This episode on Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Sarah Lavonne is joined with Bundle Birth educator, Heidi Nielsen in this enlightening episode as they dive into the critical world of cord gas analysis. Understanding cord gas results is essential in guiding newborn care, particularly for identifying infants at risk of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) who may need therapeutic cooling.

Sarah and Heidi break down the basics of interpreting arterial and venous cord gases, explaining why parameters like pH, PCO2, and base deficit matter so much. They discuss the signs of respiratory and metabolic acidosis, how each can impact a newborn’s health, and why proper sample collection is so important—especially in settings without immediate NICU access.

In this episode, you’ll learn how these essential numbers reveal vital clues about a newborn’s condition, empowering nurses to support and advocate for newborns from the very start.

EDIT at 12:59: ACOG says 7.0 for pH, AWHONN says 7.1, 
What the research shows is that injury occurs at 7.18, and injury becomes more likely as you continue to move towards 7.0. Normal pH is actually considered to be 7.2.

Helpful Links: 

• Follow on Instagram and stay tuned Wednesday for Test Your Knowledge day.
• Join our Mentorship Program!
• RNC-OB Exam Prep Class

This week on Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Sarah has a candid conversation with Dr. Nathan Riley an OB-GYN, home birth doctor and holistic gynecologist about challenging hospital births versus home birth. Dr. Riley was initially trained in the standard medical model but became disillusioned with the overly interventionist approach to childbirth. So, he started attending home births to provide a more patient-centered, hands-off approach. He emphasizes the importance of building trust and rapport with patients, rather than rushing through routine procedures. He challenges the common assumption that hospital births are always safer, and argues that the trauma from disrespectful treatment can be more harmful than the medical risks. Dr. Riley shares stories on a more holistic, patient-empowered approach to maternity care, where nurses and providers prioritize the human connection and emotional needs of birthing people.

Helpful Links:

How to Reach Dr. Riley
Dr. Nathan Riley Instagram
Born Free Method
Sue Carter - Authority on Oxytocin
Steven Porgis - Developed Poly Vagal Theory
Luminous Life - James l Oschman
Physiologic Birth Class

In this episode of Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Sarah Lavonne dives into the journey behind the creation of the Physiologic Birth Class. From working in a highly medicalized L&D unit to later experiencing a contrasting approach in a more affluent hospital, Sarah's nursing career shaped her vision for promoting physiologic birth. Driven by a desire to empower nurses, she designed this class to equip them with the knowledge and hands-on skills essential for supporting physiologic labor and birth. Thousands of nurses have since been trained and seen the impact on their practice while enhancing birth outcomes, decreasing cesarean rates, reducing trauma, and reshaping the culture of obstetric care. Sarah underscores the power of a nurse's deep understanding of birth physiology to provide truly patient-centered care.

Helpful Links:

• Sign up for our most popular Physiologic Birth Class
• Motion takes all the concepts taught in class and practically applies them to your practice
• We train hospitals! Drop your manager’s info here
• Sign up for our monthly newsletter for news & free education
• Check out our physical products that you can use to apply to your physiologic birth practice

Season 5 premiere of Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses is here! In this special bts episode, Justine and Sarah Lavonne dive into Justine's upcoming birth plan. Justine shares her preferences in deciding between a scheduled c-section or a VBAC through prioritizing her well-being and reflecting on her first birth experience. Justine and Sarah discuss the logistics, from selecting her birth team to Sarah’s involvement as her birth coach. They also tease exciting topics for this new, fifth season, including home births, cord gases, and a review of the RNC-OB course. Tune in for a thoughtful and honest conversation!

Helpful Links: 

• Upcoming Mentorship Program
• Motion App 
• Leading Change Class 
• RNC-OB Exam Prep Class, 2025 dates include: 4/18, 7/28 & 10/17

In this last podcast of the season, Justine and Sarah Lavonne discuss the importance of lifelong learning and how it can benefit nurses in their practice and life. They share personal examples of things they have learned recently, as well as some new OB insights. They encourage you to find your passion and pursue learning in it! Thanks for listening and don’t forget to subscribe! We will see you next season!! In the meantime, join us in a class or get updates by signing up for our newsletter below!

Helpful Links!

- Get FREE educational content, Bundle Birth updates, news and more when you sign up for the Bundle Birth Newsletter.
- Put valuable physiologic birth strategies in the palm of your hand with Motion Birth Tracker and Labor Algorithm App
- Learn effective strategies to help patients achieve a vaginal birth in our best-selling Physiologic Birth class!
- Discover strategies to help your patient cope with labor to enable a physiologic birth in our on-demand Physiologic Coping class.
- Find educational resources for your patients on our YouTube channel.

In this episode of "Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses," Sarah Lavonne chats with Dr. Rebecca Dekker, the founder of Evidence Based Birth. They discuss the benefits of non-lithotomy birthing positions and the misconceptions surrounding them. Dekker shares research findings that show upright positions can lead to shorter pushing phases, lower rates of severe perineal trauma, and decreased use of forceps and vacuum. She also emphasizes the importance of educating patients and healthcare providers about the benefits of alternative positions and suggests strategies for nurses to advocate for their patients' preferences. Sarah and Dekker also discuss the need for continued education and training for healthcare workers to increase their comfort and confidence in supporting upright birthing positions. Want a next step? Take our Physiologic Birth class, linked below! Thanks for watching and subscribing!

Helpful Links!

Take Physiologic Birth Class!
Evidence Based Birth
Bundle Birth Position Guide
Download the Motion app
Physiologic Birth Rental for your Hospital

In this episode of Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Justine and Sarah Lavonne discuss the importance of nurses getting involved in committees and making a positive impact in their workplace. They are joined by Carly Dahl, a labor and delivery nurse and Bundle Birth mentor, who shares her experience of being part of a committee and the value it brings. Carly emphasizes the importance of following your passion and taking the initiative to make a change. She also highlights the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration and open communication within the committee. Carly encourages nurses to start small and focus on areas they care about, as even small changes can have a significant impact. The episode concludes with a reminder to nurses to take care of themselves and find fulfillment in their work. Thanks for listening and subscribing!

Helpful Links:

Join Mentorship!
Leading Change On-Demand Class
Visit Bundle Birth Nurses website

In this episode, Justine and Sarah Lavonne respond to the MOST appalling things that nurses have heard at the bedside. They dive into a candid conversation about language and communication in healthcare, particularly focusing on cervical exams. They share personal experiences, insights, and practical tips for improving patient care and comfort. They discuss the impact of language on patient care and offer alternative phrases and strategies to ensure respectful and compassionate communication. They address issues such as consent, pain management, and terminology used during exams. Join Justine and Sarah for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion that challenges traditional norms and promotes a culture of empathy and respect in healthcare. This episode is a must-listen for labor and delivery nurses seeking to enhance their communication skills and provide exceptional care to their patients.

Helpful links:

- Get the Motion App Today to level up your care in a whole new way!

- Access this online class: Preventing Trauma Bundle Level 1 & 2
-Preventing Birth Trauma Level 1
- Preventing Birth Trauma Level 2
- Have you had trauma? Access this online class:
Healing Trauma in the Birth Professional
- Visit Bundle Birth Nurses

In this podcast episode, Justine and Sarah Lavonne meet with guest, Heidi Nielsen, a Bundle Birth educator and who is an expert in fetal monitoring. They discuss the fear and issues that many nurses have with Category II tracings and the importance of recognizing and accurately charting them. They also discuss the need for nurses to advocate for themselves and their patients, and the importance of ongoing education and knowledge in the field of fetal monitoring. Get tips for communicating with doctors, navigating the challenges of Category II tracings, and provide information on resources and education available to nurses to improve their practice. Thanks for listening and subscribing!

Helpful Links!

- Join Mentorship!
- EFM Badge Buddy
- Download the Motion app!
- AWHONN intermediate fetal monitoring class
- Join our Newsletter! 

In this podcast, Justine and Sarah Lavonne introduce the Bundle Birth Nurse Mentors to discuss the value of mentorship and community in nursing. The mentors share their own experiences and the transformations they have seen in nurses who participate in our Mentorship Program. They emphasize the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment where nurses can learn, grow, and make positive changes in their practice at any stage of their career. You are invited to join us all through our mentorship program and challenge you to take control of your learning and professional development.

Helpful Links!

- Sign Up for Mentorship: Save $188 on Mentorship and get your 1st month for $1
- Download the Motion App