Stay ConnectedWelcome to the Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, where we firmly believe in the power of education when it comes to giving birth! Tune in each week as we dive into pregnancy-related topics, expert interviews, and a variety of birth stories!
As a reminder, anything you hear on this podcast should not be taken as medical advice, please see mommylabornurse.com/disclaimer for more info.
Copyright: © Labor Teen LLC dba Mommy Labor Nurse
Welcome back to The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast! Today we're talking about one of the most powerful tools you can use to monitor your baby's well-being in the third trimester: kick counting.
I'm joined by Kimberly Isburg from Count the Kicks, an incredible organization that's helping parents all over the country improve birth outcomes and reduce stillbirth through awareness and education. Kimberly is a mama of two and a passionate advocate for maternal health – and I'm so excited for you to hear her wisdom and warmth.
Inside the episode, we're covering:
Why tracking baby's movement matters so much in late pregnancy
Common myths and misconceptions about fetal movement
How to use the Count the Kicks method and app
Tips for staying calm, confident, and connected to your baby
This one's a must-listen – especially if you're in your third trimester and want to feel empowered and informed 💛
Take the stress out of your final weeks with this free checklist + guide made by a labor nurse (yep, me!)
📥 Download your 3rd Trimester Prep Pack
Whether you're planning for an unmedicated birth, thinking about an epidural, or preparing for a C-section, our online birth classes will get you ready, confident, and in control.
💻 Explore MLN All-Access Birth Classes
Kimberly is the Communications Manager for Healthy Birth Day, Inc., the nonprofit behind Count the Kicks. She's also a mom of two boys and used the Count the Kicks method in both of her pregnancies. Her work helps save lives, and we're so honored to have her on the show!
Follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram for daily pregnancy tips, labor hacks, and support from a labor nurse who gets it.
When it comes to birth, epidurals are a big part of the conversation – whether you're planning on getting one or just want to be informed.
Most people know that an epidural can take away labor pain…but beyond that? There's still a lot of mystery around how it all actually works!
In this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, I'm diving into:
How an epidural is placed (step-by-step!)
Whether it hurts to get one
What the needle looks like (spoiler: not as scary as you think)
Common epidural side effects
And yes – we're talking about walking epidurals, too!
These are your most-asked questions from my DMs, answered 💬
Whether you're team epidural, team unmedicated, or just figuring it out – you'll walk away feeling way more confident.
Want to feel educated and empowered before you say yes to an epidural?
🎁 Grab my free Epidural Prep Pack – it's short, sweet, and packed with what you really need to know before the big day.
➡️ Click here to download it now
Whether you're planning to get an epidural or not, understanding your options is key to feeling in control.
My MLN Birth Classes cover everything from contractions to pushing – and help you feel calm, educated, and confident no matter how your story unfolds.
💛 Check out the MLN Birth Classes here
Follow @mommy.labornurse for daily pregnancy tips, birth prep advice, and real talk from a labor nurse who's been there.
In today's episode, I will dive into the critical topic of improving maternal health outcomes for black women and the promising programs that are making a difference.
Black women often face discrimination and stress during their pregnancies, birth and postpartum, leading to the highest rates of maternal mortality and health complications in the US.
However, there is hope on the horizon and Dr. Venice Haynes and Natalie Davis are joining me today to discuss the positive changes that are happening around this topic!
Venice is the Senior Director of Research and community engagement at United States of Care and brings over 14 years of public health experience. And Natalie is the CEO and co-founder of United States of care with nearly two decades of shaping American health care policies.
I'm so thrilled to share this interview in honor of black maternal health week as a means to help raise awareness and support wider adoptions of these crucial programs and practices. And if you want to keep listening to learn more about the realities of black maternal health, I encourage you to listen to Episode 73 after this one.
"Bright Spots" Report from United States of Care
Nurse Family Partnerships - Provides resources and support for first-time moms.
Black Mom of Glowing - Peer support group for maternal mental health.
Family Solutions - Provides resources and support for parents and children in rural communities in South Carolina
Maven Clinic - Provides reproductive and family healthcare for members.
Ocean Family Center - Has a program that gives free virtual psychotherapy appointments for mothers.
Shades of Blue Project - Offers a postpartum support group through journaling in Houston, Texas.
Spinning Babies - Provide resources on a physiological approach to preparing for and caring for birth.
In this week's episode, I'm talking to Katie who shares her powerful twin birth story with a surprise gender reveal in the end!
She struggled to find relatable experiences during her own pregnancy, so she decided to share her birth story with us today! Katie talks about her surprising discovery that she was carrying identical twins, the medical complications she faced and a long labor that ended in a vaginal twin delivery.
Katie even shares postpartum challenges and hopes her story helps other twin moms feel less alone. Tune in for this intimate look into one mother's twin birth journey.
Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day!
CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.
And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!
Today we're talking about a topic every expecting mom needs to know about - Prenatal Appointments!
I'm so excited, because I am going to give you 10 helpful ways to rock these visits. Of course we are going to cover all the basics to give you a good baseline and answer all the most common questions about this topic.
Plus I'll be sharing some really helpful tips to make the best of your prenatal appointments!
My FREE 45 Minute Workshop will teach you what to expect, educate you about important tests and procedures, and ensure you're making the most of your prenatal care!
CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.
And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!
Today, we'll be diving into a topic that's near and dear to every mom's heart: the often overwhelming expectations of motherhood and the importance of reclaiming joy and fulfillment amidst the chaos.
Joining us is Erica Djossa, a maternal mental health specialist and the founder of the Momwell community. Throughout our conversation, we'll explore Erica's journey into the maternal mental health space, the inspiration behind her book, and some key takeaways that moms everywhere can implement in their own lives.
To hear more from Erica, I encourage you to listen to my two other interviews with her! She came on the show in Episode 79 to talk about the invisible load of motherhood, and in Episode 187 we unpacked postpartum psychosis.
Not sure how to care for yourself down there after birth?
Access our FREE Postpartum Essentials Checklist to know you've got what you need to feel clean and comfortable while you're healing from birth.
Have an even better birth!
CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.
And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!
Related Episodes and Resources
This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I'm going to share tips for choosing a pediatrician. Because as you're working your way through (your seemingly endless) to-do list before birth, one important task is choosing a provider for your newborn.
In this episode, I'll share a list of considerations for choosing a pediatrician, questions to ask a pediatrician before deciding, and even a little bit about what to expect from your newborn pediatrician visits. Let's tackle this item that's been sitting on your to-do list mama! And let's take it on with confidence!
Want to eliminate stress before birth?
Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to know everything is done and feel completely confident with your birth plan and hospital bag!
Stressed about your baby registry?
Get the FREE Baby Registry Checklist created by an L&D nurse and veteran mom for insider tips and an organized list of the things you *actually* need!
Have an even better birth!
CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.
And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!
This week on the podcast I'm chatting with pre and post-natal corrective exercise specialist, Ashley Knowe from Get Mom Strong.
She talked to me all about prenatal fitness myths vs. facts, ab training, how to even START working out as a pregnant lady if you weren't pre-pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and more!
Pregnancy to-dos piling up already?
Get your FREE Second Trimester Prep Pack to create your registry with ease and know you're staying on track!
Have an even better birth!
CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.
And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!
This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I talked ALL about your birth team! These are the people who will help support you throughout your labor.
First, I discussed the different types of providers that can deliver your baby! There are two main "categories" of providers you can choose from for this job – an obstetrician or a midwife, and both come with their own set of benefits!
Then I'll differentiate between two other essential birth team members – doulas and labor and delivery nurses (like me!).
Want to feel in control before birth?
Use our FREE Birth Plan Templates to take the first step towards the birth experience you desire.
Have an even better birth!
CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth classes that will help you feel prepared and in control - no matter how you deliver.
And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!
In this episode, my friend Amanda shares her stillborn story with us about her beautiful daughter, Juniper Ann.
And be sure to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over half a million for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!
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