The Birth Link

Most nurses and birth advocates turn a blind eye to the systemic issues in maternity care, but not Trish Ware. She's here to expose the truth and spark change.

In this episode, Trish shares her powerful journey from bedside labor nurse to outspoken advocate and mentor, revealing how her own experiences and those of the women she served pushed her to challenge the status quo. She discusses the covert ways hospitals manipulate birth, the importance of voice and choice, and how social media is revolutionizing patient empowerment today.

You'll discover:

• How systemic coercion and outdated protocols threaten women’s autonomy during childbirth
• Practical strategies for pregnant women and families to advocate confidently for themselves in hospital settings
• The key mindset shifts that empower women to become “quiet warriors” and refuse unnecessary interventions
• The evolution of nurses’ roles and how social media is breaking down institutional barriers to knowledge
• Why a holistic, patient-centered approach to birth is the future... and how you can be part of it

This episode is a wake up call for expectant parents, birth workers, and healthcare professionals who want to understand the hidden power dynamics in birth and learn how to navigate or even dismantle them. Ignoring these insights risks perpetuating trauma and disempowerment, but embracing them opens the door to safe, respectful, and empowered birth experiences. Whether you're a soon-to-be mom, a birth advocate, or a nurse craving meaningful change, this conversation will ignite your passion for better birth practices. Get ready to challenge the system with confidence and compassion.

Trish Ware is a seasoned labor and delivery nurse, an experienced birth educator and business mentor who has spent over 16 years either at the bedside or virtually advocating for women’s rights in birth. She’s known for her fearless voice, transformative mentoring, and pioneering efforts to empower women both inside the hospital and in their own birth journeys. Ready to harness your voice, question the system, and redefine what birth means? Listen in now, and join the movement for respectful, woman centered birth care.

Find Trish:

https://labornursemama.com/

IG and all social platforms: labor.nurse.mama

For business coaching:

https://trishwarecoaching.com/

or iamtrishware on all social platforms

Thank you again Trish!

Don't forget to find your doula at

https://Anchorandbloomdoulas.com

if you're in the Los Angeles and Ventura county areas!

Learn more about RN Concierge for pregnancy and newborn care

https://myfriendsanurse.com

In this episode of the BirthLink Podcast, Colette speaks with Trapti Agarwal from TheraGurus about the importance of pelvic health in all stages in life, especially for women. They discuss the journey into women's health, the connection between ergonomics and pelvic floor health, and the significance of early pelvic floor therapy. TheraGurus emphasizes a holistic approach to pelvic health, including breathing techniques, postpartum care, and understanding conditions like prolapse. The conversation highlights the need for education and awareness to empower women in managing their pelvic health throughout their lives.

Takeaways

1. Pelvic floor therapy is essential for all women, regardless of their stage in life.
2. Understanding ergonomics can significantly impact pelvic floor health.
3. Early intervention in pelvic floor therapy can prevent long-term issues.
4. Postpartum recovery requires a focus on rest and self-care.
5. Breathing techniques play a crucial role in healing postpartum.
6. Prolapse is a common issue that can be managed with therapy.
7. Awareness of pelvic floor health is vital for overall well-being.
8. Stress can negatively affect pelvic floor function.
9. Education empowers women to take control of their health.
10. Holistic approaches to therapy can lead to better outcomes.

Find Trapti here:

http://theragurus.com

Instagram @thera_gurus

Chapters

00:00. Introduction to Pelvic Health and Therapy

00:56. Journey into Women's Health

01:55. The Importance of Ergonomics in Women's Health

05:02. Understanding Occupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy

08:00. When to Start Pelvic Floor Therapy

11:00. Preparing for Pregnancy and Birth

12:03. Postpartum Care and Recovery Tips

24:01. Understanding Pelvic Floor Issues Over Time

25:49. Prolapse: Signs, Symptoms, and Awareness

29:38. Navigating Prolapse: When to Seek Help

33:12. The Importance of Early Intervention and Education

36:06. Stress and Its Impact on Pelvic Health

40:13. The Role of Awareness in Pelvic Floor Health

41:39. Empowering Women Through Education and Support

Keywords: pelvic health, women's health, occupational therapy, ergonomics, postpartum recovery, pelvic floor therapy, prolapse, breathing techniques, holistic health, empowermen

Since starting as a nurse in labor and delivery I have heard that this is not a service industry, not a hotel or restaurant as we are made to feel like servers sometimes. We know best about their care and birth plans, we will take care of them and they should just let us do our jobs.

As more and more women speak up about trauma during hospital births, about the lack of support in labor and postpartum, I have to vent about my perception of what we are doing as nurses and doctors that is missing the mark.

How can we truly incorporate patient-centered care, treating the WHOLE person (persons) during their time in the hospital with us, while maintaining safety, autonomy and dignity?

Listen in as I question the hospital system we have and the mentality that so many nurses and doctors have around women in the maternity hospital system.

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In this episode, Colette Wagholikar and Nicole Lange discuss the intricate relationship between trauma, mental health, and fertility. They explore how acupuncture can aid in fertility treatments, the importance of open communication with partners, and the emotional challenges faced during the journey to parenthood. The conversation emphasizes the need for a supportive community and the significance of celebrating small victories along the way. Nicole shares her insights on navigating pregnancy after fertility struggles and the impact of IVF on pregnancy outcomes, advocating for a holistic approach to women's health.

Nicole Lange is an acupuncturist and thought leader who's pioneered trauma-informed fertility care since 2006. She's leading the conversation around the shocking reality that nearly 50% of people in fertility treatment develop PTSD—regardless of whether they get pregnant. Nicole's revolutionary salutogenesis approach focuses on preventing treatment-induced trauma while improving conception odds through her evidence-based integration of nervous system science and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Find Nicole:

https://lifehealinglife.com

https://www.youtube.com/@thebabyyouwant

https://www.instagram.com/notafixer/

Takeaways

• Trauma can significantly impact fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
• Acupuncture can help reset the body's hormonal balance and improve fertility.
• Mental health is crucial during fertility treatments and pregnancy.
• Open communication with partners is essential for navigating fertility struggles.
• IVF can lead to increased risks in pregnancy, but informed consent is key.
• Building a supportive community can alleviate feelings of isolation during fertility journeys.
• Celebrating small victories during the fertility process is important for mental well-being.
• Understanding the interconnectedness of physical and mental health can enhance fertility outcomes.
• Women often carry the emotional burden of fertility struggles, impacting their relationships.
• Education and awareness can empower women to make informed decisions about their fertility.

Chapters

00:00. Introduction to Fertility and Trauma

08:33. The Role of Acupuncture in Fertility

22:29. Understanding Trauma's Impact on Fertility

28:38. Understanding Salutogenesis in Fertility

30:54. Navigating IVF and Fertility Solutions

32:13. The Importance of a Holistic Approach

34:06. Emotional Challenges During Fertility Treatments

35:48. Radical Acceptance in Pregnancy After Infertility

39:01. Celebrating Small Wins in the Fertility Journey

43:19. Processing Emotions and Staying Present

46:17. Communicating with Partners During Fertility Challenges

52:39. Navigating Postpartum Challenges

54:45. Communicating Needs in Relationships

57:11. Setting Expectations for Parenting

59:15. Understanding Partner Dynamics

01:01:01. The Impact of IVF on Pregnancy

01:05:45 Balancing Evidence and Compassion in Care

01:08:25 Building a Supportive Environment for Parenthood

01:14:31 Outtro new edit.mp3

Keywords: fertility, trauma, acupuncture, mental health, IVF, pregnancy, women's health, support, community, holistic care

We are so proud to have the doctors behind The OB Hospitalist. Initially conceived to unite OB Hospitalists and help others in their field, cope with the challenges of being in healthcare, family, and juggling modern day challenges. Their audience has expanded to include nurses, midwives, sonographers, and anyone else passionate about delivering quality and meaningful women’s healthcare.

Our conversation covers the role of a hospitalist, or some call them laborists, in the hospital, the path of an OB to become one and how they are changing our maternal healthcare system. Hospitalist are the answer to safety concerns in the hospital and becoming more and more of the norm. And of course we touch on the doctor's view of a birth plan!

The highlight of our conversation is how we can build a successful team based on communication and how, even though it would take a lot of work, this type of birthing system could be a safer general practice throughout the United States.

Head over to their Instagram for updates and announcements for an amazing upcoming project!

IG: @theobhospitalist

Visit their link tree!

Takeaways

• An OB hospitalist is a board-certified OB-GYN who works in hospitals, providing care for patients without an OB-GYN.
• The role involves handling emergencies and ensuring patient safety during childbirth.
• Collaboration with nurses and other healthcare professionals is crucial for effective patient care.
• Work-life balance is achievable in hospitalist roles, allowing for personal time and family life.
• Building trust with patients is essential, especially when they meet their care providers for the first time.
• The healthcare system is facing challenges, including a shortage of private practice OB-GYNs.
• Patient autonomy and shared decision-making are vital in obstetric care.
• Communication between healthcare providers and patients can improve outcomes and satisfaction.
• The future of obstetric care may increasingly rely on hospitalists due to changing healthcare dynamics.
• New OBs should consider the fast-paced, collaborative environment of hospitalist work.

00:00

Introduction to OB Hospitalists

03:11

The Role and Responsibilities of OB Hospitalists

06:10

Pathways to Becoming an OB Hospitalist

08:50

The Current State of the Medical System for Birth

14:54

Building Trust with Patients

20:56

Communication and Teamwork in Maternity Care

27:51

Building Trust in Patient-Provider Relationships

29:48

The Future of Birth in Hospitals

31:36

Adapting to Change in Healthcare

33:38

Patient Autonomy and Birth Plans

36:45

Shared Decision Making in Obstetrics

48:40

Advice for Future OBs and Hospitalists

What is a nurse to do?! Listen in with Cassandra Koblitz RN, the founder of Hakuna Matata Mamas, a labor and delivery nurse plus hospital birth coach with 13 years of experience supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She has worked in high-risk labor units across the country and has supported thousands of hospital births. Here's what she knows: hospital birth can be beautiful—but only if women are truly prepared for what’s coming.

That’s where Hakuna Matata Mamas comes in. Through her coaching she helps moms feel calm, courageous, and emotionally steady as they get ready to meet their baby.

What sets her apart is that she goes far beyond birth plans and breathing techniques. She helps women understand how the hospital system actually works, teaches their partners how to advocate, and guides them in building the emotional resilience to handle whatever path birth takes.

In this conversation, Colette Wagholikar and Cassandra Kolbuts discuss the challenges and importance of patient education in the context of hospital births. They share personal stories and insights from their experiences as labor and delivery nurses, emphasizing the need for women to be empowered and informed about their choices during childbirth. The discussion covers the roles of partners, the impact of social media on birth education, and the importance of mindset and preparation for a positive birth experience.

Takeaways

• Women often leave the hospital feeling traumatized by their birth experience.
• Education and preparation are crucial for a positive birth experience.
• Patients should feel empowered to ask questions and voice their preferences during labor.
• The role of partners is vital in supporting women during childbirth.
• Mindset plays a significant role in how women perceive their birth experience.
• Social media can both help and hinder birth education.
• Women should not just go with the flow but actively participate in their birth plan.
• Understanding medical interventions is essential for informed decision-making.
• Nurses and doctors need to respect the birthing process and the women involved.
• Preparation for childbirth should start as early as possible.

Find Cassandra at:

IG: https://instagram.com/hakuna.matata.mamas

Website: https://hakunamatatamamas.com

Keywords: birth education, patient advocacy, labor and delivery, hospital birth, empowerment, mindset, patient rights, birth trauma, nursing, maternal health

Kiera Walsh is a doula, birth educator, and host of the Birth Advocacy Podcast. She’s supported hundreds of first-time moms through birth and is known for her bold, no-BS approach to education and advocacy. Kiera’s not afraid to call out outdated hospital routines or speak up when something doesn’t sit right—and she teaches moms and doulas how to do the same. With a mix of real talk, practical tools, and unfiltered honesty, she helps women feel prepared, confident, and fully in control of their birth experience.

Today we discuss how to ACTUALLY advocate for yourself during birth, even when you're not a medical or birth expert. How to stand up to bullies in birth.

We get all fired up on this episode and you won't want to miss it!

Find Keira at www.birthadvocacypodcast.com/moms and www.birthadvocacypodcast.com/doulas

IG: https://instagram.com/thebirthroom

Chapters00:00

Introduction to Birth Advocacy

01:31

Kira's Journey into Birth Work

05:04

Navigating Hospital Birth as a Doula

06:34

Understanding Advocacy in Birth

09:33

The Importance of Asking Questions

11:17

Informed Consent and Obstetric Violence

16:10

The Role of Providers in Birth

22:25

Planning for Birth: A, B, and C

25:51

The Role of Doulas in Birth Advocacy

30:29

Experiences with Provider Intimidation

37:27

The Impact of Hospital Policies on Birth

42:24

Final Thoughts on Birth Advocacy

In this episode of The Birth Link Podcast, I sit down with labor nurse Marya Eddaifi, who shares her powerful journey from a military birth experience to creating her own practice centered on structural integration and fascia based bodywork.

We talk about how soft tissue mobilization of ligaments, muscles, and joints can improve comfort, autonomy, and recovery in labor, even for those with limited mobility or epidurals. Marya opens up about the gaps she saw in hospital training around comfort measures and the anatomy of labor, and how her work now empowers birthing people and their newborns for a smoother, more supported experience.

For anyone pregnant and all birth workers, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

Find her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryathebirthcoach/

Find all Marya's offer on her linked tree, including DLM app

https://www.maryaeddaifi.com/

We're so honored to have the wonderful Dawn Hancock founder of Pivotal Birth on this episode where we discuss the best way to plan for birth, with the idea that there will be times we will need to know how to pivot.

Pivot is an acronym:

• Permission
• Inclusion
• Values
• Options
• Time

With Dawn herself with deep dive into each of these points, how to plan for birth and as two labor and delivery nurses often do, get into our own work birth stories!

Find Dawn and her classes at pivotalbirth.com or on IG @pivotalbirth!

Shelly Yehuda is an HR expert certified in California State Leave Laws with extensive experience in maternity leave benefits. She helps new and expectant mothers understand their rights and options while ensuring they follow the proper procedures for leave. Shelly is well-versed in key programs like FMLA, CFRA, PDL, CA SDI, Paid Family Leave, Bonding, PPLO, ADA and employer-specific policies. She helps moms navigate their maternity leave, making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible while staying compliant with all the regulations. Shelly offers clear, personalized guidance to help parents focus on what matters most—their growing families.

More from Shelly Yehuda:

ParentalLeaveAdvisors.com

Follow her on Instagram @californiaparentalleave

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

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Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership [email protected]

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast send us an email!

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Produced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services