This week, I’m joined by my friend Malloree, who once dilated from a 5 to a 10 in just 15 minutes, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Her 3 birth experiences include a one-push wonder baby, Group B Strep (GBS) for all 3 births, and a failed epidural that resulted in a multi-day-long allergic reaction. She has also run the gamut of postpartum mental health experiences, from postpartum depression with her first, to rage with her second, and anxiety with her third.

In this episode:

• Leaking amniotic fluid at 37 weeks
• Healing from a 2nd degree tear while having a UTI
• Positive breastfeeding experiences
• An anatomy scan false alarm
• Responding to postpartum mental health warning signs

Malloree is a great reminder that no two postpartum experiences are alike and that often the best way to take care of your kids is to first take care of yourself!

Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodes

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Meet Malloree

00:06:26 - 1st Pregnancy: Positive Pregnancy + Extreme Tiredness

00:09:13 - 1st Labor: Leaking Amniotic Fluid, 2nd Degree Tear, & A Big Baby

00:14:54 - 1st Postpartum: Undetected Postpartum Depression + Breastfeeding Wins

00:19:31 - 2nd Pregnancy: Slower Fertility + New Nausea

00:34:14 - 2nd Labor: Scheduled Induction, Quick Dilation, Out in 1 Push!

00:39:06 - 2nd Postpartum: Postpartum Rage, Medication + Therapy

00:59:55 - Miscarriage

01:00:24 - 3rd Pregnancy: Innocuous Calcium Deposit + 3rd Trimester Anxiety

01:07:24 - 3rd Labor: Failed Epidural & Allergic Reactions

01:13:23 - 3rd Postpartum: Postpartum Anxiety, Medication + Therapy

01:22:02 - 4th Pregnancy: Just the Beginning!

This week, I am joined by my friend Hannah, who went from not knowing how an epidural worked to delivering her third without her husband while he was at military training! Her experiences include (but aren’t limited to) pre-eclampsia, severe postpartum depression, the emotional impact of 2 miscarriages, and joyfully welcoming their son with Down syndrome.

In this episode:

• 38 hours of labor (!!) followed by a month-long NICU stay
• The emotional whiplash of pregnancy closing following loss
• Learning the difference between “baby blues” and postpartum depression
• Choosing an amniocentesis to confirm genetic testing
• Being welcomed into the tight-knit Down syndrome community

Hannah’s story stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of moms everywhere. This is your reminder that brighter days are ahead, even if you feel at the end of your rope.

Trigger Warning: Discussion of suicidal ideation (24:55 to 25:13 & 1:02:18)

Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodes

Chapters:

4:47 - Meet Hannah

10:57 - 1st Child: Pre-eclampsia, NICU, Colic, & Unrecognized PPD

16:30 - 1st Miscarriage

19:00 - 2nd Child: Easy Pregnancy, Positive Birth, & Recognized PPD

26:10 - 2nd Miscarriage

30:16 - 3rd Child: Amniocentesis, Down Syndrome Diagnosis, Emergency C-Section, & Positive Postpartum

1:04:00 - To My Pre-Mom Self…

This week, I am joined by my sister-friend, Jorden, who is my incredible sister-in-law, who is due just 2 days after I am! She has had 3 previous birth experiences that included 3 pitocin inductions, adjusting to breastfeeding, and the exhilarating experience of pushing one of her babies out in 2 pushes!

In this episode:

• Positive pregnancy experiences
• The anticipation of a scheduled induction
• A small meconium scare
• The impact of a great support team
• Utilizing a different doctor with each birth

Jorden is on my personal Mount Rushmore of amazing mothers, so I am so excited for y’all to be empowered and inspired by her stories!

Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodes

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Building your extra supply with a Haakaa Manual Breast Pump

Chapters:

00:00 - Meet Jorden

11:57 - 1st Pregnancy: Long Distance 1st Trimester, Light Nausea, & Finding a Doctor with Medicaid

25:27 - 1st Labor: Going Over Due Date, Internal Fetal Monitoring, & Drop in Blood Pressure

47:06 - 1st Postpartum: Exhausting Introduction Into Motherhood & Adjusting to Breastfeeding

1:07:49 - 2nd Pregnancy: Staying Active & Feeling Less Nausea

1:14:29 - 2nd Labor: Strong Pitocin Induction, 2 Pushes, & No Tearing

1:21:18 - 2nd Postpartum: Quick Recovery & Amazing Community Support

1:29:22 - 3rd Pregnancy: Surprise Gender & Switching Doctors in 3rd Trimester

1:35:10 - 3rd Delivery: Strong Birth Support Team & Scheduled Induction

1:41:20 - 4th Pregnancy: Surprise Baby, Positive 1st Trimester, Second Round of Cousin Twins

1:48:13 - To My Pre-Mom Self…

You read that right! I’m having a baby!! Today, I give you all the deets from before we even knew we were pregnant to our recent struggle to find out the gender of our baby and everything in between! It is such a joy and a privilege to share the beginnings of my motherhood story with y’all. And fair warning, you may need a tissue or two today, I know I did. 🩷

Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodes

On the 10th episode of The Labor Line, I’m joined by my friend Valeria, who had only ever held one baby before she had her own! From finding the right circle of friends that helped her feel confident enough to become a mom to utilizing all the tools offered to her from a local pregnancy help center, Valeria went from being a newborn novice to a birthing boss!

In this episode:

• Positive labor with an epidural at 42 weeks
• Navigating the complex US healthcare & insurance system as a Peruvian immigrant
• Big baby and a subsequent 2nd degree tear
• Learning to stand up to negative nurses
• The emotional strain of exclusively pumping for 10 months

Valeria’s story is full of laughs and heart and is a great reminder that surrounding yourself with the right people can empower you to do things you never thought possible before.

I also end the episode by sharing 10 things that I’ve learn from 10 episodes of The Labor Line, so be sure to stick around to the end!

Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodes

Chapters:

00:00 - Meet Valeria

08:06 - Pregnancy: Nausea, Birthing Classes, & Community Support

24:44 - Labor: Positive Delivery of a Big Baby With an Epidural at 42 Weeks

27:40 - Postpartum: Cranky Nurses, Negotiating Medical Bills, & Exclusively Pumping

42:26 - To My Pre-Mom Self…

45:58 - 10 Lessons From 10 Episodes

This week on The Labor Line, I’m joined by my friend Madeline, whose twin pregnancy was as surprising as it was thrilling! From working with a midwife at a birth center to mitigate fearmongering common with a twin pregnancy, to being lifeflighted (!!) to an unfamiliar hospital, only to be discharged a few days later, and ultimately having a C-section at 32 weeks, Madeline’s story is a wonderful example of staying strong in your convictions through the twists and turns of pregnancy.

In this episode:

• A subchorionic hematoma at 5 weeks
• Faulty genetic tests with a false positive for the Trisomy 18 marker
• Early labor sparked on by a symptomless UTI
• C-Section prompted by a misread of the size of her babies
• 3-week and 6-week NICU stays
• Difficulty feeling bonded to both babies amidst postpartum depression
• Advocating for yourself and your baby no matter what!

Madeline’s story is a beautiful reminder that birth rarely goes according to plan, but your voice and your resilience matter every step of the way. If you need encouragement to trust yourself through the unpredictable journey of pregnancy and postpartum, this is the episode for you.

Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodes

Chapters:

00:00 - Meet Madeline

06:29 - Pregnancy: Subchronic Hematoma, Inaccurate Genetic Tests, & Rejecting Fearmongering

32:52 - Labor: Unnecessary Lifeflight, Size Discrepancy Worries, & a C-Section Delivery

56:41 - Postpartum: NICU Stays, Newborn Bubble, Postpartum Depression, & Learning to Bond

1:16:32 - To My Pre-Mom Self…

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...