The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama

This week I grabbed the most common questions you sent me over on Instagram from my 418k followers and answered them the way your bestie labor nurse would - honest, no fluff, and zero fear-mongering.
I’m answering:
Is that sharp bump pain in the early second trimester normal? (And when to actually call your provider)
The 4-1-2 rule for heading to the hospital with your first baby (and why it’s different for your second)
How long postpartum bleeding really lasts + the red-flag signs you can’t ignore
The truth about the 24-hour water-breaking rule (it’s not the automatic emergency most hospitals make it sound like)
Postpartum night sweats, when your milk actually comes in, and why those night sweats hit so hard
Big baby at 39 weeks - do you have to induce or schedule a C-section? (Spoiler: I’ve got strong feelings on this one)
Tips for flipping a breech baby, scar pain in pregnancy, Pitocin realities, and so much more

If you’ve ever been up at 2 a.m. Googling your questions while pregnant, this episode is your calm in the chaos. Knowledge flips fear into power, mama - and that’s exactly what we’re doing today.
Whether you’re prepping for birth or deep in the postpartum trenches, you’ll walk away feeling seen, informed, and way more confident.
More from this episode:
Listen to Episode 217: Your Essential Second Trimester Checklist for a Smoother Birth Experience | 217
Calm Labor Confident Birth Course
Helpful Timestamps:
00:00 Answering Your Top Questions
01:43 Second Trimester Bump Pain
02:24 Postpartum Bleeding Timeline
03:00 When To Go To Hospital
04:30 Water Break 24 Hour Rule
05:12 Fear Of Giving Birth
05:51 TDAP And Whooping Cough
06:21 Flipping A Breech Baby
07:19 C Section Scar Pain
07:59 Postpartum Night Sweats
08:16 When Milk Comes In
09:02 What Contractions Feel Like
09:43 Pitocin Pros And Risks
10:08 Big Baby Induction Pressure
11:48 Small Baby Growth Concerns

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!
Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍
⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐
Connect w/ Trish:
On Instagram
On YouTube
For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

I got to sit down with Áine, the Baby Reflux Lady - a leading holistic expert in infant reflux, colic, and digestive discomfort. Drawing from her background in Traditional Chinese Medicine, nutrition, and her own journey as a mom of two babies with severe reflux, Áine shares why she refuses to accept the outdated idea that “this is just how babies are.”
We dive deep into the real signs of reflux (it’s not just spitting up!), why so many parents feel dismissed by “they’ll grow out of it,” and how listening to your instincts can change everything. Áine explains the importance of looking at the whole baby, uncovering root causes instead of just managing symptoms, and shares practical steps for overwhelmed moms - from what pregnant mamas can watch for to simple ways to support your nervous system when things feel heavy.
If you’ve ever been told your baby’s discomfort is normal, this episode will give you permission to trust yourself and know there is another way. Whether you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or deep in the thick of sleepless nights and constant crying, Áine’s wisdom offers real hope and clear direction.
More from Áine The Baby Reflux Lady:
Visit https://www.thebabyrefluxlady.co.uk/
Check out the Symptoms Tracker
Follow Áine on Instagram: @babyrefluxlady and FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/theBabyRefluxLady
Helpful Timestamps:
00:00 Meet Áine The Baby Reflux Lady
06:43 Pregnancy Prep and Early Red Flags
10:27 Calming Yourself to Calm Baby
14:24 Clear Signs It’s Reflux
17:34 Smelly Gas and Gut Discomfort
20:45 Breastmilk, Carbs And Stress
27:35 Programs And Support Options
29:58 Fast Results Story
32:08 Where To Find Áine

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!
Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍
⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐
Connect w/ Trish:
On Instagram
On YouTube
For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Your doctor is NOT your boss.
They are your medical consultant. You are the decision-maker. Period.
In this episode Trish breaks down informed consent in the clearest, calmest, most confident way possible - because this one thing is the #1 reason women walk away from birth feeling powerless. It’s not the pain, not the interventions… it’s not knowing they had the right to say yes, no, or “I need a minute.”
You’ll hear the powerful story of my student who went from scheduling a C-section out of pure fear to rocking a beautiful unmedicated birth - simply because she understood her rights and started using them calmly.
I also walk you through:
What informed consent actually means (it’s NOT just signing a paper)
The four powerful questions that turn any “order” into a conversation
Why labor makes us forget our rights, and exactly how to protect them before you even step foot in the hospital
How to advocate without yelling, arguing, or being labeled “difficult”

This isn’t about being combative. It’s about walking in informed, respected, and owning your power - the exact power that changes everything in the birth room.
You are becoming a mom. That’s the most powerful role on the planet. Informed consent is how you protect that transition.
So take a deep breath, mama. Your voice is the most important one in that room.
If this episode hit home (or if you know a pregnant friend who needs to hear she’s the boss), please share it with her.
Hit subscribe, leave a quick review, and I’ll see you next week.
You’ve got this. ❤️
Helpful Timestamps:
00:00 Your Doctor is Not Your Boss
01:00 Birth Student Finds Her Voice
02:39 What Informed Consent Means
03:23 Orders Versus Options
04:39 Calm Advocacy Questions
05:08 Emergencies Still Need Consent
05:32 Preventing Birth Trauma
06:15 You Are The Decision Maker

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!
Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍
⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐
Connect w/ Trish:
On Instagram
On YouTube
For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

If you’ve ever been told “everything looks normal” but you’re still not pregnant, or if you’re just starting your trying-to-conceive journey and want real answers instead of vague “we don’t know,” this episode is going to feel like a warm hug and a game-changer all at once. I sat down with the incredible Dr. Sasha Hakman, a double board-certified OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) specialist at HRC Fertility in Beverly Hills. She’s highly awarded, stays on the cutting edge of research, and is even a subject matter expert for the American Board of OB-GYN in REI board certification. In other words, she knows her stuff - and she explains it in the kindest, clearest way possible.
We cover:
What “unexplained infertility” actually means - it affects 15-20% of couples with infertility.
The hidden endometriosis link and why it can fly under the radar.
The basic fertility workup every woman deserves to know about.
First-line treatment: superovulation + IUI and the success rates.
When to move to IVF, embryo testing, and even whole genome sequencing.
Dr. Sasha’s own fertility journey at 39 while helping patients every day.
Her top 3 tips if you’re walking this road right now.

I walked away feeling so much more informed and hopeful, and I know you will too. Whether you’re deep in this journey, supporting a friend, or just educating yourself ahead of time - go you. I’m so proud of you for showing up and learning.
This episode is for every mama who’s ever felt unseen in her journey. I see you. I’m here for you. You are stronger than you know.
More from Dr. Sasha Hakman:
Listen to her podcast: Trying to Conceive
Follow her on Instagram @sashahakmanmd @tryingtoconceivepod
Helpful Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome Dr. Sasha Hakman
03:36 What Unexplained Infertility Means
07:26 Hidden Endometriosis Clues
12:14 Age And Family Planning
15:38 IUI To IVF Decision Point
22:05 IVF As Diagnostic Tool
23:33 Embryo Genetic Testing Basics
25:08 Whole Genome Sequencing Upgrade
28:58 IVF Success Rates by Age
30:37 Postpartum and Fertility Pressure
33:15 Top Three Infertility Tips
39:11 Where to Find Dr. Sasha Hakman

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!
Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍
⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐
Connect w/ Trish:
On Instagram
On YouTube
For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Hey Mama! Ever caught yourself making a birth choice out of straight-up fear? Yeah, me too - with my first baby, needles had me running unmedicated without a clue. But here's the real talk: it's not about the pain or the meds; it's about owning your power. In this episode, we dive into the big question - epidural or unmedicated? - and how to choose without regret. I share my stories from 16 years as a high-risk labor nurse and mama of six, plus three game-changing questions to guide you to a birth where YOU call the shots.
Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms
Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!
Key Takeaways:
Regret Isn't About the Choice - It's About the Why: I've seen mamas rock both paths and also, regret both. The difference? Feeling informed, involved, and empowered, not rushed or pressured.
The pros & trade-offs of choosing the epidural or going unmedicated.
Prepping for what YOU want:No winging it, girl! Tools, knowledge, and advocacy are key, whether you're team epidural or going natural.
You can pivot without panic: Birth is wild - plans change. Stay flexible and informed, and you'll walk away feeling like the boss you are.

No perfect births here, just empowered ones where you say, "I understood, I decided, I owned it." If fear's been your driver, let's flip that script with education and confidence.
Share this with a mama who's wrestling with the decision, hit subscribe, drop a review (it means the world!), and remember: you're capable, you're seen, and I've got your back. 💕
Helpful Timestamps:
00:00 Epidural or Unmedicated
01:01 Trish’s Birth Story
01:49 Regret Comes From Fear
02:34 Question One: Know Options
03:34 Question Two: Prepare Well
03:58 Question Three: Stay Flexible
04:23 Empowered Birth Mindset
05:41 Final Encouragement

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!
Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍
⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐
Connect w/ Trish:
On Instagram
On YouTube
For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services