This week I had Robin Hilmantel on the podcast! Robin is the senior director of editorial strategy and growth at BabyCenter, an online parenting resource and pregnancy app. She has more than a decade of experience in health and lifestyle reporting, writing and editing. Robin works closely with the research team at BabyCenter to conduct studies with moms that produce impactful reports on important topics like maternal health, child care, family finances, and much more.

She currently resides in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she enjoys spending her nonworking hours with her husband, three sons (Marlow, Wylie, and Hobbes), and tripod dog (Kiwi).
  Here are things we talked about! 👇

1. Can you start by telling us a bit about the research BabyCenter conducted on postpartum care and the main findings?
2. As a mom of three, can you share your personal postpartum care experiences and how they aligned or differed from the research findings?
3. What steps can new moms take to better prepare for their own care during the postpartum period?
4. Can you provide some practical tips for new moms to manage their self-care during the demanding postpartum period?
5. How important are support networks, and what types of support should new moms seek out? Additionally, could you discuss how the high cost of childcare impacts these support networks and the overall wellbeing of new moms?
6. How is BabyCenter working to support new moms in the postpartum period through its content and resources?
7. Based on your insights and research, what trends do you see emerging in the area of postpartum care over the next few years?

  Resources:   You can download the BabyCenter app here:
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pregnancy-tracker-babycenter/id386022579
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.babycenter.pregnancytracker

Check out the research we discuss from BabyCenter on postpartum support care gaps for moms, with additional resources for moms: https://www.babycenter.com/baby/postpartum-health/postpartum-care-maternal-health-support-report_41001478   Resources for postpartum mental health support:

• Emergency assistance is available 24/7 at 911
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988
• The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) 
• Postpartum Support International Helpline 800-944-4773
• SAMHSA's National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP(4357)

You can find BabyCenter (@BabyCenter) on all social platforms
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babycenter/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/BabyCenter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BabyCenter YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/BabyCenter TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@babycenter -- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robinhilmantel/ 

It's Week 12 of 12 of the 12 weeks of BIRTH! In this episode, I dive into my full birth story! (You can READ my blog post that I've written of my birth story HERE, if you prefer to read!)

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!

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!

 

It's week 2 of The 12 Weeks 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!

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!

 

It's officially week 1 of The 12 Weeks 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 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!

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

 

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!

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?

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!