Broken Pubic Bone + Failed Epidurals | Lauren’s Birth Stories

Broken Pubic Bone + Failed Epidurals | Lauren’s Birth Stories

Author: Emily Lau December 16, 2025 Duration: 1:26:36

This week, I’m joined by my friend Lauren, whose epidural worked a little too well to the point that she broke her pubic bone without even realizing it! In this episode, Lauren walks us through her 3 pitocin & cervidil inductions and 2 failed inductions. She also experienced preeclampsia with all 3 of her pregnancies, but gradually learned how to manage her symptoms and advocate for proper care.

Even though there were some bumps along the way, Lauren’s stories have so many beautiful highs, like when she was able to catch her own baby during delivery or when she had a bonding moment with her daughter that reminded her that they were chosen for one another. 


This episode is like a breath of fresh air. So if you’re looking for an uplifting conversation about all things motherhood, this one’s for you!


Trigger Warning: Mention of infant death (40:25 to 40:39)


Chapters:

00:00:00 - Meet Lauren

00:09:05 - 1st Pregnancy: Conflicting Advice & Late Preeclampsia Diagnosis

00:16:29 - 1st Labor: Powerful Epidrual + Broken Pubic Bone

00:18:33 - 1st Postpartum: Postpartum Anxiety & Emotional Breastfeeding Struggles

00:29:04 - Miscarriage

00:30:52 - 2nd Pregnancy: Processing Pregnancy After Loss

00:35:19 - 2nd Labor: Failed Epidural, Advocating for Herself, & Catching Her Own Baby

00:41:43 - 2nd Postpartum: Residual Empowerment From Birth + Self Compassion in Breastfeeding

00:55:14 - 3rd Pregnancy: Phantom Pregnancies & Managing Preeclampsia

00:59:17 - 3rd Labor: Embracing an Unplanned, Unmedicated Birth

01:02:19 - 3rd Postpartum: Gaining Confidence & Finding Peace in Breastfeeding

01:19:07 - To My Pre-Mom Self…




Hosted by Emily Lau, The Labor Line offers a space where the profound, messy, and surprisingly funny realities of bringing a child into the world are shared without polish. Emily, who has long been fascinated by birth stories, began this podcast as an expectant mother seeking genuine conversations beyond the textbooks. Each episode is built from candid talks with her community of mom friends, where they unpack everything from the first signs of labor to the unpredictable weeks that follow. You’ll hear the full spectrum of experiences-the anxiety of unexpected complications, the raw emotion of feeding challenges, the triumph of a swift delivery, and those bizarre, laugh-out-loud moments that happen only in a hospital room. This isn't a how-to guide but a collection of human voices reminding you that you're not alone on this journey. By focusing on personal narratives, the podcast connects listeners to the cultural and relational shifts that define parenthood, all through the lens of honest storytelling. Tune in for weekly episodes that normalize the complexities of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum life, offering both solidarity and a much-needed dose of humor.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 32

The Labor Line
Podcast Episodes
Postpartum Anxiety + Choosing to Trust | Natasha’s Birth Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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