During a hospital birth, labor and delivery nurses are an essential part of your birth team, even though you may have never met them before. In this episode, Mandy Irby and I talk about ways to foster that connection. We also discuss why nurses may love and hate birth plans, how to navigate triage, the difference between hospital rules and body rules, why IV sticks can be so tricky, the poorly named fundal massage, and oh, so much more. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-labor-nurse

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If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to subscribe! It’s FREE!

To get the extra content related to this episode, click to join the Birthful Patreon Community.

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

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Although about 80% percent of mamas start off breastfeeding, by 3 months only about half of them are exclusively breastfeeding. So, what vital information should you know before baby arrives to increase your breastfeeding success? Cindy Leclerc tells us more. Check it out!

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastbreastfeedingprep/

If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!

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For a lot of people, the idea of gaining weight -even if for such a fabulous cause as pregnancy- can be stressful. Genevieve Howland is here to talk about ways you can tackle your anxiety, triggers, and body image issues as well how to easily establish good nutrition habits that can serve you past pregnancy and postpartum. Check it out!

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastweightgain

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

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Today's show is all about nutrition during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant, you’re probably very familiar with all the things you should avoid eating. But can the things you do eat help lower your risks of prematurity, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and other complications? To learn more, I’ll be talking with Amy V. Haas.

We try to make birth practical by measuring, overseeing and monitoring it, when really, it’s an experience that flows seamlessly from one stage to another, taking the birthing woman deep into laborland. How can we better describe what she goes through? Whapio describes the holistic stages of birth and tells us more. In this first episode of a 2 part series, we start with embarking into labor, and just past what is usually considered as transition. Next week we move through the “rest and be thankful” phase, all the way to the birth of the baby, the magic that happens in the first moments, and the weaving of the story that goes on for ever.

4 stories, one Mighty Mama - We continue on our “Birth Stories” for the summer series! Megan Othling is here to tell us about her four - yup four-  birth stories.  She explains how birth can happens as much in your head as in your body, and how facing the unexpected feelings you are having for your child can be just what’s needed for them to be born. Check it out!

What are the 4 components of pain? Does pain equate suffering? If the signal doesn’t make it to the brain, is it pain? And how can you (and your partner!) change that signal before it arrives? Pain specialist Julie Bonapace has answers. Check it out!

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastworkingwithpain/

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Today we are going to be talking about what it means to go into birth intuitively. If you’ve never been pregnant before, you’ve probably wondered how will I know when labor starts? Only to have moms tell you “oh, you’ll know” - but what else will you know, and how can you use it to your advantage during labor? To learn more, today I'll be talking to the extremely perceptive Lesley Everest.

It’s not called labor for nothing, but is there a purpose to the pain? What happens when you stop thinking of birth as an emergency, and start seeing it as a physiological emergence? If you assume that your confidence will falter, then, can preparing differently help you have a better experience? Rhea Dempsey tells us more. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-purpose-labor-pain

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It’s extremely common for pushing stages to be managed, with laboring people reclining on their backs and being told to grab behind their knees and pull them open towards their ears, while tucking their chins, and holding their breath for a count of 10. Is this really the best way? Does it support physiology? And what effect does it have on the baby, and on the perineum that’s receiving the brunt of that exertion? The fabulous Whapio is here to tell us more. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-pushing-stage

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Today’s show is about the essential preparation you need, in order to have the birth you want. Did you know that choosing your care provider and where to give birth, can greatly determine the type of birth you have? What things do you need to consider? Will a birth plan help or hurt? In this episode, I’ll help you find that answers.

Today we are celebrating 2 million downloads for the podcast, and so I’m doing things a bit differently. Instead of our regular episodes, this is going to be a minisode with some of my favorite birth mantras to convey physiology and help you navigate labor, but since we hit two million downloads, I’ll be sharing these mantras over two minisodes. You get one today and another next week. These mantras are part of what I talk about with my doulas clients during prenatals, so hopefully they will prove super useful for you as well, and maybe - in a way - I’ll be there in spirit during your birth, cheering you on. Check it out. 

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-birth-mantras-part-1

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

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We’ve reached the last story for this year’s “Birth Stories” for the summer series! Today’s story has a special twist, as we get to hear both parent’s version of it. Aside from healthy mom and healthy baby, Celeste Bancos’ other birth goals were of to avoid getting an epidural, and to not whine.. She, and her husband Claudiu are here to share how she achieved that. Check it out!

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/birthstory30

If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!

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Birth is filled with uncertainty, and with that come the fears and what ifs: what if something goes wrong, what if the pain is too much, what if my wishes aren’t respected, What if I need a cesarean, what if I poop? All are valid, but not very helpful feelings. So how can you deal with them? Alexia Leachman has answers. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastbirthfears

If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

As humans, we’ve got enormous energy-hungry brains, made up of rare building blocks. How does your pregnant body and the placenta build your baby’s brain from scratch, and what should you eat before, during and after pregnancy to help it be the healthiest? Dr. Theresa Nesbitt has the answers. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastgrowahealthybrain

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

Today's focus is on laid-back breastfeeding. Also know as baby-led latching, biological nurturing or self-attachment. But no matter what you call it,  this incredibly natural approach can really help you and your baby get breastfeeding off to a great start. To tell us more, I'll be talking with the ever insightful Attie Sandink.

Have you considered what motherhood means to you, and how you are going to integrate that, with your current identity? How do you feel about the words sacrifice and devotion? Sophie McEntee is here to tell us why becoming a mom can be such a messy process, and what you can do to prepare. Check it out!

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-identity-shift

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

Mariah Robinson has had four very different birth stories, that include a traumatic vaginal birth with an epidural, two inductions with one ending in a cesarean, and an unplanned home birth with fetal ejection reflex, than involved her tablecloth. For this last one, she also put in a lot of work to get over her fears of an unmedicated birth. Stay tuned.

Vote for our SXSW panel! Go to panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote and search for Tectonic Shifts in Childbirth Today.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-unplanned-home-birth-no-fear-story

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

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The thought of vaginal tearing can make any woman cringe. And let’s not even think about episiotomies. Are there ways to avoid tearing? What’s the evidence behind perineal massage, kegels and squats? Will being told how to push make things worse? Rachel Reed tells us more about protecting your perineum during birth.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-protecting-perineum-tear

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When you’re expecting, anxiety and worrying seem to take center stage, especially if you are categorized as high-risk. What can you do with these feelings? Can they affect your and your baby’s health? How do you make the mind-body connection work for you, to put this anxiety in its place? Parijat Deshpande has answers. Check it out!

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-anxious-mind-pregnancy

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Today we’re exploring if there is such a thing as too much exercise during pregnancy. It’s common knowledge that you should stay active while expecting. Walking, swimming, and doing prenatal yoga can all be super helpful, but what about barre, crossfit, and weightlifting? Deb Flashenberg has answers. Check it out!

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast_exercise

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Toni DeAztlan Smith went into her first birth without doing much research and naively trusting the system. After an eye-opening traumatic experience that took over 6 years to process, Toni was finally ready to take birth into her own hands and proactively turn it from something you endure to something that is empowering. Her second birth was a powerfully healing experience that culminated in a thrilling oxytocin high. Go listen.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-proactive-birth-after-trauma

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More and more, we’re acknowledging the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Let’s take it one step further, to consider how the uterus connects to general health. What happens to the uterus during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum? Why is it important to restore the uterus after having a baby. Valerie Lynn has answers. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-restore-uterus-postpartum

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For her second VBAC, Kristen Bowles was almost sent home from the hospital, when she wasn’t progressing past 2 cm after more than 4 hours. As they were getting ready to leave, her water broke, and then she went from 4 cms to pushing unexpectedly fast, even though she was sitting on the edge of the bed about to get an epidural. Go listen.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-nonlinear-2VBAC-story

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Today we’re taking a closer look at nutrition during pregnancy. You’ve probably heard you should stay away from raw fish, soft cheeses, deli meats, and runny eggs - but is this really the case? Does avoiding these foods keep you from getting the nutrition you really need for your health and your baby’s development? Lily Nichols has answers. Check it out!

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-Pregnancy-Diet-Nutrition-What-to-Eat

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Anya Cutler had originally planned to give birth at a birth center with midwives, then at 36.5 weeks and after trying practically everything possible to encourage her baby to flip, she ended up transferring care to an OB-GYN that was experienced in vaginal breech delivery. Go listen.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-breech-vaginal-birth

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During a hospital birth, labor and delivery nurses are an essential part of your birth team, even though you may have never met them before. In this episode, Mandy Irby and I talk about ways to foster that connection. We also discuss why nurses may love and hate birth plans, how to navigate triage, the difference between hospital rules and body rules, why IV sticks can be so tricky, the poorly named fundal massage, and oh, so much more. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-labor-nurse

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For Shea Cole, getting pregnant was easy, the trick was staying pregnant. After 3 miscarriages, getting to the end of a pregnancy was a huge mix of happiness and relief, yet it brought along its own set of unusual circumstances like Shea breaking her leg, having a stranger break into her house, and her water breaking 78 hours before the birth of her daughter. Go listen.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-birth-center-birth-after-loss

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Between body aches, a mind that won’t quiet down, heartburn, and the never-ending trips to the bathroom, getting a good night's sleep while pregnant can seem like an impossible goal. So what can you do to make it better, and will doing these things improve your family’s sleep after baby arrives? Mar Oscategui has answers. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at birthful.com/podcast-pregnancy-sleep

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When Hailey’s water broke, and contractions didn’t follow, she felt the clock ticking. She proceeded to try all the things, including a natural induction method suggested by her midwife that did the trick. However, she also had an immense desire for chicken nuggets. Go listen.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-PROM-waterbirth

Pre-register for my FREE talk at the GOLD Perinatal online conference, happening Oct. 28. 

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Does your baby sleep with an open mouth? Do they make noise when breathing? Are they copious droolers? Do they have lip blisters? Do they hate tummy time, or have a lot of reflux? These are signs that oral function may need to be evaluated, but why does optimal oral function matter? Michelle Emanuel has answers. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-optimal-oral-function-breastfeeding

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

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Through her four vaginal birth experiences, Jessica Bower has had a bit of everything including her water breaking without labor, inductions, navigating gestational diabetes, shoulder dystocia, back labor, sterile water injection, and more. For her 4th birth, Jessica wanted an unmedicated vaginal birth at a birth center but ended up at the hospital with a version and 39-week  induction. It still was a glorious experience on her own terms. Go listen.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-GD-induction-waterbirth

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

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During pregnancy and birth, it has somehow become OK for others to tell those giving birth, what they can and cannot do with their bodies, even when being subjected to unsafe care and in violation of their human and legal rights. So what can you do about it? Cristen Pascucci tells us more. Check it out!

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

Alena LeShack went from not knowing anything about birth and considering a scheduled cesarean to preparing for -and having- an unmedicated birth. She had a flowing and empowering hospital birth, fueled by her confidence, the support of her team, and even a little dose of Virtual Reality. Check it out.

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

I’m Adriana Lozada, and today I’ll be talking with Rebecca Dekker about Evidence Based Care, how it relates to Florence Nightingale, why it matters and how to bring its three components into your maternity care. We also talk about the evidence for using Castor oil as an induction method and much more. Stay tuned. 

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-evidence-based-care-castor-oil

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

Laura Kline-Taylor spent most of her first pregnancy preparing for motherhood while healing from infidelity, and then had three days to get ready for an unexpected breech cesarean. Second time around, both she and her husband were in a much better place to come together to celebrate this new pregnancy, and intentionally prepare for an unmedicated VBAC. How was she transformed? Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-VBAC-after-breech-cesarean-story

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

Elimination Communication it’s a way of responding to your baby’s pottying cues that can lead to being diaper free. This is what everyone did before diapers were invented, and how half the babies on Earth are currently potty independent by age one. Intrigued? Andrea Olson is here to tell us more. 

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-elimination-communication

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

Mariah Robinson has had four very different birth stories, that include a traumatic vaginal birth with an epidural, two inductions with one ending in a cesarean, and an unplanned home birth with fetal ejection reflex, than involved her tablecloth. For this last one, she also put in a lot of work to get over her fears of an unmedicated birth. Stay tuned.

Vote for our SXSW panel! Go to panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote and search for Tectonic Shifts in Childbirth Today.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-unplanned-home-birth-no-fear-story

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

Returning to work can be a pivotal moment on your breastfeeding journey that stirs up all sorts of feelings. How can you prepare yourself, your baby, you caregivers and your workplace to set you up for physiological and emotional success? Robin Kaplan has answers. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-back-to-work-breastfeeding-emotions

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Click to join the Birthful Patreon Community, and get the extra content related to this episode

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)

Despite living with Type 1 Diabetes since she was 5, Yana was determined to have a vaginal birth for her first birth, even though the induction requirement caught her by surprise. Second time around, her goal was to no only have another vaginal birth, but to do so without an induction. Check out how Yana took charge and advocated very matter-of-factly, in order to have the unmedicated, vaginal birth of her healthy child, on her own terms. Check it out.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-vaginal-diabetes-birth-story

Support our sponsors: 

Subscribe to Unspoken Stories for free wherever you get your podcasts or listen at UnspokenStories.org

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If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to subscribe!

Click to join the Birthful Patreon Community, and get the extra content related to this episode

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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)