The Labor Line

This week I’m joined by my friend Natasha, who had to overcome some fears about labor and motherhood before she felt ready to become a parent. After a positive pregnancy and a long labor that included forceps after 4 hours of pushing (!!), she once again had to learn to trust herself and God to manage her postpartum anxiety. Although her mental health has continued to play a role in her experience, Natasha is a huge advocate for adding positivity and hope to the conversation surrounding childbirth and motherhood. Her episode offers such a wonderfully balanced and uplifting perspective to anyone who has ever wondered, “Can I really do this?”Chapters:00:00:00 - Meet Natasha00:11:56 - Pregnancy: Positive Pregnancy After Overcoming Fear00:35:53 - Labor: Epidural, 4 Hours of Pushing, + Forceps Delivery00:46:03 - Postpartum: Mental Health Struggles & Finding Joy in Her Son01:22:29 - To My Pre-Mom Self…

This week I’m joined by my friend Allie, who endured passing a kidney stone while in her 3rd trimester!! Truly chilling stuff. But, beyond that, Allie shares her experience with high blood pressure near the end of both of her pregnancies that ultimately resulted in two positive, epidural-less inductions that she takes us through beat-by-beat. She also opens up about the difficulty of having a baby who refused to sleep through the night for a whole year and how that impacted her postpartum mental health. Her postpartum experience was then transformed through a few new friendships that serve as a beautiful reminder of the power of community.Allie’s story is truly uplifting and downright hilarious in many instances. If you’re looking for a motherhood pick-me-up, this episode is for you!Chapters:00:00:00 - Meet Allie00:10:18 - 1st Pregnancy: Inconsistent Periods, 5 Months of Trying, & High Blood Pressure Readings00:14:57 - 1st Labor: Cervidil Induction at 37 Weeks, Unexpected Transition, & Unmedicated Delivery00:32:58 - 1st Postpartum: Lack of Sleep, PPA, & Making New Mom Friends00:48:35 - 2nd Pregnancy: Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction, Staying Active, & Passing a Kidney Stone01:01:25 - 2nd Labor: Cytotec Induction at 39 Weeks, Rapid Dilation, & Planned Unmedicated Delivery01:19:41 - 2nd Postpartum: Positive Sleep Training & Supportive Community01:30:57 - To My Pre-Mom Self…

This week, I’m joined by my friend Emma, who prepared for an unmedicated birth that actually didn’t come to fruition because her baby was breech. After trying everything in the Spinning Babies handbook, she decided to pivot and use the very same mental coping techniques that she had learned for her natural birth to prepare for an ultimately positive C-section birth. She shares beautiful memories of the love she felt the first time she saw her son, the joy of skin-to-skin, and the bonding experiences her little family shared together afterwards. Even with a spinal block headache and a painful start to breastfeeding, she was able to stay grounded in her postpartum experience by remembering that things can be difficult and sweet at the same time, but that with motherhood, it always comes out worth it in the end. Chapters:00:00 - Meet Emma07:59 - Pregnancy: Positive Pregnancy, Natural Labor Prep, & Failed ECV20:51 - Labor: Leaking Water, Working Through Early Labor, & Peaceful C-Section29:09 - Postpartum: Skin-to-Skin, Instant Love, & Breastfeeding Challenges52:02 - To My Pre-Mom Self… 

This week, I’m joined by my sister-friend, Rachel, who is the third and final of my sisters-in-laws to share her story with us! Rachel went through quite the journey to bring her two daughters into the world. Starting with endometriosis-related fertility struggles, followed by hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and severe preeclampsia that led to one daughter being born at 30 weeks and the other at 33 weeks. We discuss extended NICU stays, the long-term effects of being a micropremie, and how Rachel learned to stand up for her family through it all. This week’s discussion is a bit heavier, but it is a reminder of the power of a mother’s intuition and the strength that comes when fighting for your children.Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodesTrigger Warning: Discussion of miscarriage and traumatic birth throughoutChapters:00:00:00 - Meet Rachel00:19:50 - 1st Pregnancy: PCOS + Clomid, HG, & Bed Rest at 29 Weeks00:52:33 - 1st Delivery: Preeclampsia & Life Saving Measures01:01:58 - 1st Postpartum: 2 Month NICU Stay & Learning to be Assertive01:15:46 - 2nd Pregnancy: Secondary Infertility, Subchorionic Hematoma, & Feeding Tubes01:32:42 - 2nd Delivery: Failed Stress Tests, Redemptive C-Section, & OR Skin-to-Skin01:40:12 - 2nd Postpartum: COVID in the NICU & Coping with Postpartum OCD01:55:42 - To My Pre-Mom Self…

This week, we are joined AGAIN by my friend Ashley, who is a mom to six kids! In this episode, we are wrapping up her story by walking through her last three birth experiences. Ashley shares how the precipitous, unmedicated delivery of her third baby (which we ended on last week) brought a lot of anxiety into the medicated delivery of her fourth. She also remarks on how different it felt going back to an epidural birth after having experienced an unmedicated birth. This ultimately influenced her to decide to have unmedicated home births with her fifth and sixth babies! It is amazing to hear how much more empowered and excited Ashley felt with her last two births in contrast with some of her other experiences. It is seriously special to see how all six of her experiences come together to create a beautiful journey through motherhood. Ashley’s stories are truly a reminder that every birth is unique and transformative!Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodesChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:03:15 - 4th Child: Unsolicited Membrane Sweep, Processing Anxiety, & Choosing an Epidural00:29:25 - 5th Child: Mentally Preparing, Working with a Midwife, + Mostly Unassisted Home Birth01:04:05 - 6th Child: Overcoming Doubt & 1-Push Home Birth01:23:38 - To My Pre-Mom Self…

This week, we’re talking about the stories YOU shared about the nicest things someone did for you postpartum. Y’all gave me all the insider secrets about what your postpartum friends ACTUALLY need. We talk about meal train etiquette, C-section postpartum hacks, and ways dads can help lighten the load. This episode is packed with ideas and insights that I had never even considered before! Perfect for expectant parents to share with their support team, or for you, like me, who want to do more for your new mom friends, but don’t know where to start! Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodes

This week I’m joined by my friend Sydney, whose C-section incision site reopened a few days after birth. Her journey to motherhood also includes IUI fertility treatments, advocating for herself when signs of preeclampsia appeared in the third trimester, and an emergency, traumatic C-section that led to a blood transfusion. We also talk about the grief of unmet expectations, body image struggles, and how motherhood can be the ultimate invitation to slow down and be present.Sydney’s episode is a beautiful example that sometimes our biggest battles can teach us the most about our own strength. Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodesChapters:00:00:00 - Meet Sydney00:07:32 - Pregnancy: IUI Success, Twins, & Preeclampsia Signs00:35:19 - Labor: Magnesium Loopiness + Emergency C-Section00:38:06 - Postpartum: Processing Grief & Disconnect, An Unhealed C-Section Incision, & Finding Purpose in Motherhood01:11:56 - To My Pre-Mom Self…

This week I’m joined by my friend Jessica, who pushed both of her babies out in only two pushes!! Her experiences include first-trimester nausea (particularly in the car), a negative reaction to IV pain medication, and pubic symphysis dysfunction, which was especially difficult because she’s a dancer. She also talks about her experience with a velcro baby who wouldn’t sleep without her, breastfeeding both of her kids at once, and dealing with anxious, intrusive thoughts. Jessica’s episode is a beautiful example of standing firm in what you believe is right for you and your babies, even if it looks different from what you had originally planned.Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodesChapters:00:00:00 - Meet Jessica00:13:19 - 1st Pregnancy: Car Sickness & Hip Pain00:31:58 - 1st Labor: Water Breaking, 12 Hour Labor, & A Finicky Epidural00:38:42 - 1st Postpartum: Committing to Breastfeeding, Choosing to Co-sleep, & Intrusive Thoughts00:50:21 - 2nd Pregnancy: Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction & Slightly Enlarged Baby Kidneys01:02:26 - 2nd Labor: Negative Reaction to IV Meds & Side-lying Epidural01:10:41 - 2nd Postpartum: Tandem Breastfeeding & Mental Health Help01:20:16 - To My Pre-Mom Self…

This week, I’m joined by my friend Malloree, who once dilated from a 5 to a 10 in just 15 minutes, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Her 3 birth experiences include a one-push wonder baby, Group B Strep (GBS) for all 3 births, and a failed epidural that resulted in a multi-day-long allergic reaction. She has also run the gamut of postpartum mental health experiences, from postpartum depression with her first, to rage with her second, and anxiety with her third.In this episode: Leaking amniotic fluid at 37 weeksHealing from a 2nd degree tear while having a UTIPositive breastfeeding experiencesAn anatomy scan false alarmResponding to postpartum mental health warning signsMalloree is a great reminder that no two postpartum experiences are alike and that often the best way to take care of your kids is to first take care of yourself! Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodesChapters:00:00:00 - Meet Malloree00:06:26 - 1st Pregnancy: Positive Pregnancy + Extreme Tiredness00:09:13 - 1st Labor: Leaking Amniotic Fluid, 2nd Degree Tear, & A Big Baby00:14:54 - 1st Postpartum: Undetected Postpartum Depression + Breastfeeding Wins00:19:31 - 2nd Pregnancy: Slower Fertility + New Nausea00:34:14 - 2nd Labor: Scheduled Induction, Quick Dilation, Out in 1 Push! 00:39:06 - 2nd Postpartum: Postpartum Rage, Medication + Therapy00:59:55 - Miscarriage01:00:24 - 3rd Pregnancy: Innocuous Calcium Deposit + 3rd Trimester Anxiety01:07:24 - 3rd Labor: Failed Epidural & Allergic Reactions01:13:23 - 3rd Postpartum: Postpartum Anxiety, Medication + Therapy 01:22:02 - 4th Pregnancy: Just the Beginning!

This week, I am joined by my sister-friend, Jorden, who is my incredible sister-in-law, who is due just 2 days after I am! She has had 3 previous birth experiences that included 3 pitocin inductions, adjusting to breastfeeding, and the exhilarating experience of pushing one of her babies out in 2 pushes! In this episode: Positive pregnancy experiences The anticipation of a scheduled inductionA small meconium scare The impact of a great support team Utilizing a different doctor with each birth Jorden is on my personal Mount Rushmore of amazing mothers, so I am so excited for y’all to be empowered and inspired by her stories! Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodesResources mentioned in this episode: Building your extra supply with a Haakaa Manual Breast Pump Chapters: 00:00 - Meet Jorden11:57 - 1st Pregnancy: Long Distance 1st Trimester, Light Nausea, & Finding a Doctor with Medicaid 25:27 - 1st Labor: Going Over Due Date, Internal Fetal Monitoring, & Drop in Blood Pressure47:06 - 1st Postpartum: Exhausting Introduction Into Motherhood & Adjusting to Breastfeeding1:07:49 - 2nd Pregnancy: Staying Active & Feeling Less Nausea1:14:29 - 2nd Labor: Strong Pitocin Induction, 2 Pushes, & No Tearing1:21:18 - 2nd Postpartum: Quick Recovery & Amazing Community Support1:29:22 - 3rd Pregnancy: Surprise Gender & Switching Doctors in 3rd Trimester1:35:10 - 3rd Delivery: Strong Birth Support Team & Scheduled Induction 1:41:20 - 4th Pregnancy: Surprise Baby, Positive 1st Trimester, Second Round of Cousin Twins 1:48:13 - To My Pre-Mom Self… 

On the 10th episode of The Labor Line, I’m joined by my friend Valeria, who had only ever held one baby before she had her own! From finding the right circle of friends that helped her feel confident enough to become a mom to utilizing all the tools offered to her from a local pregnancy help center, Valeria went from being a newborn novice to a birthing boss! In this episode: Positive labor with an epidural at 42 weeks Navigating the complex US healthcare & insurance system as a Peruvian immigrant Big baby and a subsequent 2nd degree tear Learning to stand up to negative nurses The emotional strain of exclusively pumping for 10 monthsValeria’s story is full of laughs and heart and is a great reminder that surrounding yourself with the right people can empower you to do things you never thought possible before. I also end the episode by sharing 10 things that I’ve learn from 10 episodes of The Labor Line, so be sure to stick around to the end!  Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodesChapters:00:00 - Meet Valeria08:06 - Pregnancy: Nausea, Birthing Classes, & Community Support24:44 - Labor: Positive Delivery of a Big Baby With an Epidural at 42 Weeks 27:40 - Postpartum: Cranky Nurses, Negotiating Medical Bills, & Exclusively Pumping42:26 - To My Pre-Mom Self…45:58 - 10 Lessons From 10 Episodes

This week on The Labor Line, I’m joined by my lifelong friend Lauren, who had 3 unique birth experiences that all informed one another. From a positive introduction into motherhood with her first, to a mentally difficult postpartum experience with her second, followed by a diagnosis of ICP (intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy) with her third, Lauren’s story reminds us that no two births are alike– even in the same family! In this episode: Two failed epiduralsUtilizing RhoGAM shots Real talk about postpartum anxiety + intrusive thoughts Beyond just the itchiness of ICP A one-push unmedicated deliveryThe power of preventative meds + uplifting communityLauren has a way of telling it like it is without leaving you feeling heavy or overwhelmed (I mean, she is a rock-star of a therapist after all). Her candid discussion of the various curveballs that come with each new pregnancy reminds us to always ALWAYS check in on our friends, even the ones we think have it all together. 🎧 New episodes every Tuesday📱 Follow along on Instagram @thelaborlineTrigger Warning: Discussion of suicidal ideation (40:16 to 40:30 & 1:06:06) Resources mentioned in this episode: More information on the RhoGAM shotChapters: 00:00 - Meet Lauren09:05 - 1st Pregnancy: Positive Introduction Into Motherhood18:38 - 1st Labor: Failed Epidural -- Didn't Feel Contractions, But Felt Everything While Pushing 23:02 - 1st Postpartum: Sweet Bonding Time + Supportive Community 25:58 - 2nd Pregnancy: Utilizing Clomid for Fertility + RhoGAM shot35:20 - 2nd Labor: Induction + Another Failed Epidural38:01 - 2nd Postpartum: Anxiety, OCD Tendencies, & Breastfeeding Challenges44:09 - 3rd Pregnancy: Itchiness with ICP (Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy) 52:27 - 3rd Labor: Quick, One-Push Unmedicated Birth01:01:42 - 3rd Postpartum: The Power of Preventative Meds + Uplifting Community 01:12:30 -To My Pre-Mom Self...