Ep 135: Building Your Birth Support Team

This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes! One of the goals of this podcast is to help you gain knowledge and confidence to makee informed decisions that align with you and your needs and preferences.  One way to do that is to surround yourself with knowledgeable birth workers.  That’s why this episode is all about building your birth support team.  We dive deep into the many birth professionals you can surround yourself with including: OB's, Midwives, doulas, chiropractors, physical therapists, counselors, educators, and more!  Doula Rachael and Dr. Shannon love working with so many other birth professionals because birthing people deserve to be heard and treated with respect, and sometimes that takes a village.  Everyone’s birth support team can look  differently, but we’re excited to share our thoughts and experiences.  We have several episodes with interviews with birth professionals...be sure to check those out!

Transcript

Keywords: pelvic floor, support, pregnancy, postpartum doula, postpartum, first trimester, exercise, birth, person, people, aspect, work, breastfeeding, doula, talk, therapists, overwhelming, important, baby, mental health, obstetrics, obstetricians, care provider, education, midwives, childbirth education, baby, arise, labor, helps, process, delivering, care

0:03

Hello Hello again,

0:05

welcome back to the mind birth podcast, represented here

0:09

today and

0:11

do the Rachel is also joining and so we have a fun conversation we're going to

0:14

have today, about

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your birth support team. So when I say vers support team what

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comes to mind

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for you, Rachel.

0:25

One of my favorite topics ventually comes to mind. This is like where I like to start the conversation with my expressing moments and feelings. It's, it takes a village. So and I think when, when I say it takes a village and believe us first support team is just that there are so many more people outside of the doctor for the person who delivers the baby that can help you along your journey, and that would be exposure to a new provider who can help you where you're at, you're learning something and working towards a safe and healthy birth and I believe just with each new person along the way, you are just growing and knowledge and growth and support and so forth.

1:14

So yeah, a lot of things come to mind.

1:17

I know I feel the same way too. Because and I think a lot for me is that, um, when I look back on my birth is,

1:26

I wish that my birth support team I'd paid more attention to it and so that's why this is so near and dear to me in that.

1:35

I wish I had invited more people in to that space and to help me with all of my first things going on you know all the questions that I had and so that's why, too. I love to talk about building that first point, and finding, I mean that support

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that's that key keyword.

1:55

So I know

1:57

for me and my thought process on verse support team and when, you know, if someone says yeah,

2:03

a friend of yours says, I'm pregnant is one of the first thing that typically gets asked or is mentioned is, oh,

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oh where are you going to give birth you

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know people want to know Oh, typically,

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what hospital are

2:14

you going to, or that you know, who's your OB.

2:16

And so

2:18

that to me is that first part of building that verse of 14. Now there's layers to it right to so

2:27

we've got the OB,

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you've got the practice that you can be with. But we know now to that there are lots of

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other options for

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birthing and I know

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we both have two different

2:40

four different births, you know between

2:43

between us but that's for kiddos so I know the practice I just lived it was really there was an OB option but then I also birth with midwives within a hospital, I know you had

2:56

different birth experience,

2:58

correct me first was a midwife is at a hospital with my second was a midwife. So lots of different options, and I think one of the main things to share here and as we're talking about choice of care provider, that it's in conjunction, that that's turbid your birth location right so you can. It's important to consider like where you want to give birth and who you want to give birth with because it is the number one influence over your learning outcomes. So I think the, the magnitude of that decision is not to be taken lightly and I think a lot of people at least in my experience, you know, they've had their OB GYN right maybe their gynecologist since they were 16 or they've had this long relationship, you know, and they feel very connected to that person. So they just are like yep that's what's gonna deliver my baby and they don't really explore other options and that might be great for some people but it also might lead to some disappointment when they're joyful that's not what I expected because they go through the exploration process and I'm like, if you go through the exploration process of all your options and you still lean into your current provider, awesome, but again, you took the time to explore the available options because there's more than just one and I think a lot of people get burnt with obstetricians OBS, I think the rate is over 90% like 95% of people birth with obstetricians and in a hospital setting. And, you know, obstetricians are great, and can really help have safe first when they're needed, but obstetricians are specialists, they're trained in surgery and pathology and in finding and fixing problems so there's a, there's a place and a time I think for obstetricians, but I don't necessarily think that they should be delivering all of our babies,

4:54

it's not the one thing and I think when you say to, it's exploring the options. The big thing with that is asking questions, you've got to ask that provider so yeah if you've had, you're going to your gynecologist that you've had for forever and they're going to deliver your

5:07

baby well,

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like, there are certain questions that you should probably

5:10

ask to

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get that information to actually explore

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what would it be like

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to give birth, with this person, you know,

5:21

and, you know, and really asking those questions to explore those options that you have.

5:29

Yes 100% And I think we both sharing. We have future plans of going further with that conversation to share what those questions are, and we both have resources to where

5:41

questions to ask. and I think that the most people are like, I don't even

5:45

know what to ask.

5:46

Yeah, and there's a lot of assumptions, and I like to say, I'm to share that, that with just simply stating, different models of care can be a good place to just start the knowledge because then people are like, I don't even know where they have a vision or or perception about what midwives do or are, and I like to sort of dispel some of the misnomers around, you know, midwives, some people think they're not as trained, or that they only do home births or, you know, there's all these ideas, and I'm here to say that they, you know, made with midwives to deliver babies far longer than contractions. And when they have a shared mutual relationship. That's when birth outcomes improve when we have obstetricians practicing within their scope and midwives, doing the work that they've been doing forever, and then working collaboratively, then we're talking about harmonious, you know, improved maternal overall care and maybe that's, you know, bookmark that for another topic. So yeah, the midwifery model of care is really placed more holistically, it's more individualized, they tend to practice more, like with less interventions because they're handling most of the time, healthy low risk pregnancies. You know they are highly trained in the normal physiological birth process so they witnessed a lot of birth that happens, kind of, without intervention and without complication and just that normal flow and so they are really good at supporting that they look at the whole body typically and your whole individual experience and sort of take it all into consideration as you're making the decision, so I think that's a really beautiful way to be cared for during pregnancy and birth. And then, obviously, the medical model of care typically practiced by obstetricians, this is a more specialized line of medicine that is, like I said, they tend to be more pathologies and they're finding and fixing problems more intervention heavy like managing its labor. That's the key man,

7:53

yeah,

7:54

yeah. That's just how they've been trained and some obstetricians go through school and never witnessed like an unmedicated birth. And that's sad to me, and that's just delivering most of our babies but and I don't want to ever be misunderstood that they serve a very important role that they can help bring babies into this world when it's needed, via a Syrian or you know if you have a higher risk pregnancy right they can be there now. Ensure all things are safe and healthy with Mama baby so both are important, and those should be considered. And I like to say like when you're thinking about where you want to give birth and who you want to give birth with, how do you want to feel and you said that when we started, like, how do you want to feel when you give birth and I don't think a lot of people really stick with that for a second and then work backwards. Exactly what setting it that like,

8:48

yes they

8:49

are, how do I create that feeling of who is going to, you know, provide that support to give you that feeling and that that's definitely true and like I

9:01

was with the practice

9:02

that delivers at a hospital, but they have a GYN and midwives, as well, that were there so you know I used that model too so you know it's there's those options out there, and right and really just kind of

9:21

finding

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what aligns with you and how you want to feel with that birth plan but I do think that that to me comes up as far as okay a big part of that verse support team

9:31

yeah big part, because when we started, it

9:35

started there.

9:36

Yeah, I understand that we I think we're both in agreement that baseline is a healthy mom healthy baby and I think when I suppose the question to someone who's expecting maybe their first baby and I asked how do you want to feel they might automatically say, well I want to I want a healthy baby. No matter what it takes. And then a lot of times like in a hospital setting managed by a specialist that that's, that's going to equate to a healthy mom healthy baby. And I just like to say of course you want to help the mom unhealthy baby like that's the baseline, but we can build on that and you can have a healthy mom healthy baby and feel happy and satisfied with your experience when you sort of consider the full picture.

10:15

Exactly. Now I love it

10:17

I love it. Um, now another part

10:20

of what you could have on your birth support team is another person that actually supports you throughout the pregnancy but then also plays a role in the labor and birthing process, and that would be a doula. So let's go ahead and define what a doula is

10:41

for us, Rachel. Absolutely. Well the technical definition is a support person during pregnancy, labor for in the first little bit of time postpartum who helps you, and you know they provide informational support physical support emotional support. But really, what a birth doula is is someone who is on your team. They don't work for the hospital, they're not married to you. They're not your in law, they are just there for you, your needs are their number one priority. Helping you kind of shift into an active participant so we spend all the time during pregnancy. We spend conversations really kind of peeling back the layers of helping you figure out exactly what you want to meet you where you're at so personal preferences are always considered gaining knowledge and education about the normal birth process, finding ways to feel comfortable during labor and birth. Considering your personal needs, wants, desires, your unique circumstances and Taking all this into consideration, so that you can have a birth that you feel great about and that is safer and healthier. When you add to your main fear that you're gonna look back and be like, Yeah, I did that and I feel great about that and part of that too is learning about your rights giving birth, learning about that like I said the normal physiological birth process really learned how to make shared decisions with your care provider, you know, we're not in the space during labor and birth to speak for you. So we spend time teaching you how to speak for yourself how to ask questions, how to advocate for yourself, but as a birth worker we're inherently perfect because our goal is birth is safer and healthier and happier for all birthing people. And also, part of that is learning. I lost my train of thought there for a second, but I'm helping you create your birth plan, and I was gonna ask you

12:52

about brain land, Because that's part of it as well

12:55

too. Yeah, and walking through that I think that's one of the biggest educational tools that I offer is like the birth planning process, because that sort of walks you through all the possible things that might arise and helps you decide, okay, yes I want that and no I don't, and helps you learn about the things that you don't know about, and helps you sort of formulate that plan and I believe the process is way more valuable than the plan,

13:19

and nobody else. And so you learn,

13:21

okay well this is

13:22

what I don't want very bad oh I don't want this, and that helps you formulate that plan and everything that you're saying resonates with me because I'm like, Oh,

13:31

I wish,

13:32

I wish I had had you at my birth because I did not have a doula so this is why I always talk to my moms about like, this is so important, as someone to have they're with you to help you navigate these things that maybe you

13:44

don't know.

13:46

Right, especially if you're going to be in that obesity it's hard sometimes to get in touch with them to ask them questions

13:51

for them to spend time

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with you, sometimes it's not all the time but that's just, and that was my experience with it and so it's so important to have that extra support person

14:02

there. Yeah, and they're there continuously so that's one of the greatest benefits of health a doula. And this is what creates such positive outcomes with bursts that are supported with a doula there as well as that, having that continuous support helps you, reduces use of narcotics or epidurals and helps reduce the rate of Syrian, it helps reduce the rate of any kind of instrumental delivery that helps improve overall life satisfaction with the birth, you know, having that continuous support unit OB, or even the midwife, the midwife my main amount but they really only come in as you're delivering the baby, and then your nurse is usually managing one maybe two other patients at the same time and they're in and out but they're busy with paperwork and charting and other things. And so this, having to do and they're they're continuously so, and we really can't predict exactly what will arise during birth but having that person there to help you, like, feel supported, navigating all of that and he said, can just make you feel confident and assure that you like had someone on your team and that you understood like someone, you know, say the care provider walks in and it's like, you know, we're ready to break your water it's time to get things going, you know, I would never step in and say, No, you know, we wait for the provider to leave and then we sit and we're talking to say okay this is what they said, Have you still

15:27

really is the benefit and it says yeah,

15:29

you know, we walk through it and then you come to your own decision, with your partner or yourself or whatever, and then the care provider comes back and you're like, This is what I want to do, and maybe you decide yes that's what she wants. You decide no you'd like to wait and see. And there's no immediate need to break the water like okay so when you make those sort of patient informed decisions that are supported with provided any information, your intuition and seeing about what other options available when you kind of take each decision point with that mindset. It just leads to the definition of an empowered birth right like I don't make you have the power, you have an empowered birth but it's through that process, and it helps to have that support of a birth doula along the way and they take this extra pressure off of your spouse or your partner who's also there but they carry a whole different set of values and weight on their shoulder so again, doesn't replace the partner at all. This is a tripod. Now, and I always

16:32

say yeah, like I had a patient recently, and they were planning a home birth. And so the home birth midwives came over the House to talk about like the pool setup and where they're going to do things and how this, and like it got really real for the dad at that point, because this was their first baby. And so that's when hearing all that was like, um, I do really think that we should have a doula and so I'm always like, that is,

16:58

yes, like,

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I remember in my birth I relied too much on my husband to be that birth support person, I needed him there, But I do

17:06

wish I had had someone there to support both of us, you know, because that was kind of, you know i That's how I see it as far as it helps that verse support person, or your spouse there with you to help them to focus on you and that sort of thing instead of like wait what were those comfort measures we were supposed to do, oh my gosh that's like you know like, yeah, I always say

17:27

that it helps them be there for you and exactly the way they need to be there for you without worrying about all the other things going on and, and I think a lot of people feel like yes my partner is super involved he knows his stuff like he's hands on like he's gonna be great and I'm like yes like, that's awesome. It's amazing that you might decide that, that you don't need or want that extra person there, then I say, you know, look into some extra support and DIY type doula childbirth education stuff before the birth, so I think you can, you can take that approach too but just knowing the benefits of having the physical in person, by continuous support is invaluable and and indispensable, and my husband now says and he's had. He we hired a doula for my first, and he did it skeptically, and it was like, or hesitantly and constantly and he was like about this, and now he's like, like doulos for all like,

18:27

and you get to do it you get

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down, and then it's just him kind of walking through that experience and a lot of people feel that way a lot of that lending institution but and you don't know until you've been through it and, and what's good for you and what's not, and everyone's needs are different and if you don't feel like it goes for you. That's okay I just say no that is an option, and exploring and see if you think that could benefit you. And now, right,

18:51

ask those questions that's, that's the key point there. And I'm so in line with asking questions and having that support person there with you. There are people that you can have as far as your birth support team that aren't necessarily

19:11

in the room with you during

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labor and birth like in that active part of it, they can still support you, you know, throughout the pregnancy before the perfect pregnancy and beyond to so obviously I'm going to say that I do believe that a Webster certified chiropractor is an important part of

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a birth support team. Yes, I'm right here. Getting that

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like I did right.

19:41

And so that's really looking at that pelvic and sacral alignment that brain body connection body brain mentioned that nervous system function, making sure that

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everything's lined up and working

19:54

properly as best as it can be, and that's kind of, you know, my approach to care with my mom's my patients everybody comes in there also is different so it's really looking at the mom

20:05

then and it really

20:06

is that care for mom and Webster, is that specific pelvic and sacral chiropractic analysis and technique really looking at that,

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bio

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chemical bio physiological aspects of the nervous system, and making sure that we do have that proper alignment and so I know I could speak my own testimony too

20:28

as far as

20:30

having one pregnancy, not being adjusted. And then my second pregnancy being adjusted, and what a night and day difference, it was. And so, I see that, you know, in the moms that I

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work with two, which is always. I think something to point out to in regards to why a chiropractor is so important for the work team and I mean I tell all my accepting Mona's and my students that chiropractic care is foundational. and so important for having a healthy and safe pregnancy ever. And I think it's important to recognize that, I think a lot of you know that a lot of weight into their care provider to their doctor or even their midwife, but really they are looking at ensuring baby's good and sharing like basic vitals are good like no major things have arisen, they aren't, aren't really looking at the things that you're looking at. And I think that's what's super important for people to realize is that it's like to have integrative care, like you've got to look at the whole body and consider all the different things and the doctor that's not their skillset. That's not their training and so seeking care to say okay, they're helping me with this thing. I've got my Doula help me with this thing, and then my chiropractor so they ensure that full body integration and alignment and all the things that you can't really even feel, and you may not even see if there's so much going on and it's not even doesn't even present as a, as a discomfort sometimes,

22:00

right as you say I work with moms who come in, they're like, Oh,

22:03

I just want, I just want this as part

22:05

of my birth support team,

22:06

I feel great during my pregnancy I just want to make sure that I maintain this you know and then, you know, of course I work with the women that do have round ligament pain

22:15

or

22:16

sciatica, those are the main things that you know come in some of that low back tension, and that sort of thing, but you don't, I mean, always you don't have to be in pain, to see a chiropractor to also experience the benefits

22:29

from being under care. Yeah, absolutely. I'm I have my own personal experience too that I will share is that I didn't see see chiropractic care until I was like 37 or 38 weeks pregnant with my first and I was only doing that because I, before like my Doula was like, you know, to get things going, or to try and help with getting labor started insurance things I want each problem to see a contract. And as opposed to having a thought about that. And that just that exposure to a chiropractor who so similar to you as far as like, really caring about the pregnant body and making sure I was well taken care of and the needs are being met, and as long as that my body was in alignment, and I didn't stop seeing a chiropractor, we are still seeing a chiropractor right so I solved in my entire second pregnancy. And so the difference between my first and second having covered him the entire time was night and day, and my work is my second was like lightning cracks compared to my first, and I would like to say that chiropractic, because of the pregnancy. So yeah I mean I think going to see a chiropractor also helps you have this other connection within the community this other resource you have like you offer so much to your clients are like resources and tips for having a healthy pregnancy for living a healthy lifestyle, and then that carries over into the postpartum and then as they're raising their newborn and they're feeling like it doesn't fit. And sometimes, Mama see you before they see their OB at their six week appointment sometimes you're the first, the first person. The first care provider that they encounter after the birth, and that kind of support is invaluable and so needed so just recognizing that like seeing someone who cares so much about your unique needs and individual situation, more than I think some other care providers on your team, like, it's so important to have that type of exposure.

24:31

Yeah, it's that other kind of touch point of someone checking in on you, and it just in a different arena, you know, a different asset, a different way instead of just like, Okay, well, we've worked on this earth plane here that sort of thing. Okay, we're working on pelvis and central limit here here's some stretches you can do, here's some exercises you can do, let's make sure baby position is good like those types of thing you know it's it's just another one of those touch points and you know there's been some research to, I know you mentioned this with a doula as far as, you know better birth outcomes less interventions medical pain meds and that sort of thing. There is research done to with chiropractic, as far as decreased labor times in first time versus second time moms, and then also decreased use in, you know, needing those pain medications, during the birth process you know when things are lined up and, you know, you and I both experienced those, the chiropractic care, you know, not so much with one pregnancy and then a lot with the other and so I know that there are,

25:34

yes, the second pregnancy,

25:35

typically, that birth time is not as long, and that sort of thing but when I mean I had a 21 hour difference so that was, that was huge, you know, compared to oh well this is just because it was your second maybe well there's some other, you know, there were other factors and results of that because it just sits there too so

25:55

I know you, I know you agree with that.

25:59

Yeah, I can't say it enough, I mean if I have if I'm talking to a pregnant mom or whether they're my client, or not and they're like, not feeling great, or just in general, I'm like drinking water doesn't happen a lot, but these are the two things that if you're doing this throughout the course of your pregnancy, you're going to have a better chance of having a smooth. And I know that I'm oversimplifying it but it really is so important. And I think, you know, exploring, carpenters in your area and if you live in the Atlanta area, check out Shannon and her offices justification for expecting mamas and families and again, it's like night and day to a doctor's office right there's no paper on the table and there's no floor so you try to get by lighting is good you got essential oils going it's like cozy, you know, you don't have to take off your clothes it's just like,

26:51

yeah, yeah.

26:55

If that if it is like.

26:57

Now another aspect to our talking about our birth support team. It's, there's like a component of education, you know and like that birth education and this topic too I think can overwhelm people because sometimes there are so many, you know, childbirth education classes and what are you going to take and how are you going to give birth and the pain mechanism coping mechanisms and all of that

27:26

can be overwhelming.

27:28

But again,

27:29

breaking it down, keeping it simple, looking through things and looking at that education piece, I think, is a

27:37

huge part of that choice support.

27:42

Absolutely, absolutely. I'll speak from my personal experience first from when I was pregnant with my, my first son is again it was recommended by my Doula to, to check out an out of hospital childbirth education class and we signed up for one it was like a six week deal and we met every Sunday and there was a few other couples in it, and it, it opened my eyes so much because they walk through the whole like normal process of pregnancy growing a baby labor starting during labor post birth newborn care, and I was like I had no idea. Oh yeah, these, this is not covered 99% of this is not covered at your doctor's visits or your even if it's with a midwife, and the doula definitely can give some of that information but it's more reinforced when you have this foundation of actual knowledge that you gain from an education or the childbirth education class A doula if they're just, they're just maximizing the benefits of having a doula. Because when they're talking about stuff and helping you it makes sense because you've learned about it. But I think the greatest benefit in this is now I'm a childhood educator, and this is why I am T sharp education is because when you have a chance to learn and build a solid foundation of education and knowledge about the normal physiological process of birth. It helps you navigate if and when like issues or variations of normal arise because birth is not linear. It's not an agency type of point and that's not what doulas are trauma, education educators are trying to do, they're not saying oh, this is simple. There's, they're saying it's not simple. And because of that it's best to learn about the windy road from pregnancy to delivering your baby and it can have some bumps and some hurdles along the way but when you know you have a basic knowledge of what's happening within your body. Variations of normal what xy and z are and how they work and how they function, and, and all of that then when things come up, you're like okay I'm aware of that, it's not that you're hearing about things in labor, all of a sudden you're like I had no idea that was a thing, because when you get into labor and birth and things are happening that you've never even heard about, it's gonna feel more overwhelming and stressful, and then that just sort of cascades.

30:10

I mean,

30:11

yes, so everything. He just said was like me, I only took the hospital, eight hour childbirth education

30:19

class,

30:20

I think I then took, I think we took like a little a newborn class to you know tell you you know how to figure out the diapers and all of that, you know, for the person that's, that's all I took, and they're, what comes to mind when I say that is, you know, how we give birth is important, but how we feel about how we give birth is so important, too, and I ended up with an emergency C section, I didn't even know, I didn't even look at or research or know what was going to happen with a C section to like I didn't know any of that I didn't know the interventions that were going on I was just kind of like, oh my gosh, what is happening. And I do think that more of an intensive, look at that normal physiological process of birth outside of, you know the book What to Expect When You're Expecting more too much more childbirth education than that and there's more to it then. The hospital course not saying that the hospital forces that but just immerse yourself in things because there's so many layers to it and that education can really help you make those informed decisions and then you can feel that empowerment in like, Okay,

31:33

I noticed, I looked at this, it gives you that flexibility

31:36

that ability to adapt. If and when changes and things arise. Exactly yeah and I love that you

31:44

teach the courses I

31:45

love that you teach, Yeah, my, my overall approach is very similar today that we're going to learn about you know the physiological process right and you're going to get to like the textbook information, but then we're going to talk about maybe share you're going to learn how to make shared and informed decisions, meaning you are asking questions using a specific like a call the brain acronym and its benefits risks alternatives, intuition, and nothing, and you're going to use that with each little thing that arises, and you're going to ask the questions you know gather the information. So that's called shared and informed decision making so you're gathering the information in your care providers responsibilities to give you just the information, not their opinion. And then you check in with yourself and you practice this, you learn this every pregnancy of how to do this so you're prepared, you gather the information you check in with yourself. Consider your personal needs, wants, desires, and then you make a decision, and then wash and repeat. So my thing is like you may not know all the things but if you have this set of tools and you practice it during pregnancy. Then when you get into birth, you can navigate whatever arises and then you stay more in control and more on top of things versus letting things take you over or, you know, being like snowball down into this thing that you're like, I feel totally out of control and I hear that all too often that the women who gave birth in a hospital where they, they didn't feel prepared or they, you know, things went sideways that it was just this huge cascade of events that overtook them. And I'm not saying that can't happen, there's not a right look for per situation but it's less likely to happen with some of these steps and it's not about knowing all things. It's not

33:29

about it's not about being ready for control. Yeah, that whole time because birth is a process that you are inherently not in control, for sure, you can't control the contractions, you know, but it's, it's finding that sweet spot of having that knowledge to help

33:49

you

33:50

stay in that flow, you know, and not kind of approach it with. I think fear can def is one of the biggest things that can really mess up that process, you know, and give you that like oh gosh I'm out of control out of control this heaviness, I don't know what's happening now type of thing. So,

34:08

knowledge and support, and flexibility, is when you have that, when things start filling control you can, you can kind of get back into a perception of feeling and control when I'm with you, you can't be you're not going to control, but you can't be, have a sense of empowerment, meaning whatever arises unprepared or, or you see yourself and I think part of this work on third chakra distribution through the time we work together is shifting into seeing yourself as the decision maker, as autonomy. This means you have rights and autonomy over your body and then all too often I'm in my children class talking about, you know, pushing positions and and people will raise their hand and be like, but what if the doctor makes me push up, says I have to get in the bed and push on my back. I'm like, your baby your body your birth, like you have rights, and right now you can advocate for yourself so helping them shift out of like seeing the provider as the person in charge, and seeing themselves with someone, charging that you can work together to make decisions that are best for you. And so it's a big process and it's a combination of that foundation of knowledge, having a good supportive respectful birth team. Considering your personal needs, wants, desires, your unique circumstances and situation because everyone is different, right, and then having this firm and flexible arm and blessing it, or bamboo both exist, and put all that together and I think you are set up to have the best version available to you. And I'm not saying it's perfect, it's not right doesn't equal a perfectly for for, but I do feel like it can help you feel good about your experience, kind of, no matter how it unfolds because along the way you did what you need, but you made the next best choice with support and respect and. And I think that's all that together is of super valuable component to trauma preparation.

36:06

Totally. And a lot of those childbirth education classes I know in yours, you go over some of the extra things too, but it is, I think good to have.

36:18

Okay, talk a little bit about the newborn care,

36:20

you know, and let's just have a little bit of basis there too, because you know Lord knows you don't want to have very first time you're like, what's going on what's normal what's not normal, like all those like immediate, you know birth related things what is at bar, what are they looking for like all of those little mini things going on at

36:37

the beginning but they are. Yeah, just and just like them immediately beyond the birth and a little care tips and stuff but then also looking into that

36:47

breastfeeding,

36:48

education,

36:49

you know, I know I took

36:51

a course before.

36:53

I have my first, and that, I don't know, I remember that

36:59

I was like, Oh, I can do this position and hold the baby nurse and I can hold in this position, I know that the largest book to sell like this and this and I remember these things and knew it and I felt so empowered,

37:09

and I had such a good

37:11

breastfeeding experience I think that played a real big part in that was that beforehand

37:16

education instead of like,

37:18

oh baby here. Personally,

37:19

I know I need help, like, and I know you know, nursing is can be difficult, you know,

37:24

in itself, but

37:26

that beforehand education linked with,

37:29

You know the childbirth education and a newborn and breastfeeding

37:32

I think is also important part of that education unit for the birth support

37:36

oh my gosh, it is monumental. The event, I mean it's crazy because it happens to so many people, and all the time every day as far as giving birth, but it's monumental, It is transformational. And it deserves, time and effort and energy spent on learning, what is normal and how to prepare so that you at least have some general ideas again. But taking a breastfeeding class I recommend it to everyone. And it's because it's like once you get to the other side and you're the right person to baby while it is natural and normal. There's still a learning curve. Now you're learning your baby's learning, and just hearing some simple terms and positions to have in your back pocket to try and, and maybe warning signs to look for comfort things to try as your dogs coming in those little things will incrementally make your work, but your your breastfeeding journey a little bit easier and if we can have that be a little bit easier for her mama's and less overwhelming less stressful less scary less alone, because when I did my breastfeeding class I was in touch with that person through my post Arno, but they weren't available to me as far as Quick Question and Answer support. And so I think having again the other touch points in your pregnancy if somebody can be there for you in the postpartum as you're navigating that breastfeeding journey is invaluable. And so yeah, I highly recommend checking out of like hospital, and even your children's education. Like a separate like a standalone and I touch on that. Yeah, I touch on breastfeeding I call it breastfeeding one on one kind of getting started I definitely touch on that. So that if they don't get a separate class that they at least have a little introduction to it, and I am going to do an extra bonus on my first six weeks where I cover newborn care newborn sleeping soothing, like stuff like that, because, you know, if they don't get that separate newborn care process, again, I recommend, because I don't think you can learn too much, I don't think you can add too much about these things so I do believe independent newborn care classes, independent breastfeeding classes, and obviously childbirth education, and they might feel like a lot, so if you're hearing us talk, and we're champion and all these things and all these people, you might be feeling like overwhelmed by how do I know where to begin or how do I know what should happen, or you might think that's a lot of money, you know, everything we're talking about customizing really worried about that and I say just, just start with what you got. And just like make an access choice instead and, and if it's important

So how these people, you might be feeling like overwhelmed by how do I know where to begin or how do I know what should happen, or you might think that's a lot of money, you know, everything we're talking about costs money so you might be worried about that and I say just, just start with what she got, and just like make The Next Best Choice and staffing, and if it's important to you and it matters, you'll find a way.

0:24

Exactly, and I was gonna say that too. I know it can sound overwhelming like It's and we're not even done, we still have more people, you can have on your birth support team, but I think it's worth noting. I've worked with moms that, you know, I've had no one else. It's just been the opening in me, worked with Mazda have had everybody on this list, I've worked with, but you know there's there's no one size fits all, reverse support team, but I think it's important to just say okay this is an option, at least ask the question and research it just a little bit more so that you say okay yes that assigned to me. No it doesn't, I don't need that part of it right now. Yeah, and I just noticed

0:59

that the options are there and I think that's what you and I care a lot about, it's not that everyone goes and hires all these people, it's that they know that it's out there and that it can help them along their journey right, And based on their needs or wants but the ones we've spoken about here we feel like a really foundational. And if you can prioritize these that you really make a big difference in your overall experience like do such a campaign, definitely you're adding everyone's team needs are different, because it says yeah this is not like a one size fits all, I couldn't agree more with how you wrapped that up.

1:34

Yeah, and so in line with

1:37

talking about the education.

1:40

Sometimes there is instead an extra support that can come from a lactation anyways so that's even more specified information from someone who is trained. Helping

1:57

moms and babies have a successful nursing journey, there's two, there's, there's to be one box.

2:06

It's more than just enough supply it's also going to gradually be tongue tied with tight issues and there's so many other things and so having lactation consultants available and even just knowing that that is out there, and can be so beneficial to moms, even outside of that education course so yes you can take, you know that nursing course but they know okay there's even more support there if I should need it.

2:33

Come,

2:34

the time you're actually starting to nurse. Yeah, and I, and I encourage people to do the research and exploration of lactation consultants in your area while you're pregnant. Because, best case scenarios you have as easy peasy. No problem breastfeeding journey, you don't need that person, but let's say it's not a scam you need to make sure support you've done the legwork. And I think that kind of falls in, with all the people we're talking about that can help you is like, do some of that legwork during pregnancy spend that time and effort, energy so that when the time comes, if you recognize, you might need that extra support, you've already maybe had a conversation with them, you know, their phone number, you know that they offer virtual support or you have to go to their office, you know, how much of my cost, like all their senses that when you're postpartum exhausted stressed, your boobs hurt your baby's crying lingering on like flu, I hope you have walked through those steps already mental I've got this person ready to go and maybe you don't need them. But if you do, it's a lot easier to get started with them.

3:39

Exactly. It's so much easier when you already have that like, post it note, all of your information already.

3:46

And,

3:47

you know,

3:48

birth is, I don't like to say that birth is traumatic because it is not traumatic for everyone, but it is a stressful and stressful process, and so it can be. There's just a lot going on in that pelvic floor area. And so there are,

4:05

I don't even think I knew about this when I was pregnant, but there

4:08

are physical therapists, who are trained specifically in working with the pelvic floor and the Center for training specifically in working with men and their calling for pelvic floor and so knowing how much stress and strain occurred in that pelvic floor

4:24

area for moms,

4:27

physical therapists that specialize in

4:29

working with women count, and

4:33

they really make a big difference, not only during pregnancy to check in and make sure things are fine but, you know, a lot of times in that postpartum time period, a lot of years down the road as part of the incontinence or those types of things prolapse and so it's really looking at that proactive aspect of women's health sure what they project is important for during a pregnancy, and having that resource for later

5:01

if we should

5:02

have that person, their information written down so that you have it readily available so if my pain is normal, we're not sure

5:14

if they're super valuable because there's so much to do, right after her, you can actually help facilitate my restorative recoveries of your pelvic floor and my for me, I didn't cry. I was like six weeks postpartum. Now is the

5:36

new

5:39

pelvic floor recover and restore so that you don't have those, years later, company, or discover. And so, and so I say during pregnancy you can kind of learn that it's a tool bag ready to go so that after the birth, you are prepared and then you have further issues that you may be reaching out to and I think, unfortunately, pelvic floor issues and complications are not talked about like, it's not anywhere in the postpartum follow up with OB, or even maybe your midwife, but it's just not standard care to say, like, have you assessed your pelvic floor the seat and you're doing like Friday where you're at, like, these are things you can do right away and then at six weeks. The reality is your pelvic floor goes through a lot and whether you have a vaginal birth or Suspiria first your pelvic floor has still been strained, not working, it's been working late that has never been worked before and how things that vary from person to person. I just want to normalize the strongest of the pelvic floor, weakness. The pain and say, just get help and you can feel better sooner or faster and better, and for therapists are rectified and they typically need them.

7:12

Now, I angry or upset and I too didn't

7:17

know of their value,

7:18

when I go into this.

7:22

So I'm going to work on that with her, a fitness exercise I've been like, well that was a big thing to all of that

7:32

for me because you were right. When you're going for that safety check that your provider, whoever that may be, is they're not specifically looking at some of those things that are out there because the training is

7:47

very early on so like to not have to be comfortable with you, with the rest of your life

7:58

right now. Yeah. And so beneficial for during my disease, and that was part of and beyond. And then also, speaking of that return to exercise but there are, you know, there are things you can do you can still exercise while you're pregnant, like let's say that I get the worst looks at the gym and I would be lifting weights, right, and now I'm like well I'm happy now that it seems to be a little bit more normalized. But, you know, it's not necessarily that you need to pick

8:32

up new forces in the wild turkey

8:36

or anything, I'm going to start reading through that.

8:40

But if you maintain your level of fitness, you know, throughout

8:44

life.

8:45

Yes, making some modifications, but there's no reason why we still exercise but so there are, you know that's another aspect of looking at that verse support team is those people that maybe can help you with exercise this can even be prenatal yoga because there's no specific yoga instructors with that, this is even looking at birth. It is another wonderful option it's really it looks at you know chiropractic and add to that nutritional aspect which is also in this too, as far as supporting yourself nutritionally and exercise wise. But that's an important part of that healthy pregnancy too is maintain that level of fitness and being able to move, and exercise

9:29

without too. If you know how to move things to do exercises specific to pregnancy is reporting especially if you weren't talking from industry to advisory work super active before, it's not too late to start with your body with a recommendation. We're more than seven years, sedentary and your pre pregnancy. That doesn't mean you can't start exercising, some kind of movement, walking, gentle yoga, stretching right if you weren't like doing something hardcore before it's okay to still take an activity and do it because I'm not I'm not doing anything now doing it so for that kind of person to I think having some sort of prenatal finding that fifth baby or some sort of prenatal specific exercise program is for a person, a coach or there's a lot of

10:29

prenatal

10:30

fitness coaches out there to help them get that can get definitely getting and I think a lot of that in helping these people too, because a lot of like, oh well maybe you shouldn't do that with exercising and

10:43

for simple exercises or jumping over complicated you just have to some sort of national conference you can just go for more, and continue to work and build up, there's no wrong, there's a good chapter, walking time someone guide you through those safe exercises. And then for the most part our bodies, our bodies can handle more than we think they can. And for anyone who was doing this like hardcore regimens before you can almost always continue them with a little bit of modification so even CrossFit, running, you know, weightlifting, things like that can be continued again, you got to do what's up for you. Be in touch with your care provider, especially with all the data, all the disclaimers. But, moral of the story. Just move

11:34

your body,

11:35

and feed your body good things. There are also wonderful. Nutritional coaches out there too, because there are going to be certain things that you

11:47

should,

11:48

could look at supplementing with in your

11:52

food and diet, your OB providers will talk about

11:55

making sure not to print a lot there's so many problems with that. That you nutritional aspects, it's not. And I will say that it's not eating

12:11

too much, it just kind of gives you a

12:16

pathway. But there are healthy ways

12:20

to incorporate meals and to benefit not only you but maybe since babies getting all nutrition from other stuff. So there are people out there who are in

12:33

good nutrition can really reduce the rate of value awareness and disease and complications. Food is medicine. Right. And we believe that taking that seriously during this time, can really help you have a healthier your competition. I will say first trimester, I really feel, yucky and don't want to hear you, I've been there and I ate. I carbs and cheese, for the first four weeks, and that was what I have to do to survive, and that there's, it's okay. Right, yeah. It doesn't have to be perfect just as a when you start feeling better. When you're hitting a stride and not as nauseous, then, then really, really start incorporating more veggies and proteins, and healthy grains, all the things. If you need help with that, then there are specific for helping all through that.

13:29

Yeah, because I was going to say, you don't want to be hard on yourself to

13:32

wrap it up

13:33

with that. Yeah, I mean I went through the sake of this, the thought of this makes me not use right now like all I really want is everything that's bad for me I don't know how many times I really want.

13:46

This is where there has to be in the first trimester, you're learning, you're the energy you're using to create, but the duplication multiplication of the cells if you're planning for your baby, the rate is higher than it is at any other point in pregnancy so car will tend to crave carbs, during the first trimester, which are also easier to work on our attorneys are talking about bread jokes, plain pasta, things like that, but that obviously your body needs more during the first trimester than any other points of pregnancy so understanding what's happening within the environment so you're not like, oh I want to eat his white bread. You know, obviously, you will always want to be aware of what we're eating but it's okay and energy serves a purpose like our bodies actually know what it means, especially in that first trimester. And so you can

14:41

have those people. You're our support team, you know that nutrition aspect. So, someone to go to to be like, oh my gosh this is all I want. I've in my head I feel horrible that, you know I'm not going to choose maybe not getting nutrition, well maybe they have a snack that you haven't thought of

14:59

or some sort of recipe or something to

15:02

give you to say okay, this is good this is where we're going to go from here you know this is what we can work with this is something that you can do so again it's helping you kind of get out of that overwhelm and out of that headspace. And so I think one of the last people that we have to mention and talk about which might actually be one of the most important ones too, is really looking at

15:30

Mom's mental health.

15:32

I know there's been a lot more, I've seen shared lately, and from the mental health aspect of things as far as releasing some of the stigma related to meaning counseling or therapy, or you know just suck it up and, you know, you're swallowing those thoughts and feelings, and it seems to be now more acceptable to talk about it, which is huge because there are so many layers in pregnancy that your mental health. It just can take a toll on your mental health. And so and that's that's pretty deceptive, you could have been dealing with infertility, You could have had anxiety or depression beforehand and you're trying to deal with it during pregnancy or something new or then even navigating the postpartum I mean there's so many, there's so many ways to talk about it and go with it but it's something that needs to be discussed

16:26

and addressed, I think. And I think during pregnancy. whether you struggle with fear and anxiety and all kinds of mixed emotions will arise. Whether you have a smooth, complicated pregnancy or or a constant more complicated one. It shows for everyone in one degree or another. So having some support. That is, you know, professional is incredibly valuable to ensuring that your mental health stays where it needs to be so that you can thrive during this time and having an assess during pregnancy, so that you can prepare for the postpartum right, And I believe that if, correct me if I'm wrong but that if you struggle with like pretty conservative with mental disorders or anxiety disorders or anything like that, then you have a greater chance of being exposed to them during, during pregnancy and then even more so postpartum. So, being proactive in your care is it's incredibly important and there are lots of wonderful pregnancy counselors perinatal therapists, and even at Mayo right so after the birth therapists or counselors who can help you navigate this this very delicate and sometimes overwhelming and stressful and beautiful and glorious I need to follow a mix of things and it's okay if it doesn't feel joyful and it's okay if it doesn't feel perfect or or euphoric. It's it's deciding, and that's having someone help you to decide or figure out, okay, this is this just disappointment, or is this deeper like Am I really struggling with some sort of imbalance or, you know,

18:11

that's key. That's what I was gonna say too is that really like reach out and ask a question, so you know okay is this surface level, or is this seeping deeper and taking a hold, and we've really got some extra

18:24

work to do. And the sooner you can identify it and treat it, you'll have a shorter recovery, and it'll be less severe. So I think we're active and I think that's an important conversation to have with partners and family, I always mentioned this in my last class as far as like talked about this with your partner about expectations about signs about what is this like what's the news and what's actual postpartum depression, talk to your family about it because when you're in it. You're talking to the birthing person, and you're struggling is gonna be a lot harder for you to say hey I need help. So, informing the people around you on this topic too I think is a very important part of the mental health component. Definitely.

19:10

Yes, you were gonna say something,

19:12

I was I was because I wanted I didn't know we were done, the counselor because I wanted to add the another person for your birth support team is the postpartum doula.

19:21

Yeah. You read my mind I was looking over here oh

19:24

wait, there's

19:25

someone else. Yeah, I know we talked about a doula earlier, but there's like letters to a doula I feel like because, I mean there's lots of different, you know, trainings that doulas can take to so there's lots of, you know, different techniques I guess used in some of the doula work but one of those aspects and one of those specialties that some postpartum care your pitch, holy moly, Michigan, key section, you know and like your husband's gonna go back to work or spouses because after work in like, no family around and stuff like you are not alone, my friend.

20:00

So those are just take over.

20:04

as part of that helps you know supporting, I mean they can have a breastfeeding newborn care, soothing your newborn breakfast I said breastfeeding, you know, postpartum depression, folding laundry running laundry doing chores getting food in, You know, getting a meal train going. Keeping visitors that you don't want away. I mean, they can come for one hour a day they can come for 12 hours a day, they can come overnight. They can be on call it whatever you want right I suppose more realism as I know, kind of work in this like flexible type of based on the need, right, right. But having that I'm sure you know some of the things we've said, you're like well how do I even know if I need that I'm just bringing in a postpartum doula and they can help you navigate and identify things and then seek like the right person who can maybe help you if you need it, if they're unable to address the need or help. But in those first few weeks after the baby's born or sometimes even like you said, they don't even come in and tell the husband goes back to work, or the partner goes back to work but maybe you don't need that those are a little for the first two weeks, but they come in when the partner, or the mother in law leaves

21:20

or can't everybody's gone and you're sitting there.

21:24

Sometimes when you get the most out, it's not right away even, it's when, you know, I mean, I would have loved to have had a postpartum doula when my husband went back to work I was in that Oh yeah. And it was far too quickly, and we're in America. I mean, if you're a foreigner, maternity leave or paternity leave is like a whole nother conversation but um postpartum doulas are multifaceted and multi layered, I say look around, do some research, figure out if you have like, If you're like I really just need help with chores and I don't want help, feeding my baby okay postpartum doula. If you really know you want help with breastfeeding and soothing debating and taking care of the baby in the middle of the night. Okay, postpartum doula like there. There's the needs, or why or like the nice they mean are very wide.

22:15

Yeah, that they cover lots and lots of skills. Yeah, so, um, I know I think one big takeaway from sharing this verse support team is that just as we are all different. We are all biochemically different we're all, you know presented your reverse support team will be different, you know, it doesn't have it's not a one size fits all type of thing. And so I think that big thing is being okay with that. And really being okay with asking the questions you know, ask the help if you need it,

22:54

do the searching do the research you know put in the time

22:59

and just chip away at it you don't have to you know sit down and get overwhelmed with it I think that's one thing I would not want any mom to leave this conversation with as, as far as you know, well, now I'm overwhelmed, I'm not going to do anything like email either way so it's like once a month little thing you can do reach out to one,

23:18

you know provider ask one question

23:19

over here, and enough to where you start to feel comfortable and confident in who you have surrounding you for your birth.

23:29

I completely agree and I think something cool too about some of the birth support team members that we talked about like doula chiropractor and childbirth educator that just being in touch with one of them outside of your like OB right outside of the hospital or your, your, your care provider isn't those types of birth support members typically can lead you have pointe shoes to address your like your point about being overwhelmed or knowing where to start, is you can just like start with one and just start exploring there that it can kind of organically grow from there without being like, oh, there's too many choices too many things to consider how to do anything. Just start with one, one that resonates with you the most maybe like chiropractic, that's I'm going to start there if you just start there because like you. You talked about. I'm talking about general education we talk about pelvic floor therapist and breastfeeding support and Postpartum Support. So just by choosing a new contractor. They are then being exposed to the rest of that person and community due to

24:58

just start with one, one that resonates with you the most, maybe I'm a chiropractor, but I'm going to start therapy to start there because I knew for example, you, you talk about people support you, you're talking about childbirth education you talk about pelvic floor therapists and breastfeeding support and Postpartum Support. So just by choosing you choosing a chiropractor. They are then being exposed to the rest of that person.

25:26

That is there so.

25:29

So not to get overwhelmed just choose one like you said and start there and and work with what you got where you're at and make the best to you. Our goal is that you know, available options that you're familiar with the terms and types and benefits and in hopes that even just one little tip, lead you in a direction of positivity and growth and health to

25:49

happiness. And now, and lucky for all those who are listening, because we have our own I know I have a blog written about the universe support team and I discovered, just a few of them, and then like I even call it business versus in office two I know you know that but, and you've got things on your website, correct about versa 14

26:14

Yeah, part of my first trip to the 35 page guide for newly pregnant mamas and then I go over in depth section on building your support team, as well as a lot of other, you know, tackling that first doctor's appointment or handling nausea and morning sickness and, you know, all the things that's out there first 14 weeks that a big section on version 14 Because I think as we've shared here, there's a lot of goodness, and a lot to learn from, from building a solid support team. So yeah, we will share those two things your log in my guide in the show notes for those who are interested in learning more.

27:05

That is right, hopefully you have learned some things today about building more of a support team, and be sure to join us next time for our next podcast.

27:17

Looking forward to understand that. Bye guys.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai