In today’s episode, we’re answering your top questions from our Instagram Q&A (@the.push.podcast). We cover everything from pregnancy and birth to postpartum, women’s health, and even a few nursing-related questions you’ve been curious about.

Nurse Sydney and Dr. Meghan break it all down with evidence-based insight, real-life experience, and the supportive, no-judgement vibe you expect from The Push Pod.

Whether you’re pregnant, preparing for birth, navigating postpartum, or just love learning about women’s health, this episode is full of practical tips, honest perspectives, and reassuring guidance.

Have a question for a future Q&A? Send us a DM on Instagram @the.push.podcast

In this episode of The Push Podcast, Nurse Sydney and Dr. Meghan continue their deep dive into inductions of labor — this time focusing on what happens after cervical ripening. They break down how Pitocin (artificial oxytocin) is used to stimulate contractions, what to expect when your provider suggests artificial rupture of membranes (AROM), and how these methods work together to help labor progress. Tune in to learn the risks, benefits, and what it actually feels like when your water is broken during an induction.

🎧 Part 1 on cervical ripening is live now — listen first if you haven’t yet!

Before contractions or Pitocin even start, there’s one crucial step in an induction — cervical ripening.

In this episode, we break down exactly how the cervix is prepared for labor and what to expect during this process.

We cover:

• What cervical ripening actually means
• The most common methods, including Cervidil, Foley and Cook catheters, and Misoprostol (Cytotec)
• What each option feels like, how they’re used, and what the evidence says about their effectiveness
• Tips for comfort, expectations, and how your care team decides which method is right for you

This is Part 1 of our Inductions of Labor series — tune in next week to hear what happens after your cervix is ripe, in Part 2: Pitocin and Active Labor.

From “vaginal rejuvenation” ads to viral vulva masks, the wellness industry is full of promises about women’s bodies. In this episode, Nurse Sydney and Dr. Meghan unpack what cosmetic gynecology actually means, the procedures that are evidence-based (and the ones that aren’t), and why no two vulvas should ever look the same.

They break down common myths, talk about labiaplasty research, and explain how to navigate online trends safely and confidently—with facts, clarity, and compassion.

In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, Nurse Sydney and Dr. Meghan open an honest conversation about miscarriage and early pregnancy loss — topics that are often left unspoken. Together, they share medical insight, emotional realities, and ways to support yourself or someone you love through loss.

If you’ve experienced loss, please know you are not alone.

Let’s talk Pap tests, HPV, and what cervical cancer screening really means for you. In this episode, Nurse Sydney and Dr. Meagan break down when to start screening, how often to do it, and what those results actually mean.

We’re cutting through the confusion, busting myths about HPV, and diving into how the Gardasil vaccine helps protect against cervical cancer.

Because knowledge is power — and your Pap is part of that.

Stretch and sweeps are one of the most common procedures offered near the end of pregnancy — but do they actually help bring on labour? In this mini bonus episode of The Push Podcast, Nurse Sydney and Dr. Meghan break down what to expect, how it’s done, and whether it’s truly effective.

If you’re nearing your due date and wondering if a stretch and sweep is worth it, this quick listen will give you the clarity you need.

What does it really take to be the best support in the delivery room? In this episode of The Push Podcast, Nurse Sydney and Dr. Meghan share the secrets every partner needs to know — from calming words and simple comfort measures, to advocacy tips that help create a positive birth experience.

Whether it’s your first time supporting a birth or you’re preparing for another baby, this conversation will leave you feeling confident, prepared, and ready to show up as the best possible birth partner.

Birth plans have become a staple of modern maternity care. You can find endless templates online and TikToks debating what should (or shouldn’t) go on them. But what’s the real purpose of a birth plan, and do they actually make a difference in your experience?

In this episode of The Push Podcast, Sydney and Meghan unpack the history of birth plans, how they’re used in hospitals today, and what the research says about their impact on outcomes. We talk through what birth plans can do well—like helping you communicate your preferences, and where they can sometimes fall short, especially if expectations don’t match real-world circumstances.

If you’re pregnant and considering writing one, or supporting someone who is, this conversation will help you think about birth plans in a practical way: not as a guarantee, but as a tool to spark conversations, clarify your values, and prepare for the unexpected.

In this bonus episode of The Push Podcast, we respond to the viral TikTok out of Santa Barbara where staff at Sansum Clinic under Sutter Health mocked patients by posting photos of bodily fluids left behind after exams. We want to start by saying we are deeply sorry if this video made you feel embarrassed, ashamed, or hesitant to seek care. Patient trust and dignity should never be compromised, and our hope with this episode is to help repair some of the damage by reminding you that your body is normal — and nothing you bring to the OBGYN’s office should ever make you feel ashamed.

We walk through what happened at the clinic, what was posted, and the fallout that followed, while also opening up an honest conversation about the very real feelings of embarrassment many patients carry into appointments — whether it’s being on your period, having had intercourse beforehand, body hair, discharge, or even something as small as hiding your underwear under your clothes. These experiences are common, human, and absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. We also share how medical professionals actually view these situations — and the truth is, they’ve seen it all, and it’s completely normal.

The original photos and video have since been deleted, and several staff were placed on leave or terminated after the clinic launched an internal investigation. The incident has sparked an important conversation online about medical professionalism and patient dignity, and we hope this episode offers reassurance, compassion, and perspective at a time when it’s needed most.