106. What a Labor and Delivery Nurse Needs You to Know with @nurse_sydney

In today’s episode, Amy is joined by Sydney, a labor and delivery nurse with over five years of bedside experience and a deep passion for women’s health. As the creator of the platform @Nurse_Sydney and co-host of The Push Pod, Sydney is dedicated to empowering women with evidence-based information so they can feel confident throughout pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and beyond!This episode dives into the nitty-gritty of birth plans and what expecting moms should actually consider including when creating one. Sydney breaks down the essential elements for identifying your top priorities. And just like your favorite “what’s in my hospital bag” videos, Amy and Sydney discuss what she sees new moms actually use out of their hospital bags! More seriously, Sydney addresses common fears surrounding labor and delivery — from worries about having a bowel movement during delivery to pain management during labor.Amy and Sydney discuss the importance of being your own advocate, speaking up for your wants and needs during the labor and delivery process. They also touch on the unique mental health challenges faced by women in caregiving professions — such as nurses, teachers, and mothers — and explore how caring for others can make it even more important to intentionally care for oneself. The episode closes with Sydney vulnerably sharing her personal journey with an eating disorder. She reminds listeners that they are not alone if this is something they are navigating. She encourages women to honor and embrace the changes their bodies go through during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond, and to fuel their bodies with the nourishment they deserve!If you enjoyed listening to this episode, we would love it if you could share it to your Instagram stories and tag us, @Nurse_Sydney and @expectingandempowered. As we like to say, knowledge is power, and we just really want to give more people the information that they may need on their childbirth journey!Follow Sydney on Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube, and FacebookSydney’s WebsiteListen to Sydney’s podcast, The Push PodLinks & ResourcesExpecting and Empowered App - Enter code 'PODCAST25' at checkout Expecting and Empowered WebsiteExpecting and Empowered InstagramThis episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.