Ever lie awake at night stressing about the “what ifs” of birth? What if I tear? What if I can’t push? What if I end up with a C-section I didn’t want? These fears of the unknown are so real. But here’s the good news: those unknowns don’t have to steal your birth experience. 

Join the Calm Mama Membership:  labornursemama.com/cms

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In this episode, Trish is breaking down the biggest unknowns mamas face and showing you how to take back control.

From tearing, labor pain, long labor, to decisions made without your consent, Trish dives into how education and preparation transform these unknowns into a manageable, empowering birth experience.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why education is your superpower against birth fears
• How to reduce your risk of tearing 
• The secret to owning your labor room and making informed decisions
• Why pushing isn’t about “trying harder” (there’s science to it!)
• How to avoid unnecessary interventions 
• Pain coping tricks (I’ve got 50+ in my toolbox!) to make labor manageable
• Tips to speed up labor 

You are stronger than your fears, and you deserve a birth that feels like yours. Let’s kick those unknowns to the curb and get you ready for the most incredible day of your life.

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!

01:08 The Unknowns of Birth

04:56 Overcoming the Fear of Tearing

05:12 Making Informed Decisions During Labor

05:38 Knowing Pushing Techniques

05:52 Understanding Interventions and C-Sections

06:44 Managing Labor Pain

07:27 Faster, Smoother Labor Tips

08:17 Empowerment Through Education

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, take our Belly Birth Masterclass and own that experience.

If you are a newly pregnant mama or just had the babe, you want to join our private pregnancy and postpartum membership, Calm Mama Society.

Remember, my advice is not medical advice. Always discuss what you learn with your team. See my Disclaimer here! Also, We make a small commission from some of the links (you don’t pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we love ’em and want you to know about them.

Trish tackles birth fears head-on, helping mamas turn anxiety into confidence. With 80% of pregnant women feeling nervous and 20% facing tokophobia, birth fear is common—but you CAN overcome your birth fears and actually ENJOY your birth. Blame horror stories, dramatic movies, or a medical system that forgets birth is normal. 

Join the Calm Mama Membership:  labornursemama.com/cms

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

Fear floods your body with cortisol, slowing labor and amping up pain, while oxytocin—the love hormone—takes a hit. Trish, a labor nurse who’s delivered thousands of babies, says you’ve got the power to change that.

Education is key: understanding labor stages and having plenty of tools, such as breathing and movement, can break the fear-tension-pain cycle. Studies show prepared mamas have shorter labors, fewer interventions, and even enjoy the experience—thanks to more oxytocin.

You’re strong, mama—your body was made for this. Tune into this episode for Trish’s tips to overcome birth fears, grab her free workshop, and get ready to rock your birth!

What You’ll Learn:

- Where birth fears come from (hint: not you!).  

- How fear slows labor—and how confidence speeds it up.  

- Why education and support are your superpowers.  

Drop a review and share this episode with a mama friend. See you next Friday!

00:25 Understanding Birth Fears

01:18 Sources of Birth Fear

02:56 Impact of Fear on Labor

05:05 Taking Control of Your Birth Experience

05:50 Tools and Support for a Confident Birth

08:30 Empowerment Through Education

10:25 Final Thoughts and Resources

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

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

More from this episode:

Listen to episode 133: Your Voice, Your Birth: Asserting Your Rights in Labor & Beyond

Grab my Labor Like a Pro Guide

Resources:

Join our 5 Days to A Fearless Birth Experience and watch 5 Online Birth Classes!!

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, take our Belly Birth Masterclass and own that experience.

If you are a newly pregnant mama or just had the babe, you want to join our private pregnancy and postpartum membership, Calm Mama Society.

Remember, my advice is not medical advice. Always discuss what you learn with your team. See my Disclaimer here! Also, We make a small commission from some of the links (you don’t pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we love ’em and want you to know about them.

Trish welcomes HeHe, a dedicated doula, birth advocate, and host of The Birth Lounge podcast. They dive deep into the significant role that doulas play in empowering parents during childbirth through advocacy, education, and effective communication. 

Join the Calm Mama Membership:  labornursemama.com/cms

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

HeHe shares her journey from working with children on the autism spectrum to becoming a doula, highlighting the recurring themes of birth trauma and anxiety among parents from a lack of education or support. 

This episode focuses on the doula’s role in birth, covering how to prepare for unexpected situations during labor, creating collaborative relationships in the birth room, and the importance of therapy for birth workers. 

Whether you're a doula, a pregnant mama, or simply interested in birth advocacy, this episode provides valuable insights into making informed birth decisions and fostering a supportive birth environment.

00:54 Meet HeHe: Doula and Birth Advocate

04:30 Empowering Parents in the Birth Room

08:56 Balancing Advocacy and Professionalism

11:18 The Role of Doulas in Birth Decisions

19:38 The Importance of Birth Planning

24:37 Tips for Doulas in Hospital Settings

26:22 Creating a Comfortable Birth Environment

38:00 Polite Communication and Hospital Culture

39:38 The Role of a Doula as an Advocate

Connect with HeHe:

Follow her on Instagram: @tranquilitybyhehe & @the.birth.lounge

Listen to The Birth Lounge Podcast

TheBirthLounge.com 

Listen to Episode 324: Debunking VBAC Myths: What You Really Need to Prepare for a Hospital Birth with Trish Ware

Resources:

Join our 5 Days to A Fearless Birth Experience and watch 5 Online Birth Classes!!

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, take our Belly Birth Masterclass and own that experience.

If you are a newly pregnant mama or just had the babe, you want to join our private pregnancy and postpartum membership, Calm Mama Society.

Remember, my advice is not medical advice. Always discuss what you learn with your team. See my Disclaimer here! Also, We make a small commission from some of the links (you don’t pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we love ’em and want you to know about them.

Hey, beautiful mamas! Ever found yourself wondering, “Did my water just break… or is this pee? Wait, maybe it’s something else?!” 

Don’t worry, Trish has your back in this episode! Here’s what she’s breaking down for you:

⭐ How to figure out if it’s *really* your water breaking

⭐ Sorting out the difference between amniotic fluid, pee, or vaginal discharge like the labor pro you’re becoming

⭐ The must-know signs to watch for and what to do next

⭐ When it’s time to grab that hospital bag and roll out

⭐ Tips to keep your labor moving forward once that water breaks (you’ve got this!)

Join the Calm Mama Membership:  labornursemama.com/cms

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

Trish covers the C.O.A.T. method (color, odor, amount, time)—to help you feel confident about what’s happening down there. She’s also dishing out practical steps to take once your water breaks (and a few “please don’t do that” warnings) so you can stay calm and in control.

Tune into this episode to feel ready for that wild, wonderful moment when your water breaks. 

01:27 Understanding Your Water Breaking

01:41 Is It Really Your Water?

03:45 What to Do When Your Water Breaks

05:17 When to Head to the Hospital

07:18 Contraction Rules and High-Risk Situations

08:55 Listening to Your Intuition

09:39 Final Tips and Birth Plan Importance

Resources:

Join our 5 Days to A Fearless Birth Experience and watch 5 Online Birth Classes!!

🎙 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, take our Belly Birth Masterclass and own that experience.

If you are a newly pregnant mama or just had the babe, you want to join our private pregnancy and postpartum membership, Calm Mama Society.

Remember, my advice is not medical advice. Always discuss what you learn with your team. See my Disclaimer here! Also, We make a small commission from some of the links (you don’t pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we love ’em and want you to know about them.

Trish welcomes Lisa Paladino, a renowned tongue tie expert, IBCLC, midwife, and labor and delivery nurse who is passionate about infant feeding and oral function. 

Join the Calm Mama Membership:  labornursemama.com/cms

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

Lisa shares her journey of becoming an expert in this field, the common myths surrounding tongue ties, and practical advice on how mothers can navigate this challenging aspect of infant feeding.

They also address the larger issues of breastfeeding support, the importance of following maternal instincts, and the emotional and physical challenges faced by new mothers who are navigating tongue tie. 

If you've ever wondered whether tongue ties are over diagnosed, underdiagnosed, or what signs you should actually be looking for, this episode is for you. 

00:20 Meet the Tongue Tie Expert: Lisa Paladino

01:31 Lisa's Journey to Becoming a Tongue Tie Expert

03:38 Understanding Tongue Ties: Myths and Facts

06:40 The Importance of Professional Guidance

13:27 Finding the Right Provider

19:24 Online Courses and Continuous Learning

22:56 Trusting Your Instincts as a Mother

24:43 Challenges in Recognizing Tongue Tie

28:01 Misdiagnoses and the Importance of Proper Evaluation

31:54 Final Advice and Emotional Support for Mothers

More from Lisa Paladino:

Connect with Lisa on Instagram @tonguetieexperts

Lisa's Tongue Tie Professional Referral List

Selecting a Provider: Ask These Questions before Tongue Tie Treatment

Grab her courses:

A Parent’s Guide to Tongue Tie Course:

Professional’s Guide to Tongue Tie in the Breastfeeding Infant:

More from this episode:

Listen to episode 114: Understanding Tongue Tie: Expert Insights and Practical Solutions for New Moms

Resources:

Join our 5 Days to A Fearless Birth Experience and watch 5 Online Birth Classes!!

🎙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, take our Belly Birth Masterclass and own that experience.

If you are a newly pregnant mama or just had the babe, you want to join our private pregnancy and postpartum membership, Calm Mama Society.

Remember, my advice is not medical advice. Always discuss what you learn with your team. See my Disclaimer here! Also, We make a small commission from some of the links (you don’t pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we love ’em and want you to know about them.

Who's afraid of vaginal tearing during birth? Um...none of us want to tear our lady bits! We hear this all the time over on IG. We know this fear is filling your brain right now. So Trish is breaking it down today.

Join the Calm Mama Membership:  labornursemama.com/cms

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

Vaginas are made to stretch and accommodate your baby. A vaginal tear is your body's natural response to a need for more room for the baby your body built.

I want to help you arm yourself with knowledge. Knowledge is power. Knowledge combats fear. We love to disarm fears around here.

Fear and birth are a terrible mix.

Trish will break it all down in her particular unorthodox view of birth and all the fear surrounding it. Listen in, and let's talk about what vaginal tearing is, why it happens, who it happens to, and what you can do to TRY to prevent it.

More from this episode:

Get the tearing book here!

Full Article about tearing:

Link to Sitz Bath

Resources:

Join our 5 Days to A Fearless Birth Experience and watch 5 Online Birth Classes!!

🎙 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, take our Belly Birth Masterclass and own that experience.

If you are a newly pregnant mama or just had the babe, you want to join our private pregnancy and postpartum membership, Calm Mama Society.

Remember, my advice is not medical advice. Always discuss what you learn with your team. See my Disclaimer here! Also, We make a small commission from some of the links (you don’t pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we love ’em and want you to know about them.

Trish welcomes Colette Wagholikar, a passionate labor and delivery nurse, childbirth educator, mom of two daughters,  and creator of 'My Friends a Nurse'. 

They discuss the importance of education in childbirth, advocating for yourself in the delivery room, and navigating the healthcare system. 

Join the Calm Mama Membership:  labornursemama.com/cms

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

Trish and Colette cover key strategies for handling unsupportive medical staff, making informed decisions, and how to use your voice effectively during labor. 

Colette shares valuable insights from her journey as a labor and delivery nurse and mom, and emphasizes the necessity of building a knowledgeable and supportive birth team.

“ The most powerful thing in the birth room is your voice.” - Trish

00:51 Meet Colette

03:19 Colette's Journey in Nursing

05:07 Challenges in the Hospital System

09:03 Empowering Women in Childbirth

15:24 Handling Difficult Situations with Nurses

22:55 Dealing with Uncooperative Doctors

29:22 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Colette

More from Colette: 

Visit MyFriendsANurse.com

Listen to The Birth Link Podcast

Resources:

Join our 5 Days to A Fearless Birth Experience and watch 5 Online Birth Classes!!

🎙 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, take our Belly Birth Masterclass and own that experience.

If you are a newly pregnant mama or just had the babe, you want to join our private pregnancy and postpartum membership, Calm Mama Society.

Remember, my advice is not medical advice. Always discuss what you learn with your team. See my Disclaimer here! Also, We make a small commission from some of the links (you don’t pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we love ’em and want you to know about them.

Today, I’m walking through the essentials of the 20-week anatomy scan, covering what to expect and how you can prepare. 

Join the Calm Mama Membership:  labornursemama.com/cms

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

So the 20-week anatomy scan is a detailed ultrasound that gives you and your health care team a comprehensive look at how your baby is developing, and it's typically performed between 18 and 22 weeks, and it focuses on examining all your baby's little parts, the organs, the limbs, and overall growth.

Tune in for practical tips, empowering advice, and a guide to making the most of this milestone in your pregnancy journey.

00:53 Understanding the 20-Week Anatomy Scan

02:42 Preparing for Your 20-Week Scan

03:47 Personal Story: My 20-Week Scan Experience

04:41 What to Expect During the Scan

06:01 Handling Unexpected News

07:19 Empowerment and Resources

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, take our Belly Birth Masterclass and own that experience.

If you are a newly pregnant mama or just had the babe, you want to join our private pregnancy and postpartum membership, Calm Mama Society.

Remember, my advice is not medical advice. Always discuss what you learn with your team. See my Disclaimer here! Also, We make a small commission from some of the links (you don’t pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we love ’em and want you to know about them.

Trish welcomes Sara Alayev to the podcast, a seasoned labor and delivery nurse specializing in gestational diabetes management. 

Join the Calm Mama Membership:  labornursemama.com/cms

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

They cover everything from the diagnosis of gestational diabetes, to practical tips for blood sugar control, mindset during pregnancy, and what to expect in labor and delivery. 

Sara shares her expertise on dietary adjustments, exercise, and the importance of prenatal and postpartum support. 

“ Everyone is different regarding gestational diabetes, but,  it's something that can be controlled, and you can still have a healthy pregnancy with this diagnosis.”

-Sara Alayev

Trish and Sara also emphasize the emotional aspects, dispelling guilt and fear while providing actionable advice for a healthy pregnancy and delivery. 

00:57 Meet Sara: The Gestational Diabetes Nurse

05:25 Understanding Gestational Diabetes

07:22 Managing Gestational Diabetes: Diet and Exercise Tips

19:39 Labor and Delivery with Gestational Diabetes

21:55 Postpartum Care and Support

26:21 Final Thoughts and Where to Find More Information

More from the Gestational Diabetes Nurse:

Follow Sara on Instagram: @gestational.diabetes.nurse

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, take our Belly Birth Masterclass and own that experience.

If you are a newly pregnant mama or just had the babe, you want to join our private pregnancy and postpartum membership, Calm Mama Society.

Remember, my advice is not medical advice. Always discuss what you learn with your team. See my Disclaimer here! Also, We make a small commission from some of the links (you don’t pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we love ’em and want you to know about them.

Trish is talking all things labor today, sharing tips for early labor and how to know when labor has arrived. 

Join the Calm Mama Membership:  labornursemama.com/cms

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

“Answering that age old question every mama asks, whether it's your first time or your third time. 

We all at some point think to ourselves, “How am I going to know if I am in labor?” So don't worry, we're going to clear it up in the most laid back, Trish way, possible. 

Labor will absolutely, without a doubt, declare itself. So grab a snack, get comfy, and let's dive in.” - Trish

Some tips for early labor to keep calm and distracted:  

• Miles Circuit
• Going for a walk
• Curb walking
• Binge watching marathon
• Cooking
• Dancing
• Taking a bath

This episode is a must-listen for expectant mamas wanting to calmly take on labor with confidence. 

00:52 Understanding Labor: The Basics

01:55 False Labor vs. Real Labor

02:42 Tips for Early Labor

06:53 My First Birth

10:33 Distraction Techniques for Early Labor

More from this episode: 

Read this blog post: The Miles Circuit: Here’s How To Induce Labor and Birth at the End of Pregnancy

https://labornursemama.com/miles-circuit/

Grab the $7 Labor Like a Pro Guide

https://connect.labornursemama.com/labor-guide

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, take our Belly Birth Masterclass and own that experience.

If you are a newly pregnant mama or just had the babe, you want to join our private pregnancy and postpartum membership, Calm Mama Society.

Remember, my advice is not medical advice. Always discuss what you learn with your team. See my Disclaimer here! Also, We make a small commission from some of the links (you don’t pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we love ’em and want you to know about them.