Mommy Labor Nurse

  This week I had Robin Hilmantel on the podcast! Robin is the senior director of editorial strategy and growth at BabyCenter, an online parenting resource and pregnancy app. She has more than a decade of experience in health and lifestyle reporting, writing and editing. Robin works closely with the research team at BabyCenter to conduct studies with moms that produce impactful reports on important topics like maternal health, child care, family finances, and much more. She currently resides in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she enjoys spending her nonworking hours with her husband, three sons (Marlow, Wylie, and Hobbes), and tripod dog (Kiwi).   Here are things we talked about! 👇 Can you start by telling us a bit about the research BabyCenter conducted on postpartum care and the main findings? As a mom of three, can you share your personal postpartum care experiences and how they aligned or differed from the research findings? What steps can new moms take to better prepare for their own care during the postpartum period? Can you provide some practical tips for new moms to manage their self-care during the demanding postpartum period? How important are support networks, and what types of support should new moms seek out? Additionally, could you discuss how the high cost of childcare impacts these support networks and the overall wellbeing of new moms? How is BabyCenter working to support new moms in the postpartum period through its content and resources? Based on your insights and research, what trends do you see emerging in the area of postpartum care over the next few years?   Resources:   You can download the BabyCenter app here: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pregnancy-tracker-babycenter/id386022579 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.babycenter.pregnancytracker Check out the research we discuss from BabyCenter on postpartum support care gaps for moms, with additional resources for moms: https://www.babycenter.com/baby/postpartum-health/postpartum-care-maternal-health-support-report_41001478   Resources for postpartum mental health support: Emergency assistance is available 24/7 at 911 The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988 The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)  Postpartum Support International Helpline 800-944-4773 SAMHSA’s National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP(4357) You can find BabyCenter (@BabyCenter) on all social platforms Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babycenter/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/BabyCenter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BabyCenter YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/BabyCenter TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@babycenter -- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robinhilmantel/ 

It's Week 12 of 12 of the 12 weeks of BIRTH! In this episode, I dive into my full birth story! (You can READ my blog post that I’ve written of my birth story HERE, if you prefer to read!) 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!

It's Week 11 of 12 of the 12 weeks of BIRTH! In this episode, my mom and sister joins the podcast and we talk all about our two vastly different birth stories! 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!  

It's Week 10 of 12 of the 12 weeks of BIRTH!  In this week’s episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, we talked ALL about preparing for labor….and specifically 10 things you shouldn’t forget! Because for most mamas, birth feels like the great unknown amiright? You’re going to your prenatal visits, checking things off your third-trimester to-do list, maybe your hospital bag is even packed.  Yet as your due date draws closer, feelings of anxiety, what-ifs, and maybe even some fear are filling your head. Maybe you’re actually thinking, “Can I really do this?” I’m here to tell you that you CAN. It’s going to be ok! In this podcast episode, my main focus is giving you 10 things you should do before labor starts.  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!

It's Week 9 of 12 of the 12 weeks of BIRTH! This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we’re going to be talking all about your mindset! You guys should know by now that I’m ALL about getting you in the right headspace when it comes to birth. Your mind is not only your most powerful tool during birth, but it can also be your worst enemy. It takes a lot of self-control, and practice, to be able to talk back to your brain during birth – and that’s exactly what we’re going to be talking about today, with my special guest, Natalie Bacon! 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!

It's Week 8 of 12 of the 12 weeks of BIRTH! This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we’re going to talk all about birthing without an epidural, and answer a question I get all the time - “How do I have a natural birth?” And while there is no secret formula…I definitely have some insight into what you can do to set yourself up for success. 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!

It's week 7 of The 12 Weeks of Birth! In this re-air, I interview my friend Jeanice all about pelvic floor sexual health!! Here are the questions we go over! What exactly happens during pregnancy (and during delivery) to disrupt sexual health? How long should I wait to have sex postpartum? Should sex hurt at all? What should I do if it does? Give me your best tips for having a pain-free experience. When should I seek help from a pelvic floor specialist? How do I even find one? What should I expect a typical visit to look like? How long does treatment typically last? I’m SO embarrassed (and nervous/scared), and I can’t even think about going to a pelvic floor specialist...what should I do? Sex has never really felt great to me, and now that I’ve had a baby it’s even worse. Is this something that pelvic floor therapy can help with? Any last tips you have for moms struggling with sexual health after pregnancy? Feeling alone on your postpartum journey? CLICK HERE to get supportive tips and advice from an L&D nurse and veteran mom sent straight to your inbox each week! Have an even better birth! CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! You can learn more about Jeanice here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFfloD1PWUhP_IlWbt9ZvWA?view_as=subscriber Instagram: @mypelvicfloormuscles Website: mypelvicfloormuscles.com or myPFM.com

It's week 6 of The 12 Weeks of Birth! We're halfway through :) This week I chose to air an episode all about birth fears. I talk about pooping, contraction pain, tearing, c-sections, and more! **CLICK HERE to read the tearing article I reference in the episode! 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. Use code MLN20 to save 20% off your enrollment until June 30th! 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!

It's Week 5 of The 12 Weeks of Birth! This week on the podcast, I'm joined by AJ, a male L&D nurse! Yeah! I thought it was so interesting to hear his perspective on being a minority in L&D! I hope you enjoy 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! 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!

It's week 4 of The 12 Weeks of Birth! This week on the podcast I have a short and fun re-air for you guys featuring my sister, Jenna! I quizzed her on some fun pregnancy trivia - it turned out to be WAY HARDER than I thought it was going to be, I think she only got 2 right hah. So, I invite you to play along at home too to see if you can beat her! 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!

It’s week 3 of the 12 weeks of birth! This week I chose to re-air a solo episode talking all about spontaneous labor versus inductions, and why spontaneous labor is typically preferred. I also touch on the timeline of medical inductions and what that entails. You’ll learn about a few things you can do during your pregnancy to prep your body for labor, too! And then at the end of the episode I share the quick version of what I personally did with both of my boys to get myself into labor. 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!

It's week 2 of The 12 Weeks of Birth! Are you wondering what to do while waiting for baby to arrive? I get it, when your due date countdown goes from weeks to days, time can start to feel extra slow. We’ve all heard the joke about the last month of pregnancy lasting 5,654,213 days, right?? Well, this week I’m re-airing an episode to share with you some ways to help  pass that time and get you a little more prepared mentally, physically, and sentimentally (is that a thing?) for your baby to arrive. Keep in mind that these are the things that aren’t absolutely essential, but are a great way to fill those waiting days! 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!

It's officially week 1 of The 12 Weeks of Birth! This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I have a really exciting birth story to share with you guys! I actually had a personal friend of mine, Tess Camp, come on the show to tell the story of her three very different deliveries, with an emphasis on her extremely precipitous labor and second birth! 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!

This week I interviewed Maranda Bower, CEO and Founder of Postpartum University®. Maranda lives in her beautiful homestead in Alaska with her husband, 4 children, and many unruly chickens! She’s had 4 home births, each of which has uniquely taught her about herself, and her postpartum experiences. Maranda has such a unique, beautiful story and I can’t wait to share it with you all! 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! About Maranda Bower: Maranda Bower is the CEO and Founder of Postpartum University®, dedicated to empowering both mothers and professionals in redefining maternal well-being. With her extensive expertise in biology, nutrition, and perinatal mental health, she stands as a pioneering figure in the field. Maranda possesses a profound understanding of the intricate physiological processes that underpin postpartum well-being. As a prolific researcher and accomplished author, including the bestselling book "Reclaiming Postpartum Wellness," her impactful work extends globally. She’s also the founder of the Postpartum Nutrition Certification Program, the only functional nutrition certification dedicated to the unique period that is postpartum! Learn More & Connect With Maranda Here: www.PostpartumU.com/Podcast  

Today, we talk about that golden hour after birth and what to expect in the first 48 hours of your hospital stay.  The golden hour is the uninterrupted first hour of a baby's life and is filled with such great evidence base benefits for both baby and mama, that it’s becoming standard practice in more and more hospitals around the country. We’ll discuss those benefits and after we talk about what to expect from the first 48 hours after birth, because it’s a critical time of recovery for the mom and baby. It's important to remember that while the golden hour can be beneficial, it should only be pursued if it’s safe. Safety and stability are always the top priorities, and there should be no guilt if the golden hour cannot be achieved due to medical reasons.   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 EP114: C-Section vs. Vaginal Birth: What is the Better Option?

Welcome back to part 2 of my interview with the amazing Gail Tully! This is an episode we have aired before and are publishing again, because it is just that good of an episode.  In part 2, we are talking about inductions, and how spinning babies can help support you if you're having an induction. We also talk about VBACs, special considerations regarding VBACs and Belly Mapping. If you haven’t heard of belly mapping before, it is a concept created by Spinning Babies to figure out where your baby is positioned in your pelvis. Super interesting! If you haven’t listened to last week's episode, you might want to hold off on this one and listen to last week's episode first, as that is the first part of this interview. Otherwise, jump right in and enjoy Part 2 of ‘How to have an easier 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!   Resources mentioned in this Episode Spinning Babies techniques and resources    About Gail Tully Gail Tully is a Midwife, renowned author and educator and creator of the Spinning Babies® approach that has contributed to a paradigm shift in childbirth care around the world. In her home town of Minneapolis, USA, Gail has been coordinator and consultant to multiple well known Doula Programs and is a founding mother of the Childbirth Collective, one of the largest doula organizations in the USA.  Books by Gail Tully Breech Birth Quick GuideSpinning Babies® Quick ReferenceBelly Mapping® Workbook Videos by Gail Tully Spinning Babies® Parent ClassDaily Essentials (with Sarah Longacre of Blooma)Resolving Shoulder Dystocia

This week, I’ve got a special treat for you guys! We are traveling back in time and re-airing the most popular episode in the history of this podcast.  I'm so excited to put this out again for you guys because I’m talking to Gail Tulley (full bio below) and she is such a wealth of knowledge! She is the founder of Spinning Babies, which talks about the physiology of your baby in the womb and the importance of creating as much space in the pelvis as possible.  In this episode, we talked about ample fetal positioning and why it’s so important to consider which way the baby is facing and how flexed the head is. Gail makes all this really, really easy to understand. We also talked about exercises and movements, posterior babies, what to do when your baby is breech and so much more! Enjoy part one of this super informative episode on how to have an easier birth.   Want to birth without an epidural? Get our FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack to gain 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 and Resources Spinning Babies techniques and resources  Optimal Fetal Positioning book by Jean Sutton and Pauline Scott  Ina May Gaskin's book about orgasmic birth Debra Pascali-Bonaro's work on orgasmic birth   About Gail Tully Gail Tully is a Midwife, renowned author and educator and creator of the Spinning Babies® approach that has contributed to a paradigm shift in childbirth care around the world. In her home town of Minneapolis, USA, Gail has been coordinator and consultant to multiple well known Doula Programs and is a founding mother of the Childbirth Collective, one of the largest doula organizations in the USA.  Books by Gail Tully Breech Birth Quick Guide Spinning Babies® Quick Reference Belly Mapping® Workbook Videos by Gail Tully  Spinning Babies® Parent Class Daily Essentials (with Sarah Longacre of Blooma) Resolving Shoulder Dystocia  

In today's episode, I will dive into the critical topic of improving maternal health outcomes for black women and the promising programs that are making a difference. Black women often face discrimination and stress during their pregnancies, birth and postpartum, leading to the highest rates of maternal mortality and health complications in the US.  However, there is hope on the horizon and Dr. Venice Haynes and Natalie Davis are joining me today to discuss the positive changes that are happening around this topic! Venice is the Senior Director of Research and community engagement at United States of Care and brings over 14 years of public health experience. And Natalie is the CEO and co-founder of United States of care with nearly two decades of shaping American health care policies.  I'm so thrilled to share this interview in honor of black maternal health week as a means to help raise awareness and support wider adoptions of these crucial programs and practices. And if you want to keep listening to learn more about the realities of black maternal health, I encourage you to listen to Episode 73 after this one.   Resources and Related Episodes "Bright Spots" Report from United States of Care Nurse Family Partnerships - Provides resources and support for first-time moms. Black Mom of Glowing - Peer support group for maternal mental health. Family Solutions - Provides resources and support for parents and children in rural communities in South Carolina Maven Clinic - Provides reproductive and family healthcare for members. Ocean Family Center - Has a program that gives free virtual psychotherapy appointments for mothers. Shades of Blue Project - Offers a postpartum support group through journaling in Houston, Texas. Spinning Babies - Provide resources on a physiological approach to preparing for and caring for birth. EP73: The Realities of Black Maternal Health

In this week's episode, I’m talking to Katie who shares her powerful twin birth story with a surprise gender reveal in the end!  She struggled to find relatable experiences during her own pregnancy, so she decided to share her birth story with us today! Katie talks about her surprising discovery that she was carrying identical twins, the medical complications she faced and a long labor that ended in a vaginal twin delivery. Katie even shares postpartum challenges and hopes her story helps other twin moms feel less alone. Tune in for this intimate look into one mother's twin birth journey.   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!

Today we're talking all about SEX during pregnancy. It's one of those things that feels a little taboo to talk about, but it shouldn’t be! The benefits of having sex during pregnancy are huge (which we’ll talk about in the episode!) and doctors all over the world are recommending pregnant women to continue their usual sexual activities. But there is a lot of confusing and contradicting information out there – so I took the top pregnancy sex questions asked among pregnant mamas and compiled them here for you today! After this episode, I recommend listening to my interview with The Down There Doctors in Episode 211 - we did a pelvic floor deep dive that totally complements everything you're going to learn in this episode!    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 EP211: A Pelvic Floor Deep Dive with the Down There Doctors