This week on The Labor Line, I’m joined by my lifelong friend Lauren, who had 3 unique birth experiences that all informed one another. From a positive introduction into motherhood with her first, to a mentally difficult postpartum experience with her second, followed by a diagnosis of ICP (intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy) with her third, Lauren’s story reminds us that no two births are alike– even in the same family!

In this episode:

• Two failed epidurals
• Utilizing RhoGAM shots
• Real talk about postpartum anxiety + intrusive thoughts
• Beyond just the itchiness of ICP
• A one-push unmedicated delivery
• The power of preventative meds + uplifting community

Lauren has a way of telling it like it is without leaving you feeling heavy or overwhelmed (I mean, she is a rock-star of a therapist after all). Her candid discussion of the various curveballs that come with each new pregnancy reminds us to always ALWAYS check in on our friends, even the ones we think have it all together.

🎧 New episodes every Tuesday

📱 Follow along on Instagram @thelaborline

Trigger Warning: Discussion of suicidal ideation (40:16 to 40:30 & 1:06:06)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

More information on the RhoGAM shot

Chapters:

00:00 - Meet Lauren

09:05 - 1st Pregnancy: Positive Introduction Into Motherhood

18:38 - 1st Labor: Failed Epidural -- Didn't Feel Contractions, But Felt Everything While Pushing

23:02 - 1st Postpartum: Sweet Bonding Time + Supportive Community

25:58 - 2nd Pregnancy: Utilizing Clomid for Fertility + RhoGAM shot

35:20 - 2nd Labor: Induction + Another Failed Epidural

38:01 - 2nd Postpartum: Anxiety, OCD Tendencies, & Breastfeeding Challenges

44:09 - 3rd Pregnancy: Itchiness with ICP (Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy)

52:27 - 3rd Labor: Quick, One-Push Unmedicated Birth

01:01:42 - 3rd Postpartum: The Power of Preventative Meds + Uplifting Community

01:12:30 -To My Pre-Mom Self...

This week on The Labor Line, I’m joined by my friend Mariah, who brings her wisdom as an emotional processing yoga coach to the world of birth. From dreaming of a quiet, at-home birth to some late pregnancy hurdles that led to an unexpected, but peaceful C-section, Mariah’s journey is a crash course in the power of surrendering.

In this episode:

• The nuances of pursuing a home birth in a medically motivated state
• Staying grounded as a mom with OCD
• Cholestasis + pre-eclampsia
• Trusting your body and your baby amid uncertainty
• Breech baby + empathetic hospital staff
• The untold difficulties of overproduction in breastfeeding + D-MER

Mariah’s story is a testament to the importance of staying true to your inner voice as you enter the unpredictable world of motherhood. Her insights have forever changed how I view birth and the beautiful balance between a mother and her baby.

🎧 New episodes every Tuesday

📱 Follow along on Instagram @thelaborline

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Mariah’s Honey, Be Yoga Instagram

Chapters:

00:00 - Meet Mariah

06:54 - Pregnancy: Instant Connection to Baby, Switching Doctors, & Late Term Hurdles

28:49 - Delivery: Pre-eclampsia, Breech Baby, Empowering Hospital Staff, & Positive C-Section

56:21 - Postpartum: Overproduction in Breastfeeding, Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex, & Emotional Struggles

1:13:33 - To My Pre-Mom Self...

This week on The Labor Line, I’m joined by my friend Maddie, whose birth stories are as powerful as they are different. From a long, exhausting hospital induction with polyhydramnios to a fast, redemptive unmedicated birth at a birth center—plus the emotional experience of miscarriage in between—Maddie shares it all with honesty, insight, and so much heart.

In this episode:

• 3 DAYS of hospital labor (48+ hours unmedicated!)
• Moving across the country with a newborn
• Coping with a miscarriage
• The shock of a subchorionic hemorrhage
• Healing, unmedicated birth center experience
• A birth prep must = Disney Jeopardy!

Maddie’s story is one of strength, surrender, and showing up with love. I know y’all will be just as moved by it as I was.

🎧 New episodes every Tuesday

📱 Follow along on Instagram @thelaborline

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols

New Sibling Course Pack by LoveEvery

Chapters:

00:00 - Meet Maddie

08:13 - Deciding to Have Kids

11:39 - 1st Pregnancy: Exhaustion + Polyhydramnios

17:55 - 1st Labor: Induction, 3 DAYS of Labor, & Epidural

25:33 - 1st Postpartum: No Sleep + Cross-Country Move

30:18 - Miscarriage: Grief + Emotional Support

45:08 - 2nd Pregnancy: Physical Prep + Subchorionic Hemorrhage

56:25 - 2nd Labor: Birth Center + Redemptive Water Birth

1:29:00 - 2nd Postpartum: Quick Healing + Adjusting to 2 Children

1:35:00 -To My Pre-Mom Self..