The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama

Trish Ware, RN
  • 4.7 (66)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

How do I actually push during labor? Should I get an epidural? Why is breastfeeding so hard? What exactly is Pitocin, and how much will induce labor? Is there a secret to having a successful VBAC? What happens if I poop during labor *shudder*? And oh yeah, how do I take care of a newborn? I know you’ve got a ton of questions and fears when it comes to giving birth. How? Because I’ve delivered thousands of babies as a labor nurse! I’ve seen it all...and as @labor.nurse.mama on IG, I’ve helped mamas all over the world stand up to their fears and walk into the labor room with confidence. The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama is here to guide you through every step of your pregnancy, labor, and delivery. I’ll show you how to embrace your inner feminine wisdom and teach you to feel totally comfortable owning the labor room. Your body was made to deliver this baby, mama...let’s face all those fears and doubts and answer those nagging questions — so you can be ready for the most important day of your life!

  1. 3d ago

    10 Things I Wish I Knew in My First Trimester (From a Labor Nurse) | 273

    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

  2. Sep 4

    Baby Eczema, Allergies & Colic? It Might Start in the Gut | 272

    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: @tiny.healthhello@tinyhealth.com 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

  3. Aug 28

    Pushing Positions: What Nobody Tells You Before You're in That Bed | 271

    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

  4. Aug 21

    She Prepared for a VBAC - Then Her Baby Flipped Breech in Labor | 270

    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

  5. Aug 14

    Birth Vibes vs. Birth Map - Is Jen Hamilton Right? | 269

    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

  6. Aug 7

    Let's Talk Pelvic Health: Common, But Not Normal with Dr. Brooke Kalisiak | 268

    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

  7. Jul 31

    GBS Positive - What It Actually Steals From You (Spoiler: Not Much)

    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

  8. Jul 24

    "Touched Out" & No Sex Drive After Baby? Here's What's Really Going On (Sex Therapist Explains) | 266

    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

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How do I actually push during labor? Should I get an epidural? Why is breastfeeding so hard? What exactly is Pitocin, and how much will induce labor? Is there a secret to having a successful VBAC? What happens if I poop during labor *shudder*? And oh yeah, how do I take care of a newborn? I know you’ve got a ton of questions and fears when it comes to giving birth. How? Because I’ve delivered thousands of babies as a labor nurse! I’ve seen it all...and as @labor.nurse.mama on IG, I’ve helped mamas all over the world stand up to their fears and walk into the labor room with confidence. The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama is here to guide you through every step of your pregnancy, labor, and delivery. I’ll show you how to embrace your inner feminine wisdom and teach you to feel totally comfortable owning the labor room. Your body was made to deliver this baby, mama...let’s face all those fears and doubts and answer those nagging questions — so you can be ready for the most important day of your life!

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