Mommy Labor Nurse

Liesel Teen

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

Episodes

How To Have an Easier Birth with Gail Tulley from Spinning Babies! (Part 1)
3d ago
How To Have an Easier Birth with Gail Tulley from Spinning Babies! (Part 1)
This week, I’ve got a special treat for you guys! We are traveling back in time and re-airing the most popular episode in the history of this podcast.  I'm so excited to put this out again for you guys because I’m talking to Gail Tulley (full bio below) and she is such a wealth of knowledge! She is the founder of Spinning Babies, which talks about the physiology of your baby in the womb and the importance of creating as much space in the pelvis as possible.  In this episode, we talked about ample fetal positioning and why it’s so important to consider which way the baby is facing and how flexed the head is. Gail makes all this really, really easy to understand. We also talked about exercises and movements, posterior babies, what to do when your baby is breech and so much more! Enjoy part one of this super informative episode on how to have an easier birth.   Want to birth without an epidural? Get our FREE Natural Birth Prep Pack to gain the confidence you need - because simply wanting it might not be enough!   Have an even better birth! 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!   Related Episodes and Resources Spinning Babies techniques and resources  Optimal Fetal Positioning book by Jean Sutton and Pauline Scott  Ina May Gaskin's book about orgasmic birthDebra Pascali-Bonaro's work on orgasmic birth   About Gail Tully Gail Tully is a Midwife, renowned author and educator and creator of the Spinning Babies® approach that has contributed to a paradigm shift in childbirth care around the world. In her home town of Minneapolis, USA, Gail has been coordinator and consultant to multiple well known Doula Programs and is a founding mother of the Childbirth Collective, one of the largest doula organizations in the USA.  Books by Gail Tully Breech Birth Quick Guide Spinning Babies® Quick Reference Belly Mapping® Workbook Videos by Gail Tully  Spinning Babies® Parent Class Daily Essentials (with Sarah Longacre of Blooma) Resolving Shoulder Dystocia
Black Maternal Health Week
15-04-2024
Black Maternal Health Week
In today's episode, I will dive into the critical topic of improving maternal health outcomes for black women and the promising programs that are making a difference. Black women often face discrimination and stress during their pregnancies, birth and postpartum, leading to the highest rates of maternal mortality and health complications in the US.  However, there is hope on the horizon and Dr. Venice Haynes and Natalie Davis are joining me today to discuss the positive changes that are happening around this topic! Denise is the Senior Director of Research and community engagement at United States of Care and brings over 14 years of public health experience. And Natalie is the CEO and co-founder of United States of care with nearly two decades of shaping American health care policies.  I'm so thrilled to share this interview in honor of black maternal health week as a means to help raise awareness and support wider adoptions of these crucial programs and practices. And if you want to keep listening to learn more about the realities of black maternal health, I encourage you to listen to Episode 73 after this one.   Save $20 on your Birth Class today (limited time only) ! Have an even better birth with our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver. For every class sold, we are going to give away a free class to a mom that otherwise wouldn’t have been able to take part! CLICK HERE and SAVE $20 by entering the code GIVE on checkout (limited time only) 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!   Resources and Related Episodes "Bright Spots" Report from United States of Care Nurse Family Partnerships - Provides resources and support for first-time moms. Black Mom of Glowing - Peer support group for maternal mental health. Family Solutions - Provides resources and support for parents and children in rural communities in South Carolina Maven Clinic - Provides reproductive and family healthcare for members. Ocean Family Center - Has a program that gives free virtual psychotherapy appointments for mothers. Shades of Blue Project - Offers a postpartum support group through journaling in Houston, Texas. Spinning Babies - Provide resources on a physiological approach to preparing for and caring for birth. EP73: The Realities of Black Maternal Health
Releasing the Mother Load with Erica Djossa
18-03-2024
Releasing the Mother Load with Erica Djossa
Today, we'll be diving into a topic that's near and dear to every mom's heart: the often overwhelming expectations of motherhood and the importance of reclaiming joy and fulfillment amidst the chaos. Joining us is Erica Djossa, a maternal mental health specialist and the founder of the Momwell community. Throughout our conversation, we'll explore Erica's journey into the maternal mental health space, the inspiration behind her book, and some key takeaways that moms everywhere can implement in their own lives. To hear more from Erica, I encourage you to listen to my two other interviews with her! She came on the show in Episode 79 to talk about the invisible load of motherhood, and in Episode 187 we unpacked postpartum psychosis.   Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth? Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you’ve got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you’re healing from birth.   Have an even better birth! 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!   Related Episodes and Resources EP79: The Invisible Load of Motherhood EP187: Understanding Postpartum Psychosis with Erica Djossa Momwell Workshops & Courses Momwell Community Erica Djossa’s New Book: "Releasing the Mother Load"
Tackling Anxiety in Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum
12-02-2024
Tackling Anxiety in Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum
In today’s episode we're diving into a topic that sometimes hides in the shadows — anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum. Anxiety isn't just confined to the postpartum period; it can weave its way into the fabric of pregnancy too. So in this episode we unravel the layers of anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum, explore natural remedies to ease the journey, and talk about when medication is the right move. If you or a loved one is suffering from ANY perinatal mood disorder, know that there is help out there. Call your provider right away and let them know that something isn't right. For more acute situations, call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? 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! Have an even better birth! 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! Related Resources and Episodes EP142: Mental Health in Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Motherhood with Dr. Ashurina Ream EP157: Discussing Perinatal Mental Health with Perinatal Psychiatrist, Nichelle Haynes EP187: Understanding Postpartum Psychosis with Erica DjossaFind a perinatal therapistNational Maternal Mental Health Hotline number: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
Kick Counting Simplified with Kimberly Isburg
05-02-2024
Kick Counting Simplified with Kimberly Isburg
Welcome back to another episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast! Today, we're diving deep into the world of baby movement during pregnancy with special guest, Kimberly Isburg from one of my favorite organizations, Count the Kicks! Kimberly is a passionate advocate for maternal health causes and is honored to work for an organization that is dedicated to improving birth outcomes and saving the lives of moms and babies. Inside the interview, I will be exploring crucial aspects of kick counting during pregnancy with Kimberly. She will share her insights on the importance of kick counting, dispel myths surrounding fetal movement, provide valuable tips for expectant mothers, and more! Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag! Have an even better birth! 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! Related Episode and Resources EP127: Stillbirth Prevention TipsCount the Kicks WebsiteCount the Kicks FREE AppCount the Kicks Instagram About Kimberly Isburg Kimberly Isburg is the Communications Manager for Healthy Birth Day, Inc., the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that created the Count the Kicks stillbirth prevention program. Kimberly used Count the Kicks to get to know her babies’ normal movement patterns during both of her pregnancies and is proud to be the mom of two healthy boys. She is a passionate advocate for maternal health causes and is honored to work for an organization that is dedicated to improving birth outcomes and saving the lives of moms and babies.
Mae's (Almost!) Pain-Free Home Birth
15-01-2024
Mae's (Almost!) Pain-Free Home Birth
On this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, Mae Yoshikawa joined me all the way from Japan to share her 2 epidural-free birth stories. Her first was born in a birth center in South Japan, and was rather traumatic. Mae dealt with a long, intense labor with a significant amount of pain throughout. Eight years later, she used the wisdom that she's learned from years of intense practice as a yoga and meditation teacher and applied it to her birth. She was able to have an all natural and almost pain free water birth at her home with her husband and midwife by her side. Mae’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact that your mindset can have on your birth experience. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did recording it! Anxious about packing for the hospital? Grab the FREE Hospital Bag Checklist created by a practicing L&D nurse and feel 10000% certain you’ve got everything you need on the big day! Have an even better birth! 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! About Mae Yoshikawa Mae is an author, yoga & meditation practitioner, teacher, and mother. In 2006, she became the first Japanese woman to be authorized by the founding school of Ashtanga Yoga in India. Since then, Mae has been a trailblazing force in the wellness field throughout the Asia-Pacific region as Japanese Yogini magazine featured her on 42 consecutive covers. As the face of Adidas yoga, Mae was awarded the “Yoga People’s Award” in 2016 for her remarkable social impact in the wellness field. Her upcoming book, Kizuki: Life’s Tidal Waves + Epiphanies = Love Beyond Time and Death is a heart-wrenching and heart-arousing memoir that chronicles her experience of finding herself again through grief after the sudden loss of her husband in 2018.  Learn more about Mae and her upcoming book Kizuki at her Flagship Website or on Instagram.
Navigating Nausea During Pregnancy and Birth
08-01-2024
Navigating Nausea During Pregnancy and Birth
Today we're diving into a topic that's close to the hearts (and stomachs!) of many expecting moms - nausea and vomiting! I do want to give a little trigger warning that if your nausea is triggered by the discussion of this topic, you may want to skip this episode. I know how sensitive some can be with this stuff!! I'll start out by exploring some dietary tips to tackle pregnancy nausea head-on. Then, I'll shift the focus to vomiting during labor. It’s definitely not everyone's favorite topic, but it's a reality for many moms-to-be! Want to feel in control before birth?  Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire. Have an even better birth! 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! SPONSOR Ritual I know first hand the importance of nourishing your body, especially during pregnancy. That’s why I want to share Ritual and their ‘Essential for Women’ Prenatal Multivitamin with you. This is the prenatal I took during my pregnancy after researching a ton of different options. Ritual is all about transparency. They make sure that 100% of their ingredients are made traceable, so you know exactly what you are putting into your body. Ritual offers a subscription based service with free shipping, control over your delivery date and savings when you bundle. And they are so confident in their products that they offer a 30 day money back guarantee. The essential for women prenatal  is a prenatal multivitamin that’s packed with clinically studied nutrients that are essential for both you and your baby! Visit ritual.com/mommylabornurse and 40% off your first month of Ritual will be applied at checkout!
How to Get Admitted to Labor and Delivery
01-01-2024
How to Get Admitted to Labor and Delivery
Happy New Year, and welcome back to The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast! We've got a jam-packed line up for 2024, and I can't wait to continue to educate you about all things pregnancy, birth, and baby!  Are you wondering how to get admitted to labor and delivery? You’re certainly not alone! The funny thing about labor is that most pregnant women (especially first-time mamas!) frequently ask themselves the question, “Am I in labor?” when they aren’t really in labor. But once you are actually in labor, there is literally zero doubt – 9 times out of 10 you will know!  Inside this episode I go over specific labor admission criteria, things that might keep you from being admitted, what happens once you are admitted to labor and delivery, and explore other reasons you might be admitted to the hospital during pregnancy. Want to erase anxiety and actually feel excited about birth? Get instant access to my FREE Birth Workshop to learn tons of pain-coping strategies and actionable tips today! Have an even better birth! 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! Related Resources and Episodes EP103: 10 Things You Can Do To Prep For LaborThe Miles Circuit: My Success with These Stretches to Induce Labor
A Pelvic Floor Deep Dive with the Down There Doctors
18-12-2023
A Pelvic Floor Deep Dive with the Down There Doctors
Today we're diving into a topic that often remains in the shadows despite its profound impact on women's health – the pelvic floor!  Pelvic floor health isn't just a topic for medical professionals; it's something that affects millions of women, and yet, it's often met with silence or uncertainty. That's why we're thrilled to have the "Down There Doctors" here with us today. Dr. Karyn Eilber and Dr. Victoria Scott are passionate urogynecologists, who have made it their mission to shine a spotlight on pelvic floor health and break the stigma surrounding it. They're also the co-authors of the candidly titled book, A Woman's Guide to Her Pelvic Floor. What The F*@# is Going On Down There. In this episode, we'll discuss common challenges women face during and after pregnancy, and uncover practical solutions to empower women with knowledge about their bodies. Throughout our conversation, we'll learn about the importance of pelvic floor health, break down myths and misconceptions, and uncover how their book aims to empower women with the knowledge they need to navigate this often-overlooked aspect of their well-being. Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there? 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! Have an even better birth! 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! Related Resources A Woman's Guide to Her Pelvic Floor. What The F*@# is Going On Down There. Down There DoctorsInstagram: Down There DoctorsInstagram: Dr. Victoria ScottInstagram: Dr. Karyn Eilber About Dr. Karyn Eilber Karyn is a Professor of Urology and Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the Program Director for the Cedars-Sinai Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) fellowship training program. Prior to joining Cedars-Sinai, Dr. Eilber practiced at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. She completed medical school, urology residency and a fellowship in female pelvic medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Eilber’ s research focus has been in the areas of urogynecology and female sexual dysfunction, and she has published multiple peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters. She has lectured nationally and internationally and instructs other physicians across the country on how to perform certain FPMRS surgical procedures. She is the co-founder of Glissant Intimate Care and a founding medical partner of Doctorpedia. About Dr. Victoria Scott Victoria has a long-standing interest in quality-of-care research in female pelvic medicine that began during her medical school training at UCLA. She completed her urology residency and a fellowship in FPMRS at UCLA. While a resident and fellow at UCLA, her research was focused on developing quality-of-care indicators for women with urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse and improving the quality of care delivered to women with recurrent urinary tract infections. Currently, her efforts are aimed at better educating primary care providers in the treatment of female pelvic floor disorders to further improve the care of women with these conditions. She has published multiple peer-reviewed manuscripts and presented her research at numerous national conferences. Before joining her current practice with Optum, she was Director of Education for the Cedars-Sinai FPRMS fellowship training program and on the faculty of the Cedars-Sinai Urology Residency training program.
Epidural Questions From Our Listener Line!
11-12-2023
Epidural Questions From Our Listener Line!
On this week's episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I took a call about epidurals from our listener line. This mama shared the challenges she faced with an epidural during her first birth and she's got some pressing questions about what to expect with her second labor and delivery. Today, we'll chat about it and explore the possibility of that same reaction happening again in a future birth, the alternatives to pain medication, and whether either might lead to increased C-section rates. Our aim, as always, is to provide you with evidence-based, thorough information to help you make the best decisions for your birth journey! Want to feel confident before your epidural birth? Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day! Have an even better birth! 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! Sponsor Ritual I know first hand the importance of nourishing your body, especially during pregnancy. That’s why I want to share Ritual and their ‘Essential for Women’ Prenatal Multivitamin with you. This is the prenatal I took during my pregnancy after researching a ton of different options. Ritual is all about transparency. They make sure that 100% of their ingredients are made traceable, so you know exactly what you are putting into your body. Ritual offers a subscription based service with free shipping, control over your delivery date and savings when you bundle. And they are so confident in their products that they offer a 30 day money back guarantee. The essential for women prenatal  is a prenatal multivitamin that’s packed with clinically studied nutrients that are essential for both you and your baby! Visit ritual.com/mommylabornurse and 40% off your first month of Ritual will be applied at checkout!