June 24, 2022 | by: Cara Terreri
Continuous support during labor and birth from a supportive loved one or professional, like a doula, has been shown to increase your chance of having a vaginal birth with less or no interventions, decrease the need for pain medication and cesarean, and increase your satisfaction with your birth experience. And, continuous support benefits all kinds of births! If you need to be induced, here's what you can expect -- and plan for -- when it comes to labor support
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May 18, 2022 | by: Cara Terreri
It's World Doula Week and in celebration, we want to help people who want a doula for their birth but face one of the most common barriers to having one: affording the cost. It's not that you must have a doula to have a healthy and satisfying birth experience, but the research shows that continuous support, like the kind a doula provides, increases oxytocin and mobility (both of which can lead to a shorter labor), as well as decreases pain and anxiety. All of these add up to better infant outcomes, lower c-section rates, and higher likelihood of satisfaction for parents.
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April 01, 2022 | by: Cara Terreri
There are lots of "players" at the typical hospital birth and it can become confusing when trying to understand who is responsible for what during the course of your labor and birth. It's helpful to know, in advance, who to turn to for the many different needs that come up. We created this simple chart to serve as your guide to the different roles of a doula, your partner/family/friend support person, the labor and delivery nurse, and your midwife or OB.
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December 08, 2021 | by: Breonna R. Riddick, MA
Preparing to bring a baby into the world can be one of the most exciting (and scary) times in your life, especially if you are the person who is going to push the baby out! Whether you planned your baby, or your baby made plans for you, labor and delivery seem like the light at the end of long tunnel. And let’s be real—who isn’t ready to stop peeing every three minutes? You’ve been busy getting the car seat and nursery prepped, but making plans for support and comfort during labor are just as important during baby prep.
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October 22, 2021 | by: Cara Terreri
In many parts of the world, induction is over-prescribed for unnecessary medical reasons (find out more here). Sometimes, an induction is necessary for either parent or baby, or both. (Learn about the medical reasons for induction.) If an induction becomes necessary for you and your baby, there are things you can do to help ensure your labor and birth is a positive, supported, and healthy experience.
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