Podcasts about delivery nurse

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, Birth Story Friday, Mikala shares her experience of a planned home birth that necessitated a hospital transfer due to her baby's elevated heart rate. Mikala discusses her extensive preparation for an unmedicated home birth, her quick labor progression, and the challenging decision to transfer to a hospital. Despite the hospital transfer and some minor frictions, Mikala's story emphasizes the importance of preparation, flexibility, and surrendering to the process of birth. The episode also highlights the significance of creating comprehensive birth plans, being well-informed, and having support systems like doulas. Tune in for insights on navigating unexpected birth experiences and maintaining a positive outlook!00:00 Introduction to Birth Story Friday01:16 Meet Mikala: Preparing for a Home Birth06:00 The Unexpected Turn: Hospital Transfer13:21 Labor and Delivery at the Hospital24:42 Post-Birth Reflections and Advice36:52 Conclusion and ResourcesOther episodes about choosing your birth team/location:102: Empowering Birth: Insights from OB/GYN Nicole Rankins: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/yWJX1Dt3zTb93: How to Choose Your Birth Team for an Empowering Birth: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/bWYaf9D3zTb71: Community Birth: Giving Birth Outside of a Hospital Setting: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7GTCoK60mqTGYRqyY1oLyc?si=gwpRPprQQgipF-PymysNgA55: Birth Planning Tips from Labor & Delivery Nurse and Doula: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/lKE6f2T3zTb

Send us a textExciting News! Our very own host Naiomi Catron—award-winning Labor & Delivery Nurse and IBCLC—is not only sharing her expert insights in this episode but also launching her very own breastfeeding book. Get an inside look at the story behind this groundbreaking resource designed to fill the gaps in lactation care and support families like never before.In this episode, Naiomi steps into the spotlight, inviting her very own editor, Jessica Noel, to interview her to share the real reasons behind her new breastfeeding book. Drawing from years of experience as a nurse and IBCLC, she opens up about the common gaps in breastfeeding support—basic but crucial knowledge that many parents never hear. Naiomi talks about why so many families feel confused or like they've “failed,” especially when their experience doesn't match the textbook. She also shares the motivation behind putting all these insights into a book, so future generations won't have to struggle through the same questions again.Tune in to hear:

ICYMI: Hour One of ‘Later, with Mo'Kelly' Presents – Thoughts on the L.A. Metro's symposium to allay “uncertainty about riding public transit in LA County”…PLUS - Nedra Gayles, RN ~ ‘Labor & Delivery Nurse, MemorialCare Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach' joins the program with an in-depth look at the one-day strike announced by Registered Nurses at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center (LBMC) - on KFI AM 640…Live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app & YouTube @MrMoKelly

ICYMI: ‘Later, with Mo'Kelly' Presents – A conversation with Nedra Gayles, RN ~ ‘Labor & Delivery Nurse, MemorialCare Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach,' who joins the program with an in-depth look at the one-day strike announced by Registered Nurses at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center (LBMC) - on KFI AM 640…Live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app & YouTube @MrMoKelly

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker is joined by Trish Ware, Registered Nurse, childbirth educator, and host of The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama. With 16 years of labor and delivery nursing experience, Trish shares her journey from feeling disempowered during her first birth to becoming an advocate for changing the birth culture one birth at a time. Tune in as Trish and Rebecca discuss how to effectively advocate for yourself during labor, overcome fears of being "that patient," and navigate common labor scenarios like refusing unnecessary interventions. Learn tips for building a strong birth team, empowering your partner to advocate for you, and ensuring your voice is heard in the delivery room.   (01:31) Trish's Journey to Becoming a Labor and Delivery Nurse (05:42) Early Birth Experiences and the Importance of Advocacy (10:59) The Power of Human Dignity During C-Sections (13:38) Why Parents Struggle to Advocate for Themselves (17:07) Changing the Power Dynamic in the Labor Room (20:43) Thinking Outside the Bed: Encouraging Movement in Labor (25:43) Advocating for Yourself with Simple, Firm Responses (34:57) Protecting Yourself Against Unwanted Interventions (38:59) Empowering Birth Partners to Advocate Effectively (43:31) Building Strong Birth Teams with Nurses and Doulas   Resources Join the virtual EBB Conference here.  Explore birth classes and the Mama Membership at Labor Nurse Mama. Listen to The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama podcast here. Follow Trish on Instagram for educational content and reels: @LaborNurseMama. Learn about induction and informed consent with the Induction Pocket Guide here. For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

The other day I overheard some students discussing whether to hire a doula for their birth, or rely on the support of labor and delivery staff. As L&D nurse experiences vary from hospital to hospital, I felt this was an important topic to explore. In this episode, we'll dive into the role of a labor and delivery nurse, what to expect, and some insider tips—straight from an L&D nurse herself! Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Caitlin Jeanmougin. Caitlin is a registered nurse with 21 years of experience caring for childbearing families. She has a master's degree in Nursing Education as well as a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. She spent 17 years providing inpatient care in Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, High-Risk Antepartum, and the Special Care Nursery and currently is employed as a full-time professor in an undergraduate nursing program teaching Maternal/Newborn Nursing. Caitlin is an E-RYT200 with over 14 years of experience, an RPYT with 6 years of experience, and a Certified Spinning Babies Parent Educator. By covering how L&D nurses provide support, insights on epidurals, the challenges and rewards of the job, and some tips for expectant parents, this episode is packed with valuable information. Enjoy our incredible guest, Caitlin! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don't forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quincey Lindemann is a full time labor and delivery nurse who wanted to build a better life for her family. Tune in live to hear how she is building an online audience through unique and relatable content creation.Subscribe to Legendary Marketer on YoutubeFollow Legendary Marketer on FacebookFollow Dave on InstagramFollow Quincey on Instagram

Join HeHe in an enlightening conversation with Nurse Dawn from Pivotal Birth to discuss the critical aspects of creating a birth plan and the importance of effective communication with medical staff during labor and delivery. Dawn shares her rich experience working in multiple hospitals and introduces the innovative PIVOT plan approach to improve birth experiences. Learn how to set clear expectations, handle unexpected pivots like C-sections and epidurals, and ensure that your values and preferences are respected throughout your birth journey. This episode is a must-watch for expecting parents looking to optimize their hospital birth experience and for healthcare professionals aiming to enhance patient care.   06:37 The Importance of Birth Plans 07:38 Experiences with Birth Plans in Hospitals 10:55 Advice for Communicating Birth Plans 15:04 Introducing the PIVOT Plan 16:28 Breaking Down the PIVOT Plan 18:22 The Role of Communication in Birth 24:58 Navigating Hospital Policies and Biases 35:23 Engaging with Medical Assessments 36:48 Introducing Birth Preferences to Hospital Staff 38:48 Understanding Individual Needs During Birth 49:44 The Importance of Childbirth Classes 51:33 Navigating Unexpected Diagnoses 54:17 Coping with Birth Plan Changes 56:49 Handling Unexpected C-Sections 01:04:02 Final Thoughts and Resources GUEST BIO:  Dawn Hancock is a seasoned Labor and Delivery Nurse certified in Obstetric Nursing, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Lactation Counselor and Board Certified Nurse Coach. She has worked exclusively in maternal child care in the hospital setting and in the home as well. She is passionate about empowering women and their partners to advocate for the care they desire for themselves and their newborns.   Her own experiences in childbirth with her three children prompted her to go into Nursing for Labor and Delivery.   Dawn is the founder of Pivotal Birth LLC where she hosts The Bridging Birth Membership. This membership provides on-demand Childbirth Education Classes, her Breastfeeding Starting Strong Course and live Q&A Sessions 2 times a month where members can come ask questions, share stories and build community. Nurse Dawn can be found on all platforms @pivotalbirth   SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on IG   Connect with Dawn on IG Connect with Dawn on TikTok   BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience! Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!    LINKS MENTIONED: Sign up for Dawn's Pivotal Birth Workshop here.  Use code HeHe10 at Www.pivotalbirth.com for a special discount for our listeners!

In this episode, Heather sits down with Shelly Flynn, owner of Velvet Wrecking Ball Myofascial Release in Lake Elsinore, California. Shelly, who is also a labor and delivery nurse, shares her journey from discovering myofascial release to building her own practice.  Starting a business, however, was not without its hurdles. Shelly candidly shares her initial struggles with technology, finding clients, and the unexpected closure of her first office space. Yet, she remained resilient, leveraging her coaching support and networking opportunities to build a strong referral network and overcome these challenges. Tune in to hear Shelly's full story and gain insights into building a successful MFR practice.    FEATURED ON THE SHOW —

“Whatever happens, I just want it to be peaceful, and I want to be present.”Kerri is a labor and delivery nurse born and raised in Kentucky. The only thing on her first birth plan was not to have a C-section, yet it became her reality. We know many of you can relate.She had a medically necessary induction at 36 weeks due to preeclampsia. Kerri describes her experience with getting magnesium, aka a “flu in a bag”, seeing double and going in for a C-section. Her surgery was straightforward, but Kerri felt very out of it and disconnected. Kerri was very intentional about her plans for a VBAC. Her birth team was on board and supported her requests. Throughout her pregnancy, Kerri's greatest desire was to feel present for the moment of birth no matter the outcome. When labor stalled and baby had a hard time engaging, Kerri felt peaceful about requesting a second C-section. With things happening on her terms, Kerri's birth was the peaceful and healing experience she hoped it would be.Evidence Based BirthⓇ - The Evidence on VBACEvidence Based BirthⓇ - COVID ResourcesNeeded WebsiteHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull Transcript under Episode Details Meagan: Hello, Women of Strength. We have a CBAC story coming your way today. If you did not know what CBAC means, that is Cesarean Birth After Cesarean. This is a topic that a lot of people avoid. I don't know, tell me, Kerri, who is sharing her story today. Do you feel like CBAC stories are sometimes avoided when you are preparing for a VBAC?Kerri: I think so. I know I avoided that as I prepared for my own attempted VBAC. Meagan: Yeah. Kerri: Yeah. I think that CBAC is something that we try to avoid because we all hope for that VBAC. Meagan: Yeah. We overlook it and it actually breaks my heart. I encourage everyone to listen, especially if they are wanting to VBAC, every VBAC story, but as well as every CBAC story for a lot of reasons. One, understanding maybe what led to another CBAC and two, the healing and the fact that it can be a peaceful experience. It's not the end. There are so many things to CBAC, I think, that are missed. It's the same thing with uterine rupture stories or things like that. I'm not wanting that, so I don't want to listen to that. Now, I don't want to shame anyone if they skip over a CBAC story, but I really encourage everybody to listen to all of these stories because they are empowering. They are uplifting, and they are going to help you grow in ways that you may not even know. Before we get into cute Kerri's episode, I wanted to share a review. This was actually left a little bit ago too, actually. It was in 2022. No, 2021. It says, “Going for my VBAC after two C-section in 2022”. It says, “Thank you so much for this valuable resource. I have been listening to your podcast since early in my second pregnancy. I found out I was expecting again 9 months after my CBAC, and I was immediately and depressed that I would be going through all of that all over again very soon. I am now 14 weeks, and I'm drawing strength every day from the stories you share. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have hope this time that it will be different.” Now, that's another good note to have. Even if you do have a CBAC, that doesn't mean that's the end. That also may mean you find healing in that, and you want future CBACs, right? You want to schedule that CBAC. I love that note about healing and strength. That's what all of these episodes are doing. Okay, Kerri. I am so happy that you are here. You are in Kentucky.Kerri: Yes. Meagan: Okay, were you in Kentucky for both of your births? Are you from Kentucky?Kerri: I have lived in the same small town my whole life. I live just outside of Lexington. It's a little bit bigger than it used to be, but it's still a small town to me. Meagan: Okay. Kerri: I have lived in Lexington my whole life. I gave birth at the same hospital where I was born. Meagan: Yeah, me too. I would say I'm boring. I'm boring. I haven't been anywhere, but I don't think it's boring, actually. I love Utah. I've been born and raised here. I actually gave birth at the same hospital for my C-sections and with the same provider who gave birth to me. Kerri: Oh, that's so funny. That's wild. Meagan: Kind of crazy, huh. Well, thank you so much for being here today and sharing your beautiful stories. I'd love to turn the time over to you. Kerri: Yeah. I'm so excited to share. I've listened to this podcast quite a bit since my first C-section, so I'm really excited to be on today.Meagan: Well, thank you for being here. Kerri: My first pregnancy was already a surprise pregnancy. Me and my husband had just gotten married, and a month and a half later found out we were pregnant. It was already quite a bit of a surprise being pregnant. You know, pregnancy went well. The first trimester went well. Around 28 weeks, I had gotten COVID. This was November of ‘21. COVID was still fresh. I had gotten COVID, and I made it through that. I thought everything was going well, but from that point on, I just was feeling more and more sick. I had been a nurse for a while, but I was a new nurse to labor and delivery. I was working night shifts, so I just really attributed the way I felt to working nights. I'm just pregnant. I'm working the night shifts. This is probably what's wrong with me. Around 35 weeks, I just started feeling miserable. I had an appointment with a provider who wasn't my provider, but he was a provider I had worked with. At that appointment, my blood pressure was elevated. He said, “Let's just get a preeclampsia panel, and do a 24-hour urine just to be safe and see what's going on.”I did that, and I turned in my 24-hour urine. I went to work that night. That shift was miserable. I don't know how I made it through that shift, but I did. I got off that morning, and the provider called me that morning. He was like, “You have preeclampsia. You cannot work anymore. You're on light duty at home, and you're being induced at 37 weeks.” That was already quite a bit of a shock. I had been around birth just enough as a labor and delivery nurse. I had just already in my head pictured this beautiful birth experience that you see on Instagram, and I'm like, “This is already not happening for me.” He tells me that. I'm home for a few days, and I'm just feeling more miserable as I'm home. After that phone call a few days later, I checked my blood pressure, and it's severe at home. It's over 160/110. Being the nurse I am, they say nurses make the worst patients. I was just like, “I'm going to ignore this for a little bit, and we'll just see if this gets any better.” I check it again later that afternoon, and it's still super high. I called my husband, and we decided to go to the hospital. We get there, and my blood pressure was high, but it was not severe enough to do anything about it. They were like, “Let's just keep you overnight and see what you do.” Over the 24-hour period of being there for observation, my blood pressures just went up and up. I had some more severe, and they were like, “You know, it's time to have a baby.” I was just shy of 36 weeks at this point. They started a magnesium infusion to help with the preeclampsia.Meagan: Blood pressure. Ugh, did it make you feel yucky?Kerri: Oh, yes. Magnesium is awful. I feel for anybody who has to be on that. It was awful. We call it flu in a bag, and it truly is that. Meagan: Flu in a bag. Okay. I've never heard of that, but I can understand that based off of the way I've seen my clients feel. Kerri: Yeah, that's exactly how you feel. Flu in a bag. It just makes you feel yucky. We started that, and we started the induction process. We started with the Foley bulb. We put that in. That was in until the next morning, and it comes out. When it came out, I think I was 3 centimeters, but not very effaced. It was just an artificial 3, a Foley bulb 3. They were like, “You know, your cervix isn't very favorable. Let's do some Cytotec.”We did a few doses of Cytotec. They rechecked me after that. It was still not very favorable. I think this was the evening at that point. They were like, “Let's just take a break, let you have a meal, and we'll try this again.” We do that, and then we start Pitocin. We did that all night. The next morning, my provider checks me. I'm finally a 4. I was ecstatic. I was like, “Oh, I've made some change.” I was really excited. They checked me. I was 4. They break my water, and they're like, “Let's just see what happens.” I had gotten an epidural at that point because I was already pretty miserable from being on magnesium and all of these induction agents. I was like, “I really need some rest.” I was already epiduralized. The nurse who was taking care of me at the time was a really good friend of mine. She was like, “Let's do everything that we can to try to have this baby vaginally.” She did Spinning Babies. We did all of the positions that we could. They checked me again later and I was a 5. I was ecstatic, like, okay. We're doing something there. A few hours later, I'm starting to feel pretty miserable, more miserable than I had felt before. I look over at the computer, and I'm seeing double. I call out to my friend. I'm like, “I don't know if this is normal, but I'm seeing two of everything.” She was like, “No, it's not.” She calls my provider. He said, “Let's draw a magnesium level. Let's see what's going on.” So they did. My magnesium level was high. They decided, “Let's just recheck you. We'll see you if you made change. If not, we'll have to have a section.”They checked me. I was still a 5 at that point. They decided with everything that was going on, it was probably in the best interest of the situation to have a section. I agreed, but I was heartbroken. My whole pregnancy, my only birth plan was don't have a C-section, and at that moment, that was my reality. Everybody who was with me that day, they were my coworkers. They witnessed me have a full-blown panic attack over it, but everybody made it through that with me. They loved on me, then we finally went back to the C-section. I'm pretty out of it from the magnesium at this point and just having labored so long. They started the section. I felt like I could feel more than what I probably should have been able to feel. I let them know, and once they got the baby out, they gave me ketamine just to help with my pain. I was knocked out for 12 hours, so I don't remember my baby's birth at all. Meagan: That's hard. Kerri: Yeah. It was really hard. I feel like the moment I actually realized I had a baby was the next morning. There's a video where I'm like, “Oh my goodness.”Meagan: Yeah. Yeah. Were you feeling any better by then?Kerri: I was still under magnesium, but I was feeling better. Meagan: Good. Kerri: The protocol, at least at the hospital that I work at in, is magnesium 24 hours postpartum just to make sure you still don't– Meagan: Yes, that is how it is here too, then they'll recheck things and if blood pressures are still elevated or anything like that, and if levels are elevated, then they'll remain, and if not, then they'll take you off. Kerri: Yeah, we did that for 24 hours. Once that was off, I finally got to go up to the mother/baby unit. I started to feel more normal at that point, but just that whole experience, I felt like I was just not even a part of. I was just there having the baby, but I didn't feel like I was actually there having a baby. Meagan: Yeah. Yeah. Did that carry onto the postpartum and future as stuff to process for you, or did it feel okay? Kerri: That was very hard for me because I worked with birth every day. I got to see these beautiful moments of people having their baby, and I didn't feel like I had gotten that. I don't remember my baby being born. You know, it's different. I had pictures, but nothing quite as good as remembering that. That was very hard, and it really affected me for a long time. You know, it still does. I would have loved to have been present in that moment. That just wasn't the reality for me. Meagan: Yeah. Have you done things to work through that, or anything to suggest for someone who maybe have experienced that or have been put under anesthesia where they just couldn't remember or be present in their birth?Kerri: For me, my faith is something that is very important to me. Praying and talking with God about it has really been helpful for me. It was still a beautiful moment. I've come to terms with that. Meagan: Good. Good. Okay, so baby number two. Oh, I was going to ask you, with being preterm, did they do a special scar or anything, or were they able to do a regular low transverse?Kerri: Just a regular low transverse incision. Meagan: Awesome. Awesome.Kerri: Yeah. So baby number two, we knew we wanted another one, and honestly, as soon as we were in that hospital room, I remember I told my husband that I never wanted to have a C-section again. When we started thinking about number two, we were going to start working towards having a VBAC. When she was around 20 months, I found out I was pregnant. Prior to the pregnancy, I had done a ton of research on what is the best way to get a VBAC, and what is the best way to prevent preeclampsia which is silly because we know preeclampsia can't necessarily be prevented. Meagan: Yeah, there are things we can do to try to reduce the chances, but there's nothing that we know for sure, concrete that this is what you can do to make sure you don't get it. Kerri: Yeah. My provider did have me start taking low-dose aspirin early on in the pregnancy, and I didn't get it again, but you know, I did all of this research like, what can I do? Looking back now, I think I put too much pressure on myself to try and prevent it. I found out I was pregnant when she was 20 months old, and we were so excited. We were just thrilled. We just couldn't even describe that. I was so excited to start doing what I could in the pregnancy to get my VBAC. That's all I could think about was my VBAC. I remember praying to God. I just prayed that this pregnancy I could have my successful VBAC. Then as the pregnancy got closer to delivery, in my head, I'm like, “I could have another C-section. I need to start thinking about this.” So then I shifted my mindset. I was like, “You know, if I have to have another C-section, it's okay. All we want is a peaceful delivery.” So that's what I kept telling myself every day in my prayers. I was like, “Whatever happens, I just want it to be peaceful, and I want to be present.”Meagan: Yeah, I bet that was a really big deal for you.Kerri: Yes. I just kept saying that every day. That's what we're going to do. Peaceful delivery. Present delivery. I kept telling my coworkers because they were rooting for me. We were going to make this a better experience. My provider the whole pregnancy was great. She was very VBAC-supportive. I did a lot of research prior to the pregnancy about who I wanted to see, and I worked with these providers. It was a hard choice to make. I work with great providers, but I feel very confident in the provider I picked. She took such great care of me, and I'll forever be grateful for her. Towards the end of the pregnancy, me and her had a chat about what are we going to do to get our best attempt at having a VBAC? I ultimately decided that I wanted to be an induced VBAC. Not necessarily that I wanted to be induced, but I needed the peace of mind. I already had a lot of anxiety just because of the last pregnancy, and I just needed an experience where I could at least expect something. This may not end in a successful VBAC, but I really want to try. We scheduled the induced VBAC, and she was like, “This might not work.” We had a lot of conversations about that. She was like, “Induced VBACs aren't always successful,” which I appreciated her saying as a provider. I was like, “This is what I need just for my peace of mind.” We scheduled an induction. Everything was going great. I went in at night. I had gotten a Foley bulb again. My cervix wasn't favorable necessarily. I was 39 weeks on the dot. Maybe if I would have waited a little longer, I would have been more favorable. At that point, I wasn't the most favorable, but I still wanted to go through with it. I had wrapped my head around that that day was going to be her birthday and we were going to go through with it. We started with the Foley bulb, and it stayed in for what felt like forever. They put it in at midnight. It did not come out until 11:00 AM the next day. I was not expecting that because last time, the Foley bulb did not stay in that long. This time, I had made it to 39 weeks, and I was thinking that my cervix would do more, and it just didn't. My provider came in. She was able to get it out. She broke my water, and I was at a 4 at that point. It was ready to come out, but it didn't on its own. I wasn't expecting that. I was expecting a little bit more. Meagan: That can happen. It can be in for up to 12 hours and not fall out. That can happen, but I'm sure after your previous experience, you're like, “Wait. Why isn't this out yet?” Kerri: Yeah. We did that, and I decided she was going to break my water. Me and her and my nurse who was taking care of me was a really good friend. We were like, “Let's just get an epidural because we know that there is a bit of a higher chance for uterine rupture for being an induced VBAC or TOLAC.” Meagan: Were you feeling contractions at this point?Kerri: I was. I was feeling contractions. That was something, I kept telling my husband, that I was really excited about. With the last experience, I was really out of it having been on magnesium and having gotten an epidural so early. I just didn't even feel like I got to experience labor at all. Like I said, I didn't feel like I was a part of that experience. I was really excited this time to be able to experience contractions. While they were very, very painful, I was very grateful to have that experience. I had asked for a few doses of fentanyl. Meagan: Fentanyl?Kerri: Fentanyl, yeah. We used to do [inaudible], but right now, we have fentanyl. I had asked for a few doses of fentanyl, but I really tried to tough it out because I was like, “I really want this experience.” The whole pregnancy, I had been prepping for how I was going to manage labor while I didn't have an epidural. I had a friend who I worked with. She is also a doula, and she is going to school to be a midwife. She had talked me through a few different things that I could do. I had really prepared, and I was really excited to be able to experience some contractions. Meagan: Yeah. Kerri: But we had decided, “Let's get an epidural just to be safe.” We got an epidural, and everything was smooth sailing. We got the epidural. We started some Pitocin. I had asked for peace of mind for me, an IUPC which is the intrauterine contraction monitor because I wanted to know what my uterus was doing. If I was going to be an induced VBAC and I'm going to have a higher risk of rupture, I wanted to know exactly what my uterus was doing, so I asked for one of those to be put in. They put one in. My contractions were adequate. We were moving along. I'm just ecstatic at this point because I'm like, “I have never had adequate contractions. Last time, I made progress, but nothing like this.” I was very, very excited. Throughout the course of the day, me and my friend who was taking care of me decided that we were going to do every Spinning Babies position that we could do. My epidural was just perfect enough. I was able to help move by myself and do all of these positions that I had planned on doing. It was great. I was so excited. They checked me, and I was a 5. I was excited that I had made it a little bit farther than what I had thought I would because last time, I had stayed at a 5 forever. I was at a 5, and I was expecting to just keep making progress. A few hours later, they checked me again, and I was still a 5. My provider is like, “Your pelvis feels very tight, and your baby's head is not applied at all.” So then, I felt crushed in that moment. I had been planning on having this successful VBAC, and it doesn't feel like it's going to happen. Prior to the induction, I had been living in the Miles Circuit and doing everything I could to get her the best engaged she could be. She wasn't doing it. She said, “We'll give it a few more hours.” Meagan: What were your MVUs at this point? Sorry, I just interrupted you. Kerri: I think they were 200. They were adequate. Meagan: Mhmm, cool. Kerri: My contractions had been adequate for a while, and I wasn't on very much Pit. Meagan: Good. Kerri: I was thinking that things were going great. She was like, “We can keep going if you want. I'm going to stay with you. I'm going to do your delivery regardless of the outcome.” We decided we were going to keep going. A few hours later, I get checked again. I'm still 5. Her head's still not applied. My friend who was taking care of me was about to leave because her shift was over. She was like, “We can call it right now, or we can give it another shot.” She said, “You'll never get this experience again, so if you want to keep going, keep going, but if you don't, it's fine.”Kerri: I decided, “I want to keep trying.” I kept trying. Then a few hours later, I was checked again. I was still a 5. Her head was still not engaged, so we decided that we were going to have another C-section. That was heartbreaking. I remember in the moment feeling a little heartbroken, but also feeling at peace about it all in one. Meagan: Yeah, which is important. Kerri: Yeah. We go back for the section. I was nervous about having another section just because my first one was so traumatizing. I wasn't sure how it was going to go. I was really nervous about anesthesia. Is it going to hurt this time? Am I going to be knocked out because I'm feeling too much? The anesthesiologist who took care of me decided, “Let's just give you a spinal.” My epidural had fallen out actually, so she said, “Let's do a spina. Let's make sure you are the most comfortable you can be.” They did that. They started the section. I couldn't feel anything which I'm already thrilled for. I remember just laying there, and I felt so present during the whole thing. My baby came out, and I remember being a part of that moment. There was a clear drape, so I was able to see what was going on. My provider– I feel like we had developed such a good bond. She did everything to make sure that it was a good experience for me and to make sure I was present. Something that was important to me was that my baby would be with me a little bit longer while I was in the OR. I didn't have my baby with me last time, so I really wanted that. I didn't necessarily do skin-to-skin, but I got to hold her. She got to be with me the whole time, and it was perfect. She got to be with me during recovery. That whole birthing experience was just the most beautiful thing.Meagan: Good. So you have been able to walk away feeling positive about a birth experience. Kerri: Yes. That's not something I thought I would get with a C-section. After my first, I had a lot of postpartum anxiety. I had very negative feelings towards C-sections. I didn't enjoy seeing my scar. To me, that was just a reminder of what my body had done to me. I felt betrayed by my body, and for the longest time, I just was ashamed of the fact that I had a C-section. After that experience with my second, I was very proud that I did have a C-section because reality hit me that this isn't the most ideal way to give birth to a baby, but it happens, and thank God they are available, and I have two beautiful babies because of my C-sections, so I'm very, very thankful for them now. Meagan: Yes, good. Good. Kerri: When my husband and I decide to have another one, I'm like, “This will be great because I think that for me, I'll just have another repeat section, and it will be scheduled. It's going to be great, and I'm excited about it.” But it's just something to be able to look back and be able to think of this as such a positive experience as opposed to my first. I wasn't proud of my birth story at all. It was something I carried with me for a long time, and now, I'm thankful that I can have a different perspective about it. Even about my first, my first birth was beautiful in its own way.Meagan: Yeah. It's hard because you don't want to only think about those births as negative or traumatic. You want to pick out the positivity from it, but sometimes it is hard to see all of that, so it's been so great to hear that you– one, it sounds like with your labor, it really was a lot of your choice along the way. You decided this was something you wanted. Your team went with you and then walked with you along the way. In the end, it was able to be something that was a lot more healing. Even though it was still a Cesarean, it was a healing experience for you. You got to have your baby that whole time, and you got to grow through that experience. Like you said, you may choose to have a third C-section, and that's okay. I think that's one of the things I love about this podcast is that it's not if you choose a C-section, you are shamed. That's just not how it is. Everyone needs to choose what is best for them and their individual circumstances. I love that you've been able to go from the furthest end of the extreme to coming back, and then possibly if you have another baby, it sounds like something that you are already looking forward to having an even different experience. I love that you've been able to have that and you can share these stories and you can hold onto these good feelings because it really is important. Kerri: Yes. Even as a labor and delivery nurse, I feel more positive about taking care of women who have C-sections because for the longest time, every time I went into the OR, it brought up feelings from my own first C-section. It was hard to be the best nurse that I could be when I was dealing with my own feelings, so I'm thankful now that I have this perspective of, “This is beautiful in its own way.” Every birth is beautiful. You're bringing your baby into the world. Who cares how it happens? I think we get so wrapped up in God made our bodies to give birth a certain way, and that's just not the reality for some people. I'm thankful we live in a society where C-sections are readily available and we can have them. They can be just as beautiful.Meagan: Yeah. CBACs really can be. My second C-section was very, very healing. I think it was exactly what I needed to have healing from my first birth that I didn't realize I didn't heal from. I was really, really grateful that I had the experience. Again, it wasn't the birth I desired, but it was such a better and healing experience for me. I was really, really grateful for those. Okay, I have two things that I want to talk about. One is preeclampsia. Not even just preeclampsia, but COVID. I was just wondering, as a labor and delivery nurse, have you seen things like preeclampsia or placental issues or anything like that from people who have had COVID during pregnancy? Rebecca Dekker has such an incredible blog, and I'm going to make sure to link it here. I have seen this weird connection with pre-e with a placenta or placental issues that have had COVID. I was just curious if you've seen anything like that. Kerri: You know, I feel like that is something that we've seen more of. I will say I started working as a labor and delivery nurse in 2021, so I can't speak for what nurses saw prior to this, but I do feel like I see a great deal of preeclampsia, especially during that COVID time. Women were having more complications. More women are getting more sick. I don't know if there's a correlation, but I will say that as far as pregnancy goes, it does seem like a lot of pregnancies are becoming more high-risk.Meagan: Because of that? Because of COVID?Kerri: I don't know if it's necessarily COVID or just the way we eat, the way we take care of ourselves, but I feel like during COVID, there were a higher number of combinations whether there's a correlation or not. Meagan: Yeah, that's interesting. I just barely read the most recent update. I need to dive into that more, but I was wondering as a labor and delivery nurse if you had seen that. You mentioned with your first that they had tested you, and your magnesium levels were too high. Are there things that can reduce magnesium levels? Obviously, maybe lowering the magnesium levels that are given, but are there things that can be done in that situation to lower their magnesium levels?Kerri: If your magnesium level is high, we can give you the reversal drug which is calcium gluconate. We can give you that, but we are already inducing, you and it's high, and you're not making very much progress, at that point–Meagan: The provider may not be wanting to do that. Kerri: Yeah, delivery is the best option.Meagan: Yeah, for preeclampsia, which we do know. I was just wondering if there was such a thing that could help. Kerri: Yeah. Ideally, just do what you can to deliver. But you know, that's something that people should talk to their provider about in that moment. Meagan: Yeah. I agree. I agree. Then last but not least, I just wanted to share a little bit more because I think a lot of people do question induction and VBAC. What are the risks? Sometimes, the risks seem astronomical, and sometimes they are not to some people. Everyone takes it differently. I wanted to share some evidence on that. With the risk of induction, it does increase just like you had mentioned. It does increase the risk of uterine rupture when we are induced. It's about a 1.1% if you have Pitocin and about a 2% if you have prostaglandins, and then of course, we know misoprostol. How do you say that?Kerri: Misoprostol, but however you want. Meagan: Yeah. I saw misoprostol, but I've heard people say MYsoprostol. It is about 6%. It definitely increases with certain things that you do. It's about a 1.1%. Uterine rupture in general is just around 1%. It increases it ever so slightly, but it's really important to take the right precautions. A Foley bulb is a fantastic way to start jumpstarting labor, but sometimes it does need to have a little bit of an opening, at least 1 centimeter. Kerri: Where I work, we don't do Cytotec for TOLACs. Meagan: Most people shouldn't.. Kerri: It's a 1 to 1 assignment. Your nurse who is taking care of you wouldn't have another patient. Meagan: Interesting. Kerri: They make sure that all hands are on you and make sure that your uterus is okay. When it came down to me when I was thinking about wanting to TOLAC and hopefully have a VBAC, I looked at the risk. I think it's important. I listened to a podcast. I think it was by Jordan Lee Doulie. She had an OB on her podcast talking about VBAC. He said, “It's important to remember that there is a risk whether you're having a repeat section or you're having a TOLAC.”I really took that to heart. For me, the risk of uterine rupture is small enough that I want to try. I know that I'm going to be in a hospital. I know I'm going to be monitored, and if that's something that's happening, I know I'll be taken care of quickly. I was okay taking the risk. I think that has to be such an individual choice. It does carry risk as well, so that's why I needed to at least give it a shot. I'm somebody that I fully support whoever wants to have a VBAC after two sections, but for me, that's not something I want to do. But as with everything, you have to look at both sides of it and make your decision. Meagan: Yeah. I think that's what we talk about on this podcast. Learn the risks. Learn the facts. Learn what the evidence says, and then follow your heart. What feels right? I appreciate you so much for coming on and sharing your journey. I do love how much you were able to be a part of your birth that second, and then also your postpartum experience is so important. Kerri: Oh yeah. I'm 11 weeks postpartum now, and I just have to say that my mental health this time is so much better, and my recovery post-C-section was so much better. I really have such positive things to say. It was such a good experience. I'm forever grateful for everybody who took care of me. I'm forever grateful for my provider. I just love her dearly and am just so thankful for her. Meagan: Good. I'm so grateful for you. I'm so glad you had that support and that loving team. Thank you again for sharing.Kerri: Yes. Thank you so much for having me on here.ClosingWould you like to be a guest on the podcast? Tell us about your experience at thevbaclink.com/share. For more information on all things VBAC including online and in-person VBAC classes, The VBAC Link blog, and Meagan's bio, head over to thevbaclink.com. Congratulations on starting your journey of learning and discovery with The VBAC Link.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

*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 instagram 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 A Typical Day in the Life of a Labor and Delivery Nurse EP108: What's It Like Being a Male L&D Nurse? EP61: What's It Like to be a Labor and Delivery Nurse? ****** Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy & birth info out there? I got ya covered! CLICK HERE 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! CLICK HERE 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 @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

Quincey is a labor and delivery nurse who wanted to spend more time at home with her kids while still bringing in income. Tune into this episode of Wake Up Legendary to hear how she is building her online audience through using authenticity to connect with her followers. Subscribe to Legendary Marketer on Youtube Follow Legendary Marketer on Facebook Follow Dave on Instagram Follow Quincey on Instagram

Even though you may not have met them before, labor and delivery nurses are an essential part of your hospital birth team. In this episode, Registered L&D Nurse Mandy Irby talks with Adriana about 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,” how to foster a connection with your nurses, and oh, so much more!Sponsor offers - TIME SENSITIVE! NEEDED - Get 20% off at ThisIsNeeded.com with code BIRTHFULHONEYLOVE - Get 20% off at HoneyLove.com/Birthful PAIRED - Practice love every day with Paired, the #1 app for couples. Download the app at https://www.paired.com/BIRTHFUL FAMILYALBUM APP - Check out FamilyAlbum at family-album.comAQUATRU - Get 20% off at AquaTru.com with code BIRTHFULGet the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on  Cesarean Risk: What's Your Place of Birth Got to Do With It? and our episode on Informed Consent.You can connect with Mandy on Instagram @thebirthnurse. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast on Instagram or email us at podcast@Birthful.com. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana's Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* Check out FamilyAlbum: family-album.com* Practice love every day with Paired, the #1 app for couples. Download the app at https://www.paired.com/BIRTHFUL Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 9% of total employment in the U.S. is within the healthcare industry, with about 1.8 million job openings projected each year. This episode explores the benefits of healthcare careers, how students can gain experience while in school, and the opportunities available in this rapidly growing field. Dr. Sherri Wilson, Director of Partnership Development at Stride Inc., joins Kevin P. Chavous in this episode to discuss supporting students interested in healthcare careers. Dr. Sherri Wilson is the Director of Partnership Development at Stride, Inc., where she lends her expertise to enhance the company's health science career pathways and establishes national partnerships that lead to employment and postsecondary opportunities for students. 0:00 Introduction to Healthcare Careers  2:30 Dr. Sherri Wilson's Background  5:30 Experience as a Labor and Delivery Nurse  8:15 Changes in Healthcare Education and Careers  11:15 Current Challenges in Nursing  14:30 Initiatives to Attract Young People to Nursing  17:30 Employer Perspectives on Early Career Exposure  19:30 National Focus on Healthcare Career Pathways  21:15 Starting Healthcare Career Programs in Schools  23:00 Closing Remarks   —----------------------------------------------- Preparing your child for a future in healthcare? K12's innovative programs give students a head start on their healthcare career journey.  Enrollment is open at K12! Join over 3 million students who have chosen a K12-powered education for tuition-free, personalized online public schooling from the safety of home. With state-certified teachers trained in virtual instruction, an innovative curriculum, and extensive family support, K12 empowers students in grades K-12 to succeed.  Our accredited program offers engaging classes that support learners of all levels, including advanced students and those with special needs. Experience more family time, engaging class connects, and the opportunity for your child to thrive academically.  Apply today to secure your spot and discover why families choose K12 for their online education needs. Explore K12's healthcare pathway options and other career-focused programs: https://go.k12.com/mps/national/podcast/?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D11001665815673379801328021772854664479 —------------------------------------------   Join the conversation using #WIWTK on social media and be sure to leave a review! WIWTK Twitter – https://x.com/wiwtkpodcast WIWTK Facebook –https://www.facebook.com/wiwtkpodcast WIWTK Instagram –https://www.instagram.com/wiwtkpodcast/ Now Streaming: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-i-want-to-know-with-kevin-p-chavous/id1561682450 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KkzBkzDhmQB8VNrDtP3BF Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01336bdd-f957-4d96-af5a-35538859e65d/what-i-want-to-know-with-kevin-p-chavous

Tune in for expert advice and practical tips on managing alcohol consumption while breastfeeding.

Pregnancy is literally magical - but being able to breastfeed out of your armpit? That's a talent we were NOT expecting! This week, we're joined by Registered Labor & Delivery Nurse, TikTok Creator and Founder of the nonprofit organization Hot Mess Express, Jen Hamilton as she shares her own personal experiences with pregnancy, childbirth tips for first time moms, how to prepare for labor, stay true to your boundaries and answers all of our wildest labor & pregnancy related questions! For more resources on motherhood visit Jen's website at the link below: https://www.jenhamilton.co/resources To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hillary Sadler, founder of Baby Settler, is someone who is making big, BOLD moves for moms and their families in the perinatal and postpartum space!Hilary, a former labor and delivery nurse, feeding specialist, author, and mother of four, is your go-to non-judgmental friend for navigating the challenges of motherhood. Grounded in medical expertise yet embracing a 'crunchy' approach, she's unafraid to challenge norms and ask the tough questions. Recognizing a gap in traditional roles, she founded Baby Settler, a company dedicated to providing personalized support and resources for moms and babies.Our conversation today revolves around the daunting task new moms face in sorting through conflicting advice. Hilary recognized the need for a reliable, centralized source of parenting guidance and developed an innovative app to address this. Covering topics from feeding tips to sleep regressions, her app aims to empower parents with knowledge and support.We'll also explore burnout, business growth, and the importance of crystal-clear branding. Both Hilary and I have learned valuable lessons through motherhood and entrepreneurship, and we're eager to share insights that will empower you to advocate for yourself and make informed decisions for your family.Tune in for an episode packed with inspiration and practical advice for navigating the beautiful yet challenging journey of motherhood!____ Building a StoryBrand book by Donald MillerConnect with Hillary on Instagram @babysettler Learn more about working with Hillary by visiting her websiteConnect with me on InstagramLearn more about booking a Biz Therapy session and working together by visiting my website

Quincey Lindemann is a labor and delivery nurse who wanted to bring in more income to her family. Tune into this episode of Wake Up Legendary to hear how she is attracting followers on Instagram and building her business. Subscribe to Legendary Marketer on Youtube Follow Legendary Marketer on Facebook Follow Quincey on Tiktok

This episode dives into advocacy strategies for pregnancy and birth and infuses mindfulness practices throughout. We are joined by Dawn Hancock aka Nurse Dawn, a seasoned Labor and Delivery Nurse certified in Obstetric Nursing, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Board Certified Nurse Coach.In this episode, we dive into the following:Advocacy strategies for pregnancy, labor, and beyondCommunication skills for birthing people and partners to use with the medical teamHow to make mindful decisions in pregnancy and laborUsing mindfulness to manage pain during laborMeditative tips for racing thoughtsDon't forget to check out the blog postYou can find more about Dawn's work at: www.pivotalbirth.com And follow her on TikTok at @pivotalbirthResources mentioned:>>  FREE Clear Your Birth Fears Guide>>  FREE WORKSHOP: 3 Essentials for Having an Empowering Birth>>  A Path to A Powerful Birth Class************************Get 20% off your first monthly subscription with NEEDED Vitamins 

Many moms are afraid to advocate for themselves in the hospital. But that shouldn't be the case! Nurse Christina joins us today to tell us all about how she advocates for her patients and how they can advocate for themselves!Resources Mentioned:The Midwife's Apprentice book: https://www.amazon.com/Midwifes-Apprentice-Karen-Cushman/dp/0547722176Check out Informed Pregnancy+https://www.informedpregnancy.tv/ NOW IT'S YOUR TURN! "Like" our Facebook and Instagram pages- @TheNaturalBirthSite The NaturalBirth Site- TheNaturalBirthSite.com SIGN UP for the NaturalBirth Education course to best prepare your body & mind for natural birth (only $65) Read natural birth stories- and submit your own SHARE OUR PODCAST with anyone you know who is interested in natural birth! Check out our HELPFUL PRODUCTS GUIDE

SSRI's are commonly prescribed for anxiety and depression, so what happens when you get pregnant? Can you stay on these medications? Should you consider a different prescription or different modality of support? Alex Hoeft is a Labor & Delivery Nurse, homeschool mama of 5 & doula here to talk to us about her experience taking an SSRI during pregnancy. We will be diving into the questions that you should be asking yourself and your provider to determine the right path for you! From what they are to how they can impact your baby after birth, and even some of the more natural ways to support your mental health whether you are looking to wean from your SSRI or supplement it with other resources.    Connect with HeHe on IG    Connect with Alex on IG  Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!

For Nurse's Week 2024, we wanted to share a replay of one of our favorite episodes at EBB, and that is an interview with Melissa Anne DuBois about shifting from hospital labor and delivery nurse to home birth advocate. Content note: Discussion of obstetric racism and graphic description of obstetric violence. Melissa Anne DuBois is an experienced perinatal nurse living in Central Massachusetts. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Nursing in 2006 and has worked in a variety of perinatal settings since 2007 including in-patient labor and delivery, high-risk obstetrics, outpatient OB-GYN, homebirth, and postpartum home health. Melissa Anne became a childbirth educator in 2011 and a lactation counselor in 2014 and currently teaches childbirth classes for babiesincommon.com. Melissa Anne is also the mother of three children. In today's replay, you're going to listen to Melissa tell her birth story, as well as her unique perspective on labor and delivery nursing, which came out of her own traumatic birth experience, witnessing obstetric violence and obstetric racism for many years as a labor & delivery nurse, and seeing outdated procedures being performed in hospital settings. Melissa went on to have a healing birth at home, and to get involved in advocacy for expanding home birth options for families. At the end of the podcast, we will share a brief update on what Melissa is up to now!  Resources: Learn more about Melissa Anne DuBois and Babies in Common here. Listen to Melissa's podcast, “Babies in Common Show” on Apple here and Spotify here. Follow Babies in Common on Facebook and Instagram. View “The Business Of Being Born” here. Learn about Krysta Dancy and Birth Trauma Support. Learn more about the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). Learn more about the World Health Organization (WHO). Click here to see the Evidence Based Birth® list of Birth Justice Resources, including research on racism and maternal health.   EBB Resources: For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Jim's daughter Danielle joins us where we discuss her career as a Labor and Delivery Nurse and how our industries compare. Links to Help find Ambyr's Mom https://medium.com/@amarianacarolus428/the-strange-disappearance-of-terri-ann-ackerman-89559cc7ceee https://www.iheart.com/podcast/the-troubleshooter-20710606/episode/the-troubleshooter-04-25-23-113838662/ https://kdvr.com/news/colorado-cold-cases/cold-case-where-is-terri-ackerman/  News story https://apps.colorado.gov/apps/coldcase/casedetail.html?id=356000-  Picture and description of her https://charleyproject.org/case/terri-anne-ackerman https://www.lochbuie.org/police  Help Find Terri Ackerman Facebook Page https://www.thevanishedpodcast.com/episodes/2021/7/12/episode-295-terri-ackerman  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDJQfwbwwNs&t=244s  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgejVtc7juE&t=199s

On the latest episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I spoke with Naseema McElroy, founder of Financially Intentional, Author and Nurse about how we change the way we think about money and being financially intentional.In this episode we discussed:The importance of changing your circle of influence. Why anyone can get on the right path.Learn what real wealth is - be an owner, not a consumer.You can afford anything, just not everything.Naseema McElroy is the founder of Financially Intentional, a platform about personal finance and living life intentionally.  Naseema is the author of Smart Money: The Step-by-Step Personal Finance Plan to Crush Debt. Naseema discusses how taking control of her finances has enabled her to overcome bankruptcy, divorce, and break the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. She shares her lessons along her path to help others benefit from the freedoms of financial independence.  Outside of encouraging people to get their financial act together, Naseema is a mother and Labor & Delivery Nurse.Connect with Naseema McElroy:Website: https://www.financiallyintentional.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naseema-mcelroy-162085122/Book: Smart Money: The Step-by-Step Personal Finance Plan to Crush Debt (Amazon) Podcast: Financially Intentional Podcast: https://www.financiallyintentional.com/podcastCommunity:Financially Intentional Community - Facebook (here) https://www.facebook.com/groups/financiallyintentional/

On this week's episode, we are joined by Jen Atkisson, a labor and delivery nurse, clinical educator, speaker, patient and nurse advocate, and a consultant on standard of care. Buckle up for this wild ride of an episode as we take on many different topics within the L&D space.What you will hear on this episode:- misconceptions and fear of lawsuits- prevention strategies for nurses- common preventable issues- challenges with Pitocin usage- navigating trauma-informed care- power dynamics and provider trauma- challenges in changing practices- empowering patients with knowledge- Team Birth conceptGuest Bio:Jen Atkisson is a Labor and Delivery Nurse, Clinical Educator, Speaker, Patient and Nurse Advocate, Consultant on Standard of Care. With over 17 years of unique experiences in nursing and consulting, she's seen the same patient safety & legal themes come up over and over again. Jen serves as an expert witness, a national and regional conference speaker, a AWHONN fetal monitoring instructor trainer, a hospital consultant, a clinical educator, a staff nurse and a mom.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.

Naseema McElroy is a published author and the founder of Financially Intentional, a platform about personal finance and living life intentionally. In this episode, she speaks to Jessica and Brandon about how taking control of her finances has enabled her to overcome bankruptcy, divorce, and break the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. She shares her lessons along her path to help others benefit from the freedoms of financial independence. Outside of encouraging people to get their financial act together, Naseema is a mother, and a Labor & Delivery Nurse. Though making six figures for years, she struggled with money. Finally realizing she couldn't out-earn her financial ignorance, she knew she had to make some changes.  By shifting her mindset around money, being consistent and intentional, she has paid off $1 million in debt and grew a six figure net worth in three years without living in deprivation.This episode is a treasure trove of real-life wisdom on nurturing financial literacy within the family. She draws from her own upbringing and the generational changes in wealth-building to highlight the delicate balance of teaching children the value of money while also preserving the joys of their childhood. Her profound insights into the challenges and victories of single parenting, coupled with her remarkable comeback story from bankruptcy, form a narrative that is as educational as it is uplifting.Tune in for a heartfelt account that promises to empower you with the strategies and mindset to craft a life of intention, care, and financial independence.If you'd like to leave us a question to be answered during future episodes, you can do so at Speakpipe. You can email us at: thesugardaddypodcast@gmail.com Be sure to connect with us on InstagramLearn more about Brandon, and Oak City FinancialSchedule 30 minutes with Brandon Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review.Notes from the show:Follow Naseema on Instagram Financially Intentional the Podcast Financially Intentional Website Financially Intentional on YouTube Email Naseema: financiallyintentional@gmail.com

Why would a labor and delivery nurse choose home birth? There are quite a few reasons, at least for today's guest Corrie Oyinloye. Corrie has been a labor and delivery nurse for 10 years. And two years ago, she chose home birth for the birth of her daughter, Rachel.  While working in the hospital, Corrie saw how midwives' rights were being taken away. She also did her own research and found home birth to be safer for mothers, and just as safe for babies. That in combination with her feelings around delivering in a hospital, given all she knew and had seen in the hospital setting. The fact is that many hospital birth workers suffer from PTSD from the trauma they've witnessed. Some of this hospital-induced anxiety moved Corrie towards exploring home birth for herself. Corrie's story also includes creating the space for her husband Gabe to feel confident in the decision, a move to a different state, prodromal labor, a cervical lip, occipito posterior position of baby and a double nuchal cord. Offers From Our Awesome Partners: Needed: https://bit.ly/2DuMBxP - use code DIAH to get 20% off your order Splash Blanket: https://bit.ly/3JPe1g0 - use code DIAH for 10% off your order Esembly: https://bit.ly/3eanCSz - use code DIH20 to get 20% off your order More From Doing It At Home: Send us your birth story: https://bit.ly/3jOjCKl Doing It At Home book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vJcPmU DIAH Website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/ DIAH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/ DIAH YouTube: https://bit.ly/3pzuzQC DIAH Merch: www.diahpodcast.com/merch Give Back to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've heard me talk about inductions before, but this time, we're walking through what to expect with Labor & Delivery Nurse, Mackenzie DeClark. She gives us the nitty gritty about what induction is, different methods, and how it affects your birth plans.Where to find Mackenzie:TikTokInstagramWebsitePodcastTo celebrate hitting 10k over on Instagram (@myessentialbirth) every one who joins the birth course during the month of December gets to choose from one of our Black Friday bonuses AND a is entered in to win a 45-minute labor & birth prep zoom call with ME! Go to myessentialbirth.com/getstarted to sign up! GET IN TOUCH!

The causes and manifestations of trauma vary widely and every individual's experience with trauma is unique. As a result, certain areas of trauma are often overlooked. In this episode of TraumaTies, host and Executive Director of the Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC), Bridgette Stumpf, and co-host, Lindsey Silverberg, Deputy Director at NVRDC, kick off season two by welcoming guest, Jen Hamilton. Jen is a labor and delivery nurse, wife, mother, and social media content creator, whose unfiltered authenticity and humorous tales have attracted a vast following on TikTok, particularly with her series called Will it Swaddle? This season spotlights the unsung heroes who navigate the hidden places of trauma in our society. Tune in to hear Jen's remarkable journey and her unique insights on vicarious trauma. Jen also talks about birth trauma and shares how she first learned about the racist beginnings of gynecological and obstetrical care, and how this has affected her interactions with her patients.Connect and Learn More☑️ Jen Hamilton | TikTok | Instagram ☑️ Bridgette Stumpf | LinkedIn☑️ Lindsey Silverberg | LinkedIn ☑️ NVRDC | LinkedIn | Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube Brought to you by Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC), TraumaTies: Untangling Societal Harm & Healing After Crime is a podcast that creates space and conversations to dissect the structural and systemic knots that keep us from addressing trauma.Rooted in a belief that survivors of crime deserve respect for their dignity in the aftermath of victimization, NVRDC seeks to empower survivors by informing them of all of the options available and working to transform existing response systems to be more inclusive of the diverse needs that survivors often have after crime.NVRDC also provides free,...

I love this conversation with power couple Nate & Barbie Duckett of Farmington, New Mexico. This is Nate's second appearance on the podcast and first with his awesome wife Barbie, a seasoned Labor & Delivery Nurse with San Juan Regional Medical Center. We candidly discuss marriage, family and how we all can live better lives together as a community. I want to warmly thank them for opening up personally about their lives in an effort to help others.

Labor and Delivery Nurse, Paulina, walks us through what labor looks like in a hospital! Get all the details regarding what labor will look like, how much the nurse will be with you,  what a nurse does during your labor, how the epidural works, when to get the epidural, and even what to pack in your hospital bag!This week on the Learning To Mom Podcast, we chat with Nurse Paulina, a labor and delivery nurse and ask her all our first time mom questions related to hospital births:- What do you wish women knew about labor and about labor in a hospital?- What to expect in labor?- When is a good time to get an epidural?- How is the epidural inserted?- What all does a nurse do during labor?- When does the doctor arrive during labor?- What should we pack in our hospital bags?What to expect in labor, epidural 101, all about labor and delivery-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------IMPORTANT LINKS:- Sign up for the Learning To Mom Newsletter HERE:https://mailchi.mp/2dca1ad2573f/learning-to-mom-newsletter-opt-in- Shop HERE for adorable boy clothes at beauandarrows.com. Get 10% off your first order with code: LTM10                   Connect with them on Instagram Here                   Connect with them on Facebook Here- Connect with ME on Instagram HERE or at @learningtomom.podcast https://www.instagram.com/learningtomom.podcast/Follow Paulina on Instagram at: @thenursepaulina------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you've been wondering the answers to these questions, then look no further- I'm here to help!- What are reasons to be induced?- When should I schedule my first prenatal appointment?- What prenatal vitamins do I need to take?- Best pregnancy podcast for first time mom- Can I continue exercising during pregnancy?- Is it safe to travel while pregnant?- Best pregnancy podcast on spotify- Top childbirth podcast- What is the best pregnancy and new mom podcast?- How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?- What are the best pregnancy podcasts?- What is a standard pregnancy diet?- What foods should I avoid during pregnancy?- Best podcast for expecting mothers- Can I continue drinking coffee during pregnancy?- Best pregnancy podcast- How to work out safely in pregnancy?- Best pregnancy podcast for first time moms- What should I eat in pregnancy?- How can I deal with morning sickness?- Is it safe to dye my hair while pregnant?- When will I start feeling the baby move?- How to prepare for a home birth?- How to get through pregnancy- What is gestational diabetes, and am I at risk?- What to ask your doctor during pregnancy appointments?- How often should I see my healthcare provider during pregnancy?- What is the best sleeping position during pregnancy?- What childbirth classes are available, and should I take one?- Is it safe to get a flu shot during pregnancy?- What foods should I avoid in pregnancy?- Can I continue working during pregnancy?- What is a birth plan, and should I create one?

Labor & Delivery nurse and whistleblower Michelle Gershman joins us for a special Shot Dead episode of Faithful Freedom with Teryn Gregson, presented by WeThePatriotsUSA.org. Nurse Gershman speaks out in a never before seen, full interview where she reveals the shocking gruesome reality of the labor & delivery department she works in, beginning in March 2021. Gershman discusses the email stating the stark rise in stillbirths from her hospital that prompted her to speak out featured in our new documentary, Shot Dead. This is the full interview. To watch how his interview intertwines with the stories of three families chronicling the loss of their children after the COVID shot, watch the full feature-length film at ShotDead.org.Join the fight to get justice for the victims by making a donation by visiting www.wethepatriotsusa.org/donateFREE Aluminum, Fluoride, HPV & MMR Vaccine Resource Guides! Subscribe to Teryn's bi-weekly resource newsletter, with data, clean-living tips, recipes, stats from our latest episodes and more and receive your FREE Fluoride, MMR and HPV Vaccine Resource Guides. https://teryngregson.com/newsletterWatch us on Red Voice Media, now available on Roku, Amazon FireStick & Apple TV: https://www.redvoicemedia.com/shows/faithful-freedom-with-teryn-gregson/For Case Updates from We The Patriots USA, Sign up for Breaking News emails: https://wethepatriotsusa.org/subscribe-to-our-email-list/Subscribe to listen to the podcast:iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faithful-freedom-with-teryn-gregson/id1598602749Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6dKsn0JqtNJfarUUVYuv5v?si=a810d53643fb4017Rumble: https://rumble.com/WeThePatriotsUSA

Dive into the enthralling world of motherhood with Marie Carle, labor and delivery nurse, as she pulls back the curtain on her personal journey through pregnancy, delivery, and raising children. Marie, a mom to three daughters, brings a unique perspective to the table as she harmoniously merges her professional insights with her personal experiences. From managing gestational diabetes to navigating morning sickness, Marie's story is a testament to the power of resilience, intuition, and the love of a mother.Stepping onto the labor and delivery floor, we delve into the intricacies of labor support and pain management. Being the child of two anesthesiologists, she has a unique insight into the anesthesia world, which she brings into her practice as a labor and delivery nurse. We discuss the role of partners in managing labor pain, the techniques employed in France, and the critical importance of pain management, particularly for patients who choose not to have an epidural.Our conversation takes a historical turn as Marie recounts riveting tales from her family history, her parents' Caribbean adventure (Marie made a surprise appearance), and the advent of epidural delivery. We also discuss the significance of rest when you're dating for a newborn, trusting your intuition as a parent, and the impact of various interventions on the laboring down process. Our discourse concludes with reflections on parenting and the importance of teaching children humility and empathy by saying 'I'm sorry'. Join us for a conversation that seamlessly blends the professional and personal, bringing to you insights and experiences that are sure to resonate with you, whether as a parent, a caregiver, or a childbirth enthusiast. Coaching offerBuzzsprout - Get your podcast launched! Start for FREEbrrrBlanc: Practice the Art of Nesting Eclectic home decor with contemporary reflections on folk & tribal art to help you build your nest.Kristen Boss The Social Selling Academy Training program for Network Marketers to grow a business without burnout. Click for $100 off!Femometer Vegan Collagen Gummies For Radiant Skin, Stronger Hair & Nails Supports your body's natural collagen production Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showConnect with Kelly Hof at kellyhof.comMedical Disclaimer:This podcast is intended as a safe space for women to share their birth experiences. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Each woman's medical course of action is individual and may not appropriately transfer to another similar situation. Please speak to your medical provider before making any medical decisions. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that evidence based practice evolves as our knowledge of science improves. To the best of my ability I will attempt to present the most current ACOG and AWHONN recommendations at the time the podcast is recorded, but that may not necessarily reflect the best practices at the time the podcast is heard. Additionally, guests sharing their stories have the right to autonomy in their medical decisions, and may share their choice to go against current practice recommendations. I intend to hold space for people to share their decisions. I will attempt to share the current recommendations so that my audience is informed, but it is up to each individual to choose what is best for them.

In this episode, host Beth is joined by the incredible Liesel, who you may know by her Instagram handle, @mommy.labornurse Liesel is not only an experienced labour and delivery nurse from the US, she has been educating in the online space for years and has supported thousands of families to prepare for birth with her incredible resources.  Liesel joins Beth today for a candid chat about what you can expect within the American maternity system and both Beth and Liesel answer questions submitted by Liesel's online community, which explore some of the differences and similarities for mama's on opposite sides of the world. This chat is super informative no matter where you are based and a must listen if you are pregnant and curious about birthing in the hospital system. We also want to say a HUGE thank you to our episode sponsor Gro-To.  As a Growing listener you can enjoy 15% off site wide (yep! that means you can get a discount on your favourite Go-To products too!) using our exclusive discount code GROWING15.  This code is valid from November 1 to midnight 29th November when you spend $60 or more.  If you prefer shopping in-store, Gro-To is also available at coles, which makes it easy to grab as part of your regular shop.  We are absolutely loving Sud-Bud, Skin-Wizard and my personal favourite, the ‘Two-in-Fun' detangling shampoo. Thank you so much Gro-To for supporting this episode of Growing. 

Calling all preggos! You are not going to want to miss this. In this week's episode, I talk with the incredible Ann Gilligan, Labor and Delivery Nurse and creator of Gilligan's Guide, which teaches pregnant women and providers specific maternal positioning in order to optimize the baby's position for a smooth vaginal birth. There was so much in this episode that I was absolute lit up by and I am SO excited about this information. I highly recommend looking into working with Ann and looking into taking her course if you're wanting to learn more - because I TRULY feel that this is the type of revolutionary information that we will see widely spread amongst ALL birth professionals in due time. Sit back and have a listen, you are going to learn a LOT.   LEARN ABOUT GILLIGAN'S GUIDE:  Learn more and work with Ann by following Ann @gilligansguide on Instagram and exploring her website at https://www.gilligansguide.com/    DOCTOR'S WEBSITES: Dr. Leah's website: www.womanhoodwellness.com  Dr. Leah's IG: https://www.instagram.com/drleahgordon/  Dr. Morgan's website: www.milkmedicine.com Dr. Morgan's IG: https://www.instagram.com/morganmacdermott/

Today we have Naiomi Catron with us to talk about a couple of warnings you need to know before ordering a breast pump! It's important to know how to navigate using your lactation benefits with your insurance so you're not caught by surprise!Naiomi Catron, R.N., IBCLC, is a compassionate professional with a decade of experience in maternal and newborn care. As both a highly skilled Labor & Delivery Nurse and an accomplished International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), she excels in providing exceptional support to new parents during their transformative journey into parenthood.Naiomi's commitment to nurturing the health and well-being of mothers and newborns led her to establish the thriving multi-provider private practice, Milk Diva, based in Austin, TX. Under her guidance, Milk Diva has expanded its offerings to include a comprehensive range of services, encompassing Lactation Consultation, Infant & Toddler Nutrition, and Chiropractic care.She has not only been a source of unwavering support but has also built and trained a team of extremely qualified professionals who share her same passion for families. Recognized for her outstanding contributions, Naiomi has received prestigious awards, including the Daisy and HumanCare awards, highlighting her dedication to exemplary patient care. Her two Austin Birth Awards are a testament to her unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding and equitable care to all families. With Naiomi and her expert team, parents can trust they are in caring and capable hands during their parenthood journey.Naiomi and her team can be found:Podcast called The Boob Business Podcast with Milk Diva at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1885195IG https://www.instagram.com/milk_diva/FB https://www.facebook.com/MilkDivaAustin/https://www.milkdiva.comAnd you are also invited to grab our free Newborn Feeding Cheatsheet here -> https://www.milkdiva.com/newborn-feeding.htmlPlease feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcastEmail: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.comWebsite: https://birthbabypodcast.transistor.fm/Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!This episode is sponsored by Stork. Check out their incredible luxury prenatal retreat this fall. http://www.storkatx.com/retreat Be sure to mention BIRTH, BABY! at checkout for $200 off. Hurry! Space is limited!

Being a labor and delivery nurse while pregnant can be both exciting and challenging. On the one hand, you get to experience the amazing process of childbirth and witness the joy it brings to the families. On the other hand, you know too much!Join me and today's guest, Emily Boazman as we chat about her viral Tiktok birth video and her life in general. About Emily:"I've been married for 9 years, have 2 daughters and a son. I'm newly “crunchy” and more natural-minded, as a nurse the natural life choices are almost looked down upon. My hubby and I met playing basketball, and we used to be in a toxic relationship and gave our lives to God before getting married."You can find more about Emily here:Follow EmilyBoazman on Tiktok as @emilyboazman and @emilyboazman on Instagram.Resources: Grab a Free Pregnancy/Postpartum Checklist BundleConnect w/ Trish: On InstagramOn FacebookOn YouTubeOn Pinterest On TikTokFor more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Next Steps with LNM:If you are ready to invest in your pregnancy & postpartum journey, you are in the right place. I would love to take your hand and support you in your virtual labor room!If you are ready to dive into a birth class and have your best and most powerful birth story, then Calm Labor Confident Birth or The VBAC Lab is your next step.If you have a scheduled cesarean, take our Belly Birth Masterclass and own that experience. If you are a newly pregnant mama or just had the babe, you want to join our private pregnancy and postpartum membership, Calm Mama Society.Remember, my advice is not medical advice. Always discuss what you learn with your team. See my Disclaimer here! Also, We make a small commission from some of the links (you don't pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we love 'em and want you to know about them.

While witnessing the miracle of birth can be exhilarating, it is often wrought with circumstances that create stress, confusion, grief—and sometimes even burnout— in nurses, caregivers, doulas, and other birth workers. The COVID and post-COVID period has brought even more tension into the mix with restrictions and staffing issues.  Listen to explore the problems and discover some solutions to make life as a birth worker more resilient and satisfying.   Nicole Heidbreder has worked as a Hospice Nurse and Labor and Delivery Nurse in various capacities for the last 10 years in the Washington, DC area, in addition to teaching Birth and End of Life Doula Workshops. As a birth worker, Nicole has been attending births as a doula for over 17 years in Washington, DC, New York City, San Francisco, Sumatra, Bali, and Uganda, in addition to working as a labor and delivery nurse at George Washington University Hospital. Currently, she also facilitates independent birth doula workshops and trains nursing students as a Clinical Instructor with the Johns Hopkins University Birth Companions Program. Through her work as a DONA International approved Birth Doula Trainer, she has taught hundreds of women over the past 10 years and truly believes that teaching maternal child health is her life's calling.     Listen and Learn  Why over 38% of RNs are likely to leave their position in the next 2 years  What drains birth worker passion  What support is available to current birth workers to reconnect to the joy of birth work  How birth workers with different levels of specialty and education working together can create friction  When birth workers experience PTSD  How a mindset of post-traumatic growth can be a game changer  Practical skills for nonviolent communication for high-stress birth situations  The best ways to use grounding and anchoring practices  How to set boundaries and avoid saviorism   Contact Nicole at Nicole@gracefulfusion.com    Resources & Mentions:  Learn more about Nicole's Resiliency for Birth Workers workshop here: https://www.gracefulfusion.com/    Related Products from InJoy:  Understanding Birth Curriculum 

Join us for the last episode of Season 2, where Sarah & Justine where they process the lessons they learned during the Bundle Birth Nurses MOVE Learning Retreat. They also share on their favorite memory from the week, which may surprise you! We will see you for Season 3 at the end of August! Thank you so much for the support and caring about changing Obstetrics. 

Labor, delivery, and postpartum are filled with a roller coaster of activity and being informed about this process is crucial. I welcome my friend and social media powerhouse, Liesel Teen, who is a labor and delivery nurse and founder of Mommy Labor Nurse to educate you about 5 things she wants you to know about labor, delivery, and postpartum She joins me to discuss:  Fear women have about pooping in the delivery room Tearing during vaginal deliveries C-section misconceptions Just because you want an epidural, timing doesn't allow itSizing for babies and vaginal deliveries Thank you to our episode sponsor, Philips Avent. Check out Philips Avent products by visiting Philips.com/avent and using promo code ParentYourWay20 for 20% off today!Get the Free Birth Prep Workshop or find out more about Liesel and Mommy Labor Nurse on YouTube, Instagram or TikTok @mommy.labornurse

Partners usually want to be the go-to support person during labor. But sometimes they don't know how to help. With the right plan, conversations, and communication about expectations, partners can learn how to support you the way you need.  Today, I'm joined by labor and delivery nurse Jen Hamilton to discuss how to be a valuable support person during labor. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3zLSnVb  Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com  Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell  Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter  Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People feel very worried wondering how long their labor will be. Today's episode we're talking about what to expect in the length of your labor and how to decrease it. Today's guest is The Labor support Nurse -- Rochelle is a Labor and Delivery Nurse from California who love labor support and Spinning Babies. This episode was inspired by my labor fears study. Big thanks to our sponsor The Online Prenatal Class for Couples -- if you're looking to understand what happens during labor (and what to expect from your body) -- it is the class for you! Producer: Drew Erickson

Laurie Walker has been a labor and delivery nurse for 36 years. She grew up in California. Her mother Ann was a labor and delivery nurse until she was 72 years old and Laurie always looked up to her mom. Laurie decided as a teenager that being a nurse was the career path that she wanted take. She has three children and four grandchildren. She has been by the bedside of many women who are preparing to welcome their babies into this world. The most spiritual experience for her in this line of work is watching a baby look at its mother and father for the first time. Join me today as Laurie shares how being a labor & delivery nurse has brought light into her life along with perspective.  www.bethnewellcoaching.com

Today's guest, Liesel Teen, BSN, RN, is a labor and delivery nurse and the founder of Mommy Labor Nurse. I have been wanting to have a labor and delivery nurse on for a long time because I know how important they are to the birth experience. We obviously have quite a bit of overlap in what we do but I never want to come in front of you like I'm the only one with information to help you through your pregnancy and birth. Now of course I offer fantastic information but it's great to have more than one trusted source. We come from different backgrounds, different experiences, and we bring that to our work. It can also be reassuring to hear the same thing from multiple experts. Different people present information in different ways and you may just find that one educator's style works for you better than another. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What exactly does a labor and delivery (L&D) nurse do during labor and birth -What are some misconceptions about L&D nurses -How L&D nurses work with doulas, doctors, and midwives -What should you expect from your L&D nurse -What you should do if you are not happy with your L&D nurse -What are some tricks and tips that Liesel has learned from her career   -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode194 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Before you deliver your baby, there are a few things your Labor and Delivery Nurse would like you to know and it just so happens that my guest is just that. Learn how to treat your nurse like your ally from Naiomi Catron who has worked in this field for 10 years. Preparing before you give birth is key. Get help in Austin Texas from Naiomi's teamSay hi to Naiomi @milk_diva on InstagramThis episode appeared first on the Breezy Babies website. Support the showFollow along @breezy__babies on Insta for more tips and tricks.Check to see if your insurance will cover 6 consults with Breezy Babies (for free!)Join Bri's crew so we can stay in touch.This podcast is not "medical advice". Please consult with your Healthcare Provider about your specific situation.Podcast song credit: Stock Media provided by juqboxmusic / Pond5

On today's podcast we talk with Naseema McElroy, Labor and Delivery nurse and the Founder of Financially Intentional about racism, workplace trauma, and inequities in the US healthcare system. We also discuss how to find your voice and stand up for human rights within the system.   Naseema McElroy started as a Labor and Delivery nurse and later became the Founder of Financially Intentional, a personal finance platform normalizing Black wealth. Naseema is the mother of two daughters and loves sharing her passion for financial independence and nursing with her followers on Instagram and through her Financially Intentional Podcast: Nurses on Fire.   Naeema discusses her personal experiences in raising concerns about patient safety within a hospital system and how to protect yourself, legally and financially, in the process. She also shares her story regarding her viral Instagram video about the importance of representation in healthcare and the potentially far-reaching consequences when representation is lacking.  Trigger Warnings: mental health, workplace trauma, obstetric violence, systemic racism, racism and inequities in the US healthcare system, patient safety, Black mortality, Black morbidity Resources:  Follow Naseema's Instagram account Financially Intentional here Learn more about Financially Intentional here Listen to Naseema's Podcast, Financially Intentional Podcast (formerly Nurses of Fire) here Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!! For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on:  TikTok Instagram Pinterest Ready to get involved?  Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here  Find an EBB Instructor here  Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

Episode 188 shares how Naseema paid off $1 million in debt, featuring Naseema McElroy of Financially Intentional. Listen now!Naseema is a published author and the founder of Financially Intentional, a platform about personal finance and living life intentionally.Naseema discusses how taking control of her finances has enabled her to overcome bankruptcy, divorce, and break the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. She shares her lessons along her path to help others benefit from the freedoms of financial independence.Outside of encouraging people to get their financial act together, Naseema is a mother and Labor & Delivery Nurse. Though making six figures for years, she struggled with money. Finally realizing she couldn't out-earn her financial ignorance, she knew she had to make some changes.By shifting her mindset around money, being consistent and intentional, she has paid off $1 million in debt and grew a six figure net worth in three years without living in deprivation.For full episode show notes, visit here.Loving episode 188? Leave us a review if you're listening on Apple podcasts and be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!Until next time, stay empowered, stay inspired and #staypoderosa ✨ Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/YoQuieroDinero. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Naseema is a published author and the founder of Financially Intentional, a platform about personal finance and living life intentionally. Naseema discusses how taking control of her finances has enabled her to overcome bankruptcy, divorce, and break the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. She shares her lessons along her path to help others benefit from the freedoms of financial independence. Outside of encouraging people to get their financial act together, Naseema is a mother and a Labor & Delivery Nurse. Though making six figures for years, she struggled with money. Finally realizing she couldn't out-earn her financial ignorance, she knew she had to make some changes.  By shifting her mindset around money, being consistent and intentional, She has paid off $1 million in debt and grew a six figure net worth in three years without living in deprivation. In this episode you'll learn: How she shifted her mindset to take control of her financesThe steps she took to pay off a million dollars of debtThe strategies she is using to build wealth for her children  Connect with Naseema: Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/financiallyintentional/Website: https://www.financiallyintentional.com/*This episode is sponsored by Bask Bank*Open a Bask Interest Savings Account, a Bask Mileage Savings Account or both. Learn more at: https://www.baskbank.com/ Disclaimer:  *National average rate as of August 15, 2022 per FDIC.gov. APY as of November 2, 2022. APY is variable and subject to change after account opening. No monthly account fees or minimum deposit required. Must fund within 15 days of account opening. Bask Bank is a division of Texas Capital Bank, Member FDIC.Connect with us: Instagram: @richbyintention Twitter: @richbyintention Topics referenced in this episode: Learn more about the FIRE Community, check out episode 11Check out our episode with Rich and Regular about their new bookGet our FREE Cheat Sheet to Get on the Same Page about Money with Your Partner, Click Here. Check out our website: Richbyintention.com

You will NOT want to miss today's episode!With her first pregnancy, Taylor was committed to having an unmedicated, vaginal birth. But after a 5-day induction at 37 weeks due to cholestasis and no cervical change or dilation, she knew it was time to consent to a C-section. Taylor knew she would fight for her VBAC even before she became pregnant again. 18 hours after her water broke, Taylor was barely 1 centimeter dilated. Labor continued for hours with transition-like symptoms. She knew she was close. Taylor agreed to a cervical check. She was 2 centimeters dilated. Find out how Taylor's resilience helped her overcome that HUGE discouragement we feel when labor isn't progressing the way we think it is.Additional linksHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull transcriptNote: All transcripts are edited to correct grammar, false starts, and filler words. Meagan: Welcome, everybody. You are listening to The VBAC Link podcast. This is your host, Meagan. Guys, I am so excited about this story today. This is Taylor.Taylor, we are so excited to have you on today. I am going to share a little bit about our course. Normally, we dive into reviews before we start the story, but I want to share a little bit more about our course. I wanted to let you guys know. We have a VBAC Prep Course. This prep course is for anybody wanting to explore their options for birth after Cesarean. You may or may not know if VBAC is right for you. This course is going to help you learn the pros and the cons of both VBAC and repeat Cesarean. We are going to dive into the history. We are going to give you tools. We are going to give you things to help you take with you to your provider to help establish a better relationship and help find out if that provider truly is supportive of you. Of course, there are some more stories in there and so much more information. This course is created for any birthing parent looking to know their options. And also, any birth worker wanting to expand their knowledge of VBAC and the history of VBAC and how to support future clients, especially if you are a doula on VBAC. Taylor is a labor and delivery nurse which is super exciting so we are going to talk a little bit more about that. I want to ask her some questions but even labor and delivery nurses, midwives, and birth workers, this course is going to be great for you. Learn more about our course at thevbaclink.com.Taylor's StoryMeagan: Okay, Taylor. I cannot wait for you to share your story. I was telling you in the beginning, when I saw your face pop up on our Zoom when we were getting ready to record, I just knew exactly who you were from your image. I just remember seeing it and having all of the feels so I can't wait to hear from you. Right from your voice, so thank you so much for being here with us today. Taylor: Yes, thank you for having me. I am so excited. Meagan: Seriously, I'm so excited. I would love to turn the time over to you. Share away. Share this wonderful story with the world.Taylor: Okay well, gosh. There are so many things. My first pregnancy was in 2020. July 2020 was when I had my first baby. That pregnancy was very uneventful. It was great. I didn't have any issues. I strongly desired an unmedicated, vaginal birth. I got my husband to read The Bradley Method twice. Yeah. I just was chugging along. I actually wasn't working labor and delivery yet. I was working in the mother/baby unit. That will kind of come into play later because I didn't know what I didn't know at the time. So just chugging along and then I got to about 36 weeks and I just felt like my feet were really itchy at night. I ended up telling a friend and she said that in her first pregnancy, that happened to her and she ended up having cholestasis. Meagan: Mhmm. I was going to say, cholestasis. Taylor: Yes, and so of course, I was just like, “Oh wow.” I went down the Google hole and I was like, “Oh, I have to tell my doctor. This sounds so scary.” I know y'all have talked about cholestasis on your podcast before, but basically, it's a random issue with your liver during pregnancy. The worst-case result is a stillbirth or arrhythmias in the baby and things like that. My mind was just going straight to that. I told my doctor and she was of course like, “Oh yeah. We need to draw some labs.” They ended up drawing some labs and sent me on my way. They take about a week to come back, so I just was going on with life. Meagan: Which is so crazy to me. Can I just say that? This is a potentially serious thing and it takes a week. Taylor: Right, yep. So yeah. She gave me some medicine that was supposed to help with the itching and things like that. Meagan: I think it helps lower your liver enzyme levels right? Taylor: Yeah. It really is supposed to slow things down. I took it and I didn't really feel like it helped, but I took it. Of course, I wanted the best thing for my baby. So I get to a little over 37 weeks at this point. I think I was 37 + 3. I was just at home. We had this really bad storm. My husband was normally off this day. It was a Monday. He was working late. The power went out. After the storm, I went outside to try and send him a text. He was calling me and said, “Hey. Have you talked to (one of my best friends who works at the hospital with me)? She's been calling me. She's been trying to get a hold of you.”I just was like, “No. I haven't had service. We lost power so the Wi-Fi went out.” So I called her and she was at work. She just said, “Taylor. The doctor's been trying to call you. Your labs came back and you have cholestasis. They want you to come in tonight.” I was just like, “What? What? Hold on.” You know, I just was—Meagan: Yeah, yeah, yeah. You've got to wrap your mind around it for a sec. Taylor: Yeah. I could tell that she was really sad to be the one to call me because she knew that I just really wanted this Bradley Method birth. So my husband came home and I just was like, “No. This is not what I wanted at all. Ugh.” I just was so sad. We ended up going in, of course, because I thought that was my only– they didn't give me any other options. I just thought, “Okay, well I need to do what they say.”So I went in and yeah. I was a little over 37 weeks. They got me admitted. I ended up having a Cervadil that night and I was closed by the way. My cervix was closed, thick, and high. So I had a Cervadil just thinking, “Oh great. I'm going to have my baby probably tomorrow.” The next day rolls around. It's still closed, thick, and high. I had another Cervadil which, if anyone has not had a Cervadil, it's like a sandpaper tampon. It is horrible. Meagan: Mhmm, yeah. Taylor: It's really horrible. So I had a second one with those and by the end of that day, still closed. I went in Monday night and between Monday night and Friday, I had had three Cervadils, Cytotec orally and vaginally, and a whole day of Pitocin. They tried to put a Cook Catheter through because, at some point, the furthest I got was a fingertip basically. The midwife was really, she was just trying so hard because I worked there and she knew I really wanted a vaginal delivery. So she was actually really awesome. But they tried to put a Cook catheter through my fingertip cervix. It was horrible. And yeah. So Friday morning rolls around and they came in. They were just like, “Yeah. There is really nothing else we can do at this point. I don't know why nothing is working.” The doctors had already been trying to have a C-section on Wednesday and this was Friday. I just remember feeling so exhausted, so tired, and honestly, just in so much pain from all of the things. I looked at my husband and I was just like, “I guess I just know. I know that I'm going to have to have a C-section.” They were just like, “Yeah. That's kind of your only option.” I ended up asking, “Can I go home? Can I go to antepartum? Can I just have some more time?” They just said, “No. We've done so much. You have cholestasis already. If it was going to work, it probably would have worked already.”I ended up having a pretty good C-section. It wasn't bad. It wasn't rushed. Nothing was wrong with my baby. He wasn't in distress or anything. We actually didn't know it was a he. We didn't find out what he was until he was born. But yeah, I just was pretty devastated. My husband was pretty devastated for me. We both were crying in the labor room all day until my C-section and then we just came to terms with it and it was fine. I had my C-section. I had my healthy little baby boy, Mason. And yeah. I had an easy recovery. I went home and I just knew that I was never going to have another C-section. That was my mindset when I went home because even though it was smooth and nothing was an emergency or anything, I just felt pretty devastated. I just remember even months after he was born, I would just cry in the shower thinking about it. I was like, “Why am I feeling like this?” I just never knew that your birth experience was just– now I know. It's just truly one of the most important things that you'll ever go through in life. Yeah. So I was determined that if I was going to get pregnant again, I was going to have my VBAC. So fast forward, my little Mason turned one. That was in July and I ended up finding out I was pregnant in September, so he was a little over one. I was ready. I was going to do all of my research and yeah. I started reading all of these books on VBACs. I went to the doctor and I knew– at this point, I was a labor and delivery nurse. My hospital is actually a community hospital and we don't have in-house anesthesia, so we technically don't do VBACs there. I went to see my doctor for my new appointment. She said, “Okay, well, we can put you down for a repeat C-section since you've had one.” I said, “No. I really want to have a VBAC.” She was great. She said, “Okay well, we, unfortunately, don't do them here. The hospital that does is 2 hours away.” I said, “Okay,” because I already knew that. I knew she was going to say that. I was like, “ I am doing this.” Of course, then comes the VBAC calculator. The biggest thing that everyone kept saying was, “Well, your cervix never dilated with your first pregnancy, so that's kind of a concern. We don't know why that happened.” But anyways, I just knew that I still had a chance. They did the VBAC calculator, and yeah. I just planned on having my VBAC. I went through my pregnancy and all of my appointments just knowing that that was what I wanted. I found The VBAC Link podcast and listened to y'all every day. Meagan: Aww. Taylor: Yeah. I listened to VBAC birth stories. Yeah. It was just the best. I was listening to all of those and I remember I was 20-something weeks pregnant and I was at work one day. Someone I worked with was just like, “You know, I am totally for VBACs. I think they're awesome, but I just don't know if you're a good candidate. There was a reason why you never dilated. I just remember I went in the bathroom and I just cried. I was devastated. She was not mean at all. It was like an honest conversation, but I texted my friend who had a VBAC after two C-sections. She ended up being my doula with my VBAC. I will tell you more about her. But I texted her and I was just so devastated. She was like, “Taylor. That is just not even true. You can do this.” I went forward and later in pregnancy, I went to the chiropractor, ate all of the dates, and drank the red raspberry leaf tea. I walked every day. I was chasing my toddler. I felt like I was healthier during this pregnancy, and yeah. I ended up being referred to that hospital that is two hours away when I was at 36 weeks. It's a big teaching hospital, and so of course, they were like, “We prefer probably to be induced around 39 weeks.” I said, “Nope. I am not going to be induced. I don't want that.”“Okay, well, we definitely want you to deliver by the time you are at 40 weeks.” I said, “Nope”. Meagan: “Thanks, but no thanks.”Taylor: I said, “Nope. I don't want to be induced.” The doctor was just like, “Okay. Well, then what we will do is every week we will check your cervix and do a membrane sweep and see if we can get things moving. After 40 weeks, you'll just have to come back for NSTs and things.” I said, “Nope.” I was like–Meagan: Way to advocate for yourself. Taylor: Yes. I, oh my gosh. That was just comical looking back. In the moment though, it was really scary because it is scary to tell a doctor, “No,” especially because we just assume that they know everything. Even being a labor and delivery nurse, sometimes it's hard for me and I have to advocate for my patients and things. In the moment, it was scary, but now, I'm just so glad I did. I ended up having an appointment at 39 weeks at my local OB here. She was like, “Can I just check you, and maybe can I do a sweep?” I was just like, “Okay,” but telling myself, “Okay. This is not going to change anything whether I'm closed.” I just knew that it could be a trigger for me because the whole week of being induced with my son, everyone was just like, “Oh, you're still closed. You're still closed. Closed, closed, closed.” This time, I was like, “Okay. I am not going to let it be a trigger. It doesn't mean anything.” I let her check me and of course, I was closed. But honestly, it didn't bother me. Of course, the doctor was like, “We'll have to talk to the other hospital and they're probably going to want you to be induced. If you're not dilated by 40 weeks, then I feel like they're going to want you to have a C-section.” I just left there and I was really just like, “Seriously, no. No. I have come so far,” because I had my other baby so early. It ended up being 38 weeks because I was there for so long. I was like, “No.” I did not schedule another appointment. I was like, “I am not going back until I have my baby,” which probably was not that smart, but I just knew I was going to pay attention to my body, pay attention to baby moving, and if I went too far past, I definitely would make an appointment, but I was like, “I'm not right now. I can't think about that because I don't want them to check me again. I don't want to have a weak moment and be induced.” So anyways, I went on my way. The day before my due date, I ended up drinking some midwife's brew castor oil. I drank that the day before my due date and I ended up within a couple of hours just having intense contractions every 1-3 minutes. This lasted for a few hours. My husband was like, “Okay. Is this labor? Do we need to go?” Because we have a two-hour drive. He ended up calling my friend, Cami, who was going to go as my doula. She, like I said, had a VBAC herself at the same hospital two hours away. So he calls Cami. She comes over and I was just really into these contractions. She said, “Yeah. We have a long drive. Let's just go.” These contractions continued the whole way down there. We get there. At this point, it had been past midnight, so I'm 40 weeks on the dot. They checked me and I was closed. Closed, thick, and high. Meagan: Oh, I bet that was hard. Taylor: Yeah, it was. I had actually had some bloody show on the way there, so I just knew I was going to be dilated. Meagan: Yeah. Taylor: I was like, “Okay, I am not dilated. This isn't real. This is just from the castor oil. I'm going home.” The resident was just like, “Oh yeah. I don't think that's going to happen. You're 40 weeks. You have a previous uterine scar and I just don't think we can discharge you.” I just said, “Yes, you can actually.”Meagan: “I don't think we can discharge you.” Huh. “Hello, I'm leaving.” Taylor: I just remember that my husband was like, “No, no, no,” because we had already been through so much with my first birth, and so I was like, “Yeah. Actually, can you go talk to someone else? Your attending or someone? I'm leaving. I know if I sleep, my contractions will stop. I'm not worried. I know all of the risks.” They tried to tell me the risks so many times. I was like, “Yeah. I know all of the risks and I still want to go home.”Anyways, they came back in, and actually, they made me sign out AMA. I was like, “Oh my gosh. I'm a nurse and I'm signing out against medical advice.” Meagan: AMA. So against medical advice is AMA, everybody. They'll say scary things like, “If you sign this AMA, you might not be welcomed back,” or “If you sign this AMA, insurance won't cover you when you do come back,” or “If you sign this AMA, no one is going to help you.” They scare you.Taylor: Yes. Yep, definitely. And honestly, if I hadn't just listened to so many people's birth stories and done so much research and I didn't know everything I knew, I probably would have been scared into staying which makes me sad for a lot of people because I know I would not have had my baby vaginally if I would have stayed. So I signed out AMA. I went home, slept the whole car ride home and sure enough, my contractions stopped. I was 40 weeks at this point and slept most of the day. I woke up in the middle of the night with these intense-seeming, regular contractions. I was like, “Oh wow. Maybe it's starting for real.” It happened for a couple of hours and ended up stopping. I was like, “Oh wow. Okay. Well, I guess that wasn't real.” So fast forward a few more days and that happened every night. It was horrible. I had some nice prodromal labor. Yeah. It was horrible because I just felt like, “Is labor ever actually going to start? What in the world? What is this?” I just remember my friend, Cami, who was my doula, she was just like, “Taylor, with every contraction, your body is just getting ready. Okay? It's doing what it's supposed to do. Don't be discouraged. You can do it.” She was just so encouraging. I just have to stop and say that a good doula is so key. Oh my gosh. I never even realized. Even as a labor and delivery nurse, I never realized how important. Meagan: It's so true. It's so true, yeah. Taylor: Yes, yes. My husband was so great too. He was awesome. It was the day before I was 41 weeks, so I was 40 + 6. It was my birthday, so my husband and I just went to a quick dinner out and we ended up stopping at the grocery store. I kind of had some random contractions that afternoon every 15 minutes, but again, I had this prodromal labor for a week, so I didn't believe anything was real. We go to the grocery store after dinner and I felt just like, “Maybe I peed my pants.” I went to the bathroom and I was like, “Maybe I did,” because there wasn't much of anything. I was like, “Caleb, I think maybe I accidentally peed my pants or something. I don't know, but we need to go home.” We go home and I just laid down. When I stood up, I felt a big gush. I was like, “No. No, my water's not breaking right now,” because I definitely was not in labor and that was kind of my worst nightmare was my water breaking and not being in labor. Yeah. I definitely knew my water broke. I was like, “Okay. I still feel baby moving. Everything feels fine. I am laying down. I'm just going to try to wait it out and see if maybe contractions will start.” I texted Cami and told her, “I think my water broke, but I'm going to lay down and see if maybe some contractions will start up.” They did. They ended up being every 4-5 minutes for two hours, but I ended up noticing some meconium in my fluid. I just knew, “Okay. Well, I guess we do have a two-hour drive.” I wanted to just stay home so badly just because of the last time driving down there and still being closed. But then I just knew, “Okay. There's meconium and I have been contracting for about two hours. Maybe we'll just go head down.” On the way down there in the drive, I could totally tell that the contractions were spacing out. I just kept trying not to think about it. I had my AirPods in. I was just listening to music trying to be comfortable, trying just to relax as much as possible. We get down to the hospital and get checked in. Basically, they remembered me from the week before. It was actually the same nurse. Meagan: They remembered me.Taylor: They did. They remembered me and basically, instead of a triage room, they took me straight to a labor room. They were not going to let me go home this time which, of course, I didn't. I go in and there were just so many doctors because like I said, it is a teaching hospital. There were so many people in the room. They were just telling me all of the risks again of having a uterine scar and, “Are you sure you don't want a C-section?” I was just like, “No. I don't want one. I've said this so many times.”“Okay. Well–” And I was super uncomfortable because all of these people were there. Bright lights were on and at this point, no contractions whatsoever. Of course, they checked me and I was closed. I was just like, “No. This is not real. This is my worst nightmare. I can't believe this is happening,” because immediately–Meagan: So frustrating. Taylor: Yeah. Immediately, it was, “Okay. Well, you need to sign this form saying you don't want a C-section and then we really want to start Pitocin.” I just said, “Yeah, no. I just need everyone to please leave me alone for a little bit. Can I just be alone in here?” I was so overwhelmed and it was the middle of the night. They were like, “Uhh, sure. We don't have much time because your water has been broken for a few hours and you're not having any contractions, so just know that we are going to come back and talk to you about Pitocin.” I said, “Okay. That's fine. I just, please, want to be left alone. I just want to sleep.” So we ended up being able to sleep for a couple of hours. The next morning came around because it was already 5:00 a.m. when we were there. I wake up and the day shift nurse comes on. She said, “Yeah, they're going to want to come in and talk to you.” I said, “Okay. I just want one person coming in.” I was determined because I tend to be a people pleaser and so I was just like, “No. I am not going to do that again because last night was so uncomfortable with all of those people here. Labor totally sucked. I just want one doctor coming in.” She said, “Okay.” A couple of hours later, a midwife walks in. I'm sure they were like, “This girl's crazy. Who wants her?” A midwife walked in and she was just so awesome and so calm. She asked me what I wanted. I said, “I just really don't want Pitocin. I want a VBAC so badly.” She was like, “Okay” and basically just said, “Well, how about you pump for a little bit, try and do some nipple stimulation to get some contractions started.” She's like, “I really wish that I could tell you to take some midwife's brew.” I guess she had worked at a birth center for 12 years before this teaching hospital. I said, “I have all of the ingredients. Don't worry.” She said, “Okay. Well, if you take it, don't tell me. It could take a few hours, so I'm just going to leave you alone for a while and we'll see if your contractions start up.” I was just so thankful. That just kept the momentum going because I kind of felt at a loss before that like, “Oh, I'm going to have to have Pitocin.” Anyways, I take the midwife's brew, pump, and that afternoon, it was a few hours later, and I did start having contractions. At this point, it was 18 hours after my water had broken, so yeah. I started having contractions and the midwife went off. A new doctor came on and they checked me and I was 1. I was 1 centimeter. I was just like, “Oh my gosh. My cervix dilated. Oh my gosh. I can't believe this is happening.” Even though I was just 1, I remember high-fiving the resident. I was like, “Yes. This is happening.” Little did I know, I still had a long way to go. But yeah. So they were like, “All right. We really want to start Pitocin. You're just really not progressing very much, but 1 is good. But we want to start Pit.” I said, “Okay. I want the absolute lowest dose and I want it as low as you can go basically.” They said, “Okay. We can do that. We'll start low.” My night shift nurse was amazing. They started Pitocin. Literally, after an hour, they had to shut it off. I just started contracting so much. It was really intense. It was, I mean, every two minutes at least. Every 1-2 minutes. They had to shut it off because I was contracting too much. I was in and out of the shower, just throwing up. It felt like I was in transition. It was that intense for hours. I think maybe 4 hours of just sleeping between contractions, again, up to the shower, just walking around the room, not being able to focus on anything but the contractions, my husband and my doula were like, “Man, we really feel like she's been acting like transition for hours. Maybe, Taylor, do you want to be re-checked?”So at 2:00 a.m., they came back in and I was 2. After all of that, legitimately thought the baby was coming and I was 2. The doctor was actually very happy about that. She was like, “You're 2. That's awesome.” I just really actually loved this doctor that was on. But of course, my husband, my doula, and I were like, “Seriously? A 2?” It just felt like all of the air was sucked out of the room because we were all exhausted and I just truly didn't know what I was going to do. They really wanted to start the Pitocin back up because they were like, “Maybe these contractions just aren't strong enough.” I was like, “I can't. I just don't think I can do this plus more Pitocin. This is just so intense.” So they were talking to me. I'm still having these really intense contractions while we are talking. They leave the room. My husband goes out because he just wants to know how he can continue to be positive for me because he basically just wanted to know if something was wrong. So he leaves the room. My doula and I, I was just telling her. I was like, “Is something wrong with me?” I'm crying and I'm just like, “Maybe my body wasn't meant for this. Maybe I really can't do it.” We all were sitting there and she was just trying to be encouraging. The doctor comes back in and she was like, “Taylor, I just really think you need to rest.” Because at this point, I did not have any pain medicine. I didn't have an epidural. I was still determined that I was going to have my unmedicated birth. I ended up going back and forth for a while. “No, I don't want an epidural.” I agreed to some pain medicine. I got to sleep for a little bit. I did end up getting an epidural around 5:30 in the morning and we all got to sleep for a little while. I woke up the next day. My day shift nurse came on and she was like, “Okay. We are going to change your position. We are going to get on this. We are going to have a baby.” I still hadn't had much Pitocin because I was still just contracting so much on my own. My nurse was just amazing. We did a whole circuit of all of these positions which actually, I already knew from being a nurse but a lot of people don't do them. I had actually taken a class that she had taken too. It was kind of like a Spinning Babies class. So I was just like, “Oh my gosh. What are the odds that I get this girl?” I just was so happy. So we did all of the stuff and I started feeling all of the contractions again. I was like, “Okay. Well, maybe the baby is in a weird position or whatnot.” They came in to check me and the doctor was in there for a while. I was like, “Great. She's trying to find my cervix. Can't find it. Oh wow. Still a 2 probably.” Meagan: Or it's gone. Taylor: Yeah, or it's gone.She was like, “Okay. Well, you are a 9.” Meagan: Oh! Really, actually, it was gone. Taylor: Yeah. I was like, “Oh my gosh! What? Are you serious? I'm 9? Because all of this emotion just came flooding because everyone had said, “You probably won't dilate again” or all of these things. I was just like, “I'm 9. Oh my gosh.”Anyway, so I ended up just having a super smooth delivery. I was complete. I just felt like the baby was coming out. I told my doula. She was like, “Yep. Baby is coming out.” I went and got my nurse and I pushed a few times and boom. She came out. I didn't know it was a girl until she came out. Yeah. I just remember being like, “Y'all. I did this. I cannot believe this.” I just was in so much shock. I didn't cry or anything. I just was like, “Yes to everyone who told me I couldn't do it.” It was just amazing. Yeah. I just couldn't believe that I did it. I still can't believe that I did it. Meagan: Yeah. Well, when so many people place doubt, even though we believe that we can do it, we start believing that we can't. We start believing that doubt, right? Taylor: Yes. Meagan: Then having to go through all of what you had to go through and sign an AMA then return at the same stage. All of these things, yeah. That could be a time when you would let self-doubt get you. But you did it. Taylor: Yeah, it was amazing. I did. Oh, I still can't believe it. Meagan: You did it. Oh, that's awesome. Congratulations. I kind of love the doubt stories. I know it sounds really bad, but I have this weird thing. I love proving things wrong because I did the same thing. My doctor doubted me and was like, “Yeah. No one is going to want you there.” I was like, “Yeah. You watch me. You watch me.” It drove me even further, so I love it. I love that you stuck with it. You advocated for you and your husband together. Just so awesome and then having that total shift of positivity and “Let's do this. We're going to have a baby.”It's so important. I want to talk a little bit about labor and delivery nurses as you are a labor and delivery nurse. What tips or suggestions would you give to people that are on the other side like you were? Giving birth and wanting certain things and maybe having a labor and delivery nurse that maybe isn't as supportive of your wishes or pushing hard whether it be them or the provider pushing hard against them. What would you suggest? Taylor: Yes. So my number one thing is to try so hard to research and just educate yourself before you go in. But the biggest thing is asking questions. If you're not sure about something or if you– let's say they want to come in and break your water. You're just like, “Okay. I don't know anything about that, but I don't actually know that I want to do that,” and you don't feel good about it, you don't have to do it. You can say, “No.” I think people don't realize that they can say, “No” or at least ask more questions about it. That is what even as a nurse, I always tell my patients. If a doctor comes in and wants to do something, I say, “Okay. Are you okay with that? Do you have any questions?” Just really advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself because luckily I had an awesome doula. And get a doula!I had an awesome doula and my husband who could bring me back down to Earth and say, “Taylor, no. You don't want this” or “Are you sure about that? Why don't we ask some questions?” But definitely just advocate, advocate, advocate. Ask questions. If they want you to be induced, why? Is there an actual reason? What other options do you have? Ask for options. When I had cholestasis, I didn't know that I could have had another option. My value was not high, my bio acids. It was only 16. Meagan: Ohh. Taylor: Yes. I didn't know. Maybe I could have asked. Could you trend that? Do I have to come in tonight? Meagan: Yeah. Taylor: Yeah. I didn't know and I didn't know then. I think a lot of people probably are like that. You don't know. Meagan: You don't even know that there are different numbers that could make it seem like you don't need to go in right then. Taylor: Right, yes. So advocate for yourself. Ask questions. You know yourself better than anybody. Meagan: Yes. Oh, I love that. I love that so much. Thank you so much again for being with us today. I love your story. It's just so hard coming in. There are so many times where you were like, “It's not going to happen. It's not going to happen. It's not going to happen. It's not going to happen.” But look at what patience and time did for you, and making choices like getting an epidural and getting some rest. Your body was able to rest and get the rest it needed to progress and the relaxation that it needed. A lot of people say that you can't have a VBAC without an epidural. Some people say that you have to have a VBAC with an epidural. It just is dependent on that person and that situation. You make the decisions that are best for you. It looks like you nailed it. Taylor: Yes. Thank you so much for having me on here. I still. Thank you so much, Meagan.Meagan: Oh, thank you. Okay, I can't wait for everyone to hear your story. ClosingWould you like to be a guest on the podcast? Tell us about your experience at thevbaclink.com/share. For more information on all things VBAC including online and in-person VBAC classes, The VBAC Link blog, and Meagan's bio, head over to thevbaclink.com. Congratulations on starting your journey of learning and discovery with The VBAC Link. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this replay from an episode in 2020, Isabel shares how she went into labor while working a night shift as an L&D nurse at the hospital she was delivering. Links This episode is sponsored by Kindred Bravely. Use code BIRTHHOUR for 20% off at kindredbravely.com Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course - Use Code 100OFF for $100 off Beyond the First Latch Course Support The Birth Hour via Patreon!