Episode 6

full
Published on:

5th Aug 2025

Polyhydramnios Induction + Redemptive Water Birth | Maddie’s Birth Stories

This week on The Labor Line, I’m joined by my friend Maddie, whose birth stories are as powerful as they are different. From a long, exhausting hospital induction with polyhydramnios to a fast, redemptive unmedicated birth at a birth center—plus the emotional experience of miscarriage in between—Maddie shares it all with honesty, insight, and so much heart.

In this episode: 

  • 3 DAYS of hospital labor (48+ hours unmedicated!)
  • Moving across the country with a newborn
  • Coping with a miscarriage
  • The shock of a subchorionic hemorrhage
  • Healing, unmedicated birth center experience
  • A birth prep must = Disney Jeopardy! 

Maddie’s story is one of strength, surrender, and showing up with love. I know y’all will be just as moved by it as I was.

🎧 New episodes every Tuesday

📱 Follow along on Instagram @thelaborline

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols

New Sibling Course Pack by LoveEvery


Chapters: 

00:00 - Meet Maddie 

08:13 - Deciding to Have Kids

11:39 - 1st Pregnancy: Exhaustion + Polyhydramnios 

17:55 - 1st Labor: Induction, 3 DAYS of Labor, & Epidural

25:33 - 1st Postpartum: No Sleep + Cross-Country Move

30:18 - Miscarriage: Grief + Emotional Support

45:08 - 2nd Pregnancy: Physical Prep + Subchorionic Hemorrhage

56:25 - 2nd Labor: Birth Center + Redemptive Water Birth

1:29:00 - 2nd Postpartum: Quick Healing + Adjusting to 2 Children

1:35:00 -To My Pre-Mom Self..



Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for The Labor Line

About the Podcast

The Labor Line
A mom-to-be's authentic look into the birth experiences of her mom-friends.
The Labor Line is a real, unfiltered birth story podcast hosted by mom-to-be Emily, who was obsessed with birth long before her own was imminent.

Every Tuesday, Emily sits down with her mom friends to hear honest, hilarious, and deeply human stories about pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum. Whether it’s an emotional conversation about breastfeeding struggles, an epic one-push delivery, or a hilarious “wait, did that nurse just call my baby ugly?” moment, no detail is too raw, real, or ridiculous.

This isn’t a clinical breakdown or crunchy birth corner. It’s more like eavesdropping on a late-night call between best friends, complete with laughter, tears, jaw-dropping moments, and sincere conversations about what it actually feels like to be a mom.

Perfect for moms, birth nerds, doulas, expecting parents, or anyone curious about the real side of bringing little people into the world. The Labor Line delivers weekly episodes full of heart, humor, and total honesty.

🎧 New episodes every Tuesday
🩷 Follow on Instagram: @thelaborline

-

Keywords: birth stories podcast, real labor stories, pregnancy podcast, postpartum stories, c-section podcast, funny birth podcast, honest motherhood, podcast for moms, women's health podcast, birth podcast hosted by moms

About your host

Profile picture for Emily Lau

Emily Lau

Hey y'all, I'm your host, Emily. I live in South Austin with my amazing husband, Nate, and our perfect pup, Magnolia.

I’ve been fascinated by birth for as long as I can remember — while most kids were up early on Saturday mornings watching cartoons, I was sneaking downstairs to watch birthing shows on TLC 😅.

Studying women’s health in college and training as a doula reminded me just how powerful (and fun) it is to hear birth stories firsthand.

I created the Labor Line to celebrate and elevate these incredible experiences in a chill, accessible way.