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In today's world, couples are busier than ever. Expectant couples are pulled in various directions daily from binge watching late night tv shows, listening to podcasts, shopping online and keeping up with social media; thus robbing them of their precious time and needed sleep. When it comes to pregnancy, labor, birth and beyond, we must first... ~stop and prioritize the best use of time to prepare for baby's arrival and beyond The challenge is short and simple. Use your time wisely. Moms, YOU WILL have a baby out of your body. Dads/ Partners, hopefully YOU WILL learn how to be an excellent labor coach and someone who can incite your spouse/partner to both practice both physically and mentally for childbirth. Her body has been designed for this challenging athletic event, but it takes knowledge, preparedness and emotional support for her to properly relax during contractions and do what she can to lessen discomfort. We do not have any control over the uterus. We must simply be present, move the air in their bodies, and allow this giant muscle to help our baby down and out. We have only a short nine months to prepare. Well, maybe five to eight days over or even less than nine months for some who go early. In my professional opinion, the best time to educate and train your body to "give birth" is in the second trimester. During weeks one through twelve, get lots of rest and focus on meeting your nutritional needs each day. Morning sickness can be quite a challenge, but nutrition is very important for your growing baby. During pregnancy, there is so much we do not have ultimate control over. Focus daily on what you DO have control over like eating clean, exercising, staying centered and as calm as possible especially if you struggle with anxiety. There are so many unknowns during pregnancy -free your mind of this additional stress. Keep it simple. Add a full minute of meditating on your healthy baby and target birth experience by clearing your mind of all the "what if's" for a full sixty seconds each day for a week. Then, two full minutes the following week and so on for the remainder of your pregnancy, conscientiously releasing stress of the unknowns and keep focusing on the positives (thank your body for what it did well this week and visualize your baby within you perfectly protected, growing and becoming stronger. The same for you and your body). Each baby deserves what I like to call "selfish time." The ultimate goal by the last trimester is 20 minutes of relaxation practice daily. Coaches be sure to practice with Mom also. Mom will have to endure contractions independently, but she needs you to be a relaxing presence to assist her. Practice is key to both of you doing your individual jobs well. I asked Renato and Elizabeth a series of questions. Renato answered honestly as the husband (and now an accomplished) labor coach. I will share their tips throughout this Blog story. Here is Renato's response regarding being better prepared... The past several months were exhausting and a lot of work on top of the normal stresses of work and life. But in all honesty, every aspect of what we prepared for was used during labor and because of the prep work, help from you (Pam our doula), and God’s grace, we were able to have a 100% natural and unmedicated birth. I will say, that I count us both as blessed and lucky, because we did not do everything perfectly, nor always had things under control, but made baby preparations a priority. As a man, I find it absolutely crucial to have a shared role in pregnancy, labor, and postpartum preparation. It has truly made me a better man, son, husband, Child of God, and now father. Just like we were taught in The Bradley Method® that laboring for women can represent submission and surrender, I believe fatherhood helps activate every aspect of what is means to be a man - a provider, a support, and a leader. I promise if you come alongside your wife/partner in baby prep, you will not regret it. ~choose your childbirth education and practice The challenge for couples, (post Covid) is finding a quality childbirth class or course that actually meets in-person. A local group class that meets once weekly is always the best choice. This format allows couples to soak up the information and digest it. In addition, couples have some form of accountability in regards to practicing what they have learned. This allows for couples to interact and empower one another, make new friends and be active participants in class. Couples can try out techniques and resources like peanut and birth balls, rebozo, various massage tools, etc., while being surrounded by likeminded people with similar goals. Renato and Elizabeth chose to prepare for drug-free labor and birth, by training in-person with us at M2b Family Farm located on the east side of Athens, Ga. Both educators themselves, they understood the importance of learning and practicing "before the big day." They desired a deeper level of childbirth education and trained locally for twelve weeks in The Bradley Method® course. Each week they reviewed the course material, completed their workbook assignments and each learned their individual roles. You can find an outline of the twelve segments of study and more information about this course at www.bradleybirth.com/pamelasauls as well as, other childbirth options on our website (www.yourbirthhelper.com) and be sure to select "lessons" from the services page and check out our full list of in-person and virtual training options. Any training is way better than none. Education can make anything easier. A good childbirth workshop, class, or course will also teach the importance of practicing relaxation techniques, teach slow controlled breathing, proper positioning, and techniques to reduce discomfort (as described below). Together, the couple can calmly work together to keep labor progressing. Renato's tips for readers regarding childbirth education... The Bradley Method® classes were very informative and the homework was helpful. The homework was incorporated into our nightly routine and usually started with our physical exercises with practicing squats, butterfly resistance training, pelvic rocks, and forward leaning inversion. Then we would go to the bedroom and practice relaxation for 20 minutes. Sometimes, I would fully lead the relaxation by following the Bradley techniques of massaging, verbally telling Elizabeth to tighten a muscle and then relax it, leading her through visualizations of random scenes like floating on rivers or a peaceful meadow. Other times, I would try my own approaches like praying out loud for the full time or repeating affirmations I knew Elizabeth needed to hear (such as, your body was made for this, Oliver is in the perfect position, God is sovereign and your pregnancy and labor are not a surprise to him). Lastly, we would listen to pregnancy and labor affirmations (like the Christian Hypo Birthing and Bridget Teyler’s YouTube videos). These were really helpful because it would give me a break on nights where the routine was challenging and inspire ideas for other ways to lead relaxation (we used both of the YouTube channels during labor). Honestly, we were really good about doing our Bradley homework every night but there were obvious exceptions here and there. Like, if we went out of town, we would skip relaxation practice, but we would still try to do some of the exercises. On occasion, we would be too tired to do the full nightly routine so, we would pick and choose what we wanted to do on those nights. The most common compromise would be to do squats for a little bit, then pelvic rocks, and then if we chose to also practice relaxation, it would be for less time. Some of the other ways that we prepared included going on walks, chiropractic care (Anthony Chiropractic), working out (I did HIIT training and Elizabeth did her pregnancy workouts), reading books (Dr. Bradley's book, Husband Coached Childbirth for men and Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way for women, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and The Vaccine Book, listened to podcasts and then prayed daily for baby Oliver. You both did an amazing job achieving an unmedicated birth experience. Looking back now, is there anything you would do differently? If I were to go back in time, I still would have done all that we did and honestly just a little bit more to better prepare for the intensity of labor. As much as Elizabeth did her leg exercises, she wishes she had done a bit more upper body strength building, because she used those muscles more than anticipated. Also, I wish I had better prepared my own body for coaching. I should have done ALL the squats with her. After labor was over, my quads, hamstrings, lower back, feet, and definitely my calves were all sore. Additionally, working out my core, arms and back would have greatly helped in taking care of Oliver postpartum. Lastly, during relaxation practice, I would have led Elizabeth to relax while there was a negative stimulation (like ice on her back) to better prepare her for contractions. Elizabeth was able to learn how to separate her body and mind during relaxation (which was crucial during labor), but when there were actual contraction pains, it was harder to see her relax. Some advice I have for coaches is to mentally prepare to see your wife/partner experience labor pains as I found this harder than expected. Once experience I had to face was staying positive and hopeful while knowing Elizabeth was progressing slower than we had hoped. In the photo, YBH Advanced Doula apprentice, Anniston Eberhart, also a Cappa Doula, applies counter-pressure for Elizabeth's low back pain as her husband positions himself where Mom can lean into her contraction to lessen discomfort naturally. Elizabeth and Renato had made a great decision to walk the North Oconee River Greenway to speed labor. As childbirth educators, we often say, "bags packed with one month to go" for a reason. For example, Renato and Elizabeth woke to an early morning water break two weeks prior to their due date. It happens. So, at the very least have your bags partially packed in advance, with a last minute list on the refrigerator or bathroom mirror of anything that cannot go in the bag yet. It is always less stressful to be overly prepared than get to your birth place and not have what you needed or wanted for one to three days. Be ready for this possibility, however unlikely, should it happen to you. Cover cloth seats in your car, consider purchasing a bag of Depends disposable undergarments. Remember, if you experience PROM or premature labor, there are a lot of things you can do without, but you must also have a carseat in your car. Renato and Elizabeth had completed most all their homework and they wrapped up last minute packing and began using all their learned techniques to help progress labor naturally. Any man who desires to really step up and rise to the occasion, not just witness, but actively assist their wife through such an ennobling work should take some lessons from Renato. He came prepared with written letters to read to Elizabeth when she was exhausted from laboring and contractions were consuming her. ~embrace your support system When you are tired and want to throw your birth plan out the window, it is important to surround yourself with those who not just try to support you, but will actually encourage you to achieve your birth your way. Many couples do not understand the psychology behind giving birth. Giving in and giving up is also part of labor and thus built into this process of bringing forth life. When couples better understand the labor phases, they can better support their mate. It works both ways. For husbands/ men/ partners, who truly desire to best support Mom to achieve her wishes for her birth, labor can also take a toll on them. Long hours, lack of sleep, severely fatigued state of minds can also bring labor coaches to a point they may want mom to consider medicine or alternative means of getting a baby out of mom's body. Simply put, for many and especially with a first baby, it can be a longer process full of unknowns and every single heart string of yours can be pulled. It is sometimes challenging not to abandon ship aka "mom's birth plan" midstream. Here are some doula tips: - Remember, ask for a natural birth supportive nurse (if mom's goal is natural childbirth) sometimes reassurance from the staff can make all the difference in a mom who meets her goals for her birth. - When coaching gets tough, don't forget she chose YOU to help her get through this. Believe in yourself and mentally, emotionally and physically step up to the plate. - Ask the right questions. We teach labor coaches the questions to obtain true informed consent. Be aware of the medical reasons for c-section. Be aware of the danger signs. Ask for time to discern and discuss the information. Labor does sometimes bring hurdles the couple must work through together. By being an active part of the decision making, together Mom and Dad/ partner can make the very best decisions you feel best for mom and baby. - Don't be afraid to step up and literally coach her through difficult phases of labor. Remind her you are present to help in any way possible and you believe her body can do this. As long as mom and baby are both fine, we will just take one contraction at a time focusing our energy on what we can control (i.e. good positioning, deep breathing, sinking pelvic floor and releasing every muscle not being used to hold her into position). Relax her mind and body and allow her body to release fear and release the baby. There are many ways you can communicate and empower Mom. It doesn't necessarily have to be in written form, but few men have the ability to find enough words to talk mom through hours of labor contractions. You may be one of them who can simply recite something similar off the top of your head during labor, if so, good for you. Just keep in mind, you will also have a tired brain, and it is okay to have a previously written letter or list of things/ ways in which you can better help mom stay focused, especially when her goal is drug-free. Coaches have to get creative at times. Any goal can be made easier to achieve when the entire birth team is on board to empower a woman through the difficult stages of labor until time to push. This is what I call #SymbioticBirth, meaning two different mindsets of how to best manage contractions (the medical way and normality -natural minded), both working together to help MOM birth her way. Many trained women, like Elizabeth, never even ask or inquire about epidural or other pain management. They understand as long as she and baby are okay, it just may take more time or some longer stronger contractions to complete the process. Women who practice achieving a deeper level of relaxation and proper positioning, in advance, often do not have to purchase their relaxation in the form of a shot. There is more than one way to have a baby. Do your homework, it pays off no matter how your baby exits your body. ~Don't forget to exercise your Faith during labor By planning ahead, like Renato, you can pull out a written note of encouragement and read aloud to Mom in an effort to help re-focus her. Hard labor is called "hard" for a reason. The transition phase can be overwhelming, but what follows is pushing her baby out and finally being able to hold baby in her arms! Husband Coach Renato shared his letter to serve as an example for other labor coaches below. To my wife, my beijos, my compliment, my love, Words cannot express how much I am so proud of you, so thankful for you, so infatuated by you. I cannot believe I get to have the privilege of calling you mine. Praise God for that blessing! It’s a little crazy that we are here at this moment. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were having conversations about what we wanted our relationship to be and look like. Now, we are almost five years in it and about to have our son. That fills my spirit endlessly because I know that God was with us every step of the way. He has taken care of us in the hardest of times and celebrated with us during the victories. And now, at what feels like a climactic moment in our story, you get to go through something God specifically designed your body to do for His glory. You get to labor through various experiences that all productively leads to us meeting Oliver—someone who was hand-knitted together by the one True Father and choose to use us to do it. As we go through this journey together, know that I will be there every step of the way providing you with everything I can; support, comfort, encouragement, and love. I have absolutely no doubt that you are going to do amazing in this journey and that it will end with so much celebration and unfathomable joy. Throughout our nightly routines during this past season, I would save any Psalm that seemed positively impactful for a variety of reasons. Included in the envelope with this letter is all the Psalms I saved that I will read throughout your labor experience to help you continually be aware that God has been here the whole time and will not abandon you. There is victory in His name because He is a good God always. Remember… James 1:2-4 says to Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Romans 5:3-5 continues with More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. And 2 Corinthians 12:9 says But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. You can do this Elizabeth! It's GAME TIME! Remember, surrendering is a huge part of the process. Invite and call upon a higher power to help you release fears and release your baby to enter the world. Anxiety and stress will not benefit laboring moms, it will slow the process. Here is a helpful Tip for reducing stress from Elizabeth... I struggle with anxiety and honestly, I was very anxious about labor and birth leading up to it since being relaxed does not come naturally to me, even when I am not in labor. In the moment, being relaxed was not instinctual, but because of the support of my husband, family, birth team (doula, nurses, midwife), and God, I was able to get to a point of surrendering to the pain and the God-given natural process of childbirth. During labor, I was told often that this is a temporary and productive feeling and that eventually, I would see all of the hard labor as well worth it. I can truly say it was definitely worth it now holding my sweet baby. And honestly, there is nothing wrong with praying, “IN THE NAME OF JESUS, GET THIS BABY OUT OF ME!!!” Lastly, to anyone who desires to have a natural birth, know that God is in control and whatever happens, even if it is not what was in the plan, there is a purpose for it. Renato mentioned the Christian hypnobirthing meditation, I found it extremely helpful. Here is a quick link for readers: Christian Hypno birth: https://youtu.be/MXDoUchRGYA Elizabeth would like to publicly thank her husband, Renato, for all his support before, during and after childbirth. She would also like to recognize her family, the St. Mary's staff (especially LDR nurse Abigail), her Your Birth Helper doula (Pamela Sauls, CCE, CD, CMT) and Bradley® birth class members for all of their encouragement along the way! And, lastly, a very BIG special thanks to midwife Jerri Walker, CNM, IBCLC of Women's Healthcare Associates in Athens, Ga for all the TLC and making her childbirth even more special by allowing Dad to help catch! Childbirth is truly such an amazing event and fully embodies a vast range of emotions. Here is some more good news for women who tend to be more high anxiety: immediately following the birth of the baby, (no matter how long or challenging the labor process), the birth climax occurs. The body expels baby and a rush of hormones flood her body. Particularly important is the hormone, prolactin, which is also known as the mothering or parenting hormone. It helps perk up mom and give her needed energy to interact with her newborn after such an exhausting athletic event. It also aids in milk production. Dad doesn't get happy hormones after you give birth, he will need a nap so, cut him a little slack if he has been up for days. Most women will have their milk drop in around the third day after birth. If you suffer from anxiety, know that breastfeeding will challenge you. It is a learned function made easier with education and support. Just because we have breasts, does not mean we automatically know what to do with them to successfully breastfeed. In addition, baby has never breastfed before and just like you, each will have their individual role. Proper latch, handling issues like engorgement or supply issues, such as too much milk or too little milk are common issues. Give yourself some GRACE. You can't possibly know how to breastfeed and be an expert when you, nor baby, has ever done this before. Don't allow frustration to consume you. Get into a comfy position, relax your shoulders, put baby in a good belly to belly position and be patient. It takes practice. Set a realistic goal of getting through the first two weeks of nursing. Your newborn is depending on you to help protect themselves from infection the first two weeks of life. Don't hesitate to reach out for help. Organizations like Le Leche League, have been around for years, supporting women across our nation and beyond. Online support is also available in many communities, in addition to, local breastfeeding groups and lactation consultants. In Athens, Ga., I personally recommended Lucia Massey. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and often even makes house calls making it easier for postpartum moms to get the support they need within these crucial early weeks. In addition to Lucia, Elizabeth also connected with Kate DeWolf, IBCLC for additional breastfeeding support and would recommend local moms to her also. For readers who are interested in exploring more ways to better prepare, here are some links mentioned above. Renato and Elizabeth found education in various forms like books, Bradley®classes, their chiropractor, podcasts, etc. all very empowering and helpful in reducing overall fear. Bridget Teyler’s podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/c/BridgetTeyler Nichole McCloy’s online course: https://www.nicholemccloy.com/ Anthony Chiropractic Care: https://www.anthonychiropractic.com/ Le Leche League: https://www.llli.org/ In closing, be aware that childbirth and postpartum may affect family pets in interesting ways. Some pets will act out when the new arrival enters the family home. Be encouraged. Just because your pet initially seems anxious or jealous around the new baby, does not mean they are technically unhappy with the baby. More needy pets are technically more jealous of the lack of time you are spending with them. Mumford, the adorable dog shown above (would literally out loud eye roll and move away from the baby when he would cry). However, as the above photo illustrates, dogs can eventually learn to share and find their happiness again too! Congratulations again Renato and Elizabeth on your achievement of natural childbirth! And, a very special thank you to the entire Ferreira family for taking time to share with our YBH Blog readers your personal tips of making the journey into parenthood a little easier and enjoyable!

Melody and her husband Wilson allowed us the privilege of helping with their first baby and the second was just as exciting! Their surprise gender baby was going to keep them guessing as her due date came and went. The YBH team planned a lunch and walk the greenway day and preparations were underway to get this baby down and out. Sure even saw Dr. Kelley Helmendach regularly to adjust her pelvis. We had a second girl‘s day to encourage labor in combination with a membrane sweep. Following her appointment, we took her to eat Thai red soup at New Zealand cafe and it wasn’t long after she felt contractions. I helped progress labor with a combination of acupressure points, a relaxation session including a relaxing foot rub after walking the hills for hours in the subdivision including some curb walking and some squats. Later, she returned home to square away their other son with Grandma and quietly labor at home until she felt time to get checked out. She was admitted around 4cm, unbeknownst to her. Which was good because she didn’t stay there long. I met Wilson and Melody at Atrium Pineville and because the hospital was busy and needing reinforcements, Nancy happened to be working on her off day. Wilson said in the car she lit up like a Christmas tree 🎄 when she found out!! Once admitted to her room the contractions were pretty strong. Over the next couple hours, she tried multiple positions (hands & knees, deep squat with Wilson supporting her on birthing ball, standing & walking, and labored in the tub). After an internal exam she was only 6cm, again unbeknownst to her. When one is seeking a natural childbirth sometimes it’s best MOM doesn’t know the results. she just keep on working until her body dictates otherwise. We changed positions every 40 mins or so. There was a tiny lip of cervix blocking baby from coming and Melody from active pushing. It was suggested to break her bag of waters after 7+ hours of laboring and Melody was all for it! Once her bag of waters was broken she got back in the tub to take control of those contractions while In the water. After 8 mins or so in the tub it was time push. Maybe 40 mins went by and surprise baby was born! Wilson announced the baby’s sex and cut baby boy’s umbilical cord. However, he didn’t help catch this one… he forgot his baseball mitt. But, it’s okay Melody gave him a pass on this one and the midwife caught instead...hahahaha! Congrats Broadway family on your second drug-free #SymbioticBirth! What a great display of teamwork by all.

When the average woman in the United States talks about labor and birth, sadly, words like empowering, amazing and relationship enhancing are typically far from their vocabulary. More commonly used phrases or words such as "Epidural" or "C-section" and even the catch phrase, "When they start that Pitocin, you're gonna want those drugs" are frequently shared by well meaning friends, complete strangers, and even our own family members. LABOR is the most athletic event a woman will ever do. So, why do so few train their body? What if you took time to prepare your body for such an event as your birth marathon? What if your husband/partner was trained to help you alleviate unnecessary pain and did their job when you had a weak moment at the peak of a contraction? What if you complimented your training with a doula? Not just any doula, but a doula willing to actually step up and do the work needed to help you through rough contractions drug-free, if that is your goal and one who empowers you to do everything RIGHT during your contractions and helps your husband/ partner best support you, as well. Do you still think PAIN MEDICINE would be warranted? Take a moment to examine your own thoughts on this controversial subject. Birth can look good either way. Women do not have to fear natural birth when they know how to respond to contractions and help progress labor naturally. Look closely at the two photos above... precious moments captured just seconds and minutes after giving birth epidural free. Jasmine accomplished what we call #SymbioticBirth (low intervention/ natural birth) by choice. It can be done with education, preparation, training and proper support even when giving birth in a hospital. Second trimester is the best time to begin training for labor, because it allows couples the time needed to put into practice what they have learned. In addition, women should learn ways to stay healthy and low risk to avoid poor outcomes and improve chances of meeting their own target birth experience. Consider this, what if you knew when you were experiencing that weak moment in hard labor that you were actually experiencing a normal part of the birth process? If you knew it was supposed to happen, would it alter your thoughts in regards to "needing or wanting meds?" If you were breathing and sinking and doing all the things you were supposed to be doing to progress labor, even though you were working HARD, would there be a difference in how you perceive pain with a purpose and the use of medicine? Would it still be a NEED or simply a WANT? Mom Jasmine would share during a weak moment, she asked for IV medication. She wants you to know she realized it wasn't a need, she was enduring the muscle squeeze, but in that weak moment she WANTED it. Her "want" also lowered her blood pressure and following her dose of Stadol, a common side effect it also affected her baby's heart rate, which then turned into a fetal monitoring concern. The nurse had to constantly chase baby with the electronic fetal monitor for about 40 minutes or so until the baby's heart rate began returning to normal. Women should understand IV meds, for a good portion of the population are very short lived. They might distract mom and make the laboring woman drowsy for approximately 20 minutes to maybe an hour and then mom is right back to hard labor and her former labor discomfort returns, not to add often narcotics can be problematic to baby's heart rate, as well. CHOOSE WISELY as to not create a new medical concern. Always weigh the risks and benefits of any drug or medical intervention and make the decision best for you and your baby. Yes, it's true, at some point in time, the laboring mother will experience discomfort and pain. The question then to ask is, "WHEN as a laboring woman will I choose to be uncomfortable... before, during or after I give birth?" Some choose to remain drug-free during labor and once the baby is born, the labor pains have ended. The bible shares, "When a woman is in labor, she is full of sorrow, but as soon as the baby is born her heart is filled with JOY and she can remember the pain no more. John 16:21 Others choose elective surgery or choose to end labor at some point, especially when tired and now will be in pain and discomfort for 6 plus weeks post surgery. Some want to medicate as soon as the first pain hits them and insist upon epidural as early as possible. Sadly, this situation only increases the odds of labor ending in what the medical world calls "failure to progress," which also increases your risk of labor ending in surgery. Epidurals are best utilized for women truly in active labor around 6cm or beyond who can not bring themselves into a relaxed state of being with emotional, mental and physical support. We know RELAXATION equals PROGRESS during labor. Therefore, did you know with training and practice, it is possible to bring yourself into a relaxed state, and avoid often unnecessary pain management drugs such as narcotics, nitrous oxide gas, epidural, and other commonly used respiratory depressant drugs during labor? If the first thing you want your baby to do is BREATHE, why wouldn't you give some thought to a different way to do business? In late pregnancy, Jasmine's husband David was greatly concerned about safety of their baby especially when she carried beyond her due date. A valid concern as doctors always share the 41 week higher incidence of still born baby speech, but very few couples bother to inquire, "What is the higher % of stillborn babies beyond 41 weeks pregnant?" And, most would be even more shocked to learn if they are healthy and low risk, the odds are in their favor that their baby has a 99.5% or more chance their baby is just fine. But, because doctors are required to share risks, it is typically phrased in a negative way. Of course, we should listen to the information being shared with an open mind, weigh the risks and benefits of induction vs. remaining pregnant. Consider alternative options such as possible membrane sweep, or ask about NST testing, once or twice a week for the weeks carrying overdue, if she is not comfortable with moving forward with induction. Mom should also listen to her intuition, does she have concerns? And, if remaining pregnant, keep close tabs on her baby monitoring kick counts, etc. However, an error of due date alone is not a medical complication, but it certainly could turn into one and more frequently can when what could have been spontaneous labor with natural progression, now turns into a medical induction with added risks. All chemical agents/ drugs like Cervadil, Cytotec, and Pitocin, all carry a separate increased risks and various side effects, even higher billing rates at most hospitals, and if that isn't enough, all require IV and constant fetal monitoring. In addition, they may still want to break the bag of water which equalizes pressure and further serves to protect baby during labor. Just be mindful, the use of induction medications could possibly be used to remedy an issue during the labor process such as a tired uterus from long labor, sometimes they may also increase pain levels making the goal of low intervention or natural childbirth further challenged. Weigh the risks of being "overdue" and the risks of medical induction, side effects of drugs, etc. and take all into consideration and make the decision best for you and your baby. Take ownership of your decision making! What is not fair to doctors, midwives and labor nurses is being blamed for negative birth outcomes, when you as a laboring mom/ coach have failed to properly prepare, and can not manage labor without such interventions. Jasmine and David's OBGYN practice even went as far as to try to schedule her for a medical induction she had already declined simply because she was beyond 40wks pregnant. It is called an estimated due date after all. She received a phone call from a practitioner at 10:30 p.m. advising her she had been added to the induction calendar. She was like wait... what, No thank you. Imagine to an over due mom how frustrating. Stress alone causes pregnant women to release adrenaline which further perpetuates the problem of spontaneous labor not happening. If I may speak plain, doctors must have serious conversations we get that, but how about an occasional positive reinforcement for those who have made GOOD DECISIONS and do NOT have a medical complication. HOW EMPOWERING would it have been at her last office visit the doctor had said... look I have to review this form with you, but know this in advance, YOU have done an amazing job taking care of yourself! Your blood pressure is GREAT! Your weight gain is GREAT! You have educated yourself, ate right and exercised and I am so impressed! It would have changed the whole context of the visit and in reading aloud all the potential risks of childbearing (re: the doctor's office consent form), they wouldn't have left the office fearing DEATH. They would have left knowing they should be proud of themselves and all they have done up to this point. Of course, there are always parts of pregnancy, labor and birth in which we can not control, but what if the focus was on what we can control? What if the conversation was educational, they actually received proper informed consent at the time the problem was occurring not in advance in the context of birth being a death sentence, they were informed of all their options and not just what the doctor wanted them to choose, and then were ENCOURAGED to make the decision they felt best for MOM & BABY. They may have still elected induction, but they would also take ownership and accountability not feeling pressured or bullied into a fear based decision which causes even more tension and increases pain... then we could have eliminated the unnecessary pain associated with the fear - pain cycle. Also, couples need to be aware of what is known as aggressive management of labor, and how it can further increase risks of labor ending in major surgery or other poor outcomes. With black moms statistically being 3 to 4 times more likely to die from such medical complications and various negative outcomes while in labor, giving birth or postpartum, why aren't more black women and couples seeking PREVENTATIVE EFFORTS? Why not try to avoid such negative outcomes all together, if all possible? We as individuals must do what we can to lower our own risks. WHAT IF YOUR STORY COULD LOOK LIKE THE ABOVE AND READ LIKE THIS... I MADE HEALTHY PREGNANCY A NEW PRIORITY I INTENTIONALLY AVOIDED HARMFUL THINGS, ATE CLEAN & EXERCISED DAILY I MADE CHILDBIRTH TRAINING A PRIORITY I PUT MY FAITH TO WORK, PRAYED OVER & FOR MY BABY & BIRTH OUTCOME I CONTINUED TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES AND PRACTICED WHAT I LEARNED I HAD A TRAINED COACH AND HIRED A DOULA TO BETTER ADVOCATE FOR ME I EDUCATED MYSELF IN REGARDS TO INFORMED CONSENT AND MY BIRTH RIGHTS WOULDN'T THAT BE GREAT? Instead of... a doctor saved me and my baby, thank God for that hospital. After all, even doctors would rather laboring women show up healthy and avoid medical complications altogether! Moms, what if you could say: I TOOK CARE OF MYSELF! I PUT IN THE WORK! I PRACTICED MY JOB FOR LABOR & BIRTH! MY LABOR COACH PRACTICED HIS/HER JOB FOR LABOR & BIRTH! MY DOULA CAME ALONGSIDE AND EMPOWERED ME! AS A HEALTHY MOM, MY LABOR NURSE ENCOURAGED ME TO AVOID ROUTINE INTERVENTIONS, because THE SAFEST ROUTE OF PASSAGE INTO THE WORLD FOR MY BABY IS A DRUG-FREE NATURAL BIRTH. MY DOCTOR & MIDWIFE CHEERED ME ON AND ONLY NEEDED TO CATCH MY BABY & EVEN LET MY HUSBAND HELP! We are all super thankful for our medical professionals in situations of which we have zero control over, but the good news is a vast majority of such outcomes are, in fact, avoidable by making good health and positive changes a priority. #SymbioticBirth is defined as both sides, Medical (as in medically necessary-not routine interventions) and Normality (the natural process) working together to help create happier "BIRTH" days! Together, WE CAN ACHIEVE THIS! Q & A Real Talk with Jasmine 1. What if more black women knew there were ways to lessen their own risks during childbirth by applying a proactive approach to birthing? Would more black women/ couples make childbirth education and preparation a priority? -I can only speak from my experience and perspective. I feel that this is a multifaceted issue. Education and access to resources are a great introduction to having this conversation. We, as black women, understand that healthy pregnancies require certain lifestyle changes. I believe the change has to start with both us AND our providers. We can choose to exercise and adopt a cleaner diet while pregnant—absolutely! However, our providers and partners can also give us tangible support and accountability for those changes. Education is necessary for all: women, providers, partners, etc. The expectation of doing whatever is easiest shouldn’t be the justification for all medical decisions. Meaning: epidurals, while easy, is not the only option for delivery although, it’s typically the only one mentioned to women for delivery. 2. How would you say your faith played a role? ⁃Faith played a significant role in my birthing experience. As a Christian, I knew that God had uniquely created our bodies to do the (birthing) work. With my trust in Him, I wanted to give my body the opportunity to do what God designed it to do first. Having faith provided me the strength to focus on His word and His promises to us as His children. My husband and I prayed continuously about this birthing experience, and God honored our prayers. 3. Also, what if anything would you have done differently? ⁃ (1) Found our doula and get the education much sooner. My husband and I were about 31 weeks when we began our classes with YBH. Getting the education sooner would have allowed us the time to practice more and retain more information better. ⁃ (2) Not shared the due date with anyone! The pressure and anxiety of “is she here yet?” became an unexpected weight and stressor while trying to remain “unbothered” and calm especially towards the end. ⁃ (3) Exercised more and sooner: me exercising was met with much concern and hesitation at first. But once I explained the benefits, I gained support. Exercising regularly gave my body the flexibility and endurance needed to sustain labor. (I was placed in all kinds of positions to maximize each contraction. They weren’t all comfortable, but they all worked.) 4. Advice to other moms? ⁃My advice to other moms is trust your body. You were wonderfully made and designed to do this the way God intended. Also know that you are stronger than you think! Natural birth was a desire of mine for years, and when the opportunity came, I began to doubt my ability to do it. Through prayer, meditation, and affirmations, I was able to build my confidence. ⁃Also, make sure you have a supportive partner. I’m thankful for the support of my husband and parents. Having the right voices in your ear make all the difference!!! In transition phase, I called for Pam to lean in and I did my best to convince her privately that I needed IV medicine. Pam told me I was about to start pushing and with my lower BP it wasn't good timing, because I needed to be alert during second stage. She spoke confidence into and over me telling me I could do this, it's just a contraction and it's pushing my baby down like it's supposed to. I am so glad I listened! Turns out, I only wanted medicine in that weak moment, I didn't actually need it at all. Real talk with Labor Coach David Initially, I felt a c-section was a guaranteed safety net.. as I saw it.. I just wanted to ensure my wife and baby's safety in case of any blood pressure or other medical issue arose and thought surgery was a safer route. Turns out a c-section is considered major surgery and comes with a lot of additional risks and when not medically necessary, it's best to avoid, if all possible. I am so grateful my wife did not need, nor desire a surgical birth, because there was no better feeling then catching my own daughter! I learned a lot doing the homework and classes with Pam. Prior, with my sons caesarean birth, I had limited knowledge of natural birth heck even my mom brought me into the world via c-section. Therefore, it just seemed a normal way to birth and safe especially if things went upside down. I would say to all the fathers...allow your wife to work with her body and listen to her body. It’s amazing what their body can do. As the song states, "I can see clearly now the rain is gone”. It took a lot of work mentally to support my wife and to be less head strong about what I thought our birth should look like. Would I do it again with her? YES! And, with the right preparation and practice. We were blessed this time around. I know Jasmine will do her part to take good care of herself again, I will do my best to support her and GOD WILL DO IT AGAIN! Congratulations again Jasmine & David! The pleasure to both train you at the farm (M2b Family Farm Colbert, Ga) and assist your birth in Rockdale was all mine! Author Tip: WE CAN NOT PREVENT ALL NECESSITY FOR DRUGS & C-SECTION WITH GOOD NUTRITION, DAILY EXERCISE & AVOIDANCE OF HARMFUL THINGS, BUT WITH EDUCATION, TRAINING & GOOD CHOICES, WE SURE CAN REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD YOUR STORY ENDS IN A MEDICAL COMPLICATION. And, that is a huge win - pain management or not? Don't allow your decision to take a quality childbirth class or hire a doula to be based solely on a decision to medicate or not. Some would suggest you may need even more education and training if you are planning to be induced, use pain management drugs or you are a high risk pregnant mom, not less training. There is a lot of information to be made aware of before contractions begin. I would agree. BABY EMERIE, Our Ga, Sc, Nc, Tn and virtual Your Birth Helper teams would like to shout out your parents Jasmine & David for putting in the time to educate, the daily energy to best prepare and enduring the hard work during labor to bring you into the world with as few medical interventions as possible! We call this a happier "BIRTH" day! Your parents agreed! Your life will be forever blessed! I am looking forward to seeing you grow, and what specific talents God bestows upon you and how you will use them to make the world a better place! P.S. Your mama has a great singing voice! xoxoxox Ms. Pam yourbirthhelper.com In closing, Alabama moms, Jasmine would suggest you check out www.desireedanielle.com for gorgeous maternity photos or check out her work on social @desireedanie11e

YourBirthHelper Testimonials | Why Charlotte Couples use YourBirthHelper.com | Should I use a Doula in Athens, GA | Your Birth Helper Reviews | YourBirthHelper Why Choose YourBirthHelper ? Find more reviews on Facebook, Yelp, Instagram, etc. To schedule a consultation with a YBH® Doula ~ contact us today @678-614-5604 or email: yourbirthhelper@gmail.com I made the decision to cram Pam's classes in the last 4 weeks of my 40 weeks. I ended up carrying 13 days past my due date and doing every thing I could to induce labor naturally, trying to avoid an induction due to the associated risks and required monitoring. I would highly recommend the classes, not only because of the invaluable education, but for the opportunity to meet other couples and because they are fun!! Lastly, I gave birth naturally to a 10.2 oz baby boy after 20+ hours of labor and 3 hours of pushing!! There is no way I would have been successful without Pam, and my husband would tell you that she is a God. I absolutely second that!!! You couldn't pay us to go through childbirth without Pam's assistance. On top of the education and doula/photography, Pam offers ongoing love, support, encouragement, guidance and resources. I am so blessed to be a part of this wonderful birth family!!!! Okay, that wasn't so short, but I can't say enough good things about not only Pam, but all of the wonderful people I've met through her, that I now happily call my friends/support group. You won't regret a penny spent, or a minute that you invest in this process. Good luck and have fun!!! Tracy Barber, Indian Trail, NC I don't need to sell you on Pam and the amazing work that she does based on the glowing reviews that everyone has shared :). I will just stress that it is a great way of getting your husband involved in the birthing process and to help you feel peace that no matter what comes your way you will both be prepared. I enjoyed the classes where we role played labor and positions as that was important for me due to my back injury. Also, the class where we discussed all of the potential birthing issues and scenarios was good for someone like me who likes to know the "worst-case scenario". Good luck to you and enjoy this journey to meet your new little love! Heather Serfass, Charlotte, NC Pregnancy did not come easy for us. I was an IVF mom who needed one slight intervention to get myself into labor. It was a hard crossroad to decide which path to take, but truly because of the traditional 12 weeks of Bradley classes, we were able to make these decisions and feel good about them because of how educated we were. Outside of the non-drug related induction, everything else was intervention and drug free. My husband and I feel strongly that there's no way this would have been possible by any means without the help of our doulas (we had 2) and our training with Pam. No way. I also have experienced a lot of medical trauma in my life and have high anxiety in these situations because of it, and even with all that against me, the training and the doulas made this one of the happiest days of my life, hands down. Pam is an amazing support before, during, and even after labor. She truly brings you into a family (herself included, as well as, like-minded women/mommies) and I am so very thankful. Arpita Byrnes Charlotte, NC (Ballantyne) Without Pam's training for me, and most importantly my husband, we would have never made it through my labor without medication or intervention. Pam supported and encouraged me while I was facing induction at my 42 week mark and luckily went into labor the DAY before! Pam was by my side the whole way. Her services and expertise are invaluable! Samantha Abbott, Charlotte, NC (Plaza Midwood) I echo the ladies. Pamela was our doula and she does an amazing job at making you feel relaxed and ensuring things go smoothly. We also took the 12 week Bradley series. The reason why I believe that the class is priceless is because it really prepares your partner for the big day. During my pregnancy, I was adamant about laboring at home as long as possible and staying calm. Well... things change once you are actually in labor :) and if it wasn't for my husband reminding me about what we learned and being an awesome coach, I would have had a very different experience. In summary - taking the class and hiring Pamela as our doula was truly life changing. I've met some amazing women that will now be my life long friends and its an amazing support group once you have your little one. Pamela has done a great job of creating a family. So, not only will you get the best possible outcome during your delivery, but you will also have a large support group once your baby is born to assist you with anything you need. Best, Evie Berry, Matthews, NC

Your Birth Helper® has over 14 years of serving Charlotte families who desire low intervention / natural birth. YBH Doulas continue to teach and support those who desire Symbiotic Birth! NC Doula Lena Certified YBH Childbirth Educator & Birth Doula Hi, my name is Lena and I have been a part of Your Birth Helper for 7 years now! It all started with being 24 weeks pregnant and in search of a Bradley Method® instructor and class. After the joyous experience of achieving the birth I trained mentally & physically for, then blossomed the love for natural childbirth. I knew in my heart that serving a birthing woman before, during, and after her pregnancy was something I needed to pursue. Fast forward, I have been a Certified YBH Doula & Childbirth Educator for 5 years. This has become both my passion and mission to change the way we perceive childbirth in the United States. I am highly skilled to assist with a multitude of variations throughout childbirth, be it drug free, low intervention, induction, epidural, etc. I have a background in fitness and believe that movement is key to the overall condition of you as a pregnant Woman and your developing baby. I love organizing long trail walks along the greenway, gritty hiking, or just a walk in the neighborhood. Anything to provide motivation. It also gives us time to breath and get to know one another. It is after all one of the most joyous moments of our lives and it is important you are comfortable with your support person. With the right tools and education, I am there to empower you every step of the way!!

Doula Nikki supports couples around the Gwinnett and Atlanta area in the art of low intervention, natural childbirth both as labor and birth doula, as well as, postpartum doula support. Doula Nikki also teaches childbirth education preparing couples to best manage labor pain and discomfort. Certified labor & postpartum doula in the Atlanta area "Around 7 months pregnant I found Nikki. Nikki was the biggest blessing to me, as someone who related to me deeply to my situation she was truly a magical fairy godmother to my pregnancy. I couldn't have found a better doula. I am a first time mom, who has previously struggled with mental illness. I've always wanted to be a mother but have been scared to become one due to these struggles, but after years of therapy and healing I finally took the plunge. I got pregnant in March 2025 and had an incredibly difficult pregnancy. I suffered from HG ( Hyperemesis Gravidarum). At 37 weeks and 1 day, I had a placental abruption, baby and I came out unscathed but it was traumatic to say the least. Nikki was there for me every step of the way, she raced to get to my birth and because of the emergency things didn't go quite as planned. Amongst doctors I didn't know and a hospital I didn't plan on giving birth at Nikki was my saving grace. Having Nikki there to help advocate, teach and soothe during times of uncertainty was priceless to my birth experience. I am so greatful to have found Nikki, who has now become my postpartum doula and continues to bless my family with her knowledge, support and wonderful presence Plus my cats love her." -Serena November 2025 "I am so thankful to have Nikki during my first pregnancy. Nikki has been a huge help throughout my pregnancy and I am so glad that I chose her as my doula. She is knowledgeable, has a great personality, and has provided so many resources. She has calmed a lot of my birth anxiety as a first time mom and is always available for help! I would absolutely recommend her again and again!" -Haley March 2024 "Nikki has been amazing to work with! She is so informative and caring and can see that she is passionate about what she does and truly desires for mamas to have the best possible birthing experience! She always listens to any concerns or questions I may have and has helped me work through those concerns/questions. I've truly enjoyed her classes and having her as my labor assistant! " -Mayra September 2023 "I attended the class at 36 weeks 6 days with my husband. This is our first child , nikki was super informative. We both felt very educated by the end of it , she answered all our questions and covered all topics. My husband said he felt this class was especially helpful for him and he feels more confident now. 10/10 recommend" -Leti April 2024 "Nikki's symbiotic birth class was great! My husband and I learned very useful information on how to stay healthy and fit to prepare for the best birthing experience. Nikki provided visuals, explanations, slides, coaching techniques and positions in her class. She is passionate about providing whatever kind of support is needed for mothers to be. We are so grateful for Nikki!" -Neela April 2024 We had a great experience attending the 2 hr birthing class. Nikki has great energy and helped to simplify concepts in a way that was fun and easy to learn. I feel so much more prepared for birth and my husband is feeling confident as a birthing partner. Highly recommend this class and Nikki! " -Katie October 2023 770-910-0014 yourbirthhelpergeorgia@gmail.com Nikki Reeves, ICCE, ICBD, ICPD, PMH-C I have been in birth work since 2018. I recognized the need for more support and education when I myself struggled with all the changes that come with motherhood. I have over 8 years experience providing a variety of birth support to unique families all through out the state of Georgia. I hold a Bachelor's degree in education and I taught all the birth classes for an Atlanta hospital system for 6 years . I live in Lawrenceville and work closely with Northside, Wellstar, Emory and the Atlanta Birth Center facilities and staff. I have much experience at other locations such as Piedmont, Grady and St. Mary's. I personally trained and completed the Your Birth Helper advanced doula program. I am highly skilled in assisting couples through variations/ complications, including induction navigation, as well as, our YBH low intervention/ drug free symbiotic birth. Doulas are non medical members of the birth team that focus on supporting the preferences of the birthing person. I have personal experience in both epidural use and also unmedicated childbirth- making me a well rounded fit to assist you either way. I am a mom to three amazing young boys who I successfully breastfed for over 4 years combined. My experience and training makes me well equipped to teach and assist you on your breastfeeding journey . In addition, I organize and run perinatal mental health support groups for anxiety and depression. As a survivor myself, I offer a safe place to discuss your feelings freely. I have an in person support group that meets in person twice a month and I would love to invite you any time. Call Nikki SCHEDULE A CLASS Schedule my free 30m consult today!