In our first session, we’ll delve into all of the pregnancy and birth basics you need to be aware of before your due date arrives, like:

• Knowing your rights in birth, including what informed consent really looks and sounds like

• Creating the best support team for you

• Choosing a birth location

• What’s happening for your body and your baby at the end of pregnancy

• How to know when you’re in labor (and what to do)

…and more!

It would be so simple if you could just show up at your hospital or birthing center and have your provider team make sure the whole process is smooth sailing, right? But depending on the circumstances, it’s possible that your provider has never even asked you what kind of birth you want. Could be that you’re meeting this team for the very first time, or maybe you’ve just happened to arrive on an extra, extra busy day. That’s why it’s so important to know what questions to ask, be prepared for any detours that might pop up, and understand how to advocate for yourself.

In this section, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make sure you are prepared and empowered for the entire labor experience, including:

• Normal physiological birth (what happens in “the wild” without any interruptions or interventions)

• How hormones affect birth

• What happens when our birth setting or birth team disturbs the normal process (and how to avoid it)

• The role fear plays in contributing to a longer labor

• How to create a birth environment that works for you (even in a hospital setting)

• All of the ways to cope with labor, including medical and non-medical options

• Epidurals: the pros, the cons, and what the process looks like

• Inductions 101, including common reasons for inductions and how to decide if one is right for you

• Everything you need to know about cesarean sections

…and more!

This probably won’t be news to you, but this journey doesn’t stop once your baby makes their debut! One thing I hear over and over again is that new parents are surprised at just how exhausting and challenging the postpartum period can be, even if they painstakingly prepared for the birth part.

That’s why, in this section, I’ll take you through what to expect immediately after birth and in the first six weeks of recovery, including:

• What to expect immediately after birth

• “Standard” interventions you may or may not want, plus how to communicate your choices to your team

• Taking care of your bottom after birth

• Warning signs that indicate it’s time to call your doctor

• The difference between “baby blues” and postpartum depression/anxiety or Postpartum Mood Disorders

• Why preparing for the postpartum period is just as important as preparing for birth, plus how to actually, you know, do it

• Drafting your postpartum plan

…and more!

You did it – your baby is here! Now that you’re all easing into this brand-new world, it’s 100% normal to have a lot of questions (most new parents do!). Think: Is this normal? Should I call the doctor? What do I need to know about feeding, and how can I make sure I’m doing what’s best for the baby and for me? We’ll cover all that and more, including:

• Your newborn’s first 24 hours

• Normal newborn appearances and behaviors

• Common newborn procedures (plus the risks and benefits of each)

• Feeding your newborn – whether that’s breastfeeding, formula feeding, breastmilk bottle feeding, or any combination or variation of the above – including:

  • Breastfeeding tips

  • How to support a breastfeeding partner

  • Safe formula feeding

• Safe sleep

• When to call your pediatrician

…and more!