Prepared, Not Scared,
For Your Hospital Birth.
Let my 25 years of experience help you both get prepared for birth.
- Birth is unpredictable — but you don’t have to feel unprepared
- Give your partner a real role — not just a hand to hold
- Get the insider perspective only an L&D nurse can give you
Hi! I’m Hilary Erickson RN-BSN
I’m the curly head behind The Pregnancy Nurse®
I’ve spent 25 years in labor and delivery. 20 of those years were at the bedside, and I’m a mom of three myself. Now I channel everything I learned into helping couples prepare for birth. I’ve been teaching birth classes since 2014 (which I absolutely love).
My goal is simple: real, evidence-based information plus my own experience as a nurse and a mom, so you walk into that hospital feeling prepared, not scared.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Like getting advice from a trusted friend who happens to be an L&D nurse.”
Everything you need for a confident pregnancy & birth
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Recent Articles
Evidence-based articles covering everything from epidurals to birth plans — written by a real L&D nurse.
What makes labor hurt more?
No one wants labor to hurt, but the reality is that it is quite painful (and this, coming from seeing thousands of people having a…
Epidural Side Effects After Birth
I talk a lot about what to expect with the epidural as you have it, and how to make the choice to get it, but…
The 3 Worst Ways People Prepare for Birth
I think everyone knows they need to get prepared for birth. But, there are a lot of REALLY bad ways people are choosing to do…
The Benefits of an Epidural No One Talks About
We hear a lot that the epidural is evil and should be avoided at all costs. Conversely — some say the epidural was their savior…
If I had a Baby Again this is What I’d Do Different
While I am staring at the big five-zero here in the next few months (and my baby years are far behind me) — what would…
If I had a Baby Again this is What I’d Do DifferentRead More
Episiotomy vs a Natural Tear: Which Is Better?
Is it better to be cut or to tear naturally at delivery? Obviously, the answer is neither, but the majority of patients will tear at…
Epidural Myths vs. Facts: What Social Media Gets Wrong About Labor Pain Relief
Epidurals have always been a mine field of opinions, but today I want to share some of the myths vs facts about the epidural, and…
Epidural Myths vs. Facts: What Social Media Gets Wrong About Labor Pain ReliefRead More
Lies I Used to Believe about Labor & Birth
You know, I wasn’t always a labor nurse, and I definitely wasn’t a labor nurse who read all the studies and was really informed on…
How to Know If You’re Really Ready for Labor
You’ve got some onsies and you’ve watched some tiktoks and read some articles — but how do you REALLY know you’re ready to go into…
Common Choices During Labor
I often hear doulas saying that a doula helps you know your choices during labor — but gosh, I know a doula is out of…
How to Push During Labor (What No One Explains)
A lot of birth education just stops once your cervix is fully dilated (also called “complete” or 10 cm) — but, now it’s time to…
Charlie Horses in Pregnancy: What you can do to prevent them?
Charlie horses are the nickname for leg cramps. While they can happen at ANY point in your life, they especially happen during pregnancy. AND they…
Charlie Horses in Pregnancy: What you can do to prevent them?Read More
Pregnancy, Tylenol® & Autism: What Expecting Moms Need to Know
Sorting Fact from Frenzy: If you’re pregnant and confused by recent headlines about Tylenol® (acetaminophen) and its possible connections to autism, you’re not alone. The…
Pregnancy, Tylenol® & Autism: What Expecting Moms Need to KnowRead More
Why People Get An Epidural Even When They’re Not Planning On It
If most people come in labor and delivery hoping not to get an epidural, why is it that so many end up getting it? Today…
Why People Get An Epidural Even When They’re Not Planning On ItRead More
How to Feel Confident Making Choices During Labor
Are you worried about making all the choices that will confront you during labor? Honestly, I can’t blame you. The hospital is a foreign place…
What To Do If Labor Isn’t Progressing?
You may get to a point where labor stops progressing. This can feel really disheartening as you think things are going but then they’re not.…
Secret Keys to Labor that No One Talks About
There are a few keys to a great labor that no one really talks about (or talks about them right). Today I want to share…
Normal Daily Fetal Movement – Kick Counts
If you’re doing kick counts, or just feeling your baby move — what is the normal daily fetal movement count. This article will tell you…
Want even more? Check out our sister site Pulling Curls — plus catch the Pregnancy Nurse Podcast there too!
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