I’m so excited to share this heartfelt episode with you, where I sit down with Mackenzie DeClark, a labor and delivery nurse, future midwife, and mama of three behind the Mackenzie on Motherhood platform. Mackenzie opens up about her three unique birth stories, each one a beautiful mix of raw emotion, unexpected twists, and empowering choices.

What’s inside this episode:

• Her first birth: A medicated hospital birth with an epidural, a vaginal delivery shared with her mom, a 8 pound 6 oz baby, and a smooth postpartum experience.
• Her second birth: An unmedicated water birth with a dramatic shoulder dystocia, a 10-pound baby, and a challenging postpartum period, experiencing postpartum depression.
• Her third birth: A high-risk pregnancy with gestational diabetes, a nitrous oxide-supported unmedicated birth, and a joyful postpartum with her smallest baby at 8 pounds, 5 ounces.

Mackenzie’s stories are filled with honesty, humor, and wisdom from her years at the bedside and her own motherhood journey. We talk about trusting your intuition, navigating interventions like Pitocin and Foley balloons, and the messy, magical reality of birth and postpartum.

Whether you’re curious about epidurals, water births, or managing gestational diabetes, this episode is packed with insights and encouragement for wherever you are in your pregnancy or parenting journey.

Tune in for a cozy, real conversation that celebrates the many ways we bring our babies into the world.

Helpful Timestamps:

• 02:54 Mackenzie's First Birth Story
• 22:50 Postpartum Reflections
• 25:39 Mackenzie's Second Birth Story
• 38:52 Emergency Delivery: Shoulder Dystocia
• 40:29 Post-Birth Complications and NICU Experience
• 46:05 Postpartum Depression and Seeking Help
• 49:00 Transitioning from One to Two Children
• 51:16 Third Pregnancy Challenges and Gestational Diabetes
• 58:46 Induction and Labor with Third Child
• 01:11:45 Reflecting on Birth Experiences and Postpartum Joy
• 01:15:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

More from Mackenzie DeClark:

Find her sharing birth tips and motherhood moments on Instagram and TikTok at: @mackenzie.on.motherhood

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...

Today we’re diving into the raw, real, and sometimes controversial topic of labor pain. As a mama of four, former labor and postpartum RN, I’m sharing my heart and experience to unpack the complexities of labor pain - both the physical and emotional sides.

In this episode, I explore the fear-tension-pain cycle and whether a pain-free birth is truly possible. Spoiler: I believe it is, even though it wasn’t my personal experience!

Whether you’re chasing an unmedicated birth, planning for an epidural, or just curious about what labor pain really feels like, this episode is packed with heartfelt stories, practical tips, and empowerment to help you navigate your unique birth journey.

What’s inside this episode:

• The truth about labor pain and the fear-tension-pain cycle.
• My take on pain-free birth and how it’s possible (even if it’s not for everyone).
• Why your pain tolerance in daily life doesn’t define your labor experience.
• Practical pain coping tools like breathing, education, and emotional signposts to support you.
• A reminder that your birth story is uniquely yours - no shame, no comparison.

Helpful Timestamps:

• 01:21 Understanding Labor Pain: Real Stories and Insights
• 02:24 Exploring the Concept of Pain-Free Birth
• 05:47 Biological and Psychological Factors of Pain
• 16:25 Pain Tolerance and Labor: Debunking Myths
• 24:18 Practical Tools and Techniques for Managing Labor Pain
• 33:55 Embracing Your Unique Birth Experience

Mentioned in this episode:

Read The Emotional Signposts of Labor

Grab the Third Trimester Prep Pack

Join the Your Body Your Birth Course

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 |

Today I’m chatting with my friend Amber Ginn, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and founder of The Latch Link, on how to set yourself up for breastfeeding success before baby arrives. Amber’s got a no-fluff, straight-talking style and a passion for helping moms navigate the wild, beautiful ride of breastfeeding.

Amber shares her expertise on preparing for breastfeeding, the importance of understanding your 'why,' and practical tips for those first hours and days postpartum.

What’s inside this episode:

• Preparing for breastfeeding before birth: getting clear on your why behind your goals & the benefits of meeting with a lactation consultant prenatally.
• Birth decisions that might impact your breastfeeding journey.
• How to advocate for yourself and your little one after birth - and some tips for navigating those hospital convos.
• Your options for lactation care: From virtual consults to in-person support, you’ve got options to build a care team that’s right for you.

Helpful timestamps:

• 01:26 The Breastfeeding Journey
• 02:12 Meet Amber Ginn, IBCLC
• 04:06 Amber's Story
• 06:53 Preparing for Breastfeeding Success
• 11:56 Navigating Hospital Staff
• 15:06 Overcoming Early Breastfeeding Challenges
• 20:17 Colostrum Collection
• 22:28 Birth Decisions That Impact Breastfeeding
• 25:20 Addressing Newborn Weight Loss Concerns
• 30:29 Supplementing and Feeding Options
• 34:45 Building Your Support Team

More from Amber Ginn:

Visit TheLatchLink.com

Listen to The Latch Lounge Podcast

Instagram: @ambertheibclc YouTube: @ambertheibclc

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: