Trish is joined by Megan Heaton from The VBAC Link to discuss the common misconceptions, roadblocks and interventions that women face when attempting a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). They discuss ridiculous claims made by providers, heard straight from their own communities of mothers, such as the ‘impossibility’ of going into labor naturally, the supposed ‘necessity’ of epidurals, or your pelvis being ‘too small’.

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Trish and Meagan emphasize the importance of patient education, partner support, and trusting the natural birthing process. They also discuss the coercive tactics some medical professionals use and provide empowering advice for navigating these challenges.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone considering or supporting someone through a VBAC journey.

Helpful Timestamps:

• 01:10 Welcoming Meagan from the VBAC Link
• 01:50 Ridiculous Roadblocks for VBAC
• 03:02 The Importance of Positioning During Labor
• 08:03 Epidurals and VBAC: Myths and Realities
• 10:38 The Impact of Fear and Safety on Labor
• 16:04 The Role of Partners in Supporting VBAC
• 18:59 Debunking Myths About Induction
• 21:01 The Reality of VBAC Risks and C-Section Complications
• 23:00 Confronting Medical Authority and Patient Rights
• 25:08 Navigating Hospital Policies and Patient Autonomy
• 26:07 Real-Life VBAC Stories and Hospital Challenges
• 28:31 The Importance of Patient Education and Advocacy
• 31:35 Debunking Myths About Induction and Labor
• 34:04 Conclusion and Resources for VBAC Moms

More from this episode:

National Advocates for Pregnant Women

More from Meagan Heaton:

Listen to The VBAC Link Podcast

TheVBACLink.com

Follow The VBAC Link on Instagram, YouTube, and FaceBook

Resources:

🎙 FREE Birth Workshop: 3 Secrets to a Confident Birth! 🎙

Want to feel prepared and in control? Watch my free workshop now!

First Trimester Prep Pack

Second Trimester Prep Pack

Third Trimester Prep Pack

Listen to the Pregnancy Unpacked Series!

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On Facebook

Hey Mama! Welcome to Pregnancy Unpacked with Trish, Labor Nurse Mama. In this episode, we’re diving into weeks 20-22 of pregnancy - the halfway mark! We’re unpacking what’s happening with your baby, your body, and those emotional shifts no one warns you about. From belly pops to Braxton Hicks, Trish is here to guide you through it all with real talk and big support. You’re not alone, and you’ve got this!

What’s Happening with Baby

• Size: Your little one is about the size of a banana (~10.5 inches, ~1 pound).
• Development: Taste buds are forming, baby’s tasting your meals through amniotic fluid, and hair, eyebrows, and lashes are sprouting. Their heartbeat is strong, and brain connections are helping control those tiny limbs.
• Cool Fact: Baby’s skin is coated in vernix caseosa, a protective creamy layer you’ll see at birth. Plus, they’re starting a sleep-wake cycle (which might not match yours!).

What’s Happening with You

• Physical Changes: Expect a sudden belly pop, round ligament pains, or painless Braxton Hicks contractions (check out Episode 105 for more on these vs. real labor). Constipation, back pain, or varicose veins might pop up too.
• Emotional Rollercoaster: Feeling off, disconnected, or guilty for not “glowing”? That’s normal. Pregnancy is a huge identity shift. Trish shares tips to process these feelings and lean on your support system.
• Stay Hydrated: Hydrate like crazy, mama! Water helps with constipation and keeps you out of triage.

Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms

Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!

Emotional & Relationship Real Talk

• It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, touched out, or out of sync with your partner. Communicate openly - weekly check-ins can build resilience.
• Single mamas, you deserve support too! Lean on friends, doulas, therapists, or join the Calm Mama Society for community.
• Try EFT tapping to ease anxiety and fear - Trish swears by it.

Anatomy Scan & Next Steps

• You’ve likely had (or will soon have) your anatomy scan. Celebrate clear results, don’t stress if baby needs a recheck, and ask questions if referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.

5-Step Action Plan:

1. Write down anatomy scan questions.
2. Check in with your partner or support system about your emotions.
3. Start a list for your next appointment (pregnancy brain is real!).
4. Notice baby’s movements and enjoy them.
5. Protect your energy - write down what drains vs. restores you.

More from this episode:

• Here’s How to Understand Real Labor vs False Labor Contractions | 105
• Pregnancy Unpacked Weeks 18-20: Anatomy Scan & The Truth About Bonding | 176
• Pregnancy Unpacked Weeks 16-18: Baby Bumps, Tests, & Trusting Yourself | 174
• Pregnancy Unpacked Weeks 14-16: Building Your Birth Team & Trusting

Trish gets into the unfiltered, totally normal chaos of the third trimester of pregnancy. She’s breaking down the weird symptoms, emotional rollercoasters, and practical prep tips to help you feel empowered as you approach the finish line of pregnancy.

From lightning crotch to unexpected leaks, Trish normalizes the wild changes your body might be throwing at you. She’s got you covered with actionable advice, heartfelt encouragement, and a reminder to trust your gut as you prepare for birth.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Lightning Crotch and Swollen Everything: Learn about those sharp zings in your pelvis, swollen hands, feet, and even vulva—why they happen, what’s normal, and when to call your provider.
• Leaky Boobies and More: Trish explains colostrum leakage (or lack thereof), carpal tunnel, night sweats, and increased vaginal discharge, reassuring you that your body’s just doing its thing to build a human.
• Braxton Hicks vs. Real Labor: Get clear on how to tell them apart - irregular and front-focused for Braxton Hicks, consistent and intensifying from back to belly for the real deal. Pro tip: If you’re still wondering if it's labor, it’s not time to worry yet!
• Nesting: Discover why you’re suddenly scrubbing baseboards at 2 AM and how this primal urge is your brain creating safety for your baby.
• Sex, Sleep, and Relationships: Navigate libido shifts, insomnia, and changing dynamics with your partner. Trish shares tips like using a pregnancy pillow, avoiding late-night caffeine, and communicating openly to stay connected.
• When to Call Your Provider: Critical signs to watch for, including decreased fetal movement, bright red bleeding, leaking fluid, severe headaches, or sudden swelling, and why trusting your instincts is never overreacting.

This episode is your go-to guide for rocking the third trimester with confidence. Share it with a pregnant friend, leave a review to support Trish’s mission to empower mamas, and binge more episodes to prep for your birth like the queen you are!

Mentioned in this episode:

Grab the Third Trimester Prep Pack

Listen to Ep 154: OMG – Did My Water Just Break? Now What?

Listen to Ep 48: Six Signs that Labor is Not Far Off

Read 6 Signs of Labor According to a Labor Nurse

Helpful Timestamps:

• 00:55 Navigating the Third Trimester
• 02:00 Weird but Normal Symptoms
• 05:20 Braxton Hicks vs. Real Labor
• 07:41 Nesting Instincts
• 09:02 Sex, Sleep, and Relationship Shifts
• 12:18 When to Call Your Provider
• 14:52 Empowerment and Advocacy
• 15:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources:

🎙 FREE Birth Workshop: 3 Secrets to a Confident Birth! 🎙

Want to feel prepared and in control? Watch my free workshop now!

First Trimester Prep Pack

Second Trimester Prep Pack

Third Trimester Prep Pack

Listen to the

Hey mama! Welcome back to Pregnancy Unpacked with your birth bestie, Trish. If you’re in weeks 18 to 20 of your pregnancy, this one’s for you! We’re diving into the magic (and realness) of this stage, the big anatomy scan, and the emotional rollercoaster of bonding. Trish is here with her no-sugarcoating, cheerleader vibe to unpack what’s happening with your body, your baby, and your heart.

Your little bean is growing fast, flipping and fluttering, and you’re probably feeling that bump pop! From the 20-week anatomy scan details to navigating those “am I supposed to feel bonded yet?” moments, Trish breaks it all down.

Whether you’re buzzing with excitement or wrestling with anxiety, your feelings are valid, and you’re not alone. Let’s unpack this stage together!

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Baby’s Big Glow-Up: Your baby’s now the size of a sweet potato or mango (6–6.5 inches, 9–11 ounces!), with taste buds, working ears, and somersaults galore. Plus, their heartbeat’s loud enough for a stethoscope!
• 20-Week Anatomy Scan Lowdown: Trish dives into what this long, detailed ultrasound checks: brain, heart, spine, limbs, placenta, and more. Learn what to expect, how to prep, and why unclear images aren’t an instant red flag.
• Finding Out Baby’s Sex (Maybe): This scan might reveal if you’re having a boy or girl, but as Trish’s story with baby #6 shows, it’s not always a sure thing!
• Bonding with Your Baby: Feeling super connected or a bit detached? Both are normal. Trish shares tips like daily affirmations, journaling, and visualizing those first snuggles to nurture your bond - no pressure, just love.
• Action Steps for You: Schedule your anatomy scan, prep questions for your provider, jot down your feelings, and ask about placenta placement or cervical length if you’ve had complications.
• Mindset Matters: Trish reminds you to trust your gut, ask questions, and embrace this transition. You’re growing a human and a new version of yourself!

“You’re half way there mama and I’m so freaking proud of you!” - Trish

More from this episode:

Listen to episode 150: Navigating Your 20-Week Anatomy Scan with Confidence | 150

The Latest from Pregnancy Unpacked:

Pregnancy Unpacked Weeks 16-18: Baby Bumps, Tests, & Trusting Yourself | 174

Pregnancy Unpacked Weeks 14-16: Building Your Birth Team & Trusting Your Gut | 172

Pregnancy Unpacked Weeks 12-14: Hello Second Trimester, Now What? | 170

Helpful Timestamps:

• 00:00 Welcome to Pregnancy Unpacked
• 00:59 Weeks 18-20 of Your Pregnancy
• 01:31 Baby's Development at 18-20 Weeks
• 04:15 The Anatomy Scan Explained
• 09:33 Mindset and Bonding Tips
• 10:58 Action Steps and Final Thoughts

Resources:

🎙 FREE Birth Workshop: 3 Secrets to a Confident Birth! 🎙

Want to feel prepared and in control? Watch my free workshop now!

First Trimester Prep Pack

Trish welcomes her sweet birth student, LeeAnn, a first-time mom and a student of the 'Calm Labor Confident Birth' course. LeeAnn shares her breathtaking birth story, which started with a surprise in triage and ended with the unmedicated birth she always dreamed of.

She walked us through her mindset shifts during pregnancy, the tools from the course, as well as the labor bat signal, that kept her calm and at ease, especially during those last weeks of pregnancy, and what it was like to have a fast, unmedicated first birth. She also gets into her postpartum experiences and offers real, valuable advice to other first-time moms.

Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms

Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!

“ I felt comfortable and I think there's so much out there nowadays about like, “Here's what you should do, Here's what you should not do” - and it's also contradictory. Your courses were very much like, “Here are your options, “ and you were very open about, if you want to go natural, if you want to do medicated - you gave all the options. And I felt like that made me feel empowered to speak for what I wanted. “

-LeeAnn

Tune in to hear how LeeAnn took control of her birth journey and emerged empowered, confident, and in control as a first-time mama.

More from LeeAnn:

Follow her on IG: @leeannypants

• 01:25 LeeAnn's Pregnancy Journey
• 02:11 Finding Support and Empowerment
• 03:26 Navigating Pregnancy Fears and Guilt
• 04:56 The Calm Labor Confident Birth Course
• 09:10 The Labor Bat Signal Experience
• 12:08 LeeAnn's Labor and Delivery
• 14:07 Unexpected Early Labor Signs
• 14:23 Intensifying Contractions and Hospital Arrival
• 15:24 Hospital Triage and Cervix Check
• 16:15 Rapid Progression to Delivery
• 18:54 Empowering Birth Experience
• 20:14 Postpartum Challenges and Support
• 22:01 Advice for New Mothers

Resources:

First Trimester Secret Podcast

🎙 FREE Birth Workshop: 3 Secrets to a Confident Birth! 🎙

Want to feel prepared and in control? Watch my free workshop now!

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On Facebook

On YouTube

On Pinterest

On TikTok

For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

If you are ready to invest in your pregnancy & postpartum journey, you are in the right place. I would love to take your hand and support you in your virtual labor room!

If you are ready to dive into a birth class and

Hey Mama, welcome back to Pregnancy Unpacked!

Trish is taking you through the transformative journey of pregnancy weeks 16-18. Your baby is growing, now about the size of an avocado or a dill pickle, with developing lashes, eyebrows, and fingernails.

Trish discusses common tests such as the quad screen, and what to expect during your ultrasound scans. She shares some stories about gender surprises and emphasizes the importance of asking questions and trusting your intuition.

For those still grappling with morning sickness, Trish offers supportive tools and lifestyle tips to ease the discomfort. This episode is packed with straight talk, some science, and lots of support to help you navigate your pregnancy journey with confidence. Remember, you are amazing mama, and you've got this!

Tune in every Wednesday for more pregnancy unpacked. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and drop questions in the comments!

Helpful Timestamps

• 01:00 Weeks 16-18: Baby Development
• 02:32 Understanding Prenatal Testing
• 04:10 Ultrasound Scans and Gender Reveals
• 05:47 Dealing with Concerning News
• 09:34 Morning Sickness and Nausea Relief
• 11:00 Advocacy and Intuition

More from this episode:

Listen to Pregnancy Unpacked Weeks 14-16: Building Your Birth Team & Trusting Your Gut

Listen to Pregnancy Unpacked Weeks 12-14: Hello Second Trimester, Now What?

Grab the Second Trimester Prep Pack

Resources:

First Trimester Secret Podcast

🎙 FREE Birth Workshop: 3 Secrets to a Confident Birth! 🎙

Want to feel prepared and in control? Watch my free workshop now!

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On Facebook

On YouTube

On Pinterest

On TikTok

For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

If you are ready to invest in your pregnancy & postpartum journey, you are in the right place. I would love to take your hand and support you in your virtual labor room!

If you are ready to dive into a birth class and have your best and most powerful birth story, then Calm Labor Confident Birth or The VBAC Lab is your next step.

If you have a scheduled cesarean,

Hey mama and partners! Tune in to this empowering episode where we get into how partners can genuinely shape the pregnancy journey right from the first trimester.

8 essential things your partner should do in the first trimester, that actually matter:

• 1. Learn about her hormones
• 2. Plan the birth with her
• 3. Protect her energy
• 4. Track in the pregnancy apps
• 5. Take care of her
• 6. Emotional check-ins
• 7. Get educated with her
• 8. Begin postpartum planning now

Trish gives you essential tips outlining eight ways for partners to step up and support their pregnant mamas. Don't miss out on all of Trish’s tips—subscribe and leave a review!

Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms

Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!

• 00:00 The Importance of Partner Support in the First Trimester
• 00:50 Understanding Hormones: The Foundation of Support
• 02:15 Planning the Birth Together
• 03:22 Protecting Her Energy and Setting Boundaries
• 04:23 Tracking Pregnancy Milestones
• 05:14 Taking Care of Her: Emotional and Physical Support
• 06:13 Emotional Check-ins: Building a Strong Connection
• 06:59 Getting Educated Together
• 08:28 Postpartum Planning: Preparing for the Fourth Trimester

More from this episode:

Listen to Pregnancy Unpacked: Am I Pregnant? What to Know Before You See Two Pink Lines

Listen to Pregnancy Unpacked: Weeks 6-8: You, Baby, & Pregnancy Hormones

Listen to 8 Essential Things to Do During Your First Trimester

Go to labornursemama.com/calm for the Full Birth Class

Go to labornursemama.com/guide for the Calm Labor Birth Pod

Grab the First Trimester Prep Pack

Resources:

First Trimester Secret Podcast

🎙 FREE Birth Workshop: 3 Secrets to a Confident Birth! 🎙

Want to feel prepared and in control? Watch my free workshop now!

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On Facebook

On YouTube

On Pinterest

On TikTok

For more pregnancy...

Hey mama! Welcome back to Pregnancy Unpacked, where Trish is guiding you through the transformative weeks of 14 to 16 of pregnancy. Learn how to build a supportive birth team, why trusting your gut is crucial, and the significant physical and emotional changes happening right now.

This is where you stop hoping, and start preparing. Your action steps for weeks 14-16 are to start a birth team vision list!

Remember, you are the leader of your birth team. Your dream birth team could consist of:

• Your Provider
• A Doula
• Pelvic floor Physical Therapist
• Webster Certified Chiropractor
• Birth Class Educator

Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms

Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!

Your team will shape your labor more than your birth plan ever could.

Ask yourself these questions to know who’s right for your birth team:

• Do you fell calm in their presence?
• Do you feel safe asking questions?
• Do you trust them with your vulnerability?

If any of these questions leave you leaning “no”- then they’re not the right fit for you.

Your body is amazing, your voice is important, and your birth deserves thoughtful prep. Tune in every Wednesday for more Pregnancy Unpacked!

More from Pregnancy Unpacked:

Go to labornursemama.com/calm for the Full Birth Class

Go to labornursemama.com/guide for the Calm Labor Birth Pod

Grab the Second Trimester Prep Pack

Helpful Timestamps

• 00:59 The Moment Everything Clicks
• 01:28 Unpacking Weeks 14 to 16
• 01:41 Building Your Birth Team
• 01:50 Understanding Your Baby's Development
• 03:44 Choosing the Right Provider
• 05:14 The Role of a Doula
• 06:14 Additional Support Team Members
• 06:55 The Importance of Birth Education
• 08:40 Action Steps for Weeks 14 to 16

Resources:

First Trimester Secret Podcast

🎙 FREE Birth Workshop: 3 Secrets to a Confident Birth! 🎙

Want to feel prepared and in control? Watch my free workshop now!

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On Facebook

On YouTube

On Pinterest

On TikTok

For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.