Lo & Behold | Pregnancy, Birth, Motherhood

Join YBYB: www.thelabormama.com/birth & use the code PODCAST to save 20%Today is a family-centered episode as I welcome my older sister, Jenn, to the show. She shares the fast and emotional birth of her daughter Reese—my first niece and the baby who kicked off my nursing career. From the initial feelings of transitioning from a couple to a family, to an unexpected fast labor and the reality of postpartum challenges, Jenn's story is one of grace, dry humor, and the incredible power of her community. And I had the privilege of living with them during that time and seeing it all!Join us as we discuss the intimate details of Jenn's “becoming a mom” story, her husband's humorous reactions, and the invaluable support she received from friends and family during one of the most transformative times of her life.What’s inside this episode:Jenn’s “I got this (kinda)” vibe and why no birth plan was her plan.The hilarity of a birth that went from zero to baby in, like, an hour (with partial placenta abruption).My front-row seat as sister and nurse (cue the tissues) that spontaneously happened.Postpartum real talk: sore nipples, epic mom friends, and finding your groove as a new mom.Helpful timestamps:02:08 Jenn's Birth Story: The Beginning05:16 Pregnancy Journey and Challenges08:11 Labor and Delivery: The Unexpected Moments09:52 The Role of Partners in Birth13:32 Hospital Arrival and Early Labor16:17 Water Breaks 20:56 Epidural and Preparing to Push24:21 Breathing Techniques During Labor26:31 Reese’s Birth29:07 Postpartum Reflections32:48 Breastfeeding Challenges and Support39:54 The Power of CommunityMore from today’s guest: Connect with Jenn on Instagram: @itsjennrorabaughMore from this episode:Visit www.thelabormama.com/birth and use code MAMA25 at checkout for 25% off!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

Join YBYB: www.thelabormama.com/birth & use the code PODCAST to save 20%Listen in as I get vulnerable and raw, going all the way back to those first time mama feels, and share my own first birth story. Our birth stories may not tell us who we are, but for so many of us, they are the very beginning of the motherhood story we are writing. From finding out I was pregnant, to navigating a healthy pregnancy while juggling the heartbreak of my mom’s illness, I’m opening the door on all of it. You’ll hear about my unmedicated hospital birth, a super doula husband by my side, and the overwhelming pride of how well we did as a team.This story isn’t just about birth; it’s about why I do what I do. Becoming a mom while working as a labor nurse opened my eyes to the gaps in birth education—stuff we need to know but aren’t always taught. That’s why I created The Labor Mama platform and now this podcast: to empower you with a safe space for real talk, practical tools, and a reminder that there’s no one “best” way to do any of this. Whether your pregnancy or motherhood feels joyful, heavy, or both, you’re not alone, and I’m here to walk it with you.What You’ll Get in This Episode:My raw, real first birth story and why I'm here.How my mom’s cancer journey intertwined with my pregnancy.Why birth education became my passion—and why it matters for you.A nudge to own your pride in your birth, however it unfolds.If this episode made you laugh, cry, or feel seen, hit subscribe and join me next week for more stories, expert insights, and practical mama wisdom. You’re doing an amazing job mama, and I’m so glad you’re here.Helpful timestamps:03:14 My First Birth Story05:39 Pregnancy Journey and Family Challenges14:40 Navigating Pregnancy as a Nurse19:38 Preparing for Birth29:20 First Signs of Labor30:37 Tracking Contractions35:52 Arriving at the Hospital38:24 Labor Progresses Quickly41:57 The Birth44:22 Reflecting on the Birth ExperienceMore from this episode:Visit www.thelabormama.com/birth and use code MAMA25 at checkout for 25% off!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 DisclaimerOpinions 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

What if your best motherhood choices aren’t my best motherhood choices?Each week on Lo & Behold, we’re leaning into that real, messy, necessary question as we navigate all the choices you’ll find yourself making in pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, and modern motherhood.Hosted by Lo Mansfield — former labor and postpartum nurse, certified lactation counselor, mom and RN behind The Labor Mama, and real life mama of four — this show is your judgment-free space to explore all the options in front of you. Whether you’re navigating a birth plan, wondering about labor induction methods, worried about breastfeeding challenges, or figuring out how to advocate for yourself or your baby, you’re not alone here.On Lo & Behold, we’re cutting through the noise of the motherhood space and ditching the black-and-white takes. Each episode, Lo brings her years of experience in maternity care, lactation support, and real-life motherhood straight to your earbuds — through candid insights from her own successes and mistakes, expert interviews, and other real mom and dad story shares you’ll actually relate to.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 on: INSTAGRAM | TIK TOK | PINTEREST | FACEBOOK Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast ServicesOpinions 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 and is a way for us to support and share brands and products we genuinely love.