Lo & Behold | Pregnancy, Birth, Motherhood

What I Wish I Knew About Baby Sleep Before They Were Born (from a mom of 4) | Episode 54

When it comes to baby sleep, I'm not coming at you as an expert - I'm coming at you as a mom of four who has been in the trenches and figured some things out the hard way. The biggest thing I want you to take away is this idea of anchors - rhythms and routines you can float around and return to, not rigid schedules that are going to stress you out when life doesn't cooperate. For me, those anchors looked like paying attention to sleep cues, thinking about total sleep needs in a 24-hour period, swaddling in those early weeks, and helping babies work through that day-night confusion. Join YBYB: www.thelabormama.com/birth [https://lo-behold-pregnancy-birth-motherhood.captivate.fm/birth] & use the code PODCAST to save 20% I also really want you to hear about Safe Sleep Seven, because whether you plan to bed-share or not, the reality is most of us are going to fall asleep with our babies at some point - and knowing how to do that as safely as possible is something that honestly should be part of every hospital discharge conversation but isn't. Mentioned in this episode: Safe Co Sleeping: The Safe Sleep Seven [https://llli.org/news/the-safe-sleep-seven/] Helpful Timestamps: * 00:00 What You Need to Know About Baby Sleep * 01:42 Why Baby Sleep is a Spicy Topic * 06:53 Anchors Not Rules * 09:15 Follow Your Gut * 10:34 Safe Sleep Seven * 16:19 Newborn Rhythm Basics * 18:49 Foundations for Better Sleep * 27:40 Wake Windows and Cues * 31:11 Common Sleep Myths 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 [https://thelabormama.com/] and check out her online courses and digital guides for birth [https://thelabormama.com/your-body-your-birth-course], breastfeeding [https://thelabormama.com/breastfeeding-course], and postpartum/newborns [https://thelabormama.com/postpartum-and-newborn-care-course]. You can also follow @thelabormama [https://www.instagram.com/thelabormama/] and @loandbehold_thepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/loandbehold_thepodcast/] on Instagram and join her email list here. [http://thelabormama.com/general-list-sign-up] 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 [https://www.instagram.com/] | TIK TOK [https://www.tiktok.com/@thelabormama] | PINTEREST [https://www.pinterest.com/thelabormama/] | FACEBOOK [https://www.facebook.com/thelabormama] 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. [https://thelabormama.com/disclaimer] 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 [https://vadenpodcastservices.com/] Mentioned in this episode: YBYB 20% off ad link [https://lo-behold-pregnancy-birth-motherhood.captivate.fm/birth]

The Truth About Low Milk Supply: What Everyone Needs to Know Before Baby is Born with Kaia Lacey, CLC | Episode 53

Low milk supply is one of those topics that doesn't get nearly enough attention. I sat down with Kaia Lacy - IBCLC, mom of three, partner to the Low Milk Supply Foundation, and the voice behind Low Supply Mom - to have the conversation I wish more people had access to before they had their babies. She’s breaking down the difference between primary and secondary low milk supply, what actually causes each, and why that overly simplified "it's just supply and demand" advice can do more harm than good for so many families. Spoiler: up to 10-15% of breastfeeding moms may have low supply due to underlying causes like thyroid dysfunction, insulin resistance, or insufficient glandular tissue - and that old 3-5% stat? Turns out it was never even scientifically confirmed. Join The Breastfeeding Blueprint: www.thelabormama.com/breastfeeding [https://lo-behold-pregnancy-birth-motherhood.captivate.fm/breastfeeding] & use the code PODCAST to save 20% We also get into the science of why supply can drop - think prolactin receptors, the feedback inhibitor of lactation, and what's actually happening at a cellular level when things aren't working - without making your head spin. Whether you're pregnant with your first baby, navigating low supply right now, or heading into a subsequent pregnancy after a tough breastfeeding experience, Kaia's message is clear: this is not about effort, and you are not broken. This episode is equal parts education and permission slip, and I could not be more glad to have gotten this conversation in front of you. More from Kaia Lacy: Visit www.lowsupplymom.com [http://www.lowsupplymom.com/] Follow her on Instagram @lowsupplymom [https://www.instagram.com/lowsupplymom/] Mentioned in this episode: Listen to episode 48: Low Milk Supply & Breast Hypoplasia: Emily's Birth Story & Breastfeeding Challenges [https://thelabormama.com/captivate-podcast/low-milk-supply-and-breast-hypoplasia-with-emily-shapiro/] Helpful Timestamps: * 00:00 How Common Is Low Supply? * 08:30 Primary vs Secondary Low Supply Explained * 12:42 Primary Causes * 16:03 Secondary Causes * 18:54 Prolactin Receptors and FIL Science * 28:26 Why Supply and Demand Falls Short * 37:21 Primary Low Supply Validation * 40:31 IGT Signs and Red Flags * 46:50 Support Options and Resources for Low Supply 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 [https://thelabormama.com/] and check out her online courses and digital guides for birth [https://thelabormama.com/your-body-your-birth-course], breastfeeding [https://thelabormama.com/breastfeeding-course], and postpartum/newborns [https://thelabormama.com/postpartum-and-newborn-care-course]. You can also follow @thelabormama [https://www.instagram.com/thelabormama/] and @loandbehold_thepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/loandbehold_thepodcast/] on Instagram and join her email list here. [http://thelabormama.com/general-list-sign-up] 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 [https://www.instagram.com/] | TIK TOK [https://www.tiktok.com/@thelabormama] | PINTEREST [https://www.pinterest.com/thelabormama/] | FACEBOOK [https://www.facebook.com/thelabormama] 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. [https://thelabormama.com/disclaimer] 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 [https://vadenpodcastservices.com/] Mentioned in this episode: TBB 20% off ad link [https://lo-behold-pregnancy-birth-motherhood.captivate.fm/breastfeeding]

Two Positive, Epidural-Free, Fast Hospital Births when GBS Positive: Alex Neva | Episode 52

Join YBYB: www.thelabormama.com/birth [https://lo-behold-pregnancy-birth-motherhood.captivate.fm/birth] & use the code PODCAST to save 20% I'm sitting down with Alex, a pediatric physical therapist and mom of two under two, to hear her two positive, unmedicated hospital birth stories! Alex shares everything from how she and her husband prepared for their first unmedicated birth, why knowing your "why" is so crucial going in, and how early, open communication with your partner and provider made all the difference. Her first birth? Absolutely magical. Her second? She was shopping at Walmart when her water broke and basically refused to leave. Classic denial, and I am here for it. But beyond the laughs, what I love most about Alex's stories is the depth of reflection she brings to both experiences. She talks about how an unmedicated birth does not mean a "no pain support" birth, the unique challenge of a fast labor, why she wished she'd had a doula the second time around, and how she's learning to hold her second birth with the same positive language as her first - even though it looked completely different. If you've ever wondered whether you can have a truly positive birth experience more than once, or if you're prepping for an unmedicated birth and want to feel seen and encouraged, this episode is for you. Resources from this episode: * Your Body, Your Birth [https://lo-behold-pregnancy-birth-motherhood.captivate.fm/birth] * The Breastfeeding Blueprint [https://lo-behold-pregnancy-birth-motherhood.captivate.fm/breastfeeding] Helpful Timestamps: * 00:00 Alex’s Birth Stories * 03:48 Planning for Unmedicated Birth * 06:31 Support Options and Partner Prep * 10:07 Early Labor Denial at 37 Weeks * 14:31 Hospital Arrival and Toilet Labor * 20:17 Second Birth Prep and Tough Decisions * 24:56 Why Prepare Again * 28:58 Water Breaks at Walmart * 32:06 Triage Denial and Pressure * 35:51 GBS Antibiotics Dilemma * 37:05 Three Hour Birth * 43:26 Postpartum GBS Anxiety * 45:03 Favorite Resources 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 [https://thelabormama.com/] and check out her online courses and digital guides for birth [https://thelabormama.com/your-body-your-birth-course], breastfeeding [https://thelabormama.com/breastfeeding-course], and postpartum/newborns [https://thelabormama.com/postpartum-and-newborn-care-course]. You can also follow @thelabormama [https://www.instagram.com/thelabormama/] and @loandbehold_thepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/loandbehold_thepodcast/] on Instagram and join her email list here. [http://thelabormama.com/general-list-sign-up] 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 [https://www.instagram.com/] | TIK TOK [https://www.tiktok.com/@thelabormama] | PINTEREST [https://www.pinterest.com/thelabormama/] | FACEBOOK [https://www.facebook.com/thelabormama] 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. [https://thelabormama.com/disclaimer] 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 [https://vadenpodcastservices.com/] Mentioned in this episode: YBYB 20% off ad link [https://lo-behold-pregnancy-birth-motherhood.captivate.fm/birth]

Back Labor: What It Is, Why It Happens, and What You Can Do About It | Episode 51

Back labor is SO real, and if you've ever heard someone say "back labor was horrible" - yeah, that tracks. But here's what I don't want is for you to spiral into fear about it, because knowledge is everything, and today we are getting into all of it. We're talking about what back labor actually is, why it happens (spoiler: it usually comes down to your baby's positioning), and most importantly - what you can actually do about it, both before labor starts and while you're in it. Because feeling prepared? That's the whole point of everything I do. The big thing I want you to walk away with is this: back labor doesn't mean something is going wrong, it doesn't mean you failed, and it does not mean you can't do this. There are real, tangible tools and strategies that can help you manage it and even help your baby rotate into a better position. We are going to talk about all of them today. In this episode, I'm answering: * What exactly IS back labor, and how is it different from typical labor? * Why does baby's position cause back labor - and what is a "sunny side up" baby? * What can I doright nowduring pregnancy to encourage a better baby position? * What actually helps during labor when back labor hits? * Does having back labor mean I did something wrong? Helpful Timestamps: * 00:00 Back Labor * 04:21 What Back Labor Is * 06:44 What Causes Back Labor * 10:33 How It Feels & Challenges * 15:05 Prenatal Positioning Prep * 17:13 Optimal Fetal Positioning * 21:17 Positions to Relieve Back Labor * 29:28 Mindset 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 [https://thelabormama.com/] and check out her online courses and digital guides for birth [https://thelabormama.com/your-body-your-birth-course], breastfeeding [https://thelabormama.com/breastfeeding-course], and postpartum/newborns [https://thelabormama.com/postpartum-and-newborn-care-course]. You can also follow @thelabormama [https://www.instagram.com/thelabormama/] and @loandbehold_thepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/loandbehold_thepodcast/] on Instagram and join her email list here. [http://thelabormama.com/general-list-sign-up] 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 [https://www.instagram.com/] | TIK TOK [https://www.tiktok.com/@thelabormama] | PINTEREST [https://www.pinterest.com/thelabormama/] | FACEBOOK [https://www.facebook.com/thelabormama] 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. [https://thelabormama.com/disclaimer] 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 [https://vadenpodcastservices.com/] Mentioned in this episode: YBYB 20% off ad link [https://lo-behold-pregnancy-birth-motherhood.captivate.fm/birth]

Birth Plans vs. Birth Vibes: Real-Life Tips for a Hospital Birth That Feels Good with Jen Hamilton | Episode 50

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with the one and only Jen Hamilton - labor and delivery nurse, viral content creator, and now author of Birth Vibes. She’s the recipient of the 2026 President’s Award from the American Nurses Association, and continues to use her platform to educate, uplift, and humanize the realities of nursing, patient care, and mental health. With over a decade of bedside experience and a massive online community, Jen is known for blending clinical expertise with real-life honesty, humor, and so much heart. And truly, that’s exactly what you’re getting in this conversation. We talk about her unexpected journey from ER nurse to L&D, how she built a platform that resonates with millions, and what it’s been like stepping into the world of writing and storytelling through her new book. From there, we dive into some of the most important conversations happening in birth right now - things like informed consent, patient autonomy, and what it actually looks like to feel supported (not just “checked off”) during your birth experience. Jen shares how she advocates for her patients in real-time, how to navigate decision-making in labor without fear, and why understanding your “birth vibes” matters just as much - if not more - than having a perfectly written birth plan. We also get into practical scenarios, pain management, and how to approach your birth feeling informed, empowered, and truly seen. More from Jen Hamilton: Pre-order her book: Birth Vibes [https://www.jenhamilton.co/] Follow Jen on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/_jen_hamilton_], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@_jen_hamilton_?lang=en], & YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@jenhamilton] @_jen_hamilton_ Helpful Timestamps: * 00:00 Welcome Jen Hamilton * 06:59 From ER to Labor and Delivery * 16:23 Autonomy and Informed Choice * 19:54 Advocacy With Providers * 28:55 Why Refusing Care Triggers Pushback * 36:32 Promises and Transparency * 38:39 Birth Plan Values * 46:04 Saving Coping Batons * 49:26 AWHONN Staffing Advocacy * 53:27 Birth Vibes Framework 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 [https://thelabormama.com/] and check out her online courses and digital guides for birth [https://thelabormama.com/your-body-your-birth-course], breastfeeding [https://thelabormama.com/breastfeeding-course], and postpartum/newborns [https://thelabormama.com/postpartum-and-newborn-care-course]. You can also follow @thelabormama [https://www.instagram.com/thelabormama/] and @loandbehold_thepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/loandbehold_thepodcast/] on Instagram and join her email list here. [http://thelabormama.com/general-list-sign-up] 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 [https://www.instagram.com/] | TIK TOK [https://www.tiktok.com/@thelabormama] | PINTEREST [https://www.pinterest.com/thelabormama/] | FACEBOOK [https://www.facebook.com/thelabormama] 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. [https://thelabormama.com/disclaimer] 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 [https://vadenpodcastservices.com/] Mentioned in this episode: YBYB 20% off ad link [https://lo-behold-pregnancy-birth-motherhood.captivate.fm/birth]