Among all the chaos and uncertainty COVID-19 has brought us, one thing hasn’t changed: People are still having babies. But the landscape of giving birth sure has changed. And one of the big changes, in the hopes of flattening the curve, are new hospital visitation policies that, in some cases, cut doulas out of the […]

I knock gently on the door in the post-delivery unit, and enter to find a new mother trying to latch her baby. It’s not going well, and I can tell she’s stressed. And standing a bit off to the side is the baby’s father, looking unsure of where he fits into this picture.  As a hospital-based […]

Back labor. It’s more than just a birth story talking point. It’s real, and it can suck. But, there are things you can do to get through it. What is back labor? The intense lower back pain that some people experience during labor occurs when the baby’s head puts pressure on the lower back. More […]

If you’re pregnant or planning to be pregnant, chances are you’ve heard stories about what might happen to your nether regions during a vaginal birth. Perhaps you’ve heard about tearing during delivery or even heard the term episiotomy. Tearing naturally during labor is super common (over 80% of women will experience tearing to some degree). […]

If your round ligaments weren’t on your radar before, they certainly may be by the time you hit your second trimester. A sudden change in position may spur a painful sensation. Or you may notice a constant feeling of discomfort, especially during the third trimester. Welcome to round ligament pain, my friend. Another totally normal […]

From colostrum to coming to volume… Most expecting moms I know expended a ton of energy preparing for their baby’s arrival. They prepped for labor, studied up on their birth options, and set up their baby’s nursery. But despite all their effort, one major challenge still tended to trip them up after baby arrived: Breastfeeding. […]

Have you had a sneaking suspicion that your contractions get worse* at night? Maybe it feels like your pregnant body just wants to find another way to wake you up in the middle of the night. Maybe you haven’t felt them but wake up on feeling like you just ran a marathon. If you fall […]

Free birth ebook! There’s so much information out there about what makes a “good” birth—where it happens, how it happens, and so on. We’re going to let you in on a little secret: There’s no set criteria for what makes giving birth a good experience, other than that it feels good and right to you, […]

This is the first chapter of our free ebook Your Best Birth: Providers, Plans, and Being Proactive. One of the best ways to ensure that your prenatal care, birth, and postpartum care go well is to find a pregnancy provider that you like, respect, and trust. This is often easier said than done.  Insurance, location, […]

A few years ago, while in that happy but anxious limbo of expecting my first baby, I dutifully read up on labor–its stages, birth plans, and the best ways to “achieve” a natural childbirth. On this last point—achieving a natural childbirth—a theme quickly emerged: My mental state was key. Without the proper level of mindfulness, […]

This is the second chapter of our free ebook Your Best Birth: Providers, Plans, and Being Proactive. If you’re a pregnant person today, chances you’ve considered making a birth plan. Maybe you’ve heard they’re a must-have –  “Ensure your wishes are respected!” or maybe you’ve heard the opposite – “Birth plans are only for uber […]

This is the third chapter of our free ebook Your Best Birth: Providers, Plans, and Being Proactive. Giving birth is life-changing—no matter when, where, or how it happens. A healthy baby and a healthy mama is obviously what most women want above all else. But it’s ok (and perfectly normal and natural!) to also want […]