Labor Lessons

Labor Lessons

Many women find that their first-time birth experience wasn't exactly what they wanted or hoped for. If you'd like more knowledge about how to better prepare for labor and delivery, or want to know that you're not alone on your birthing journey, this podcast is for you. Every episode shares a real-life lesson learned from a real-life labor and delivery experience. Every episode offers the chance to connect with other women, to increase your knowledge of the birthing world, and to advocate for a better birth next time.

Recent Episodes

E31 Maureen: Listening To Your Intuition- homebirth, stalled labor, breastfeeding struggles postpartum, giving birth as a midwife

E31 Maureen: Listening To Your Intuition- homebirth, stalled labor, breastfeeding struggles postpartum, giving birth as a midwife

May 25, 2023

Maureen Farrell is a lactation counselor, doula, herbalist, and homebirth midwife practicing in rural West Virginia. She is also the co-host of the Milk Minute podcast, which provides evidence-based and entertaining breastfe…

E30: How To Advocate For Yourself During Labor- 10 Doulas Share Their Best Advice
Advocating For Yourself Finding A Doula

E30: How To Advocate For Yourself During Labor- 10 Doulas Share Their Best Advice

May 10, 2023

One of the most common things I hear when talking with women about their birth experiences is that they didn't know how to advocate for themselves going in. Whether they were overwhelmed by what they were feeling, or they we…

E29 Stefanie: Trusting Your Support System During Birth- asphyxiation, potential traumatic birth, importance of strong support system

E29 Stefanie: Trusting Your Support System During Birth- asphyxiation, potential traumatic birth, importance of strong support system

April 12, 2023

Stefanie lives in Scandinavia where she raises her two boys. Throughout her journey into motherhood, she experienced the benefits of a health system where midwives are the forefront of pregnancy and birth. Stefanie's first s…

E28 Jenna: A Few Things Learned Through Three Different Experiences- severe UTI caused by catheter, induction by breaking water, fentanyl for pain relief

E28 Jenna: A Few Things Learned Through Three Different Experiences- severe UTI caused by catheter, induction by breaking water, fentanyl for pain relief

March 22, 2023

Jenna was induced with her first son at 41 weeks. She went into labor without having taken a birth class, and without doing any research because she believed that knowing too much about giving birth might hinder her ability …

E27 Kimberly Tara: Prepare for the Unexpected and Have Multiple Plans- precipitous labor, induced labor, birthing during COVID
Precipitous Labor

E27 Kimberly Tara: Prepare for the Unexpected and Have Multiple Plans- precipitous labor, induced labor, birthing during COVID

March 8, 2023

At 36 weeks pregnant with her first child, Kimberly was concerned that her baby wasn't moving enough. Her doctor sent her for monitoring and even though she wasn't dilated, they decided to induce her. That night, she ended u…

E26 Jen Salk: It's Okay To Ask For Help- forceps delivery, third degree episiotomy, traumatic vaginal birth followed by positive c-section
C-Section Episiotomy

E26 Jen Salk: It's Okay To Ask For Help- forceps delivery, third degree episiotomy, traumatic vaginal birth followed by positive c-section

Feb. 22, 2023

Jen is very much a type A personality. She loves to plan way in advance of events taking place. Even with all of her planning, she still wasn't prepared for how her first birth went. Her daughter was stuck and delivered by f…

Guest: Jen Salk

Recent Blog Posts

Birth During a Pandemic

Giving birth during a pandemic means that I went to all of my doctor's appointments alone. I sat by myself awaiting to see our baby...

Ice Cube Exercise

The ice cube exercise will help prepare you for labor by focusing your mind during contractions. Whether you are planning to go unmedicated or know you w…