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...

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...

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...

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...

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 Haynes and Natalie Davis are joining me today to discuss the positive changes that are...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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? ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...