Mommy Labor Nurse

Listen in to this healing redemptive birth story!

Having a baby is a huge transition – and it's totally normal for your relationship to feel the impact. In this episode, we're talking about ways to stay connected, set expectations, and support each other through the fourth trimester and beyond.

What actually happens after birth? This episode walks you through the first 48 hours with your newborn – from that golden hour and first latch to bleeding, bathroom trips, and baby checks. No fluff, no fear – just real talk 💁‍♀️

IV Narcotics, Nitrous Oxide, and More One of the most common questions I get during hospital shifts? "What other pain meds can I get if I don't want (or can't have) an epidural?" While epidurals are the go-to for many, they're definitely not the only option! In this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I'm diving into: IV narcotics: what they are, how they work, and what to expect Nitrous oxide (aka laughing gas!): how it's used for labor pain relief Pros and cons of each option Plus a few non-medical pain relief ideas to consider too! Whether you're planning for an unmedicated birth or just want to know your options, this episode will help you feel more educated, empowered, and in control. 🎁 FREE Birth Prep Guide Want to walk into your birth feeling ready for anything? This free guide helps you get organized, make informed choices, and feel confident no matter your birth plan. 📥 Download the Birth Prep Guide here 🎓 Want to Go Deeper with Your Birth Education? My online birth classes cover everything from labor positions to pain management to pushing – all in an easy-to-digest, confidence-boosting format. 💻 Explore MLN All-Access Birth Classes 🎧 Related Episodes 🔹 Epidurals 101: Get Informed About Epidurals for Birth (EP171) 📲 Let's Connect! Follow @mommy.labornurse for daily tips, birth ed, and relatable moments from a labor nurse who gets you 💛

*Hi guys! Liesel here. I wanted to let you know that the Mommy Labor Nurse podcast as you know it is currently getting a HUGE facelift! In the meantime, please enjoy this re-air of a fan favorite episode!! And stay tuned to my instagram for updates on when the new and improved Mommy Labor Nurse podcast will be back with all new episodes!* ****** This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I'm on solo for you guys! In this episode, I'm answering LOTS of third trimester FAQs. I remember what it was like being in my third trimester (both times) – and that last one really wasn't that long ago, and gosh I gotta say it can come with quite a few discomforts! As that due date gets closer and closer it inevitably seems like more questions come up!Some of the topics I cover are: nausea in the third trimester, traveling during pregnancy, baby movements, itchy feet, labial swelling, hip pain, what to do if your water breaks unexpectedly, and more! Resources from the episode: This episode was actually inspired by two blog articles we have on the site, so in lieu of detailing out the show content, I'm going to leave the links here for your browsing: Third Trimester FAQs and Tips with an L&D Nurse All About Water Breaking During Pregnancy ****** Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy & birth info out there? I got ya covered! CLICK HERE to get your FREE Third Trimester Prep Pack and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag and know you're not forgetting to do a thing. CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.And be sure to follow @mommy.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'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 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.

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 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

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!

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, 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 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