We're going to dive into a few points we need to be aware of during the second stage of labor. The stage between getting to 10 cm and having your baby. How long can we expect it to take, or how long should I allow myself to push with the recommendations from my provider and expert suggestions? What if we wait to push until we feel like the baby is coming? Do we still recommend “laboring down?” What is it and why or why not?

I also touch on the fetal ejection reflex, the fascinating physiological process that highlights the incredible natural design of birth. We touch a little on pushing and position techniques and communication strategies with your birth team. This is an episode you don’t want to miss as you prepare to meet your baby! If you’re a birth worker, are you asking yourself where your interventions and skills are coming from and are you prioritizing the patient and her preferences during this special stage? Let’s dive in!

00:39 Personal Updates and Reflections

02:11 Diving into the Second Stage of Labor

05:55 Historical Perspectives on Labor

12:32 Pushing Techniques and Recommendations

27:45 My Birth Experience

30:52 Understanding Labor Experiences

31:21 The Concept of Laboring Down

32:59 New Evidence on Laboring Down

34:48 Epidurals and Pushing Techniques

41:21 The Fetal Ejection Reflex

47:49 Creating a Supportive Birth Environment

54:31 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

Join us for the next Birth Plan Workshop!

Join the newsletter for behind the scenes and episode insights you don't want to miss!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

Stay Connected:

Instagram

TikTok

FaceBook

Produced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services

We love a great redemption story! Sara went to school with me and we were friends in high school, so it was great to reconnect and learn that we had such similar birth stories! Being young, naive and ill-prepared for birth in the hospital system, what did we take away to then achieve the birth we knew that we deserved as women? You won’t want to miss this episode as we casually discuss what is missing in the birth industry and how we can take control and responsibility to get the birth we’ve always wanted!

00:28 Reconnecting with Sarah

04:20 Sarah's First Birth Story

15:18 The Role of Medical Interventions

26:49 Improving Birth Experiences

37:38 Informed Consent in Childbirth

38:39 The Importance of Childbirth Education

42:47 The Role of Doulas and Birth Coaches

44:32 Navigating Hospital Births and Advocacy

46:28 Postpartum Support and Challenges

53:24 The Importance of Prenatal Care

01:03:03 Final Thoughts and Advice for Expectant Moms

01:05:06 Outro and Upcoming Topics

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

Join us for the next Birth Plan Workshop!

Join the newsletter for behind the scenes and episode insights you don't want to miss!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

Stay Connected:

Instagram

TikTok

FaceBook

Produced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services

A birth plan, done correctly, can feel daunting. Just another task to add to your growing list of things to do as your baby arrives. It’s usually way more fun to look through Pinterest to decorate the nursery and set up your registry (though, that can be pretty overwhelming these days too).

Most parents put it to the wayside, or choose to check off some boxes on an easy made for you birth plan template. That is just not going to do the trick though. I’ve seen enough deliveries to know that when done right, having a birth plan can mean the difference of a traumatic birth, and a joyful one. Use the information in this episode to motivate you to grab a notebook and get started. Use the following links to help guide you!

Questions for your OB/Midwife

Schedule a call to learn more about The Birth Link nurse coaching!

December and January spots are filled, if you are interested in grabbing a spot in the next cohort, we start January 27th, spots are limited! Click to schedule a call or pre register at myfriendsanurse.com!

02:11 Birth Plan Workshop Overview

03:36 Creating an Effective Birth Plan

05:40 Informed Consent and Patient Rights

14:41 Building Your Support Team

16:11 Using a Birth Plan as a Communication Tool

17:17 Engaging with Your Healthcare Provider

25:39 Understanding Birth Preferences

26:27 Setting the Birth Environment

26:46 Communicating Your Birth Plan

27:35 The Role of the Birth Plan

30:07 Avoiding Unnecessary Interventions

31:27 Empowerment Through Knowledge

39:33 Steps to Create a Birth Plan

46:37 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!

Join us for the next Birth Plan Workshop!

Join the newsletter for behind the scenes and episode insights you don't want to miss!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email info@myfriendsanurse.com

Stay Connected:

Instagram

TikTok

FaceBook

Produced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services