Ep. 426: Re-Air of Navigating Postpartum Care: What to Expect After Labor and Delivery in the Hospital with Kara The Baby Nurse

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe welcomes Kara, a Mother-Baby Nurse and mom of three, to walk through what actually happens after you leave labor and delivery and transition to postpartum care. From fundal checks and C-section vitals to newborn screenings, pain management, lactation support, and discharge, this episode gives you clarity without overwhelm.

This episode is detailed, practical, and empowering. Postpartum in the hospital doesn’t have to feel chaotic when you understand what’s routine, what’s optional, and where your voice matters most.

00:00 Speak Up in the Hospital: You Can Say No (Advocacy Mindset)

01:05 Listener Story: Holding Firm Against 39-Week Induction Pressure

03:56 How to Use the Birth Lounge App to Back Up Your Choices

06:10 Maternity Leave Update + Why This Episode Is a Re-Air

07:50 Postpartum in the Hospital: What We’ll Cover (Tests, Checks, Taboo Topics)

09:08 Meet Kara the Baby Nurse: Mother-Baby RN + Mom of Three

10:40 The Postpartum Unit Reality Check: It’s More Than ‘Rest and Discharge’

12:10 Transition from L&D to Postpartum: Bedside Report + LDRP vs Separate Units

15:25 First 4 Hours Post-Birth: Fundal Checks, Vitals, Safety Paperwork, Goals

18:27 Getting Up After Birth: Movement, Gas Pain, and C-Section Recovery

20:47 If You Decline Fundal Checks: Bleeding & Clot Warning Signs to Watch

23:19 Postpartum Pain Management: Meds, Non-Pharm Options, and Speaking Up

27:35 Who’s Coming in Your Room: Rounds, Labs, Screens, and the DND Sign

35:09 Baby’s Pediatrician Exam: Nursery vs In-Room, No-Separation Rights

39:40 Newborn Head-to-Toe Exam & Routine Postpartum Checks

40:26 Newborn Screening Labs: PKU Heel Prick, Bilirubin, Car Seat & Hearing

42:46 Sponsor Break: Lalo Registry Must-Haves (Travel High Chair + Play Kit)

45:55 Bilirubin & Jaundice: What the Numbers Mean + Phototherapy Options

48:05 Newborn Hearing Screen: How It Works & What a “Fail” Usually Means

50:28 Newborn Meds/Vaccines in Postpartum: Vit K, Erythromycin, Hep B Timing

51:45 Breastfeeding Support in the Hospital: Nurse Training, Latch Help & Pumps

55:43 Baby Weight Loss & When to Supplement (Pumping, Donor Milk, Formula)

58:24 Circumcision 101: Procedure, Pain Control, Aftercare & Red Flags

01:03:40 Advocating for Yourself: Communication, Boundaries & Requesting a New Nurse

01:07:08 The Postpartum Poop: Why Staff Ask, What Helps, When to Call Your Doctor

01:11:26 Wrap-Up: Kara’s Book & Sleep Course + Where to Follow

Guest Bio:

Kara is a mother-baby, hospital based nurse with 3 kids of her own. Her passion is educating and empowering people through her social media pages. She shares nurse tips and mom tricks, author of the book Why Didn’t I Learn all this Parent Stuff Sooner?, and creator of a tried and true baby sleep course. You can find her @karathrbabynurse on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram!

Connect with Kara here: https://karathebabynurse.com/link-in-bio/

Check out Kara's sleep course here: https://kara-s-site-b397.thinkific.com/courses/karathebabynurse

Snag her book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BBSH4Q9Z/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2GWZSFDOW1WFP&keywords=kara+thompson&qid=1661365188&sprefix=kara+thompson%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-6

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/

Connect with Kara on IG: https://www.instagram.com/karathebabynurse/

BIRTH EDUCATION:

Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe 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: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app-download-page

LINKS MENTIONED:

Lalo Beautiful, minimalist baby gear that actually works for real life. From their travel-friendly Hook-On High Chair to their durable, design-forward Play Kit, Lalo creates pieces that grow with your family and look good doing it. Head to https://www.meetlalo.com/ and use code HEHE to save.