Birth with Babylist

Social media has changed pregnancy in a big way. Between picture-perfect bumps, “effortless” births and endless advice, it’s easy to feel like you’re not measuring up. But it’s also made space for more honest and authentic conversations—the parts of pregnancy that aren’t camera-ready. In this episode, we talk with journalist Fortesa Latifi, author of Like, Follow, Subscribe, and Ayla Woodruff, an influencer and mom with millions of followers, about the realities of sharing your pregnancy and motherhood online, from deciding what to share to curating your feed to protect your mental health. Birth with Babylist brings together trusted experts and parents who’ve lived it to break down what happens before, during, and after birth—without fear-mongering or shaming. Hosted by journalist, author and mom of three Jo Piazza. Follow so you never miss an episode.Featuring Ayla Woodruff and Fortesa Latifi.

Vaccines can feel overwhelming for new parents. Between shifting guidelines and strong opinions coming from all directions, it can be hard to know who to trust. In this episode, we cut through the noise with pediatricians Dr. Florencia Segura and Dr. Molly O'Shea. We cover everything: from vaccines needed during pregnancy and your baby's first-year schedule, to understanding the new RSV vaccine and how exactly vaccines work, we'll help you navigate these medical decisions with confidence and clarity. Birth with Babylist brings together trusted experts and parents who’ve lived it to break down what happens before, during, and after birth—without fear-mongering or shaming. Hosted by journalist, author and mom of three Jo Piazza. Follow so you never miss an episode.Featuring pediatricians Dr. Molly O’Shea and Dr. Florencia Segura.

You've got questions about birth—and so does everyone else. In this mailbag episode, we answer the most common questions we hear from our community (and the ones OBs get asked every single day). Do you go to the hospital right away when your water breaks? How do you tell real contractions from false labor? What does an epidural actually do (and what does it not do)? We're clearing up the confusion so you can go into birth feeling more prepared and less anxious. Birth with Babylist brings together trusted experts and parents who’ve lived it to break down what happens before, during and after birth—without fear-mongering or shaming. Hosted by journalist, author and mom of three Jo Piazza. Featuring Abike T. James, MD, MPH, Jennifer Lincoln, MD, IBCLC (@drjenniferlincoln), Lo Mansfield, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM (@thelabormama), Jillian LoPiano, MD and Laura Hanks, MD (@drhanks_at_ur_cervix).

Being pregnant changes so many things: your body, your relationships, even your finances. Because having a baby means that there are totally new costs coming your way. And some of them may surprise you. In this episode, Jo Piazza has a candid conversation with Babylist's Family Finance Advisor Lindsey Stanberry about what you can do to budget for baby while you're still pregnant, from how to spend less on baby gear and starting savings accounts to researching affordable childcare options and negotiating with your health insurance provider.  Birth with Babylist brings together trusted experts and parents who’ve lived it to break down what happens before, during, and after birth—without fear-mongering or shaming. Hosted by journalist, author, and mom of three Jo Piazza. Follow so you never miss an episode. Featuring Lindsey Stanberry.  Head to babylist.com/money for tools and guidance on planning for your family’s financial future, comparing savings options and understanding eligibility for 530a (Trump) Accounts.

You don’t really know what your birth will be like until you go through it. And even then, it can take time to figure out how you feel about it. In this episode, we talk about what it means to process your birth experience. And how hearing other women’s birth stories can help you feel more prepared and confident about your own. Then you’ll hear from seven different moms about their own unique birth stories—what happened, how it felt and how they think about it now. Birth with Babylist brings together trusted experts and parents who’ve lived it to break down what happens before, during, and after birth—without fear-mongering or shaming. Hosted by journalist, author, and mom of three Jo Piazza. New episodes every Thursday.Featuring Vanessa Bennett, LMFT.

What does real support during birth look like, and how can your partner show up when you need them most? Turns out, there’s a lot a support person can do to make your birth experience better—but only if they know how. In this episode, we break down all the ways your partner can help you before, during and after birth, with real stories from parents who’ve been through it. This is one to listen to yourself and send to your partner, so you can talk through what support looks like for you. Birth with Babylist brings together trusted experts and parents who’ve lived it to break down what happens before, during, and after birth—without fear-mongering or shaming. Hosted by journalist, author, and mom of three Jo Piazza. New episodes every Thursday. Featuring Paul Zalewski, founder of Fathercraft.

You’ve just given birth, and that’s a major deal for both your body and your mind. Now it’s time to recover, but what does that actually look like? In this episode, we cover what to expect from the first few weeks of the postpartum period and how your body heals—from lochia (we'll get into it) and hormonal changes to what sleep really means with a newborn.  Along the way, you’ll hear candid stories about postpartum anxiety, feeding challenges and the highs and lows that many new parents experience while getting to know a brand new human. Birth with Babylist brings together trusted experts and parents who’ve lived it to break down what happens before, during, and after birth—without fear-mongering or shaming. Hosted by journalist, author and mom of three Jo Piazza. New episodes every Thursday. Featuring Kim Einhorn, MD.

Birth isn’t predictable. As much as you prepare, there may be some surprises along the way. In this episode, we walk through what it looks like when labor needs medical support. From inductions and Pitocin to C-sections and assisted deliveries, we’ll cover what’s involved and how those decisions unfold in real time. This episode is about making those interventions feel less mysterious and a little easier to understand—so you can feel informed and confident in whatever path your birth takes. Birth with Babylist brings together trusted experts and parents who’ve lived it to break down what happens before, during, and after birth—without fear-mongering or shaming. Hosted by journalist, author, and mom of three Jo Piazza. New episodes every Thursday.Featuring Molly Lepic, DO, Florencia Segura, MD, Sindhu K. Srinivas, MD and Laura Hanks, MD (@drhanks_at_ur_cervix).

This is what you’ve been waiting for. After all the appointments, the labor, the delivery—you’re finally holding your baby. Now what? In this episode, we walk through the first 24 hours after birth. From delivering the placenta and understanding Apgar scores to skin-to-skin and your first postpartum pee, we break down what’s happening to your body and what’s normal (even if it doesn’t feel that way). Birth with Babylist brings together trusted experts and parents who’ve lived it to break down what happens before, during, and after birth—without fear-mongering or shaming. Hosted by journalist, author, and mom of three Jo Piazza. New episodes every Thursday.Featuring Florencia Segura, MD, Abike James, MD and Paul Zalewski.

You’ve timed the contractions. You’ve grabbed the bag. You’re pulling up to the hospital. What happens now? Even for the most prepared parents, the hospital can feel like an unknown. But it doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, we take you into the delivery room—from cervical checks and fetal monitoring to pushing and crowning. So when you walk through those doors, you’ll know what’s happening and how to advocate for yourself in the moment. Birth with Babylist brings together trusted experts and parents who’ve lived it to break down what happens before, during, and after birth—without fear-mongering or shaming. Hosted by journalist, author, and mom of three Jo Piazza. New episodes every Thursday. Featuring Lo Mansfield, RN, IBCLC (@thelabormama), Molly Lepic, DO, Laura Hanks, MD (@drhanks_at_ur_cervix) and Jillian LoPiano, MD.

Epidurals. They're one of the most common—and loaded—topics in pregnancy. In this episode, we focus on what that decision actually looks like: debunking common myths, walking through what it feels like to get one and talking honestly with OB-GYNs about the pros and cons. But pain relief during labor isn’t one-size-fits-all. We also cover other options—IV meds, nitrous oxide and non-medicated comfort measures like movement and water—along with real stories about how those choices played out during labor. And no matter what you decide, just remember, you’re allowed to change your mind. Birth with Babylist brings together trusted experts and parents who’ve lived it to break down what happens before, during, and after birth—without fear-mongering or shaming. Hosted by journalist, author, and mom of three Jo Piazza. New episodes every Thursday. Featuring Jillian LoPiano, MD, and Laura Hanks, MD (@drhanks_at_ur_cervix).

This week, it’s all about labor! How do you know if you’re in labor? And what should you do once you are? In this episode, we decode what labor actually feels like, how to tell the difference between real labor and false alarms, and how to know when it’s time to head in. Birth with Babylist brings together trusted experts and parents who’ve lived it to break down what happens before, during, and after birth—without fear-mongering or shaming. Hosted by journalist, author, and mom of three Jo Piazza. New episodes every Thursday. Featuring Dr. Laura Hanks, MD (@drhanks_at_ur_cervix), Lo Mansfield, RN, IBCLC (@thelabormama), and Liesel Teen, BSN, RN (find her on YouTube, Instagram, or check out her site, Mommy Labor Nurse).

A birth plan isn’t about scripting every moment; it’s about knowing your options and having the big conversations before you’re in labor. In this episode, we talk through what’s actually worth including in your plan, how to speak up about what matters to you and why staying flexible is key. You’ll also hear from parents about how their plans shifted once labor began, and what prep they’re really glad they did ahead of time. Birth with Babylist brings together trusted experts and parents who’ve lived it to break down what happens before, during and after birth—without fear-mongering or shaming. Hosted by journalist, author and mom of three Jo Piazza. New episodes every Thursday. Featuring Jennifer Lincoln, MD, IBCLC (@drjenniferlincoln; author of The Birth Book), Liesel Teen, BSN, RN (find her on YouTube, Instagram, or check out her site, Mommy Labor Nurse), Lo Mansfield, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM (@thelabormama), Paul Zalewski (@fathercraftco), Jillian LoPiano, MD, Molly Lepic, DO, and Abike T. James, MD, MPH.

Where you give birth—and who's in the room with you—can shape your entire experience. In this episode, we help you understand your options and make informed choices that fit your budget, preferences and medical needs. We explain the roles OBs, midwives and doulas can play during birth and pregnancy, break down what you need to know about hospitals, birth centers and home births, and hear from parents about how they made these big decisions and what they wish they'd known. Birth with Babylist brings together trusted experts and parents who’ve lived it to break down what happens before, during, and after birth—without fear-mongering or shaming. Hosted by journalist, author and mom of three Jo Piazza. New episodes every Thursday. Featuring Dr. Sindhu K. Srinivas, MD, MSCE, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, MD, IBCLC (@drjenniferlincoln), Victoria Dean CPM, LM (@refugemidwifery), Mari-Carmen Farmer, CNM, MSN (@parteramaricarmen), Francie Webb, Doula, IBCLC (@go_milkyourself), and Liesel Teen, BSN, RN (find her on YouTube, Instagram, or check out her site, Mommy Labor Nurse.

Congrats, you're pregnant! Now what? Welcome to Birth with Babylist, where we answer all the questions that are keeping you up at night. In our first episode, we walk through what birth actually looks like, from early labor through delivery. We talk to experienced OB-GYNs and midwives as they break down the stages of labor, what’s normal, what’s unpredictable and what you can prepare for. And because no two births are the same, real parents share what it was really like for them. Hosted by journalist, author and mom of three Jo Piazza. New episodes every Thursday. Featuring Dr. Laura Hanks, MD (@drhanks_at_ur_cervix) and Victoria Dean CPM, LM (@refugemidwifery)

What’s giving birth really like? And how can you get ready for it? Welcome to Birth with Babylist, your go-to podcast for real talk about labor, delivery, and recovery. Each week, host Jo Piazza brings together OBs, midwives, doulas, and parents to break down what to expect—and help you feel informed, calm, and confident wherever you are in your pregnancy journey. New episodes every week, starting January 22.