Episode 22: Childbirth Education

Taking a childbirth education class is helpful, but for many, it's also essential for feeling prepared for labor and birth. A good class should cover the basics, like understanding the natural signs and stages of labor, and recognizing important red flags that could signal the need for medical attention. It's also vital to learn about the labor process itself. What's happening in your body, how to make decisions along the way, and what options are available to you. Because yes, you do have choices! Childbirth education is about helping you gain the tools to approach labor with less fear and more confidence. It's about learning what's normal, what questions to ask, and how to advocate for yourself and your baby. Whether you're planning a hospital birth, birth center delivery, or home birth, this information will help you feel empowered, more confident, and in control of what can feel like an out-of-control experience. Education is the foundation for a positive birth experience. Tune in and take the first step toward a more informed, confident, and supported birth.

If you've been wondering when to book your doula, the answer might be much sooner than you think. In this episode, we're discussing why hiring your doula early in pregnancy can make a big difference in your experience, not just during labor, but throughout your entire journey. Early doula support can help you build confidence, navigate decisions with less stress, and feel more prepared as you approach birth. Plus, waiting too long might mean missing out altogether. As many doulas book up quickly, and you don't want to be scrambling to find support late in the game. Whether you're newly pregnant or halfway through, this episode will help you decide when the timing is right—and why that timing matters.

For many families, the expectations for how the postpartum period will unfold is vastly different than the reality.

Social media often shows beautiful nurseries, blissful moments with a newborn, and a perfectly well-kept home and family. However, for most families, their reality is vastly different. It's difficult to remember that social media typically only shows the best moments of someone's life.

What these images fail to show is the reality for many, including the pile of laundry in the corner, the sink full of dishes, wearing the same clothes for three days that might be stinky and covered in body fluids.

Life at home with a new baby is full of challenges many families may not expect. Challenges such as exhaustion, navigating caring for older children, or worrying about falling asleep and not hearing your baby cry. Join us as we take a look at the expectations vs realities of postpartum recovery.

In many communities, those who desire a VBAC or vaginal birth after a cesarean can face many obstacles and challenges.

For some, the biggest challenge is finding a care provider who is supportive of vaginal birth after cesarean. For others finding a birth location can be a major obstacle.

The most important factor in going into a VBAC with confidence is knowing that you have support. Support from your partner, family, friends, and your provider.

There are many facets to consider when creating a plan for vaginal birth after cesarean.

Hiring a doula for support is one way to ensure you are aware of all the options for your birth.

Join us as we discuss the nuances of creating a VBAC plan for your birth.

There are many options for monitoring the health and well-being of the baby during labor. External monitors monitor the baby's heart rate from the outside. Internal fetal monitoring records the baby's heart rate from the inside.

When there are concerns about how the baby responds to labor, an internal monitor called a fetal scalp electrode is often used.

Internal monitoring is a method of monitoring a baby from the inside. It's also a more accurate method of monitoring the beat-to-beat variability of the baby's heart rate during labor.

As doulas, we don't subscribe to the philosophy that all intervention is bad. As a result, we see the internal fetal monitor as a tool. Experience has shown us that it is a tool that allows more time and opportunity for a vaginal birth to take place.

Understanding how internal fetal monitoring is applied and what information it can provide is an important part of informed decision-making.

Join us as we explore the how and why of internal fetal monitoring during labor and birth.

The big day has come. Your baby is here! Now it's time to focus on getting to know your new bundle, but first, you have to navigate the immediate postpartum recovery.

Those first few hours and weeks post-birth have many physical and hormonal changes. From recovery from a vaginal or cesarean birth, postpartum bleeding, and fundal massage to navigating your need for sleep, immediate postpartum recovery is something many do not expect.

No matter how your baby was born, there will be challenges in your physical recovery and your transition into parenthood. As doulas, we like to help clients plan ahead for these transitions.

Join us as we explore the ins and outs of your immediate postpartum recovery.

May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month. This month we direct awareness and recognition to those affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

When discussing maternal health happen, they tend to focus on postpartum depression. However, mood disorders can happen well before the post-birth period. For some, depression and anxiety may begin during pregnancy. Those with a history of depression and anxiety before pregnancy are at an increased risk of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

Approximately 20% of those who have given birth recently, or 1.3 million individuals each year, will suffer from a postpartum mood disorder according to Postpartum Progress. In fact, postpartum anxiety may be more common than postpartum depression among pregnant and newly delivered individuals as reported by The Journal of Affective Disorders.

Balanced mental health is not only important for the wellbeing of the birthing person it is also important to the health and wellbeing of the baby.

Join us as we explore how maternal mental health can impact your pregnancy, birth, and post-birth experience.

Decision-making surrounding pregnancy, labor, and birth is often the first introduction to major life decisions many individuals will experience. For many, this will be the first time they are responsible for making major decisions for someone other than themself.

As doulas, we understand your decisions do not happen in a vacuum. Your life experiences and personality strongly influence how and why you will make the decisions you make about caring for yourself and your baby.

There are four basic ways that most people come to a decision. Some will rely on research and the best evidence available. Others will purely rely on their gut and intuition and where it leads. The opinions of others, family, friends, or your partner may influence your decision strongly. Additionally, the opinion or recommendation of your provider may be where you find yourself making the most comfortable decisions.

Join us as we discuss the various approaches to decision-making and how we support you in your choices from a place of unbiased, nonjudgmental support.

As doulas one of the most common questions get is, "What should I pack for birth?"

A quick google will result in countless lists that recommend all the things that you should have on hand for your birth. However, if you ask the parents what they actually used once their baby is born, the list of what they take is drastically longer than what they used. Overpacking is common, we totally get it. You want to make sure you have everything you might possibly need. However, the reality is that the things that you actually need can fit into two backpacks or small duffle bags.

We recommend a different approach to pack for your birth. All you need is two bags. One for labor and birth. One for your post-birth recovery.

Join us as we discuss what to pack for your birth. Make sure you visit our blog post "What to Pack for Birth" on the Tucson Doulas' website to get your downloadable PDF packing list.

The fear of giving birth is a common experience for expecting families. However, it's a fear that isn't often vocalized. Far too often, those who are pregnant are hesitant to express their feelings surrounding birth. Oftentimes this is rooted in a fear that no one will understand. Or concern that their feelings may be invalidated.

As doulas, talking about the common fears surrounding childbirth is a common part of our practice.

There are 5 common fears that we often hear growing families express:

• Perineal tearing or trauma during birth
• Something bad will happen to themselves or the baby
• Birth takes a different path than they were expecting
• Not being able to self-advocate
• Fear of the unknown

There are many avenues to helping growing families navigate these common fears. Join us as we discuss the top five most common fears surrounding childbirth and how you can navigate them.