So much childbirth preparation focuses on labor, which makes sense. However, it can be easy to forget something important: birth isn’t over the moment the baby is born. What happens immediately after birth? The first one to two hours after birth are sometimes called the immediate postpartum period or the fourth stage of labor, and […]
Acupuncture to Induce Labor: What You Need to Know
As doulas, we frequently have clients ask about natural ways to “induce” labor. This is especially true for those facing medical inductions and hoping to avoid one. Acupuncture to induce labor is frequently asked about. By 39, 40, or 41 weeks of pregnancy, it completely makes sense why questions about “natural” ways to trigger or […]
Using B.R.A.I.N. For Birth: A Tool Every Parent and Doula Need to Know
As doulas, prenatal education and support are a vital part of our role. Parents have better outcomes, especially in reporting a positive birth, when they are active participants in the decision-making process. Using B.R.A.I.N is one way to ensure parents have an easy tool to help make decisions. One of the most valuable tools you […]
What Does a Doula Do? Separating Fact from Fiction
If you’re looking into becoming a doula, or you are pregnant and you’ve heard about doulas, you might be wondering what does a doula do? Maybe you’ve heard that doulas improve birth outcomes, so you’re interested in hiring one, but you aren’t sure how they improve things. Perhaps you’ve given birth and now you want […]
International Doula Institute Scores #1 on Doulamatch.net Certification Evaluation
As many doulas know, there is no overseeing body or regulations for doula work or certifications. So, with over 200 doula trainings, DoulaMatch.net decided to evaluate certifications to help parents make informed decisions. We are delighted to learn that the International Doula Institute scores #1 on DoulaMatch. DoulaMatch is a leading platform for connecting […]
Choosing Where to Give Birth in the United States
For many expecting parents, one of the most significant decisions they will make during pregnancy is where to give birth. In the United States, families choose to give birth in hospitals, freestanding birth centers, or at home with a qualified midwife. In many countries, the maternity care system is more straightforward and cohesive. In the […]