The Labor Room

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When should I start preparing for birth? Is labor pain really that bad? What do I need to stock up on for postpartum? My baby won't latch. Is my breastfeeding journey doomed? Will I ever sleep again?Are we supposed to know what we’re doing? No? Just checking! But the real question is are we supposed to figure it all out alone? The answer is no.

Welcome, mama. My name is Heather and I am beyond excited to welcome you to The Labor Room podcast. Each week here on the podcast we are going to be touching on allll the labors of new motherhood because mama, labor doesn’t end in the delivery room.

As a labor and delivery nurse, I used to think that birth was the hardest part. As long as you go with the flow and get through this part, you’ll be fine. But it wasn’t until I had my first baby of my own that I realized that labor and birth was just the beginning of the labors we get to go through with our little ones. And now as a mom of three, it’s become so clear how we, as mothers, often take a back seat with our own needs and we try to go it alone, power through, figure it out when we get there, and we’ve forgotten that not only does it take a village, but that there really is a village out there ready to share their knowledge and experience with us. We’ve just got to be available to listen.

There’s a lot I wish I’d known when I first started having babies. And that’s how A Life In Labor was born. So that I can share with you the lessons I’ve learned and introduce you to people who have expertise in areas that you need more clarity and guidance through.

So as a labor and delivery nurse and mom myself, I have lots of tips and advice for you. I’ve been blessed to help empower thousands of new moms around the world in their journey’s in pregnancy and birth and help them advocate for themselves, reach their goals, and raise their babies. But I don’t expect to go it alone. I’ll be introducing you to experts, professionals, and moms who’ve been there as we answer questions like “how will I know how to push?” “How can I get my baby to sleep at night?” “Is there a trick to increasing milk supply?” and so much more.

The Labor Room podcast is going to be here for you through it all and will help guide you through every step along the way. Here you’ll find mamas who can say “me too” when you want to start your motherhood journey out on the right foot but you need some help figuring it all out. You’re about to learn a lot and start to feel good and confident in pregnancy, birth, and taking care of your little one.

Now’s the time to hit the subscribe button so that you don’t lose this podcast in the sea of information out there. Be sure to keep me in your back pocket to come back to when you need a little reassurance, guidance, or advice.

Welcome to The Labor Room. As a reminder, anything you hear on this podcast should not be taken as medical advice, please see alifeinlabor.com/disclaimer for more info.
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https://alifeinlabor.com
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*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. This information is not advice and should not be treated as medical advice. All content is for informational purposes only*

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In this empowering episode of The Labor Room, I sit down with Dr. Naomi Whittaker, an OBGYN and mom of five (soon to be six), to discuss her inspiring journey of reclaiming her birth experiences after a traumatic first delivery. Dr. Whittaker shares how her first birth, a primary cesarean due to a misdiagnosis of Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD), shaped her determination to achieve four successful VBACs.

We dive into her transformative birth stories, exploring the emotional and physical aspects of healing from trauma and navigating VBACs. Dr. Whittaker also opens up about how her personal experiences influenced her decision to become an OBGYN and how she’s now making a difference for moms navigating their own pregnancy journeys.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Dr. Whittaker’s traumatic first birth story and what she learned from her misdiagnosis of CPD.
• How she successfully achieved four VBACs, even after a challenging start.
• The connection between her personal birth experiences and her professional career as an OBGYN.
• Practical, actionable advice for moms on advocating for themselves and their ideal birth experience.

Whether you're preparing for a VBAC, healing from a past birth trauma, or just looking for inspiration to feel empowered as a birthing mom, this episode is packed with heartfelt insights and expert advice.

Resources Mentioned:
The Birth Plan Accelerator Course
The FREE BIrth Plan Blueprint
The Reel that connected Heather & Naomi
The Reel Heather mentioned about a resident who pushed her over the edge
The Reel Naomi mentioned about C-Section preferences
The Reel Naomi mentioned about sewing up a chicken breast

Connect with Heather:

• Visit my website: https://alifeinlabor.com
• Follow me on Instagram: @alifeinlabor

Connect With Naomi:

• IG: @napro_fertility_surgeon
• Dr. Naomi Whittaker's Website

The Birth Plan Accelerator is your ultimate step-by-step guide to creating a birth plan that works for you. This course empowers you to confidently communicate your preferences, navigate unexpected situations, and ensure your birth experience feels supported and informed. Whether you're planning a hospital delivery, home birth, or anything in between, you'll gain the tools to make your voice heard, reduce fear, and feel prepared for the birth you’ve envisioned. Take charge of your birth journey with clarity and confidence—because every mom deserves to feel in control on the big day.

Subscribe and leave a review to let us know how this episode inspired or helped you! Together, we’re elevating births and empowering moms every step of the way.

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*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. This information is not advice and should not be treated as medical advice. All content is for informational purposes only*

Send me a love note here to let me know what you thought about your most recently listened-to episode!

Welcome to this episode where we tackle a lot of misconceptions and dive deep into the role of Pitocin in labor and birth.
1. Understanding Pitocin
Explanation of what Pitocin is and how it functions similarly to the naturally occurring hormone, Oxytocin.
Contextualizes the necessity of Pitocin in certain medical situations like induction due to medical complications.
2. Natural Oxytocin Vs. Synthetic Pitocin
Explanation of the differences in how natural oxytocin and synthetic Pitocin work in the body.
3. Alternatives to Pitocin for Induction
Discussion of alternative methods for labor induction including amniotomy, prostaglandins like Cytotec, Cervidil, and mechanical dilation methods.
How each method has limitations that might necessitate the use of Pitocin.
4. Misconceptions about Pitocin
Clarifies that Pitocin is approved and intended for use in medical inductions, contrary to some misunderstandings.
Discusses the safety of Pitocin in elective inductions and its proper use.
5. Overuse of Pitocin
Addresses the overuse of Pitocin in spontaneous labors and situations without a medical need.
6. Post-Birth Use of Pitocin
Explains why Pitocin is often used after birth to control bleeding.
Discusses the different dosages and applications of Pitocin during and after labor.
7. Risk Factors for Postpartum Hemorrhage
Outlines the factors that increase the risk of hemorrhage after birth, including prior induction or augmentation of labor.
8. Risks of Pitocin
Learn about the potential risks of Pitocin, including increased pain, overstimulation of the uterus, potential for emergency C-sections, and the limitation of movement and diet during labor due to continuous monitoring.
9. The Natural Birth Process
We talk about the nature of birth and the effectiveness of natural contractions.
10. The Role of Interventions in Childbirth:
Discussing the overuse and misuse of interventions, I stress the importance of understanding when they are necessary and when.
11. Informed Decision Making : I encourage you to consider your health and your baby's health when making choices in labor and birth.
Learn More

Sign up for the FREE 3-Day Labor Masterclass
Check Out The Empowered Birth Academy

Have your BEST birth!
CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth, breastfeeding, and baby care courses that will help you feel prepared and empowered on your journey to and through motherhood.
And be sure to follow @alifeinlabor on instagram to join our little community of mamas who are navigating this stage of life right along side you.
https://alifeinlabor.com
Support the show
*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. T

Support the show

*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. This information is not advice and should not be treated as medical advice. All content is for informational purposes only*

Send me a love note here to let me know what you thought about your most recently listened-to episode!

Have you ever felt like you can't measure up to those "good" moms that seem to have all of their ducks in a row and they seemed to have gotten "the memo" about how to be the mom you wish you could be?
News flash. You ARE that mom. I'm going to prove it to you in this episode.
Motherhood can be hard sometimes especially when we are raising babies and using up every ounce of our energy to make sure that we are doing everything "right".
Come join me in this episode as I share with you the top three things that I wish someone had told me when I had my first baby. EVERY mama needs to hear this.
Momming Like You Mean It baby care course
I would love for you to join “The Labor Room” - my private Facebook group full of incredible mamas who want to continue the conversations we start here on the podcast. Whether you need some advice on breastfeeding, want to share a milestone, or are looking for encouragement on those tougher days, The Labor Room community is here for you.
Have your BEST birth!
CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth, breastfeeding, and baby care courses that will help you feel prepared and empowered on your journey to and through motherhood.
And be sure to follow @alifeinlabor on instagram to join our little community of mamas who are navigating this stage of life right along side you.

https://alifeinlabor.com
Sign up for the Week by Week Pregnancy Email Sequence: https://alifeinlabor.com/weekbyweek

*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. This information is not advice and should not be treated as medical advice. All content is for informational purposes only*

Support the show

*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. This information is not advice and should not be treated as medical advice. All content is for informational purposes only*

Send me a love note here to let me know what you thought about your most recently listened-to episode!

I know that there are so many moms out there letting you know what they packed in their hospital bag, or what they wish they had packed, but I'm here to let you know what you should avoid packing! I've already shared with you exactly what to pack to make your hospital stay as smooth and comfortable as possible, but in order for my mission to be complete, I have to share my knowledge about what items only get in the way. Trust me!

As a labor and delivery nurse, when I see what some people are packing and lugging into the hospital, sometimes I cannot believe my eyes. You would think that they were on their way to their summer vacation and just happened to stop by the hospital first.

I'll bet those women go home after delivery thinking, "Man, I wish I had known what I actually needed before I packed my hospital bag". Lucky you, you're here now.

If you haven't made your way over to last week's post yet, here is the Free Printable Hospital Bag Checklist to make sure you have everything you need when the time comes to deliver.
Ad: The Labor & Delivery Guide
Connect with Heather:
@alifeinlabor
The Customizable Birth Plan

Join the Conversation: The Labor Room Facebook group is a place to connect with other moms for support.
CLICK HERE to learn more about our online birth, breastfeeding, and baby care courses that will help you feel prepared and empowered on your journey to and through motherhood.
And be sure to follow @alifeinlabor on instagram to join our little community of mamas who are navigating this stage of life right along side you.
https://alifeinlabor.com
Sign up for the Week by Week Pregnancy Email Sequence: https://alifeinlabor.com/weekbyweek
*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. This information is not advice and should not be treated as medical advice. All content is for informational purposes only*

Support the show

*From time to time, the host or guests may discuss topics related to health, fitness, nutrition, or medicine. This information is not advice and should not be treated as medical advice. All content is for informational purposes only*