Today, we dive into one of the most common questions that I get asked about epidurals: How do you push a baby out with an epidural?  This is a question that can cause a lot of anxiety for expectant mothers. So, I'm going to share all the juicy details on epidural pushing positions, tips, and tricks to make pushing a breeze. I'll also talk about what to expect during labor and how to work with your body to help you deliver your beautiful baby.  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 EP171: Epidurals 101: Get Informed About Epidurals for Birth Sponsors Aeroflow Breastpumps 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 your 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 I'm interviewing Daphne Delvaux who is also known as the Mamattorney!! Daphne is a practicing attorney with her own law firm that specializes in gender discrimination cases and helping women at work.   Her platform, the Mamattorney aims to empower and inspire women to become educated about their rights at work so that they can embrace their motherhood journey without compromising their career growth.   Inside of today's episode, you'll hear Daphne answer questions related to pregnancy discrimination, pregnancy accommodations in the workplace, and how to address issues that may come up. Then we shift into talking about all things maternity leave including your federal rights, tips and tricks to get some protected leave (even if your job doesn't qualify for FMLA), how you might be able to extend your leave, and more!   Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. 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 EP136: Preparing Your Relationship for Baby with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish EP167: Preparing for Postpartum: What You Can Do Before Giving Birth Sponsors Aeroflow Breastpumps 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 your 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.   Daphne Delvaux Daphne Delvaux, Esq. is an award-winning trial attorney and Founder of Delvaux Law, a firm devoted to women's rights at work. She represents employees in discrimination, retaliation and harassment cases, and specializes in gender discrimination cases. In her work as a trial attorney, Daphne has recovered countless 6- and 7-figure settlements and verdicts on behalf of client; obtaining the monetary justice her clients deserved while restoring their sense of dignity and self-worth.  She has been recognized by major news outlets (both nationally and internationally) as a leader of the women’s rights movement, and has received the award of Outstanding Trial Lawyer by Consumer Attorneys of San Diego for winning an equal pay trial. In addition to her work as a trial attorney, Delvaux is a mother to two boys. Her passion for women’s and mother’s rights has led her to champion women in a myriad of ways outside of her law practice. She is the Co-Founder of Chamber of Mothers; a collective movement to focus America's priorities on mothers’ rights. Their primary goal is to secure federal paid leave, affordable childcare and fight gun violence. In recognition of her work, Daphne was invited to the White House to meet the President. Delvaux is also the creator of the Mamattorney, a platform on a mission to educate women on their rights at work and teach them how to advocate for their needs so they can receive more money and time freedom without sacrificing their career goals. Currently at 80k followers, Daphne is routinely seen as the expert on pregnancy and postpartum discrimination as well as maternity leave regulations.

Did you know that an estimated 60% of expecting couples take a babymoon before the birth of their first child? It’s true! And while it’s most common among first-time parents – veteran parents can (and do!) take a babymoon before their next baby’s birth as well. So in today's episode, I thought it would be fun to talk more about babymoons! We'll talk about why you should do it, when you should do it, planning tips, destination ideas, and more. But first, I'll start the episode with some pregnancy travel advice and tips so that you can travel safely during your pregnancy! I've got info surrounding flying during pregnancy, long car rides, what to pack, and lots of other great advice. 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! Related Episodes EP160: Ask an OBGYN Anything with Dr. Jennifer Lincoln

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I am focusing exclusively on the first trimester of pregnancy!! It's an ask me anything style episode which I LOVE doing for you guys! All of the questions on today's show were submitted via Instagram stories. I selected a bunch that I wanted to answer with more detail than I can on Instagram - and this episode was born! Are you ready to learn how to tackle nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and so much more? Let's get into it! Feeling overwhelmed in the first trimester? Get support in the early weeks with our FREE 1st Trimester Prep Pack and gain a sense of control! 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 1: Perinatal Mental Health Interview With Dr. Ream Episode 35: FAQ’s About the First Trimester! MLN Weekly Pregnancy Email Series Expectful App Ritual Prenatal Vitamins Sponsor 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.

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I have a positive planned induction birth story from MLN Community mama, Marissa! Marissa described her birth as difficult, amazing, and fast, even though it took a while. This is a perfect example of how birth can be a mix of different feelings and perceptions all at once - something that I definitely see as true! Marissa's story includes a hospital-planned induction and epidural. 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 EP166: Giving Birth Overseas: One Mom’s Birth Story Navigating an International Healthcare System EP172: How One Mama’s Birth Started with the Midwives’ Brew    

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I am going to talk about one of my absolute favorite things - birth affirmations!! And no I'm not kidding. I'm obsessed with them and know how much they can help you manage your labor pain. You see, our minds can be one of our best assets to help manage the pain and anxiety associated with childbirth! And birth affirmations are one of my favorite ways to tap into that mental strength. What are they? Simply positive words and statements about the birth process that can give you extra confidence, a sense of calm, and even impact your perception of pain. To get the most out of using birth affirmations during your labor, I recommend repeating them regularly leading up to birth – and actually saying them aloud – I promise it makes ALL the difference. Then during labor, you can say them out loud, listen to them, read them, or simply think them! But we’ll get more into that inside the episode. 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 106: Mindset Tips for Pregnancy and Birth with Natalie Bacon Episode 154: Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts from Peloton Talks Yoga & Meditation During Pregnancy

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we're talking all about labor signs! And more specifically the weird signs of labor you might not know about yet! I think it’s safe to say that if you’ve ever been pregnant, you’ve probably found yourself googling, “Is XYZ a sign of labor?”. And there are actually quite a few weird things that happen before labor! The anticipation of meeting your little one soon can definitely cause mamas to be on high alert for any sort of body changes. And this is a good thing! It’s great to be in tune with your body, especially during pregnancy.  Aside from the obvious signs of labor: contractions and water breaking (which isn’t always as obvious as you might think!) there are quite a few other things that can give you a clue that labor is near!  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! 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! 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.  

In this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I am joined by Charles Johnson, the founder of 4Kira4Moms.  Charles tragically lost his wife Kira during a routine C-section at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California in 2016. This experience led him to create 4Kira4moms in 2017. The goal of 4Kira4Moms is to be a voice for other mothers and families facing unnecessary maternal loss and to help put an end to the black maternal mortality health crisis. It is a sad reality that in the US, black women are four times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth than white women. This is due to implicit bias and systemic racism within the healthcare system, as well as a lack of access to high-quality maternal healthcare and resources. Inside the episode, Charles and I discuss this tragic epidemic and talk about what platforms like 4Kira4Moms are doing to spark change and shed light on the issue. Then we get into what we can do to support his mission! Tune in to hear Kira's story and learn how you can help make a difference. Learn more about Charles Johnson Charles Johnson has dedicated his life to the pursuit of what his own family failed to receive – safe, respectful, and equitable maternal health outcomes in America. His passion for systemic change is driven by his love for his wife, Kira, who passed away following the birth of their second child. In April 2016, Kira underwent a routine C-section following an uncomplicated pregnancy. Hours later, she died from internal hemorrhaging despite adamant pleas for help from medical professionals by her husband and loved ones. Her story exemplifies the current crises happening in America: rising rates of maternal mortality and the silencing of Black voices. After experiencing the unimaginable, Charles harnessed his pain and used it to pursue the highest level of good. He channeled his grief into founding 4Kira4Moms, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving birth outcomes in America. Charles knows childbirth should be empowering and free of fear for all mothers. 4Kira4Moms advocates for improved maternal health policies and regulations, educates about the impact of maternal mortality in our communities, provides support to victims’ loved ones, and approaches maternal mortality as a human rights issue. Mothers are the very framework of our society. They teach us how to love unconditionally and are willing to protect the most vulnerable among us. The loss of even one at the hands of an unjust system robs our country of what it needs most. Charles has used his voice and story to advocate for change at countless events and media appearances all over the country. He is a board member of March for Moms and serves as Chairman of the Fairness of Injured Patients Act, which seeks to restore the rights of victims of medical negligence in California. Charles has testified twice before Congress and helped pass key legislation including: the Preventing Maternal Death Act of 2018, the Protecting Moms Who Served Act of 2021, and the California Momnibus. He is currently working with Congress to pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, an unprecedented set of bills addressing every aspect of the maternal health crisis happening in America. Charles was also honored by Oprah Winfrey on OWNSpotlight’s 2020 fatherhood special entitled, “Honoring our Kings – Celebrating Black Fatherhood.” In addition to his advocacy work, Charles is busy raising his two beautiful boys, Charles V and Langston, who keep their mothers’ spirit alive powerfully every day. Learn more about 4Kira4Moms 4Kira4Moms HR 1318 - Preventing Maternal Death Acts of 2018 Kira Johnson Act Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast you'll hear an Ask Me Anything style episode, where I give in-depth answers to a few labor and delivery questions left on the podcast hotline.  I'm covering questions about extra placental lobes, timing an epidural to potentially avoid blood pressure-related side effects, postpartum hemorrhages (particularly if you've had one before!), and if there are any specific things that moms can do in their second pregnancies to prepare for birth. If you have a burning question about pregnancy, birth, or postpartum that you'd like me to answer on the show, all you have to do is call 919-213-8719 and leave a voicemail! 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! Related episodes and resources Episode 168: Ask Me Anything Sibling Basket Ideas 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 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.

In this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, Sami shares her birth story where she tried a well-known, and semi-controversial method to kickstart labor! I have never actually talked to anyone who has tried this before so it was very interesting to hear about her experience! When she was pregnant with her daughter, she tried a bunch of things to jump-start labor, but ultimately ended up being induced. But for her son, she thought she’d try the same things plus one other method that we will talk about today. So stay tuned to see if it worked! 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 resources The Midwives' Brew: A Natural Way To Induce Labor You've Probably Never Heard Of... 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 on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we're going to dive into the topic of medical induction of labor. I'm going to talk about the reasons you might be induced and the various induction methods your provider may use.  But before we get into it, I want to quickly review what induction is, just in case you're not quite sure! Induction of labor is exactly what it sounds like: you aren't in labor yet so we put you into labor (or we attempt to push you into labor!) through different methods. There comes a point in pregnancy where the risk of continuing the pregnancy is actually greater than the benefits of keeping baby inside. And that point can be different for different moms! Keep listening to learn more about why you might need one and how we might do it. 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! Related episodes Episode 72: Help! What is an induction? Episode 36: Haley's Positive Induction Story!  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 on The Mommy Labour Nurse Podcast, I am joined by my friend and fellow podcaster Dr. Mona from PedsDocTalk to discuss common newborn behaviors. Dr. Mona Amin is a pediatrician and parenting expert who equips parents with the tools they need to thrive and feel confident in parenthood.  In today's episode, Dr. Mona is going to go through 10 newborn realities that are actually very standard - things like hiccups, day and night reversal, and feeding volumes. And after you're done with this episode, you can keep learning about the newborn days with Dr. Mona. She was on my podcast way back in Episode 9 when she came on the show to answer your most common newborn questions. 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 9: Mona the Pediatrician Answers Your Most Common Newborn Questions! 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. About Dr. Mona Amin Mona is a first-generation Indian American, born and raised in southern California. She attended UCLA for her undergraduate training, majoring in psychobiology (the study of how the brain affects our behaviors). She went on to attend medical school at ATSU-SOMA in Arizona where she obtained her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree.  After medical school, she completed pediatric residency training at the Bernard and Millie Duker Children’s Hospital in Albany, New York. She is a currently practicing Pediatrician where she sees babies and moms of every ethnicity and social circumstance. She loves her work and sharing smart, helpful advice to make the motherhood journey a little easier and a lot more joyful. She's built an inclusive and caring community of over 100,000 fans and followers on her various channels.

This week I'm coming at you with an "Ask Me Anything" episode based on questions my listeners submitted on our new podcast hotline! My plan for 2023 is to do more "Ask me Anything"-style episodes, and to make it even more fun, I want to feature voices from the community! So, if you've got a burning question about pregnancy, birth, or postpartum that you'd like me to answer on the show - all you have to do is call: 919-213-8719 and leave a voice message. If chosen, I will play the question on a future episode and answer it right here on the show! In this episode, I will be covering questions about cholestasis, placenta encapsulation, epidurals, and more. If you love episodes where it's just me answering questions, do yourself a favor and go listen to the most embarrassing questions about pregnancy and birth on Episode 161 and Episode 162. 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! Related episodes and resources Episode 161: Your Most Embarrassing Birth Questions Answered - Part 1  Episode 162: Your Most Embarrassing Birth Questions Answered - Part 2 Pine tar bar soap Cholestasis research article 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 on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I'm doing an episode all about postpartum prep! As a labor and delivery nurse, I am ALL about getting you prepared for birth. But in my opinion, preparing for birth ALSO means preparing for postpartum. Because when it’s all said and done, you’re going to have a newborn to take care of, and YOU are going to be an entirely new person as well. Inside of today's episode, we’re going to unpack what you can do during pregnancy to prepare for postpartum including education, supplies, mindset tips, and more. Getting educated for birth is so, so important, but truly, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t make sure you were ready for postpartum too. Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth. 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 48: How Has Liesel's Postpartum Experience Been? Part 1 of 2 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.  

In this week’s episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I am joined by a fellow mom with an extraordinary birth story that entails being pregnant and giving birth in a foreign country. This birth story is told by Katie, whose husband was stationed at an American army base in Germany. With the war in Afghanistan coming to an end and a flood of refugees needing medical attention, Katie wasn’t able to receive care at the base but found herself giving birth in a German hospital instead. Today, she will share with us how she experienced the differences in healthcare systems and how a C-section unexpectedly became part of this international birth story. 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 Episode 45: Midwife Marley Talks To Us About UK Maternity Care! 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 the 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 on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we are chatting about hospital bags! For a first-time mom, I was SUCH a slacker when it came to packing my hospital bag for labor. I was lucky I didn’t go into labor a few weeks early, because I would not have been prepared! For my second birth, I was way more organized and prepared. Because I know this is a very buzz-worthy topic when it comes to birth prep, I thought it only made sense to make an episode out of it! You see, I’m a BIG fan of packing individual bags for labor, recovery, partner, and baby. This keeps everything so much more organized. Inside the episode, I'll get into what should be in each of those bags. I'll also cover some things to specifically NOT bring with you, and then we'll talk in-depth about snacks for labor and touch a bit on eating during labor too. 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! 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 from this episode Liesel's essential oil blend 2 drops Yang Ylang 7 drops Clary Sage 3 drops Lavender 3 drops Frankincense Combine oils in glass bottle and fill to top with a carrier oil. 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 the 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 making decisions surrounding your birth, you need to think about the immediate after birth, too! Often, we think that’s just for newborn care procedures, but today, I want to talk in depth about cord blood banking, placenta donation, and placenta encapsulation. As always, the purpose of this podcast episode is to inform you so that you can make the right decisions for your birth and family. I encourage you to take this information, do your own research, and discuss this decision with your OBGYN or midwife before giving birth.  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! 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 the 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 on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I am joined by the amazing Dr. Nicole Callaway Rankins who you may know from her very popular pregnancy podcast, All About Pregnancy and Birth Podcast! Similar to Mommy Labor Nurse, Dr. Rankins offers amazing, online resources for pregnant women because she too knows what a critical role education plays in a woman's ability to advocate for herself during birth and reduce any sense of fear or anxiety she may have. On today's show, Dr. Rankins is going to share with us more about what it's like to be an OBGYN, memorable moments from her years of practice, thoughts on doula and midwifery care, a bit of birth advice, and more. I'm so excited to share Dr. Rankins with you today, so let's get right into it! 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! Want to feel in control before birth? Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. 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 Dr. Nicole Rankins Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins is a board-certified, practicing OBGYN and mom of 2 who empowers first-time moms to feel calm, confident, and empowered for pregnancy and birth. In her over 15 year career she’s helped more than 1,000 babies into this world and has demystified pregnancy and childbirth for thousands more women through her popular podcast All About Pregnancy & Birth, which has been downloaded over 1.25 million times. She regularly shares holistic, evidence-based pregnancy and birth info with her community of 19K+ on Instagram @drnicolerankins, and has served thousands of moms-to-be through her online birth plan class, Make A Birth Plan The RIGHT Way, and comprehensive online childbirth education class, The Birth Preparation Course.