As doulas and mothers, here are things we believe are important in pregnancy to prepare for your birth.
Invest In:
-Doula support: doulas are proven to improve your birth outcomes.
- Body work: chiropractic care, acupuncture and massage- these might seem like a luxury to a lot of people, but they serve a purpose in helping the body stay aligned for optimal positioning for baby. (See our local resources page for reccomendations)
- Lactation Support: whether you decide to breastfeed or not, having a lactation consultant lined up can set you up for success. Many offer breastfeeding classes to take during pregnancy. (See our local resources page for reccomendations)- Childbirth Education: take a course that is NOT sponsored by the hospital. Hospital based classes teach you how to be a good patient and not your rights or options.
- Postpartum Support: No one knows what their postpartum is going to look like. Hire a postpartum doula, house cleaner, babysitter, dog walker, meal delivery, freezer meals- whatever will help your emotionally and physically.
*These are all more important than the latest baby gadgets or cutest nursery. Your baby just needs you and taking care of yourself is the best way to take care of your baby.*
Research:
- Birthing locations: Home vs. hospital or birth center
- Spinning Babies: daily exercises to help align the body and help baby into a good position- if you have a breech baby they offer suggestions to help them flip.
- Vaccines during pregnancy: Flu, Tdap and Covid
- Cascade of Interventions: this is using one intervention that can lead to more interventions
- Delayed-cord clamping: what is TRUE delayed cord clamping?
- Epidurals: they can be an incredible tool but it is important to understand the risks and benefits before choosing one.
- Inductions: why indications are offered and the medications or tools used to start them.
- Safe Co-sleeping: a large number of families end up co-sleeping at some point and they feel guilty or unsafe doing so. Learning safe bed sharing practices during pregnancy can elevate these feelings when you’re freshly postpartum.
A few more things to research: breastmilk vs. formula, cervical checks, birthing positions, lip/tongue ties, GBS and antibiotics during labor.
Leave a comment and tell us what we missed that you think is important to invest in or research?