Lo & Behold | Pregnancy, Birth, Motherhood

Join YBYB: www.thelabormama.com/birth & use the code PODCAST to save 20%
In this special Q&A episode, I’m joined by a very requested guest - my husband, Kelvin! We’re talking all about birth partner prep, postpartum prep, parenting, and what it’s really looked like for us to navigate birth prep for four babies, marriage, and family life together. We share how we prepared for our first birth, why taking a birth class together was so valuable, what Kelvin thought about unmedicated birth, and how he learned to step into the birth partner role with confidence. We also talk through practical ways partners can show up during labor, why flexibility matters so much, and how preparing together can completely change the birth experience.
We also get honest about postpartum life, bringing home your first baby, learning how to communicate in a new season, and figuring out roles as your family grows. Kelvin shares his perspective on fatherhood, what he’s loved most about becoming a dad, and some of the harder parts of parenting in the trenches right now. This episode is full of laughter, real talk, and encouragement for couples who want to feel more connected, more prepared, and more confident heading into birth and beyond.
More from this episode:
Listen to Episode 10: The Emotional Signposts of Labor (an Episode for Every Birth Partner to Hear)
Grab the book: Go the F to Sleep
Helpful Timestamps:
00:00 Q & A with Kelvin
07:48 Birth Prep Questions Begin
08:14 Early Birth Preferences
12:20 Unmedicated Plan and No Doula
15:51 Dad's Role in the Room
18:06 Boundaries and Showing Up
27:17 Labor Roles That Help
33:53 Postpartum Expectations
39:22 Would You Change Anything
41:23 Gaining Confidence With Each Birth
43:20 Dad Life

About your host:
🩺🤰🏻Lo Mansfield, MSN, RNC-OB, CLC is a registered nurse, mama of 4, and a birth, baby, and motherhood enthusiast. She is both the host of the Lo & Behold podcast and the founder of The Labor Mama.
For more education, support and “me too” from Lo, please visit her website and check out her online courses and digital guides for birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum/newborns. You can also follow @thelabormama and @loandbehold_thepodcast on Instagram and join her email list here.
For more pregnancy, birth, postpartum and motherhood conversation each week, be sure to subscribe to The Lo & Behold podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to listen!
👉🏼 A request: If this episode meant something to you, would you consider a 5 star rating and leaving us a review? Yes, we read them, and yes, they help keep L & B going! ♥️
Connect with Lo more on: INSTAGRAM | TIK TOK | PINTEREST | FACEBOOK
Disclaimer
Opinions shared by guests of this show are their own, and do not always reflect those of The Labor Mama platform. Additionally, the information you hear on this podcast or that you receive via any linked resources should not be considered medical advice. Please see our full disclaimer here.
Additionally, we may make a small commission from some of the links shared with you. Please know, this comes at no additional cost to you, supports our small biz, and is a way for us to share brands and products with you that we genuinely love.
Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services
Mentioned in this episode:
YBYB 20% off ad link

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Emily to walk through a birth & breastfeeding story that truly took some unexpected turns - from a super fast-moving labor that started out feeling empowering and intense, to a shift in momentum that led to more interventions than she had planned. She shares what it was like navigating that experience in real time, including the emotional and physical challenges of labor stalling, making decisions around pain management, and ultimately bringing her baby girl into the world after a 24 hour labor and unpredictable journey. But where this conversation really deepens is in the postpartum period.
Emily opens up about her breastfeeding journey and the confusion, frustration, and heartbreak she experienced when things weren’t working the way she expected. After 8 weeks of trying everything and not getting clear answers, she was eventually diagnosed with breast hypoplasia, also known as insufficient glandular tissue (IGT), a primary cause of low milk supply that’s not often talked about. We discuss the gaps in education and support around low supply, the emotional weight of feeding struggles, and what it looks like to redefine your expectations while still maintaining a meaningful breastfeeding relationship.
More from Emily Shapiro:
Connect with Emily on IG: @n.ight.garden or you can email her at [email protected]
Her birth + breastfeeding resources include:
The Breastfeeding Blueprint course by The Labor Mama
Whapio Diane Bartlett

Helpful Timestamps:
00:00 Low Milk Supply
01:46 Welcome Emily Shapiro
04:25 Birth Plan and Hospital Reality
09:56 Arriving at 7 Centimeters
12:45 Water Tub Relief and Transition
14:59 Labor Stalls & Making Decisions
25:49 Postpartum: Low Supply Challenges
32:45 Breast Hypoplasia Diagnosis Explained
44:51 Takeaways on Low Supply
47:04 Resources and Where to Connect

About your host:
🩺🤰🏻Lo Mansfield, MSN, RNC-OB, CLC is a registered nurse, mama of 4, and a birth, baby, and motherhood enthusiast. She is both the host of the Lo & Behold podcast and the founder of The Labor Mama.
For more education, support and “me too” from Lo, please visit her website and check out her online courses and digital guides for birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum/newborns. You can also follow @thelabormama and @loandbehold_thepodcast on Instagram and join her email list here.
For more pregnancy, birth, postpartum and motherhood conversation each week, be sure to subscribe to The Lo & Behold podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to listen!
👉🏼 A request: If this episode meant something to you, would you consider a 5 star rating and leaving us a review? Yes, we read them, and yes, they help keep L & B going! ♥️
Connect with Lo more on: INSTAGRAM | TIK TOK | PINTEREST | FACEBOOK
Disclaimer
Opinions shared by guests of this show are their own, and do not always reflect those of The Labor Mama platform. Additionally, the information you hear on this podcast or that you receive via any linked resources should not be considered medical advice. Please see our full disclaimer here.
Additionally, we may make a small commission from some of the links shared with you. Please know, this comes at no additional cost to you, supports our small biz, and is a way for us to share brands and products with you that we genuinely love.
Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services
Mentioned in this episode:
TBB 20% off ad link

Join YBYB: www.thelabormama.com/birth & use the code PODCAST to save 20%
I wanted to sit down and just give you the real, practical, no-fluff breakdown of membrane sweeping at the end of pregnancy - because this is one of those topics that comes up constantly when you’re 38, 39, 40 weeks and just ready to meet your baby. In this episode, I walk you through exactly what a membrane sweep is (and how it’s tied to a cervical exam), what it actually feels like, and what it’s trying to do - basically, give your body a gentle nudge by releasing prostaglandins to maybe kickstart labor. I’m really clear about this: it’s still a medical intervention, even if it’s on the more “natural” end of the induction spectrum. And consent matters - big time. You can absolutely say yes to an exam and no to a sweep, and those should never be bundled together without your full understanding.
From there, I get into the nuance that people often skip - like the fact that sweeps can increase your chances of going into labor sooner, but they’re far from a magic button. Sometimes nothing happens. Sometimes it takes multiple sweeps. Sometimes “success” just means you avoided a formal induction days later - not that you went into labor that night. I also talk through the real pros (possibly avoiding medical induction) and the very real cons (discomfort, cramping, frustration, and rare risks like infection or accidentally breaking your water). And ultimately, my whole message is this: this isn’t about whether a membrane sweep is “good” or “bad.” It’s about whether it’s the right choice for you, your body, your baby’s position, and your circumstances. Your body isn’t broken if it doesn’t work - and if it does work, it’s probably because your body was already getting ready. This is just a tool, and you get to decide if and when to use it.
More from this episode:
Listen to Episode #21: What's the Big Deal About Cervical Exams & Should You Say Yes or No?
Helpful Timestamps:
00:00 Membrane Sweeps
04:29 What a Membrane Sweep Is
09:51 What It Feels Like
14:38 Evidence Behind Membrane Sweeps
20:08 Risks and Downsides
23:12 Baby Position Considerations
24:59 Who Should Skip Sweeps
25:43 Making the Decision
27:45 Key Takeaways

About your host:
🩺🤰🏻Lo Mansfield, MSN, RNC-OB, CLC is a registered nurse, mama of 4, and a birth, baby, and motherhood enthusiast. She is both the host of the Lo & Behold podcast and the founder of The Labor Mama.
For more education, support and “me too” from Lo, please visit her website and check out her online courses and digital guides for birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum/newborns. You can also follow @thelabormama and @loandbehold_thepodcast on Instagram and join her email list here.
For more pregnancy, birth, postpartum and motherhood conversation each week, be sure to subscribe to The Lo & Behold podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to listen!
👉🏼 A request: If this episode meant something to you, would you consider a 5 star rating and leaving us a review? Yes, we read them, and yes, they help keep L & B going! ♥️
Connect with Lo more on: INSTAGRAM | TIK TOK | PINTEREST | FACEBOOK
Disclaimer
Opinions shared by guests of this show are their own, and do not always reflect those of The Labor Mama platform. Additionally, the information you hear on this podcast or that you receive via any linked resources should not be considered medical advice. Please see our full disclaimer here.
Additionally, we may make a small commission from some of the links shared with you. Please know, this comes at no additional cost to you, supports our small biz, and is a way for us to share brands and products with you that we genuinely love.
Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services
Mentioned in this episode:
YBYB 20% off ad link

Join YBYB: www.thelabormama.com/birth & use the code PODCAST to save 20%
I am so excited to share this episode with you because we finally have our very first male guest on the podcast - Dr. Ahan Hunter, an OB/GYN from Virginia! We kicked things off by chatting about what it’s like being a man in a super female-dominated field, how he fell in love with birth during med school, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) pushback he sometimes faces. But the real heart of this conversation is all things induction — why there’s this weird “evil induction” stigma out there, and how we can swing the pendulum back to the middle where informed choice lives.
We broke down the difference between induction and augmentation, talked through real reasons people get induced (high blood pressure, diabetes, big baby concerns, going past your due date, or even just being totally done being pregnant after 39 weeks), and dug into the data versus the guilt we sometimes feel about our choices. Dr. Hunter shared his honest take on the Arrive trial, C-section risks, baby size estimates, and how monitoring can give you options if you want to wait a little longer. The whole conversation felt like the supportive, judgment-free chat I wish every pregnant person could have with their provider. If you’ve ever felt torn about inductions or just want to feel empowered to ask better questions, this one’s for you!
More from Dr. Ahan Hunter:
Follow Dr. Hunter on TikTok, Instagram, FaceBook & YouTube @drahanhunter
Helpful Timestamps:
00:00 Induction Stigma & Myths
03:34 Welcome Dr. Ahan Hunter
05:57 Male Provider Trust
09:22 Finding the Right Fit
15:00 Induction Pendulum Shift
18:00 Induction Vs Augmentation
21:13 Reasons To Induce
27:23 Big Baby Size Debate
31:24 Advocating for Your Choices
34:01 Arrive Trial Explained
38:09 C-Section Risk Talk
47:03 Choosing Your Provider

About your host:
🩺🤰🏻Lo Mansfield, MSN, RNC-OB, CLC is a registered nurse, mama of 4, and a birth, baby, and motherhood enthusiast. She is both the host of the Lo & Behold podcast and the founder of The Labor Mama.
For more education, support and “me too” from Lo, please visit her website and check out her online courses and digital guides for birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum/newborns. You can also follow @thelabormama and @loandbehold_thepodcast on Instagram and join her email list here.
For more pregnancy, birth, postpartum and motherhood conversation each week, be sure to subscribe to The Lo & Behold podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to listen!
👉🏼 A request: If this episode meant something to you, would you consider a 5 star rating and leaving us a review? Yes, we read them, and yes, they help keep L & B going! ♥️
Connect with Lo more on: INSTAGRAM | TIK TOK | PINTEREST | FACEBOOK
Disclaimer
Opinions shared by guests of this show are their own, and do not always reflect those of The Labor Mama platform. Additionally, the information you hear on this podcast or that you receive via any linked resources should not be considered medical advice. Please see our full disclaimer here.
Additionally, we may make a small commission from some of the links shared with you. Please know, this comes at no additional cost to you, supports our small biz, and is a way for us to share brands and products with you that we genuinely love.
Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services
Mentioned in this episode:
YBYB 20% off ad link

Join YBYB: www.thelabormama.com/birth & use the code PODCAST to save 20%
I sat down with Sydney, better known online as Nurse Sydney, a labor and delivery nurse with six years of hands-on experience. We had such a fun, practical conversation about all the different pain management tools and comfort measures available during labor - from TENS units and birth combs to sterile water injections, IV pain meds, nitrous oxide, and of course the epidural. We even ranked them like we’ve been seeing trending online, and we get real about what actually helps, what’s underrated, and how so many of these tools work best when you combine them together.
We also touched on something really important toward the end of the episode (check timestamps) - Sydney opened up about her history with an eating disorder and how she’s thoughtfully preparing for pregnancy and postpartum, making sure she has the right support in place. It was such an honest and compassionate conversation about how body image, food relationships, and the rapid changes of pregnancy can feel complicated, and why it’s so valuable to talk openly with your care team and surround yourself with positivity. Whether you’re planning a birth, supporting someone through it, or just love birth education, this episode is packed with real-talk tools and heartfelt reminders that you deserve compassionate care no matter what.
More from Nurse Sydney:
Visit www.nursesydney.com
Follow her on Instagram, FaceBook, TikTok, or YouTube: @nursesydney
Helpful Timestamps:
00:00 Comfort Tools During Labor
02:29 Meet Nurse Sydney
10:28 Ranking Birth Pain Tools
15:02 Hydrotherapy and Environment
17:43 TENS Unit Breakdown
21:48 Birth Combs and Spiky Balls
24:32 Sterile Water Injections
28:56 IV Pain Meds Explained
33:51 Nitrous How It Works
38:33 The Epidural
43:17 Pudendal Block Option
47:09 Eating Disorder Pregnancy Prep
52:36 Building Support Care Plans

About your host:
🩺🤰🏻Lo Mansfield, MSN, RNC-OB, CLC is a registered nurse, mama of 4, and a birth, baby, and motherhood enthusiast. She is both the host of the Lo & Behold podcast and the founder of The Labor Mama.
For more education, support and “me too” from Lo, please visit her website and check out her online courses and digital guides for birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum/newborns. You can also follow @thelabormama and @loandbehold_thepodcast on Instagram and join her email list here.
For more pregnancy, birth, postpartum and motherhood conversation each week, be sure to subscribe to The Lo & Behold podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to listen!
👉🏼 A request: If this episode meant something to you, would you consider a 5 star rating and leaving us a review? Yes, we read them, and yes, they help keep L & B going! ♥️
Connect with Lo more on: INSTAGRAM | TIK TOK | PINTEREST | FACEBOOK
Disclaimer
Opinions shared by guests of this show are their own, and do not always reflect those of The Labor Mama platform. Additionally, the information you hear on this podcast or that you receive via any linked resources should not be considered medical advice. Please see our full disclaimer here.
Additionally, we may make a small commission from some of the links shared with you. Please know, this comes at no additional cost to you, supports our small biz, and is a way for us to share brands and products with you that we genuinely love.
Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services
Mentioned in this episode:
YBYB 20% off ad link