Ep. 415: Get Better Sleep in Pregnancy with Hayley Oakes

If pregnancy sleep has you staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m., running through every thought you’ve ever had… you’re not alone. And you’re not doing anything wrong.

In this episode, HeHe sits down with licensed midwife, educator, and Milk Trails podcast host Hayley Oakes to unpack why sleep can feel so hard during pregnancy and what actually helps. From first-trimester hormone shifts to third-trimester heartburn, nighttime anxiety, and the pressure to “sleep perfectly,” this conversation is equal parts evidence-based and deeply reassuring.

Hayley brings over a decade of experience attending births in home, birth center, and hospital settings, plus her lived experience as a mom. Together, they break down how nutrition, blood sugar balance, movement, mental load, and sleep environment all play a role in night waking. They also tackle common fears around sleep positions (yes, including back sleeping), strategies for middle-of-the-night wakeups, and why self-care and nervous system support matter just as much as sleep hacks.

This is not a “just relax” conversation. It’s practical, grounded, and designed to help you feel more confident in your body and your choices.

If you’re pregnant, postpartum, or supporting someone who is, this episode will leave you feeling calmer, more informed, and way less alone in the sleep struggle.

Guest Bio:

Hayley Oakes is a licensed midwife based in the Central Coast of California. She has been attending births since 2010 as a doula, midwife assistant, apprentice and midwife, witnessing and supporting birth in all settings: home, birth center and hospital. Hayley is the host and creator of Milk Trails -- a podcast dedicated to the out-of-hospital birthing experience. In February 2019, Hayley became a mother herself and welcomed her second child in January 2022. She currently offers private consultations for expectant mothers planning hospital births who desire holistic medical support. As a midwife, educator and mother, she is committed to supporting women in having a safe and satisfying pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience to help grow healthy, happy babies.

Connect with Hayley: www.hayleyoakes.com

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BIRTH EDUCATION:

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way

Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere.

And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor.

LINKS MENTIONED:

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