More than Milestones
Hosted by pediatric physical therapist, wife and mom of three, Dr. KC Rickerd, More Than Milestones is the podcast that goes beyond baby checklists and dives deep into real motherhood, real development, real relationships, and everything in between.
Whether you’re supporting your baby’s motor development, navigating big kid emotions, or navigating a new stage of life & parenting, this show blends expert-backed education with the honest, unfiltered reality of motherhood.
Each week, KC brings you conversations with trusted professionals—pediatricians, therapists, sleep and feeding experts, mental health pros, and more—plus raw, relatable stories from fellow moms and caregivers. No pressure to be perfect. Just honest conversations, support, humor, and community for the journey you’re on.
If you're looking for clarity, connection, and a reminder that while supporting our children’s development is important, so is supporting ourselves - you’re in the right place, because it’s always more than milestones.
More than Milestones
32. Preparing for Labor & Delivery: What to Expect, Birth Options & Making Informed Decisions with Lo Mansfield
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Preparing for pregnancy, labor, and delivery can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make informed decisions about testing, birth plans, and the support team around you. In this episode, I’m joined by Lo Mansfield, RN, certified lactation consultant, mom of four, and the voice behind The Labor Mama. With years of experience in labor and postpartum nursing, Lo walks us through an honest and empowering look at what to expect throughout pregnancy and birth, from understanding prenatal testing and how pregnancy risk can change, to choosing your birth setting, navigating interventions during labor, and feeling more confident advocating for yourself during one of life’s biggest moments.
Key topics we cover:
- What “high-risk pregnancy” actually means and how pregnancy risk can change over time
- Common prenatal tests in the first, second, and third trimesters
- How to think through hospital vs. birth center vs. home birth options
- The differences between an OB, midwife, and doula and how each supports you during pregnancy and birth
- Understanding the cascade of interventions during labor and delivery
- How to prioritize what matters most when making decisions about your birth experience
- Pain management during labor, including epidurals and other options
- Planned, repeat, urgent, and emergency C-sections and when they may be necessary
- Practical advice for advocating for yourself and asking for time, space, and information during labor
Links:
Follow Lo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelabormama
Check out her podcast: Lo & Behold: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lo-behold-pregnancy-birth-motherhood/id1813937326
Listen to KC’s episode, episode 32: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tummy-time-sitting-rolling-walking-milestones-made/id1813937326?i=1000743032221
Grab a free copy of the Birth Plan/Birth Priorities tool: http://thelabormama.com/third
Check out all of Lo’s online courses & guides: https://thelabormama.com/online-birth-postpartum-and-newborn-classes
🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:
https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/
🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries?
Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com
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More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.