Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses

In the season 8 finale of Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Sarah Lavonne welcomes former cohost Justine back to the podcast for a much-needed life update. Justine, who cohosted the podcast for six seasons and played a huge role in the Bundle Birth community, catches Sarah up on all the changes in her world- from moving to a new state and working full time as a mom to building an urban homestead complete with goats, chickens, rabbits, and more. Together, they reflect on what it looks like to recognize burnout and decide whether to stay, step back, or make a change. Both Sarah and Justine experienced burnout this year, but took very different approaches to navigating it. It’s an honest conversation about seasons of change, work, and knowing when it’s time to make a move. Thanks for listening and subscribing!

Helpful Links! 

• Speedy Inductions Class 
• Bundle Birth Nurses Instagram
• Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
• Subscribe to our email!

Send us Fan Mail

⚠️ Mature Content advisory. Please be mindful that this episode discusses sensitive topics.

In this episode of Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Sarah Lavonne continues the conversation in part 2 of Understanding Postpartum Psychosis with Teresa Twomey and discusses the Lindsay Clancy case. If you haven’t listened yet, we pick up right where we left off, so make sure you listen to Understanding Postpartum Psychosis - Part 1. You will hear a powerful firsthand account of experiencing psychosis, including hallucinations, delusions, and the challenges of recognizing when something is seriously wrong. Sarah and Teresa discuss maternal mental health, treatment, recovery, and the gaps in perinatal mental health care. They also explore why labor and delivery nurses are uniquely positioned to recognize red flags and connect families with resources. This honest conversation offers practical insight into postpartum psychosis and how nurses can help create safer, more compassionate care for new families.

Helpful Links!

• Teresa Twomey's book: Understanding Postpartum Psychosis: A Temporary Madness
• Teresa Twomey's TED Talk on What is postpartum psychosis? at TEDxBushnellPark
• Rare is Relative blog by Theresa Twomey
• The Story Behind Andrea Yates Documentary
• Watch the Andrea Yates Documentary
• Perinatal Mental Health Institute for professional trainings
• The Postpartum Stress Center (Karen Kleiman) for professional trainings 
• Postpartum Support International
• Mind The Gap initiative
• Massachusetts General Hospital P3 Project 
• Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance | https://www.bgmhfoundation.org/
• What you need to know about Perintal Psychosis - Episode 6

Additional Resources:

• For childbirth patient education: The Bundle Birth Class
• Action on Postpartum Psychosis in the UK
• Maternal Mental Health NOW in CA
• Cherished Mom for PPP Awareness Day and the "Is Mom OK?" awareness for maternal suicide.
• The Motherhood Center of NY
• Postpartum Resource Center of NY
• Cope (Australian Organization with heavy emphasis on PPP)
• Hotline: 833-TLC-MAMA

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In this episode of Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Sarah Lavonne meets postpartum psychosis advocate and survivor Teresa Twomey to unpack one of the most misunderstood perinatal mental health conditions. Inspired by the Lindsay Clancy trial, they challenge common myths about postpartum psychosis. Teresa shares her personal experience with psychosis and explains why families and healthcare providers need to recognize when something is simply “off,” ask better questions, and seek appropriate evaluation. Together, they explore how greater awareness and education can help prevent tragedy and connect families with lifesaving, highly treatable care. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss part 2, next week!

*Disclaimer for those with OCD

Helpful Links!

• Teresa Twomey's book: Understanding Postpartum Psychosis: A Temporary Madness
• Teresa Twomey's TED Talk on What is postpartum psychosis? at TEDxBushnellPark
• Rare is Relative blog by Theresa Twomey
• The Story Behind Andrea Yates Documentary
• Watch the Andrea Yates Documentary
• Perinatal Mental Health Institute for professional trainings
• The Postpartum Stress Center (Karen Kleiman) for professional trainings 
• Postpartum Support International
• Mind The Gap initiative
• Massachusetts General Hospital P3 Project 
• Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance | https://www.bgmhfoundation.org/
• What you need to know about Perintal Psychosis - Episode 6

Additional Resources:

• For childbirth patient education: The Bundle Birth Class
• Action on Postpartum Psychosis in the UK
• Maternal Mental Health NOW in CA
• Cherished Mom for PPP Awareness Day and the "Is Mom OK?" awareness for maternal suicide.
• The Motherhood Center of NY
• Postpartum Resource Center of NY
• Cope (Australian Organization with heavy emphasis on PPP)
• Hotline: 833-TLC-MAMA

Send us Fan Mail

What if burnout isn’t an inevitable part of nursing, but it’s a sign that we’re stuck in a system that asks too much of us? In this episode of Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Sarah Lavonne sits down with Amelia Nagoski, co-author of New York Times Best Seller Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, to unpack why caregivers, and especially nurses, are so vulnerable to burnout. They explore human giver syndrome, the impact of systemic stress, learned helplessness, and why self-care alone can’t solve a problem rooted in a broken system. Amelia shares practical ways nurses can complete the stress cycle, build a “bubble of love,” reset their expectations, and protect their capacity to keep showing up. Most importantly, this conversation offers a message of hope: we heal people who heal the system, and we don’t have to do it alone.

Helpful Links!

• Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
• The Burnout Workbook: Advice and Exercises to Help You Unlock the Stress Cycle
• Learn more about Amelia Nagoski 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Sarah Lavonne and Liliana Morales from New Jersey Hospital Association reflect on their New Jersey Perinatal Quality Collaborative “Pulse Check” road show, visiting 24 of New Jersey’s 46 birthing hospitals. They share what they discovered by stepping into hospitals and seeing firsthand the creativity, innovation, and commitment nurses bring to improving patient care and unit culture. From “magical vaginal walls” and labor walks to nurse-led morale boosters, a Zen Den, and empowering multidisciplinary teamwork, these teams are finding meaningful ways to support both patients and one another. Sarah and Lili also explore the power nurses have to influence quality improvement, create change, and build a culture where staff feel supported and empowered. Most importantly, this conversation is a celebration of the nurses doing the work every day and a reminder that their creativity, dedication, and commitment matter. Thanks for listening and subscribing!

*What quality improvement projects has your unit been up to? Send us an email about it; we want to hear!

Helpful Links! 

• New Jersey Hospital Association
• New Jersey Perinatal Quality Collaborative
• Interested in bringing us to your hospital? email us at [email protected]
• Bundle Birth Position Guide
• Lavonne Circuit

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Sarah Lavonne meets with certified nurse midwife and expert witness Pam Hetrick to unpack the legal realities every labor and delivery nurse should understand. Together, they explore how communication, informed consent, and thoughtful documentation are some of the strongest tools nurses have to protect both their patients and their practice. Pam shares practical guidance on navigating patient declinations, activating the chain of command, and handling obstetric emergencies. They also discuss why bedside debriefs after difficult births are essential.This reassuring conversation will help you approach challenging situations with greater confidence and advocate more effectively for your patients, and practice with less fear and more freedom. Thanks for listening and subscribing!

What's Happening on Your Unit? will be the next part from this podcast episode.

Helpful Links!

• Deposition & Trial Class with Pam Hetrick
• Live Colorfully Class
• Write us your legal question(s) for the next season on Legal Lessons with Pam
• Send a voicemail of your legal question (90 sec total) to be featured in Season 9 of the Pod on Legal Lessons with Pam! 

Send us Fan Mail

Explicit & Sensitive Content Warning

In this episode of Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Sarah Lavonne welcomes forensic nurse and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Morgan McMahon back for an honest and compassionate conversation about caring for survivors of sexual violence. Together, they candidly unpack common misconceptions about consent and sexual assault, explain what a forensic nursing exam actually involves, and discuss the realities survivors face when navigating the legal system. Morgan shares practical insights every birth professional can use to create safer, more empowering experiences for patients. This episode challenges nurses to rethink everyday language, prioritize patient autonomy, and recognize the lasting impact of trauma on childbirth. While this podcast episode may be difficult to listen, this conversation is an essential step toward providing truly compassionate, evidence-based care for every family.

Helpful links! 

• Join the List to be notified about SANE Nursing
• Forensic Nursing Certification
• Preventing Trauma Level 1 & 2 On-Demand Class
• #teamunderwear pin
• #teamunderwear sticker

Send us Fan Mail

Music: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music

License code: C5II3ZAIBDK2UNZT

Artist: : TURNIQUE

In Part 2 of Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Sarah Lavonne welcomes Morgan McMahon back to share the critical lessons every labor and delivery nurse needs to hear about near fatal strangulation and forensic nursing. Together, they explore how subtle warning signs, trauma-informed care, and thorough patient assessments can make the difference between life and death. Morgan offers insight into the emotional and physical realities that often remain hidden after strangulation. This episode challenges healthcare professionals to recognize risk factors, ask the right questions, and advocate fiercely for patient safety. Whether you care for pregnant patients or have experienced intimate partner violence, this conversation will deepen your understanding and strengthen your clinical practice.

Helpful Links!

• Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention
• Pause at the Door podcast episode 
• Healing Trauma in the Birth Professional Class by Krysta Dancy, MA, MFT, CBD 
• List to be notified about forensic nursing info.

Send us Fan Mail

Music: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music

License code: C5II3ZAIBDK2UNZT

Artist: : TURNIQUE

In this powerful episode of Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Sarah Lavonne joins Morgan McMahon to explore the realities of recognizing, responding to, and caring for patients experiencing near fatal strangulation. This episode goes deep into what forensic nursing is and how it can be overlooked. Morgan also shares her firsthand insights into the clinical and emotional complexities surrounding these high-risk cases. She emphasizes the vital role healthcare providers play in identifying warning signs and providing trauma-informed care. Thank you for listening and subscribing to Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses!

Helpful Links!

• Academy of Forensic Nursing website
• Advocacy Toolkit for Survivor
• Recommendations for Pregnant Victim 
• Journal Article: Experience of Intimate Partner Violence
• Journal Article: #ChokeMeDaddy: A Content Analysis of Memes Related to Choking/Strangulation During Sex
•  Email Diana Faugno, MSN, RN, CPN, AFN-C, IVSE-C, SANE-A, SANE-P, FAAFS, DF-IAFN, DF-AFN | [email protected]
• Cranial Nerve Assessment 
• MOVE recap podcast 
• List to be notified about forensic nursing

Send us Fan Mail

Music: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music

License code: C5II3ZAIBDK2UNZT

Artist: : TURNIQUE

In this episode of Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Sarah Lavonne sits down with Sarah Coleman from Count the Kicks to unpack the evolving science and practice of fetal movement monitoring. Together, they explore how tracking a baby’s normal movement pattern can be a powerful tool for identifying potential concerns and improving birth outcomes. The conversation dives into the origins of the Count the Kicks campaign, born from families impacted by stillbirth who sought to create change through education and awareness. They also address common clinical misconceptions, including outdated kick count standards, “juice stimulation” tricks, and concerns about increasing patient anxiety in triage. This episode reinforces how consistent education and simple monitoring tools can empower parents while supporting clinicians in delivering timely, informed care. Thanks for listening and subscribing to Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses!

Helpful Links:

• Count the Kicks app 
• Email Count the Kicks |  [email protected]
• Count the Kicks website
• HealthyBirthday website
• Stillbirth Prevention Fact Sheet
• Order Materials (State-specific) from Count the Kicks
• Count the Kicks Digital Education (multiple language options available)
• Count the Kicks Printable Charts to track movement daily (multiple language options available)

Send us Fan Mail

Music: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music

License code: C5II3ZAIBDK2UNZT

Artist: : TURNIQUE