Trish sits down with Crystal, a physical therapist and c-section recovery expert with 17 years of experience and a professor for over 11 years, to discuss crucial insights into recovering from a C-section. They emphasize the importance of not solely relying on hospital recovery instructions, as proper early care can significantly impact long-term healing and pain management. Crystal shares her personal experience, having had two c-section births, and professional expertise on common recovery mistakes, the value of early gentle movements, scar care, and strategies to regain core strength and mobility. This conversation is packed with essential tips, support options, and resources for moms navigating their C-section recovery journey.

More from Crystal Garnett:

• Follow her on Instagram @csectionphysio
• Visit  www.csectionphysio.com
• Enroll in Crystal’s program using the code “LABORNURSEMAMA’ and get Labor Nurse Mama’s Belly Birth Masterclass included for FREE!

Helpful Timestamps:

• 01:35 Crystal's Personal C-Section Experience
• 02:33 The Shocking Lack of Post-Op Care Instructions
• 06:30 The Importance of Gentle Movements and Breathing Exercises
• 08:46 Managing Intra-Abdominal Pressure and Pain
• 11:07 Scar Care and Emotional Healing
• 15:12 The Role of Compression and Support in Recovery
• 18:15 Managing Pain and Mobility
• 21:03 Importance of Support and Assistance
• 22:19 Lifting and Handling Post-Surgery
• 26:02 Scar Massage and Healing Techniques
• 28:54 Silicone Tape and Scar Care

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👩🏻‍⚕️ Perfect for all births- hospital, birth center, or home!

🎧 Includes birth meditations and prayers.

🌍 Women all over the world have loved our classes.

✅ Start now

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For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Trish breaks down the often-overlooked issue of postpartum booty pain experienced by new mothers, sharing her personal journey and the critical lessons learned. From her startling experience with her first baby Ian, where a nurse referred to hemorrhoids as 'a patch of cauliflowers,' to understanding various causes, Trish offers insights into tailbone trauma, hemorrhoids, pelvic floor dysfunction, and other sources of pain.

Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms

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She provides practical strategies and preventative measures to alleviate this discomfort, emphasizing the importance of proper birth positions, physical therapy, and self-advocacy. With her extensive experience as an online birth educator and 16+ years as a labor and delivery nurse, Trish aims to empower women with the knowledge to reduce postpartum suffering and enjoy a smoother recovery. Tune in to learn how to prevent and manage seven common causes of postpartum booty pain.

More from this episode:

• Grab this Donut Cushion
• Sitz Bath for Hemorrhoids
• Stool Softener

Helpful Timestamps:

• 01:14 Understanding Postpartum Booty Pain
• 05:17 Tailbone Trauma: Causes and Solutions
• 07:59 Hemorrhoids: The Cauliflower Patch
• 13:25 Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: The Hidden Connection
• 16:35 Birth Positions: Preventing Tailbone Pain
• 20:21 Anal Fissures: The Sharp Pain
• 22:36 Muscle Strain from Pushing
• 25:29 Nerve Damage: The Rare Case
• 27:49 Conclusion: Empowering Your Recovery

Join the #1 Birth Course for Confident Birth!

Over 15,000 women have used our classes to prepare for birth with the knowledge and tools provided by a Labor Nurse.

💻 Self-paced and lifetime access

👩🏻‍⚕️ Perfect for all births- hospital, birth center, or home!

🎧 Includes birth meditations and prayers.

🌍 Women all over the world have loved our classes.

✅ Start now

Join The Birthpod ™ course

Join The Calm Labor Confident Birth Course

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Feeling more energized and less nauseous? It's the perfect time to prepare for a smoother birth and postpartum. Trish shares a practical, no-fluff checklist of 11 actionable steps to take in the second trimester - from mobility exercises to crucial conversations with your provider - that can reduce interventions, ease labor, and boost your confidence. Whether you're a first-time mom or a seasoned parent, these tips are designed for real, busy mamas to help you feel prepared and in control.

Your Essential Second Trimester Checklist:

• #1: Anatomy Scan (Around 20 Weeks): Go beyond the gender reveal - understand checks for placenta location, baby's growth, heart, and fluid levels. Bring questions and follow up with your provider for clarity.
• #2: Gentle Pelvic and Mobility Routines: Dedicate 5-15 minutes daily to movements like pelvic tilts, squats, cat-cow stretches, and glute bridges to reduce tension, improve baby's positioning, and open your pelvis by up to 30% during labor.
• #3: Nutrition for Energy and Baby's Development: Focus on high-protein snacks, iron-rich meals, choline from eggs, DHA from supplements, and hydration. Balance cravings while preventing anemia and supporting brain growth.
• #4: Mindset and Breath Practice: Combat fear and tension with 5 minutes of daily breathing (inhale for 4, exhale for 6) and visualization to activate your parasympathetic nervous system for easier labor.
• #5: Build Your Birth Team and Define Roles: Educate your partner, family, and friends on your birth goals.
• #6: Screening Tests and Vaccine Timing: Research and discuss upcoming tests with your provider. Ask about alternatives and risks.
• #7: Fetal Positioning Moves: Adopt habits like forward-leaning positions, birth ball sitting, side-lying releases, and pelvic rocks to encourage optimal LOA (left occiput anterior) positioning and avoid back labor.
• #8: Maternity Leave and Logistics: Plan now - talk to your boss, HR, and insurance about leave, work handoffs, and paperwork to reduce third-trimester stress.
• #9: Baby Gear Essentials vs. Convenience: Prioritize must-haves like a car seat, safe sleep surface, diapers, thermometer, and basic clothes. Borrow or skip gadgets; survey mom friends for realistic advice.
• #10: Advocacy Scripts and Being Informed: Practice simple phrases like "What are the risks of waiting?" or "No, thank you" to navigate decisions calmly and firmly during labor.
• #11: The "What If" Conversation: Schedule a detailed chat with your provider about induction thresholds, failure to progress, pain management, VBAC policies, and newborn care like delayed cord clamping.

Share this episode with a pregnant friend, and tag @labor.nurse.mama on Instagram with your second-trimester wins. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review - your feedback helps more mamas prepare for the birth they deserve!

More episodes:

• Second Trimester Pregnancy: What To Expect | 31
• 11 Things to Do During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy | 82
• Second Trimester Pregnancy Testing | 165

Hey mama! Today Trish is diving into the lifesaving 5, 5, 5 rule, the single most overlooked recovery secret that can save you from months of exhaustion and complications during postpartum recovery. Trish breaks down this essential rule: five days in the bed, five days on the bed, and five days near your bed. Learn how to heal faster, protect your pelvic floor, and set realistic expectations for the first few weeks at home. Tune in for actionable tips on planning ahead, communicating with your support system, creating a recovery station, and mentally reframing rest.

Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms

Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!

Plus, get your permission slip to accept imperfect help and embrace rest as essential to your recovery. Join us for a dose of calm, confidence, and clarity as you embark on your motherhood journey. Don't forget to hit follow or subscribe, and leave a review to tell us what you want unpacked next. Take care of your body, protect your peace, and know that you are doing an incredible job. See you next week, mama!

More from this episode:

How to Rock Your Postpartum with the 5 5 5 Booty Guide

Helpful Timestamps:

• 00:14 The Life-Changing 5, 5, 5 Rule
• 01:24 Understanding Your Body's Postpartum Healing
• 03:20 Practical Tips for Implementing the 5, 5, 5 Rule
• 06:07 Mental and Emotional Aspects of Postpartum Rest
• 07:45 Conclusion: Embrace Rest and Recovery

Join the #1 Birth Course for Confident Birth!

Over 15,000 women have used our classes to prepare for birth with the knowledge and tools provided by a Labor Nurse.

💻 Self-paced and lifetime access

👩🏻‍⚕️ Perfect for all births- hospital, birth center, or home!

🎧 Includes birth meditations and prayers.

🌍 Women all over the world have loved our classes.

✅ Start now

Join The Birthpod ™ course

Join The Calm Labor Confident Birth Course

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Trish welcomes Sydney Dozier, a local to Nashville, mama of two, and founder of Renaissance Marketing Group to share her birth experiences and the challenges of being a working mom. Sydney gets real about her two wildly different birth stories and the rollercoaster of balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood. From a traumatic first birth to an empowered second one, her journey is packed with lessons for every mama. They dive into the perks and pitfalls of being a business owner while balancing motherhood, and the significance of advocating for oneself in the delivery room. This conversation is rich with insights, personal stories, and practical advice for new and expecting moms looking to strike the right balance.

Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms

Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!

In this episode, we cover:

• Sydney’s first birth: A tough induction, unexpected complications, and lessons learned the hard way.
• Her redemptive second birth: How preparation and advocacy made all the difference.
• Navigating the chaos of working-mom life with a 4-month-old and a 3-year-old.
• Tips for setting boundaries when your business and babies demand all of you.
• Why trusting your gut and owning your birth choices is everything.

More from Sydney Dozier:

Connect with her on Instagram: @socially_sydney & @renaissancemarketing

Listen to the Renaissance Podcast

Visit renaissancemarketinggroup.com

Join the #1 Birth Course for Confident Birth!

Over 15,000 women have used our classes to prepare for birth with the knowledge and tools provided by a Labor Nurse.

💻 Self-paced and lifetime access

👩🏻‍⚕️ Perfect for all births- hospital, birth center, or home!

🎧 Includes birth meditations and prayers.

🌍 Women all over the world have loved our classes.

✅ Start now

Join The Birthpod ™ course

Join The Calm Labor Confident Birth Course

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Hey, mama! Welcome to the Postpartum Unpacked series on The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama. Trish is here to guide you through the wild, beautiful chaos of postpartum. This week, we’re diving into weeks 3 to 6 after birth - a critical window that shapes your recovery, from bleeding to milk supply to your pelvic floor and emotions. Trish is spilling all the tea on what your postpartum nurses wish you knew, including a safety checklist, her go-to breastfeeding routine, a gentle pelvic floor reset, and the one mistake that can derail your healing. Grab a pen, mama, because you’re getting practical steps to feel empowered and supported!

Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms

Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Safety First, Always: Red flags you cannot ignore - like soaking a pad every hour, fever over 100.4°F, or severe pain - and when to call your provider.
• Normal Bleeding: What lochia looks like, why it changes color, and a simple trick to reduce bleeding and cramping.
• Breastfeeding Hacks: My nurse-approved, mama-proven routine to regulate milk supply, tackle engorgement, and know when to call a lactation consultant (links below!).
• Pelvic Floor Love: A gentle reset you can start now, plus why seeing a pelvic floor specialist is a game-changer for preventing leaks, pain, or prolapse.
• The Emotional Rollercoaster: How to spot baby blues vs. postpartum depression, and why asking for help is your superpower (plus a nightly ritual to rewire your brain for wins).
• The Big Mistake: Rushing to “bounce back” too fast - why it leads to setbacks and how to advocate for a slow, safe recovery.
• Scripts for Advocacy: Exact phrases to use with your provider to get the care you deserve.

More resources from this episode:

• Grab the Postpartum Recovery Roadmap for just $22 (normally $197!) at learn.laborersemama.com/postpartum for week-by-week guidance, safety checklists, and troubleshooting tips.
• Connect with a lactation consultant (virtual visits available!): TheLatchLink.com
• Grab these Silverettes we love.

Episodes on Pelvic Floor Health:

• Why Pelvic Floor Health Is Important to Your Pregnancy | 32
• A Holistic Approach to Pelvic Floor Wellness – with Jenn Lormand | 88
• Relieving Pregnancy & Postpartum Pain with Pelvic Floor Momma | 106
• Pelvic Power: Strengthening Your Core Through Pregnancy and Postpartum with Dr. Emily Brownlee | 145

Helpful Timestamps:

• 00:52...

Trish guides you through practical, nurse-tested movements inspired by Spinning Babies to help you progress through labor naturally. Learn essential techniques like the jiggle, forward-leaning inversion, sideline release, lateral jiggle, shake the apples, and a tiny sacral nudge. Trish offers step-by-step instructions, partner cues, and advice on when to seek medical guidance. This episode empowers you with knowledge and tools to stay calm and proactive during labor, helping you avoid unnecessary interventions and achieve a more positive birth experience. Practice these moves with your support person and gain confidence for your big day!

As always, if you have any high risk diagnoses or questions get confirmation from your provider first.

Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms

Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!

Helpful Timestamps:

• 01:26 Understanding Labor Physiology
• 03:17 Techniques to Assist Labor
• 07:07 Combining Techniques for Effective Labor
• 09:58 Additional Tips and Encouragement
• 12:22 Conclusion and Further Resources

Join the #1 Birth Course for Confident Birth!

Over 15,000 women have used our classes to prepare for birth with the knowledge and tools provided by a Labor Nurse.

💻 Self-paced and lifetime access

👩🏻‍⚕️ Perfect for all births- hospital, birth center, or home!

🎧 Includes birth meditations and prayers.

🌍 Women all over the world have loved our classes.

✅ Start now

Join The Birthpod ™ course

Join The Calm Labor Confident Birth Course

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

In this episode of Postpartum Unpacked, Trish unpacks the inadequacies of traditional postpartum care. Drawing on her experience as a labor and delivery nurse and a mom of seven, Trish discusses the outdated six-week postpartum visit and highlights the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' new guidelines advocating for multiple checkups within the first 12 weeks post-birth. She provides essential tips on advocating for better care, recognizing postpartum health issues, and stresses the importance of comprehensive, ongoing support for new mothers. Tune in to learn what you truly deserve for a healthier, happier postpartum journey.

More from this episode:

Grab the Postpartum Recovery Roadmap

Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cms

Leave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!

Helpful Timestamps:

• 00:00 Welcome to Postpartum Unpacked
• 00:53 The Reality of Postpartum Checkups
• 02:20 Updated ACOG Guidelines for Postpartum Care
• 03:53 Common Issues and Missed Diagnoses
• 04:51 What Should Happen in Postpartum Checkups
• 10:36 How to Advocate for Your Postpartum Care
• 13:48 Resources and Support for New Moms
• 14:46 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Join the #1 Birth Course for Confident Birth!

Over 15,000 women have used our classes to prepare for birth with the knowledge and tools provided by a Labor Nurse.

💻 Self-paced and lifetime access

👩🏻‍⚕️ Perfect for all births- hospital, birth center, or home!

🎧 Includes birth meditations and prayers.

🌍 Women all over the world have loved our classes.

✅ Start now

Join The Birthpod ™ course

Join The Calm Labor Confident Birth Course

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services