In Episode 250 of The Pulling Curls Podcast: Pregnancy & Parenting Untangled, Hilary Erickson delves into five reasons your birth might be particularly challenging. From not meshing with your doctor to having solid expectations, she unpacks potential obstacles and offers valuable advice on how to navigate them. Sponsored by the Online Prenatal Class for Couples, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to better prepare for a smoother birth experience.

Big thanks to our sponsor The Online Prenatal Class for Couples -- you'll find these tips and more to have your best pregnancy, birth & postpartum life!

Links for you:

My post 5 reasons your birth might be hard: https://pregnurse.com/birth-hard/

Timestamps:

00:00 Switch providers if unsatisfied; consider larger offices.

04:50 Keep flexible expectations during birth for ease.

07:09 Join online prenatal class to enhance preparation.

Keypoints:

• Discussion on why having a good relationship with your doctor is crucial for a smoother birth experience.
• Advice on switching providers if there's a mismatch, even past 30 weeks of pregnancy.
• Explanation of previous uterine or cervical surgeries and how they can impact delivery.
• Importance of knowing about cervical surgeries like LEAP and their potential effects on labor.
• Encouragement to start speaking up for oneself during prenatal appointments for better communication during birth.
• Warning against having rigid expectations for birth as it can lead to disappointment and stress.
• Emphasis on positivity and flexibility during labor to make the process easier.
• Significance of being well-prepared for birth and not relying solely on providers for preparation.
• Personal anecdote about the lack of preparation for hospital experiences and the creation of a comprehensive birth class.
• Promotion of the online prenatal class for couples to help expectant parents prepare for various stages of pregnancy and postpartum.

Producer: Drew Erickson

Keywords:

birth complications, hard birth, pregnancy nurse, prenatal class, switching doctors, doctor-patient relationship, meshing with doctor, uterine surgery, cervical surgery, cervical scarring, LEAP procedure, pap smear, dilate cervix, C-section, speaking up, birth plans, birth expectations, birth trauma, labor pain, epidural, induced labor, birth preparation, birth class, online prenatal class, third trimester testing, laboring at home, postpartum care, breastfeeding difficulties, pregnancy resources, strength training during pregnancy.