Black Doulas Matter: Why Minority Representation Matters in Birth Work
Historical Context Martin Luther King, Jr., once said, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhumane”(9). The relationship between Black women and healthcare has been strained for centuries. History tells us that physicians were the hired guns of slave owners. Physicians …
Five Ways Becoming a BIRTHFIT Professional Transformed My Practice
I’ve been a registered nurse since 2009 and a nurse practitioner since 2012. Despite taking some time away from clinical practice to be home with my babies, I’ve continued to support families through the parenthood transition as a coach, educator, BIRTHFIT Professional, and doula. I discovered BIRTHFIT just a few …
Minimizing Risk of Perineal Tears During Labor
The thought of perineal tearing causes shivers to run down most mama’s backs. The perineum is the area between the vaginal opening and the anus that sometimes tears during labor. In fact, 53-79% of women who have a vaginal delivery will have some type of tearing or laceration to the …
Should You Take a Childbirth Education Class?
When you are going through pregnancy, you often receive information from everyone and everywhere – whether it’s your neighbor, the internet, or books. With so much information available, it can be hard to decide what you and your partner want out of birth. This is exactly why a childbirth education …
Navigating Important Relationships with a New Baby
When a child is born, so is a mother. Getting to know yourself as a mother can be challenging, and on top of that add in the complexity of how this transition impacts your other relationships with a new baby. Let’s examine some of the ways that your relationships may …
BIRTHFIT Coach Is an Honor: Requirements and Recommendations
We frequently hear from personal trainers and/or coaches (women and men) wanting to be a BIRTHFIT Coach. However, when we share our BIRTHFIT Coach Education and application requirements and recommendations, many people vanish or have a hard time understanding why we cannot just “let them in”. Our BIRTHFIT Coach …
What to Do for Prodromal Labor (False Labor)
Prodromal labor is also called false labor, pre-labor, or latent-labor. While it goes by many names, many who have experienced will call it one thing: a pain. Prodromal labor can be an emotional rollercoaster — it’s the little boy who cried wolf of labor. You see, prodromal labor is the …
Top Five Tips on Preparing Your Older Child for Birth
When I was pregnant for the second time and not wanting the same experience as the first, I began searching for more information and alternative options regarding birth. We brought midwife, Terri Payne, CNM, on as our doula and she asked where I would like to birth and if our …
Where to Birth?
Pros and Cons in Choosing a Birthing Location: Hospital, Birth Center (hospital or free standing), Home Birth, or Unassisted Congratulations! You’re pregnant, have a million things on your checklist, and you’re whittling away at them while you can. But should birthing location be a question of consideration? When our …
Must Reads for Birth Partners
Is your birth partner wishing they could learn more to support you during your motherhood transition? Check out this list of “must reads!” The Birth Partner – This birth classic written by Penny Simkin talks about preparation for labor, when to know labor has started, epidurals and other medications …