Mommy Labor Nurse

Welcome to the Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, where we firmly believe in the power of education when it comes to giving birth! Tune in each week as we dive into pregnancy-related topics, expert interviews, and a variety of birth stories! As a reminder, anything you hear on this podcast should not be taken as medical advice, please see mommylabornurse.com/disclaimer for more info.

Hollywood vs. Reality: Liesel + Jenna React to Birth on the Big Screen 12/18/2024

The 'Too Shy to Ask' Birth Questions: Liesel's Unfiltered Answers (Part 2) 12/11/2024

The 'Too Shy to Ask' Birth Questions: Liesel's Unfiltered Answers (Part 2) *Hi guys! Liesel here. I wanted to let you know that the Mommy Labor Nurse podcast as you know it is currently getting a HUGE facelift! In the meantime, please enjoy this re-air of a fan favorite episode!! And stay tuned to my for updates on when the new and improved Mommy Labor Nurse podcast will be back with all new episodes!* ****** This week I am back to answer your most embarrassing birth questions, part 2! I had so much fun with last week’s episode, I just had to come back and answer more of your questions because we got so many good ones! Not only are these “Ask Me Anything” style episodes fun, but it’s my hope that they are really informational and educational for you as well. We all have questions that we might be a little embarrassed to ask our provider (even I do!), but have no fear, I’m here to unpack it all. Questions covered in the episode How common is pooping and peeing during birth? How do I clean up all the stuff after birth? What happens if I get diarrhea in a birth pool? How do I pee in a catheter? Does it come out whenever, or do I have to push it out? How often do moms have urinary retention after getting an epidural? Is it difficult to pee during labor? I pooped 3 times – is that normal? What are your tips for first postpartum poop pain? What if I don’t have control of my bladder and pee during contractions? Is it normal for my provider to put their finger in my butt while I am pushing? How common is it to fart during pushing? ****** Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy & birth info out there? I got ya covered! to get my FREE hospital bag checklist - straight from the brain of an L&D nurse to make sure you are 10000% ready to go! to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! /episode/index/show/mommylabornurse/id/33997457

The 'Too Shy to Ask' Birth Questions: Liesel's Unfiltered Answers (Part 1) 12/04/2024

The 'Too Shy to Ask' Birth Questions: Liesel's Unfiltered Answers (Part 1) Hi guys! Liesel here. I wanted to let you know that the Mommy Labor Nurse podcast as you know it is currently getting a HUGE facelift! In the meantime, please enjoy this re-air of a fan favorite episode!! And stay tuned to my for updates on when the new and improved Mommy Labor Nurse podcast will be back with all new episodes!* ****** Happy New Year podcast fam! If you are listening to this in real time, then you know that this is the very first episode of 2023, and we’re kicking off the year with a super fun “Ask Me Anything” style episode. This time, I asked our community over on Instagram for their most embarrassing questions that they had about birth (you know, the kind of things that you might be a little bit shy to ask but you really want to know), and let me tell you, you guys delivered – no pun intended! I had such a great time doing this episode for you because I love talking about embarrassing stuff. And we had so many great questions come in that I actually broke it up into two parts for you, with part two airing next week. If you love these types of episodes, after listening to this one make sure to check out episodes , and . Questions covered in the episode: How common are hemorrhoids during delivery, and what causes them? I already have painful hemorrhoids; how much more painful will it get and what can I expect during childbirth? Does the doctor push the hemorrhoids back in while I’m pushing during birth? Can masturbation during labor and delivery help move things along? Why was delivering my baby such a relief and is it normal that it felt similar to having an orgasm? What kind of outfit do I wear during labor, both for the top and bottom? What do I wear in the bathtub or shower if I don’t want to be completely naked? Do lots of people really labor while naked? Can you wear pants and underwear? What can I do if I’m scared to tear badly during labor and delivery? Is it ok to have pubic hair or do I need to shave it? What about waxing? Will my vagina go back to normal after birth, and will sex feel different? Related Episodes: ****** Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy & birth info out there? I got ya covered! to discover my top tips for a more positive birth in my FREE 45-minute mini birth class! to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! /episode/index/show/mommylabornurse/id/33997172

No Question is Off-Limits: Liesel's L&D AMA 11/27/2024

No Question is Off-Limits: Liesel's L&D AMA *Hi guys! Liesel here. I wanted to let you know that the Mommy Labor Nurse podcast as you know it is currently getting a HUGE facelift! In the meantime, please enjoy this re-air of a fan favorite episode!! And stay tuned to my for updates on when the new and improved Mommy Labor Nurse podcast will be back with all new episodes!* ****** This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I’m excited to be answering some questions submitted by listeners from the podcast hotline! First, we have a mom-to-be who is hoping for a VBAC. She explains that she’s already feeling some discomfort around her C-section scar. She is wondering if this could indicate an increased risk for uterine rupture and if pursuing a VBAC is a safe option for her. Next, we have Taylor, a second-time mom who is curious if her second labor will be similar to her first, which involved very frequent contractions that lead to an epidural she was hoping to avoid. If you want to submit your question to be featured on the show, all you have to do is call the hotline and leave a voice message! The number is 919-213-8719. And if you like what you hear, you can listen to which has the same format. A peek at the questions we covered: Why do I have a tugging sensation around my C-section scar? What is scar tissue? What can affect the sensation of scar tissue? What is a uterine rupture? As a VBAC candidate, am I at a higher risk for uterine rupture? Should I try having a vaginal birth after I had a C-section? What factors should I consider when deciding for a VBAC? What are the benefits of a VBAC? Is my second labor going to be the same as my first? Does labor get shorter with the more babies I have? ****** Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? to get instant access to my free mini birth class to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! /episode/index/show/mommylabornurse/id/33983527

Behind the Scenes in L&D: Liesel Spills the Tea 11/20/2024

Behind the Scenes in L&D: Liesel Spills the Tea *Hi guys! Liesel here. I wanted to let you know that the Mommy Labor Nurse podcast as you know it is currently getting a HUGE facelift! In the meantime, please enjoy this re-air of a fan favorite episode!! And stay tuned to my for updates on when the new and improved Mommy Labor Nurse podcast will be back with all new episodes!* ****** This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I’m joined by my sister and MLN team member, Jenna, for a fun get-to-know-me style episode. Usually, I’m the one interviewing other people, but this week Jenna is going to interview me so that you can get to know me better, professionally and personally! You’ll hear about how I got started in L&D, my L&D superpower, what I’d be doing if I wasn’t a labor and delivery nurse, and a whole lot more. What questions do we cover? Where are you from, how old are you, and what’s your “official” job title? What was your first exposure to the L&D world? What were you doing when you decided to become an L&D nurse? What do you like most about being an L&D nurse? What do you like least about being an L&D nurse? What is your L&D superpower? What might you be doing if you weren’t an L&D nurse? What are you doing when you’re not working in the hospital or on MLN stuff? Who tolerates your crazy schedule? What are three fun facts about yourself? Related Episodes and Articles ****** Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy & birth info out there? I got ya covered! to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! /episode/index/show/mommylabornurse/id/33980352

The Truth About Tearing: Busting Myths and Offering Solutions 11/13/2024

Double the Joy, Double the Awe: Twin Birth Stories You Won't Believe 11/06/2024

Double the Joy, Double the Awe: Twin Birth Stories You Won't Believe *Hi guys! Liesel here. I wanted to let you know that the Mommy Labor Nurse podcast as you know it is currently getting a HUGE facelift! In the meantime, please enjoy this re-air of a fan favorite episode!! And stay tuned to my for updates on when the new and improved Mommy Labor Nurse podcast will be back with all new episodes!* ****** This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I am sharing a twin birth story, but not the kind of twin birth story you are thinking of…no this mom, or should I say moms were not pregnant with twins! I had Sierra and Hailey on the podcast this week, and THEY are twins! About Sierra: Sierra O’Toole is a mom to 18-month-old daughter, Kora, and lives in Ventura, CA with her husband Sean O’Toole. She works as a Marketing Manager for Primal Kitchen and in her free time enjoys surfing, family beach days, reading, cooking, and listening to birth story podcasts. Connect with Sierra and birth resources she loved: Instagram: Doula: IG: OBGYN: IG: About Hailey: Hailey O’Rourke is mom to 18-month-old son, Patrick, and is currently pregnant with her second baby boy, due in July 2022. She lives in a suburb of Denver, CO with her husband, Eamonn O’Rourke, and works as a flight attendant for a major US Airline. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, skiing, surfing, and walking her French Bulldog, Finnegan. Connect with Hailey and birth resources she loved: Instagram: Doula: Dr. Sterling & Dr. Cassidy’s Prepared Postpartum Course: ****** Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy & birth info out there? I got ya covered! for our FREE mini birth class. You will discover my top tips for a more positive birth in this 45-minute class. to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! /episode/index/show/mommylabornurse/id/33818342

The Final Countdown: Third Trimester FAQs for a Smooth Finish 10/30/2024

Breaking the Silence: Dr. Crawford's Expert Advice on Infertility 10/23/2024

A Love Story: Caitlin's Journey to Adoption 10/16/2024

A Love Story: Caitlin's Journey to Adoption *Hi guys! Liesel here. I wanted to let you know that the Mommy Labor Nurse podcast as you know it is currently getting a HUGE facelift! In the meantime, please enjoy this re-air of a fan favorite episode!! And stay tuned to my for updates on when the new and improved Mommy Labor Nurse podcast will be back with all new episodes!* ****** Caitlin Karl, a fellow mom who’s actually currently pregnant, came on to share all about her journey to adopting her son AJ. Caitlin shares that she and her husband always knew they wanted to grow their family through adoption and biologically, and was never really quite sure in what order it would happen. Ultimately, they decided to pursue adoption first because they knew there was a lot of time, resources, and energy required to go through the process of adopting a baby. So in the summer of 2019, they started the whole process and by July they brought their sweet baby boy home. Caitlyn Karl’s Bio: Caitlyn Karl is a working mom who lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband Jake, son AJ, and soon daughter (due at the beginning of June). Caitlyn and Jake started their family through the adoption of their son this past year. You can find Caitlyn Karl on social media here: Instagram: Resources from the episode: Book by David R. Cross, Karyn B. Purvis, and Wendy Lyons Sunshine : Transracial adoptee and Public Speaker. on Instagram, “The Adoptee Next Door” Podcast, “Closure” documentary : Adoptee and Adoptive Mom. on Instagram : Torie is an adoptee who shares her perspective on adoption : Adoptee and adoption informed therapist. on Instagram, : Birth mother, adoption reform advocate, founder of Lifetime Healing Foundation. on Instagram, : Adoption education from the perspective of a birth mother. on Instagram : Two adoptive moms who educate about adoption. “Adopt Well Podcast”, @adoptwell on Instagram : Adoption community, blog, profile books, run by adoptive mom Hannah Eloge. on Instagram : This is the adoption consultant Caitlin and her husband worked with ****** Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy & birth info out there? I got ya covered! to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! /episode/index/show/mommylabornurse/id/33323402

Inducing Labor 101: Your Burning Questions Answered 10/09/2024

Surprise! This Baby Checked In Early at a Hotel?! 10/02/2024

Surprise! This Baby Checked In Early at a Hotel?! *Hi guys! Liesel here. I wanted to let you know that the Mommy Labor Nurse podcast as you know it is currently getting a HUGE facelift! In the meantime, please enjoy this re-air of a fan favorite episode!! And stay tuned to my for updates on when the new and improved Mommy Labor Nurse podcast will be back with all new episodes!* ****** In this episode, Malori shares her hotel birth story with us via c-section, and talks about her fertility struggles. Malori’s Bio: Malori Mayor is a registered nurse, military wife to Mark, and new mom to Max! After an almost 2-year struggle with infertility, holistic treatments, and surgery for endometriosis, Malori and Mark were finally able to conceive their first child. Aside from being a wife and mom, Malori is passionate about helping other women also going through infertility who want to treat it holistically. While going through infertility herself, she began helping others share their stories of infertility and miscarriage on her blog, and also started a podcast, Restoring Fertility Naturally. Malori spent most of her pregnancy in Germany, where her husband was stationed with the Army, and then gave birth to Max after moving to California. In whatever little free time she has, she enjoys reading a good book, baking, and going on neighborhood walks with her little family and their German Shepherd, Zoey. Malori’s Birth Story: Other than moving from Germany to California in my third trimester, I had a pretty easy and normal pregnancy and planned on an unmedicated birth. We lived in a hotel for most of my third trimester while waiting on military housing, so I was fully prepared to bring home our new baby to a hotel room. But otherwise I expected all to go smoothly. I got the biggest surprise of my pregnancy when I went to my 40 week appointment and it was found that baby boy was breech! He had been head down just the week prior. My doctor reviewed all the options with me and I opted for a version the next morning and then would wait it out for natural labor to start. However, baby boy had other plans! I went into labor that evening, as we were moving items into the house we had just gotten the keys to. I was totally in denial that it was labor but finally realized that the contractions weren’t Braxton Hicks anymore! My doctor had me come to the hospital to get checked around 12:30am, and Maximilian John was born via c-section at 1:54am on January 8, 2020! He was born healthy, pink, and screaming, and him being laid on my chest with my husband by my side was incredibly glorious. Even though a c-section was my last choice, that moment was priceless and a beautiful culmination of all our fertility struggles. Max is now 8 months old and is such a happy and active boy! You can find Malori on social media here: IG: Blog: YouTube: Resources from the episode: Malori’s podcast where she goes into further details about infertility: This is the model of treatment that Malori used for infertility: ****** Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy & birth info out there? I got ya covered! to get helpful and supportive C-section tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox! to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! /episode/index/show/mommylabornurse/id/33107157

Across the Pond: UK vs. US Maternity Care with Midwife Marley 09/25/2024

Birth it Up Success Story: How This Mom Rocked Her Labor 09/18/2024

From Darkness to Light: A Mom's Brave Journey Through Postpartum Depression 09/11/2024

From Darkness to Light: A Mom's Brave Journey Through Postpartum Depression *Hi guys! Liesel here. I wanted to let you know that the Mommy Labor Nurse podcast as you know it is currently getting a HUGE facelift! In the meantime, please enjoy this re-air of a fan favorite episode!! And stay tuned to my for updates on when the new and improved Mommy Labor Nurse podcast will be back with all new episodes!* ****** In this episode, my friend Mallory shares her experience with postpartum depression and later I do a Q&A answering your questions about it. Here are the questions I go over in the Q&A! What should I do if I need help? What are some of the common treatment methods? Are there certain risk factors? What should I say to people if they think I’m fine, because I don’t look sick? How long will it take for me to feel better? Mallory’s Bio: Mallory is a mom to two sweet kids, ages 3.5 and 8 months who fill her heart with joy and her home with mess and never-ending laundry! She and her husband live in Nashville, TN and Mallory spends her time outside the home helping parents and school personnel provide the best services for their kids with special needs. She is a contributing writer for Scary Mommy, the Mighty, and Wallet Path and can be found online at , or by email at . Resources from the episode: , by Henry Cloud , by Laurie Short , by Sara Hagerty ****** Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy & birth info out there? I got ya covered! to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! /episode/index/show/mommylabornurse/id/32880907

Beyond the Baby Blues: Dr. Ream's Guide to Perinatal Mental Health 09/04/2024

Beyond the Baby Blues: Dr. Ream's Guide to Perinatal Mental Health *Hi guys! Liesel here. I wanted to let you know that the Mommy Labor Nurse podcast as you know it is currently getting a HUGE facelift! In the meantime, please enjoy this re-air of a fan favorite episode!! And stay tuned to my for updates on when the new and improved Mommy Labor Nurse podcast will be back with all new episodes!* ****** In this episode, we dive into all things mental health! I sat down with Dr. Ashurina Ream, a licensed clinical psychologist with advanced training in perinatal mental health! We talk about a range of topics including: Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Anxiety, Prenatal Mood Disorders, Coping Skills, & more! Dr. Ream’s Bio: Dr. Ashurina Ream, PMH-C is a licensed clinical psychologist with advanced training in perinatal mental health. Her passion to help pregnant and postpartum families arose after becoming a mother herself. She recognized the limited support and education in the community regarding the care for women. This resulted in her pursuing additional education as well as creating resources for those impacted by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. In addition to this specialty, Dr. Ream has trained in various disciplines as it pertains to the field of psychology. She has worked with those struggling with body image, eating disorders, parenting, health-related mood impairment, cognitive functioning, and general mental health. You can find Dr. Ream on social media here: Instagram: Website: Resources from the episode: Her postpartum support group on FB can be found here: ****** Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy & birth info out there? I got ya covered! to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again! to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. And be sure to follow on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! /episode/index/show/mommylabornurse/id/32866647

BabyCenter's Robin Hilmantel on the Realities of Postpartum Life! 👩‍🍼🤯 08/28/2024

BabyCenter's Robin Hilmantel on the Realities of Postpartum Life! 👩‍🍼🤯 This week I had Robin Hilmantel on the podcast! Robin is the senior director of editorial strategy and growth at , an online parenting resource and pregnancy . She has more than a decade of experience in health and lifestyle reporting, writing and editing. Robin works closely with the research team at BabyCenter to conduct studies with moms that produce impactful reports on important topics like maternal health, child care, family finances, and much more. She currently resides in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she enjoys spending her nonworking hours with her husband, three sons (Marlow, Wylie, and Hobbes), and tripod dog (Kiwi). Here are things we talked about! 👇 Can you start by telling us a bit about the research BabyCenter conducted on postpartum care and the main findings? As a mom of three, can you share your personal postpartum care experiences and how they aligned or differed from the research findings? What steps can new moms take to better prepare for their own care during the postpartum period? Can you provide some practical tips for new moms to manage their self-care during the demanding postpartum period? How important are support networks, and what types of support should new moms seek out? Additionally, could you discuss how the high cost of childcare impacts these support networks and the overall wellbeing of new moms? How is BabyCenter working to support new moms in the postpartum period through its content and resources? Based on your insights and research, what trends do you see emerging in the area of postpartum care over the next few years? Resources: You can download the BabyCenter app here: iOS: Google Play: Check out the research we discuss from BabyCenter on postpartum support care gaps for moms, with additional resources for moms: Resources for postpartum mental health support: Emergency assistance is available 24/7 at 911 The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988 The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) Postpartum Support International Helpline 800-944-4773 SAMHSA’s National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP(4357) You can find BabyCenter (@BabyCenter) on all social platforms Instagram: Twitter/X: Facebook: YouTube: TikTok: -- LinkedIn: /episode/index/show/mommylabornurse/id/32770387