The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama

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 decision...

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...

Trish welcomes Dr. Courtney Johnson, a pelvic floor physical therapist specializing in women's health for female athletes and active moms. Together, they challenge the outdated advice of relying solely on Kegels, explaining why tight pelvic floors aren't necessarily strong and can contribute to issues like leakage, prolapse, and pain, while debunking the normalization of postpartum symptoms as "ju...

In this heartfelt episode, I, Trish, your trusted labor and delivery nurse and mom of seven, unpacks the complex emotions and realities new parents face after having a baby. She shares personal experiences and professional insights, revealing why relationships feel strained postpartum and how it's rooted in biology and differing realities. You'll learn essential strategies to bridge the gap, manag...

Join me, as I talk with one of my Calm Labor Confident Birth Class students, Laura. Laura's birth story is definitely best friend squad goals! Laura's bestie (who's studying to become a birth doula) was with her during it all - to cheer her on, and to help her through the intense moments. Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a...

Trish goes deep into a rarely discussed but incredibly common postpartum symptom: rage. We're not talking about everyday irritability - this is intense, explosive anger that can feel overwhelming and out of control. If you've ever snapped at your partner over something trivial, slammed doors, or felt fury bubbling up when the baby cries, you're not alone, and you're certainly not a bad mom. Trish,...

In today’s episode, Trish shares her very first birth story - the birth of her son, Ian, when she was just 17. She’s diving into the naive teenage years, her surprise pregnancy, and the incredible experience of giving birth that laid the foundation for her career as a labor and delivery nurse and sparked her passion for birth advocacy. Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms Leave a...

In this episode of Postpartum Unpacked, Trish gets into the realities of postpartum recovery, with a focus on healing for vaginal births. Trish shares practical tips, emotional insights, and encouragement for new parents navigating the early weeks after delivery. Originally recorded as an Instagram Live, this episode emphasizes preparation, self-care, and setting boundaries to make your healing jo...

Trish welcomes Shari Stamps, the founder of Navigating Parenthood and mama of six, for an enlightening conversation about craniosacral therapy and trauma release. Shari, an integrative wellness practitioner with over a decade of experience, specializes in supporting families with evidence-based tools for lactation, infant sleep, craniosacral therapy, oral ties, postpartum prep, and more. Trish and...

In this eye-opening episode, Trish tackles a topic that often leaves new moms feeling isolated and ashamed: postpartum OCD and intrusive thoughts. If you've ever been haunted by scary "what if" scenarios about your baby - like dropping them or something terrible happening - you're not alone, and you're not a bad mom. Trish shares her own experiences, breaks down what postpartum OCD really is, how...

Today, Trish breaks down one of the most frightening aspects of early pregnancy: spotting and bleeding. Drawing from her personal experiences (six pregnancies, plus her daughter's recent journey) and her professional expertise as a nurse who has supported thousands of women, Trish explains how knowledge can empower listeners and prevent unnecessary panic. She emphasizes that up to 25% of women exp...

Meredith's passion for the postpartum space began after experiencing a difficult pregnancy, postpartum, and transition into motherhood. She realized that there was an abundance of resources for pregnant women, but a significant lack of resources for women in the postpartum phase. Join the Calm Mama Membership:  labornursemama.com/cms Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a ch...

In this powerful birth story episode, Trish sits down with a VBAC Lab student, Kelly Coy, a physician assistant and new mama to baby Carter (who makes a few adorable cameo coos!). Kelly opens up about her traumatic first birth - an unnecessary 38-week induction that ended in a 3-day labor, C-section, postpartum hemorrhage, and a grueling 7-day hospital stay - and how that experience lit a fire in...

Trish tackles one of the hardest parts of the fourth trimester: setting and holding boundaries with the people who love you (and your baby) the most. Fresh off feeling both sides of the boundary conversation in real time with her own daughter, Trish gives you full permission to protect your postpartum peace – no guilt required.  Boundaries without consequences are just suggestions. You do NOT...

Today, we're uncovering a practice in many hospitals that could be robbing your baby of a third of their blood volume right after birth. This scientifically backed episode will arm you with everything you need to advocate for delayed cord clamping - a vital decision that can drastically improve your baby's first year of life. From boosting iron levels and enhancing brain development to improving c...

Leaving the house with a newborn feels anything but simple, until it suddenly is. In this raw, real, and incredibly practical episode, Trish pulls back the curtain on the invisible mental and emotional load that hits the second you think about stepping outside with your tiny human. If you’ve ever stood at your front door in leaking boobs, spit-up-covered clothes, wondering “How do people do this?”...

Trish welcomes Dr. Kela Smith, holistic fertility and hormone doctor, and nutritionist. Dr. Kela shares her journey from struggling with unexplained infertility to becoming a mom and a fertility expert. They discuss 'The Hormone Puzzle' - a holistic approach teaching 5 key ways to balance your hormones fast and optimizing fertility through nutrition, detox, stress management, sleep, and functional...

Trish shares her personal experience with severe sleep deprivation and her groundbreaking 'Pump and Cup' method that can help new moms secure five to six hours of uninterrupted sleep. Trish explains the neurological impacts of sleep deprivation, how it affects your brain, and offers practical nighttime protocols to improve your sleep quality. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, recognizing...

Trish explains why night two after birth often feels overwhelming, reassures new parents that it's normal, and shares practical tips to survive Second Night Syndrome. Drawing from her expertise, Trish emphasizes that your baby isn't broken - they're just adjusting to life outside the womb while helping establish your milk supply. Key Takeaways What is Second Night Syndrome? Around 24-48 hours post...

In this episode of Postpartum Unpacked , Trish gets into the often-overlooked topic of lochia - postpartum bleeding. Trish breaks down what lochia really means, why it happens, and how to navigate it with confidence. Drawing from her experience as a labor nurse, she explains the healing process after birth, shares practical tips for comfort, and emphasizes listening to your body. Whether you're a...

Trish sits down with Crystal, a physical therapist and c-section recovery expert with 17 years of experience and a professor for over 11 years, to discuss crucial insights into recovering from a C-section. They emphasize the importance of not solely relying on hospital recovery instructions, as proper early care can significantly impact long-term healing and pain management. Crystal shares her per...

Trish breaks down the often-overlooked issue of postpartum booty pain experienced by new mothers, sharing her personal journey and the critical lessons learned. From her startling experience with her first baby Ian, where a nurse referred to hemorrhoids as 'a patch of cauliflowers,' to understanding various causes, Trish offers insights into tailbone trauma, hemorrhoids, pelvic floor dysfunction,...

Feeling more energized and less nauseous? It's the perfect time to prepare for a smoother birth and postpartum. Trish shares a practical, no-fluff checklist of 11 actionable steps to take in the second trimester - from mobility exercises to crucial conversations with your provider - that can reduce interventions, ease labor, and boost your confidence. Whether you're a first-time mom or a seasoned...

Hey mama! Today Trish is diving into the lifesaving 5, 5, 5 rule, the single most overlooked recovery secret that can save you from months of exhaustion and complications during postpartum recovery. Trish breaks down this essential rule: five days in the bed, five days on the bed, and five days near your bed. Learn how to heal faster, protect your pelvic floor, and set realistic expectations for t...

Trish welcomes Sydney Dozier, a local to Nashville, mama of two, and founder of Renaissance Marketing Group to share her birth experiences and the challenges of being a working mom. Sydney gets real about her two wildly different birth stories and the rollercoaster of balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood. From a traumatic first birth to an empowered second one, her journey is packed with les...