The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama

Trish sits down with one of her favorite doulas - Sarah Osborne, doula, doula mentor, mama of three, and the real-deal with 17 years and over 900 births attended. Sarah went from a thriving solo practice to building a doula collective in the Pacific Northwest, and she’s spilling all the tea on what actually matters when you’re hiring support for your birth.
You’re going to hear why the “Google checklist” of doula questions is kinda useless, how to spot the vibe you really want (yes, you should feel like you could be friends with her - and not care if she sees you naked and pooping), and why Sarah says you can’t say “never” in birth. She shares her own three very different birth stories, one of her favorite births she’s attended, and the powerful reminder that interventions have their place - and sometimes they’re exactly what you need. This conversation is packed with wisdom, zero judgment, and the kind of real talk that leaves you feeling empowered instead of overwhelmed.
Whether you’re a pregnant mama trying to build your birth team or a birth worker who wants to do this work with integrity, hit play. You’re going to walk away smarter, calmer, and even more fired up about birth.
More from Sarah Osborne, CD(DONA):
Checkout https://theexpertdoula.com/skills-lab
Connect with Sarah on Instagram: @the.expert.doula + @thebirthcollectivepnw
Visit TheExpertDoula.com
Visit TheBirthCollectivePNW.com
Helpful Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome Sarah
00:36 Sarah's Doula Journey
02:09 Sarah's Birth Stories
05:16 Choosing the Right Doula
12:31 Memorable Birth Experiences
15:06 The Role of Positioning in Pregnancy
17:26 The Importance of Medical Interventions
23:11 Respecting Personal Choices in Birth
27:04 Doula Mentorship and Community

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.

Today, Trish is sharing the powerful birth story of her daughter where she went from being told she would have a ‘dead baby’ at 37 weeks pregnant if she didn’t induce, to having a beautiful unmedicated delivery. This birth story shows how her daughter navigated the difference between convenience-based and necessary interventions. Trish breaks down the distinction between these interventions, highlighting the importance of informed decision-making and self-advocacy. She recounts how her daughter navigated medical advice and ultimately delivered her baby safely amidst true medical necessity at 39 weeks. This story underscores the value of patient education, boundaries, and empowerment in birth. You'll also hear an inspirational birth story from one of Trish's students, who delivered just a week after her daughter, showcasing the impact of her comprehensive birth education and how it helped her navigate a fast, unexpected home birth!
More from this episode:
Listen to the ‘My Daughter’s OB Said She’ll Have a Dead Baby (I’m a Labor Nurse Ya’ll)’ episode!
Watch this FREE Birth Class: 3 Secrets to a Smoother, Faster Birth
Helpful Timestamps:
00:00 My Daughter’s Birth
01:08 The Importance of Informed Decision Making
02:40 The 37-Week Appointment
04:42 The 39-Week Emergency Induction
07:16 Advocating for Yourself During Labor
11:58 The Birth Experience
14:11 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts
17:22 Student Birth Story

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

Trish welcomes a fellow labor and delivery nurse and childbirth educator, Lo Mansfield, also known as The Labor Mama. They discuss the intriguing question of why so many L&D nurses, midwives, and birth pros personally opt for unmedicated births, sharing behind-the-scenes insights from their years on the floor. Trish and Lo open up about their own journeys - Trish recounting her first unmedicated birth at 17 out of sheer needle fear (and loving how she felt like a boss + queen afterward), while Lo explains her mix of clinical experience, like minimizing interventions for better outcomes, and practical perks, such as immediate mobility if baby needs the NICU.
They swap hilarious and heartfelt stories of fast labors, OP babies, and the power of a supportive partner, emphasizing how education and trust in your body can make all the difference. Trish and Lo keep it real, reminding mamas that unmedicated birth isn't for everyone - epidurals and interventions can lead to beautiful births too - but empowerment comes from listening to your inner voice and advocating for yourself.
More from The Labor Mama
Visit thelabormama.com
Listen to the Lo & Behold Podcast
Follow @thelabormama on Instagram
Helpful Timestamps:
01:44 Lo's Journey into OB Nursing
04:52 Unmedicated Birth Choices
05:28 Lo's Birth Stories
09:23 Trish's Birth Stories
17:42 Navigating Hospital Births, Interventions, & Autonomy
29:12 The Value of Immediate Post-Birth Mobility
31:41 Choosing the Right Birth Setting
34:59 Trusting Your Intuition in Birth Choices

Join the Sold Out Offer Challenge at trishwarecoaching.com/soo happening this February 2nd-6th!
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

Trish shares a deeply personal and shocking account of a recent doctor's appointment for her 37-week pregnant daughter. Despite being a highly experienced labor and delivery nurse, she found herself shaken by the fear-inducing tactics used by the doctor to push for an induction at 39 weeks, with a beautifully healthy baby and mama. Trish discusses the importance of making informed medical decisions based on knowledge rather than fear, explaining how to navigate these critical conversations with healthcare providers. She emphasizes the power of asking questions, seeking second opinions, and trusting one's maternal instincts.
Helpful Timestamps:
00:00 A Shocking Doctor's Visit
00:47 SThe Appointment
02:13 The Doctor's Alarming Recommendation
03:20 The Emotional Impact and Professional Insight
04:45 Questioning Medical Advice
10:21 Empowering Decisions and Final Thoughts

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

In this heartfelt finale of the Postpartum Unpacked series on The Birth Experience Podcast, Trish reassures new mamas that perfection isn't required to be a great mom. Drawing from her experience raising seven children, she emphasizes that confidence comes from trusting your growth, learning from mistakes, and evolving through reflection and new wisdom. Trish shares how postpartum transforms your identity, inviting you to embrace change without shame or fear, and reminds listeners that they're uniquely chosen and equipped for their baby - any gaps in knowledge are simply opportunities to seek support and keep growing. This isn’t the “end of who you were” but rather the beginning of who you’re becoming!
Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms
Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!
Trish highlights the vital role of community in navigating motherhood, whether through groups like the Calm Mama Society or local connections. She encourages mamas to build their village and move forward at their own pace. If you loved this series and the podcast, please leave a comment or review sharing your biggest struggles to inspire future episodes. Head over to our back catalog of episodes and tune into new ones every Friday! We appreciate and love you all!
Helpful Timestamps:
01:07 The Journey Through Postpartum
01:36 Confidence in Motherhood
03:57 The Importance of Community
05:13 Final Thoughts

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