The Birth Nurses
The Birth Nurses
Shaina Brickner and Liz Wade
We are 2 labor and delivery nurses in Los Angeles, CA. On this podcast, we discuss all things birth, babies, breastfeeding, and beyond! We're getting behind the scenes of the nursing world--what makes us as nurses tick and how we can help you have a smoother experience in labor and delivery. Our goal is to provide education for patients-to-be as well as L&D nurses trying to navigate their way through providing care for patients in one of the most intimate (and sometimes scary) times of their life! Follow us on Instagram and DM to chat instagram.com/preparented instagram.com/birthnurseliz
108 Managing Emergencies
TRIGGER WARNING: in this episode, we discuss birth emergencies which sometimes lead to fetal or maternal mortality. From an L&D nurse's perspective, Liz discusses expectations and improvements for nurses and obstetricians during an emergency scenario. We invite you to email us, DM us on instagram, or find some other way to contact us and tell us your thoughts.For more information about us, our businesses, and the classes we teach, visit our websites and instagram profiles:Shaina--virtual or in person birth and breastfeeding classes and lactation consults in LAEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/preparented⁠⁠www.preparented.com⁠Liz--virtual and in person birth and c-section classes in LA/Santa MonicaEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/birthnurseliz⁠⁠www.birthandbeyond.net⁠
May 25
28 min
107 You don't have to be afraid of your baby!
In this episode, Liz and Shaina discuss the patterns they're seeing in new parents: anxiety and fear about doing something wrong instead of playing with their baby and being confident in caring for a newborn. We invite you to email us, DM us on instagram, or find some other way to contact us and tell us your thoughts.For more information about us, our businesses, and the classes we teach, visit our websites and instagram profiles:Shaina--virtual or in person birth and breastfeeding classes and lactation consults in LAEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/preparented⁠⁠www.preparented.com⁠Liz--virtual and in person birth and c-section classes in LA/Santa MonicaEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/birthnurseliz⁠⁠www.birthandbeyond.net⁠
Dec 9, 2025
18 min
106 Postpartum Care and the Nursing "shortage"/crisis
In this episode, Liz, who is on the bargaining team and represents her nursing union, discusses the challenges that nurses face especially in the postpartum unit. She also gives you, our listeners, some action points for questions to ask and how to set realistic expectations for your postpartum care after you have your baby. We invite you to email us, DM us on instagram, or find some other way to contact us and tell us your thoughts.For more information about us, our birth education businesses, and the classes we teach, visit our websites and instagram profiles:Shaina--virtual or in person birth and breastfeeding classes and lactation consults in LAEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/preparented⁠⁠www.preparented.com⁠Liz--virtual and in person birth and c-section classes in LA/Santa MonicaEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/birthnurseliz⁠⁠www.birthandbeyond.net⁠
Nov 21, 2025
15 min
105 D-MER. When Breastfeeding is the Source of Dread
D-MER or Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex is a condition where the let down reflex, which typically causes feelings of love and bonding toward your baby, has the opposite effect and makes you feel a sense of dread. There are varying intensities/severities of this condition and it is rare, but we wanted to highlight it in this episode to bring awareness and education to breastfeeding moms out there listening!We invite you to email us, DM us on instagram, or find some other way to contact us and tell us your thoughts.For more information about us, our birth education businesses, and the classes we teach, visit our websites and instagram profiles:Shaina--virtual or in person birth and breastfeeding classes and lactation consults in LAEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/preparented⁠⁠www.preparented.com⁠Liz--virtual and in person birth and c-section classes in LA/Santa MonicaEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/birthnurseliz⁠⁠www.birthandbeyond.net⁠
Nov 7, 2025
14 min
104 - Review of THE PITT episode with the obstetrics scene
Have you watched The Pitt? We, especially Liz, are fans! BUT there were some problems with the episode that had the obstetrics scene in the ER. Take a listen to find out what they were.We invite you to email us, DM us on instagram, or find some other way to contact us and tell us your thoughts.For more information about us, our birth education businesses, and the classes we teach, visit our websites and instagram profiles:Shaina--virtual or in person birth and breastfeeding classes and lactation consults in LAEmail: [email protected]⁠⁠instagram.com/preparented⁠⁠⁠⁠www.preparented.com⁠⁠Liz--virtual and in person birth and c-section classes in LA/Santa MonicaEmail: [email protected]⁠⁠instagram.com/birthnurseliz⁠⁠⁠⁠www.birthandbeyond.net⁠⁠
Oct 10, 2025
17 min
103 Bottle Refusal-- what it is and what to do about it!
Shaina discusses how in her practice recently she has seen an uptick in babies refusing bottles! As an IBCLC, she talks about why this might happen, how to prevent it, and what to do if you're dealing with this problem. She also shares her views on pacifier use. We invite you to email us, DM us on instagram, or find some other way to contact us and tell us your thoughts.For more information about us, our birth education businesses, and the classes we teach, visit our websites and instagram profiles:Shaina--virtual or in person birth and breastfeeding classes and lactation consults in LAEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/preparented⁠⁠www.preparented.com⁠Liz--virtual and in person birth and c-section classes in LA/Santa MonicaEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/birthnurseliz⁠⁠www.birthandbeyond.net⁠
Oct 3, 2025
27 min
102 "Wait, What did you say?" -- The dangerous side of social media
We took an entire episode to unpack an instagram post. Yep, you heard that right! We read an upsetting thing on a social media post and wanted to set the record straight! Listen to this short episode to hear our side of the story. We invite you to email us, DM us on instagram, or find some other way to contact us and tell us your thoughts.For more information about us, our birth education businesses, and the classes we teach, visit our websites and instagram profiles:Shaina--virtual or in person breastfeeding classes and lactation consults in LAEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/preparented⁠⁠www.preparented.com⁠Liz--virtual and in person birth and c-section classes in LA/Santa MonicaEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/birthnurseliz⁠⁠www.birthandbeyond.net⁠
Sep 19, 2025
20 min
101 Atoosa Benji -- Interview with Midwife and Doula Trainer
What a treat for us to interview Atoosa Benji! She is a prominent part of the birth community in Los Angeles because of her compassion, cultural awareness, and expertise in birth. Even though we don't usually do long episodes like this, we'd love for you to listen all the way to the end! You won't be disappointed! If you love Atoosa (and we know you will), you can find her at atoosabenji.com or listen to her podcast https://www.mamatoosapod.com/We invite you to email us, DM us on instagram, or find some other way to contact us and tell us your thoughts.For more information about us, our birth education businesses, and the classes we teach, visit our websites and instagram profiles:Shaina--virtual or in person birth and breastfeeding classes and lactation consults in LAEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/preparented⁠⁠www.preparented.com⁠Liz--virtual and in person birth and c-section classes in LA/Santa MonicaEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/birthnurseliz⁠⁠www.birthandbeyond.net⁠
Jul 19, 2025
1 hr 4 min
100 Maternal Mental Health-- Interview with Mincy Moody, Part 2
Here's part 2 of our interview with Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Mincy Moody. This episode focuses on medications, obstetrics + mental health, PPD and PPA screening tools, advocating for yourself and your friends/family during postpartum, and insurance coverage for mental health services. You can find Minci at https://newvisionsmedicalgroup.com/ or https://sbtreatment.com/ orhttps://scfhc.org/We invite you to email us, DM us on instagram, or find some other way to contact us and tell us your thoughts.For more information about us, our birth education businesses, and the classes we teach, visit our websites and instagram profiles:Shaina--virtual or in person birth and breastfeeding classes and lactation consults in LAEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/preparented⁠⁠www.preparented.com⁠Liz--virtual and in person birth and c-section classes in LA/Santa MonicaEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/birthnurseliz⁠⁠www.birthandbeyond.net⁠
Jun 30, 2025
35 min
099 Maternal Mental Health --Interview with Minci Moody, Part 1
In this episode, Liz and Shaina interviewed Mincy Moody, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner about maternal mental health. The landscape is changing for the better in this category and we're so excited about the resources available to new parents! Check out this episode, and to learn more about Minci, visit the websites of the organizations/group practices she's a part of. You can find Minci at https://newvisionsmedicalgroup.com/ or https://sbtreatment.com/ orhttps://scfhc.org/We invite you to email us, DM us on instagram, or find some other way to contact us and tell us your thoughts.For more information about us, our birth education businesses, and the classes we teach, visit our websites and instagram profiles:Shaina--virtual or in person birth and breastfeeding classes and lactation consults in LAEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/preparented⁠⁠www.preparented.com⁠Liz--virtual and in person birth and c-section classes in LA/Santa MonicaEmail: [email protected]⁠instagram.com/birthnurseliz⁠⁠www.birthandbeyond.net⁠
Jun 25, 2025
30 min
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