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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.
Jump to Key Topics
Birth plans
(0:58) Do you actually need a birth plan?
Water breaking
(2:27) If your water breaks, do you need to go to the hospital right away?
Contractions
(3:06) How can you tell the difference between real and fake contractions?
Delivering your baby
(5:39) Will my ob-gyn actually be the one in the delivery room with me? Or will it be someone else who delivers my baby?
(7:33) What’s it actually like inside the delivery room?
Pitocin
(8:13) What is pitocin? What does it do, and what are some of the myths around it?
Epidurals
(9:31) How long does an epidural take? And what are the myths about it?
Featured Experts
Abike T. James, MD, MPH is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. With more than 20 years of experience, she provides patient-centered obstetric care and is deeply focused on clear communication, shared decision-making, and health equity. She brings a compassionate, thoughtful perspective to conversations about informed consent and helping patients feel heard during labor and delivery.
Jennifer Lincoln, MD, IBCLC is a board-certified OB-GYN and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant dedicated to body literacy and reproductive health education. Through her clinical work and viral educational content, she helps people navigate their healthcare with confidence and self-advocacy. Based in Oregon, Jennifer focuses on debunking myths and providing evidence-based support for pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Check out her upcoming release, The Birth Book, available March 24th, 2026, or follow her at @drjenniferlincoln.
Lo Mansfield, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM is a master’s-prepared registered nurse with specialty certifications in obstetrics and electronic fetal monitoring, and a background in labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum, and newborn care. After years at the bedside, she shifted her focus to education—helping parents understand what actually happens during birth and the early postpartum period so they can advocate for themselves with confidence. Lo combines clinical expertise with an empathetic, judgment-free approach that demystifies birth, hospital routines, and newborn care. Learn more at @thelabormama.
Jillian LoPiano, MD is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and hospitalist with the University of Miami Health System. Dr. LoPiano trained at The George Washington University School of Medicine and completed her OB-GYN residency at The Washington Hospital Center. She has a background in public health and women’s health advocacy, and her work focuses on patient-centered care, clear communication, and supporting parents through complex and emotionally charged birth experiences.
Laura Hanks, MD, is an ob-gyn at UW Health and a clinical assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She offers full-spectrum obstetric and gynecologic care, including support for transgender patients and gender-affirming procedures. With special training in robotic surgery, she also treats complex conditions like endometriosis and fibroids. When she’s not with patients, she’s likely on a rugby field or exploring Madison. You can follow her at @drhanks_at_ur_cervix.
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