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. 2d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Jul 17

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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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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