Your Pain Control Options for Labor (It’s Not Just the Epidural!) with Nurse Sydney | Episode 45

About this episode

This episode features a conversation with Nurse Sydney about various pain control options during labor and the importance of body image and support in pregnancy.

Join YBYB: www.thelabormama.com/birth & use the code PODCAST to save 20% I sat down with Sydney, better known online as Nurse Sydney, a labor and delivery nurse with six years of hands-on experience. We had such a fun, practical conversation about all the different pain management tools and comfort measures available during labor - from TENS units and birth combs to sterile water injections, IV pain meds, nitrous oxide, and of course the epidural. We even ranked them like we’ve been seeing trending online, and we get real about what actually helps, what’s underrated, and how so many of these tools work best when you combine them together. We also touched on something really important toward the end of the episode (check timestamps) - Sydney opened up about her history with an eating disorder and how she’s thoughtfully preparing for pregnancy and postpartum, making sure she has the right support in place. It was such an honest and compassionate conversation about how body image, food relationships, and the rapid changes of pregnancy can feel complicated, and why it’s so valuable to talk openly with your care team and surround yourself with positivity. Whether you’re planning a…

People in this episode

Host: Lo Mansfield

Guest: Nurse Sydney

Topics covered

• pain management
• labor
• birth education
• body image
• eating disorders
• support during pregnancy

Keywords

• pain control
• labor
• epidural
• TENS units
• birth combs
• IV pain meds
• nitrous oxide
• eating disorder
• pregnancy support

Sponsors

YBYB

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: YBYB, www.thelabormama.com, www.nursesydney.com

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• The Truth About Low Milk Supply: What Everyone Needs to Know Before Baby is Born with Kaia Lacey, CLC | Episode 53 · May 25, 2026 · 51 min
• Two Positive, Epidural-Free, Fast Hospital Births when GBS Positive: Alex Neva | Episode 52 · May 18, 2026 · 49 min
• Back Labor: What It Is, Why It Happens, and What You Can Do About It | Episode 51 · May 11, 2026 · 33 min
• Birth Plans vs. Birth Vibes: Real-Life Tips for a Hospital Birth That Feels Good with Jen Hamilton | Episode 50 · May 4, 2026 · 59 min