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
SURPRISE! I'm Pregnant!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:01
You read that right! I’m having a baby!! Today, I give you all the deets from before we even knew we were pregnant to our recent struggle to find out the gender of our baby and everything in between! It is such a joy and…
Positive Labor + Exclusively Pumping | Valeria's Birth Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:18
On the 10th episode of The Labor Line, I’m joined by my friend Valeria, who had only ever held one baby before she had her own! From finding the right circle of friends that helped her feel confident enough to become a m…
Unexpected Twins + Early Labor | Madeline’s Birth Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:44
This week on The Labor Line, I’m joined by my friend Madeline, whose twin pregnancy was as surprising as it was thrilling! From working with a midwife at a birth center to mitigate fearmongering common with a twin pregna…
RhoGAM Shots + ICP Diagnosis | Lauren’s Birth Stories [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:14
This week on The Labor Line, I’m joined by my lifelong friend Lauren, who had 3 unique birth experiences that all informed one another. From a positive introduction into motherhood with her first, to a mentally difficult…
Surrendering to Birth + Peaceful C-Section | Mariah’s Birth Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:46
This week on The Labor Line, I’m joined by my friend Mariah, who brings her wisdom as an emotional processing yoga coach to the world of birth. From dreaming of a quiet, at-home birth to some late pregnancy hurdles that…
Successful IUI + Positive Pregnancy | Annika’s Birth Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:56
This week, I’m joined by my friend from home, Annika, who is such a kind and resilient person.After wrestling with several chronic health issues in her early twenties, Annika shares her winding road to mom-hood, includin…
Empowering Birth + Comforting Community | Anahi's Birth Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:12
This week on The Labor Line, I’m joined by my college friend, Anahi, who’s a true girl’s girl and all-around gem.She shares what it was like emotionally adjusting to pregnancy, how she and her husband tackled labor as a…
Big Babies + ZTTK Diagnosis | Becca's Birth Stories [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:49
This week on The Labor Line, I’m joined by my sister-friend Becca, the kind of mom who brings light, laughter, and a roll-with-the-punches attitude to everything life (and birth) throws at her.She walks us through her 10…
Hospital Fiascos + Hip Dysplasia | Lindsy's Birth Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:46
This week on The Labor Line, I’m joined by my powerhouse of a mom-friend, Lindsy, who brings the kind of raw, beautiful honesty that this podcast is all about.After a smooth pregnancy, things took a wild turn: her OB com…