PPD + Down Syndrome | Hannah’s Birth Stories

PPD + Down Syndrome | Hannah’s Birth Stories

Author: Emily Lau September 23, 2025 Duration: 1:10:58

This week, I am joined by my friend Hannah, who went from not knowing how an epidural worked to delivering her third without her husband while he was at military training! Her experiences include (but aren’t limited to) pre-eclampsia, severe postpartum depression, the emotional impact of 2 miscarriages,  and joyfully welcoming their son with Down syndrome.   

In this episode: 

  • 38 hours of labor (!!) followed by a month-long NICU stay
  • The emotional whiplash of pregnancy closing following loss 
  • Learning the difference between “baby blues” and postpartum depression
  • Choosing an amniocentesis to confirm genetic testing
  • Being welcomed into the tight-knit Down syndrome community


Hannah’s story stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of moms everywhere. This is your reminder that brighter days are ahead, even if you feel at the end of your rope. 


Trigger Warning: Discussion of suicidal ideation (24:55 to 25:13 & 1:02:18) 


Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodes


Chapters: 

4:47 - Meet Hannah

10:57 - 1st Child: Pre-eclampsia, NICU, Colic, & Unrecognized PPD

16:30 - 1st Miscarriage

19:00 - 2nd Child: Easy Pregnancy, Positive Birth, & Recognized PPD

26:10 - 2nd Miscarriage

30:16 - 3rd Child: Amniocentesis, Down Syndrome Diagnosis, Emergency C-Section, & Positive Postpartum

1:04:00 - 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
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