In this episode of The Birth Link Podcast, I sit down with labor nurse Marya Eddaifi, who shares her powerful journey from a military birth experience to creating her own practice centered on structural integration and fascia based bodywork.

We talk about how soft tissue mobilization of ligaments, muscles, and joints can improve comfort, autonomy, and recovery in labor, even for those with limited mobility or epidurals. Marya opens up about the gaps she saw in hospital training around comfort measures and the anatomy of labor, and how her work now empowers birthing people and their newborns for a smoother, more supported experience.

For anyone pregnant and all birth workers, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

Find her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryathebirthcoach/

Find all Marya's offer on her linked tree, including DLM app

https://www.maryaeddaifi.com/

We're so honored to have the wonderful Dawn Hancock founder of Pivotal Birth on this episode where we discuss the best way to plan for birth, with the idea that there will be times we will need to know how to pivot.

Pivot is an acronym:

• Permission
• Inclusion
• Values
• Options
• Time

With Dawn herself with deep dive into each of these points, how to plan for birth and as two labor and delivery nurses often do, get into our own work birth stories!

Find Dawn and her classes at pivotalbirth.com or on IG @pivotalbirth!

Shelly Yehuda is an HR expert certified in California State Leave Laws with extensive experience in maternity leave benefits. She helps new and expectant mothers understand their rights and options while ensuring they follow the proper procedures for leave. Shelly is well-versed in key programs like FMLA, CFRA, PDL, CA SDI, Paid Family Leave, Bonding, PPLO, ADA and employer-specific policies. She helps moms navigate their maternity leave, making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible while staying compliant with all the regulations. Shelly offers clear, personalized guidance to help parents focus on what matters most—their growing families.

More from Shelly Yehuda:

ParentalLeaveAdvisors.com

Follow her on Instagram @californiaparentalleave

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Get Your Childbirth Crash Course Here!

Join the newsletter for behind the scenes and episode insights you don't want to miss!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast send us an email!

Stay Connected:

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Produced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Sharon is a research scientist turned birth Doula and pediatric sleep consultant. She shares her world with her wonderful husband and two amazing kiddos! Sharon has a deep rooted passion to help expected families navigate the transition into parenthood as seamlessly as possible, and loves educating and supporting Parents in her community.

Topic: Evidence-based doula work, Maternal-fetal disparities, and how social media is impacting the birth world

More from Sharon:

Website: www.douladiligence.com

IG: @douladiligence_

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Get Your Childbirth Crash Course Here!

Join the newsletter for behind the scenes and episode insights you don't want to miss!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast send us an email!

Stay Connected:

YouTube

Instagram

TikTok

FaceBook

Produced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Charlotte, also known as The Smart Doula, is a Virtual Doula based in the UK, providing evidence-based pregnancy support to families who want an empowering birth. With 10 years + of clinical research experience, a biomedical science degree, and two hospital births of her own under her belt, she uses her knowledge to provide pregnancy support to help parents make informed decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She also provides pregnancy support for all types of birth, including hospital births, helping her clients to navigate NHS (National Health Services) guidelines.

Connect with Charlotte:

Follow her on IG @the.smart.doula

Website www.thesmartdoula.com

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Get Your Childbirth Crash Course Here!

Join the newsletter for behind the scenes and episode insights you don't want to miss!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast send us an email!

Stay Connected:

YouTube

Instagram

TikTok

FaceBook

Produced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services

Amber Ginn, IBCLC, is the founder of The Latch Link, one of the nation’s leading virtual lactation practices. With a decade of experience working with moms, she provides prenatal and postpartum breastfeeding support to families across the U.S.—and with insurance, that care is completely free.

Amber is known for her no-fluff, straight-to-the-point approach, empowering moms with the knowledge and confidence to feed their babies in a way that works best for them. Whether it’s preparing for breastfeeding during pregnancy, troubleshooting latch issues, increasing milk supply, or making pumping work, she meets moms where they are with practical, judgment-free guidance.

This week we have a fantastic discussion on what advocating for your own breastfeeding journey really looks like and the top tips for improving your experience!

More from Amber Ginn, IBCLC:

Looking for lactation support? Visit www.thelatchlink.com

IG: @ambertheibclc

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Get Your Childbirth Crash Course Here!

Join the newsletter for behind the scenes and episode insights you don't want to miss!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast send us an email!

Stay Connected:

YouTube

Instagram

TikTok

FaceBook

Produced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services

This isn't an easy episode to share, but I think it's one that needs to be. I leave all names out for respect of the professionals in my area, and of course patient information is always confidential, but my side is free to be discussed, and I'm about to.

Please, as nurses, let's do better. Stop the closed minded, no questions asked, okay to bully others, the doctor is king mentality. We are all a team, we are only as strong as our weakest member, and we are all there with a role, to serve the mother and her baby during this one birth. Let's show respect, decency, and even love for each other.

For those who are pregnant and listening, if you are going to the hospital to give birth, go prepared, go with an understanding of what the expectations are, what your preferences are, and how to make the hospital the best birth possible! It is possible!

For virtual coaching

To schedule a call

Casey is a writer and advocate driven by a deep commitment to maternal health and mental well-being. As a mother who has navigated the complexities of birth trauma and postpartum challenges, she understands firsthand the emotional and physical toll motherhood can take. Casey is dedicated to creating a space where mothers feel heard, supported, and empowered in their journeys.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Forensic Medicine, which inform her unique perspective on the intersection of mental health, trauma, and the systemic challenges faced by mothers. A writer, mother, and relentless truth-seeker, she hopes her work sparks much-needed conversations around maternal mental health, healthcare reform, and the strength it takes to navigate the unseen realities of motherhood.

More from Casey:

Visit her website AlchemyOfMotherhood.com

Join the alchemy of motherhood Discord group! https://discord.gg/UkAPCeqGSz

Follow her on Instagram: @alchemymotherhood

More from My Friend's a Nurse:

Get Your Childbirth Crash Course Here!

Join the newsletter for behind the scenes and episode insights you don't want to miss!

Visit MyFriendsaNurse.com

Grab this FREE Hospital Bag Checklist

Email Colette directly for coaching availability and membership colette@myfriendsanurse.com

If you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast send us an email!

Stay Connected:

YouTube

Instagram

TikTok

FaceBook

Produced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services