On this episode of the podcast, I had my sister Jenna come on the show for a fun and light hearted episode that I'm really excited to share with you guys.

Jenna and I watched some birth videos – but not the kind of birth videos that you're thinking of! – and react to them live on the episode.

I thought it'd be interesting coming from me as a labor and delivery nurse and from Jenna, who you know has never been pregnant and doesn't have any kids.

I'm not gonna spoil too much of the episode. It was a lot of fun to record, but was also a big pain in the butt to get ready for, so I hope you guys like it!

Curious about where your placenta is? Wondering what the deal is with different placenta positions? You are in the right place!

I don't know about you, but the placenta fascinates me! Just think about everything it does. Not only does it provide oxygen and nutrients to help your baby grow, but it also eliminates waste. 

For all intents and purposes, it is your growing baby's lifeline.

Listen in to learn ALL ABOUT this incredible organ.

Listen in to this healing redemptive birth story!

This week on the Mommy Labor Nurse podcast we're going to talk about your cervix!

To be more specific, we'll be diving into cervical checks and membrane sweeps. Your cervix is essential to birth and can often be used as an indicator of how "prepped" your body is for labor before labor even starts. Today, you'll learn how cervical checks are done, how to handle them, and general pros and cons during pregnancy and labor.

Then, we'll talk about membrane sweeps which involve the cervix and are one of several things you can do to help jump start labor. So, what exactly is a membrane sweep? Here's a hint, it has nothing to do with actual broom sweeping! Keep listening to learn more.

After this episode, you can continue learning with Episode 77 on why it's important to prep your body for labor and EP112 where you'll get tips about prenatal exercise that will serve you during birth and beyond.

Questions covered in this episode:

• What is a cervical check?

• What if you are not dilated or just 1 centimeter dilated?

• How long does the cervical check take?

• What exactly is the provider checking for during the cervical check?

• Are cervical checks painful?

• What tricks can you use to pass the cervical check?

• What is the Bishop Score and how does it work?

• Is the cervical check actually necessary?

• When is the cervical check necessary?

• Can you ask for a cervical check to your provider?

• Can you ask for a cervical check during labor?

• What are the Pros and Cons of cervical checks during pregnancy?

• What is the difference between cervical check and membrane sweep?

• What to expect after the membrane sweep?

• What tips can you use to pass the membrane sweep?

• What happens if a membrane sweep is successful?

• What should you do after a membrane sweep?

• What other options do you have if a membrane sweep isn't successful?

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast we are re-releasing an interview with the amazing Dr. Nicole Callaway Rankins who you may know from her very popular pregnancy podcast, The All About Pregnancy and Birth Podcast!

Similar to Mommy Labor Nurse, Dr. Rankins offers amazing, online resources for pregnant women because she too knows what a critical role education plays in a woman's ability to advocate for themselves during birth and reduce any sense of fear or anxiety they may have.

On today's show, Dr. Rankins is going to share with us more about what it's like to be an OBGYN, memorable moments from her years of practice, thoughts on doula and midwifery care, a bit of birth advice, and more. I'm so excited to share Dr. Rankins with you today, so let's get right into it!

Working mom guilt? Yep, it's very real. Dr. Sarah Allen joins me to unpack where that guilt comes from, how to navigate it, and ways to feel more confident in whatever choices work best for your family.

Having a baby is a huge transition – and it's totally normal for your relationship to feel the impact. In this episode, we're talking about ways to stay connected, set expectations, and support each other through the fourth trimester and beyond.

Pelvic floor stuff doesn't have to be embarrassing or confusing! Nikki from The Belle Method joins me to chat about what your pelvic floor does, signs of dysfunction, and how to protect and rehab it through pregnancy and postpartum.

Ever wondered what home birth is actually like? I'm joined by a licensed homebirth midwife who breaks it all down – what to expect, who's a good candidate, and how it compares to hospital birth. It's a super eye-opening convo!

What actually happens after birth? This episode walks you through the first 48 hours with your newborn – from that golden hour and first latch to bleeding, bathroom trips, and baby checks. No fluff, no fear – just real talk 💁‍♀️