The Emotional Signposts of Labor (an Episode for Every Birth Partner to Hear) | Episode 10

In this episode, we're getting into the stages of labor and those emotional signposts that guide us through the journey of bringing our babies into the world. If you’ve ever laughed at those TikTok videos showing a mama’s behavior shift from chatty and excited to “oh wow, this is real,” you’ll love this conversation! I’m sharing both the textbook breakdown of labor stages and the emotional cues that show us we’re making progress.

Whether you’re preparing for your first birth, planning a VBAC, or just curious about what labor feels like, this episode is your guide to understanding how your emotions and physical progress work hand in hand. From the excitement of early labor to the intensity of transition, I’ll walk you through what to expect and how to lean into these moments with confidence. 

What's inside this episode:

• The four stages of labor (and the phases within stage one) – from early contractions to meeting your baby and beyond.
• How emotional signposts like excitement, seriousness, and self-doubt align with your labor progress.
• Why these emotional cues are just as important as cervical dilation for understanding where you are in labor.
• Tips for birth partners to support you by recognizing these signposts.
• My personal stories of using emotional signposts to navigate labor without relying on cervical checks.

You’re stronger than you know, and understanding these signposts can help you feel empowered and connected to your body during labor. Share this episode with your birth partner so they can support you every step of the way. Let’s get ready to meet that sweet baby!

Helpful Timestamps:

• 01:22 Introduction: The Humor and Reality of Labor Stages
• 02:22 Overview of Labor Stages
• 03:37 Detailed Breakdown of Labor Stages
• 06:20 Phases Within Stage One
• 15:45 Emotional Signposts in Labor
• 24:48 The Importance of Emotional Signposts
• 30:49 Conclusion and Additional Resources

More from this episode:

Visit www.thelabormama.com/birth and use code MAMA25 at checkout for 25% off!

Check out my blog posts on The Emotional Signposts of Labor

Listen to Episode 07: Is Pain Free Birth Real, Should You Want it, and Can You Do It?

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.

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Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services