Real Birth Stories from Real Mamas in the MLN Community

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Liesel Teen, RN-BSN

By Liesel Teen

BSN, RN, Practicing Labor and Delivery Nurse

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Prepare to be inspired, moved, and perhaps even shed a few tears as we delve into the raw and unfiltered world of childbirth! Did I catch your attention??

“Real Birth Stories from Real Mamas in the MLN Community” is a collection of birth stories shared on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast that captures the beauty, intensity, and transformative power of bringing new life into the world.

This isn’t your typical birth story compilation. We’re going beyond the polished highlight reel to share the authentic experiences of mamas from all walks of life. From empowering, uncomplicated hospital births to overcoming birth trauma and everything in between, these stories paint a vivid picture of the diverse paths to parenthood.

Whether you’re a mama-to-be seeking reassurance and solidarity or simply curious about the miracle of childbirth, this collection will leave you with a profound appreciation for the strength, resilience, and love that defines motherhood.

Follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over 650k for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

Personal Birth Stories

Natural Birth Stories

EP41: Has Liesel Had The Baby Yet? Maybe…But Let’s Hear An Unmedicated Birth Story!

Hey mamas, tune into this episode to hear Samantha’s amazing story of TWO peaceful, unmedicated births! She’ll be sharing her tips on using mindfulness and meditation to make labor and delivery a truly empowering experience. You don’t want to miss this!

EP126: Natural Labor Birth Story After a Traumatic Birth 

In this episode, Kat opens up about her journey from a traumatic first birth to a healing, empowering VBAC. It’s a must-listen if you’re looking for hope and inspiration for your own birth experience.

EP135: A Positive Natural Birth Story

Get ready to be inspired! This episode features Natalie, a fellow mama who rocked her unmedicated birth after finding support and knowledge through the MLN podcast and Birth It Up course. Tune in for a dose of real-life birth empowerment!

EP184: Andrea’s Inspiring Natural Birth Story

Hear how Andrea used breathing, movement, and mindset to totally rock her natural birth — I’m not kidding when I say she showed up to the hospital 7 cm dilated! This birth story is pure inspiration, whether you’re team epidural or natural.

Epidural Birth Stories

EP202: Laura’s Uncomplicated Epidural Birth Story

On this episode, Laura Rush shares her chill birth story—it’s totally normal and positive, the kind you don’t hear often enough. It’s seriously refreshing and relatable, so don’t miss it!

Related Reading: How Does an Epidural Work? When to Get an Epidural? The Entire Epidural Process Explained

Unique Birth Stories

EP2: My Birth Story! (Liesel’s first birth)

Hey mamas, it’s Liesel! Wanna hear about my pregnancy journey from bump to baby? Tune in to this episode for all the juicy details – the good, the bad, and the hilarious! It’s a wild ride, so buckle up!

EP44: Mommy Labor Nurse’s SECOND Birth Story! (Liesel’s second birth)

Ever wondered what it’s like to be 40 weeks pregnant and SO over it? Well, I can tell you ALL about it! This episode is about my second birth story and It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, anticipation, and the pure joy of finally meeting my little Ryland!

EP59: My Mom’s Two VERY Different Birth Stories!

Ever wondered how different births can be, even within the same family? Well, tune in to this episode where my mom and I spill the tea on our totally different birth stories. It’s a hilarious and heartwarming rollercoaster, and you’ll love getting to know my mom, Sharon!

EP156: Queer Couple Share Their Birth Story

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a queer couple starting a family? Tune in to this episode where Sally dishes on her incredible journey to motherhood with her son, Bodey. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, unexpected turns, and a whole lotta love!

EP166: Giving Birth Overseas: One Mom’s Birth Story Navigating an International Healthcare System

In this episode, Katie shares her crazy experience of giving birth in Germany when the Afghan war ended and things got hectic. It’s a wild ride of cultural differences, unexpected turns, and a whole lot of strength! Oh, and if you’re curious about healthcare in other countries, check out Episode 45 where we chat about maternity care in the UK!

Birth Plan

High-Risk and Medically Unique Birth Stories

Twin Birth Stories

EP122: Twin Mamas Share Their Eerily Similar Birth Stories

Ready for a twin birth story with a twist? In this episode, we’re talking to identical twins Sierra and Hailey who gave birth a week apart! Their stories are WILD, and trust me, you don’t want to miss this episode—it’s longer than both their super-fast labors combined!

EP190: Different Types of Twins: Molli’s MoMo Twin Birth Story

This is a twin birth story that’s seriously one-in-a-million. This week, we’re talking MoMo twins – the rarest kind out there! Molli joins us to share her incredible journey of pregnancy and birth with these unique twins. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, medical challenges, and pure strength. You don’t want to miss this one!

EP226: Katie’s Twin Birth Story

Ever wondered what it’s like to have twins, complete with a surprise gender reveal at the end? Katie’s sharing her incredible story on this week’s podcast. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, medical challenges, and a triumphant twin delivery. Katie keeps it real about the ups and downs of pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, so if you’re expecting twins or just love a good birth story, this one’s for you!

Preterm Birth Stories

EP128: Preterm Birth Story Due To Mirror Syndrome

This week’s podcast is all about mirror syndrome, a rare and scary pregnancy complication. Payton bravely shares her unexpected journey of being diagnosed with this condition at 24 weeks and facing an emergency C-section at 26 weeks. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, medical challenges, and ultimately, a story of hope and resilience. You won’t want to miss it!

EP131: 24 Week Preemie Twins Birth Story

Ready for a powerful story of hope and resilience? This week, we’re talking preemie twins, infertility, egg donation, and SO much more! Heather shares her incredible journey of battling through a high-risk pregnancy and 122 days in the NICU. This one touches on allllll the emotions but is filled with inspiration and valuable insights for ALL mamas!

Medically Unique Birth Stories

EP4: Miscarriages, Ectopic Pregnancy, and 2 Vaginal Deliveries: Sarah’s Birth Story

Ready for a double dose of birth stories after heartbreak? Sarah’s on the podcast this week sharing her incredible journey of two vaginal births after multiple losses and ectopic pregnancies. From unexpected water breaks to super-speedy deliveries, her story is full of surprises, determination, and the ultimate joy of motherhood.

EP42: Preeclampsia, Vacuum Extractions, and Inductions: Ashley’s 3 VERY Different Birth Stories!

Ashley’s on the podcast this week sharing her journey through C-section, VBAC, and a traumatic birth. It’s a raw and honest conversation about everything from preeclampsia to gestational hypertension to IUGR. If you’re looking for real talk about the ups and downs of motherhood, you won’t want to miss this!

EP153: Shea’s Trisomy 13 Birth Story

This week’s episode is a heavy one, so please listen with care. Shea bravely shares her heartbreaking experience of receiving a Trisomy 13 diagnosis during pregnancy. It’s a raw and emotional conversation about navigating a difficult journey, finding strength in the midst of grief, and honoring her precious daughter’s life.

Traumatic Birth Stories

EP94: Caitlyn Fitzgerald’s Eventful and Traumatic Birth Story

Hey mamas! This week, Caitlyn shares her intense experience of giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a raw and emotional conversation about unexpected inductions, unplanned C-sections, postpartum struggles, and navigating motherhood in isolation. This episode is a must-listen for any mama who’s ever felt alone or overwhelmed by the unexpected twists and turns of childbirth and early parenthood.

EP126: Natural Labor Birth Story After a Traumatic Birth

Kat Tepylo Murphy shares her journey from a traumatic first birth to a redemptive and empowering natural birth, demonstrating the importance of knowledge and self-advocacy in the birthing experience.

Other Birth Stories

EP57: Kelsey’s Two Very Different Birth Stories And Lactation Struggles!

In this week’s episode, Kelsey shares her two very different experiences, from a traumatic first birth to a healing second birth with unexpected twists and turns. If you’re looking for honest talk about the ups and downs of motherhood, breastfeeding struggles, and the power of education, this episode’s for you!

EP84: Kim Perry’s Three Very Different Birth Stories

This week on the podcast, we’re chatting with the amazing Kim Perry, the fitness guru behind @kimperryco! She’s a mama of four with some incredible birth stories to share. Kim’s not only super fit and fun, but she’s also passionate about empowering mamas to stay strong and healthy during pregnancy and postpartum. Trust me, you’ll love getting to know her as much as I did!

EP98: The Southernish Mama Shares her First Three Birth Stories

This week, Brooke from @brookeraybould spills all the tea on the ups and downs of social media, pregnancy, and motherhood. Plus, she shares her unique birth stories— relatable and full of surprises. You won’t want to miss this behind-the-scenes look at life as a mama influencer!

EP99: Caitlyn Karl’s Induction Birth Story

Remember Caitlyn from episode 78? She’s back on the podcast this week, but this time with her induction birth story! This mama’s journey to motherhood is seriously inspiring, from adopting her son AJ to welcoming her first biological baby. Tune in for all the details of her induction and a whole lot of heartwarming mom vibes.

EP104: Laurel’s COVID-19 Birth Story

This week, Laurel shares her experience of giving birth alone during the peak of COVID—it’s a wild ride of unexpected turns, heartbreaking challenges, and the incredible strength of a mama in the face of uncertainty. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this one!

EP220: Fallon’s Wild and Crazy Birth Story 

This week, Fallon shares her emotional journey filled with ups and downs, from the moment she found out she was pregnant to the weeks after her little one arrived early. It’s a powerful story of resilience, intuition, and advocating for yourself and your baby.

Wrapping up

There you have it, mamas! A whirlwind tour of birth stories, each one as unique and special. Whether you’re laughing, crying, or nodding along in solidarity, we hope these real-life tales have reminded you that you’re not alone in this wild ride of mamahood.

Remember, every birth is a miracle, a testament to the incredible strength and resilience of mamas. So, embrace your own story, share it with pride, and let’s continue to build a supportive community where every mama feels seen, heard, and celebrated. After all, isn’t that what the MLN community is all about?

If you are looking for more information and resources about pregnancy and birth, look no further than here!

MLN has hundreds of free resources plus complete online birth courses for your birth experience – no matter how you deliver! Be sure to explore my blog and podcast but here are a few of my MLN favorites to get you goin’.

Birth Plan
Liesel Teen, RN-BSN

Liesel Teen

BSN, RN, Practicing Labor and Delivery Nurse

As a labor and delivery nurse, I’ve spent countless hours with women who felt anxious — even fearful — about giving birth. I want you to know it doesn’t have to be that way for you!

Are you ready to have an even better birth?

Everything in your hospital’s childbirth class – plus so. much. more. Get the knowledge and tools necessary for a positive birth experience – no matter how you deliver!

Natural Birth Class

Eliminate the what-ifs and feel strong and ready for your unmedicated birth.

Start here if birthing without an epidural is your goal!

Epidural Birth Class

Let go of fear and feel fully prepared for (and unafraid of!) your epidural birth.

Start here if you know you want that epidural – or you’re not sure what your birth goals are!

C-Section Birth Class

Release anxiety and gain a sense of control for your C-section birth.

Start here if you have a planned C-section on the horizon. You deserve birth education too!