The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama

I sat down with Tamari Jacob, Certified Lactation Consultant and founder of One With The Pump, and we had the best chat about all things pumping and breastfeeding.Tamari knows the pumping journey inside and out - she exclusively pumped for her first baby for 10 months after he wouldn’t latch, and she’s been helping moms make pumping suck a whole lot less ever since. We talked about the emotional side of feeding your baby (hello, grief and rejection when it doesn’t go as planned), why finding the right lactation consultant is everything, and how the sy...

If the thought of labor makes your stomach drop and your heart race… this episode is for you, mama.Hey girl, I see you. The midnight Google spirals, the dramatic birth stories that left you spiraling, and that voice in your head whispering “there’s no way I can do that.” Fear of labor is incredibly normal - but left unchecked, it can actually make labor harder. Today I’m breaking down exactly where that fear comes from, what it does to your body, and what I personally tell every terrified mom I work with as a high-risk...

Hey mamas! I am SO excited to share this episode with you. Today I’m chatting with Gabi, one of my Calm Labor Confident Birth students who also activated her Labor Bat Signal. She’s here to tell the raw, real story of bringing her fiery little girl into the world on January 26th, 2025.Gabi went from measuring small with low fluid at 38+5, to an induction she didn’t plan for, a midwife who wanted to break her water way too early, a deceleration scare, and back-to-back contractions that had her questioning everything… to going from 2-3 cm to 10...

This week I grabbed the most common questions you sent me over on Instagram from my 418k followers and answered them the way your bestie labor nurse would - honest, no fluff, and zero fear-mongering.I’m answering:Is that sharp bump pain in the early second trimester normal? (And when to actually call your provider)The 4-1-2 rule for heading to the hospital with your first baby (and why it’s different for your second)How long postpartum bleeding really lasts + the red-flag signs you can’t ignoreThe truth about the 24-hour water-breaking rule (it’s n...

I got to sit down with Áine, the Baby Reflux Lady - a leading holistic expert in infant reflux, colic, and digestive discomfort. Drawing from her background in Traditional Chinese Medicine, nutrition, and her own journey as a mom of two babies with severe reflux, Áine shares why she refuses to accept the outdated idea that “this is just how babies are.”We dive deep into the real signs of reflux (it’s not just spitting up!), why so many parents feel dismissed by “they’ll grow out of it,” and how listening to your instincts can change everyth...

Your doctor is NOT your boss.They are your medical consultant. You are the decision-maker. Period.In this episode Trish breaks down informed consent in the clearest, calmest, most confident way possible - because this one thing is the #1 reason women walk away from birth feeling powerless. It’s not the pain, not the interventions… it’s not knowing they had the right to say yes, no, or “I need a minute.”You’ll hear the powerful story of my student who went from scheduling a C-section out of pure fear to rocking a beautiful...

If you’ve ever been told “everything looks normal” but you’re still not pregnant, or if you’re just starting your trying-to-conceive journey and want real answers instead of vague “we don’t know,” this episode is going to feel like a warm hug and a game-changer all at once. I sat down with the incredible Dr. Sasha Hakman, a double board-certified OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) specialist at HRC Fertility in Beverly Hills. She’s highly awarded, stays on the cutting edge of research, and is even a subject matter expert for the American Board of OB-GYN in REI boar...

Hey Mama! Ever caught yourself making a birth choice out of straight-up fear? Yeah, me too - with my first baby, needles had me running unmedicated without a clue. But here's the real talk: it's not about the pain or the meds; it's about owning your power. In this episode, we dive into the big question - epidural or unmedicated? - and how to choose without regret. I share my stories from 16 years as a high-risk labor nurse and mama of six, plus three game-changing questions to guide you to a birth where YOU call the shots....

What if I told you that 9 out of 10 babies in America are missing key gut microbes right from the start? As a labor nurse who's delivered thousands of little ones and now a proud Gigi, this chat totally rocked my world and got me thinking about my own grandbabies' health.Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cmsLeave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!I'm thrilled to welcome Stephanie Culler, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Persephone Biosciences. Stephanie's a powerhouse scientist with a...

Join me, as I talk with one of my VBAC Lab Students and Calm Mama Society Members, Cassie.She's going to be sharing her birth story and how the techniques we've been working on in class, have helped her to move through her birth trauma from her first birth and prepare for an empowered VBAC.Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cmsLeave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!Cassie gives us all the details, shares the highs and lows of...

Trish sits down with one of her favorite doulas - Sarah Osborne, doula, doula mentor, mama of three, and the real-deal with 17 years and over 900 births attended. Sarah went from a thriving solo practice to building a doula collective in the Pacific Northwest, and she’s spilling all the tea on what actually matters when you’re hiring support for your birth.You’re going to hear why the “Google checklist” of doula questions is kinda useless, how to spot the vibe you really want (yes, you should feel like you could be friends with her - and not ca...

Today, Trish is sharing the powerful birth story of her daughter where she went from being told she would have a ‘dead baby’ at 37 weeks pregnant if she didn’t induce, to having a beautiful unmedicated delivery. This birth story shows how her daughter navigated the difference between convenience-based and necessary interventions. Trish breaks down the distinction between these interventions, highlighting the importance of informed decision-making and self-advocacy. She recounts how her daughter navigated medical advice and ultimately delivered her baby safely amidst true medical necessity at 39 weeks. This story underscores the value of patient education, boundaries, and empowerment in bir...

Trish welcomes a fellow labor and delivery nurse and childbirth educator, Lo Mansfield, also known as The Labor Mama. They discuss the intriguing question of why so many L&D nurses, midwives, and birth pros personally opt for unmedicated births, sharing behind-the-scenes insights from their years on the floor. Trish and Lo open up about their own journeys - Trish recounting her first unmedicated birth at 17 out of sheer needle fear (and loving how she felt like a boss + queen afterward), while Lo explains her mix of clinical experience, like minimizing interventions for better outcomes, and practical perks, such...

Trish shares a deeply personal and shocking account of a recent doctor's appointment for her 37-week pregnant daughter. Despite being a highly experienced labor and delivery nurse, she found herself shaken by the fear-inducing tactics used by the doctor to push for an induction at 39 weeks, with a beautifully healthy baby and mama. Trish discusses the importance of making informed medical decisions based on knowledge rather than fear, explaining how to navigate these critical conversations with healthcare providers. She emphasizes the power of asking questions, seeking second opinions, and trusting one's maternal instincts. Helpful Timestamps:00:00 A...

In this heartfelt finale of the Postpartum Unpacked series on The Birth Experience Podcast, Trish reassures new mamas that perfection isn't required to be a great mom. Drawing from her experience raising seven children, she emphasizes that confidence comes from trusting your growth, learning from mistakes, and evolving through reflection and new wisdom. Trish shares how postpartum transforms your identity, inviting you to embrace change without shame or fear, and reminds listeners that they're uniquely chosen and equipped for their baby - any gaps in knowledge are simply opportunities to seek support and keep growing. This isn’t the “end...

Trish welcomes Dr. Courtney Johnson, a pelvic floor physical therapist specializing in women's health for female athletes and active moms. Together, they challenge the outdated advice of relying solely on Kegels, explaining why tight pelvic floors aren't necessarily strong and can contribute to issues like leakage, prolapse, and pain, while debunking the normalization of postpartum symptoms as "just part of being a mom." Dr. Courtney advocates for a holistic approach to recovery, emphasizing the role of factors such as stress, sleep, sunshine, breathing techniques, pressure management, lifestyle habits, and even loose clothing in supporting pelvic floor health and the...

In this heartfelt episode, I, Trish, your trusted labor and delivery nurse and mom of seven, unpacks the complex emotions and realities new parents face after having a baby. She shares personal experiences and professional insights, revealing why relationships feel strained postpartum and how it's rooted in biology and differing realities. You'll learn essential strategies to bridge the gap, manage resentment, and communicate effectively with your partner. Plus, hear transformative stories from women who've navigated these challenging times, and discover how to create a team agreement and schedule check-ins to keep your relationship strong. Remember, mama, you're not alone...

Join me, as I talk with one of my Calm Labor Confident Birth Class students, Laura.Laura's birth story is definitely best friend squad goals! Laura's bestie (who's studying to become a birth doula) was with her during it all - to cheer her on, and to help her through the intense moments.Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cmsLeave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!In this episode, she shares her journey to a positive, unmedicated vaginal delivery of...

Trish goes deep into a rarely discussed but incredibly common postpartum symptom: rage. We're not talking about everyday irritability - this is intense, explosive anger that can feel overwhelming and out of control. If you've ever snapped at your partner over something trivial, slammed doors, or felt fury bubbling up when the baby cries, you're not alone, and you're certainly not a bad mom. Trish, a labor nurse with over 16 years of experience and mom of seven, shares insights on what postpartum rage really is, its potential causes, practical strategies for managing it in the moment, and long-term steps...

In today’s episode, Trish shares her very first birth story - the birth of her son, Ian, when she was just 17. She’s diving into the naive teenage years, her surprise pregnancy, and the incredible experience of giving birth that laid the foundation for her career as a labor and delivery nurse and sparked her passion for birth advocacy. Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cmsLeave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!Trish takes you through the details, from finding out she...