The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama

Trish Ware, RN
  • 4.6 (65)
  • 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

    The Epidural Episode: What Nobody Actually Explains Before You're in the Room | 265

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

  2. Jul 10

    Your Vaginal Discharge is INFORMATION You Need to Know to Get Pregnant or Avoid it: Fertility Awareness Method | 264

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

  3. Jul 3

    6 Ways to Prepare for An Unmedicated Birth | 263

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

  4. Jun 26

    What No One Tells You About Having a Support Person in the Labor Room (And How to Fix It Before You Get There) | 262

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

  5. Jun 19

    You Wanted an Unmedicated Birth. Now They’re Saying You Need an Induction. Can You Still Do Both? | 261

    You spent months preparing for an unmedicated birth - the classes, the breathing, the mindset. And then your provider says induction, and your stomach drops. You know it's medically the right call, but it feels like everything you planned just went out the window. Here's what I need you to hear: induction and unmedicated birth are not mutually exclusive. I've done it three times myself, and I've helped countless students do it too. In this episode, we're breaking down exactly what induction actually means, what your real options are, and how to stay in the driver's seat - even when the plan shifts. Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle! 💡 What We Cover: Why induction doesn't have to mean the end of your unmedicated birth mapWhat cervical ripening and Bishop score actually mean - and why your cervix being "favorable" matters so much before anything else startsWhy Trish recommends against breaking your water unless you're in active labor (6+ cm and contracting regularly)How Pitocin can be run low and slow - and even stopped once your body takes overThe story of Ashley: a first-time mom with gestational diabetes and hypertension who got the induction and the unmedicated birth she wantedThe questions to ask your provider before you ever say yes or no to an induction More from this episode: Listen to episode 227: Kelly’s Redemptive VBAC – From Induction & C-Section to Pulling Her Baby onto Her ChestRead the blog: Everything You Need to Know About Being Induced Everything You Need to Know About Being Induced Check out this Induction Workshop Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Inductions & Unmedicated Birth02:22 Why Inductions Are Rising03:56 A Student Induction Birth Story04:57 Induction Methods Explained06:53 Commitment And Pitocin Strategy08:40 Mindset And Labor Pain10:17 Questions To Ask Your Provider11:07 Stack The Deck In Labor12:43 You Can Still Have a Birth You Love 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. Jun 12

    What No One Tells You About Feeding Your Baby with Feeding Specialist Jordyn Koveleski Gorman | 260

    Ever stood in the baby food aisle feeling completely lost? This episode is for you. This week, Trish sits down with Jordyn Koveleski Gorman - licensed speech-language pathologist, feeding specialist, and founder of Eat Play Say - to talk about the stuff your pediatrician simply doesn't have time to cover at a 15-minute well visit. With nearly a decade of clinical experience and a community of over 800,000 parents, Jordyn breaks it all down in a way that will actually make mealtimes feel less like a battle and more like a win. Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle! In this episode, you'll learn: 🥄 The #1 mistake parents make when introducing the highchair — and the simple shift that changes everything🥦 Baby-led weaning vs. purees: which method is better? (Hint: Jordyn's answer might surprise you)😤 Why your toddler suddenly hates the food they loved yesterday — and exactly what to say when it happens🍕 The food prep trick that gets picky eaters to actually try new foods (no pressure, no power struggle)💡 How to give your toddler just enough control to make mealtimes easier for everyone The golden nuggets you don't want to miss: Jordyn shares that babies may need 20 to 100 presentations of a food before accepting it - so that refusal at dinner? Completely normal. She also walks through why the experience around food matters far more than the method you choose, and how to build a positive relationship with mealtimes from the very first bite. More from Jordyn from Eat, Play, Say: Follow her on Instagram & TikTok: @eatplaysay Visit EatPlaySay.com & Check out her handbooks available for parents! Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 What No One Tells You About Feeding Your Baby04:02 Jordyn’s Story10:42 Solids Refusal14:59 High Chair Positive Start15:41 Purees vs Baby Led20:41 Choices Over Power Struggles24:06 Control And Boundaries29:57 Grace After Blowups34:36 Kitchen Prep No Pressure40:21 Validate Yucky Feelings41:55 Where To Find Jordyn 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. Jun 5

    A Judge Decided She HAD to have a C-section. While She Was in Labor. | 259

    She was 12 hours into labor when a nurse walked in carrying a tablet - and a judge appeared on the screen to decide what would happen to her body. This isn't a social media horror story. This happened in Florida, in 2026, to a woman who was not only informed - she was a doula. She had a prior C-section complicated by a dangerous hemorrhage. Refusing another surgery wasn't a whim. It was a medical decision she had every right to make. And a judge overruled her anyway. In this episode, we're getting into all of it: what your rights actually are, where they get murky, and the three things I want you to do before you ever go into labor - because when you're in labor, your job is to labor. In this episode: What actually happened in Florida - and why the details matterThe difference between informed refusal and an unsafe one (these are not the same thing)Why "rights on paper" and what happens at 3 AM in a hospital room aren't always the sameWhy I call it a birth map, not a birth plan - and why this story is why I prefer a map over a planThe three things to do before labor Why the advocacy piece is non-negotiable, especially for Black women, who are far more likely to have their pain, rights, and refusals dismissedThe one question that is one of the most powerful things you can say in a hospital room This episode is not about walking in braced for a fight. It's about walking in prepared, calm, confident, and educated. Resources mentioned: Calm and Confident Birth Course & Birth Bundle - understand your rights, your body, and your options before you walk in Florida needs to change those laws. And until it does, the best thing you can do is prepare. Let's get you there. Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Judge In The Delivery Room02:10 What Happened In Florida03:55 Informed Consent And Refusal05:30 Why Rights Get Murky06:04 Birth Map vs Birth Plan07:03 Getting Prepared Before Labor09:38 Bring Your Support Team10:35 Birth Advocacy 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. May 29

    The Breastfeeding Specialist You've Never Heard Of (But Desperately Need) | 258

    Stephanie brings a unique perspective to breastfeeding and postpartum support by combining occupational therapy expertise with lactation consulting. After 9+ years in the NICU and her own breastfeeding journey with her premature son in 2023, she's committed to helping families navigate lactation and infant development with confidence and compassion. In this episode, we talk about what a session with Stephanie looks like, prenatal prep, postpartum red flags, and why asking for help isn't optional—it's essential. Key TakeawaysBefore Baby Arrives: 3 Powerful Prenatal Choices Take a prenatal lactation class — Most insurance covers it. Being prepped gives you options and confidence.Get your breast pump early (33-34 weeks) — Insurance usually covers it. Don't wait until you need it.Leverage your insurance — Most plans cover prenatal classes AND pumps. That's free education and equipment. After Baby Arrives: 3 Powerful Reasons to Ask for Help Ask for help. You need rest. You need support. There's no medal for doing it alone.If you're experiencing pain, reach out immediately. Pain is NOT normal. A qualified IBCLC can help.If something feels off with baby, get assessed. Clicking, gulping, arching, popping on and off—reach out to a professional. "You don't have to push through the pain. You don't have to do it alone. Ask for help, and let people come alongside you." - Stephanie Wong, Certified NICU OT & Lactation Consultant What to Look for in a Lactation ConsultantSeek an IBCLC over a CLC. IBCLCs have more rigorous training standards.Consider booking postpartum support privately. Hospital LCs have time constraints; private sessions offer more thorough care.In-person or virtual? Both work. Choose what fits your life. More from Stephanie Wong, IBCLC:Stephanie's Practice: Lovely Littles Therapy Instagram & Website: @lovelylittlestherapy | lovelylittlestherapy.com Helpful Timestamps: 00:00 Whole Family Lactation01:30 NICU Roots & Personal Journey04:15 What a Session Looks Like06:45 Prenatal Breastfeeding Prep13:31 Postpartum Tips + Myth Busting16:30 Red Flags When Breastfeeding19:19 Weight Checks Pediatrician Support21:35 Partners Bonding Beyond Bottles23:57 Where to Find Stephanie 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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