do differently with baby #3 |
| 22:06 | Mood swings, symptoms, advice |
| 34:06 | Preventing stretch marks |
| 40:49 | Postpartum rage & coping strategies |
| 42:10 | Processing miscarriage & timing for trying again |
| 46:51 | Name list—on-mic deliberation, fun stories |
| 52:22 | Explaining death to their kids & ongoing grief conversations |
| 55:35 | Are you really doing okay? Strength after grief |
| 58:44 | Living in the present, Disneyland plans |
| 65:48 | Baby moon and postpartum house guest boundaries |
| 67:59 | Funny pregnancy moments—bodily functions & quirks |
Tone & Language
The conversation is open, honest, supportive, and filled with friendly banter. Matt and Abby balance humor with vulnerability, creating a safe space for talking about hard things—while also celebrating the everyday joys and quirks of family life and pregnancy.
Conclusion
This episode offers a warm, relatable look at navigating pregnancy after loss, evolving parenting philosophies, the challenges of naming a baby (and landing the perfect name), and openly addressing both the hard and hilarious realities of parenthood. The Howards' openness—about grief, healing, and hope—makes this Q&A episode both comforting and uplifting for listeners at any stage of their own journey.