At 36 weeks pregnant with her first child, Kimberly was concerned that her baby wasn't moving enough. Her doctor sent her for monitoring and even though she wasn't dilated, they decided to induce her. That night, she ended up going into labor naturally on her own! The epidural didn't work at first, but her labor progressed slowly enough that there was time to fix it. She ended up with a second degree tear and had a rough recovery combined with breastfeeding issues. With her second baby, Kimberly walked around 4 cm dilated for weeks. She was eventually induced and had issues with the epidural again. This labor was super fast at only 2 hours long! Kimberly's doctor joked about keeping towels and scissors in the car if she and her husband decided to have a third. With her third pregnancy, Kimberly had a lot of anxiety. She was nervous about how the labor might go and how quickly it could progress. This was also during COVID, and she was worried about hospital policies and how that might affect her birth. After dinner on her birthday, Kimberly felt her water leaking. She was determined to hold the baby in until her birthday was over, but life had other plans. She and her husband made it to the hospital just in time for the baby to be born in the wheelchair on the way to labor and delivery! After deciding to have a fourth, Kimberly felt she needed a little more control over the labor, and was induced again due to low movement. Once her water was broken by her doctor, her baby was once again born very quickly. Listen in as Kimberly shares about the wild ride she and her husband had during her four labors, and things she learned along the way that helped her navigate each one. Kimberly's website and podcast- Messywonderful.comLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Jen is very much a type A personality. She loves to plan way in advance of events taking place. Even with all of her planning, she still wasn't prepared for how her first birth went. Her daughter was stuck and delivered by forceps. She had her clavicle broken in the process of being delivered. Jen ended up with a third degree episiotomy, and needed a lot of time to recover. Jen spent a few extra days in the hospital because she couldn't get out of bed. She needed extra help for her baby, so that her husband could help with her. She needed two additional surgeries to repair a fistula that resulted from her episiotomy. It was a traumatic experience for both Jen and her daughter. For Jen's second birth with her son, she opted for a scheduled c-section, and she loved it. For someone who is a type A personality, it was easier for her to plan this birth, and everything went smoothly. Her recovery was much easier compared to her vaginal birth. In this episode, Jen shares how she gladly accepted help after her first birth, and despite how unpredictable birth is, help and support is one thing that you can plan for. JenSalk.comLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Adrianne Babbitt is a Christian author, blogger, proofreader, and mentor. She recently relauched her debut book, "The Miscarriage Project" and her launched her new children's book series, "Princess With A Purpose". In addition, she also runs her own Christian lifestyle blog, The Haven.Adrianne's first labor did not go as she expected. Her water broke two days before labor started and she ended up with an infection in the hospital. She was young at the time, but felt that she wasn't treated well because the hospital staff thought she was a teen mom. During her second pregnancy, Adrianne found out that she had a low lying placenta. At 32 weeks pregnant, her daughter kicked part of the placenta out. Adrianne feared for her daughter's safety, but carried her to full term and had a fairly easy delivery with her. Her third pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, and Adrianne was deeply affected by it. She carried fear, anxiety and depression with her after that. A week after her miscarriage, she got pregnant again. She found out that it was an ectopic pregnancy and was devastated at the thought of losing another baby. She prayed to God to save her baby and at her follow-up ultrasound, they found the baby in her uterus. She had a lot of anxiety throughout that pregnancy. Her rainbow baby was safely delivered without incidence. Adrianne was also induced for her fifth pregnancy, and despite it being her fifth time, she found that one to be the most traumatic.  At her 6-week postpartum checkup, Adrianne fell apart, and her doctor prescribed her medication for her depression. Adrianne's sixth pregnancy was a redeeming one, and her only unmedicated birth. Listen in as Adrianne's describes shares how different each delivery was, and how she had to advocate for herself. Check out Adrianne's website here. The Miscarriage Project LaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Eileen Joy is the Money Coach for Moms. She's also the woman who FIRED four doctors to have the birth she dreamed about!When she got pregnant with her son, Eileen totally changed her life around. She ate very clean and got rid of toxic chemicals in her house. She cared deeply about what she was putting into her body, and how she was treating her unborn son. This lifestyle carried over into her medical care. She would go to doctor's appointments and feel completely uncared for. One doctor didn't even look at her for the whole appointment! Her doctors didn't acknowledge her birth plan and were more interested in keeping Eileen on their schedule than providing the best care for her. Eileen felt frustrated and knew she wanted something better for her and her son. When her chiropractor told her about the homebirth she had, Eileen decided to look into it. She fired her doctors, found a wonderful midwife and hired a doula. Eileen had a beautiful birth at home with her midwife and shares about what a wonderful experience it all was. She knew she made the right choices for herself and for her son. Listen in as Eileen shares how she took charge of her pregnancy and worked for the birth she knew she and her baby deserved. Eileen's Website Moms Who MoneyLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

In this episode, I share some of my struggle with postpartum anxiety. During my unplanned c-section, I was left feeling out of control, with no one explaining to me what was happening. I felt like a bystander, watching birth happen to me. Afterwards, my anxiety was triggered when they took my daughter for her newborn screening tests. Again, no one explained to me what was happening or how long she would be gone for. I hated to be separated from my daughter. I would feel like I was suffocating. I had panic attacks about returning to work. As someone who's never really had anxiety, all this was new for me. I didn't feel like myself. In this episode, I share how my anxiety affected my life postpartum. I explain how therapy didn't work great for me, but I share what did. E22 Liz's struggle with postpartum anxietyE16 Christie's struggle with postpartum anxietyE10 Amanda's birth story and postpartum depressionE9 Betsy's traumatic c-section and postpartum depression E18 Alissa's 4th degree tear and PTSDE13 CA's birth storyLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Liz from the Golden Hour podcast joins me in this episode to share her story!  Liz has always been a planner, and spent a lot of time preparing for birth. She found a birth center attached to a hospital, and loved the welcoming atmosphere. She hired a doula, and felt confident that her birth would go well. While Liz planned a lot for birth, she didn't plan as much for postpartum. She ended up hemorrhaging after birthing her son, and had to be transferred out of the birth center to the hospital. She had a retained placenta that had to be hand removed. Liz didn't recognize the trauma she experienced at the time. Afterwards, Liz had a lot of anxiety. She was breastfeeding, and both she and her son were struggling. She started exclusively pumping, but needed to supplement with insurance. She put a lot of pressure on herself to breastfeed without stopping to think if it was worth the mental anguish. Eventually Liz was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety. She was constantly worried that her son wasn't getting enough to eat, and hyper-focused about keeping him on a feeding schedule and herself on a pumping schedule. She stopped pumping and saw a counselor and began to feel more like herself again. When Liz became pregnant with her second, she was more prepared for postpartum this time. Listen as Liz shares her story battling postpartum anxiety and what a relief it was when she was finally diagnosed. LaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What the heck is a TENS unit? TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It works by sending electrical pulses through a handheld device through your body, to your spinal cord and brain. In this episode, I talk about what a TENS unit is and why it works. I share what it feels like and where you can find them if you're interested in trying them out. TENS UnitSong "Christmas" by TELL YOUR STORY music by ikson™https://ikson.com/musicMusic by @iksonmusicLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

How can visualization exercises help you manage pain during labor? They help keep your mind focused, and can relieve anxiety and fear that you might feel.  In this special episode, I share a few visualization exercises that I like, and explain how to do them. Birthing From Within Song "Christmas" by TELL YOUR STORY music by ikson™https://ikson.com/musicMusic by @iksonmusicLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

This tool comes from the book "Birthing From Within", by Pam England and Rob Horowitz. Pam calls it a "self-hypnotic jingle". It's a rhythmic affirmation that states an outcome you want. In this episode, I share the story behind Pam's "chocolate  cake" jingle, and the one I created for myself for my second labor. Birthing From WithinSong "Christmas" by TELL YOUR STORY music by ikson™https://ikson.com/musicMusic by @iksonmusicLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

How can a comb help you manage pain during labor? Squeezing a comb during labor activates the Gates Control Theory of Pain, which says that when the pain "gates" are closed, you feel less pain. In this episode, I share about how a comb is a little known hack that can be used to help you feel less pain during contractions, and why this works.  Song "Christmas" by TELL YOUR STORY music by ikson™https://ikson.com/musicMusic by @iksonmusicLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

We've talked about counterpressure and light touch, but let's talk about something everyone loves: a good massage. A massager can help relieve pain during contractions and can be used to help you relax in between contractions. In this episode, I talk about why a massage gun is a good tool to bring with you to the hospital. Song "Christmas" by TELL YOUR STORY music by ikson™https://ikson.com/musicMusic by @iksonmusicLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Aromatherapy works by stimulating the part of your brain responsible for emotions and memories. This includes the part responsible for anxiety and fear. In this episode, I share how aromatherapy can help lower pain during labor, and the best types of essential oils to use. Song "Christmas" by TELL YOUR STORY music by ikson™https://ikson.com/musicMusic by @iksonmusicLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

How can light touch massage help relieve pain during labor? Did you know that light touch massage can release endorphins? Endorphins help us cope with pain. In today's special episode, I share how to have your support person do a light touch massage on you during labor. Song "Christmas" by TELL YOUR STORY music by ikson™https://ikson.com/musicMusic by @iksonmusicLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What is counterpressure and how can it help relieve pain during contractions? In this episode, I talk about what counterpressure is and how it can be used during labor for pain relief. I also share about the different types of counterpressure and explain how to do one. 3 Types of Counterpressure Song "Christmas" by TELL YOUR STORY music by ikson™https://ikson.com/musicMusic by @iksonmusicLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What is Hypnobirthing? How can it help you have a better birth? What's the difference between Hypnobirthing and meditation? In this special episode, I share a little about how hypnobirthing, meditation, and various breathing techniques can help you cope with pain during labor. I also share some of the differences between them, and the most important thing to keep in mind when using any of them. The Mongan Method The Positive Birth CompanyHypnobabiesThe Ice Cube ExerciseSong "Christmas" by TELL YOUR STORY music by ikson™https://ikson.com/musicMusic by @iksonmusicLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Have you ever heard of birth affirmations before? How do birth affirmations work?  What are some good birth affirmations? In this special episode, I share about how birth affirmations affect our mindset and our belief in our body's capabilities. I go over how affirmations helped me achieve my VBAC, and I also share some of my favorite birth affirmations.In episode 12, Anum shared about the power of having a positive mindset, and of speaking to ourselves in a positive way.  If you missed Anum's episode on having a positive mindset, check it out here!Song "Christmas" by TELL YOUR STORY music by ikson™https://ikson.com/musicMusic by @iksonmusicLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Do you take a hot shower at the end of a long day to help you relax? Water can be a great tool to use for pain relief during labor. In this episode, I share my experience with using a shower during my second labor. I also share what might exclude you from being able to use the tub or shower at the hospital. Song "Christmas" by TELL YOUR STORY music by ikson™https://ikson.com/musicMusic by @iksonmusic LaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

How can movement help you cope with pain during labor? Welcome to the First Day of Christmas special episode! In this short episode, I share how movement can be helpful in progressing labor, and what that movement might look like. I also share how moving can help you manage pain during a natural birth. Stick around! There's 11 more days to go!Song "Christmas" by TELL YOUR STORY music by ikson™https://ikson.com/musicMusic by @iksonmusic LaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Jennifer is a certified life coach who specializes in pregnancy loss recovery coaching. She is also the creator and host of the Navigating Baby Loss podcast. Jennifer's third pregnancy ended in the stillbirth of her twin daughters, weeks before they were to be born. She had two young sons she was caring for, and didn't process her grief until much later. She suffered from physical ailments as a result, and eventually had a hysterectomy at the age of 40. Jennifer had a subsequent pregnancy and healthy birth after the stillbirth of her twin daughters. She expected it to be a healing, redeeming birth, but it didn't help the grief that Jennifer still felt.  She found she couldn't look beyond a few days to a week at a time. She couldn't imagine a future months, or even years in advance. When she met with a life coach at her work, that's when things began to change for Jennifer. She got the help that she needed, and began to heal. Jennifer now works as a life coach who specializes in pregnancy loss recovery. She helps her clients navigate topics such as blame, guilt, isolation, depression, anxiety, marriage/ relationship issues, body shame, jealousy, returning to work after and facing others’ comments, as well as fear of another pregnancy following a loss. She works with women and their families re-designing a future that looks different than when it did while they were pregnant, and showing them that life after loss can still be beautiful in a way that honors their baby and themselves.JenniferSenn.comLaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

During Krista's fourth pregnancy, she had difficulty finding a provider and the care that she needed. She wanted to birth with a midwife, but there wasn't one accessible in her area.  She ended up planning to deliver at a hospital that was pretty far from her house. She had recently moved and didn't have family nearby, and worried about what to do with her other children when she went into labor. Throughout her pregnancy, Krista had this vision of having her daughter on her bedroom floor. It wasn't something she was planning, but she could see it happening very clearly. She had a history of short labors, and the hospital was not right around the corner. Krista prepared to have her daughter at the hospital, but consulted a few midwives who helped her in the event that she gave birth at home. Krista went into labor in the middle of the night. Her labor was quick, and her husband barely had time to shower and get the car ready before she had her baby at home, on the floor of her bedroom, just as she had envisioned. In this episode, Krista talks about the difficulty of finding the right care for her, and feeling supported while giving birth. She also shares how empowered she felt after the birth of her daughter, and how it felt right to just trust her body and go with the vision she saw. Krista's website: Motherhood Simplified LaborLessons.comEnjoy listening to Labor Lessons? Leave a review here! Let me know what your favorite episode is and why!Follow me on Instagram: Labor LessonsDisclosure: Links to other sites may be affiliate links that generate us a small commission at no extra cost to you.