When Nurses Become Magicians: Getting Babies Unstuck with Marya Eddaifi
04/28/25 • 85 min
From personal birth trauma to revolutionary solutions for laboring mothers—this conversation with Marya Eddaifi reveals how innovative manual techniques are changing birth outcomes worldwide.
Marya's journey begins with her own disappointing cesarean birth in 1995, a catalyst that eventually led her to become a labor and delivery nurse determined to find better ways to support women through childbirth. After nearly 24 years in the US Air Force and experience across four countries, Marya's quest to understand why some labors stall led her to a profound discovery: the critical role of fascia—our body's connective tissue system—in birth progress.
The conversation takes us through her revelations about positioning, manual techniques, and the strategic approach to helping babies navigate the maternal pelvis. With fascinating insights into techniques like side-lying release and Walchers position explained from both anatomical and practical perspectives, Marya breaks down complex biomechanics into actionable approaches that can help prevent cesarean deliveries.
What makes this episode especially valuable is Marya's explanation of her groundbreaking Dysfunctional Labor Maneuvers (DLM) app—an affordable, accessible tool that brings her expertise to birth professionals and laboring parents worldwide. Through an innovative algorithm, the app provides customized guidance based on labor status, dilation, and specific challenges, with easy-to-follow video demonstrations for immediate application.
Whether you're a birth professional seeking new tools for your practice or an expectant parent wanting to understand more options for labor support, this conversation offers a revolutionary perspective on addressing labor challenges through understanding the body's intricate design rather than defaulting to medical interventions. Mariah's passion for improving birth experiences while respecting individual needs shines through every minute of this enlightening discussion.
Connect wi
Join the Bump & Beyond Online Community for moms & moms-to-be!
Coaching offer
Kelly Hof: Labor Nurse + Birth Coach
Basically, I'm your birth bestie! With me as your coach, you will tell fear to take a hike!
Connect with Kelly Hof!
Grab The Book of Hormones
Medical Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended as a safe space for women to share their birth experiences. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Each woman’s medical course of action is individual and may not appropriately transfer to another similar situation. Please speak to your medical provider before making any medical decisions. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that evidence based practice evolves as our knowledge of science improves. To the best of my ability I will attempt to present the most current ACOG and AWHONN recommendations at the time the podcast is recorded, but that may not necessarily reflect the best practices at the time the podcast is heard. Additionally, guests sharing their stories have the right to autonomy in their medical decisions, and may share their choice to go against current practice recommendations. I intend to hold space for people to share their decisions. I will attempt to share the current recommendations so that my audience is informed, but it is up to each individual to choose what is best for them.
From personal birth trauma to revolutionary solutions for laboring mothers—this conversation with Marya Eddaifi reveals how innovative manual techniques are changing birth outcomes worldwide.
Marya's journey begins with her own disappointing cesarean birth in 1995, a catalyst that eventually led her to become a labor and delivery nurse determined to find better ways to support women through childbirth. After nearly 24 years in the US Air Force and experience across four countries, Marya's quest to understand why some labors stall led her to a profound discovery: the critical role of fascia—our body's connective tissue system—in birth progress.
The conversation takes us through her revelations about positioning, manual techniques, and the strategic approach to helping babies navigate the maternal pelvis. With fascinating insights into techniques like side-lying release and Walchers position explained from both anatomical and practical perspectives, Marya breaks down complex biomechanics into actionable approaches that can help prevent cesarean deliveries.
What makes this episode especially valuable is Marya's explanation of her groundbreaking Dysfunctional Labor Maneuvers (DLM) app—an affordable, accessible tool that brings her expertise to birth professionals and laboring parents worldwide. Through an innovative algorithm, the app provides customized guidance based on labor status, dilation, and specific challenges, with easy-to-follow video demonstrations for immediate application.
Whether you're a birth professional seeking new tools for your practice or an expectant parent wanting to understand more options for labor support, this conversation offers a revolutionary perspective on addressing labor challenges through understanding the body's intricate design rather than defaulting to medical interventions. Mariah's passion for improving birth experiences while respecting individual needs shines through every minute of this enlightening discussion.
Connect wi
Join the Bump & Beyond Online Community for moms & moms-to-be!
Coaching offer
Kelly Hof: Labor Nurse + Birth Coach
Basically, I'm your birth bestie! With me as your coach, you will tell fear to take a hike!
Connect with Kelly Hof!
Grab The Book of Hormones
Medical Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended as a safe space for women to share their birth experiences. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Each woman’s medical course of action is individual and may not appropriately transfer to another similar situation. Please speak to your medical provider before making any medical decisions. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that evidence based practice evolves as our knowledge of science improves. To the best of my ability I will attempt to present the most current ACOG and AWHONN recommendations at the time the podcast is recorded, but that may not necessarily reflect the best practices at the time the podcast is heard. Additionally, guests sharing their stories have the right to autonomy in their medical decisions, and may share their choice to go against current practice recommendations. I intend to hold space for people to share their decisions. I will attempt to share the current recommendations so that my audience is informed, but it is up to each individual to choose what is best for them.
Previous Episode
The Birth of Milk in Motion: One Mother's Journey to Help Others with Laci Tang, IBCLC
When Laci Tang experienced painful breastfeeding with her first child, she had no idea it would launch her into a career transforming how mothers receive lactation support. Her journey from anxious first-time mom to innovative IBCLC offers a much-needed blueprint for better postpartum care.
Birthing at a midwifery center opened Laci’s eyes to a different kind of care—one where she was listened to, believed, and supported in finding real solutions. After navigating tongue ties, low supply, mastitis, and then oversupply with her second baby, she realized how vital individualized support is for breastfeeding success.
What makes her practice, Milk in Motion, stand out isn’t just her expertise—it’s her commitment to personalized care. “There has never been a single dyad, a mom and baby team, that has been exactly like the one before,” she says. Her innovative “pump bar” lets moms test different breast pumps before investing, solving a common frustration many face.
Laci also speaks openly about her own postpartum anxiety—from intrusive thoughts to fears about her baby’s safety—reminding moms they’re not alone. Her story shows that mental health and feeding support go hand in hand.
Whether you’re expecting or currently struggling, Laci’s story is proof that the right support can shift your journey from overwhelm to empowerment.
Connect with Laci: https://www.milkinmotion.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milkinmotion.co/
Join the Bump & Beyond Online Community for moms & moms-to-be!
Coaching offer
Kelly Hof: Labor Nurse + Birth Coach
Basically, I'm your birth bestie! With me as your coach, you will tell fear to take a hike!
Basically, I'm your birth bestie! With me as your coach, you will tell fear to take a hike!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Connect with Kelly Hof!
Grab The Book of Hormones
Medical Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended as a safe space for women to share their birth experiences. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Each woman’s medical course of action is individual and may not appropriately transfer to another similar situation. Please speak to your medical provider before making any medical decisions. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that evidence based practice evolves as our knowledge of science improves. To the best of my ability I will attempt to present the most current ACOG and AWHONN recommendations at the time the podcast is recorded, but that may not necessarily reflect the best practices at the time the podcast is heard. Additionally, guests sharing their stories have the right to autonomy in their medical decisions, and may share their choice to go against current practice recommendations. I intend to hold space for people to share their decisions. I will attempt to share the current recommendations so that my audience is informed, but it is up to each individual to choose what is best for them.
Next Episode
Reimagining Postpartum Care: The 100 Weeks Project with Dr. Venice Haynes
"Congratulations, you're both alive."
This shockingly low bar for maternal healthcare success reveals everything wrong with how America treats new mothers. In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Venice Haynes, Senior Director of Research and Community Engagement at United States of Care, shares the urgent mission behind the groundbreaking 100 Weeks Project - an initiative transforming postpartum care by acknowledging that maternal health needs extend far beyond delivery.
Dr. Haynes pulls back the curtain on America's maternal health crisis, sharing both data and personal stories that highlight the dangerous gap in care during the postpartum period. Most new mothers don't see a healthcare provider between delivery and their six-week checkup, despite the fact that over 60% of maternal deaths occur within the first seven days after birth. This negligence reflects a healthcare system that continues to treat new mothers as afterthoughts.
The cultural expectation of "toxic independence" compounds this crisis. Mothers are expected to handle everything themselves, creating a dangerous reluctance to seek help even when warning signs appear. Meanwhile, essential postpartum services like lactation consulting, pelvic floor physical therapy, and mental health support remain categorized as luxuries rather than necessities, placing them out of reach for many families.
Through the 100 Weeks Project, Dr. Haynes and her team are working to fundamentally reimagine maternal care by 2030. By advocating for expanded Medicaid coverage, better employer policies, improved data collection, and innovative care models, they aim to create a future where maternal health is truly valued - not just for the six weeks after delivery, but for the entire journey through parenthood.
What would it look like if we treated mothers like they matter? Listen now to discover how we can transform maternal care from a bare-minimum survival scenario to a truly supportive experience for all.
Learn more here: https://100weeks.unitedstatesofcare.org/p/1
Coaching offer
Kelly Hof: Labor Nurse + Birth Coach
Basically, I'm your birth bestie! With me as your coach, you will tell fear to take a hike!
Connect with Kelly Hof!
Grab The Book of Hormones
Medical Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended as a safe space for women to share their birth experiences. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Each woman’s medical course of action is individual and may not appropriately transfer to another similar situation. Please speak to your medical provider before making any medical decisions. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that evidence based practice evolves as our knowledge of science improves. To the best of my ability I will attempt to present the most current ACOG and AWHONN recommendations at the time the podcast is recorded, but that may not necessarily reflect the best practices at the time the podcast is heard. Additionally, guests sharing their stories have the right to autonomy in their medical decisions, and may share their choice to go against current practice recommendations. I intend to hold space for people to share their decisions. I will attempt to share the current recommendations so that my audience is informed, but it is up to each individual to choose what is best for them.
Birth Journeys: Birth Stories and Birth Education for Moms & Pregnant Individuals - When Nurses Become Magicians: Getting Babies Unstuck with Marya Eddaifi
Transcript
Hello , today I have with me Mariah Adife . Mariah is a labor and delivery nurse , certified personal trainer specializing in pre and postnatal fitness and corrective exercise specialist with experience across the US , england , italy and Germany . She served nearly 24 years in the US Air Force and is passionate about improving birth outcomes . Her studies in structural integration led h
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