Let's talk about birth plans - and yes, I know that's going to land differently for everyone reading this. But after 16 years as a high-risk labor and delivery nurse and thousands of births, I need to say what I've seen: the traditional birth plan might not be helping you the way you think it is. In fact, it could be setting you up for unnecessary disappointment and a feeling of failure you absolutely do not deserve.

In this episode, I'm introducing you to a concept I teach all of my students - the birth map - and explaining exactly why that distinction changes everything.

So what's a birth map? Think of planning a road trip. You have a destination, a preferred route, and the flexibility to reroute when a road is closed. A detour doesn't mean the trip is ruined - it just means you found another way to get there. That's exactly what a birth map does.

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Your birth map includes:

• Your destination - the big picture experience you're working toward
• Your top 3–5 priorities - the non-negotiables that matter most, clearly communicated
• Alternate routes - thinking through "what if" scenarios before labor so nothing catches you off guard
• Real education - because a map is only useful if you understand the territory

I am a fierce advocate for informed consent, asking questions, and knowing your rights. What a birth map does is give you real navigational power instead of the false security of a document that labor might not follow.

When you're holding a map instead of a plan, a detour feels like a detour - not a disaster.

Helpful Timestamps:

• 00:00 Birth Plan Mistakes
• 03:23 Introducing Birth Maps
• 04:48 What Goes On A Birth Map
• 07:00 Informed Consent Matters
• 07:53 Build Your Map Now

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Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

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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’ve ever found yourself Googling “how do I get my baby to sleep?” at 2 AM… this episode is for you. Because let’s be honest - baby sleep advice is LOUD, conflicting, and overwhelming. One expert says cry it out, another says never let them cry. One says strict schedules, another says go with the flow. And you’re left exhausted, questioning everything.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Chrissy Lawler, therapist, baby sleep consultant, and founder of The Peaceful Sleeper - and she’s breaking down what actually works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to infant sleep. Chrissy is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 15+ years of experience who saw one consistent root issue in her clients - sleep. She went on to specialize in sleep medicine and created a method that helps families get rest without sacrificing connection, mental health, or flexibility. Her bestselling book, The Peaceful Sleeper, teaches parents how to build healthy sleep habits from birth through the first year.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to baby sleep.

But there is a way to:

• Support your baby
• Protect your mental health
• Strengthen your family
• And actually get rest

Without feeling like you’re failing.

As Chrissy shares, getting good sleep is important - but how you get there should work for YOUR family.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why baby sleep advice feels so confusing (and how to filter through it)
• The truth about “cry it out” and attachment
• How sleep impacts your mental health, relationships, and motherhood experience
• The 4 foundational pillars of newborn sleep
• Why “sleep begets sleep” and how to use it to your advantage
• How to gently teach sleep skills without guilt or rigidity
• The difference between supporting your baby and over-functioning for them
• Why your needs matter just as much as your baby’s

More from Chrissy Lawler:

Visit ThePeacefulSleeper.com

Order her book: The Peaceful Sleeper

Connect with her on Instagram, Threads, FaceBook, TikTok, & YouTube : @the.peaceful.sleeper

Helpful Timestamps:

• 00:00 Why Sleep Matters
• 04:34 Sleep and Attachment
• 06:57 No One Right Method
• 08:54 Newborn Sleep Pillars
• 10:19 Gentle Training Options
• 11:33 Cry It Out Trauma
• 15:37 Family System Balance
• 22:14 Three Baby Sleep Tips for Moms
• 27:43 Where to Find Chrissy

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!

Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

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’ve been Googling every little symptom in early pregnancy… you’re not alone. But the internet can’t tell you what’s actually normal vs. what needs attention - and that uncertainty can send you into a spiral fast.

In this episode, Trish breaks it all down in a way Google never could. You’ll learn which first trimester symptoms might feel scary but are usually totally normal - and which ones are true red flags that deserve a call to your provider (or even a trip to the ER).

This is your guide to feeling more calm, confident, and clear in those early weeks of pregnancy.

In this episode, we cover:

• Common (but scary-feeling) symptoms that are usually normal
• What light spotting and cramping really mean
• When nausea and vomiting cross the line
• Why extreme fatigue and breast changes are expected
• What it means if you don’t feel pregnant at all
• Red flags like heavy bleeding, one-sided pelvic pain, and fever
• Signs of ectopic pregnancy and when to seek immediate care
• When a UTI can become more serious in pregnancy
• A simple framework for knowing when to monitor vs. act

And always remember - if something feels off, you’re never wrong for reaching out.

Helpful Timestamps:

• 00:00 First Trimester Symptoms
• 01:52 Scary But Normal Signs
• 02:16 Spotting Explained
• 03:29 Cramping And Nausea
• 04:34 Fatigue And Breast Changes
• 05:51 True Red Flags
• 06:03 Bleeding And Ectopic Warning
• 07:22 Severe Vomiting And Fever
• 08:22 UTI Symptoms To Watch
• 09:02 Anxiety And Provider Support
• 09:38 Simple Decision Framework

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!

Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

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

I sat down with Tamari Jacob, Certified Lactation Consultant and founder of One With The Pump, and we had the best chat about all things pumping and breastfeeding.

Tamari knows the pumping journey inside and out - she exclusively pumped for her first baby for 10 months after he wouldn’t latch, and she’s been helping moms make pumping suck a whole lot less ever since. We talked about the emotional side of feeding your baby (hello, grief and rejection when it doesn’t go as planned), why finding the right lactation consultant is everything, and how the system sometimes works against us.

Tamari dropped three powerful, game-changing tips whether you’re exclusively pumping or mixing pumping with breastfeeding:

1. Size your flanges correctly - Most pumps come with the wrong sizes (21, 24, or 28 mm), but most moms need something much smaller like 13–18 mm. This one thing can stop pain and low output fast!
2. Pumping is not free - Invest a little in the right tools (extra parts, a good bra, a wearable, a milk chiller) to make your life so much easier. You don’t have to suffer with just the bare minimum.
3. Get real education and support - Breastfeeding and pumping are NOT as “natural” as everyone says. Learn from someone who actually specializes in pumping (not every LC does!).

We also got real about hospital lactation consultants, baby-friendly policies, mom guilt, and how preparation before baby comes can save you so much heartache later.

If you’re planning to pump, struggling with your pump, or just want to feel more confident, you need to hear this episode.

More from Tamari Jacob, CLC:

• Use this link to get 10% off The Ultimate Pumping Course
• Website: onewiththepump.com
• Instagram, TikTok, FaceBook, YouTube & Pinterest: @onewiththepump

Helpful Timestamps:

• 00:00 Pumping Made Easier
• 04:02 Why Tamari Started Pumping
• 11:51 Top Tips Start Flange Fit
• 12:49 Gear That Makes It Easier
• 15:31 Finding the Right Lactation Help
• 18:32 Hospital Lactation Reality
• 22:38 How to Work With Tamari
• 24:29 Prep Before Labor

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!

Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

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 the thought of labor makes your stomach drop and your heart race… this episode is for you, mama.

Hey girl, I see you. The midnight Google spirals, the dramatic birth stories that left you spiraling, and that voice in your head whispering “there’s no way I can do that.” Fear of labor is incredibly normal - but left unchecked, it can actually make labor harder. Today I’m breaking down exactly where that fear comes from, what it does to your body, and what I personally tell every terrified mom I work with as a high-risk labor and delivery nurse.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why most of what you think you know about birth is skewed (thanks, TV, horror stories, and the unknown)
• How fear creates the Fear-Tension-Pain cycle and fights against the very hormones you need for labor
• The 4 powerful truths I share with scared mamas that completely shift their perspective
• Practical steps to turn uninformed fear into confident preparation (education, real birth classes, relaxation practice, and strong support)

By the end, you’ll have a totally different relationship with your fear - and you’ll walk into your birth feeling more prepared and empowered instead of terrified.

Your body was literally built for this. Labor has rhythm. You have more control than you think. And that fear? It just means you care deeply - now let’s give it the right outlet.

If you’re ready to stop spiraling and start preparing like a boss, this one’s for you.

Helpful Timestamps:

• 00:00 What I Tell Moms Who Are Terrified of Labor
• 01:56 Where Fear Comes From
• 03:42 Fear Changes Labor Biology
• 05:11 Four Reframes for Scared Moms
• 07:51 How to Calm Fear
• 09:33 You Can Do This

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!

Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

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

Hey mamas! I am SO excited to share this episode with you. Today I’m chatting with Gabi, one of my Calm Labor Confident Birth students who also activated her Labor Bat Signal. She’s here to tell the raw, real story of bringing her fiery little girl into the world on January 26th, 2025.

Gabi went from measuring small with low fluid at 38+5, to an induction she didn’t plan for, a midwife who wanted to break her water way too early, a deceleration scare, and back-to-back contractions that had her questioning everything… to going from 2-3 cm to 10 cm in ONE HOUR and pushing her baby out in just 18 minutes (six pushes!) on hands and knees.

She stayed calm and confident because she had the knowledge, the tools, the mantras ("You're one contraction away from meeting your baby"), and the support from the Labor Bat Signal when it mattered most. The toilet was her magic dilation station, she advocated like a boss, and she walked away feeling completely empowered - even when her birth map took some unexpected turns.

This episode is proof that when you know your options, trust your body, and have the right support, you can handle whatever labor throws at you.

Key takeaways you’ll love:

• Why a birth map (not a rigid plan) is everything
• The power of saying “no” when you know why
• How the toilet can be your best friend in labor
• Why the Labor Bat Signal is a game-changer (especially when things shift fast)
• Turning fear into fierce advocacy in real time

If you’re pregnant and want to feel prepared, calm, and confident - no matter how your birth unfolds - this one’s for you. Gabi’s story will fire you up!

Helpful Timestamps:

• 00:00 Gabi’s Birth Story
• 05:26 Labor Bat Signal
• 07:29 Low Fluid Diagnosis
• 08:55 Induction Advice
• 10:53 Pitocin Pressure Begins
• 12:21 Toilet Dilation Station
• 14:40 Urge to Push
• 15:39 Toilet to Ten Centimeters
• 19:10 Advocacy and Pitocin Decisions
• 21:44 Empowered Birth Map Mindset
• 22:52 Tear Stitch and Baby Two

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!

Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

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

This week I grabbed the most common questions you sent me over on Instagram from my 418k followers and answered them the way your bestie labor nurse would - honest, no fluff, and zero fear-mongering.

I’m answering:

1. Is that sharp bump pain in the early second trimester normal? (And when to actually call your provider)
2. The 4-1-2 rule for heading to the hospital with your first baby (and why it’s different for your second)
3. How long postpartum bleeding really lasts + the red-flag signs you can’t ignore
4. The truth about the 24-hour water-breaking rule (it’s not the automatic emergency most hospitals make it sound like)
5. Postpartum night sweats, when your milk actually comes in, and why those night sweats hit so hard
6. Big baby at 39 weeks - do you have to induce or schedule a C-section? (Spoiler: I’ve got strong feelings on this one)
7. Tips for flipping a breech baby, scar pain in pregnancy, Pitocin realities, and so much more

If you’ve ever been up at 2 a.m. Googling your questions while pregnant, this episode is your calm in the chaos. Knowledge flips fear into power, mama - and that’s exactly what we’re doing today.

Whether you’re prepping for birth or deep in the postpartum trenches, you’ll walk away feeling seen, informed, and way more confident.

More from this episode:

Listen to Episode 217: Your Essential Second Trimester Checklist for a Smoother Birth Experience | 217

Calm Labor Confident Birth Course

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 00:00 Answering Your Top Questions
2. 01:43 Second Trimester Bump Pain
3. 02:24 Postpartum Bleeding Timeline
4. 03:00 When To Go To Hospital
5. 04:30 Water Break 24 Hour Rule
6. 05:12 Fear Of Giving Birth
7. 05:51 TDAP And Whooping Cough
8. 06:21 Flipping A Breech Baby
9. 07:19 C Section Scar Pain
10. 07:59 Postpartum Night Sweats
11. 08:16 When Milk Comes In
12. 09:02 What Contractions Feel Like
13. 09:43 Pitocin Pros And Risks
14. 10:08 Big Baby Induction Pressure
15. 11:48 Small Baby Growth Concerns

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!

Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

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

I got to sit down with Áine, the Baby Reflux Lady - a leading holistic expert in infant reflux, colic, and digestive discomfort. Drawing from her background in Traditional Chinese Medicine, nutrition, and her own journey as a mom of two babies with severe reflux, Áine shares why she refuses to accept the outdated idea that “this is just how babies are.”

We dive deep into the real signs of reflux (it’s not just spitting up!), why so many parents feel dismissed by “they’ll grow out of it,” and how listening to your instincts can change everything. Áine explains the importance of looking at the whole baby, uncovering root causes instead of just managing symptoms, and shares practical steps for overwhelmed moms - from what pregnant mamas can watch for to simple ways to support your nervous system when things feel heavy.

If you’ve ever been told your baby’s discomfort is normal, this episode will give you permission to trust yourself and know there is another way. Whether you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or deep in the thick of sleepless nights and constant crying, Áine’s wisdom offers real hope and clear direction.

More from Áine The Baby Reflux Lady:

Visit https://www.thebabyrefluxlady.co.uk/

Check out the Symptoms Tracker

Follow Áine on Instagram: @babyrefluxlady and FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/theBabyRefluxLady

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 00:00 Meet Áine The Baby Reflux Lady
2. 06:43 Pregnancy Prep and Early Red Flags
3. 10:27 Calming Yourself to Calm Baby
4. 14:24 Clear Signs It’s Reflux
5. 17:34 Smelly Gas and Gut Discomfort
6. 20:45 Breastmilk, Carbs And Stress
7. 27:35 Programs And Support Options
8. 29:58 Fast Results Story
9. 32:08 Where To Find Áine

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!

Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

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

Your doctor is NOT your boss.

They are your medical consultant. You are the decision-maker. Period.

In this episode Trish breaks down informed consent in the clearest, calmest, most confident way possible - because this one thing is the #1 reason women walk away from birth feeling powerless. It’s not the pain, not the interventions… it’s not knowing they had the right to say yes, no, or “I need a minute.”

You’ll hear the powerful story of my student who went from scheduling a C-section out of pure fear to rocking a beautiful unmedicated birth - simply because she understood her rights and started using them calmly.

I also walk you through:

1. What informed consent actually means (it’s NOT just signing a paper)
2. The four powerful questions that turn any “order” into a conversation
3. Why labor makes us forget our rights, and exactly how to protect them before you even step foot in the hospital
4. How to advocate without yelling, arguing, or being labeled “difficult”

This isn’t about being combative. It’s about walking in informed, respected, and owning your power - the exact power that changes everything in the birth room.

You are becoming a mom. That’s the most powerful role on the planet. Informed consent is how you protect that transition.

So take a deep breath, mama. Your voice is the most important one in that room.

If this episode hit home (or if you know a pregnant friend who needs to hear she’s the boss), please share it with her.

Hit subscribe, leave a quick review, and I’ll see you next week.

You’ve got this. ❤️

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 00:00 Your Doctor is Not Your Boss
2. 01:00 Birth Student Finds Her Voice
3. 02:39 What Informed Consent Means
4. 03:23 Orders Versus Options
5. 04:39 Calm Advocacy Questions
6. 05:08 Emergencies Still Need Consent
7. 05:32 Preventing Birth Trauma
8. 06:15 You Are The Decision Maker

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!

Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

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’ve ever been told “everything looks normal” but you’re still not pregnant, or if you’re just starting your trying-to-conceive journey and want real answers instead of vague “we don’t know,” this episode is going to feel like a warm hug and a game-changer all at once. I sat down with the incredible Dr. Sasha Hakman, a double board-certified OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) specialist at HRC Fertility in Beverly Hills. She’s highly awarded, stays on the cutting edge of research, and is even a subject matter expert for the American Board of OB-GYN in REI board certification. In other words, she knows her stuff - and she explains it in the kindest, clearest way possible.

We cover:

1. What “unexplained infertility” actually means - it affects 15-20% of couples with infertility.
2. The hidden endometriosis link and why it can fly under the radar.
3. The basic fertility workup every woman deserves to know about.
4. First-line treatment: superovulation + IUI and the success rates.
5. When to move to IVF, embryo testing, and even whole genome sequencing.
6. Dr. Sasha’s own fertility journey at 39 while helping patients every day.
7. Her top 3 tips if you’re walking this road right now.

I walked away feeling so much more informed and hopeful, and I know you will too. Whether you’re deep in this journey, supporting a friend, or just educating yourself ahead of time - go you. I’m so proud of you for showing up and learning.

This episode is for every mama who’s ever felt unseen in her journey. I see you. I’m here for you. You are stronger than you know.

More from Dr. Sasha Hakman:

Listen to her podcast: Trying to Conceive

Follow her on Instagram @sashahakmanmd @tryingtoconceivepod

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 00:00 Welcome Dr. Sasha Hakman
2. 03:36 What Unexplained Infertility Means
3. 07:26 Hidden Endometriosis Clues
4. 12:14 Age And Family Planning
5. 15:38 IUI To IVF Decision Point
6. 22:05 IVF As Diagnostic Tool
7. 23:33 Embryo Genetic Testing Basics
8. 25:08 Whole Genome Sequencing Upgrade
9. 28:58 IVF Success Rates by Age
10. 30:37 Postpartum and Fertility Pressure
11. 33:15 Top Three Infertility Tips
12. 39:11 Where to Find Dr. Sasha Hakman

Join The Calm Labor Birth Bundle - everything you need from bump to baby! Use code POD50 for $50 off!

Over 15k mamas have used our classes to prepare for a birth that they love 🤍

⭐ Download immediately ⭐App available ⭐Life-time access⭐

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

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