This week, Amy, Lauren, and Whitney share their pregnancy and birth stories: the beautiful, the terrifying, and the downright gross. (Spaghetti and meatballs will never be the same.) Amy's pregnancy after loss was her "redemption," right up until a picture-perfect Hallmark start turned into back labor, a fading epidural, and an unplanned C-section. Now pregnant again, she's planning for a VBAC. Lauren lives through a terrifying scare in the shower, gets turned away from the hospital, and learns to advocate for herself the second time around. And Whitney, who was sick from start to finish with both boys, somehow loves labor. Her "labor denial" stories (self-tanner included) have to be heard to be believed. Three moms, five births, zero identical stories. Thanks for joining the group chat. In this episode: 00:23 — Welcome back, and "Did you just eat poop?"01:46 — Today's topic: our pregnancies and birth stories02:03 — Amy's "redemption" pregnancy after loss, and a 7-week bleeding scare05:46 — Carrying to 40+4 without ever feeling uncomfortable06:13 — The Hallmark start: mucus plug, water breaking on the bathroom tile, and a spaghetti and meatballs order07:43 — The epidural that wore off08:42 — Pitocin as a first-time mom: "I didn't even know what it was"09:40 — Sunny-side-up baby and back labor11:04 — The spaghetti and meatballs payoff12:11 — Pushing, a baby who wouldn't turn, and an unplanned C-section15:09 — Planning for a VBAC this time around17:39 — Lauren's perineal sweep18:33 — A biopsy during pregnancy, and a terrifying scare in the shower21:02 — Skipping cervix checks, and getting turned away from the hospital22:43 — "If you do not admit me…" and the pain relief that changed everything24:25 — Saying no to Pitocin26:55 — So many hands, and the question everyone wants answered: did you poop during birth?28:03 — Harlow's birth: fighting in the car and an epidural at 8 centimeters31:14 — Amy's theory: you get an easy pregnancy or an easy birth32:44 — Whitney's first pregnancy: sick all day, every day37:15 — "I love labor," and the art of labor denial38:46 — The doctor who didn't like seeing patients past 39 weeks40:13 — "Whitney, get to the hospital right now!" (and Derek's beer)41:44 — Nurse Pam, and why everyone kept asking if Whitney's red hair was natural43:34 — Three hours at the hospital, fifteen minutes of pushing, and Derek catching Baylor45:37 — To look or not to look?47:30 — Chaplin's pregnancy: even sicker, with an at-home IV49:48 — Why Whitney recommends pelvic floor therapy to every mom50:39 — Low iron and iron infusions51:53 — Big heads, narrow pelvises, and prepping your body for birth53:09 — Chaplin's birth: a gym day, 9 centimeters on arrival, and no time for an epidural59:31 — Would we ever do a home birth?1:00:14 — The self-tanner storyMentioned in this episode: Pelvic floor therapy, which Whitney recommends to every momThe "J push" pushing techniqueTennpop, Lauren's Tennessee seltzerHad an amazing pregnancy and an amazing birth? Sound off in the comments. Amy wants to hear from you! Follow the hosts: Amy: @amymacedoWhitney: @albrightwhitneyTennpop (Lauren's brand): @tennpopofficialThe hosts share their personal experiences. Nothing in this episode is medical advice. Please talk to your own healthcare provider about your pregnancy and birth plans.
