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 exa