Ep. 403: Speaking Up for Yourself & Your Goals: Scripts for Advocacy in labor

In this special re-air of our milestone 200th episode, we hear when HeHe celebrated ten years of supporting over 2,000 families through all kinds of birth scenarios from serene vaginal births to unexpected twists while sharing how ancestral wisdom has shaped her approach to childbirth. With warmth, humor, and that signature bold honesty, she dives into the art of trusting your body, making confident choices, and saying “no thank you” to unnecessary interventions. This episode covers everything from declining cervical checks and IVs, navigating late pregnancy ultrasounds, intermittent fetal monitoring, and pushing positions, to handling unwanted inductions, all while keeping your birth experience empowered and trauma-free. HeHe also highlights the Birth Lounge App, your go-to for evidence-based education, bite-sized guidance, and a supportive community to help you rock your pregnancy and labor with confidence. Whether this is your first listen or a welcome refresher during maternity leave, tune in and let HeHe help you claim your power in birth, because your choices, your voice, and your baby deserve it. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdote 06:17 The Birth Lounge App: Empowering Birth Experiences 09:06 Re-Air Announcement and Podcast Highlights 10:46 Celebrating 200 Episodes and The Birth Lounge 14:32 Navigating Conversations with Your Provider 15:45 Declining Cervical Exams: Your Rights and Options 22:25 Pushing Positions: Advocating for Your Comfort 25:38 Pushing Effectively in Labor: The Secret Sauce to Pushing  25:55 The Baby Soap Debacle: A Better Alternative Use code HEHE at coconu.com 28:03 The Importance of Organic Products During Pregnancy 29:01 Understanding Big Babies and Late Pregnancy Ultrasounds 31:18 Alternatives to Ultrasounds for Fetal Monitoring 35:51 Setting Boundaries with Healthcare Providers 38:11 Electronic Fetal Monitoring: What You Need to Know 44:17 Declining an IV During Labor 47:54 Navigating Unwanted Inductions 53:58 Empowering Your Birth Experience SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram  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: 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 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 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 The Secret Sauce to Pushing course gives you step-by-step guidance on how to push effectively — whether you have an epidural or not — so you can reduc