Have you heard of collecting colostrum before birth? There’s a good chance you may not have – totally okay! And if you have, you may also be wondering “what the heck is this all about and how the heck do I do that?” I’m so pumped you’re here, because I’m going to tell you! Antenatal colostrum collection, or colostrum harvesting, feels like a bit of a “newer” birth prep thing, but it has some awesome benefits for you and baby and I personally don’t think it’s hard to try at all! Let’s get into it. First things first: There is a “partner” blog to this post that you should read first! Go read: Wh ..read more

If you are pregnant right now, there is a good chance that you have group B strep (GBS) screen coming up. If you’ve been pregnant, I’m going to guess that you definitely remember this screen! And if this all sounds foreign, or you’re saying “yah, can you please explain to me what this is all about?” – I got you! As a labor nurse, I’ve seen tons of mamas walk this story (it’s really common), so you definitely need to understand what group B strep in pregnancy and labor is and what it might mean for you and your baby! Who is The Labor Mama and Why Am I Here?  Hey friend! I’m Lo – also know ..read more

Pregnant and thinking ahead to your breastfeeding story? I know I always am! Regardless of what has or hasn’t happened with my prior baby(ies), I’ve always been so aware that every mama/baby couplet is so different! And I’ve seen this in my repeat patients time and again too. I absolutely think the wisdom of prior experiences helps guide us in our next stories, but it’s also a really good idea to approach your breastfeeding relationship, and the idea of a healthy milk supply as a bit of a brand new expience each time too. So, whether your a first time mama wondering about all of this or it’s y ..read more

Something I’ve loved about each of my pregnancies is how I feel I’ve managed to commemorate them in some way or another – largely because I recognize the journey is just as powerful and important as the (birthing) destination. For a lot of us, finding out the sex of our baby and then doing some type of gender reveal is part of this journey, right? And Pinterest is (of course) SO full of ideas about cute, fun, or “never been done before” ways to do this.  To be honest, I definitely try to be careful with my own use of Pinterest. I LOVE a good DIY, recipe, kids’ valentine’s day card, or tip ..read more

My first two kids were 21 months apart. If I can be honest, that age gap wasn’t completely planned. In our heads, my husband and I had always thought 2+ years apart, but our tiny, feisty 2nd girl made up her own mind and snuck into our lives a little bit earlier.   Two under two rocked me. I’m assuming it does most everyone who experiences it. And I’m also sure that things were even harder in the wake of my mama’s death. I’ve heard it said before, that “the body keeps score” – and if my life is any indication, I think it does. The year after my second was born was hard. My weight plummete ..read more

Hearing some horror stories from friends about their back labor? Let me help you out a bit. Back labor is appropriately named, and is exactly what it sounds like: labor pains in your back. It might be caused by baby’s position as they drop, and it might be caused by something else. What we do know is that it’s super uncomfortable! We’re discussing back labor (and what you can try to get some relief!) below. Who is The Labor Mama and Why Am I Here?  Hey friend! I’m Lo – also known around here and social media as The Labor Mama. I’ve spent my nursing career in labor, delivery, and postpart ..read more

Have you ever really stopped and considered what things you know about cesarean birth? A cesarean birth, also commonly known as a C-section, is birth by way of surgery. It is a valid and important way to safely bring a baby into the world (even if it wasn’t what you pictured for your delivery experience at first). And before we go any farther, if I can offer one piece of advice, it is that you don’t you ever let anyone tell you any differently!  The other thing I would love for you to hear is that you still have a say even if you’re giving birth by C-section. Your voice matters! And in mo ..read more

Expecting a little bundle of blue love and need some help naming him? Below, I’ve rounded up the top 30 classic names for baby boys (thank you, Social Security Administration!) and their meanings for you. I’ve also shared a few tips that have helped me and my husband with all of our kids and some favorite resources we’ve used over the years. If you find a name you love or have already chosen for your little one, let me know in the comments below! Who is The Labor Mama and Why Am I Here?  Hey friend! I’m Lo – also known around here and social media as The Labor Mama. I’ve spent my nursing ..read more

Some old wives’ tales about pregnancy ring true for good reason – and you’ve probably heard about eating dates to make labor “easier” as one of them. If you haven’t? Then read on. You might be surprised by just how much eating dates in pregnancy might be able to help your labor out! If you’re in the final weeks of pregnancy and eager to do what you can to meet your little one (safely!) and in the fastest way possible, you may want to consider working some dates into your diet. These tasty little Middle-Eastern-in-origin fruits can do a lot more than satisfy a craving for sweets. Who is The La ..read more

I wrote this letter years ago. I’ve seen so many women become mothers via cesarean. Some choose the path. Others did not, or it was chosen for them. But regardless of the many different reasons someone brings their baby earthside in an OR, I’ve always been amazed by the strength and power I’ve seen in every single of one of them. If you’ve had a cesarean, or you do someday, this is for you. Who is The Labor Mama and Why Am I Here?  Hey friend! I’m Lo – also known around here and social media as The Labor Mama. I’ve spent my nursing career in labor, delivery, and postpartum, have birthed ..read more