Transcript

Kalila (0:01)

Wait, did you tear this time?

Esther (0:04)

Tear? Exact same tear.

Co-worker/Friend (0:06)

Did you hear that, co workers? My wife got the same tear this time on her vagina that she did the first time giving birth.

Esther (0:17)

Kila. Yes, we have our first ever limited edition merch drop. There's very few left still available, but we just wanted to open up that opportunity to you guys. If you want of our Trash Tuesday shirts, we also have Trash Tuesday hats which I left mine in my car but I wear it every day. It's so cute.

Kalila (0:34)

She wore it when she gave birth during labor. It was really cute.

Esther (0:38)

If you want these because once they're gone, they're gone.

Kalila (0:42)

We're not making these again.

Esther (0:43)

And there will be a link in the description if you want the last of these cute once in a lifetime opportunity T shirts. We love our Skims everyday cotton collection and you can shop everyday cotton and all of our favorite bras and underwear@skims.com after you place your order, be sure to tell them what you we sent you. Select podcast in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows or.

Kalila (1:07)

Our Patreon is juicy.

Esther (1:08)

Oh my. It's actually not juicy, if you know what I mean. That's way too.

Kalila (1:14)

Yeah, it was extremely tmi. But you know what? No take backs, no regrets.

Esther (1:18)

Go to patreon.com Trash Tuesday podcast or click the link below. Definitely check out our Patreon. This is the time to join. If you haven't yet, I promise, don't do it. Wow. Wow. Hello.

Kalila (1:34)

It's been a while.

Esther (1:36)

Did you miss me? I noticed you haven't said that yet.

Kalila (1:38)

I. I did miss you. I did.

Esther (1:40)

You did?

Kalila (1:41)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think I've just been like, you know, really? We talk every day. You tell me, you know, you tell me every single detail of your postpartum journey. So I, for me, I don't miss you because I. I still have you.

Summary

Trash Tuesday: Esther's Second Baby Birth Story w/ Dave King

Podcast: Trash Tuesday w/ Esther Povitsky & Khalyla Kuhn
Hosts: Khalyla Kuhn & Esther Povitsky
Guest: Dave King
Date: April 14, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode marks Esther Povitsky’s much-anticipated return after the birth of her second child. The central focus is Esther’s detailed, hilarious, and candid account of her second birth story, accompanied by her husband Dave King. Esther, Khalyla, and Dave dive into the emotional rollercoaster of labor, unexpected bodily phenomena, post-partum feelings, and the challenges and victories of childbirth and motherhood the second time around. The conversation is warm, self-deprecating, and truthful, with frequent digressions into relationships, trauma, and the unique strain (and joy) of being a mother.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Esther’s Return, Maternity Leave, and Motherhood Mood

[01:34]–[04:16]

Esther returns after two months off, explains she left earlier than intended due to pre-labor contractions at 36 weeks.
She jokes about “mommy brain” (accidentally tagging a friend as another person on Instagram).
Esther dives into the oft-not-discussed realities of postpartum life, including leaking urine and bodily changes, with her trademark irreverence.
She unabashedly celebrates her son, reflecting on previous gender disappointment and how it changed the moment she held him:

“The second he was on my chest, I’m like, oh, he is actually so cute...I was scared of him having a penis and balls, and I’m like, they’re so cute.” – Esther [04:36]

2. Birth Story: From Anxiety to Euphoria

[04:16]–[44:22]

The Lead-Up: Anxiety, Hospital, and Epidurals

[04:16]–[18:09]

Esther details having a lingering cold, repeated false labor (Braxton Hicks), and wanting a movie-style natural labor.
She describes hospital intake, triage woes (“triage is like where the losers are” [09:03]), and her crushing anxiety about labor risks—exacerbated by “bad birth” TikToks.
On the pressure to have an “ideal” experience and fear of death in childbirth:

“My brain goes to the worst case. I’m like, I’m gonna die in childbirth.” – Esther [11:01]
Esther requests an early epidural before a Foley balloon induction, feeling insecure about breaking the “rules.” The anesthesiologist's empathy helps her feel validated:

“He goes, ‘Oh, that’s what my wife did and she was really glad she did.’ And I’m like, I love you.” – Esther [17:01]
The joy of pain relief:

“If I could walk into a bar tonight and order an epidural, I would be there.” – Esther [17:16]

Labor Progression & Unique Complications

[18:09]–[28:07]

Baby is initially sunny side up, which worries Esther due to her TikTok-fed anxieties.
The induction progresses rapidly—her Foley balloon falls out quickly, indicating rapid dilation (“The first time they come in, they’re like, oh, it fell out.” [24:09]).
Her unusual symptom: coughing with every contraction. Nurses initially skeptical, but soon verify:

“The nurse goes... ‘Oh, you really are coughing every time you contract.’ I’m like, yeah, that’s what I’ve been saying.” – Esther [24:51]

The Delivery: Fast and Calm

[36:15]–[44:22]

Water breaks naturally overnight during induction.
Pitocin is turned off as her body takes over, and contractions ramp up. Esther starts vomiting, signaling imminent delivery.
Pushing phase is remarkably short:

“The baby's born at 1:58am and there's only seven minutes of pushing...four contractions.” – Dave [37:31]
The atmosphere is calm, even sleepy, a contrast from her first birth’s urgency.
On having a much smoother experience:

“When they say second babies come fast—don’t be like me, believe them!” – Esther [39:17]

Emotional Impact & Comparing Births

[39:40]–[44:22]

Esther feels bittersweet reflecting on Ace’s more traumatic birth versus Bernie’s smooth arrival, wrestling with feelings of being “gypped” out of a magical first experience.
Khalyla offers validation and perspective on trauma, luck, and the randomness of birth complications.

3. The Aftermath: Naming, Postpartum, and Breastfeeding

[44:46]–[50:10]

Naming Their Son

The couple chose “Bernard Samuel” (Bernie) after a family member, appreciating the vintage, uncommon quality of the name.

“My criteria for a baby name is that no one’s going to use it...His name is Bernard.” – Esther [45:43]
Discussion on Jewish naming customs (waiting until after a namesake’s passing), and sideline stories about famous Bernards.

Breastfeeding & Second Time Jitters

Esther relishes a “win” with successful initial breastfeeding this time, a contrast to her first baby (Ace), who was formula-fed due to medical complications.

“Proudly state that win. Because I had such a loss on the first one where I did not get the opportunity to breastfeed at all.” – Esther [49:09]
Dave jokes about Esther’s recurring vaginal tear (“same tear”), sparking comic relief:

“Did you hear that, coworkers? My wife got the same tear this time on her vagina that she did the first time giving birth.” – Dave [50:21]

4. Postpartum Realities: Humor & Hard Truths

[50:11]–[73:13]

Physical Recovery & Parenting

Esther describes new postpartum quirks—peeing herself, depletion, and the exhaustion of handling two children.
The realities of marriage and domesticity are openly discussed (Dave’s bloody leg scratches, cookie preferences, and infamous “Subway footlong” incident).
Esther reflects on how different her perspective and recovery are compared to round one—there’s less existential shock, but more juggling.

Friendship & Support

Khalyla and Esther compare postpartum recoveries and the invisible disabilities of disabilities (e.g., Bell’s palsy for Khalyla).
Khalyla gently reframes Esther’s guilt over Ace not breastfeeding, focusing on mental health and “best version” of motherhood:

“Ace got the best version of you—the mentally strong version of you.” – Khalyla [68:31]

Emotional Reflections

Esther voices grief and guilt about her first birth’s trauma and missing milestones, but gradually accepts that both breastfeeding and formula are valid, feeding journeys.

Notable Quotes

On gender disappointment:

“You have these fantasies…but when that baby, you’re like, who the cares? Like, this is perfection.” – Khalyla [04:16]
On fear before labor:

“I’m gonna die in childbirth.” – Esther [11:01]
After epidural:

“If I could walk into a bar tonight and order an epidural, I would be there.” – Esther [17:16]
Rapid delivery:

“The baby's born at 1:58am and there's only seven minutes of pushing...four contractions.” – Dave [37:31]
Comparing births:

“When they say second babies come fast—don’t be like me, believe them!” – Esther [39:17]
On parenting two:

“Zero to one is, like, you learn a whole new operating system. One to two...you already know the OS, it’s just way more hard.” – Esther [71:10]
On the meaning of motherhood:

“Ace got the best version of you—the mentally strong version of you...it all worked out the way it needed to work out.” – Khalyla [68:31]

Timestamps for Key Segments

[01:34] Esther’s return, catching up with Khalyla.
[04:36] Initial worries about the baby’s gender.
[09:03] Entering triage and hospital intake woes.
[11:01] Anxiety about dying in childbirth.
[17:01] Relief after anesthesiologist affirms early epidural.
[24:51] Nurse validates Esther’s unique “contraction cough.”
[36:20] Water breaks naturally, progression towards active labor.
[37:31] Only seven minutes of pushing, rapid delivery.
[39:40] Emotional impact of contrasting birth experiences.
[45:43] Discussion of baby names.
[49:09] Esther celebrates a successful breastfeeding start.
[50:21] Dave’s comic “same tear” announcement.
[64:43] Esther reflects on her wild postpartum hormonal dreams.
[68:31] Khalyla reframes guilt over different feeding journeys.

Memorable Moments

Esther’s self-deprecating humor: Repeated jokes about her body, anxiety, and the realities of labor set a candid, relatable tone.
Dave’s calmness during labor: The comic contrast between Esther’s panic and Dave’s understated excitement during the drive to the hospital [22:31].
Comic bits: The “same tear” on her vagina; Dave’s comments about scratching his bloody legs in bed [51:14]; and the famous “Subway footlong” incident.
Raw postpartum dialogue: Honest admissions about recovery, guilt, differences between formula and breastfeeding without shame or filter.

Tone & Style

The episode is an honest, warm, confessional, and riotous conversation about birth and motherhood—full of irreverence, medical TMI, and genuine friendship. Esther’s openness is balanced by Khalyla’s soothing logic and empathy, while Dave provides comedic counterpoints and supportive detail. The result is a deeply relatable portrait of modern motherhood, warts, leaky bits, and all.

For listeners craving real, unsanitized stories about birth, partnerships, and the relentless weirdness of postpartum life, this episode delivers a blend of gallows humor, vulnerability, and hard-won wisdom.