Listen in to this healing redemptive birth story!

Think you know all things birth? Let's put that to the test! In this fun and lighthearted episode, we're playing a round of birth trivia – with real questions and answers that might surprise you 🤓 Play along and learn something new!

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, we're talking all about what to pack (and not pack!) in your hospital bag for birth – plus we're covering snacks and eating during labor too 🍿

Let me tell you, for my first birth? Total slacker. I didn't get serious about packing my bag until wayyy late in the game – and it could've backfired big time. For baby #2? Totally prepared!

In this episode, I'm breaking it all down:

• What to pack in four separate bags: labor, recovery, partner, and baby

• What to leave at home (because clutter = chaos)

• My go-to list of snacks for labor and what to know about eating during labor

Trust me, being prepared is a major stress reducer – and I've got you covered with the ultimate hospital bag prep episode!

This free printable checklist was made by a practicing L&D nurse (hey, it's me 👋) and it'll help you feel 10,000% more confident walking into the hospital.

➡️ Download the Hospital Bag Checklist now

Hospital bag packed? Check. Now let's prep your mind for labor too. My online birth classes are here to help you feel calm, informed, and in control – no matter how you deliver.

🎉 Click here to explore MLN Birth Classes

This soothing blend is a fan favorite for labor:

• 2 drops Ylang Ylang

• 7 drops Clary Sage

• 3 drops Lavender

• 3 drops Frankincense

Add to a glass bottle and top off with your favorite carrier oil 💧

💛 Don't forget to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram for daily tips, education, and relatable mom content – we're a community of 650k+ strong!

On this week's episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, we'll be discussing second-trimester topics in an "ask me anything" style episode.

I love doing these for you all, and it seems that you enjoy them too! We'll cover subjects such as peeing while sneezing, kick counts, the glucose tolerance test, birth classes, placenta previa, and more!

All the questions on today's show were submitted via Instagram stories, and I've selected a few that I want to answer in more detail than I can provide on Instagram.

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!

Related Episodes and Resources

• Episode 168: Ask Me Anything

• Dr. Sara Reardon: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

• Jeanice Mitchell: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

• Pushpregnancy.org

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In this episode, I'm going to talk about how to prepare for your labor induction by going through the do's and don'ts before your big day. Some are more obvious than others, but I'm going to be as thorough as possible.

I also want you to know that this list is intended for low-risk moms with uncomplicated pregnancies and scheduled inductions. It's a bit different if you have a high-risk pregnancy with complications like preeclampsia or being preterm.

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!

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

• Episode 72: Help! What is an induction?
• Episode 117: Black Maternal Morbidity + Advocacy in Pregnancy and Birth
• MLN Birth Plan Templates
• Hospital Bag Checklist

Sponsors

Aeroflow

Did you know that your health insurance will cover the cost of a breast pump? It's true! In fact, many health insurance plans also cover milk storage bags, breastfeeding prep courses, and more.

At Aeroflow Breastpumps, you can shop top-rated breast pumps from brands like Medela, Spectra, and Motif without ever opening your wallet. Fill out their quick and easy insurance eligibility form and they'll take care of the rest! It might just be the easiest thing you do this pregnancy.

Visit aeroflowbreastpumps.com/mommylabornurse to find out why more than 1 million moms have chosen Aeroflow Breastpumps to get their pump through insurance.

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You may have heard of Magnetic Me. Simply is their new sister brand that offers the same beloved magnetic closures at a more affordable price. You can create a custom bundle on their website, combining the prints, styles, and sizes you want, with outfits as low as $15. The more outfits in your cart, the more you save. And trust me, babies need a lot of outfits.

Say no to snaps and head to simplymagneticme.com to stock up on no-fuss essentials and use code MLN20 for 20% off your order.

I get questions about these topics all the time in my DMs, and totally understand that there is a lot of confusion and uncertainty surrounding pregnancy and COVID-19. As you know, I am a healthcare professional, but I decided that this wasn't a topic I wanted to cover completely on my own.

I wanted to have an OBGYN come on here so that we could have this discussion together. And I was so fortunate to be joined by board-certified OB-GYN, Dr. Marta Perez of @dr.martaperez over on Instagram.

She regularly shares evidence information surrounding COVID during pregnancy and the COVID vaccine, so I thought she was the perfect person to come on here and talk about myths and facts in a level-headed, evidence-based manner.

Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there?

CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again!

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, I interview my friend Parijat, a high-risk pregnancy specialist, all about stress and how it relates to pregnancy and delivery.

Here are the questions we go over!

1. Talk to me about how stress can play a part in pregnancy?
2. How is stress related to preterm labor/other complications during pregnancy?
3. What are some of the high risk complications that can occur related to stress?
4. What are some tips we can do to reduce our stress during pregnancy?
5. How about postpartum - is stress related to complications during postpartum as well?

Overwhelmed by the amount of pregnancy info out there?

CLICK HERE to get helpful and supportive tips, info, and resources from an L&D nurse sent straight to your inbox every week, and never sort through search results again!

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!

About Parijat Deshpande

Parijat Deshpande is a leading high-risk pregnancy specialist, somatic trauma professional and speaker, and author who guides women to improve their pregnancy complications so they can reduce their risk of preterm birth. Her unique neurobiological approach has served hundreds of women to manage pregnancy complications and reclaim a safety and trust in their bodies that they thought was eroded forever.

Parijat is the author of bestselling book Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy. She is also the host of the popular podcast Delivering Miracles®, that discusses the real, raw side of family-building including infertility, loss, high-risk pregnancy, bed rest, prematurity and healing once baby comes home.

You can learn more about Parijat here:

• Website: https://parijatdeshpande.com/
• Instagram: @healthy.highriskpregnancy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParijatDesh/
• Parijat's Book, Pregnancy Brain
• Listen to the Delivering Miracles® podcast

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In this episode, Jasmine shares her preemie story at 25 weeks.

Want to feel confident before your epidural birth?

Get the FREE Epidural Birth Prep Pack to gain a sense of control before the big day!

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!

Is there something interfering with your happiness or is preventing you from achieving your goals? Betterhelp will assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist.

There is a broad range of expertise in Betterhelp's counselor network which may not be locally available in many areas. You'll get timely and thoughtful responses, plus you can schedule weekly video or phone sessions so you won't ever have to sit in an uncomfortable waiting room as with traditional therapy! Betterhelp wants you to start living a happier life TODAY.

Our listeners get 10% off your first month at trybetterhelp.com/labornurse!