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What if tearing isn't inevitable? There is so much more you can do than "hope for the best," and it starts with a part of your body nobody ever taught you about: your pelvic floor. My friend Sarah Almodovar is a mom of three, a prenatal yoga teacher, and a pelvic floor expert. She started by teaching yoga on a rooftop in NYC, and now she helps moms all over the world show up to birth prepared, confident, and far less afraid. We're talking about the thing you've all told me you're most scared of - vaginal tearing - and how to take the fear out of it with practical tips to lessen your chance of tearing. What We Cover:Why vaginal tearing is such a hot topic (and why it's only a tiny part of your birth experience)Why the pelvic floor's real job is to release and open, not tense and pushSarah's 3 tips for moms worried about tearingWhy "one, two, three, push" doesn't make sense, and what the research says about spontaneous pushingWhy your birth team matters for your pelvic floor, tooRed flags your body may be sending you now, like leaking when you sneeze, painful sex, or tailbone painHow learning to relax your pelvic floor can influence labor length, risk of tearing, and even C-section riskWhy seeing a pelvic floor specialist and a Webster-certified chiropractor during pregnancy is worth it More from Sarah Almodovar Birth-Ready Pelvic Floor MasterclassFirst 6 Weeks - use coupon code ‘TRISH’www.sarahjoalmo.comFollow her on Instagram & YouTube: @sarahjoalmo Mentioned in this episode: Listen to: Vaginal Tearing during Birth: Real & Gritty Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Is Tearing Inevitable?01:30 Sarah’s No Tear Story03:38 Mindset Over Outcomes08:22 Three Tips To Prevent Tearing15:33 Pelvic Floor Basics Explained17:56 Advocacy And Red Flags23:49 Masterclass And Programs28:00 Where To Find Sarah Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

This episode is sponsored by Haakaa Prodromal labor is one of the most frustrating things you can go through at the end of pregnancy, and hardly anyone prepares you for it. I'm walking you through what it is, what your body may be doing, how to tell it apart from active labor, and what to do when you're up night after night. You'll leave with a plan and a lot less panic. In This Episode: What prodromal labor is, and how it differs from Braxton HicksWhy it can be your body's rehearsal for the real thingHow to tell prodromal contractions from real, active labor contractionsThe Miles Circuit, a 90-minute positioning sequence to tryWhether an Epsom salt bath helps (honest answer inside)Why rest is your best strategy, and why ignoring prodromal labor as long as you can is a skill More from this episode: Read the Blog: The Miles Circuit: Here's How To Induce Labor and Birth at the End of Pregnancy Listen to this FREE Mini Audio Birth Class: Birth Insider Thanks to our Sponsor Haakaa: Grab the Haakaa Petal Soft Silicone Milk Collector and use code ‘LOVELNM10’ for 10% off! Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Prodromal Labor02:32 What Prodromal Labor Is03:31 What Your Body Is Doing04:23 Prodromal Vs Active Labor06:26 Mile Circuit Positions08:20 Baths Walking And Rest Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

This episode is sponsored by Snugghug Have you ever been told your iron levels are "fine" and still felt exhausted, anxious, and completely off during pregnancy? I'm sitting down with Samantha Chandler of Wellness & Womb, a women's wellness coach who has completely changed the way I think about iron, minerals, and what our blood work is actually - and isn't - telling us. Samantha's own journey started with a simple question during her second pregnancy: why were so many women around her low in iron? What she uncovered led her down a path most OBs never talk about - the difference between low iron in the blood and iron that's dysregulated in the body. And as someone who has stood at the bedside for a lot of hemorrhages, this conversation hit close to home for me. We're getting into: Why "your iron is fine" doesn't tell the whole story - and what copper has to do with itThe symptoms doctors write off as "just pregnancy" that may actually point to a mineral imbalance What the placenta can reveal about what was really happening in mom's bodyWhy prenatal vitamins might not be doing what you think they're doingPractical, whole-food ways to support iron regulation - without supplements or infusionsThe "five minute rule" that helped Samantha decline an unnecessary induction Samantha has worked with hundreds of women (and even coaches health providers) on this exact topic, and the results she's seen - including drastically reduced blood loss at birth - are the reason I wanted her on the show. This one might change how you look at your next lab work. More from Samantha Chandler: Visit wellnessandwomb.com Connect on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @wellnessandwomb Thanks to our Sponsor Snugghug: Grab the Snugghug Nursing Cover and Nursing Shirt and use code 'LNMAMA10' for 10% off! Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Low Iron in Pregnancy02:19 Samantha’s Health Journey04:44 Iron Dysregulation Explained06:34 Pregnancy Labs Misread10:13 Testing Beyond Basics17:45 Prenatals and Whole Foods20:38 Labor and Birth Support Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Just found out you're pregnant and wondering "now what?" Trish is breaking down the first trimester essentials - the stuff nobody tells you until you're six weeks in and suddenly flattened by exhaustion. From what's really happening in your baby's development to the food rules, spotting fears, and when (or if) to tell people your news, this episode is the guide Trish wishes every mama had the moment she saw two pink lines. In this episode: Why folate (not folic acid) matters for your prenatal vitamin - and how the MTHFR gene variant plays a roleThe truth about first trimester fatigue and how to actually cope with itWhat to do if you experience spotting (and why it's more common than you think)How prenatal care is shifting toward telehealth in 2026Morning sickness vs. hyperemesis gravidarum - when to ask for helpWhat genetic screening (NIPT) can tell you, and when it's offeredNavigating the noise around pregnancy vaccinesFood safety musts: what to skip and what's actually fineWhen to share your pregnancy news - and why it's nobody's call but yoursTrish's own experience with nine pregnancies, six live births, and three losses Mentioned in this episode: Grab our Free Third Trimester Prep Pack Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 First Trimester Tips02:10 Prenatal Folate Basics02:53 Fatigue03:48 Spotting and When to Call04:23 Appointments and Telehealth05:45 Morning Sickness Help06:25 Genetic Screening NIPT06:59 Vaccines and Food Safety08:07 Sharing Pregnancy News Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

This Episode is Sponsored by Snugghug Did you know 80% of your immune system lives in your gut - and your baby gets theirs from you? Whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section, breastfed or formula fed, this episode is going to change the way you think about your baby's health from day one. Trish sits down with Cheryl Hoy, CEO and founder of Tiny Health, the first at-home microbiome testing company for moms and babies. Cheryl's journey started with her own breech C-section birth and a mission to understand what that meant for her daughter's long-term health. What she found led her to build a company backed by scientists from Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and UCSF - and to become one of the loudest voices reminding moms that their birth mode isn't the end of the story. Trish and Cheryl dig into the science of the vaginal, gut, and skin microbiomes, why laboring (even before a C-section) still matters, and how the first 1,000 days of life set the stage for your child's immune system for years to come. This one is equal parts science lesson and permission slip - you are not powerless, no matter how your baby arrived earthside. What You'll Learn Inside This Episode:Why babies born vaginally have a different gut microbiome than babies born via C-section - and how that connects to the "atopic march" (eczema → food allergies → asthma → hay fever)Why laboring - even if it ends in a C-section - still seeds your baby's microbiome with beneficial bacteriaHow vaginal exams during labor can introduce antibiotic-resistant hospital bacteria to your babyWhy dads contribute up to 20% of a baby's microbiome in the first year (and even more with a C-section birth )What actually happens when you order a Tiny Health test, and how simple the process really isWhy "failure to progress" might have less to do with your body and more to do with how supported you felt in the roomHow feeding mode (breast vs. formula) is the #1 most impactful lever for course-correcting gut health after a C-sectionWhy the first 1,000 days - conception through age 2-3 - is the critical window for immune training, and what you can actually do about it More from Tiny Health: Go to TinyHealth.com and use code LNM!Follow on Instagram: @[email protected] Thanks to our Sponsor Snugghug: Grab the Snugghug Nursing Cover and Nursing Shirt and use code 'LNMAMA10' for 10% off! Mentioned in this episode: The VBAC Lab - Trish's course for vaginal birth after C-section Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Cheryl from Tiny Health07:04 What Is The Microbiome12:46 Course Correcting In Early Life19:07 Results, Support, And Dad’s Role20:26 Microbiome Roles at Birth23:07 Fighting for Breech Birth33:30 Tiny Health Mission and Testing36:09 Research Results and Future Care37:26 Where to Find Tiny Health Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

You're 10 centimeters, and your nurse says "okay, let's push" - and without any discussion, you're guided into whatever position is easiest for everyone else in the room. Except it doesn't have to go that way. Trish is breaking down pushing positions, what the research actually says about each one, and exactly how to get the birth room to work with you - even if you have an epidural. Trish pulls back the curtain on one of the most overlooked parts of birth prep: how you push. She traces the surprising (and slightly wild) history of why flat-on-your-back became the hospital default, walks through what the Cochrane Review actually found about upright versus lying-down pushing, and breaks down six different pushing positions - who each one is best for, what the research shows, and how to advocate for the one that's right for you. Whether you're planning unmedicated or you know an epidural is part of your plan, this episode makes sure you walk into your birth room already knowing your options. What You'll Learn:The real history behind the "default" position - and why it has nothing to do with what's best for youWhat the Cochrane Review found when comparing upright vs. lying-down pushing - fewer interventions, fewer abnormal fetal heart patterns, and a shorter pushing stageThe tearing nuance nobody explains - upright positions may carry a higher chance of minor tearing, but a lower chance of episiotomySix pushing positions, including who each one is best for: Lithotomy (on your back), Semi-recumbent, Side lying (Sims position), Hands and knees, Squatting and supported squatting, & Leaning forward on a raised bedWhich positions work with an epidural - yes, you still have optionsExactly what to say to your nurse or provider if they default to what's easiest for them, not what's best for youHow to put your pushing preferences in your birth map before you ever walk into the hospital Resources MentionedLabor Like a Pro Guide - Trish's illustrated labor positions guide, showing every pushing position and exactly when to use it.The Calm Birth Bundle - the full kit and caboodle, including the labor positions guide: labornursemama.com/calm Thanks to our Sponsor Haakaa: Grab the Haakaa Gen.2 Plus Manual Breast Pump and use code ‘LNMAMA20’ for 20% off! Offer available through 11/13/26 Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Pushing Positions03:11 What Research Shows05:23 Lithotomy and Semi Recumbent06:39 Side Lying for Control07:46 Hands and Knees Benefits09:25 Squatting for More Space11:01 Leaning Forward Upright11:58 Epidural Friendly Choices13:21 How to Advocate Early Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

What would it feel like to go into labor fully prepared for your VBAC - and then have your baby flip breech in the middle of it? That's exactly what happened to Kathryn May, a VBAC Lab student and stay-at-home mom of two from Charlotte, NC. After a traumatic first birth that ended in an unplanned C-section, Kathryn was determined to do things differently the second time around. She switched to a VBAC-supportive practice, brought her husband fully into the process, and walked into labor informed and ready. Things were progressing beautifully - until a routine check revealed something no one expected: baby James had flipped breech. Kathryn's story isn't about getting the birth she planned. It's about what happens when you're prepared enough to handle it when the plan changes anyway - and still walk away feeling like you were part of every decision, confident, and empowered. In this episode: Why Kathryn's first C-section left her feeling like things were "happening to her" instead of with herHow to spot red flags with a provider who isn't truly VBAC-supportive (and why body language matters as much as their words)Getting her husband trained as an active advocate, not just a bystanderThe moment her midwife said, "I don't feel a head" - and what came nextHow Kathryn made her unplanned C-section feel informed and participatory instead of traumaticWhy "you can refuse anything, but should you?" became her guiding question in the moment that mattered most If Kathryn's story hit home for you - especially if your own birth didn't go the way you planned - be gentle with yourself. Whatever happened, you showed up, and that matters. Share this episode with a mama preparing for her VBAC or preparing for birth. Hit subscribe, leave a review, and help us reach every mama who needs to hear this. Connect with Kathryn: Follow her on Instagram @drkathrynmay More from this episode: Join The VBAC Lab or explore The Calm Labor Birth Bundle Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 VBAC Lab Student Birth Story01:56 First Birth C-Section05:26 Switching to Supportive Team10:45 Labor Begins at Home15:32 Baby is Breech18:09 Redemptive C-Section Plan20:16 Baby James Arrives26:36 Advice for VBAC Moms28:26 Why Education Matters Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Birth vibes are everywhere right now - and Jen Hamilton's book earned every bit of its #1 spot. But vibes alone won't get you through a decision in the delivery room. This week, Trish breaks down what Jen gets so right, and why you need both the vibes and the map. Jen Hamilton's Birth Vibes has taken over birth prep conversations everywhere, and moms keep asking Trish the same question: is it vibes over plans now? Trish's answer - Jen's right, but it's not the whole picture. In this episode, Trish unpacks what "birth vibes" actually means (mindset, values, and grounded adaptability - not just "good energy and hope for the best"), and why that emotional preparation matters so much. As a 16-year L&D nurse, Trish has watched moms walk in with beautiful energy and zero information, and freeze the moment a real decision hits. Her take: vibes get you into the right headspace, but you still need to know your options - because if you don't know your options, you don't have any. That's why Trish calls it a birth map, not a birth plan - a living, "why-behind-it" version of your preferences that holds both your values and your knowledge. What You'll Learn Inside This Episode: What Jen Hamilton's "birth vibes" concept really means - and why it's not just "hope for the best"Why mindset and grounded confidence genuinely change birth outcomesThe difference between a birth plan (a checklist) and a birth map (values + knowledge + flexibility)Why "if you don't know your options, you don't have any"How to bring vibes and information together so you can advocate for yourself in the momentWhat Trish's Birth Mastery Workshop adds to your birth prep after reading Birth Vibes More from this episode: Birth Plan Mastery Workshop Read Birth Vibes by Jen Hamilton Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Birth Vibes 01:26 What Jen Really Means03:04 Why Vibes Need Knowledge04:26 Birth Map, Not a Checklist06:47 Birth Mastery Workshop08:26 Personal Note to Jen Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

I'm joined by Dr. Brooke Kalisiak, a pelvic physical therapist and owner of Legacy Physical Therapy in St. Louis. We’re diving into one of the most overlooked - but incredibly important - parts of your birth and postpartum journey: your pelvic floor. Dr. Brooke Kalisiak helps women prepare for birth, recover postpartum, and overcome pelvic health issues like pain and bladder leakage so they can feel strong and confident without relying on medications or surgery. She’s passionate about educating women on what’s normal, what’s not, and how to take control of their pelvic health. In this episode, we talk about: The biggest misconceptions about pushing during laborWhy your pelvic floor needs to relax - not tighten - for birthCommon postpartum symptoms women are told to “just live with”What actually happens during a pelvic floor therapy appointmentHow pelvic floor health impacts pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, and even menopauseWhy bladder leakage is common, but not normalSimple breathing techniques that support your core and pelvic floorWhen to see a pelvic floor therapist (hint: it’s never too early or too late) If you've ever worried about tearing, leaking, painful recovery, or wondered whether pelvic floor therapy is right for you, this conversation is packed with practical information and reassurance. Remember, mama: just because something is common doesn't mean it's normal. You deserve answers, support, and a body that feels strong and supported through every stage of motherhood. More from Dr. Brooke Kalisiak: legacytherapystl.com Find her @legacyphysicaltherapystl on Instagram, FaceBook, & YouTube Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Pelvic Health06:28 Practice Pushing Positions09:57 Bladder Leakage And Stigma12:21 When To See Pelvic PT16:02 Pregnancy Core Breathing20:59 Postpartum Visits Explained29:21 Why a Baseline Matters32:11 Hidden Pelvic Symptoms34:40 Where to Find Dr Brooke Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

You got your GBS results back and they're positive - and suddenly it feels like your entire birth plan just got ripped out of your hands. Does this mean induction? Antibiotics no matter what? Is an unmedicated birth even still on the table? Before you spiral into a Google hole at midnight, Trish is here to set the record straight. As a 16-year high-risk L&D nurse who's been in the room with hundreds of GBS positive mamas, she's breaking down exactly what this diagnosis does - and doesn't - mean for your birth. In this episode, Trish covers: What GBS actually is (and why it's not about hygiene or "doing something wrong")Myth #1: GBS positive means automatic induction - it doesn'tMyth #2: No membrane sweeps allowed - what the Strip G Study really foundMyth #3: You have to rush to the hospital the second contractions start - Trish's real timing rules for first-time and experienced momsMyth #4: You can't have an unmedicated birth - how the antibiotics actually work with your birth planThe real numbers behind antibiotic prophylaxis, and what happens if you declineWhat other countries do differently - and why that matters for how you think about your options The bottom line: GBS positive is a piece of information, not a life sentence for your birth plan. You deserve a provider who explains the "why," shows you the evidence, and lets you be part of the decision. This is still your birth. Loved this episode? Share it with a pregnant friend who just got her GBS results, or post it in your birth group - these are the conversations that should be happening at every 36-week appointment. And if you want more of Trish's no-fear-mongering, straight-from-research approach, hit subscribe so you never miss an episode. More resources for GBS+ Pregnancy: Read the blog: Here's What You Need to Know About GBS (Group B Strep) and Pregnancy Listen to episode 196: Pregnancy Unpacked Week 36: Preparing For the Final Stretch Listen to episode 189: Membrane Sweeps - What You Need to Know and How to Handle Them Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 GBS Positive Pregnancy02:24 What GBS Really Is04:25 Myth One05:19 Myth Two07:14 Myth Three09:42 Myth Four11:37 Antibiotics Risks And Rights15:03 Other Countries Approach Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

If your sex life basically disappeared after baby, this one's for you, mama. You're touched out, running on fumes, and the LAST thing on your mind is sex - but your partner keeps bringing it up, and now you're stuck in this exhausting cycle of guilt, resentment, and disconnection. Sound familiar? This week I'm sitting down with Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy, a certified sex and couples therapist (and mama of two) who's spent 15 years helping couples navigate exactly this. We're getting real about why your desire disappears after baby, why "just fix the emotional connection and the sex will follow" is actually bad advice, and what's really going on when one partner pursues and the other withdraws. We also dig into resentment, the mental load, reclaiming your body, and why accepting imperfect help from your partner might be the missing piece (pajama drama included 😂). In this episode, we cover: Why low libido after baby is so common - and it's not "just about sex"The pursuer/withdrawer cycle and how to break itHow resentment and mental load quietly kill intimacyReclaiming your body after birth (even after trauma)3 practical ways to reconnect with your partner, starting today This is such an honest, validating conversation - whether you're the one who's touched out or the one who feels rejected, you'll walk away with real tools (and a lot less shame). More from Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy, PhD, LMHC: Grab her book: Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids rebeccaeudy.com Follow her on Instagram: @RebeccaHowardEudy Loved this episode? Leave a review and tell me - are you the pursuer or the withdrawer? I read every single one. 💛 Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Why Sex Drive Disappears Postpartum02:43 Desire vs Connection After Baby06:05 Pursuer Withdrawer Cycle10:35 Birth Trauma and Triggers15:15 When Sex Becomes a Chore16:44 Resentment and Mental Load23:49 Accepting Imperfect Help28:09 Micro Moments Connection30:26 What Holds Desire Back33:14 Book And Where To Find Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

You've probably already made a decision about your epidural. The problem? You made it before anyone walked you through what actually happens. In this episode, I'm breaking down the entire epidural process from the moment you say "I think I want it" to the moment we pull the catheter out after delivery - the timing, the placement, what it actually feels like, the side effects nobody mentions, and the questions I get asked most as a 16+ year L&D nurse. Whether you're planning to get one, planning to go unmedicated, or you're a "let's see how I feel" mama, this episode is for you. Because pain management is part of every birth map, and knowing what's coming means you make the decision from education - not fear. No horror stories. No agenda. Just what really happens in the labor room. In this episode: When you can actually ask for an epidural (and why timing isn't as simple as "too early" or "too late")What has to happen behind the scenes before the anesthesiologist walks inThe step-by-step placement process - and the one moment that actually hurtsCommon epidural side effects and how your nurse manages themWhat "recovery" looks like and why it's not the time for visitorsHow to know you're progressing once your epidural is in More from this episode: Grab our free Third Trimester Birth Prep Bundle at labornursemama.com/third or comment "THIRD" on any Instagram post @labor.nurse.mama. Listen to episode 245: Epidural or Unmedicated? How to Decide Without Regret Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Epidural Decision Reality03:27 Why Preparation Matters05:43 When To Request It07:11 Hospital Prep Steps08:58 Positioning And Placement11:12 Recovery And Monitoring12:44 Blood Pressure + Side Effects14:58 What It Feels Like16:53 Rest And Pushing Tips18:08 Turning It Off And Removal Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Your discharge is not a problem to Google in a panic - it's one of the most powerful fertility signals your body produces. And yet, most of us were never taught that. In this episode, Trish sits down with Sabrina Nowicki, CEO of Cyclisity - the official charting app of the landmark book Taking Charge of Your Fertility - for a conversation about body literacy, fertility awareness, and why understanding your cycle might be the most empowering thing you do for your reproductive health. Sabrina brings an engineering and product design background to her role as CEO of Cyclisity, the official charting app of Taking Charge of Your Fertility (TCOYF). Cyclisity was co-founded alongside Toni Weschler, MPH, the author of Taking Charge of Your Fertility and Sabrina's aunt. Built from the ground up to align with the TCOYF knowledge base, Cyclisity is designed to make the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) as accessible as possible for women everywhere - without sacrificing the science or the agency that makes FAM so powerful. What You'll Learn in This Episode What the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) actually is The three biomarkers FAM uses to identify your fertile window: cervical fluid, basal body temperature (BBT), and optional cervical positioningWhat your cervical fluid is actually telling you - from dry to sticky to creamy to egg white - and why that progression mattersHow BBT confirms ovulation and why that temperature shift is your body's built-in confirmation systemWhy stress, illness, and lifestyle can delay ovulation The problem with predictive cycle apps and why apps that just calculate averages from past cycles are not the same as tracking your actual body More from Sabrina Nowicki, CEO of Cyclisity: Cyclisity App - Available now on the Apple App Store (US & Canada); Android version coming soonTaking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler, MPHFollow Cyclisity on Instagram: @Cyclisity & on TikTok: @CyclisityappFollow Sabrina personally: @wanderingsabrina on all platformsVisit Cyclisity.com Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Discharge as Fertility Signal02:21 Why Fertility Awareness05:56 FAM Basics Explained13:04 Stress Delays Ovulation16:48 Cycle Syncing Myths22:07 Why Build Cyclisity App27:39 Why Predictive Apps Fail39:01 Regulating After Birth Control45:35 Where To Find Cyclisity Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

In this insightful podcast episode we focus on preparing for an unmedicated birth. Emphasizing on how you can address your fears and the importance of understanding your “WHY” for choosing an unmedicated birth. Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle! 6 Ways to Prepare for An Unmedicated Birth: Mindset Matters: Addressing your fears and your mindset happens long before the labor room. Replace your fears with TRUTH, and having a clear “WHY” for choosing an unmedicated birth is essential for a positive mindset.Being Educated: Education gives you a sense of calm & peace to make the best decisions for your during your birth. Winging your birth is not an option.Preparing Your Body: Understanding the power of the pelvis and movement during birth is monumental to your birth experience.Creating a Supportive Birth Environment: If you create a birth environment that is supportive, you are going to feel safe while allowing the natural pain killers that we have flowing through our body to flow.Unmedicated Pain Management Tools & Techniques: Understanding the importance of various unmedicated pain management techniques, including breath work, hot/cold therapy, & the comb technique.Understanding Your Interventions & Your Birth Rights: Like I’ve said before, we don’t just refuse willy nilly. You need to know what this intervention is for, why it is used, and when it is appropriate. Should I say yes? Should I say no? You need to know your rights to navigate this. Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Knowing your why 03:00 How fear can physically stall or stop labor progression05:00 Why birth education is non-negotiable08:30 Preparing your body for birth - why the pelvis is your most powerful tool13:30 Creating a supportive birth environment and team19:30 Understanding interventions, the cascade effect, and your rights Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Most birth prep focuses on you - your breathing, your birth plan, your body. But what about the person standing next to you? Because here's the truth: if your partner isn't prepared, they will default to the doctor. Every single time. And you'll be left feeling completely alone in one of the most intense, vulnerable moments of your life. That's exactly why I brought Lena Athena onto the show. Lena is changing how the world understands boundaries. She created the Kind Boundaries framework to show that boundaries aren't a source of conflict, they're the foundation of every healthy relationship. She's a TEDx speaker, founder of the boundaries practice app HEARD, and author of a forthcoming book on belonging and boundaries. She specializes in supporting women in the most boundary-violated season of life: the transition into motherhood. In this episode, we cover: Why partners shut down in the labor room The conversation you need to have before you ever go into labor How to have the hard conversations without blowing up your relationship The role relationship dynamics play in the birth room Three steps to get back on the same team if you've already drifted apart You should not have to choose between advocating for yourself and keeping the peace. With the right preparation - and the right conversations ahead of time - you can have both. More from Lena Athena: Try the HEARD boundaries practice app free: https://heard.lenaathena.com/ Work with Lena privately: https://lenaathena.com/coaching Follow Lena on Instagram & Threads @lenasathena Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome Lena Athena01:52 Boundaries in Motherhood05:20 Why Advocacy Fails08:14 Talk Before Labor11:13 Align as Decision Makers14:45 Practice Hard Talks16:55 Team Based Conversations24:45 Three Steps to Reconnect28:19 Where to Find Lena Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off! Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍 ⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐ Connect w/ Trish: On Instagram On YouTube For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services