Birth

25%, 1cm, posterior, soft. You just left your provider’s office and at one point during your cervical exam, they rattled off some numbers and immediately you were transported back in time to high school Algebra. Before you grab your graphing calculator or feel like your body has failed some sort of I’m-never-going-into-labor test, check in…

The idea of a cesarean or c-section can feel scary if you don’t know what to expect or what will happen. Cesareans typically fall into three categories: planned, unplanned, or emergency.  BEFORE THE CESAREAN Your anesthesiologist will visit you and discuss the pain management options, their risks and benefits. The two most common options are…

Are childbirth classes REALLY necessary? The answer is a little complicated.  No, you don’t have to take a childbirth class in order to have a successful birth or a healthy baby. You will have this baby with or without a childbirth class. And yes, it’s still helpful to take one. Yes, all of these things can…

Hospital gown? Your own clothes? One of those nursing gowns on Amazon? Or just simply naked. Curious what other people wear when they have a baby? That varies widely. You definitely don’t have to wear a hospital gown if that sounds restrictive or too much like a ‘sick patient’ for a very healthy event. No…

“What if I fart while I’m pushing?” “Oh, but my darling, what if you poop?” We get it.  Pooping in front of people sounds like the kind of nightmare most of us would like to avoid. But what if we told you that pooping and farting in labor and delivery is something your nurses and doulas…

As with any big life event, new parents have so much to process. In the middle of the exhaustion of figuring out this new baby in their home, they get questions like, “So, you’re breastfeeding, right?” or “Did you avoid the epidural?” Maybe those sound innocent, but the bias included can lead to added feelings…

So, you’re thinking about getting an epidural for your delivery and you’re wondering to yourself “What is an epidural?” An epidural is a pain management tool made available to those who are delivering in a hospital based setting. There are a variety of reasons why someone may choose this method of pain management. How do…

Writing a birth plan isn’t just an opportunity to make your wishes clear; it’s also an opportunity to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for what lies ahead. Here are five reasons you should consider writing a birth plan before the big day. 1) USE IT AS YOUR GUIDE It can be daunting to think about…

Writing a simple birth plan is the most effective way to communicate your truest wants for labor. We’ve included our favorite way of doing it!