Episode Details

Episode 92: If you've spent even five minutes on pregnancy TikTok, you've probably wondered: should I be bouncing on a birth ball every night? Do dates actually help? Can I sleep on my back? Do I really need every prenatal appointment? Should I hire a doula? And is there anything that actually helps labor start? This week Miss Beth sits down with labor and delivery nurse, educator, and creator behind The Labor Mama, Lo Mansfield, to separate evidence from internet hype and answer the questions real moms sent in. Whether you're expecting your first baby or your fourth, this conversation is full of practical, reassuring information that will help you feel informed, not overwhelmed.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• What an anterior placenta actually means
• Why sleeping on your back becomes a topic during pregnancy
• The third-trimester trends all over social media, and whether they're worth doing
• The truth about birth balls, curb walking, dates, and raspberry leaf tea
• Breech babies and when an external version makes sense
• Why some people choose an epidural, and why others don't
• Why many women over 35 are prescribed baby aspirin
• How to advocate for yourself at prenatal appointments without feeling "annoying"
• The questions every pregnant person should ask their provider
• Whether you can actually predict when labor is coming
• Pushing positions, closed-glottis vs. spontaneous pushing, and your birth options
• What may (and may not) help reduce tearing
• Whether hiring a doula is worth it
• Which childbirth classes are actually worth your time
• Mental prep, breathing techniques, and staying calm before birth
• Lo's favorite labor advice and what she wants every pregnant woman to know

As always, we wrap up with our favorite question: what are you reading right now?

TOPICS
third trimester · labor and delivery nurse · evidence-based pregnancy · anterior placenta · birth ball · curb walking · raspberry leaf tea · external cephalic version · breech baby · epidural · baby aspirin pregnancy · prenatal appointments · doula · childbirth classes · pushing positions · perineal tearing prevention · labor preparation

CONNECT WITH LO MANSFIELD
Follow Lo and learn more from her evidence-based pregnancy and birth education at @thelabormama.

If this episode helped you feel more confident about pregnancy or labor, share it with a friend who's expecting. And if you're enjoying Play on Words, leaving a rating and review is one of the best ways to help more parents find the show.

ABOUT THE HOST
Beth Gaskill (Miss Beth) is a reading specialist, early childhood educator, and founder of Big City Readers. She helps parents support their children's literacy development through research-backed, science of reading strategies.

Follow Miss Beth on Instagram @BigCityReaders

Browse Big City Readers resources at BigCityReaders.com