Building Your Team For A Confident And Empowered Birth
Pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum are a whirlwind of excitement, anxiety, hope, joy, and uncertainty! (If you haven’t made it through all those feelings yet, hang tight, they’re coming)
Because of the wild ride it is, feeling supported and informed throughout this journey can really make all the difference in having a confident and empowered birth.
But what if you don’t feel that way? What if you feel completely unheard in your 5 minute appointments? And what if you feel like you are in a bit of a vacuum where you and your partner feel like the only ones looking out for your best interests?
What I can say… you’re not alone feeling that. And that “village it takes to raise a child” you hear about, you need to make it yourself.
As someone who has been there and also spends my career with expecting and new parents, I can't stress enough the importance of having a solid team of support people in your corner.
Even if you’re typically the “Type A, go-getter, hard working, ‘I’m going to likely be bored on Maternity leave’” type… you might be surprised how much of a transition parenthood really is.
And then you read that and think “Yeah right Lara, you don’t get it! You just work with Moms and Babies all the time. How hard could it have been?”
Well, let me tell you! When I was 25 I was told I wouldn’t have kids so I had kind of accepted that. Then I found out in 2017 that they were clearly very wrong.
Transitioning to Parenthood - More Challenging Than You Might Expect
I worked in an Emergency Department at the time and was quite sure that my life wouldn’t change much after having a baby and that he would just come along with me. Boys oh boys I was very wrong!
Motherhood shook me to my core and I can honestly say, it’s not at all what I expected.
Because of my own experience and the experiences of my friends, Beyond The Bump became a reality to hopefully help make things better for people. I wanted to create a community of like-minded parents and give resources and support so you don’t feel alone!
Building Your Support Team for a Confident and Empowered Birth And Postpartum
So, long way of saying, let's dive into some common referrals I often recommend to my clients, covering prenatal, postpartum, and baby care. Each member of your support squad plays a crucial role in your journey:
Prenatal Care: Prenatal Classes, Pelvic Floor Physio, Osteo, Chiro + Massage Therapy
Prenatal education classes: You know it's my top recommendation! These classes provide the foundation for a confident birth experience, equipping you with knowledge and empowering you to make informed decisions. If you don’t know you have options, how are you supposed to know what will be best for you?
Pelvic floor physiotherapist: Essential for understanding and strengthening or relaxing your pelvic floor, whether you're expecting or postpartum. “Just do a bunch of kegels” is some of the worst advice ever!
Osteopath and chiropractor with prenatal experience: They can work wonders in alleviating discomfort and ensuring your body is aligned and ready for labour.
Massage therapy: A little pampering can go a long way in easing pregnancy aches and promoting relaxation. No to mention, targeted pain relief for the sore lower back!
Postpartum Care: Lactation consultant, doula, mental health support, household help
These are really valuable things to ask for on your baby registry. P.S. If you don't already have it, grab our free guide: Baby Registry Must-Have's HERE.
Lactation consultant: Invaluable support for feeding your little one, whether it's breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
Birth and postpartum doula: Emotional, physical, and informational support throughout labour and beyond.
Mental health therapist: Taking care of your mental well-being is just as important as physical health during this transition. If anything, I recommend having at least a session before birth and then a few scheduled check-ins to make sure any signs of struggle are caught early.
Household help: Don't underestimate the power of a clean house and prepped meals in easing postpartum stress. And doing it yourself is not ideal at all!
Baby Care: Pediatric Craniosacral Therapy, Infant Massage + Chiropractic
Craniosacral therapy and infant massage: Gentle therapies to address common infant issues and promote bonding. These are so helpful for all babies but especially those born via C-section, fast birth, or with any interventions (forceps, vacuum, or Pitocin).
Certified pediatric chiropractor: Safe and gentle chiropractic care tailored to your baby's needs can help reduce issues like torticolis and flat-head issues.
Building this supportive team ensures you have the resources and guidance you need for a safe, confident, and empowered journey into parenthood.
Empowered Birth Online Prenatal Course - For All Of Canada
If you're gearing up for your own journey and want to be fully prepared, consider joining our Empowered Birth Online prenatal course! It's packed with everything you need to navigate pregnancy, childbirth, and those crucial first weeks postpartum. Let's go on this journey together!
Postpartum Doula Services in Fredericton and Saint John, New Brunswick
If you're located in the Fredericton or Saint John, New Brunswick area, our team of experienced doulas is here to provide personalized support and care during your postpartum period! Reach out HERE.
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