It's week 4 of The 12 Weeks of Birth! This week on the podcast I have a short and fun re-air for you guys featuring my sister, Jenna! I quizzed her on some fun pregnancy trivia - it turned out to be WAY HARDER than I thought it was going to be, I think she only got 2 right hah. So, I invite you to play along at home too to see if you can beat her! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

It’s week 3 of the 12 weeks of birth! This week I chose to re-air a solo episode talking all about spontaneous labor versus inductions, and why spontaneous labor is typically preferred. I also touch on the timeline of medical inductions and what that entails. You’ll learn about a few things you can do during your pregnancy to prep your body for labor, too! And then at the end of the episode I share the quick version of what I personally did with both of my boys to get myself into labor. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

It's week 2 of The 12 Days of Birth! Are you wondering what to do while waiting for baby to arrive? I get it, when your due date countdown goes from weeks to days, time can start to feel extra slow. We’ve all heard the joke about the last month of pregnancy lasting 5,654,213 days, right?? Well, this week I’m re-airing an episode to share with you some ways to help  pass that time and get you a little more prepared mentally, physically, and sentimentally (is that a thing?) for your baby to arrive. Keep in mind that these are the things that aren’t absolutely essential, but are a great way to fill those waiting days! Anxious about packing for the hospital? Grab the FREE Hospital Bag Checklist created by a practicing L&D nurse and feel 10000% certain you’ve got everything you need on the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

It's officially week 1 of The 12 Days of Birth! This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I have a really exciting birth story to share with you guys! I actually had a personal friend of mine, Tess Camp, come on the show to tell the story of her three very different deliveries, with an emphasis on her extremely precipitous labor and second birth! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week I interviewed Maranda Bower, CEO and Founder of Postpartum University®. Maranda lives in her beautiful homestead in Alaska with her husband, 4 children, and many unruly chickens! She’s had 4 home births, each of which has uniquely taught her about herself, and her postpartum experiences. Maranda has such a unique, beautiful story and I can’t wait to share it with you all! Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Maranda Bower: Maranda Bower is the CEO and Founder of Postpartum University®, dedicated to empowering both mothers and professionals in redefining maternal well-being. With her extensive expertise in biology, nutrition, and perinatal mental health, she stands as a pioneering figure in the field. Maranda possesses a profound understanding of the intricate physiological processes that underpin postpartum well-being. As a prolific researcher and accomplished author, including the bestselling book "Reclaiming Postpartum Wellness," her impactful work extends globally. She’s also the founder of the Postpartum Nutrition Certification Program, the only functional nutrition certification dedicated to the unique period that is postpartum! Learn More & Connect With Maranda Here: www.PostpartumU.com/Podcast  

Today, we talk about that golden hour after birth and what to expect in the first 48 hours of your hospital stay.  The golden hour is the uninterrupted first hour of a baby's life and is filled with such great evidence base benefits for both baby and mama, that it’s becoming standard practice in more and more hospitals around the country. We’ll discuss those benefits and after we talk about what to expect from the first 48 hours after birth, because it’s a critical time of recovery for the mom and baby. It's important to remember that while the golden hour can be beneficial, it should only be pursued if it’s safe. Safety and stability are always the top priorities, and there should be no guilt if the golden hour cannot be achieved due to medical reasons.   Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth.   Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!   Related Episodes EP114: C-Section vs. Vaginal Birth: What is the Better Option?

Welcome back to part 2 of my interview with the amazing Gail Tully! This is an episode we have aired before and are publishing again, because it is just that good of an episode.  In part 2, we are talking about inductions, and how spinning babies can help support you if you're having an induction. We also talk about VBACs, special considerations regarding VBACs and Belly Mapping. If you haven’t heard of belly mapping before, it is a concept created by Spinning Babies to figure out where your baby is positioned in your pelvis. Super interesting! If you haven’t listened to last week's episode, you might want to hold off on this one and listen to last week's episode first, as that is the first part of this interview. Otherwise, jump right in and enjoy Part 2 of ‘How to have an easier birth’   Want to feel in control before birth?  Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire.   Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!   Resources mentioned in this Episode Spinning Babies techniques and resources    About Gail Tully Gail Tully is a Midwife, renowned author and educator and creator of the Spinning Babies® approach that has contributed to a paradigm shift in childbirth care around the world. In her home town of Minneapolis, USA, Gail has been coordinator and consultant to multiple well known Doula Programs and is a founding mother of the Childbirth Collective, one of the largest doula organizations in the USA.  Books by Gail Tully Breech Birth Quick GuideSpinning Babies® Quick ReferenceBelly Mapping® Workbook Videos by Gail Tully Spinning Babies® Parent ClassDaily Essentials (with Sarah Longacre of Blooma)Resolving Shoulder Dystocia

This week, I’ve got a special treat for you guys! We are traveling back in time and re-airing the most popular episode in the history of this podcast.  I'm so excited to put this out again for you guys because I’m talking to Gail Tulley (full bio below) and she is such a wealth of knowledge! She is the founder of Spinning Babies, which talks about the physiology of your baby in the womb and the importance of creating as much space in the pelvis as possible.  In this episode, we talked about ample fetal positioning and why it’s so important to consider which way the baby is facing and how flexed the head is. Gail makes all this really, really easy to understand. We also talked about exercises and movements, posterior babies, what to do when your baby is breech and so much more! Enjoy part one of this super informative episode on how to have an easier birth.   Want to birth without an epidural? Get our FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack to gain the confidence you need - because simply wanting it might not be enough!   Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!   Related Episodes and Resources Spinning Babies techniques and resources  Optimal Fetal Positioning book by Jean Sutton and Pauline Scott  Ina May Gaskin's book about orgasmic birth Debra Pascali-Bonaro's work on orgasmic birth   About Gail Tully Gail Tully is a Midwife, renowned author and educator and creator of the Spinning Babies® approach that has contributed to a paradigm shift in childbirth care around the world. In her home town of Minneapolis, USA, Gail has been coordinator and consultant to multiple well known Doula Programs and is a founding mother of the Childbirth Collective, one of the largest doula organizations in the USA.  Books by Gail Tully Breech Birth Quick Guide Spinning Babies® Quick Reference Belly Mapping® Workbook Videos by Gail Tully  Spinning Babies® Parent Class Daily Essentials (with Sarah Longacre of Blooma) Resolving Shoulder Dystocia  

In today's episode, I will dive into the critical topic of improving maternal health outcomes for black women and the promising programs that are making a difference. Black women often face discrimination and stress during their pregnancies, birth and postpartum, leading to the highest rates of maternal mortality and health complications in the US.  However, there is hope on the horizon and Dr. Venice Hayes and Natalie Davis are joining me today to discuss the positive changes that are happening around this topic! Denise is the Senior Director of Research and community engagement at United States of Care and brings over 14 years of public health experience. And Natalie is the CEO and co-founder of United States of care with nearly two decades of shaping American health care policies.  I'm so thrilled to share this interview in honor of black maternal health week as a means to help raise awareness and support wider adoptions of these crucial programs and practices. And if you want to keep listening to learn more about the realities of black maternal health, I encourage you to listen to Episode 73 after this one.   Save $20 on your Birth Class today (limited time only) ! Have an even better birth with our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. For every class sold, we are going to give away a free class to a mom that otherwise wouldn’t have been able to take part! CLICK HERE and SAVE $20 by entering the code GIVE on checkout (limited time only) And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!   Resources and Related Episodes "Bright Spots" Report from United States of Care Nurse Family Partnerships - Provides resources and support for first-time moms. Black Mom of Glowing - Peer support group for maternal mental health. Family Solutions - Provides resources and support for parents and children in rural communities in South Carolina Maven Clinic - Provides reproductive and family healthcare for members. Ocean Family Center - Has a program that gives free virtual psychotherapy appointments for mothers. Shades of Blue Project - Offers a postpartum support group through journaling in Houston, Texas. Spinning Babies - Provide resources on a physiological approach to preparing for and caring for birth. EP73: The Realities of Black Maternal Health

In this week's episode, I’m talking to Katie who shares her powerful twin birth story with a surprise gender reveal in the end!  She struggled to find relatable experiences during her own pregnancy, so she decided to share her birth story with us today! Katie talks about her surprising discovery that she was carrying identical twins, the medical complications she faced and a long labor that ended in a vaginal twin delivery. Katie even shares postpartum challenges and hopes her story helps other twin moms feel less alone. Tune in for this intimate look into one mother's twin birth journey.   Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day!   Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

Today we're talking all about SEX during pregnancy. It's one of those things that feels a little taboo to talk about, but it shouldn’t be! The benefits of having sex during pregnancy are huge (which we’ll talk about in the episode!) and doctors all over the world are recommending pregnant women to continue their usual sexual activities. But there is a lot of confusing and contradicting information out there – so I took the top pregnancy sex questions asked among pregnant mamas and compiled them here for you today! After this episode, I recommend listening to my interview with The Down There Doctors in Episode 211 - we did a pelvic floor deep dive that totally complements everything you're going to learn in this episode!    Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again!   Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!   Related Episodes EP211: A Pelvic Floor Deep Dive with the Down There Doctors

Today we're talking about a topic every expecting mom needs to know about - Prenatal Appointments! I'm so excited, because I am going to give you 10 helpful ways to rock these visits. Of course we are going to cover all the basics to give you a good baseline and answer all the most common questions about this topic. Plus I’ll be sharing some really helpful tips to make the best of your prenatal appointments!   Prenatal care feeling tricky to navigate? My FREE 45 Minute Workshop will teach you what to expect, educate you about important tests and procedures, and ensure you’re making the most of your prenatal care!   Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

Today, we'll be diving into a topic that's near and dear to every mom's heart: the often overwhelming expectations of motherhood and the importance of reclaiming joy and fulfillment amidst the chaos. Joining us is Erica Djossa, a maternal mental health specialist and the founder of the Momwell community. Throughout our conversation, we'll explore Erica's journey into the maternal mental health space, the inspiration behind her book, and some key takeaways that moms everywhere can implement in their own lives. To hear more from Erica, I encourage you to listen to my two other interviews with her! She came on the show in Episode 79 to talk about the invisible load of motherhood, and in Episode 187 we unpacked postpartum psychosis.   Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth.   Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!   Related Episodes and Resources EP79: The Invisible Load of Motherhood EP187: Understanding Postpartum Psychosis with Erica Djossa Momwell Workshops & Courses Momwell Community Erica Djossa’s New Book: "Releasing the Mother Load"

Did you know that over 80% of pregnant women across the US hope to give birth without an epidural?? Can you take a guess on how many women end up getting an epidural - 71%! So what's with this big discrepancy?! The truth is, many women go into their labor and delivery experience completely unprepared for what an unmedicated birth involves. So today, let's talk about tips and strategies for the mamas that do want to try to birth without an epidural. Because I believe in you and know you can do it! And even if you are 100% set on getting an epidural, this is a good listen because you just never know how it's going to go down on the big day! Want to birth without an epidural? Get our FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack to gain the confidence you need - because simply wanting it might not be enough! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes and Resources EP126: Natural Labor Birth Story After a Traumatic Birth EP135: A Positive Natural Birth Story The Leapfrog Group Ina May's Guide to Childbirth  

In this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, we are talking about some of the weirder postpartum symptoms you might experience! I'm sure there are some aspects of postpartum recovery that you're ready for - the bleeding, the exhaustion, the soreness. But did you know about the night sweats that may leave you soaking wet? Or the postpartum chills that will have you wearing a hoodie in the dead of summer? If not, tune in as I review a thorough list of postpartum symptoms to be on the lookout for! I'm confident after listening, you'll feel at least a *little* more prepared for postpartum life! Limited Time Offer! Grab our brand new (and FREE!) Pregnancy Planner and eliminate that pregnancy and postpartum overwhelm today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP74: Seriously Why is Postpartum so Hard? EP113: Postpartum Nutrition and Wellness

In today's episode, we dive into Fallon's incredible journey through pregnancy, birth, and caring for her premature baby. From the minute she found out she was pregnant, to weeks after he was born - Fallon's story has a ton of ups and downs! Her story is one of resilience, intuition, and the power of advocating for yourself in the face of medical challenges. So join me for this rollercoaster of a birth story, and hear about the valuable lessons she learned along the way!  Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

Pregnancy is often a time centered around the birthing mama. Right from the beginning, you and baby start to bond as he/she grows inside you. But, are you wondering how to get your partner excited about pregnancy too? On today's episode, we're talking about partners and how to help them get excited about pregnancy right from the start! We'll talk about bonding ideas between partner and your growing bump, big events your partner can play a role in, and inspire some ‘expecting dates’ you can do in every trimester.  With these ideas, your partner will be just as excited about pregnancy as you are! Grab our FREE Partner Support Guide! To prepare your partner to support you in pregnancy, birth, and beyond! You can grab it right here! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP70: Why Do We Fight With Our Partners After Having Babies? EP136: Preparing Your Relationship for Baby with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish

In today’s episode we're diving into a topic that sometimes hides in the shadows — anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum. Anxiety isn't just confined to the postpartum period; it can weave its way into the fabric of pregnancy too. So in this episode we unravel the layers of anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum, explore natural remedies to ease the journey, and talk about when medication is the right move. If you or a loved one is suffering from ANY perinatal mood disorder, know that there is help out there. Call your provider right away and let them know that something isn't right. For more acute situations, call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Resources and Episodes EP142: Mental Health in Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Motherhood with Dr. Ashurina Ream EP157: Discussing Perinatal Mental Health with Perinatal Psychiatrist, Nichelle Haynes EP187: Understanding Postpartum Psychosis with Erica Djossa Find a perinatal therapist National Maternal Mental Health Hotline number: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)

Welcome back to another episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast! Today, we're diving deep into the world of baby movement during pregnancy with special guest, Kimberly Isburg from one of my favorite organizations, Count the Kicks! Kimberly is a passionate advocate for maternal health causes and is honored to work for an organization that is dedicated to improving birth outcomes and saving the lives of moms and babies. Inside the interview, I will be exploring crucial aspects of kick counting during pregnancy with Kimberly. She will share her insights on the importance of kick counting, dispel myths surrounding fetal movement, provide valuable tips for expectant mothers, and more! Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episode and Resources EP127: Stillbirth Prevention Tips Count the Kicks Website Count the Kicks FREE App Count the Kicks Instagram About Kimberly Isburg Kimberly Isburg is the Communications Manager for Healthy Birth Day, Inc., the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that created the Count the Kicks stillbirth prevention program. Kimberly used Count the Kicks to get to know her babies’ normal movement patterns during both of her pregnancies and is proud to be the mom of two healthy boys. She is a passionate advocate for maternal health causes and is honored to work for an organization that is dedicated to improving birth outcomes and saving the lives of moms and babies.

This week, let's talk about a situation I hope you never need but should definitely know - how to deliver a baby at home. Better to be prepared, right?! Listen in as I explore the 10 steps to delivering a baby. From recognizing when it's time to head to the hospital to handling emergency situations, I've got you covered. This practical guide is designed to empower you with the knowledge you might need in unforeseen circumstances - because, let's face it, life is unpredictable!! Want to feel more in control of your birth experience? No matter how you plan to deliver, the FREE Birth Prep Guide is here to help you prepare. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episode EP96: Tess's Very Precipitous Birth Story!

Today we're delving into the nitty-gritty of postpartum life - from managing those initial cramps while breastfeeding to understanding the ebb and flow of post-birth bleeding. We'll also explore C-section recovery, red flags to watch for during those first 6 weeks, and I'll demystify the phenomenon of postpartum night sweats. This is a great one to listen to whether you are still pregnant or already cuddling your sweet baby!  Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP81: I Wish I Knew This Before Having My C-Section EP167: Preparing for Postpartum: What You Can Do Before Giving Birth

On this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, Mae Yoshikawa joined me all the way from Japan to share her 2 epidural-free birth stories. Her first was born in a birth center in South Japan, and was rather traumatic. Mae dealt with a long, intense labor with a significant amount of pain throughout. Eight years later, she used the wisdom that she's learned from years of intense practice as a yoga and meditation teacher and applied it to her birth. She was able to have an all natural and almost pain free water birth at her home with her husband and midwife by her side. Mae’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact that your mindset can have on your birth experience. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did recording it! Anxious about packing for the hospital? Grab the FREE Hospital Bag Checklist created by a practicing L&D nurse and feel 10000% certain you’ve got everything you need on the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Mae Yoshikawa Mae is an author, yoga & meditation practitioner, teacher, and mother. In 2006, she became the first Japanese woman to be authorized by the founding school of Ashtanga Yoga in India. Since then, Mae has been a trailblazing force in the wellness field throughout the Asia-Pacific region as Japanese Yogini magazine featured her on 42 consecutive covers. As the face of Adidas yoga, Mae was awarded the “Yoga People’s Award” in 2016 for her remarkable social impact in the wellness field. Her upcoming book, Kizuki: Life’s Tidal Waves + Epiphanies = Love Beyond Time and Death is a heart-wrenching and heart-arousing memoir that chronicles her experience of finding herself again through grief after the sudden loss of her husband in 2018.  Learn more about Mae and her upcoming book Kizuki at her Flagship Website or on Instagram. 

Today we're diving into a topic that's close to the hearts (and stomachs!) of many expecting moms - nausea and vomiting! I do want to give a little trigger warning that if your nausea is triggered by the discussion of this topic, you may want to skip this episode. I know how sensitive some can be with this stuff!! I'll start out by exploring some dietary tips to tackle pregnancy nausea head-on. Then, I'll shift the focus to vomiting during labor. It’s definitely not everyone's favorite topic, but it's a reality for many moms-to-be! Want to feel in control before birth?  Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! SPONSOR Ritual I know first hand the importance of nourishing your body, especially during pregnancy. That’s why I want to share Ritual and their ‘Essential for Women’ Prenatal Multivitamin with you. This is the prenatal I took during my pregnancy after researching a ton of different options. Ritual is all about transparency. They make sure that 100% of their ingredients are made traceable, so you know exactly what you are putting into your body. Ritual offers a subscription based service with free shipping, control over your delivery date and savings when you bundle. And they are so confident in their products that they offer a 30 day money back guarantee. The essential for women prenatal  is a prenatal multivitamin that’s packed with clinically studied nutrients that are essential for both you and your baby! Visit ritual.com/mommylabornurse and 40% off your first month of Ritual will be applied at checkout!

Happy New Year, and welcome back to The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast! We've got a jam-packed line up for 2024, and I can't wait to continue to educate you about all things pregnancy, birth, and baby!  Are you wondering how to get admitted to labor and delivery? You’re certainly not alone! The funny thing about labor is that most pregnant women (especially first-time mamas!) frequently ask themselves the question, “Am I in labor?” when they aren’t really in labor. But once you are actually in labor, there is literally zero doubt – 9 times out of 10 you will know!  Inside this episode I go over specific labor admission criteria, things that might keep you from being admitted, what happens once you are admitted to labor and delivery, and explore other reasons you might be admitted to the hospital during pregnancy. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Resources and Episodes EP103: 10 Things You Can Do To Prep For Labor The Miles Circuit: My Success with These Stretches to Induce Labor

Today we're diving into a topic that often remains in the shadows despite its profound impact on women's health – the pelvic floor!  Pelvic floor health isn't just a topic for medical professionals; it's something that affects millions of women, and yet, it's often met with silence or uncertainty. That's why we're thrilled to have the "Down There Doctors" here with us today. Dr. Karyn Eilber and Dr. Victoria Scott are passionate urogynecologists, who have made it their mission to shine a spotlight on pelvic floor health and break the stigma surrounding it. They're also the co-authors of the candidly titled book, A Woman's Guide to Her Pelvic Floor. What The F*@# is Going On Down There. In this episode, we'll discuss common challenges women face during and after pregnancy, and uncover practical solutions to empower women with knowledge about their bodies. Throughout our conversation, we'll learn about the importance of pelvic floor health, break down myths and misconceptions, and uncover how their book aims to empower women with the knowledge they need to navigate this often-overlooked aspect of their well-being. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Resources A Woman's Guide to Her Pelvic Floor. What The F*@# is Going On Down There.  Down There Doctors Instagram: Down There Doctors Instagram: Dr. Victoria Scott Instagram: Dr. Karyn Eilber About Dr. Karyn Eilber Karyn is a Professor of Urology and Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the Program Director for the Cedars-Sinai Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) fellowship training program. Prior to joining Cedars-Sinai, Dr. Eilber practiced at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. She completed medical school, urology residency and a fellowship in female pelvic medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Eilber’ s research focus has been in the areas of urogynecology and female sexual dysfunction, and she has published multiple peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters. She has lectured nationally and internationally and instructs other physicians across the country on how to perform certain FPMRS surgical procedures. She is the co-founder of Glissant Intimate Care and a founding medical partner of Doctorpedia. About Dr. Victoria Scott Victoria has a long-standing interest in quality-of-care research in female pelvic medicine that began during her medical school training at UCLA. She completed her urology residency and a fellowship in FPMRS at UCLA. While a resident and fellow at UCLA, her research was focused on developing quality-of-care indicators for women with urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse and improving the quality of care delivered to women with recurrent urinary tract infections. Currently, her efforts are aimed at better educating primary care providers in the treatment of female pelvic floor disorders to further improve the care of women with these conditions. She has published multiple peer-reviewed manuscripts and presented her research at numerous national conferences. Before joining her current practice with Optum, she was Director of Education for the Cedars-Sinai FPRMS fellowship training program and on the faculty of the Cedars-Sinai Urology Residency training program.

On this week's episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I took a call about epidurals from our listener line. This mama shared the challenges she faced with an epidural during her first birth and she's got some pressing questions about what to expect with her second labor and delivery. Today, we'll chat about it and explore the possibility of that same reaction happening again in a future birth, the alternatives to pain medication, and whether either might lead to increased C-section rates. Our aim, as always, is to provide you with evidence-based, thorough information to help you make the best decisions for your birth journey! Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsor Ritual I know first hand the importance of nourishing your body, especially during pregnancy. That’s why I want to share Ritual and their ‘Essential for Women’ Prenatal Multivitamin with you. This is the prenatal I took during my pregnancy after researching a ton of different options. Ritual is all about transparency. They make sure that 100% of their ingredients are made traceable, so you know exactly what you are putting into your body. Ritual offers a subscription based service with free shipping, control over your delivery date and savings when you bundle. And they are so confident in their products that they offer a 30 day money back guarantee. The essential for women prenatal  is a prenatal multivitamin that’s packed with clinically studied nutrients that are essential for both you and your baby! Visit ritual.com/mommylabornurse and 40% off your first month of Ritual will be applied at checkout!

Inductions are a hot topic in the labor and delivery world! There is a lot of information floating around (both positive and negative), and it seems like every person has their own, differing opinion.  And I would venture to say that a lot of people get a sour taste in their mouth when they hear the word induction. But I am here to tell you that it’s possible to have a positive and uncomplicated birth experience with an induction. Trust me mama, I see it happen all the time! In this episode, I will spend some time exploring the ARRIVE Trial with you and will also cover the pros and cons of induction vs. spontaneous labor. Want to feel more in control of your birth experience? No matter how you plan to deliver, the FREE Birth Prep Guide is here to help you prepare. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Resources ACOG: Induction of Labor at 39 Weeks

I am so excited for this week's episode because I have a longtime friend coming on to the podcast to talk about her birth experiences, as well as share her expertise on how to approach tough decisions in pregnancy (and life!). Natalie Bacon is a certified mindfulness life coach, and helps moms do inner work to overcome daily challenges and live a more purpose driven life. Natalie was on the podcast about 2 years ago to talk about mindset tips for pregnancy and birth. It's actually one of the most popular episodes on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast - definitely check it out if you haven't done so already! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related episode EP106: Mindset Tips for Pregnancy and Birth with Natalie Bacon About Natalie Bacon Natalie Bacon is a wife, boy mom, and professionally certified life coach for moms. Natalie is the host of a five-star rated podcast, Design Your Dream Life, and is on a mission to help over 10,000 moms overcome challenges and live better lives.   When she's not coaching, Natalie can be found in the Western Suburbs of Chicago with her husband, sons, and two dogs enjoying family life.  IG: @NatalieBaconCoaching Website: NatalieBacon.com Free PDF: Mama Mindset Mantras

Welcome back to another episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, your go-to destination for all things pregnancy and birth! Today we're diving into a magical moment in every pregnancy journey - those first baby movements! In this episode, I’ll unpack quickening in pregnancy and provide you with the information you need to know including a fun segment where veteran moms describe what those first movements felt like. I promise you don't want to miss it! After finishing this episode, you’ll know exactly what to look for when it comes to those first baby movements. So let’s get into it! Pregnancy to-dos piling up already? Get your FREE Second Trimester Prep Pack to create your registry with ease and know you’re staying on track! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Resources PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy Count the Kicks App

Many expectant mothers experience heartburn during pregnancy - a fiery sensation in your chest that is simply no fun! Today we will explore what heartburn is, why it is so common during pregnancy, and most importantly, we’ll go through 14 effective home remedies to help you feel a bit better!! Feeling overwhelmed in the first trimester? Get support in the early weeks with our FREE 1st Trimester Prep Pack and gain a sense of control! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related episodes EP5: Everything from Red Raspberry Tea, Turning a Breech Baby, Round Ligament Pain & More! EP195: Itching During Pregnancy: What's Normal and What's Not! SPONSOR Ritual I know first hand the importance of nourishing your body, especially during pregnancy. That’s why I want to share Ritual and their ‘Essential for Women’ Prenatal Multivitamin with you. This is the prenatal I took during my pregnancy after researching a ton of different options. Ritual is all about transparency. They make sure that 100% of their ingredients are made traceable, so you know exactly what you are putting into your body. Ritual offers a subscription based service with free shipping, control over your delivery date and savings when you bundle. And they are so confident in their products that they offer a 30 day money back guarantee. The essential for women prenatal  is a prenatal multivitamin that’s packed with clinically studied nutrients that are essential for both you and your baby! Visit ritual.com/mommylabornurse and 40% off your first month of Ritual will be applied at checkout!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I'm honored to have a distinguished guest, Dr. Wanda Barfield, joining us in support of the CDC's Hear Her Campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness about maternal health issues and promote respectful maternity care. The CDC has recently released its 2023 Vital Signs Report, shedding light on crucial statistics and findings related to maternal care in the United States. During our time with Dr. Barfield, we'll explore the report's insights, discuss the importance of addressing mistreatment during pregnancy and delivery, and learn how the Hear Her campaign is working to improve communication between healthcare providers and pregnant and postpartum patients. Want to feel more in control of your birth experience? No matter how you plan to deliver, the FREE Birth Prep Guide is here to help you prepare. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Dr. Wanda Barfield Wanda Barfield, MD, MPH, FAAP, is the Director of the Division of Reproductive Health (DRH) within the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She also serves as Assistant Surgeon General in the U.S. Public Health Service. She received her medical and public health degrees from Harvard University and completed a pediatrics residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and a neonatal-perinatal medicine fellowship at Harvard’s Joint Program in Neonatology (Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Hospital, and Children’s Hospital, Boston). Before joining CDC in 2000, she was Director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Emory University School of Medicine. She is a Fellow with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and is the CDC liaison to the AAP Section on Perinatal Pediatrics (SoPPe) and Committee on Fetus and Newborn (COFN). She continues to do clinical work in neonatology, providing care to critically ill newborns in Atlanta, Georgia.  

Hi MLN Podcast fam! I am so glad you are here for part 2 of our new series - Baby Registry 101! If you haven't listened to part 1 (episode 198) be sure to check that out to learn where to start with your registry. But today, let's move our focus to nursery essentials! Designing and decorating your baby's nursery is one of the most exciting tasks of pregnancy! But let's be honest - it can also be kind of overwhelming too! So today, I'll guide you through the must-have items you need to create a cozy and safe sleep environment for your baby. From cribs and mattresses, to bedding and sound machines, we're going to talk through it all - with a healthy dose of pros and cons thrown in! Want even more baby registry support?! Grab my FREE Baby Registry Guide - 150+ pages of pros and cons, considerations, and shoppable links for every price point! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes and Resources Episode 136: Preparing Your Relationship for Baby with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish Episode 198: Baby Registry 101: Where to Start Newton Crib Mattress - Use code LIESEL for $50 off  Snoo Bassinet

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I'm here to answer a question that I get asked ALL the time in my DMs...what gifts or gift basket items should I get for my labor and delivery team?? While nurse gift baskets are very much appreciated, they absolutely aren’t expected and certainly don’t have any impact on the care you receive during your birth. But since I do get asked about this topic a lot, I wanted to take a moment to share some potential nurse gift basket ideas with you today!  Anxious about packing for the hospital? Grab the FREE Hospital Bag Checklist created by a practicing L&D nurse and feel 10000% certain you’ve got everything you need on the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP165: What (and What Not!) to Pack in Your Hospital Bag for Birth and a Bit About Eating During Labor

On this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, Laura Rush joins me to share the story of the birth of her son, Tate! Laura thoroughly enjoyed listening to birth stories throughout her pregnancy, but she often found most birth stories to be "crazy" or with something really unusual happening. Her own birth was relatively "normal" with no major complications, and she felt compelled to share her story hoping that other mamas would find it encouraging and relatable. Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP84: Kim Perry's Three Very Different Births EP135: A Positive Natural Birth Story EP184: Andrea's Inspiring Natural Birth Story  

You spoke (literally!), and we listened! In this episode, I'm diving into two more questions from our podcast listener line.  Today we'll be talking in depth about breech positioning and what that means for birth, the recurrence rate of breech pregnancies, how to VBAC after a breech Cesarean, and more. Then we'll be unpacking pregnancy anxiety and fear related to birth too! This is actually a topic I'm really passionate about, and one of the main reasons I started Mommy Labor Nurse (and this podcast!) to begin with!! If you have a burning question about pregnancy, birth, or postpartum that you'd like me to answer on the show, all you have to do is call 919-213-8719 and leave a voicemail! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes Episode 168: Ask Me Anything Episode 174: Ask Me Anything: Talking Placentas, Epidurals, and Second Pregnancies Episode 191:  Me Anything: Placenta Previas to Postpartum Recovery

Happy 200 MLN Podcast fam!!  To celebrate, I'm giving away five $50 Amazon gift cards! All you have to do is leave a written review of the podcast, take a screenshot of your review, and send it to [email protected] - that's it!! Entry closes on October 8th, 2023.  In this episode, I thought it would be fun to take a little walk down memory lane and give you some behind the scenes insight into the podcast! My sister Jenna is joining me and we're going to talk all about some of my most memorable episodes! Whenever you joined the MLN podcast community, I want you to know how grateful I am that you're here! I love getting to connect in this way every week, and this show would never be possible if it weren't for all of you. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Episodes Mentioned Favorite expert interviews: Episode 17: How to Have An Easier Labor! – Interview with Gail Tully from Spinning Babies® Episode 38: Gail Tully from Spinning Babies Talks Inductions, VBACs, Belly Mapping, & More! Favorite birth stories: Episode 37: Camila’s Story – The Fight To Flourish Episode 196: Christa's Empowering Birth Story Funniest: Episode 140: Liesel and Jenna’s Live Reactions to Birth Scenes in the Media Most proud of: Episode 54: A Fellow Labor Nurse’s Birth Story! (Part 1) Episode 55: A Fellow Labor Nurse’s Birth Story! (Part 2) A must listen: EP106: Mindset Tips for Pregnancy and Birth with Natalie Bacon

The week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we have a very special guest – the incredible Dr. Rebecca Dekker from Evidence Based Birth®! Rebecca is a renowned expert in the field of evidence-based maternity care, with a PhD in nursing. She's dedicated her life to being a full-time entrepreneur and patient advocate for evidence-based care. In this episode, we'll be exploring the topic of natural labor induction and examining the evidence behind various methods. We'll be distinguishing between techniques that might "throw you into labor" and those that gently encourage spontaneous labor over time. And of course we'll talk about pros, cons, safety and more! Want to feel more in control of your birth experience? No matter how you plan to deliver, the FREE Birth Prep Guide is here to help you prepare. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes and Resources EP77: Why It’s Important to Prep Your Body for Labor The Miles Circuit by Sharon Muza About Dr. Rebecca Dekker Rebecca Dekker, a nurse with her PhD, is the founder and CEO of Evidence Based Birth® and the author of “Babies Are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered!” Previously, Dr. Dekker was an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Kentucky. In 2016, she shifted gears to focus full time on the mission of Evidence Based Birth.® Dr. Dekker and Team EBB are committed to creating a world in which all families have access to safe, respectful, evidence based, and empowering care during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They do this by boldly making the research evidence on childbirth freely and publicly accessible. Dr. Dekker is also host of the Evidence Based Birth® podcast, with more than 4.5 million downloads! You can learn more about Rebecca and Evidence Based Birth® below. Evidence Based Birth® website Evidence Based Birth® Instagram Evidence Based Birth® podcast

Today on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I am kicking off our new series - Baby Registry 101! My hope is that with my help, you'll be able to check this item off your pregnancy to-do list while having a lot of fun along the way! In this episode, I focus on the first steps to create your registry. I'll talk through when you should get your registry started and things to consider when choosing where to register at. If you're past the point of starting your baby registry and are looking for something else to listen to today, check out Episode 167: Preparing for Postpartum: What You Can Do Before Giving Birth. It's a must-listen for every mama!! And if you're already in the newborn days, Episode 169: 10 Surprisingly Common Newborn Behaviors with Dr. Mona Amin is definitely worth a listen! Want even more baby registry support? Grab my FREE Baby Registry Guide - 150+ pages of pros & cons, considerations, and shoppable links for every price point! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Resources and Episodes Amazon Registry Babylist Registry

A question I get asked during almost every shift at the hospital is for a list of pharmaceutical pain medications other than epidurals. And while epidurals are kind of the gold standard when it comes to contraction pain - there actually are some other choices! So, today on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I'm going to dive into pain meds other than epidurals, with a special focus on IV narcotics and nitrous oxide for labor. I'll be touching on some non-medical pain management options and ideas too. Want to feel more in control of your birth experience? No matter how you plan to deliver, the FREE Birth Prep Guide is here to help you prepare. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP171: Epidurals 101: Get Informed About Epidurals for Birth

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I have a very special birth story from my good friend Christa Innis, host of the Mom Talks with Christa Podcast She is one of my oldest Mommy Labor Nurse friends and she just had her first baby about four months ago. When she reached out to share her story it was an easy yes! I'm so excited to have her share her very positive and amazing birth story with you in today's episode. Don't forget to grab our FREE Birth Prep Guide! 40+ pages of exclusive birth prep content to get confident and prepated! CLICK HERE to grab it!  Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP184: Andrea's Inspiring Natural Birth Story EP190: Different Types of Twins: Molli's MoMo Twin Birth Story About Christa Innis Christa Innis is a dedicated Senior Social Media and Content Manager at Mommy Knows Best and LaVie Mom, deeply committed to empowering mothers on their breastfeeding and postpartum journey. Based in Wisconsin with her husband, she combines her expertise in content creation with her role as a new mom to a 5-month-old, fostering support and positive change within the parenting community.

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we’re going to address itching during pregnancy and cover what’s normal and what’s not! The thing about itching in pregnancy is that it might be nothing, but it might actually be a sign of something more serious – which is why I wanted to do an episode about this! During pregnancy, your body goes through so many changes. The changes can be physical, emotional, psychological, or a combination of all three! It can be really hard, especially if it’s your first pregnancy, to know whether or not something is normal and when you need to notify your provider. You are probably familiar with the big red flags: vaginal bleeding, severe pain, and decreased fetal movement, but itching isn’t one of those things that we typically think of as being concerning during pregnancy. And it actually can be! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP107: Let's Chat Third Trimester FAQs Resources from this Episode Grandpa’s Pine Tar Soap  

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we have a Q&A style episode that's ALL about the third trimester, based on questions you asked over on my Instagram stories. The third trimester is definitely a transformative time, but it also brings its fair share of uncertainties, questions, and discomforts. From bracing for labor and delivery to nesting instincts and everything in between, we've got you covered! We handpicked a selection of your most commonly asked questions to create an episode that's bursting with helpful information and practical advice. We're here to support you through these final weeks of pregnancy and ensure you're feeling confident and prepared for the journey ahead. Whether you're a first-time mom or a seasoned pro, we know that every pregnancy is unique. And that's why this episode is tailored to address a variety of questions and concerns that pregnant mamas like you are facing right now. Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP107: Let's Chat Third Trimester FAQs Aeroflow Did you know that your health insurance will cover the cost of a breast pump? It’s true! In fact, many health insurance plans also cover milk storage bags, breastfeeding prep courses, and more. At Aeroflow Breastpumps, you can shop top-rated breast pumps from brands like Medela, Spectra, and Motif without ever opening your wallet. Fill out their quick and easy insurance eligibility form and they’ll take care of the rest! It might just be the easiest thing you do this pregnancy. Visit aeroflowbreastpumps.com/mommylabornurse to find out why more than 1 million moms have chosen Aeroflow Breastpumps to get their pump through insurance.

We're honored to have Dr. Robyn Thompson joining us, an experienced midwife, Maternal Child & Family Health Nurse, Breastfeeding Specialist, and founder of The Thompson Method (TTM) Breastfeeding Program. During her 45 years as a hospital and home birth midwife, she observed that many women were being discharged from the hospital with painful breastfeeding complications, while those who gave birth at home were breastfeeding successfully. Passionately inquisitive by nature, she made it her mission to discover what was causing this disparity.    Seven years and a PhD later, her research clearly showed that the practice of rushing women through the system and forcing babies to the breast, increased the risk of painful nipple trauma. This ground-breaking knowledge formed the foundation for The Thompson Method Breastfeeding program and the Thompson Method Breastfeeding Academy. I'm so excited to share Dr. Robyn's valuable perspective and insights with you today - particularly if you are an expecting mama that's hoping to breastfeed. Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related episode and resources EP145: Preparing to Breastfeed with IBCLC, Erica Campbell The Thompson Method Program for Pregnant Women The Thompson Method Program for Breastfeeding Women The Thompson Method Breastfeeding Academy YouTube: @TheThompsonMethod Sponsors Aeroflow Did you know that your health insurance will cover the cost of a breast pump? It’s true! In fact, many health insurance plans also cover milk storage bags, breastfeeding prep courses, and more. At Aeroflow Breastpumps, you can shop top-rated breast pumps from brands like Medela, Spectra, and Motif without ever opening your wallet. Fill out their quick and easy insurance eligibility form and they’ll take care of the rest! It might just be the easiest thing you do this pregnancy. Visit aeroflowbreastpumps.com/mommylabornurse to find out why more than 1 million moms have chosen Aeroflow Breastpumps to get their pump through insurance. About Dr. Robyn Thompson Dr. Robyn Thompson is an experienced Midwife, Maternal Child & Family Health Nurse (MCaFHNA), Breastfeeding Specialist, and founder of The Thompson Method (TTM) Breastfeeding Program. Most recently, she was awarded an honorary appointment as Adjunct Associate Professor with the College of Nursing and Midwifery at Charles Darwin University, NT. Dr. Robyn has helped thousands of mothers breastfeed pain-free, but her ultimate ambition is to double breastfeeding rates worldwide. And as her 80th birthday approaches, it doesn’t look like Dr. Robyn will be slowing down any time soon!

I could probably come up with a list of 100 or more, but today I’m going to focus on 20 pregnancy milestones that you definitely don’t want to miss. Pregnancy is a time that’s typically filled with lots of emotions. But there’s no doubt that whether it’s your first or your 8th, there is a lot that goes on in the nine (give or take) months of growing your baby. Pregnancy to-dos piling up already? Get your FREE Second Trimester Prep Pack to create your registry with ease and know you’re staying on track! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related episodes and resources The Very Best Ways to Do a Pregnancy Announcement to Family Hospital Bag Checklist EP103: 10 Things You Can Do to Prep for Labor Sponsor Aeroflow Did you know that your health insurance will cover the cost of a breast pump? It’s true! In fact, many health insurance plans also cover milk storage bags, breastfeeding prep courses, and more. At Aeroflow Breastpumps, you can shop top-rated breast pumps from brands like Medela, Spectra, and Motif without ever opening your wallet. Fill out their quick and easy insurance eligibility form and they’ll take care of the rest! It might just be the easiest thing you do this pregnancy. Visit aeroflowbreastpumps.com/mommylabornurse to find out why more than 1 million moms have chosen Aeroflow Breastpumps to get their pump through insurance.  

In this week's episode, I am going to answer two questions submitted by mamas to the MLN listener line!! The first question is from Sarah, who is currently pregnant and looking for more information about placenta previa! I love this question because it is actually pretty common to get told you have a previa at your anatomy scan - but there is still a LOT of time for it to move. Listen in as I answer her question and educate about previas in general! The second question will have us shifting to postpartum to talk about what's normal and what's not when it comes to rib pain after birth. And if YOU want to submit a question to be answered on an upcoming show, simply call 919-213-8719 and leave a voicemail! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes and Resources EP137: Ask Me Anything About Labor and Delivery Placenta previa balloon demo

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, we’re talking about a twin birth story. But it’s not just any old twin birth story - it’s about MoMo twins! MoMo twins are the rarest type of twins out there - occurring in less than 1% of twins, and .1% of all pregnancies. Most people don't realize that when it comes to twins, it's not just fraternal versus identical. There are actually quite a few types! Molli joins me on the podcast to share her story of pregnancy and birth with MoMo twins. Molli did a fabulous job of telling her story and shedding light on the medical, emotional, and physical aspects of a MoMo twin pregnancy and birth. Want to feel in control before birth?  Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsor Simply Magnetic Me Simply Magnetic Me offers GOTS certified 100% organic cotton essentials like footies, coveralls and bodysuits—all featuring safety-tested magnetic closures. No fumbling with tiny snaps or buttons during those middle of the night diaper changes. You can get baby dressed quickly so everyone can get back to sleep! You may have heard of Magnetic Me. Simply is their new sister brand that offers the same beloved magnetic closures at a more affordable price. You can create a custom bundle on their website, combining the prints, styles, and sizes you want, with outfits as low as $15. The more outfits in your cart, the more you save. And trust me, babies need a lot of outfits. Say no to snaps and head to simplymagneticme.com to stock up on no-fuss essentials and use code MLN20 for 20% off your order.

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we're going to tackle a topic that many of you may relate to: keeping your pregnancy a secret during those early stages.  I remember this all too well with BOTH of my pregnancies...cue the image of me stealthily filling an empty beer bottle with water – gotta love those clever hacks! It's incredibly common for women to want to keep their pregnancy under wraps until the end of the first trimester when the risk of miscarriage tends to decrease. But let's face it, hiding your pregnancy while dealing with all those less-than-pleasant first-trimester symptoms can be quite the challenge! In today's episode, I've got some great tips to help you out! Feeling overwhelmed in the first trimester? Get support in the early weeks with our FREE 1st Trimester Prep Pack and gain a sense of control! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP179: All Your First Trimester Questions Answered

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we're talking all about newborn reflexes! Did you know that when your sweet baby is born they come into this world with 6 distinct reflexes? Yep, it’s true. And if you’ve got a newborn at home, you’ve probably already witnessed them without even knowing it! Have you ever tickled the sole of your newborn’s foot and watched their toes curl? Or maybe you brushed their cheek with your finger, and they instantly opened up their mouth.  Sure, these little actions are pretty adorable to watch, but did you know that there’s actually a purpose for them? Today we’re going to learn all about this fascinating topic. Anxious about packing for the hospital? Grab the FREE Hospital Bag Checklist created by a practicing L&D nurse and feel 10000% certain you’ve got everything you need on the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP169: 10 Surprisingly Common Newborn Behaviors with Dr. Mona Amin Sponsor Aeroflow Did you know that your health insurance will cover the cost of a breast pump? It’s true! In fact, many health insurance plans also cover milk storage bags, breastfeeding prep courses, and more. At Aeroflow Breastpumps, you can shop top-rated breast pumps from brands like Medela, Spectra, and Motif without ever opening your wallet. Fill out their quick and easy insurance eligibility form and they’ll take care of the rest! It might just be the easiest thing you do this pregnancy. Visit aeroflowbreastpumps.com/mommylabornurse to find out why more than 1 million moms have chosen Aeroflow Breastpumps to get their pump through insurance. Simply Magnetic Me Simply Magnetic Me offers GOTS certified 100% organic cotton essentials like footies, coveralls and bodysuits—all featuring safety-tested magnetic closures. No fumbling with tiny snaps or buttons during those middle of the night diaper changes. You can get baby dressed quickly so everyone can get back to sleep! You may have heard of Magnetic Me. Simply is their new sister brand that offers the same beloved magnetic closures at a more affordable price. You can create a custom bundle on their website, combining the prints, styles, and sizes you want, with outfits as low as $15. The more outfits in your cart, the more you save. And trust me, babies need a lot of outfits. Say no to snaps and head to simplymagneticme.com to stock up on no-fuss essentials and use code MLN20 for 20% off your order.

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we have a very important and insightful episode for you. We'll be taking a deep dive into a topic that has sadly been coming up more and more in the national news and quite frankly deserves our attention: postpartum psychosis. These news stories have shed light on the impact of postpartum psychosis and brought this issue to the forefront of our minds, highlighting the importance of awareness and understanding. We'll be joined by my friend, past guest, and maternal mental health expert Erica Djossa, who will provide us with valuable insights, education, awareness, and support on this difficult topic. In our discussion today, we aim to strike a balance between raising awareness and providing reassurance. We want to ensure that our listeners are well-informed about postpartum psychosis, its red flags, and preventive measures, but the goal is also not to fearmonger - this is a relatively rare condition! Our expert guest will guide us through the signs and symptoms to watch out for, and we'll also delve into the role of partners and healthcare providers in supporting women who may be at risk. It's our hope that through this conversation, we can help foster a supportive environment for new moms and their families. Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related episodes and resources EP79: The Invisible Load of Motherhood EP142: Mental Health in Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Motherhood with Dr. Ashurina Ream EP157: Discussing Perinatal Mental Health with Perinatal Psychiatrist, Nichelle Haynes Momwell - Virtual therapy support Momwell - A Sleep Plan For Mom  Sponsor Aeroflow Did you know that your health insurance will cover the cost of a breast pump? It’s true! In fact, many health insurance plans also cover milk storage bags, breastfeeding prep courses, and more. At Aeroflow Breastpumps, you can shop top-rated breast pumps from brands like Medela, Spectra, and Motif without ever opening your wallet. Fill out their quick and easy insurance eligibility form and they’ll take care of the rest! It might just be the easiest thing you do this pregnancy. Visit aeroflowbreastpumps.com/mommylabornurse to find out why more than 1 million moms have chosen Aeroflow Breastpumps to get their pump through insurance. Erica Djossa Erica Djossa is a registered psychotherapist specializing in maternal mental health with over a decade of experience, and the founder of Momwell. As a mother of three rambunctious young boys, Erica understands first-hand the challenges of motherhood. After her own battle with postpartum depression, Erica realized how difficult it is to seek support, care, and mental health services. She founded Happy as a Mother, which has now evolved into Momwell, to provide mom-centered virtual therapy services and mental health literacy for moms at every stage of their motherhood journey. Erica is also a regular media contributor. Her work has been featured in the Toronto Star, Breakfast Television, Scary Mommy, Medium, Pop Sugar, and Romper. Her graphics have been shared by celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Ashley Graham, Nia Long, Hilaria Baldwin, Christy Turlington and Adrienne Bosh. Erica is passionate about maternal mental healthcare and putting moms back on the priority list.

On this week's episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, we'll be discussing second-trimester topics in an "ask me anything" style episode. I love doing these for you all, and it seems that you enjoy them too! We'll cover subjects such as peeing while sneezing, kick counts, the glucose tolerance test, birth classes, placenta previa, and more! All the questions on today's show were submitted via Instagram stories, and I've selected a few that I want to answer in more detail than I can provide on Instagram. Pregnancy to-dos piling up already? Get your FREE Second Trimester Prep Pack to create your registry with ease and know you’re staying on track! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes and Resources Episode 168: Ask Me Anything Dr. Sara Reardon: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist Jeanice Mitchell: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist Pushpregnancy.org Sponsor Aeroflow Did you know that your health insurance will cover the cost of a breast pump? It’s true! In fact, many health insurance plans also cover milk storage bags, breastfeeding prep courses, and more. At Aeroflow Breastpumps, you can shop top-rated breast pumps from brands like Medela, Spectra, and Motif without ever opening your wallet. Fill out their quick and easy insurance eligibility form and they’ll take care of the rest! It might just be the easiest thing you do this pregnancy. Visit aeroflowbreastpumps.com/mommylabornurse to find out why more than 1 million moms have chosen Aeroflow Breastpumps to get their pump through insurance.

In this episode, I’m going to talk about how to prepare for your labor induction by going through the do's and don'ts before your big day. Some are more obvious than others, but I'm going to be as thorough as possible.  I also want you to know that this list is intended for low-risk moms with uncomplicated pregnancies and scheduled inductions. It’s a bit different if you have a high-risk pregnancy with complications like preeclampsia or being preterm. Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes and Resources Episode 72: Help! What is an induction? Episode 117: Black Maternal Morbidity + Advocacy in Pregnancy and Birth MLN Birth Plan Templates Hospital Bag Checklist Sponsors Aeroflow Did you know that your health insurance will cover the cost of a breast pump? It’s true! In fact, many health insurance plans also cover milk storage bags, breastfeeding prep courses, and more. At Aeroflow Breastpumps, you can shop top-rated breast pumps from brands like Medela, Spectra, and Motif without ever opening your wallet. Fill out their quick and easy insurance eligibility form and they’ll take care of the rest! It might just be the easiest thing you do this pregnancy. Visit aeroflowbreastpumps.com/mommylabornurse to find out why more than 1 million moms have chosen Aeroflow Breastpumps to get their pump through insurance. Simply Magnetic Me Simply Magnetic Me offers GOTS certified 100% organic cotton essentials like footies, coveralls and bodysuits—all featuring safety-tested magnetic closures. No fumbling with tiny snaps or buttons during those middle of the night diaper changes. You can get baby dressed quickly so everyone can get back to sleep! You may have heard of Magnetic Me. Simply is their new sister brand that offers the same beloved magnetic closures at a more affordable price. You can create a custom bundle on their website, combining the prints, styles, and sizes you want, with outfits as low as $15. The more outfits in your cart, the more you save. And trust me, babies need a lot of outfits. Say no to snaps and head to simplymagneticme.com to stock up on no-fuss essentials and use code MLN20 for 20% off your order.

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I have Andrea with me today and she will be sharing her birth story. she will go into details about her really incredible natural birth. This is the episode that you want to listen to right before you give birth. I'm just envisioning myself, full term pregnant and wanting to be done with it.  And also wanting to give birth without an epidural. In that situation, listening to a really positive natural birth story would just really, really brighten my day. That's what I think of when I think of this episode. I'm not gonna give you any detail other than that this was just a really amazing natural birth story. So if you're interested in natural birth, stay tuned! Want to birth without an epidural? Get the FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack for the confidence you need, because simply wanting it might not be enough! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes Episode 172: How One Mama's Birth Started with the Midwives' Brew  Episode 178: Marissa's Positive Planned Induction story  Sponsor Simply Magnetic Me Simply Magnetic Me offers GOTS certified 100% organic cotton essentials like footies, coveralls and bodysuits—all featuring safety-tested magnetic closures. No fumbling with tiny snaps or buttons during those middle of the night diaper changes. You can get baby dressed quickly so everyone can get back to sleep! You may have heard of Magnetic Me. Simply is their new sister brand that offers the same beloved magnetic closures at a more affordable price. You can create a custom bundle on their website, combining the prints, styles, and sizes you want, with outfits as low as $15. The more outfits in your cart, the more you save. And trust me, babies need a lot of outfits. Say no to snaps and head to simplymagneticme.com to stock up on no-fuss essentials and use code MLN20 for 20% off your order.

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I'm excited to be answering some questions submitted by listeners from the podcast hotline! First, we have a mom-to-be who is hoping for a VBAC. She explains that she's already feeling some discomfort around her C-section scar. She is wondering if this could indicate an increased risk for uterine rupture and if pursuing a VBAC is a safe option for her. Next, we have Taylor, a second-time mom who is curious if her second labor will be similar to her first, which involved very frequent contractions that lead to an epidural she was hoping to avoid. If you want to submit your question to be featured on the show, all you have to do is call the hotline and leave a voice message! The number is 919-213-8719. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP168: Ask Me Anything

Today, we dive into one of the most common questions that I get asked about epidurals: How do you push a baby out with an epidural?  This is a question that can cause a lot of anxiety for expectant mothers. So, I'm going to share all the juicy details on epidural pushing positions, tips, and tricks to make pushing a breeze. I'll also talk about what to expect during labor and how to work with your body to help you deliver your beautiful baby.  Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP171: Epidurals 101: Get Informed About Epidurals for Birth Sponsors Aeroflow Breastpumps Did you know that your health insurance will cover the cost of a breast pump? It’s true! In fact, many health insurance plans also cover milk storage bags, breastfeeding prep courses, and more. At Aeroflow Breastpumps, you can shop top-rated breast pumps from brands like Medela, Spectra, and Motif without ever opening your wallet. Fill out their quick and easy insurance eligibility form and they’ll take care of the rest! It might just be the easiest thing you do this pregnancy. Visit aeroflowbreastpumps.com/mommylabornurse to find out why more than 1 million moms have chosen Aeroflow Breastpumps to get their pump through insurance. Simply Magnetic Me Simply Magnetic Me offers GOTS certified 100% organic cotton essentials like footies, coveralls and bodysuits—all featuring safety-tested magnetic closures. No fumbling with tiny snaps or buttons during those middle of the night diaper changes. You can get your baby dressed quickly so everyone can get back to sleep! You may have heard of Magnetic Me. Simply is their new sister brand that offers the same beloved magnetic closures at a more affordable price. You can create a custom bundle on their website, combining the prints, styles, and sizes you want, with outfits as low as $15. The more outfits in your cart, the more you save. And trust me, babies need a lot of outfits. Say no to snaps and head to simplymagneticme.com to stock up on no-fuss essentials and use code MLN20 for 20% off your order.

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I'm interviewing Daphne Delvaux who is also known as the Mamattorney!! Daphne is a practicing attorney with her own law firm that specializes in gender discrimination cases and helping women at work.   Her platform, the Mamattorney aims to empower and inspire women to become educated about their rights at work so that they can embrace their motherhood journey without compromising their career growth.   Inside of today's episode, you'll hear Daphne answer questions related to pregnancy discrimination, pregnancy accommodations in the workplace, and how to address issues that may come up. Then we shift into talking about all things maternity leave including your federal rights, tips and tricks to get some protected leave (even if your job doesn't qualify for FMLA), how you might be able to extend your leave, and more!   Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP136: Preparing Your Relationship for Baby with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish EP167: Preparing for Postpartum: What You Can Do Before Giving Birth Sponsors Aeroflow Breastpumps Did you know that your health insurance will cover the cost of a breast pump? It’s true! In fact, many health insurance plans also cover milk storage bags, breastfeeding prep courses, and more. At Aeroflow Breastpumps, you can shop top-rated breast pumps from brands like Medela, Spectra, and Motif without ever opening your wallet. Fill out their quick and easy insurance eligibility form and they’ll take care of the rest! It might just be the easiest thing you do this pregnancy. Visit aeroflowbreastpumps.com/mommylabornurse to find out why more than 1 million moms have chosen Aeroflow Breastpumps to get their pump through insurance. Simply Magnetic Me Simply Magnetic Me offers GOTS certified 100% organic cotton essentials like footies, coveralls and bodysuits—all featuring safety-tested magnetic closures. No fumbling with tiny snaps or buttons during those middle of the night diaper changes. You can get your baby dressed quickly so everyone can get back to sleep! You may have heard of Magnetic Me. Simply is their new sister brand that offers the same beloved magnetic closures at a more affordable price. You can create a custom bundle on their website, combining the prints, styles, and sizes you want, with outfits as low as $15. The more outfits in your cart, the more you save. And trust me, babies need a lot of outfits. Say no to snaps and head to simplymagneticme.com to stock up on no-fuss essentials and use code MLN20 for 20% off your order.   Daphne Delvaux Daphne Delvaux, Esq. is an award-winning trial attorney and Founder of Delvaux Law, a firm devoted to women's rights at work. She represents employees in discrimination, retaliation and harassment cases, and specializes in gender discrimination cases. In her work as a trial attorney, Daphne has recovered countless 6- and 7-figure settlements and verdicts on behalf of client; obtaining the monetary justice her clients deserved while restoring their sense of dignity and self-worth.  She has been recognized by major news outlets (both nationally and internationally) as a leader of the women’s rights movement, and has received the award of Outstanding Trial Lawyer by Consumer Attorneys of San Diego for winning an equal pay trial. In addition to her work as a trial attorney, Delvaux is a mother to two boys. Her passion for women’s and mother’s rights has led her to champion women in a myriad of ways outside of her law practice. She is the Co-Founder of Chamber of Mothers; a collective movement to focus America's priorities on mothers’ rights. Their primary goal is to secure federal paid leave, affordable childcare and fight gun violence. In recognition of her work, Daphne was invited to the White House to meet the President. Delvaux is also the creator of the Mamattorney, a platform on a mission to educate women on their rights at work and teach them how to advocate for their needs so they can receive more money and time freedom without sacrificing their career goals. Currently at 80k followers, Daphne is routinely seen as the expert on pregnancy and postpartum discrimination as well as maternity leave regulations.

Did you know that an estimated 60% of expecting couples take a babymoon before the birth of their first child? It’s true! And while it’s most common among first-time parents – veteran parents can (and do!) take a babymoon before their next baby’s birth as well. So in today's episode, I thought it would be fun to talk more about babymoons! We'll talk about why you should do it, when you should do it, planning tips, destination ideas, and more. But first, I'll start the episode with some pregnancy travel advice and tips so that you can travel safely during your pregnancy! I've got info surrounding flying during pregnancy, long car rides, what to pack, and lots of other great advice. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes EP160: Ask an OBGYN Anything with Dr. Jennifer Lincoln

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I am focusing exclusively on the first trimester of pregnancy!! It's an ask me anything style episode which I LOVE doing for you guys! All of the questions on today's show were submitted via Instagram stories. I selected a bunch that I wanted to answer with more detail than I can on Instagram - and this episode was born! Are you ready to learn how to tackle nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and so much more? Let's get into it! Feeling overwhelmed in the first trimester? Get support in the early weeks with our FREE 1st Trimester Prep Pack and gain a sense of control! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes and Resources Episode 35: FAQ’s About the First Trimester! MLN Weekly Pregnancy Email Series Expectful App Pedialyte Popsicles Sponsor Did you know that your health insurance will cover the cost of a breast pump? It’s true! In fact, many health insurance plans also cover milk storage bags, breastfeeding prep courses, and more. At Aeroflow Breastpumps, you can shop top-rated breast pumps from brands like Medela, Spectra, and Motif without ever opening your wallet. Fill out their quick and easy insurance eligibility form and they’ll take care of the rest! It might just be the easiest thing you do this pregnancy. Visit aeroflowbreastpumps.com/mommylabornurse to find out why more than 1 million moms have chosen Aeroflow Breastpumps to get their pump through insurance.

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I have a positive planned induction birth story from MLN Community mama, Marissa! Marissa described her birth as difficult, amazing, and fast, even though it took a while. This is a perfect example of how birth can be a mix of different feelings and perceptions all at once - something that I definitely see as true! Marissa's story includes a hospital-planned induction and epidural. Want to feel in control before birth?  Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related episodes EP166: Giving Birth Overseas: One Mom’s Birth Story Navigating an International Healthcare System EP172: How One Mama’s Birth Started with the Midwives’ Brew    

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I am going to talk about one of my absolute favorite things - birth affirmations!! And no I'm not kidding. I'm obsessed with them and know how much they can help you manage your labor pain. You see, our minds can be one of our best assets to help manage the pain and anxiety associated with childbirth! And birth affirmations are one of my favorite ways to tap into that mental strength. What are they? Simply positive words and statements about the birth process that can give you extra confidence, a sense of calm, and even impact your perception of pain. To get the most out of using birth affirmations during your labor, I recommend repeating them regularly leading up to birth – and actually saying them aloud – I promise it makes ALL the difference. Then during labor, you can say them out loud, listen to them, read them, or simply think them! But we’ll get more into that inside the episode. Want to birth without an epidural? Get the FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack for the confidence you need, because simply wanting it might not be enough! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related episodes Episode 106: Mindset Tips for Pregnancy and Birth with Natalie Bacon Episode 154: Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts from Peloton Talks Yoga & Meditation During Pregnancy

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we're talking all about labor signs! And more specifically the weird signs of labor you might not know about yet! I think it’s safe to say that if you’ve ever been pregnant, you’ve probably found yourself googling, “Is XYZ a sign of labor?”. And there are actually quite a few weird things that happen before labor! The anticipation of meeting your little one soon can definitely cause mamas to be on high alert for any sort of body changes. And this is a good thing! It’s great to be in tune with your body, especially during pregnancy.  Aside from the obvious signs of labor: contractions and water breaking (which isn’t always as obvious as you might think!) there are quite a few other things that can give you a clue that labor is near!  Anxious about packing for the hospital? Grab the FREE Hospital Bag Checklist created by a practicing L&D nurse and feel 10000% certain you’ve got everything you need on the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsor Are you in search of the perfect pump for your breastfeeding days? Proven to provide more milk in less time, the Motif Luna is a powerful breast pump that’s built for modern motherhood and covered by insurance. With a battery-powered or non-battery version, the Luna is perfect for today’s busy mom. Click HERE to learn more about Luna and order one for your breastfeeding and pumping journey. And as a special offer for MLN podcast listeners you can get 15% off site-wide, including the Luna plus all supplies and accessories with code: MLN23. Some exclusions may apply.  

In this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I am joined by Charles Johnson, the founder of 4Kira4Moms.  Charles tragically lost his wife Kira during a routine C-section at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California in 2016. This experience led him to create 4Kira4moms in 2017. The goal of 4Kira4Moms is to be a voice for other mothers and families facing unnecessary maternal loss and to help put an end to the black maternal mortality health crisis. It is a sad reality that in the US, black women are four times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth than white women. This is due to implicit bias and systemic racism within the healthcare system, as well as a lack of access to high-quality maternal healthcare and resources. Inside the episode, Charles and I discuss this tragic epidemic and talk about what platforms like 4Kira4Moms are doing to spark change and shed light on the issue. Then we get into what we can do to support his mission! Tune in to hear Kira's story and learn how you can help make a difference. Learn more about Charles Johnson Charles Johnson has dedicated his life to the pursuit of what his own family failed to receive – safe, respectful, and equitable maternal health outcomes in America. His passion for systemic change is driven by his love for his wife, Kira, who passed away following the birth of their second child. In April 2016, Kira underwent a routine C-section following an uncomplicated pregnancy. Hours later, she died from internal hemorrhaging despite adamant pleas for help from medical professionals by her husband and loved ones. Her story exemplifies the current crises happening in America: rising rates of maternal mortality and the silencing of Black voices. After experiencing the unimaginable, Charles harnessed his pain and used it to pursue the highest level of good. He channeled his grief into founding 4Kira4Moms, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving birth outcomes in America. Charles knows childbirth should be empowering and free of fear for all mothers. 4Kira4Moms advocates for improved maternal health policies and regulations, educates about the impact of maternal mortality in our communities, provides support to victims’ loved ones, and approaches maternal mortality as a human rights issue. Mothers are the very framework of our society. They teach us how to love unconditionally and are willing to protect the most vulnerable among us. The loss of even one at the hands of an unjust system robs our country of what it needs most. Charles has used his voice and story to advocate for change at countless events and media appearances all over the country. He is a board member of March for Moms and serves as Chairman of the Fairness of Injured Patients Act, which seeks to restore the rights of victims of medical negligence in California. Charles has testified twice before Congress and helped pass key legislation including: the Preventing Maternal Death Act of 2018, the Protecting Moms Who Served Act of 2021, and the California Momnibus. He is currently working with Congress to pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, an unprecedented set of bills addressing every aspect of the maternal health crisis happening in America. Charles was also honored by Oprah Winfrey on OWNSpotlight’s 2020 fatherhood special entitled, “Honoring our Kings – Celebrating Black Fatherhood.” In addition to his advocacy work, Charles is busy raising his two beautiful boys, Charles V and Langston, who keep their mothers’ spirit alive powerfully every day. Learn more about 4Kira4Moms 4Kira4Moms HR 1318 - Preventing Maternal Death Acts of 2018 Kira Johnson Act Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast you'll hear an Ask Me Anything style episode, where I give in-depth answers to a few labor and delivery questions left on the podcast hotline.  I'm covering questions about extra placental lobes, timing an epidural to potentially avoid blood pressure-related side effects, postpartum hemorrhages (particularly if you've had one before!), and if there are any specific things that moms can do in their second pregnancies to prepare for birth. If you have a burning question about pregnancy, birth, or postpartum that you'd like me to answer on the show, all you have to do is call 919-213-8719 and leave a voicemail! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related episodes and resources Episode 168: Ask Me Anything Sibling Basket Ideas Sponsor Are you in search of the perfect pump for your breastfeeding days? Proven to provide more milk in less time, the Motif Luna is a powerful breast pump that’s built for modern motherhood and covered by insurance. With a battery-powered or non-battery version, the Luna is perfect for today’s busy mom. Click HERE to learn more about Luna and order one for your breastfeeding and pumping journey. And as a special offer for MLN podcast listeners you can get 15% off site-wide, including the Luna plus all supplies and accessories with code: MLN23. Some exclusions may apply.  

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we're going to talk about your cervix! To be more specific, we'll be diving into cervical checks and membrane sweeps. Your cervix is essential to birth and can often be used as an indicator of how “prepped” your body is for labor before labor even starts. Today, you'll learn how cervical checks are done, how to handle them, and the general pros and cons during pregnancy and labor. Then, we'll talk about membrane sweeps, which involve the cervix and are one of several things you can do to help jump-start labor. So, what exactly is a membrane sweep? Here’s a hint, it has nothing to do with actual broom sweeping! Tune in to learn more. Want to birth without an epidural? Get the FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack for the confidence you need, because simply wanting it might not be enough! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related episodes Episode 77: Why It's Important to Prep Your Body for Labor Episode 112: Chatting Prenatal Fitness with Ashley Knowe of Get Mom Strong Sponsor Are you in search of the perfect pump for your breastfeeding days? Proven to provide more milk in less time, the Motif Luna is a powerful breast pump that’s built for modern motherhood and covered by insurance. With a battery-powered or non-battery version, the Luna is perfect for today’s busy mom. Click HERE to learn more about Luna and order one for your breastfeeding and pumping journey. And as a special offer for MLN podcast listeners you can get 15% off site-wide, including the Luna plus all supplies and accessories with code: MLN23. Some exclusions may apply.

In this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, Sami shares her birth story where she tried a well-known, and semi-controversial method to kickstart labor! I have never actually talked to anyone who has tried this before so it was very interesting to hear about her experience! When she was pregnant with her daughter, she tried a bunch of things to jump-start labor, but ultimately ended up being induced. But for her son, she thought she’d try the same things plus one other method that we will talk about today. So stay tuned to see if it worked! Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related resources The Midwives' Brew: A Natural Way To Induce Labor You've Probably Never Heard Of... Sponsor Are you in search of the perfect pump for your breastfeeding days? Proven to provide more milk in less time, the Motif Luna is a powerful breast pump that’s built for modern motherhood and covered by insurance. With a battery-powered or non-battery version, the Luna is perfect for today’s busy mom. Click HERE to learn more about Luna and order one for your breastfeeding and pumping journey. And as a special offer for MLN podcast listeners you can get 15% off site-wide, including the Luna plus all supplies and accessories with code: MLN23. Some exclusions may apply.

When it comes to talking about birth, epidurals are often a part of the conversation in one way or another. And I’d guess that most of you already know that epidural placement eliminates labor pain. But beyond that? Well, a lot of people don’t actually know that much! I often get questions about how epidurals are placed, how big an epidural needle is, if getting an epidural hurts, and lots more! So in this episode I unpack these epidural placement FAQs that frequently show up in my DMs. Additionally, you’ll get a bit of deep dive into WALKING epidurals. Walking epidurals are very similar to a traditional epidural, but they allow for greater feeling and movement in the lower half of the body. This makes them very appealing to mamas that want a sort of “hybrid” birth experience. One where the edge is taken off the pain, but not so much that they can’t move or feel the sensations of labor and delivery. Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes Episode 31: What it's like to get an epidural Episode 101: Talking Anesthesia and L&D with Dr. Magnolia Printz  Baby-Led Weaning Made Easy Podcast The Baby Led Weaning Made Easy Podcast hosted by my friend Katie Ferraro is a total must-listen for expecting and new mamas alike!    Katie’s podcast is an absolute treasure trove of information related to baby led weaning, where babies learn to feed themselves the safe, age-appropriate foods you offer them.    To listen to her show, simply search Baby-Led Weaning wherever you listen to podcasts or go to blwpodcast.com! Sponsor Are you in search of the perfect pump for your breastfeeding days? Proven to provide more milk in less time, the Motif Luna is a powerful breast pump that’s built for modern motherhood and covered by insurance. With a battery-powered or non-battery version, the Luna is perfect for today’s busy mom. Click HERE to learn more about Luna and order one for your breastfeeding and pumping journey. And as a special offer for MLN podcast listeners you can get 15% off site-wide, including the Luna plus all supplies and accessories with code: MLN23. Some exclusions may apply.

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we're going to dive into the topic of medical induction of labor. I'm going to talk about the reasons you might be induced and the various induction methods your provider may use.  But before we get into it, I want to quickly review what induction is, just in case you're not quite sure! Induction of labor is exactly what it sounds like: you aren't in labor yet so we put you into labor (or we attempt to push you into labor!) through different methods. There comes a point in pregnancy where the risk of continuing the pregnancy is actually greater than the benefits of keeping baby inside. And that point can be different for different moms! Keep listening to learn more about why you might need one and how we might do it. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related episodes Episode 72: Help! What is an induction? Episode 36: Haley's Positive Induction Story!  Sponsor Are you in search of the perfect pump for your breastfeeding days? Proven to provide more milk in less time, the Motif Luna is a powerful breast pump that’s built for modern motherhood and covered by insurance. With a battery-powered or non-battery version, the Luna is perfect for today’s busy mom. Click HERE to learn more about Luna and order one for your breastfeeding and pumping journey. And as a special offer for MLN podcast listeners you can get 15% off site-wide, including the Luna plus all supplies and accessories with code: MLN23. Some exclusions may apply.  

This week on The Mommy Labour Nurse Podcast, I am joined by my friend and fellow podcaster Dr. Mona from PedsDocTalk to discuss common newborn behaviors. Dr. Mona Amin is a pediatrician and parenting expert who equips parents with the tools they need to thrive and feel confident in parenthood.  In today's episode, Dr. Mona is going to go through 10 newborn realities that are actually very standard - things like hiccups, day and night reversal, and feeding volumes. And after you're done with this episode, you can keep learning about the newborn days with Dr. Mona. She was on my podcast way back in Episode 9 when she came on the show to answer your most common newborn questions. Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related episodes and resources Episode 9: Mona the Pediatrician Answers Your Most Common Newborn Questions! Sponsor Are you in search of the perfect pump for your breastfeeding days? Proven to provide more milk in less time, the Motif Luna is a powerful breast pump that’s built for modern motherhood and covered by insurance. With a battery-powered or non-battery version, the Luna is perfect for today’s busy mom. Click HERE to learn more about Luna and order one for your breastfeeding and pumping journey. And as a special offer for MLN podcast listeners you can get 15% off site-wide, including the Luna plus all supplies and accessories with code: MLN23. Some exclusions may apply. About Dr. Mona Amin Mona is a first-generation Indian American, born and raised in southern California. She attended UCLA for her undergraduate training, majoring in psychobiology (the study of how the brain affects our behaviors). She went on to attend medical school at ATSU-SOMA in Arizona where she obtained her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree.  After medical school, she completed pediatric residency training at the Bernard and Millie Duker Children’s Hospital in Albany, New York. She is a currently practicing Pediatrician where she sees babies and moms of every ethnicity and social circumstance. She loves her work and sharing smart, helpful advice to make the motherhood journey a little easier and a lot more joyful. She's built an inclusive and caring community of over 100,000 fans and followers on her various channels.

This week I'm coming at you with an "Ask Me Anything" episode based on questions my listeners submitted on our new podcast hotline! My plan for 2023 is to do more "Ask me Anything"-style episodes, and to make it even more fun, I want to feature voices from the community! So, if you've got a burning question about pregnancy, birth, or postpartum that you'd like me to answer on the show - all you have to do is call: 919-213-8719 and leave a voice message. If chosen, I will play the question on a future episode and answer it right here on the show! In this episode, I will be covering questions about cholestasis, placenta encapsulation, epidurals, and more. If you love episodes where it's just me answering questions, do yourself a favor and go listen to the most embarrassing questions about pregnancy and birth on Episode 161 and Episode 162. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related episodes and resources Episode 161: Your Most Embarrassing Birth Questions Answered - Part 1  Episode 162: Your Most Embarrassing Birth Questions Answered - Part 2 Pine tar bar soap Cholestasis research article Sponsor Are you in search of the perfect pump for your breastfeeding days? Proven to provide more milk in less time, the Motif Luna is a powerful breast pump that’s built for modern motherhood and covered by insurance. With a battery-powered or non-battery version, the Luna is perfect for today’s busy mom. Click HERE to learn more about Luna and order one for your breastfeeding and pumping journey. And as a special offer for MLN podcast listeners you can get 15% off site-wide, including the Luna plus all supplies and accessories with code: MLN23. Some exclusions may apply.

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I'm doing an episode all about postpartum prep! As a labor and delivery nurse, I am ALL about getting you prepared for birth. But in my opinion, preparing for birth ALSO means preparing for postpartum. Because when it’s all said and done, you’re going to have a newborn to take care of, and YOU are going to be an entirely new person as well. Inside of today's episode, we’re going to unpack what you can do during pregnancy to prepare for postpartum including education, supplies, mindset tips, and more. Getting educated for birth is so, so important, but truly, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t make sure you were ready for postpartum too. Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes Episode 48: How Has Liesel's Postpartum Experience Been? Part 1 of 2 Sponsor Are you in search of the perfect pump for your breastfeeding days? Proven to provide more milk in less time, the Motif Luna is a powerful breast pump that’s built for modern motherhood and covered by insurance. With a battery-powered or non-battery version, the Luna is perfect for today’s busy mom. Click HERE to learn more about Luna and order one for your breastfeeding and pumping journey. And as a special offer for MLN podcast listeners you can get 15% off site-wide, including the Luna plus all supplies and accessories with code: MLN23. Some exclusions may apply.  

In this week’s episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I am joined by a fellow mom with an extraordinary birth story that entails being pregnant and giving birth in a foreign country. This birth story is told by Katie, whose husband was stationed at an American army base in Germany. With the war in Afghanistan coming to an end and a flood of refugees needing medical attention, Katie wasn’t able to receive care at the base but found herself giving birth in a German hospital instead. Today, she will share with us how she experienced the differences in healthcare systems and how a C-section unexpectedly became part of this international birth story. Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related Episodes Episode 45: Midwife Marley Talks To Us About UK Maternity Care! Sponsor Are you in search of the perfect pump for your breastfeeding days? Proven to provide more milk in less time, the Motif Luna is a powerful breast pump that’s built for modern motherhood and covered by insurance. With a battery-powered or non-battery version, the Luna is perfect for today’s busy mom. Click HERE to learn more about the Luna and order one for your breastfeeding and pumping journey. And as a special offer for MLN podcast listeners you can get 15% off site-wide, including the Luna plus all supplies and accessories with code: MLN23. Some exclusions may apply.

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we are chatting about hospital bags! For a first-time mom, I was SUCH a slacker when it came to packing my hospital bag for labor. I was lucky I didn’t go into labor a few weeks early, because I would not have been prepared! For my second birth, I was way more organized and prepared. Because I know this is a very buzz-worthy topic when it comes to birth prep, I thought it only made sense to make an episode out of it! You see, I’m a BIG fan of packing individual bags for labor, recovery, partner, and baby. This keeps everything so much more organized. Inside the episode, I'll get into what should be in each of those bags. I'll also cover some things to specifically NOT bring with you, and then we'll talk in-depth about snacks for labor and touch a bit on eating during labor too. Anxious about packing for the hospital? Grab the FREE Hospital Bag Checklist created by a practicing L&D nurse and feel 10000% certain you’ve got everything you need on the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Resources from this episode Liesel's essential oil blend 2 drops Yang Ylang 7 drops Clary Sage 3 drops Lavender 3 drops Frankincense Combine oils in glass bottle and fill to top with a carrier oil. Sponsor Are you in search of the perfect pump for your breastfeeding days? Proven to provide more milk in less time, the Motif Luna is a powerful breast pump that’s built for modern motherhood and covered by insurance. With a battery-powered or non-battery version, the Luna is perfect for today’s busy mom. Click HERE to learn more about the Luna and order one for your breastfeeding and pumping journey. And as a special offer for MLN podcast listeners you can get 15% off site-wide, including the Luna plus all supplies and accessories with code: MLN23. Some exclusions may apply.  

When it comes to making decisions surrounding your birth, you need to think about the immediate after birth, too! Often, we think that’s just for newborn care procedures, but today, I want to talk in depth about cord blood banking, placenta donation, and placenta encapsulation. As always, the purpose of this podcast episode is to inform you so that you can make the right decisions for your birth and family. I encourage you to take this information, do your own research, and discuss this decision with your OBGYN or midwife before giving birth.  Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsor Are you in search of the perfect pump for your breastfeeding days? Proven to provide more milk in less time, the Motif Luna is a powerful breast pump that’s built for modern motherhood and covered by insurance. With a battery-powered or non-battery version, the Luna is perfect for today’s busy mom. Click HERE to learn more about the Luna and order one for your breastfeeding and pumping journey. And as a special offer for MLN podcast listeners you can get 15% off site-wide, including the Luna plus all supplies and accessories with code: MLN23. Some exclusions may apply.  

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I am joined by the amazing Dr. Nicole Callaway Rankins who you may know from her very popular pregnancy podcast, All About Pregnancy and Birth Podcast! Similar to Mommy Labor Nurse, Dr. Rankins offers amazing, online resources for pregnant women because she too knows what a critical role education plays in a woman's ability to advocate for herself during birth and reduce any sense of fear or anxiety she may have. On today's show, Dr. Rankins is going to share with us more about what it's like to be an OBGYN, memorable moments from her years of practice, thoughts on doula and midwifery care, a bit of birth advice, and more. I'm so excited to share Dr. Rankins with you today, so let's get right into it! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Dr. Nicole Rankins Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins is a board-certified, practicing OBGYN and mom of 2 who empowers first-time moms to feel calm, confident, and empowered for pregnancy and birth. In her over 15 year career she’s helped more than 1,000 babies into this world and has demystified pregnancy and childbirth for thousands more women through her popular podcast All About Pregnancy & Birth, which has been downloaded over 1.25 million times. She regularly shares holistic, evidence-based pregnancy and birth info with her community of 19K+ on Instagram @drnicolerankins, and has served thousands of moms-to-be through her online birth plan class, Make A Birth Plan The RIGHT Way, and comprehensive online childbirth education class, The Birth Preparation Course.

This week I am back to answer your most embarrassing birth questions, part 2! I had so much fun with last week’s episode, I just had to come back and answer more of your questions because we got so many good ones! Not only are these “Ask Me Anything” style episodes fun, but it’s my hope that they are really informational and educational for you as well. We all have questions that we might be a little embarrassed to ask our provider (even I do!), but have no fear, I’m here to unpack it all. And be sure to tune into next week's episode, where I chat with OBGYN Dr. Nicole Rankins on what it's like to be an OBGYN, doula care, midwifery care, and much more! You definitely don't want to miss this one! Anxious about packing for the hospital? Grab the FREE Hospital Bag Checklist created by a practicing L&D nurse and feel 10000% certain you’ve got everything you need on the big day! Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related episodes and resources: Episode 20: Liesel Answers Your Most Common Breastfeeding Questions - Part 2 Episode 137: Ask Me Anything About Labor and Delivery Episode 155: Ask Me Anything About Pregnancy and Birth Episode 161: Your Most Embarrassing Birth Questions Answered - Part 1

Happy New Year podcast fam! If you are listening to this in real time, then you know that this is the very first episode of 2023, and we’re kicking off the year with a super fun “Ask Me Anything” style episode. This time, I asked our community over on Instagram for their most embarrassing questions that they had around birth (you know, the kind of things that you might be a little bit shy to ask but you really want to know), and let me tell you, you guys delivered - no pun intended! I had such a great time doing this episode for you because I love talking about embarrassing stuff. And we had so many questions come in that I actually broke it up into two parts for you, with part two airing next week. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Related episodes and resources discussed in this episode: Episode 11: Jeanice Talks To Us About Pelvic Floor Sexual Health Episode 58: FAQs About Labor and Delivery Episode 121: Tearing During Birth Episode 137: Ask Me Anything About Labor and Delivery Episode 155: Ask Me Anything About Pregnancy and Birth  

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I had the chance to interview the amazing Dr. Jennifer Lincoln! Jen is a board-certified OB/GYN that works as an OB hospitalist, and she is also an IBCLC.  In addition to her bedside work, Jen is a total TikTok Doc celebrity with 2.8 million followers where, in her words, she makes educational videos that are “the health class you wish you had in high school”. Inside of today’s episode, we did an “ask an OBGYN anything” based on questions submitted by the MLN community. We covered a broad range of topics and used questions that we saw submitted frequently to make sure they would appeal to the widest audience. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I am joined by fellow mom, Gabby. Gabby reached out to share her difficult birth story with us and to hopefully inspire others to advocate for their care if they are not being treated right. When Gabby got in touch with us, she explained that her appearance caused an inattentive and hostile labor process in which she had to advocate for her care. You’ll hear her talk about how her epidural caused a panic attack that was not taken seriously and more. After birth, Gabby suffered from postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD and was only offered help at 9 months when it was severe. I am so grateful that Gabby was willing to come on to the show to share her story because every birth needs to have a voice and sometimes telling your story can be a step forward in the healing process. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we’re talking all about group B strep and how it might affect your birth. Here we’re going to learn the details about this infection, how GBS disease can impact your baby, and how your provider will screen for GBS. Lastly, we’ll take a look at what it means for birth if you’re GBS positive.   If you do have group B strep, your birth will be a little bit different, because antibiotic treatment is highly recommended. But luckily, it’s not as big of a deal as it sounds. Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!    

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we are talking about perinatal mental health – a topic that is near and dear to my heart. My guest, Dr. Nichelle Haynes is a Clinical Psychiatrist who specializes in perinatal mental health. There’s not a lot of psychiatrists who specialize in the pregnant and postpartum population. So Dr. Haynes and I talk about a day in her life, what sort of patients she sees, and what’s the first step if you’re struggling. We also talk about the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychologist, and a therapist because there’s a big difference. We also discuss medication, when to intervene with medication, and what signs and symptoms you should be looking for. And finally, you’ll hear us debunk the unfortunate societal stigma surrounding psychiatric medications. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I chatted with Sally about the birth of her first son, Bodey.  Sally and her husband Ash are a queer couple that conceived at home with donor sperm from a good friend of theirs! Once pregnant, Sally discussed navigating hyperemesis gravidarum, switching care providers later in her pregnancy, and a pretty scary event that disrupted Bodey’s entrance into this world. Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I'm coming at you with a good old ask me anything style episode. For this episode, I pulled some questions I didn't get to and addressed them here! There's a good mix of questions in this episode covering epidurals, sex in pregnancy, water birth, milk supply, and more! Anxious about packing for the hospital? Grab the FREE Hospital Bag Checklist created by a practicing L&D nurse and feel 10000% certain you’ve got everything you need on the big day! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I am so excited to share my interview with internationally celebrated Peloton yoga teacher and scholar, Chelsea Roberts. As some of you may know, Chelsea is currently pregnant with her first child and during today’s interview, we talked all about the ways pregnancy has impacted her own yoga and meditation practice, and her teaching.  We touched on the benefits of yoga for pregnancy, the mindset with which women should approach prenatal fitness and their changing bodies, how yoga and meditation can play a role in erasing some of the fear and unknown of birth, and so much more. Stressed about your baby registry? Get the FREE Baby Registry Checklist created by an L&D nurse and veteran mom for insider tips and an organized list of the things you *actually* need! Pregnancy to-dos piling up already? Get your FREE Second Trimester Prep Pack to create your registry with ease and know you’re staying on track! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I have a birth story to share with you. I want to give a content warning for this episode because we do talk about child loss. If this subject could trigger you, please skip this episode and tune in next week. Shea’s daughter was diagnosed with Trisomy 13, which was found at a genetic screening in the first trimester. Trisomy 13 is a genetic disorder caused by an extra 13th chromosome. This extra chromosome can cause severe mental and physical problems. Unfortunately, this diagnosis is usually associated with a short life expectancy, and some babies are not even born alive. Even though this specific diagnosis is rare, I wanted to have Shea share her story on the podcast this week about what it’s like to receive a life-limiting diagnosis during pregnancy and how to navigate that journey. Feeling overwhelmed in the first trimester? Get support in the early weeks with our FREE 1st Trimester Prep Pack and gain a sense of control! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I'm joined by my sister and MLN team member, Jenna, for a fun get-to-know-me style episode. Usually, I'm the one interviewing other people, but this week Jenna is going to interview me so that you can get to know me better, professionally and personally! You'll hear about how I got started in L&D, my L&D superpower, what I'd be doing if I wasn't a labor and delivery nurse, and a whole lot more. Pregnancy to-dos piling up already? Get your FREE Second Trimester Prep Pack to create your registry with ease and know you’re staying on track! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I am joined by speech and language experts, Brooke and Bridget who you probably know better as The Speech Sisters on Instagram! Brooke and Bridget are Certified Speech Therapists, and have an incredible platform dedicated to getting your child talking.  Inside the episode you’ll hear us talk about key things moms can do right from birth, the role of baby sign language in early communication, examples of how to incorporate these things into daily routines, very early speech and language development milestones to be on the lookout for, and lots more. Want to birth without an epidural? Get the FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack for the confidence you need, because simply wanting it might not be enough! Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I am airing a special episode in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, which is observed on October 15th every year. For our special episode, I had the chance to chat with Danielle Lampman. She shared the birth story of her daughter, Rosie Noelle, with me.  Rosie was stillborn in December of 2021 when Danielle was 37.5 weeks gestation - it was all completely unexpected. It is always so special when mamas reach out to share the stories of their stillborn babies, and it is my absolute honor to share Danielle and Rosie’s story with you today. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I’m going to share tips for choosing a pediatrician. Because as you’re working your way through (your seemingly endless) to-do list before birth, one important task is choosing a provider for your newborn. In this episode, I'll share a list of considerations for choosing a pediatrician, questions to ask a pediatrician before deciding, and even a little bit about what to expect from your newborn pediatrician visits. Let’s tackle this item that’s been sitting on your to-do list mama! And let’s take it on with confidence! Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Stressed about your baby registry? Get the FREE Baby Registry Checklist created by an L&D nurse and veteran mom for insider tips and an organized list of the things you *actually* need! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week, I have a cute little episode for you about meal prepping and postpartum. My guest, Talia is the founder of a program called workweek lunch – a blog and digital meal plan subscription that has helped 1000s of people all over the world master the art of meal prep. She is also the author of The Workweek Lunch Cookbook, which includes 60 approachable and delicious recipes that are designed to be prepped and stored. On this episode, we talk about the benefits of meal prepping for pregnancy and postpartum, how to get started, and tips for meal prepping in that last month of your pregnancy to make your life easier once baby comes. Towards the end, we talked about some tools that you might need on hand to make it a little bit easier! Anxious about packing for the hospital? Grab the FREE Hospital Bag Checklist created by a practicing L&D nurse and feel 10000% certain you’ve got everything you need on the big day! Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I have Jordan joining me to talk about her birth story! Jordan is a black woman & first-time mom who had a fairly uneventful pregnancy but unfortunately dealt with some traumatic events that occurred during the birth of her son. Jordan tells me in the episode that while pregnant, she had educated herself about the racial disparities that unfortunately exist here in the US and she felt informed, and prepared going into her birth. She never really thought she would actually be treated differently because of the way that she looked.  Stressed about your baby registry? Get the FREE Baby Registry Checklist created by an L&D nurse and veteran mom for insider tips and an organized list of the things you *actually* need! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we’re going to talk all about birthing without an epidural, and answer a question I get all the time - “How do I have a natural birth?” And while there is no secret formula…I definitely have some insight into what you can do to set yourself up for success. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I had the opportunity to interview Erica Campbell, who is a mom of two, registered nurse, and international board-certified lactation consultant! Erica is also the face behind the growing Instagram platform @themilkmanual, where she aims to make lactation education chill and attainable for all. In the episode, you’ll learn more about Erica and her platform, find out what she recommends for breastfeeding prep during pregnancy, learn about the benefits of hand expression during pregnancy, and then we’ll get into lactation and the NICU!  Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

On this episode, Carly talks about her journey to motherhood. Carly is a part of a two-mom family, and she's actually now pregnant with her 3rd baby! She and her wife used the same sperm donor for all three of their babies, but the way Carly got pregnant was different all three times. It's a very interesting, and heartfelt story that you don't want to miss! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

Are you wondering what to do while waiting for baby to arrive? I get it, when your due date countdown goes from weeks to days, time can start to feel extra slow. We’ve all heard the joke about the last month of pregnancy lasting 5,654,213 days, right?? Well, this week I’m going to share some ways to help you pass that time and get you a little more prepared mentally, physically, and sentimentally (is that a thing?) for your baby to arrive. Keep in mind that these are the things that aren’t absolutely essential, but are a great way to fill those waiting days! Anxious about packing for the hospital? Grab the FREE Hospital Bag Checklist created by a practicing L&D nurse and feel 10000% certain you’ve got everything you need on the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I was joined by my good friend and fellow Instagram educator, Dr. Ashurina Ream - you may know her as @psychedmommy on Instagram. Ashurina is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with certification in perinatal mental health.  I put out a call for questions on my Instagram story for this one, and we were able to group questions into three categories to help keep the episode structured. You’ll hear us cover mental health in pregnancy, mental health after birth, and then some mental health “in general” questions. I always learn so much anytime I have the chance to chat with Dr. Ream, and I know you will too. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

I am so excited to share this birth story with you guys. Cathryn struggled with secondary infertility with the birth of her daughter. It was actually a full 18 months of going through rounds of Clomid, IUI, and IVF before conceiving. It was really tremendous to hear the whole process, have her explain how she was feeling throughout it, and just everything that goes along with infertility because there's a lot to it and it can be really hard to relate to others who are going through infertility if you haven't been through it yourself. I love that she touched on that and shared her story so openly. During the second half of the episode, Cathryn talks about her pregnancy with her daughter and her amazing birth story, too! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on the podcast, I had my sister Jenna come on the show for a fun and light hearted episode that I'm really excited to share with you guys. Jenna and I watched some birth videos - but not the kind of birth videos that you're thinking of! - and react to them live on the episode. I thought it'd be interesting coming from me as a labor and delivery nurse and from Jenna, who you know has never been pregnant and doesn't have any kids. I'm not gonna spoil too much of the episode. It was a lot of fun to record, but was also a big pain in the butt to get ready for, so I hope you guys like it! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

For today’s episode, we spoke specifically about flipping the narrative on working mom guilt and Sarah weighed in with her brain expertise to share why being a working mom benefits children and their development! You’ll hear as discuss what working mom guilt typically looks like, research-backed reasons why being a working mom can benefit your children, discuss the pros and cons of daycare vs. nanny care in the first year from a neuro-development perspective, and maternity/parental leave in general here in the US. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I have a birth story to share with you guys from Bryce Reddy who you probably know as @mombrain.therapist over on Instagram. You'll hear Bryce open up about her struggles, what it was like to navigate this unexpected pregnancy and the amazing birth story of her third little kiddo. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I had my sister, Jenna, come on the show to help me do an "ask me anything about labor and delivery" episode! I haven't done an episode like this in a while, and it was very fun to bring it back! These questions came straight from the MLN community, and when you listen you'll hear me talk about inductions, the big baby myth, epidural side effects, partner tips, and more! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I was joined by psychologist and couples therapist, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish to talk all about preparing your relationship for baby before they're here! Inside of the episode, you'll learn actionable tips and systems you can put into place now, hear about common pitfalls and obstacles that couples often have so that you can prepare for them, and so much more! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I'm excited to share Natalie Portman and her birth story with you guys! Natalie reached out to me to share the story of her positive, natural birth! Natalie hopes that her story will help women who are on the fence about unmedicated birth or that are just scared about giving birth, in general, to know that although you can’t control everything about the situation, there is still a lot you can do. In her words, knowledge is power, and trust is power. Want to birth without an epidural? Get the FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack for the confidence you need, because simply wanting it might not be enough! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

On this episode, I spoke with Courtney Miller, IBCLC all about the benefits of virtual lactation consultants. Then we switched gears and did a total deep dive into the topic of tongue ties, which I know is something that a LOT of you are curious about. There's so much great info packed into this episode, so definitely tune in! Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

On this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I'm talking all about the first 48 hours after birth. We'll start with details about the very first hour - also known as the golden hour. This is because an uninterrupted first hour of life is actually filled with evidence-based benefits for both mama and baby! Then we'll get into the duration of your hospital stay so that you’re totally prepared for that too! The first 48 hours after birth are a critical time of recovery for you, and there’s a lot you can do during your hospital stay to make your transition home with your baby a bit easier. Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I had my friend and follow Instagram Nurse/Educator Tori Meskin come onto the show to talk to us all about the NICU! Today on the show, Tori shared her insights into what it's like to be a NICU nurse, the most common reasons babies are admitted into the NICU, what the deal is with visiting babies in the NICU, all about kangaroo care, feeding your NICU baby, and so much more! Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I have a birth story to share with you guys from Heather Evans.  Heather reached out to me to share her story because she hopes that it will help those with infertility, those considering egg donation, mamas of multiples, preemie moms, and moms of kiddos with special needs. And furthermore, her career as a pelvic health PT offers insight to ALL moms! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, we're going to talk all about your placenta and the umbilical cord! You will learn all about the placenta, potential complications, how it’s expelled, and more! We’re also going to cover umbilical cords so that you understand what’s normal and what’s not with baby’s cord, too. Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, Anita Lambert, pelvic floor PT, shared her expertise on diastasis recti so that we could do a deep dive for you guys! In the interview, you'll learn about what diastasis recti is, how to tell if you're suffering, what pregnant women can do proactively to help prevent it from happening, and what to expect if you do have a separation and seek out professional help! Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, fellow mom Payton Bridges came on the show to share her incredible birth story. In the episode, you'll hear her tell that story about how they tried to keep her growing as long as possible, but that she ended up having an emergent C-section at 26 weeks after lots of ups and downs.  She explained how when she was going through this she did what we all do, and went to Google to look at statistics and other stories. But it was SO difficult to find positive information on Mirror Syndrome and positive outcomes. Scheduled C-section on the horizon? Get the FREE C-Section Birth Prep Pack to take control of your experience! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we’re talking about stillbirth prevention. And I know that this topic can be very heavy and can provoke anxiety for a lot of mamas. It’s not something that anyone really wants to talk about. Here you’ll learn about what stillbirth is, some statistics surrounding this tragedy, risk factors, and some actionable things you can do to help prevent stillbirth. Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I'm happy to share the birth stories of Kat Tepylo Murphy with you guys! Kat reached out to me to share about the redemptive, natural birth of her son after a traumatic first birth. Want to birth without an epidural? Get the FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack for the confidence you need, because simply wanting it might not be enough! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, I chatted with my friend Kristen Krahl who is an experienced pumping mama, certified lactation consultant, and the face behind the amazing platform Be My Breast Friend! Inside of today's episode, Kristen weighs in on, well, all things pumping! She talked about what to look for in a pump, sizing, when to start pumping, tips for exclusive pumpers, what to do if you're seeing a dip in supply, and so. much. more.  Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast is all about the realities of black maternal health here in the US, and what we can do to spark change! I actually put this podcast out last year, but I wanted to re-release it this week in honor of Black Maternal Health Week 2022. To spark any kind of change surrounding racism in healthcare (and specifically in black maternal health), I truly believe that awareness is the first step. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, I chatted with Leslee, a dietician who specializes in counseling mamas who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

Sierra and Hailey are identical twin sisters who had their first babies born within one week of each other. And you guys, hold on to your hats. These stories are WILD. I don't want to spoil the episode, but let's just say this episode may have been longer than both of their labors combined. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this podcast, I’m going to go over the ins and outs of tearing, all the different types of ways to tear, how to prevent tearing if there is such a thing, how to care for a perineal tear if it does wind up happening to you, and more. My goal with this episode is to rid that fear of tearing from your brain! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on the podcast we are talking all things TODDLERS! I know a lot of you guys that listen to the podcast each week are veteran moms, who might have toddlers at home. One topic that is brought up, again and again, is how adding a new baby to your family can affect your other kiddos.  Devon Kuntzman joined me today from Transforming Toddlerhood, to talk about tips you can do during your pregnancy to help prep your little (or littles) for your new baby! We talked about behaviors you can expect, tips for that first meeting, how to cope with dividing your time now that you have an additional child, and more! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on the podcast we have part 2 of Addie's story featuring birth after still birth. If you missed last week, she shared all about her pregnancy and emergency C-section with her first daughter, Sophie, who died shortly after birth due to what can only be described as negligence on the part of her labor and delivery team. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, it is an emotional episode but one that gives context to today's part of the story. Here in part 2, you'll hear Addie share about the birth of her rainbow baby, and then in her words, her pot of gold baby - an empowering VBAC after two previous C-sections.  Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This is part 1 of Addie's 2 party birth story. Addie had an emergency C-section with her first daughter, Sophie, who unfortunately did not survive. Addie goes into detail about the events leading up to that day, and what I can only describe as negligence by her care team during the birth of her first daughter. She then found herself pregnant again 3 months later with her rainbow baby, and this time chose an elective C-section for her birth. 9 months after the birth of her rainbow, she becomes pregnant with, in her words, her "pot of gold" baby. His birth was an empowering VBAC after her previous two C-sections. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode I share actionable ways that you can educate and advocate for yourself throughout pregnancy and birth and shed some light on the tragic black maternal death rates in the US – because it NEEDS attention! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on the podcast I have a short and fun episode for you guys featuring my sister, Jenna! I wanted to keep it light-hearted this time because we've had quite a few longer educational episodes lately. I quizzed her on some fun pregnancy trivia - it turned out to be WAY HARDER than I thought it was going to be, I think she only got 2 right hah. So, I invite you to play along at home too to see if you can beat her! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

Birth trauma is such a heavy subject and needs SO MUCH MORE light shed on to it. Dr. Cassidy is seriously one of the best guests to discuss birth trauma. She not only has personally encountered birth trauma during one of her births, which she will share in the episode, but she's also worked with countless moms who also have in her professional practice. Today we're talking about risk factors, how birth trauma affects support people, how to process birth trauma if you've been through it, and so much more. Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, I am talking all about C-section birth vs. vaginal birth. First, I start off by talking about some common myths regarding C-sections and the pros and cons of the two types of birth. Then I'll discuss emergency C-sections and why they happen, what the recovery looks like between the two, and more! Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

Today I had Alison from Motherwell Nutrition on the podcast, and we chatted all about hormonal imbalances post-birth. She discussed how to support our bodies through this period of change, some great ways to move your body in addition to focusing on your nutritional needs, and how to find a functional nutritionist in your area if you want to learn more. I admit before I recorded this episode I really didn't quite understand what functional nutrition was...but it's SO interesting how our hormones and body systems are all connected in a lot of of what we eat! Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on the podcast I'm chatting with pre and post-natal corrective exercise specialist, Ashley Knowe from Get Mom Strong. She talked to me all about prenatal fitness myths vs. facts, ab training, how to even START working out as a pregnant lady if you weren't pre-pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and more! Pregnancy to-dos piling up already? Get your FREE Second Trimester Prep Pack to create your registry with ease and know you’re staying on track! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I'm joined by my friend and homebirth midwife, Anne Margolis, from Home Sweet Homebirth!  Homebirth is something I am NOT very familiar with, from a practitioner standpoint - I've only EVER attended hospital births - but I do respect that some women choose home birth as an alternative to birthing in a traditional hospital setting. Because of this, I thought it would be really educational (and fun!) to have a homebirth midwife on the podcast to talk to us about some of her experiences and answer some of my questions about home birth! Anne has been in practice for over 25 years as a midwife, so she's really seen it all! Today we talked about home birth prenatal care, water births, hospital transfers, and so much more! You guys are going to love Anne and all she has to say in this episode! Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I talked ALL about your birth team! These are the people who will help support you throughout your labor.  First, I discussed the different types of providers that can deliver your baby! There are two main “categories” of providers you can choose from for this job – an obstetrician or a midwife, and both come with their own set of benefits! Then I’ll differentiate between two other essential birth team members – doulas and labor and delivery nurses (like me!). Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

Kayleigh Summers joined me to share the story of her son's birth. Kayleigh went in for what she anticipated to be a routine induction to meet her son, only to suffer an incredibly rare complication known as an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) right as she was beginning to push him out. Amniotic fluid embolism happens in approximately 1 in 100,000 births. The infant survival rate is only about 70%, and the maternal survival rate is somewhere between 30-50%. Basically everyone's worst nightmare! Luckily Kayleigh is here to tell her story today of being an AFE survivor, and I'm honored I had the opportunity to sit down with her and share it with you guys. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I had the opportunity to chat with a male L&D nurse, which is not something I come across every day! You guys are going to absolutely love AJ, he was so much fun to chat with, and he is also HILARIOUS! I thought he was the perfect person to join me this week, and I can't wait for you guys to listen! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week I'm talking all about third trimester FAQs! As that due date gets closer and closer it inevitably seems like we naturally get more questions that come up! In this episode I’m going to discuss nausea in the third trimester, traveling during pregnancy, baby movements, itchy feet, labial swelling, hip pain, what to do if you water breaks unexpectedly, and more! Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we're talking all about mindset! You guys should know by now that I'm ALL about getting you in the right headspace when it comes to birth and what better person to interview about this topic than life coach, Natalie Bacon. In this episode we talk about educating yourself, being open to change, pain coping techniques, listening to what your body is telling you, and so much more! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on the podcast I am joined by friend Nikki over at the BelleMethod and we're talking all about pelvic floor health! Nikki is a women’s fitness expert, Master Pilates Trainer, and passionate pelvic health advocate. We talked about pelvic floor strength after birth, diastasis recti, signs that you may have pelvic floor weaknesses (or tension), getting back into fitness post-birth, and more! Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I have a birth story lined up for you guys! And, let me just preface, this is not any ordinary birth story. This one is INTENSE and shall I even say the word? COVID-filled. Yup. This week I had Laurel join me on the podcast to talk all about giving birth in the heart of this pandemic that we all know too well. Laurel and her husband BOTH got COVID a few days before she was due, and unfortunately, her husband was not able to attend her birth, and she had to give birth in the hospital alone. Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

In this week's episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I talked ALL about preparing for labor...and specifically 10 things you shouldn't forget! As your due date draws closer, feelings of anxiety, what-ifs, and maybe even some fear are filling your head. Maybe you're actually thinking, "Can I really do this?". My main focus  of this episode is to give you 10 things you should do before labor starts.  Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

Have you ever wanted to be pregnant at the same time as your BFF? Well, that's exactly what happened with this week's guests! Shanna and Laura came onto The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast this week and talked all about being pregnant at the SAME time - what the journey was like and even brought up some struggles they faced. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

What do TikTok and anesthesia have in common? Well, nothing really - unless you’re my friend Dr. Maggie Printz who joined me for this week’s episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast. Dr. Magnolia Printz is a board-certified anesthesiologist from Wisconsin, and at the time of recording she has over 800k followers on TikTok. In this episode, I sat down with Maggie, and we chatted about all things anesthesia – especially as it relates to birth. Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I was joined by Sara who wanted to talk about her journey to becoming a single mother by choice. The big day of Sara’s embryo transfer happened just two days before we recorded, and I loved that timing because everything was so fresh in her mind. During our conversation, you’ll hear her talk about the decision and process of freezing her eggs when she was in her early 30s, and all of the thought and steps that went into actually deciding to become a single mother by choice when she turned 40 years old. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I have an induction birth story for guys! Caitlyn Karl is a fellow mom who was on the podcast way back in episode 78. During that episode she shared with us all about her infant adoption story for her son AJ. It was such a cool conversation and I learned SO much about what the infant adoption process looks like. At the time of recording for that show, Caitlyn was actually pregnant and expecting her first biological baby! Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I had Brooke from @thesouthernishmama come on the show to talk all about her pregnancies and birth! Brooke has a popular Instagram page where she does a lot of fun and relatable content surrounding pregnancy, motherhood, and other lifestyle topics with the use of her letterboard. Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week I had a chance to chat with Katie from The Breastfeeding Mama. Katie is a mom of three boys, and after the birth of her second baby, she faced a ton of challenges with breastfeeding. That’s where her journey towards becoming The Breastfeeding Mama started, and really where her passion for helping other women succeed at breastfeeding began too. Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I have a really exciting birth story to share with you guys! I actually had a personal friend of mine, Tess Camp, come on the show to tell the story of her three very different deliveries, with an emphasis on her extremely precipitous labor and second birth! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I had the opportunity to chat with the lovely Dr. Natalie Crawford all about infertility and more specifically secondary infertility. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week I was joined by Caitlin Fitzgerald for the very eventful and traumatic birth story of her first baby during the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Caitlin opens up about her unexpected induction, unplanned C-section, a NICU stay, postpartum struggles, and so much more! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This is a special bonus episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, where we are going to dive into all things COVID and the COVID vaccine during pregnancy. I get questions about these topics all the time in my DMs, and totally understand that there is a lot of confusion and uncertainty surrounding pregnancy and COVID-19. As you know, I am a healthcare professional, but I decided that this wasn’t a topic I wanted to cover completely on my own. I wanted to have an OBGYN come on here so that we could have this discussion together. And I was so fortunate to be joined by board-certified OB-GYN, Dr. Marta Perez of @dr.martaperez over on Instagram. She regularly shares evidence information surrounding COVID during pregnancy and the COVID vaccine, so I thought she was the perfect person to come on here and talk about myths and facts in a level-headed, evidence-based manner. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I had a chance to chat with the founders of Feeding Littles! Feeding Littles is a platform that’s dedicated to helping parents learn how to confidently feed their babies, toddlers, and older kids. They offer online courses and resources to share their knowledge as feeding experts with families around the world. Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

I’ve got a special episode for you guys this week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast! I had the chance to sit down with Tiffany, my good friend and business partner here at MLN, in honor of my second baby’s first birthday. We talked all about this past year – the struggles and the wins – and what it’s like to be a mom of 2. Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!      

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I had Alexandra Cunningham from the This Family Tree podcast come on the show to share her birth stories. After I was on her podcast a few months ago, she and I hit it off really well, so it only made sense to have her come on! Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week we are talking all about infant car seat safety with a certified child passenger safety technician and preventable injury specialist, Brigette Watson. This is a topic that I am always happy to discuss and bring awareness to because car seats are something many of us use every day with our little ones, and it’s actually so easy to make mistakes without even realizing it. I know even I can be guilty of it! Stressed about your baby registry? Get the FREE Baby Registry Checklist created by an L&D nurse and veteran mom for insider tips and an organized list of the things you *actually* need! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I had Maya Vorderstrasse, aka That One Letterboard Mom, come on the show to share her THREE unique and amazing birth stories. Maya is a mom of three, her first two babies are what are known as Irish twins (born just shy of 12 months apart!) and then she had a third baby boy. You all know I have heard a lot of birth stories, but this one is a real treat. Even I got chills a couple of times throughout our conversation. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week we’ve got part two of our two-part episode with the lovely, Lindsey Shipley, from Lactation Link. She’s a board-certified lactation consultant and a fellow labor and delivery nurse. Last week on the show we had so much fun chatting and demystifying some of the most common, yet lesser understood L&D terms you might come across during your pregnancy and birth. And this week we’re focusing on your top breastfeeding questions! Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I had the opportunity to chat with Lindsey Shipley from over at Lactation Link. This episode is actually episode one of a two-part series where we address some labor and delivery terms and other terminology surrounding pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week I chatted with Allison Janadu, a potty training consultant and the face behind the popular potty training Instagram account @pottytrainingconsultant all about potty training! At the time this episode aired, she and her team at Potty Training Consultants have helped over 2000 families meet their potty-training goals. Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!    

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I did a solo episode all about scheduled C-sections vs. emergency C-sections. I get asked about this a lot during Sunday story questions, but it’s one of those topics that definitely needs (and deserves) more of an in depth discussion! Scheduled C-section on the horizon? Get the FREE C-Section Birth Prep Pack to take control of your experience! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I had a chance to chat with Kim Perry about her birth stories! Kim is a prenatal and postnatal fitness specialist and the face behind the very popular Instagram account @kimperryco, where she shares glimpses into her life as a mom to three little ones, and educates and empowers women to stay fit, strong, and healthy during pregnancy and beyond. Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week I had Katie Ferraro from @babyledweanteam come on the show to share her very unique experience as a mom to seven! She had one singleton baby, gave birth to quadruplets, and then had a set of twins! As you’ll hear her talk about in the episode, there was a point where they had seven kids 3 and under. Katie is an amazing person, and she shared so much awesome advice during today’s episode related to parenting multiples, pregnancy with multiples, and prenatal nutrition in general. I can’t wait to share her with you. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I had Sarah, a prenatal and postnatal yoga teacher, come on the show to talk through the ins and outs of yoga during pregnancy! We talked about some of the benefits that prenatal yoga can provide to pregnant moms, if it’s safe in all trimesters, and when’s the best trimester to do prenatal yoga. She talked about some of her favorite poses and some of the more popular poses. And then we talked about postnatal yoga and baby yoga as well! Pregnancy to-dos piling up already? Get your FREE Second Trimester Prep Pack to create your registry with ease and know you’re staying on track! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I did a solo episode talking all about C-section recovery!  As the basis for this episode, I was able to pull recovery tips that veteran C-section mamas dropped for me over on Instagram. I figured there is no one who can better speak to this better than the mamas that have gone through it first hand. I start off the episode by talking about what veteran C-section mamas wish they had put in their C-section hospital bag. In fact, I pulled this info from an article I put together last year (read it here!) because you guys blew me away with the suggestions! There is so much good advice. Scheduled C-section on the horizon? Get the FREE C-Section Birth Prep Pack to take control of your experience! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I had the chance to chat with Sharon Mazel to debunk a bunch of different pregnancy myths! We start the episode by learning more about Sharon and her background with the What to Expect brand. And how after 23 years she left the brand to branch out on her own, but is still continuing to educate new parents through her website, parenting courses, and guides, and of course over on her Instagram page @sharonmazel. Tune in to hear us talk about a variety of myths and facts so that we can set the record straight on these fertility and pregnancy topics once and for all! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

On this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I had the opportunity to chat with Erica from Happy as a Mother. She’s a registered psychotherapist with a master’s degree in counseling psychology and postgraduate certificates in couples and family therapy as well as maternal mental health. Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I’m excited to have a first-ever kind of “birth” story for this show, and that is an infant adoption story! Caitlin Karl, a fellow mom who’s actually currently pregnant, came on to share all about their journey to adopting their son AJ. Caitlin shares that she and her husband always knew they wanted to grow their family through adoption and biologically, and was never really quite sure what the order would like that. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I hosted a solo episode talking all about spontaneous labor versus inductions, and why spontaneous labor is typically preferred. I also touch on the timeline of medical inductions and what that entails. You’ll learn about a few things you can do during your pregnancy to prep your body for labor, too! And then at the end of the episode I share the quick version of what I personally did with both of my boys to get myself into labor. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week I had Carole Kramer, the founder of Boston Baby Nurse and Nanny come on the show to talk about newborn care specialists and overnight newborn services! Sleep is such a necessity to maintaining our mental health, that sometimes it DOES make sense to bring in some professional support in the early days, especially if you don’t have local support that can help you overnight. Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I had my friend (and doula!) Stephanie come on the show to share her unique twin birth story! A lot of people don’t realize that twins do NOT have to be born via C-section. Tons of mamas are able to birth their twins vaginally. Your ability to do this depends mostly on the way the presenting baby is positioned. If they are head down, you’ll often get the green light for a vaginal birth. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast is all about postpartum anxiety and preparing for postpartum during pregnancy. Postpartum anxiety is a common, but less talked about reality for many new moms and one that I personally struggled with after both of my babies were born. Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

his episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast is all about the realities of black maternal health here in the US, and what we can do to spark change! We’ve done some feed posts over on IG about this topic before to help raise awareness, but I knew I wanted to take more of a deep dive over here. It’s a topic that can be really heavy in some ways, but it’s one that needs a LOT of light! If we’re going to spark any kind of change surrounding racism in healthcare (and specifically in black maternal health) I truly believe that awareness is the first step. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

Labor induction – this is a topic that comes up a LOT in my DMs over on Instagram and in the MLN community in general! So, today on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I’m doing a Q&A-style episode all about planned inductions. Your most burning labor induction FAQs, answered! Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

In this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I had fellow mom Kyriaki come on the show to talk about her challenging postpartum experience after the birth of her first son. The story is emotional from the start but ends with a beautiful, redemptive, second birth that completely heals Kyriaki physically and emotionally. Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I had licensed therapist and creator behind the Instagram page @loveafterbaby, Sheina Schochet, come on the show to talk about the challenges of, yup, love after baby! Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week on The Mommy Labor Podcast, I had the chance to chat with Dr. Darria, an ER doctor, regular contributor on CNN, NBC, and The Dr. Oz Show, and auther of Mom Hacks. Her book hit the list of top 25 nation bestseller list, and when she reached out about coming on the show, I was so excited to have her come on to personally share some of her best mom hacks with the MLN community! In today’s episode, Dr. Darria shares some her top tips and hacks for mamas that are currently pregnant, recently gave birth, breastfeeding, or have a young child at home! Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast is light-hearted and fun! I always like to feature interesting and unconventional birth stories, interview experts on various pregnancy symptoms and complications, and discuss all things labor and delivery. But every once in a while, I like to do an episode that is just, well, FUN! And that’s where this idea came from. My sister Jenna (who has never been pregnant and is not currently pregnant!) came on for a little segment I’m calling “labor games”. I broke it up into four categories – and they were all a total hit! So, if you’re looking for some easy listening, pregnancy-related fun, you’re in the right place. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I had a chance to do an expert interview with the fabulous Kathlena from @TheAllergyChef. The episode is about all allergies, specifically food allergies, and even more specifically, milk allergies! Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

In this episode, I had professional dog trainer, Michelle, come on the Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast to talk all about dogs and babies. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! You can learn more about Michelle here: Website: www.PoochParenting.net  Instagram: @PoochParenting Podcast: Pooch Parenting Free Facebook group: Parenting Kids and Dogs

On this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I had the opportunity to talk to a fellow mom, Serena, about her baby's incredible liver transplant story! It’s a little different than some of our other birth stories, but I was so thrilled to have her come on and share her inspiring and miraculous story, and raise awareness about the power and importance of organ donation. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, I interview Kelly Stumpe, aka The Car Mom, about how to buy the right car as a new parent. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, Lindsey Wimmer the founder and director of Star Legacy Foundation came on the show to talk about stillbirth and poor pregnancy outcomes. Stillbirth, neonatal death, and pregnancy loss are difficult topics to discuss, but raising awareness, opening dialogue, and knowing where to find support are crucial for those experiencing these realities. Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

Are you a mama that’s searching for the right formula? Maybe you’re breastfeeding and curious about supplementing? Or maybe you just wanna be more educated on the topic of formula and help denounce the narrative that formula is poison! Whatever the case may be, I’m so excited to have you join me for this week’s episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast. Today we’ve got Mallory, Certified Infant Feeding Technician, formula expert, and the face behind the SUPER helpful Instagram account and website The Formula Mom. Stressed about your baby registry? Get the FREE Baby Registry Checklist created by an L&D nurse and veteran mom for insider tips and an organized list of the things you *actually* need! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!    

In this week's episode, my business partner and fellow labor and delivery nurse, Tiffany Tippin, talk about what it's like to be a labor and delivery nurse! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

In today’s episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we’re going to set the record straight on pregnancy fitness! I’m interviewing Sarah Kuhn, a prenatal and postnatal exercise specialist and the founder of Juna! Pregnancy to-dos piling up already? Get your FREE Second Trimester Prep Pack to create your registry with ease and know you’re staying on track! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsor Juna is the companion app for your motherhood journey. Sarah, the founder of Juna, created the app to provide scientifically backed and up-to-date fitness and nutrition information, all in one place. When you download Juna you’ll enter your baby’s due date or your baby’s birthday, and you’ll be put directly into the appropriate week of your journey. There’s a key nutrient every single week with recipe suggestions, a daily trimester-specific workout, and pregnancy and postpartum tips from Sarah and the team at Juna. There’s really no other app like it out there! Sarah is giving a special offer to Mommy Labor Nurse listeners so right now you can get Juna for 25% off a yearly subscription by using the code LIESEL at subscribe.juna.co.

In this episode, my mom and sister join the podcast to talk about our two vastly different birth stories! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Sharon Heinzelmann Sharon lives in Raleigh, North Carolina and currently owns and renovates rental properties with her husband. She has two daughters, Liesel and Jenna, and two grandsons, Walter and Ryland, who she loves to pieces!

In this episode, I answer your most commonly asked questions about labor and delivery! Here are the questions I go over! Any advice on choosing a pediatrician? Is it standard to have to lie down to push? Is it normal for Braxton Hicks to slow down? Fetal hiccups. When to worry? Third pregnancy, 37 weeks, baby hasn’t dropped yet, previous babies dropped early, normal? If my water breaks and I go to the hospital, am I stuck in the bed? Have you had any moms with polycystic kidney disease have a success for delivery without a C-section? 3 1/2 months postpartum, normal delivery. Having white, glass like discharge in vagina. Is this normal? Is it true that you must wake up to do a night feed to keep milk supply up? Can you explain what station mean? Midwife said I was -2 at 36 weeks pregnant. How long will your cervix stay dilated at 10 cm? What are good thank you gifts for nurses? Is lightning crotch OK to have at 28 weeks? Is it possible to do skin-to-skin immediately after a C-section?  How often is your nurse typically in the room? Is Covid changing this? Where in the arm is a saline lock to IV usually in place? Are different placements better for movement? Any TV shows about labor and delivery? Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsors Kindred Bravely Kindred Bravely is a company built on love - a love that is poured into every piece of clothing they bring to life. Their clothes are meticulously designed to make your motherhood journey easier, from the bump to the breast and beyond. You deserve to look and feel great all of the time, Mama! They have two goals: creating maternity and nursing clothes that are beautiful, useful, and comfortable, and building a community of moms who support and encourage each other on the motherhood journey. Kindred Bravely has donated over $500,000 worth of hands-free pumping and nursing bras to mamas who are currently working in healthcare during this pandemic as a thank you for what they’re doing every day. Use code MLN15 to get 15% off all Kindred Bravely products. Uqora Uqora is an effective way to flush out UTI-causing bacteria. Uqora flushes out new bacteria introduced to the urinary tract after activities like sex or exercise. You can drink after activities that trigger your UTI's. Uqora binds to bacteria and increases your urinary flow to flush bacteria out. Use code MOMMY to get 30% off all Uqora products at uqora.com/mommy!

In this episode, Kelsey shares her two very different birth stories with her son and daughter, the second being a healing experience after the trauma from her first. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Kelsey Fay Kelsey Fay is a 27 year old stay at home mother of 2. She and her husband has been married for almost 4 years, together for 11 years total! She welcomed her first child in February of 2018, experiencing a somewhat traumatic birth, including a failed epidural, a fast labor that resulted in her doctor not arriving in time, and an experience with a less than helpful lactation consultant. Her second birth, in December of 2019, was another quick birth, and required vacuum assistance as a result of her son’s heart rate dropping quite a few time. However, even though her second birth required some unexpected interventions due to the umbilical cord being wrapped around her son’s neck multiple times, she felt that it was very much a healing experience after the trauma of her daughter’s birth.  Sponsor Milkology provides affordable yet high quality online courses all about breastfeeding and pumping. Milkology has The Ultimate Breastfeeding Class, The Ultimate Back to Work Pumping Class, The Ultimate Exclusive Pumping Class, Pump it Up, and Master your Milk Supply! Use code MLN10 to get 10% off any Milkology course!

In this episode, Brittany shares her unplanned 39-hour long induction at 37 weeks. Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Brittany Dougherty Brittany Dougherty is a mom to a 1.5 year old and is currently pregnant with baby number two. She lives in Reno, Nevada with her husband, son, and two dogs. She is a civil engineer by trade, but she enjoys talking about pregnancy and babies whenever she gets the chance. You can learn more about Brittany here: Growing Our Family Podcast & Blog Website: https://growingourfamily.com/ Instagram: @growingrfamily Resources Listen to Brittany's podcast episode that I was on here!

In this episode, my business partner and personal friend Tiffany shares her empowering unmedicated birth story with her second son, Callan. Want to birth without an epidural? Get the FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack for the confidence you need, because simply wanting it might not be enough! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Tiffany Tippin Tiffany is a long-time friend to Liesel, a co-owner of Mommy Labor Nurse, and a fellow labor and delivery nurse. After marrying her husband Ben, Tiffany got pregnant shortly afterwards and on April 18th, 2019 delivered her first son, Wyatt.

In this episode, my business partner and personal friend Tiffany shares her birth story and difficult postpartum experience with her first son, Wyatt. Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Tiffany Tippin Tiffany is a long-time friend to Liesel, a co-owner of Mommy Labor Nurse, and a fellow labor and delivery nurse. After marrying her husband Ben, Tiffany got pregnant shortly afterwards and on April 18th, 2019 delivered her first son, Wyatt. Sponsor Kindred Bravely is a company built on love - a love that is poured into every piece of clothing they bring to life. Their clothes are meticulously designed to make your motherhood journey easier, from the bump to the breast and beyond. You deserve to look and feel great all of the time, Mama! They have two goals: creating maternity and nursing clothes that are beautiful, useful, and comfortable, and building a community of moms who support and encourage each other on the motherhood journey. Kindred Bravely has donated over $500,000 worth of hands-free pumping and nursing bras to mamas who are currently working in healthcare during this pandemic as a thank you for what they’re doing every day. Use code MLN15 to get 15% off all Kindred Bravely products.

In this episode, I interview my friend Parijat, a high-risk pregnancy specialist, all about stress and how it relates to pregnancy and delivery. Here are the questions we go over! Talk to me about how stress can play a part in pregnancy? How is stress related to preterm labor/other complications during pregnancy? What are some of the high risk complications that can occur related to stress? What are some tips we can do to reduce our stress during pregnancy? How about postpartum - is stress related to complications during postpartum as well? Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Parijat Deshpande Parijat Deshpande is a leading high-risk pregnancy specialist, somatic trauma professional and speaker, and author who guides women to improve their pregnancy complications so they can reduce their risk of preterm birth. Her unique neurobiological approach has served hundreds of women to manage pregnancy complications and reclaim a safety and trust in their bodies that they thought was eroded forever. Parijat is the author of bestselling book Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy. She is also the host of the popular podcast Delivering Miracles®, that discusses the real, raw side of family-building including infertility, loss, high-risk pregnancy, bed rest, prematurity and healing once baby comes home. You can learn more about Parijat here: Website: https://parijatdeshpande.com/ Instagram: @healthy.highriskpregnancy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParijatDesh/ Parijat's Book, Pregnancy Brain Listen to the Delivering Miracles® podcast Sponsor Is there something interfering with your happiness or is preventing you from achieving your goals? Betterhelp will assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist.  You’ll get timely and thoughtful responses, plus you can schedule weekly video or phone sessions so you won’t ever have to sit in an uncomfortable waiting room as with traditional therapy! Betterhelp wants you to start living a happier life TODAY. Our listeners get 10% off your first month at trybetterhelp.com/labornurse! 

In this episode, Erin shares her traumatic birth story with her twin daughters and her redemptive unmedicated birth story with her son. Want to birth without an epidural? Get the FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack for the confidence you need, because simply wanting it might not be enough! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Erin Erin is a mom of three kids aged three and under living in Chicago. After a traumatic birth with her twin daughters, Erin shares why the unmedicated hospital birth of her son was a long-awaited redemptive experience -- and also like being in the passenger seat of a really crazy car ride! Resources Ina May's Guide to Childbirth: Helpful book Erin read to help prepare for her second delivery http://www.chicagobirthboutique.com/: Erin's doula, Lauren Elliott in Chicago Sponsor Juna is the companion app for your motherhood journey. Sarah, the founder of Juna, created the app to provide scientifically backed and up-to-date fitness and nutrition information, all in one place. When you download Juna you’ll enter your baby’s due date or your baby’s birthday, and you’ll be put directly into the appropriate week of your journey. There’s a key nutrient every single week with recipe suggestions, a daily trimester-specific workout, and pregnancy and postpartum tips from Sarah and the team at Juna. There’s really no other app like it out there! Sarah is giving a special offer to Mommy Labor Nurse listeners so right now you can get Juna for 25% off a yearly subscription by using the code LIESEL at subscribe.juna.co.   

In this episode, I interview my friend KC all about baby's milestones in the first year of life.  Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About KC KC is a pediatric physical therapist, specializing in motor development of children 0-3 years of age. She has been working in the physical therapy field with children for just under a decade, and is passionate about arming parents with knowledge & instilling confidence while teaching them how to understand & foster their child’s development.   She is also a wife, mother to two girls, and the founder of Milestones & Motherhood, a community focused on parent education. She found after working in the field that parents simply weren’t provided information about what to expect in regards to milestones & their child’s development, which often leads to stress, comparison, & fears. She began her instagram page to provide free tips, tricks & information to parents to bridge this gap.   You can learn more about KC here: Instagram: @milestones.and.motherhood, Website: www.milestonesandmotherhood.com Resources Motor Milestone PDF that covers the first 3 years of gross motor milestones, including activities and photos to encourage milestone acquisition, general developmental information, when to speak to your pediatrician, & tips for other areas of development. Use code MOMMYLABOR5 for $5 off the Motor PDF

In this episode, Madison shares her positive natural induction story with her daughter Everly. Want to birth without an epidural? Get the FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack for the confidence you need, because simply wanting it might not be enough! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Madison Madison is a former teacher turned stay-at-home mom after the birth of her first daughter, Everly, in October 2019. Through her blog, Little Teacher Wife, she shares posts about marriage, family, and teaching to help make fellow mom’s lives a little bit easier!  

In this episode, my Mommy Labor Nurse team members and I continue the conversation about my second postpartum experience with Ryland! Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, my Mommy Labor Nurse team members and I discuss my second postpartum experience with Ryland! Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

In this episode, I interview my friend Brookes, a nurse practitioner, all about women's health! We talk about PCOS, fertility, endometriosis, and more! Prenatal care feeling tricky to navigate? My FREE 45 Minute Workshop will teach you what to expect, educate you about important tests and procedures, and ensure you’re making the most of your prenatal care! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Brookes Vaughn Brookes is the founder of The Women’s Health Company and a Board Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner with over 5 years of experience in Women’s Healthcare. Brookes received her BS in Public Health from UGA and her WHNP from Vanderbilt University. Brookes’ passion is to educate, equip, and empower women to become whole and healthy by providing them with evidence-based Women’s Health resources and life-giving encouragement. Brookes is a lover of the Georgia Dawgs, dirty chai lattes, and healthy baking. She lives outside of Athens, GA with her husband, Schuyler, and golden retriever, Riggins. You can learn more about Brookes here: Instagram: @thewomenshealthcompany and @brookesbvaughan_np Website: thewomenshealthcompany.com Resources Recommended Registered Dietician

In this episode, Malori shares her hotel birth story with us via C-section, and talks about her fertility struggles.  Scheduled C-section on the horizon? Get the FREE C-Section Birth Prep Pack to take control of your experience! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Malori Mayor   Malori Mayor is a registered nurse, military wife to Mark, and new mom to Max! After an almost 2-year struggle with infertility, holistic treatments, and surgery for endometriosis, Malori and Mark were finally able to conceive their first child.    While going through infertility herself, she began helping others share their stories of infertility and miscarriage on her blog, and also started a podcast, Restoring Fertility Naturally.    Malori spent most of her pregnancy in Germany, where her husband was stationed with the Army, and then gave birth to Max after moving to California. In whatever little free time she has, she enjoys reading a good book, baking, and going on neighborhood walks with her little family and their German Shepherd, Zoey.   You can learn more about Malori here: Instagram: @warriorlifewellness Blog: https://www.warriorlifewellness.com YouTube: http://bit.ly/maloriyoutube Resources This is the model of treatment that Malori used for infertility:  http://www.naprotechnology.com/

In this episode, my friend Marley talks all about how maternity care differs in the UK! Prenatal care feeling tricky to navigate? My FREE 45 Minute Workshop will teach you what to expect, educate you about important tests and procedures, and ensure you’re making the most of your prenatal care! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Marley Hall Marley is registered midwife from Surrey, UK and is also a mother to 5 children including a set of twins. She has practiced midwifery in various settings over the past 11 years working in hospitals, birth centers, and in women's homes. She cares for women from conception up until 2 weeks postpartum. Marley is also a widely recognized prenatal education instructor who shares lots of useful information on instagram through her cartoon drawings. Having delivered over 600 babies, Marley is an expert in childbirth and is passionate about helping women to have a positive birth experience no matter what type of birth they may have! You can find  Marley on social media here: Website: www.midwifemarley.com Instagram: @midwifemarley 

In this episode, my employees and I discuss my second birth story with my son Ryland! Want to birth without an epidural? Get the FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack for the confidence you need, because simply wanting it might not be enough! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Resources http://www.milescircuit.com/

In this episode, my friend Stephanie and I talk about everything doula! Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire.   Have an even better birth!   CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.   And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Stephanie Sinclair Stephanie is from Minnesota. She is a wife, a mom of three, and the founder of How 2 Mom. How 2 Mom is a community and support group for all moms. They also offer birth services for prenatal, birth and postpartum care and have a team of birth professionals.  Since creating this dynamic and authentic community, they’ve gained a strong and loyal community who voted How 2 Mom as Parent Blogger of the Year in 2018. How 2 Mom has also been featured on podcasts and hosts monthly events and support groups to connect, support, and educate women on all things motherhood.    You can learn more about Stephanie here: https://www.how2mom.com/ https://www.instagram.com/how2mom https://www.facebook.com/how2mom   Resources https://spinningbabies.com/ https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/ https://www.how2mom.com/what-is-a-birth-doula/ https://www.how2mom.com/10-reasons-why-you-should-hire-a-birth-doula/ https://www.how2mom.com/10-reasons-why-you-should-hire-a-birth-doula/ https://doulamatch.net/  

In this episode, my friend Ashley talks to us about her three very different birth experiences, ranging from a C-section to VBAC to a traumatic birth. She has also experienced preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and IUGR. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Ashley Boyd Ashley Boyd was born and raised in Colorado and now calls Columbus, Ohio home. She has a bachelors degree in Vocal performance and has sung with Opera Colorado and Opera Europa.   Ashley married her husband in 2012 and now keeps busy taking care of their three young children. When she manages to find free time, Ashley likes to read, play games, and sing.   You can learn more about Ashley here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theboydtales/  

In this episode, Samantha shares her powerful unmedicated birth story with her third using mindfulness and meditation techniques! Want to birth without an epidural? Get the FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack for the confidence you need, because simply wanting it might not be enough! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.   And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! You can learn more about Samantha here: Blog: Evidence-Based Mommy Pinterest: pinterest.com/evidencemommy Resources   A recorded a set of meditations to listen to while preparing for birth. Sponsor Mommy Knows Best empowers all moms with the tools and resources necessary to give your newborn the best start in life! From an assortment of delicious lactation cookies to supplements and beyond, their products contain all natural herbal remedies traditionally and effectively used for generations to treat low milk supply. Whether you’re a new mom or a pro, Mommy Knows Best gives you plenty of options, all of which are created with the health and safety of both baby and mom in mind.  Plus, I’m really excited to tell you they just added a new gluten and dairy free lactation cookie mix this week!  Use code LABORNURSE10 to get 10% off all Mommy Knows Best products valid at MommyKnowsBest.com!

In this episode, I interview my friend Karrie, a postpartum and nursery RN, all about what she does to take care of patients postpartum, recovery, breastfeeding, bleeding, and more! Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Abour Karrie Locher Karrie Locher is a Postpartum + Nursery RN and mama to 3 young kids all 4 and under! After becoming a mother, she recognized how *little* the postpartum period is discussed — not just in the hospital, but at home.   She created her Instagram page (@karrie_locher) and website (karingforpostpartum.com) to help educate, inform, encourage, and support other mamas. Together we can celebrate the bliss & support each other through the struggles motherhood brings.    You can learn more about Karrie here: Instagram: www.instagram.com/karrie_locher Website: www.karingforpostpartum.com Entering Motherhood Checklist bundle: http://karingforpostpartum.com/enteringmotherhood/ Baby cheat sheets: http://karingforpostpartum.com/karing-for-baby-2/

In this episode, my friend Marta shares her birth story having TRIPLETS! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Marta Marta Spirk is a writer, woman empowerment coach, and triplet mom. Her focus is helping selfless, overwhelmed women learn to put themselves first, stop people-pleasing and become their own support system. Through her podcast The Empowered Woman, her virtual self-improvement membership, and workshops, she hopes to encourage and uplift women to step into their own power and realize they ALREADY have it all!   You can learn more about Marta here: www.martaspirk.com www.instagram.com/martaspirk www.facebook.com/spirkmarta Sponsor Juna is the companion app for your motherhood journey. Sarah, the founder of Juna, created the app to provide scientifically backed and up-to-date fitness and nutrition information, all in one place. When you download Juna you’ll enter your baby’s due date or your baby’s birthday, and you’ll be put directly into the appropriate week of your journey. There’s a key nutrient every single week with recipe suggestions, a daily trimester-specific workout, and pregnancy and postpartum tips from Sarah and the team at Juna. There’s really no other app like it out there! Sarah is giving a special offer to Mommy Labor Nurse listeners so right now you can get Juna for 25% off a yearly subscription by using the code LIESEL at subscribe.juna.co. 

In this episode, my friend Gail, the founder of Spinning Babies®, comes back a second time to talk inductions, VBACs, belly mapping, and more! Click here to listen to part 1! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsor The word “Spinning” in Spinning Babies® means how babies move through the pelvis to find the most space to come down. What makes birth easier for baby is what makes birth easier for Mom.  Our Spinning Babies® mission is to make physiological birth more accessible to birthing people and providers alike. For instance, we believe that being head down is only half the story. How baby’s head enters the top of the pelvis correlates with length of labor and ease of labor. When facing forward a first baby may not be able to rotate for a day or two. We offer daily activities to add comfort in pregnancy now and ease in labor later.   The Daily Essentials video is the easiest way to learn the habits and moves. Starting in mid-pregnancy is ideal.  The Parent Class video or an in-person Parent Class for late pregnancy. The Parent Class video has lots of labor tips and techniques for comfort and also to help labor stay on track to help avoid cesareans simply because baby’s not aiming into the pelvis.  Does your doctor or midwife require baby to be head down before labor? Do they do cesarean birth for all breeches? Are you pregnant and hoping to avoid surgery? Then the Helping Your Breech Baby Turn eBook is for you. Prepare for an easier childbirth with this eBook, a self-directed 6-day program for pregnant parents with a breech baby developed by a Certified Professional Midwife. Listeners of Mommy Nurse Labor podcast can use the code MOMMY15 on the Spinning Babies® online shop for 15% off your purchase of the Helping Your Breech Baby Turn eBook.

Warning: This episode talks about infant loss. If you have experienced infant and/or pregnancy loss, please proceed with caution. In this very special episode, my friend Maria shares her story with us about her beautiful daughter, Camila.  You can learn more about Maria here: Instagram: hopeforcamila and mariaevaitriago Resources For more support with Di George’s Syndrome (22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome): https://www.22q.org/ https://22qfamilyfoundation.org/what-22q/22q-overview For Free Early Intervention Services and Pregnancy Support in Southwest Kansas Area: Russell Child Development Center (620)-275-0291 https://www.rcdc4kids.org/ FB: RUSSELL CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Books for Grieving Families: The Fight to Flourish by Jennie Lusko It was not supposed to be this way by Lisa TerKeurst Be the One to Heal Yourself by Beth Rogerson, PhD And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, we discuss Haley’s positive induction birth story, chat about prodromal labor, epidurals, the choice to bottle feed, and mental health.   We also dive into what a virtual doula is and how important it is to advocate for yourself! Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.   And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!   About Haley Haley is a mom of two wildlings. Grayson is 2.5 years old and Blakely is 5 months old. Haley has been a doula for 2 years.   In addition to helping mommas out with their birthing journey, Haley also empowers her online community by providing positive affirmations and creating a safe place to express the struggles of motherhood. On her blog she also shares traveling adventures, toddler learning and endless pictures of her tribe.    You can learn more about Haley here: Instagram.com/mywanderlust.tribe Instagram.com/doula.mommanurture Instagram.com/empowered.motherhood    

In this episode, I answer the most commonly asked questions about the first trimester! Feeling overwhelmed in the first trimester? Get support in the early weeks with our FREE 1st Trimester Prep Pack and gain a sense of control! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.   And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, I interview my friend Sandy, an IBCLC, and we answer all of your breastfeeding questions! Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Sandy Arnold Sandy is a Lamaze trained Childbirth Educator, an IBCLC, and works in Labor and Delivery at WakeMed Raleigh Campus. Sandy has 21 years of experience working with mothers and babies. Sponsor Mommy Knows Best empowers all moms with the tools and resources necessary to give your newborn the best start in life! From an assortment of delicious lactation cookies to supplements and beyond, their products contain all natural herbal remedies traditionally and effectively used for generations to treat low milk supply. Whether you’re a new mom or a pro, Mommy Knows Best gives you plenty of options, all of which are created with the health and safety of both baby and mom in mind.  Plus, I’m really excited to tell you they just added a new gluten and dairy free lactation cookie mix this week!  Use code LABORNURSE10 to get 10% off all Mommy Knows Best products valid at MommyKnowsBest.com!

In this episode, Jasmine shares her preemie story at 25 weeks. Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Jasmine Hill Jasmine Hill is a 27 year old, soon to be mother of 2, a prematurity awareness advocate, and an entrepreneur who develops natural hair care products to women of all backgrounds.   She has been married to her husband for almost 4 years, and was not expecting to be able to get pregnant due to her stage 4 endometriosis. However she and her husband both received the shock of their lives when they found out they were expecting in Nov of 2018. Little did they they know, their pregnancy would have some issues that could have potentially caused their son to be born premature and spend 108 days in the NICU.   Due to their experience Jasmine's husband, Rodney, has developed a small clothing line to raise awareness about preterm births and prematurity. She currently 7 months pregnant again, due in April.   Sponsor Is there something interfering with your happiness or is preventing you from achieving your goals? Betterhelp will assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. There is a broad range of expertise in Betterhelp’s counselor network which may not be locally available in many areas. You’ll get timely and thoughtful responses, plus you can schedule weekly video or phone sessions so you won’t ever have to sit in an uncomfortable waiting room as with traditional therapy! Betterhelp wants you to start living a happier life TODAY. Our listeners get 10% off your first month at trybetterhelp.com/labornurse! 

In this episode, I interview my friend Ryann all about pregnancy nutrition and other factors that relate such as cravings, morning sickness, prenatal vitamins, and more! Feeling overwhelmed in the first trimester? Get support in the early weeks with our FREE 1st Trimester Prep Pack and gain a sense of control! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Ryann Kipping   Ryann is a clinically trained Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Lactation Educator, and Author of The Feel-Good Pregnancy Cookbook. She is the founder of The Prenatal Nutritionist, a virtual nutrition private practice, which focuses on preparing women for pregnancy and conquering nutrition during and after pregnancy.   She helps women feel confident in their ability to properly nourish a growing baby through a real food approach. Aside from one on one nutrition counseling, Ryann is a nutrition writer, recipe developer, and nutrition content creator.  FREE 5-day prenatal meal plan: bit.ly/5daymealplan Learn about Ryann's new online program: bit.ly/pplusmethod Instagram: instagram.com/prenatalnutritionist

In this episode, I go over a highly requested topic that you guys have sent me: EPIDURALS!! Here are the questions we go over! 1. What is it like to get an epidural? What Is the procedure like? 2. What are some common side effects and complications? 3. Common myths vs. facts regarding epidurals? Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.   And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsor Larken was born out of a struggle to find a comfortable and simple way to nurse and pump. While pumping and nursing their daughters, the Larken co-founders tried several bulky, ill-fitting tops and bras with irritating elastic and cumbersome snaps and zippers. Frustrated with the options on the market, they knew there had to be a better way. So they designed it. Their all-in-one nursing and hands-free pumping bra is the first without any irritating elastic, snaps, zippers, or other hardware. It's super easy to use and ultra-comfortable. It provides relaxed support without being restrictive. All of their products are hardware free and are made with incredibly soft, breathable materials with great stretch and recovery so they can adapt to mom's changing body. Their customers have shared that they love being able to wear them all day for easy transitions between nursing and pumping without ever having to change bras or undress, and they also sleep in them at night because of how comfortable they are.  They've been named by The Bump, Scary Mommy, US Weekly and New York Magazine as a best hands-free pumping bra. Use code LIESEL10 for 10% off any Larken products.

Maria Topper is a 23 year old mom of 2, blogger, and activist. She lives in Germany with her blended family. She uses her voice and social channels to talk about motherhood and its realities.    At 19 years old she found out she was pregnant. She was living in a foreign country and a seemingly normal pregnancy turned into any mom to be worst scenario when doctors refused to listen to her and she developed eclampsia.    She delivered a baby at 30 weeks via emergency C-section, and her baby girl spent 6 weeks in the NICU. Adjusting to life after the NICU wasn’t easy and she suffered with PPD and PTSD.    A few years later she wanted to extend her family and was met by the hard road that trying to conceive can be for some couples. After multiple miscarriages she was diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome but was able to get pregnant and delivered a healthy term baby via VBAC.    Maria urges moms-to-be to use their voice during pregnancy, to stand up for themselves if needed, and know that they their feelings and concerns are important.  Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsor Juna is the companion app for your motherhood journey. Sarah, the founder of Juna, created the app to provide scientifically backed and up-to-date fitness and nutrition information, all in one place. When you download Juna you’ll enter your baby’s due date or your baby’s birthday, and you’ll be put directly into the appropriate week of your journey. There’s a key nutrient every single week with recipe suggestions, a daily trimester-specific workout, and pregnancy and postpartum tips from Sarah and the team at Juna. There’s really no other app like it out there! Sarah is giving a special offer to Mommy Labor Nurse listeners so right now you can get Juna for 25% off a yearly subscription by using the code LIESEL at subscribe.juna.co. 

In this episode, my friend Marta and I went over some important topics related to high risk pregnancies, genetic screenings, inductions, and more! Here are the questions we go over! 1. Let’s talk about preconception visits. Are they necessary and what exactly does one entail? 2. Genetic screening tests - pros, cons, how invasive, what does it tell you? 3. High risk pregnancies - why you do NST’s? What else do you do during a high risk pregnancy? 4. Pros and cons of induction? 5. How are OB’s trained? What kind of places do you all work? 6. How do you find a provider who you can trust? Prenatal care feeling tricky to navigate? My FREE 45 Minute Workshop will teach you what to expect, educate you about important tests and procedures, and ensure you’re making the most of your prenatal care! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.   And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!   About Dr. Marta Perez   Dr. Marta Perez is a practicing OB-GYN in Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to a busy practice taking care of women of all ages, delivering babies, and performing surgery, she enjoys spending time with her fiance and puppy, running, yoga, cooking, reading, and creating educational content for my IG to help women live their happiest, healthiest lives.   You can learn more about Marta here: Instagram: @Marta Perez Website: drmartaperez.com Sponsor Mommy Knows Best empowers all moms with the tools and resources necessary to give your newborn the best start in life! From an assortment of delicious lactation cookies to supplements and beyond, their products contain all natural herbal remedies traditionally and effectively used for generations to treat low milk supply. Whether you’re a new mom or a pro, Mommy Knows Best gives you plenty of options, all of which are created with the health and safety of both baby and mom in mind.  Plus, I’m really excited to tell you they just added a new gluten and dairy free lactation cookie mix this week!  Use code: LIESEL10 to get 10% off all Mommy Knows Best products valid at MommyKnowsBest.com!

There are a lot of questions and fear surrounding labor! In this episode, I go over some common labor and delivery fears such as pooping, tearing, C-sections, and more! Here are the questions I go over! Will I poop/what if I poop? What if I tear/how bad will I tear? What if I have to have a C-section? How bad does labor actually hurt? What if it’s too late to get an epidural? How does a baby legit fit through my vagina? Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsor Kindred Bravely is a company built on love - a love that is poured into every piece of clothing they bring to life. Their clothes are meticulously designed to make your motherhood journey easier, from the bump to the breast and beyond. You deserve to look and feel great all of the time, Mama! They have two goals: creating maternity and nursing clothes that are beautiful, useful, and comfortable, and building a community of moms who support and encourage each other on the motherhood journey. Kindred Bravely has donated over $500,000 worth of hands-free pumping and nursing bras to mamas who are currently working in healthcare during this pandemic as a thank you for what they’re doing every day. Use code MLN15 to get 15% off all Kindred Bravely products.

In this episode, my friend Meaghan shares her induction experience followed by an agonizing 4th degree vaginal tear. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsors Mommy Knows Best Mommy Knows Best empowers all moms with the tools and resources necessary to give your newborn the best start in life! From an assortment of delicious lactation cookies to supplements and beyond, their products contain all natural herbal remedies traditionally and effectively used for generations to treat low milk supply. Whether you’re a new mom or a pro, Mommy Knows Best gives you plenty of options, all of which are created with the health and safety of both baby and mom in mind.    Plus, I’m really excited to tell you they just added a new gluten and dairy free lactation cookie mix!    Use code LABORNURSE10 to get 10% off all Mommy Knows Best products valid on Amazon or MommyKnowsBest.com! Kindred Bravely Kindred Bravely is a company built on love - a love that is poured into every piece of clothing they bring to life. Their clothes are meticulously designed to make your motherhood journey easier, from the bump to the breast and beyond. You deserve to look and feel great all of the time, Mama! They have two goals: creating maternity and nursing clothes that are beautiful, useful, and comfortable, and building a community of moms who support and encourage each other on the motherhood journey. Kindred Bravely has donated over $500,000 worth of hands-free pumping and nursing bras to mamas who are currently working in healthcare during this pandemic as a thank you for what they're doing every day. Use code MLN15 to get 15% off all Kindred Bravely products.

In this episode, my friend Brittany shares her story with us about her 3 miscarriages. In the second-half of the episode, I answer some of your common questions about miscarriages and loss.  Here are the questions I go over: How common is miscarriage? What are the signs/symptoms of miscarriage? How does age increase the risk of miscarriage? What exactly happens when you have a miscarriage? What are some of the treatment options? What may I see? What do I do if I am managing it at home? How soon can I conceive again? And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Dr. Brittany   Dr. Brittany is a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist in Virginia. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a BSeD and Duke University for her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. When she is not helping pregnant and postpartum women, she loves spending time  with her husband, 3 year old and little one on the way.   You can learn more about Brittany here: Instagram: www.instagram.com/brittanyswannwilmoth

In this episode, I interview my friend Lisa, the founder of Bumpin Blends, about common nutritional needs during pregnancy! Here are the topics we go over: Iron deficiency PICA DASH diet for preeclampsia Gestational diabetes Pregnancy to-dos piling up already? Get your FREE Second Trimester Prep Pack to create your registry with ease and know you’re staying on track! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsor Imagine customized smoothies to meet your exact needs…and for pregnant and postpartum nursing moms, those of your baby as well! Bumpin Blends is an amazing way to get the nutrients you require while expecting and what your body is craving postpartum.   This genius solution to help improve the many symptoms of new motherhood creates custom pre-blended, frozen smoothie cubes that are delivered every 2 weeks! Each of their 22 smoothie blends is designed to support a particular symptom of motherhood from pregnancy symptoms (like morning sickness and swollen ankles) to postpartum needs (like boosting milk supply and mood) to the many needs of an on-the-go mom (like energy and reducing anxiety). The process is simple: Fill in your symptoms, due date or baby’s age, and dietary preferences. Bumpin Blends customizes seven different smoothies specific to your needs and sets you up with your own 24/7 nutritionist. Your smoothie cubes are delivered to your door every other week. Pour a packet of pre-blended cubes into the blender, add liquid, and enjoy! The packets are even designed to be opened with one hand - making them perfect for a mom juggling it all! Mommy Labor Nurse listeners can take 20% off their order on bumpinblends.com with the code MOMMYLABORNURSE!  

In this episode, my friend Amanda shares her stillborn story with us about her beautiful daughter, Juniper Ann. Resources Instagram: instagram.com/orangeafmama Star Legacy Foundation Still Standing Magazine Facebook Still Standing Magazine Instagram Faith's Lodge: Retreat for loss families Empty Cradle, Broken Heart Ask Me His Name Its Ok That You're Not Ok The Baby Loss Guide And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

In this episode, I interview my friends Julie and Meagan all about VBACs! The VBAC Link’s mission is to make birth after Cesarean better by providing education, support, and a community of like-minded people. Organized by Julie Francom and Meagan Heaton, VBAC moms, doulas, educators, and doula trainers, they have supported over 700 women on their individual VBAC journeys and have a community of thousands of women all over the world.  Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! You can learn more about The VBAC Link here: Podcast: The VBAC Link, find wherever you listen to podcasts or at thevbaclink.com/podcasts/ Parents VBAC Prep Class: https://www.thevbaclink.com/vbac-class/ Advanced VBAC Doula Certification: https://www.thevbaclink.com/vbac-doula-training/ VBAC Blog: https://www.thevbaclink.com/blog/  

In this episode, my friend Mallory shares her experience with postpartum depression and later I do a Q&A answering your questions about it. Here are the questions I go over in the Q&A! What should I do if I need help? What are some of the common treatment methods? Are there certain risk factors? What should I say to people if they think I’m fine, because I don’t look sick? How long will it take for me to feel better? Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Resources www.ppdjourney.com Changes that Heal, by Henry Cloud When Changing Nothing Changes Everything, by Laurie Short Unseen, by Sara Hagerty postpartum.net  

In this episode, my friend Sienna shares her crazy vaginal breech birth and postpartum experience! Want to birth without an epidural? Get the FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack for the confidence you need, because simply wanting it might not be enough! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsor Juna is the companion app for your motherhood journey. Sarah, the founder of Juna, created the app to provide scientifically backed and up-to-date fitness and nutrition information, all in one place. When you download Juna you’ll enter your baby’s due date or your baby’s birthday, and you’ll be put directly into the appropriate week of your journey. There’s a key nutrient every single week with recipe suggestions, a daily trimester-specific workout, and pregnancy and postpartum tips from Sarah and the team at Juna. There’s really no other app like it out there! Sarah is giving a special offer to Mommy Labor Nurse listeners so right now you can get Juna for 25% off a yearly subscription by using the code LIESEL at subscribe.juna.co. 

In this episode, I do an extended Q&A taking questions that you guys have given me about breastfeeding - part 2! Here are the questions we go over! How long should my baby nurse at each feeding? How do I know if baby is finished? How do I really know if my baby is getting enough milk? What to do if my baby is having difficulty latching? How does ovulation play into breastfeeding? Can you still get pregnant while you breastfeed? What do I do about leaking breasts? What to do about sore nipples? Clogged ducts!! What to do? Should I stop breastfeeding if I am sick? Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsor Wellements is a supplement and remedy line for infants and toddlers with products for teething, tummy, vitamins & minerals, sniffle season, etc! All of their products are… USDA certified organic  Preservative-free  Bottled in glass Use code MLN15 or visit https://wellements.com/labornurse for 15% off any products!

In this episode, my friend Cierra shares her traumatic birth experience with her first, and her amazing, empowered birth experience with her second after taking Birth it Up! After having a traumatic 1st birth of her son, Cierra wanted to have a different experience with the birth of her daughter. Switching providers and educating herself lead to the unmedicated water birth she dreamed of. She had some hurdles breastfeeding at first, but was able to go on to exclusively breast feed for 4 months and counting.  Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, I interview my friend Gail, the founder of Spinning Babies®! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.   And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, I do an extended Q&A taking questions that you guys have given me about breastfeeding! Here are the questions we go over! How does breast milk supply work? What are some of the best ways to increase my milk supply? What is the best pump? What are the types of ways to express milk? What about weaning? Do you have any tips on safely weaning from breastfeeding? Going into breastfeeding, what are some of the best resources I can use to prepare myself? What do I do if I’m having trouble? My supply is too much! How do I decrease it? I’m going back to work soon, what are some good tips for going back? Is it ok to give formula and breastfeed at the same time? How does that work? Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Resources Milkology Breastfeeding Course Kelly Mom My article on weaning My article on increasing supply Sponsor Mommy Knows Best empowers all moms with the tools and resources necessary to give your newborn the best start in life! From an assortment of delicious lactation cookies to supplements and beyond, their products contain all natural herbal remedies traditionally and effectively used for generations to treat low milk supply. Whether you’re a new mom or a pro, Mommy Knows Best gives you plenty of options, all of which are created with the health and safety of both baby and mom in mind.    Plus, I’m really excited to tell you they just added a new gluten and dairy free lactation cookie mix this week!    Use code LABORNURSE20 to get 20% off all Mommy Knows Best products valid on Amazon or MommyKnowsBest.com!

In this episode, my friend Carly shares her VBAC experience after having two C-sections and finding a great provider who was supportive of her wishes! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! You can learn more about Carly here: Website: www.debtfreemom.co Instagram: www.instagram.com/debtfree.mom Sponsor The word "Spinning" in Spinning Babies® means how babies move through the pelvis to find the most space to come down. What makes birth easier for baby is what makes birth easier for Mom.  Our Spinning Babies® mission is to make physiological birth more accessible to birthing people and providers alike. For instance, we believe that being head down is only half the story. How baby's head enters the top of the pelvis correlates with length of labor and ease of labor. When facing forward a first baby may not be able to rotate for a day or two. We offer daily activities to add comfort in pregnancy now and ease in labor later.   The Daily Essentials video is the easiest way to learn the habits and moves. Starting in mid-pregnancy is ideal.  The Parent Class video or an in-person Parent Class for late pregnancy. The Parent Class video has lots of labor tips and techniques for comfort and also to help labor stay on track to help avoid cesareans simply because baby's not aiming into the pelvis.  Does your doctor or midwife require baby to be head down before labor? Do they do cesarean birth for all breeches? Are you pregnant and hoping to avoid surgery? Then the Helping Your Breech Baby Turn eBook is for you. Prepare for an easier childbirth with this eBook, a self-directed 6-day program for pregnant parents with a breech baby developed by a Certified Professional Midwife. Listeners of Mommy Nurse Labor podcast can use the code mommy15 on the Spinning Babies® online shop for 15% off your purchase of the Helping Your Breech Baby Turn eBook.

In this episode, I interview my friend Danielle all about twins, and she shares her personal experience with having twins! Here are the questions we go over! 1. What are some of the main differences between a twin pregnancy and a singleton pregnancy?  2. What are some of the main differences I can expect during a twin delivery that would be different from a singleton? 3. What are the different types of twins? Which are the most common and which are the ones that come with the most risk? 4. Can I have a vaginal delivery if I have twins? Or can I only have a C-section? 5. Do I have to have an epidural if I have twins? 6. How do I count kicks effectively if I have twins? How do I know both are doing ok? 7. Can I still breastfeed if I have twins? Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! You can learn more about Danielle here: YouTube: MDJ & Crew Instagram: @MamaDoctorJones Blog: MindOnMed.com

In this episode, I do an extended Q&A taking questions that you guys have given me about C-sections! Here are the questions we go over! What are some reasons why a C-section is warranted? What can I expect when I go the hospital for my scheduled C-section? Can you still do skin-to-skin? Can you be awake in an emergency C-section if you haven’t had an epidural/spinal block? How long after my C-section can I start massaging my scar? If you have an anterior placenta, how does the surgeon know where the placenta is before they cut? Why can’t I eat or drink before the C-section? Do they cut through your old scar for repeat C-sections? Any tips or tricks to distract me so I can handle the spinal? Why did I vomit so much during my C-section? Will that happen again? Why do your feet swell up again after your C-section? Can a C-section affect your milk supply? Scheduled C-section on the horizon? Get the FREE C-Section Birth Prep Pack to take control of your experience! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, my friend Kara shares her 31 week preterm birth story and her term delivery of her 2nd baby! Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.   And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!   You can learn more about Kara here: Website: www.karacoffin.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kara.coffin/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karacoffin.ces/    

In this episode, I interview my friend Jeanice all about pelvic floor sexual health! Here are the questions we go over! What exactly happens during pregnancy (and during delivery) to disrupt sexual health? How long should I wait to have sex postpartum? Should sex hurt at all? What should I do if it does? Give me your best tips for having a pain-free experience. When should I seek help from a pelvic floor specialist? How do I even find one? What should I expect a typical visit to look like? How long does treatment typically last? I’m SO embarrassed (and nervous/scared), and I can’t even think about going to a pelvic floor specialist...what should I do? Sex has never really felt great to me, and now that I’ve had a baby it’s even worse. Is this something that pelvic floor therapy can help with? Any last tips you have for moms struggling with sexual health after pregnancy? Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! You can learn more about Jeanice here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFfloD1PWUhP_IlWbt9ZvWA?view_as=subscriber Instagram: @mypelvicfloormuscles Website: mypelvicfloormuscles.com or myPFM.com

Listen in to hear Lindsay's 2 very different C-section birth stories! Scheduled C-section on the horizon? Get the FREE C-Section Birth Prep Pack to take control of your experience! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, I interview my friend Dr. Mona Amin! She is a board-certified pediatrician and answers some of your most common pediatric questions!  Here are the questions we go over! 1. When is the best time to start looking for a pediatrician? What are some questions I should ask? 2. Reflux! What helps? 3. Cradle cap? How long does it stay for and what do I do? 4. Baby acne remedies? 5. Solids? When is the best time to introduce and what are your recommendations? 6. COLIC HELP! 7. Are vitamin D drops truly necessary for breastfed babies? How do they help? 8. My baby is breastfed and is going long stretches without pooping. Is that normal? 9. Gas remedies? 10. My baby is coughing and congested at night, what can I do? He can’t seem to even eat because he’s so stuffed up! Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.   And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

Listen to Emmie's vaginal, twin birth story!  Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, we dive into all things car seats!  Here are the questions we go over! Can you review the basics of buckling in a newborn? Talk to me about the “pinch test”.  What about my baby’s head and how it hangs? I’m concerned he can’t breathe! How do I buckle my baby in with a coat? What if he is cold? What about sleeping babies in car seats? How long is that ok? Rear-facing vs. front facing - what are the biggest safety concerns? When is it safe to switch my child to front-facing? I’m concerned my baby’s legs are bent too much and he is uncomfortable rear-facing? Where should I go or who should I contact if I need help installing my car seat and/or making sure my baby is buckled in? Stressed about your baby registry? Get the FREE Baby Registry Checklist created by an L&D nurse and veteran mom for insider tips and an organized list of the things you *actually* need! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, I dive into all things baby sleep with Andrea de la Torre! Here are the questions we go over! When should I start thinking about prepping for a newborn in regards to sleep? What sort of things should I do to prepare? Read books, take a class, talk to parents, etc? What are some common sleep cues a newborn will give me to let them know they are sleepy? Why do you do what you do? My baby seems to only want to sleep for 30-45 minute naps at a time…why do some babies sleep for 2-3 hours? Why won’t my baby sleep longer? Cry it out makes me so nervous and I can’t even think about “sleep training” my baby, but I really want to sleep! What do I do? My family seems to think I stress out too much about baby sleep but I can't stop. What should I do?  When do babies start to sleep longer than 2-3 hours at a time? Mine is still waking up consistently through the night to breastfeed at 7 weeks. My baby sleeps great at night (6 hour stretches) but during the day his naps are awful. When will the day time sleep get better? How do you know when your baby is ready to start giving up naps? How do you even do that? Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!  

In this episode, I do an extended Q&A taking questions that you guys have given me from Instagram! Here are the questions I go over! Know anything about red raspberry leaf tea? Worth it? When should baby be head down by? What about round ligament pain? Can your mucus plug come out over a few weeks? At what week should you start doing fetal kick counts? Specifically for those with anterior placentas? Is it normal for your pregnancy symptoms to subside all of a sudden? How do you know for sure when it's real labor vs. Braxton Hicks? I'm 14 weeks, is it okay to sleep on my stomach? What is the best way to relieve sciatica pain? How to get morning sickness relief? Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, Sarah Kuhn shares her two vaginal birth stories, following her struggles with multiple losses & TWO ectopic pregnancies! Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

In this episode, we dive into all things mental health! I sat down with Dr. Ashurina Ream, a licensed clinical psychologist with advanced training in perinatal mental health! We talk about a range of topics including: Postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, prenatal mood disorders, coping skills, & more! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! About Dr. Ashurina Ream Dr. Ashurina Ream, PMH-C is a licensed clinical psychologist with advanced training in perinatal mental health. Her passion to help pregnant and postpartum families arose after becoming a mother herself. She recognized the limited support and education in the community regarding the care for women. This resulted in her pursuing additional education as well as creating resources for those impacted by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. In addition to this specialty, Dr. Ream has trained in various disciplines as it pertains to the field of psychology. She has worked with those struggling with body image, eating disorders, parenting, health-related mood impairment, cognitive functioning, and general mental health. You can learn more about Dr. Ream here: Instagram: @psychedmommy Website: psychedmommy.com

In this episode, I dive into my full birth story!  I begin by talking about the year I got pregnant, finding out I was pregnant, and my first trimester! I experienced some bleeding in my first trimester that was quite scary. After dealing with that, my pregnancy went pretty smoothly and I genuinely enjoyed every second! Flash forward to a few days before I gave birth, I did EVERYTHING I could think of to get myself into labor.....and....it worked! The next morning I woke up contracting, labored at home for 14 hours, and then headed up to my hospital (the one I work at!). After about 6 hours of labor, my son Walter was born! Want to birth without an epidural? Get the FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack for the confidence you need, because simply wanting it might not be enough! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Sponsor This episode was sponsored by TUSHY! Do you wipe your booty with toilet paper after you poop? Of course you do, we all do! If you had poop on ANY other part of your body, would you just wipe it away with DRY PAPER?? OF COURSE YOU WOULDN’T, EW IT’S POOP! Tushy is a sleek, bidet attachment you can hook up to the back of ANY toilet! It sprays your butt completely clean with fresh water (NOT toilet water), and replaces your toilet paper! It has CHANGED MY LIFE YOU GUYS and I tell everyone I can about them!

Hooray! I am so excited about this podcast! Episode one of the MLN podcast is NOW LIVE! :) In this episode, I do an extended Q&A session taking questions that you guys have given me from Instagram. You can expect everything from enemas, membrane strips, and what to expect at your first prenatal appointment in this episode!! Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!