Stages of Labor

Pregnancy A-Z Series

Teaching the Stages of Labor is one of my favorite things to do in my Comfort Measures for Childbirth Class. Read on to learn about the 3 Stages!

First Stage: This begins with the onset of contractions and ends with the cervix being fully dilated (open) and effaced (thinned out). Within this stage, however, there are also three phases. The early phase, the active phase, and transition or transformation. A lot happens during the first stage! Many of the comfort measures, pain relief techniques, breathing exercises that we think of for coping with labor are used during this stage and of course many people choose to get an epidural.

Also in this stage you will learn about the Station of the baby’s head. What is the Station? An indication of how far the presenting part of the baby (usually the head) has progressed through the pelvis. A baby who has just begun to descend may be at -4 or -5 station. A fully engaged baby (one whose head has reached the bony landmarks of the pelvis) is said to be at “zero station”. As the head continues to descend through the pelvis, it is considered +1 or +2 station until it crowns at the vaginal opening at +5 station. When I work with birth doula clients I want to know where the station of the baby is so we can use positions to help encourage baby to descend through the pelvis.

Stage Two is pushing and when the baby is born! First, however there will some amount of pushing – maybe a little, maybe a lot. And this is where the station of the baby also comes in. Where was baby when pushing began? What pushing positions can help baby be born?

Stage Three is the delivery of the placenta. Once baby is here you may not notice that your uterus is continuing to contract to expel the placenta but it is! Usually the placenta comes fairly quickly -15 to 30 min, sometimes even sooner. If the placenta does not seem to be detaching on its own your provider may give you some medication such as pitocin to encourage the placenta to come out.

Taking a childbirth class can help you better understand the different stages and phases as well as different coping methods, effective pushing techniques (even with an epidural!), different options available to you — and you know I am going to highlight the advantages of having a birth guide, a doula, with you to navigate labor and birth. Sending warm wishes for your labor!

<a href="http://<a href="https://www.freepik.com/vectors/pregnant-mother">Pregnant mother vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.comhttp://<a href=”https://www.freepik.com/vectors/pregnant-mother”>Pregnant mother vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a&gt;

Kimberly Sebeck, CLD, CCCE, HCHD, Knoxville Doula, All Rights Reserved 2022

Recovery After Cesarean Tips

Pregnancy A-Z Series

Some tips for cesarean recovery healing once you get home. You will stay in the hospital for 2-4 days, typically, after a cesarean birth unless there are complications where you may stay longer in that case. Once you are home things may feel more difficult as you navigate healing and regular life with a newborn (and possibly older siblings as well).

• Rest whenever possible. A cesarean birth is major abdominal surgery and your body needs time to heal. This may mean asking your family and friends for help with meals, cleaning, laundry, sibling care – or having a postpartum doula available to aid in these tasks so you can focus on your newborn and rest.
• Set up your home/resting area for ease – especially in the first two weeks. Stairs can be very difficult to navigate after a cesarean so if your bedroom is upstairs consider moving to the main floor or have everything you might need brought up to you. Keep food, drinks, diapers – everything you need close by. Do not lift anything heavier than the baby and if someone is available to do diaper changes and burping, let them. While you should rest as much as possible it is important to have some gentle walks/movement throughout the day to prevent blood clots. This can also help with gas pain and constipation.
• Follow your pain management plan. Your doctor will have given you a pain management plan that may include prescribed and/or over the counter medications for pain management as well as possibly stool softeners. It is important to follow this plan. You can also use a heating pad for pain relief and a pillow held against your incision when moving/sneezing/coughing. Ask for a cesarean postpartum recovery belt/band. Talk to your doctor if your pain seems out of the ordinary.
• Get good nutrition and fluids. Your body is trying to heal and if you are nursing baby you will need extra calories and fluids. Extra fluids will also prevent or help constipation.
• Remember you will still experience postpartum changes with a cesarean birth. You will still experience vaginal bleeding, hormonal changes, after pain, night sweats, etc. Take care of yourself and again ask for help as much as you need and treat each postpartum symptom as they come.
• Be patient. Cesarean recovery can take up to 8 weeks or longer. While some seem to rebound quickly if you take longer remember you are unique, everyone is different, and you will heal in your own time.
• Stay in touch with your doctor and go to your postpartum visits. While it is normal to be sore and tired after a cesarean, call your doctor if you have heavy vaginal bleeding/a fever/difficulty breathing/chest pain/redness, swelling, pus at incision site/redness or swelling in leg/bad smelling discharge from vagina/severe depression — this is not an exhaustive list so be sure you obtain, keep, and follow your specific doctor and hospital discharge instructions of when to call. And if in doubt – call.

Many people find it helpful after they have healed through the initial 6-8 weeks to go to pelvic floor therapy for further assessment and healing with trained professionals. Many also find it helpful to attend to their emotional needs surrounding a cesarean as they may have feelings of disappointment, sadness, even trauma if they were not expecting to have a surgical birth. Your feelings are as important as your body when it comes to healing. It is possible to be thankful for an often lifesaving surgery and still want or need to emotionally process the event.

Kimberly Sebeck, CLD, CCCE, HCHD, 2022, All Rights Reserved
Knoxville Doula

Quickening in Pregnancy

Pregnancy A-Z Series

What is quickening in pregnancy? The medical definition is: the first motion of a fetus in the uterus felt by the mother usually somewhat before the middle of the period of gestation.

In more exciting terms, it’s usually when you can first feel baby move! But wait! You might not be certain it is baby moving! It could feel like gas, bubbles, flutters, even your clothing “moving”. Soon you will know it is your baby moving.

When does it happen? The timing can vary. First time mothers may feel it later than those who have been pregnant before. Some may feel movements as early as 13-16 weeks from the start of their last period while others may not feel movement until 18-20 weeks. There is a wide variation of normal. The position/placement of the placenta can impact how soon and strongly you feel those early flutters as well. If the placenta is in the front (anterior) it might be a longer time before you feel movement. This is still normal. It will also usually still be some time before baby’s movements can be felt externally by someone else, especially if you feel the flutters early on.

Around week 28 you will want to begin counting your baby’s movements every day, at the same time of day. Please go to Count the Kicks for more information and handy charts and an app!

In the beginning, however, relish those early flutters! If you have felt the quickening, what did it feel like to you?

Kimberly Sebeck, CLD, CCCE, HCHD, All Rights Reserved 2022 Knoxville Doula

Lanugo/Newborn Body Hair

Pregnancy A-Z Series

Some parents are curious through the pregnancy if their baby will be born with hair. They are usually thinking of scalp/head hair and not body hair, but babies can be born with fine hair on their bodies, known as lanugo.

What is it?
Around five months of gestation the fetal hair follicles produce this first hair, believed to help keep baby warm. Around the seventh or eighth month most babies have shed the majority of this hair as they get closer to term. The latin word for lanugo means wool, fluff, or down, depending on which translation you use.

What happens to the lanugo hair?
It is thought that the hair falls off/sheds in the womb, the baby ingests it and it becomes part of the first bowel movement, known as meconium.

Is it normal?
Yes, very normal. If your baby is born with fuzzy hair on its body there is no cause for concern. The hair will fall out very quickly and should be gone by the time the baby has reached 4 months of age. Because lanugo tends to shed in the womb closer to full term, the earlier a baby is born the more lanugo they may have. Full term babies can still have lanugo however!

This post is written for educational purposes, not medical advice. Always consult with your medical provider if you have concerns.
All Rights Reserved 2020, Kimberly Sebeck, Knoxville Doula

Expectations – A-Z Series

Expectations — we have many months to build up in our heads the “perfect” birth scenario, the “perfect” baby, the “perfect” postpartum experience. Some of us try to conceive for some time, too, and imagine/long for a “perfect” pregnancy as well. And really there is a benefit to visualizing things going in a positive way. Imagining worst case scenarios isn’t the best way to spend our time or energy while growing our babies and preparing to add to our family.

So how do we balance optimistic expectations with reality?

• Education — whether that be by experience, classes, reading books or online material, etc. Seek reputable sources.
• Set yourself up for success for your desires — if you are wanting a natural unmedicated birth, for instance, seek out a provider and birthing facility in line with that goal. Consider hiring a doula. Take a natural childbirth class. Practice any techniques you learn and are taught.
• Realize that pregnancy, birth, and postpartum are times of great changes and can be unpredictable. Some flexibility may be required. A change in your plans does not equate to failure. Take the time to acknowledge there may be some disappointment at the change without attaching judgment. *
• All babies are good babies. Some are low key and some are more needing of attention. Some come out with perfect scores and take to feeding immediately and others have multiple doctor visits and require more of a learning curve in their transition to the outside world. All of this falls into a spectrum and you will get the swing of things very soon!
• Having a new baby, juggling your own healing, lack of sleep, hormonal changes, a different body, can all make us feel like a different person.  This is ok! This is a period of adjustment. Perhaps you aren’t feeling the rush of love for This is othe baby you thought you were or you are just really tired. Again, all of this is new to your new family and give yourself some time and grace.
• Having flexibility, a plan for some help after baby comes, giving yourself grace/being non judgmental, and injecting some humor when possible are all ways to balance those first few weeks. You’re a new parent! That’s amazing! You’re doing hard work– pat yourself on the back, give yourself some time — oh and take a nap if you can.

 

*If you find yourself traumatized by an experience, please reach out to someone to talk to, such as an experienced counselor or physician, or even a friend if you are unable to speak to a professional in a timely manner.

 

Kimberly Sebeck, Knoxville Doula 2020
All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

Due “Date” A-Z Series

Continuing in the A-Z Pregnancy Blog Series we come to the letter D. I bet you thought I was going to write about doulas, didn’t you? Well, I have written previously quite a lot about doulas. Here a few links if you want to read about:

https://knoxvilledoula.wordpress.com/2015/06/12/reasons-to-hire-a-doula-for-cesarean-birth/  Reasons to hire a doula for a Cesarean Birth

https://knoxvilledoula.wordpress.com/2012/01/17/doula-musings-today/ What I can and cannot do as a doula

https://knoxvilledoula.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/hiring-a-postpartum-doula/  Hiring a postpartum doula

So for D I thought I would write about the “due date” or EDD, estimated due date. It is an estimate and some feel it should be more of an estimated due month rather than a date. After you see how it is calculated perhaps you will also feel the same.

In order to calculate your due date, add 7 days to the date of your last period and then add nine months, with the assumption of a 28 day cycle.  But remember that babies don’t know anything about this estimated calendar date and a full term pregnancy is considered anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks.

Due dates are usually calculated on your last period instead of the date of conception because of a number of reasons.

• Although the average woman ovulates (releases an egg) approximately 2 weeks after her period, the exact time is not always known.
• Once an egg has been released, it can remain fertile for up to 24 hours.
• Sperm can last for up to 7 days after intercourse to fertilise an egg.

Nowadays an ultrasound is frequently used for dating but the date can be off by a week or more. Depending on which study/evidence is cited, approximately only 5% of women give birth on their estimated due date. But it’s fun when it happens! Only 35% of women go into labor the week of their EDD.

Keep your due date in mind, absolutely, but don’t panic if baby ends up surprising you. Parenthood is all about surprises! You will soon be holding your baby in your arms.

All Rights Reserved, 2019
Kimberly Sebeck, CLD, CCCE, HCHD
Knoxville Doula

Advocacy and Doulas

 

Advocate is a big buzz word in the birth world. There is no wonder there is some confusion when it comes to the role a doula has concerning advocacy regarding clients and at a birth.

The definition of advocacy as a noun is “someone who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy”. Merriam Webster defines it further as someone who “pleads the cause of another”, often specifically before a tribunal or judicial court.

A court case isn’t something we would expect or hope a doula would need to be involved in at all. In fact, doulas do not speak for a client because doulas do not have a legal right to make medical decisions for clients. So what do most people mean when they use the word advocate when speaking about the role of a doula?

Most of the time when a client is interested in having a doula present they are interested in having their voice and preferences be heard. This is why hiring a doula well before birth and working with one prenatally is so important. Professional doulas who stay within their scope of practice are well versed and trained in helping their clients learn how to advocate for themselves! Prenatal meetings to go over different options, childbirth preparation, birth option plans, ways to discuss important topics with providers, and navigate twists and turns as they come up during pregnancy is vital to empowering pregnant people to speak up and be heard. Preparing your partner to answer questions and ask for time to make informed decisions is part of the process as well. As a doula I am not going to make a decision concerning the welfare of your baby and yourself. I will give you unbiased information and remind you to ask informed consent questions, just like we have practiced in prenatal sessions. I can reference your written birth plan as well. Most of this work is done prior to labor so it is familiar and second nature.

Doulas are often advocates for evidenced based birth practices as a whole, in society. We form support groups and are members of national organizations. But if it seems like you are gearing up for a fight for evidence based birth practices with your birth provider, we would encourage you to look up ACOG’s recommendations and see if those recommendations are being followed. Honest communication between yourself and your provider is extremely important — expecting anyone — a doula, your partner, a sister to “protect” you from your provider may signal that this is not a good working relationship with this particular provider or perhaps there needs to be an open communication about the disagreement in care and expectation.

So while it can be a little confusing to answer outright if a doula is an “advocate” (in some ways we are and in some ways we are not), the main answer is we teach our clients to advocate for themselves and we are there to remind them how if necessary.

All Rights Reserved, 2019
Kimberly Sebeck, Knoxville Doula

Q&A with a Hypnobabies Instructor

Q. Tiffany, I understand that you used Hypnobabies with one or more of your births and these were vbacs? Could you tell us a little bit about how you learned about Hynobabies and why you decided to use it?

A. Yes, I used Hypnobabies for two of my three VBACs. One birth was in the hospital, and one was at home.

When I was pregnant with my third baby I knew I wanted to actually enjoy my birth. During my first two births, an urgent cesarean and VBAC,  I experienced a lot of suffering and trauma as well as under preparation despite self education and professional birth classes.  So, when I had two births that didn’t go by the books and ended up being traumatic, I was devastated at the amount of suffering I had to endure to bring my babies into the world. Pregnancy number three and the rise of the internet made it possible for me to find a new way. In my search I came across a YouTube video of a mom using Hypnobabies to breath her baby out, smiling in between contractions and I was instantly hooked. I knew I wanted to have that kind of calm control and joy during my babies birth. I was able to have wonderfully healing and comfortable VBACs using Hypnobabies with zero interventions and great recovery and post partum periods.

Q.  How did Hypnobabies work for you in those births?

A. The first time I used Hypnobabies I was diligent at following the daily and weekly schedule. I remember hitting the 39 week mark and avoiding scheduling an induction at my doctor visit. At a time in pregnancy when most moms are ready to meet their babies I was able to use Hypnobabies to remain comfortable and really pamper myself that last week. I went into our birthing time at 39 weeks and 6 days while running errands. I kept my earbuds in and was able to stay comfortable even swinging at the park with my older children in the evening. Once I got them to bed things picked up and I continued to only feel pressure while using what Hypnobabies calls Eyes Open Hypnosis. It was great. Being able to snack, and spend relaxing time with my husband while in my birthing time and remaining completely comfortable was so new to me that I didn’t realize I was as far into my birthing as I was. It was an hour after I put the kids to bed that I decided it was time to head to the hospital and once we got there I was able to walk myself to the elevator and continue using my hypnosis while the nurse was checking me in. Then I sat on my ball, still with my ear buds listening to my hypnosis birthing day tracks, for about 30 minutes until I felt pushy. He was born in three pushes thanks to the unique Hypno-anesthesia tool Hypnobabies teaches! It was incredible! I was able to comfortably push my baby out and smile afterwards. When we got the pictures back that my mom took the entire room was smiling! Hypnosis really worked! I birthed an 8lb 4 oz. baby via VBAC remaing calm, comfortable, and it was so easy! I had nurses and doctors come by our room all day to find out how I did it so easily and all I could say was Hypnobabies! I was also surprised to find out that Hypnobabies techniques worked amazingly well to remain comfortable after birth as well which made my recovery period easy and comfortable.

My next Hypnobabies birth went a little differently. I had a major water skiing accident and knee injury right before I got pregnant so I was going into pregnancy with a body that wasn’t performing at it’s best. I then had Hyperemesis Gravidarum and could barely function for 6 months. (I did not look into the Hypnobabies track “Eliminate Nausea Now” which I regret) I did not do my Hypnobabies practice as diligently as the first time either so I feel like I caused myself some discomfort early in my birthing time by not preparing as well. I went into my birthing time at 40 weeks and 6 days which once again, Hypnobabies helped me remain calm, healthy, and comfortable so my baby could choose his own birth day. We had a planned Home Birth so my midwife and her assistant came over once I knew it was my birthing time. One thing that can happen to Hypno-moms is that time feels half as long so my 25 hour birthing time only felt like 8-12 hours to me. I was able to lie down in my bed and listen to my tracks to remain comfortable while I progressed slowly from 7-9 cms. Then I was able to use Eyes Open Hypnosis once again to move from our birth pool to the bathroom and follow what my body needed and finally getting in the pool and leaning over the side on my kneeling. I was also able to be comfortable and wait for the fetal ejection reflex letting my baby and body work together. One thing that surprised me was he had a slight shoulder dystocia (from misalignment due to the knee injury right before pregnancy) and I was able to remain comfortable, thanks again to Hypno-anesthesia,  while my midwife unstuck his shoulder. Once he was out my midwife said how happy she was that I used Hypnobabies and what a different birth it could have been if I didn’t.  I was surprised once again that I was able to use Hypnobabies to remain calm and comfortable to birth a 9lb 2 oz. baby in my bedroom. Six hours after his birth I was in my kitchen (my husband had finally succumbed to exhaustion) holding my new baby and making a small sandwich for my 4 yr old.

Q. When did you decide to become a doula?

A. After I had my first VBAC in early 2003 I knew I wanted to help women have more support, better birth education, and happier birth experiences than I had. So 6 months after I had her I went to a Doula Workshop, pumping or nursing during breaks, and knew I was in the right profession. I took some time off from Doula work to attend Nursing school and then came back to Doula work lightly in 2010. In 2016 I went to Childbirth Educator training and then in 2017 I added Hypnobabies Classes and Hypno-Doula Support to my menu of services that I offer. In early 2018 I began working with Susannah’s House, a non profit, out patient treatment facility for substance use, teaching prenatal classes and offering pro bono Doula services to my students there helping moms and babies.

Q. When did you decide to become a Hypnobabies instructor?

A. I knew I wanted to become a Hypnobabies Instructor a couple of years after my 2nd VBAC and once I used Hypnobabies for the second time I knew I needed to bring Hypnobabies to Knoxville and surrounding areas in a big way. I attending training in April of 2017 and became Certified a few months later. I’ve been teaching for almost a year now and my students have had several great Hypnobabies births of all varieties and settings. I have had students come from up to 2 hours away to attend classes.

Q. Can you tell us a little about the classes themselves?

A. Hypnobabies Classes are once per week for 3 1/2 – 4 hours for 6 weeks. It is an adult education class so there is “Home-Play” which my students enjoy doing together with their partners. Hypnobabies is great because it’s the only birth class you need. It’s a childbirth preparation class as well as childbirth hypnosis which teaches true, medical grade, self hypnosis techniques and tools so moms can stay calm, and comfortable, during their birthing times and after. All needed materials are received in class as well and Birth Partners are encouraged to attend since much of the material is geared toward how they can help Hypno-moms remain comfortable although birth partner participation isn’t a must to take the class and do Hypnobabies.  I like my students to be relaxed and comfortable so moms get to use Anti-gravity lounge chairs if they would like during class and/or Hypnosis sessions. We also have a break with yummy snacks, usually with water, fresh fruit,  and veggies on the menu as well as some type of added protein. Moms and Birth Partners leave class feeling refreshed, educated, and comfortable making the pregnancy and birthing choices that are right for them knowing they have Hypnosis tools they can utilize.

Q.  How can anyone interested get in touch with you to find out more about your services?

A. To find out more about my Hypnobabies Birth Services as well as non Hypnobabies Birth Services I offer you can reach me by email at queenbeeandbaby@gmail.com or phone at 865-266-0909.  You can also find me on Facebook at Queen Bee and Baby Birth Service or Queen Bee Hypnobabies.

Thank you so much for this information, Tiffany! I have loved being a hypnodoula with Hypnobabies for the last several years and know that having local classes will only increase the interest in an easier and more comfortable birth experience that Hypnobabies offers. Please let Tiffany or I know if you have any questions.

All Rights Reserved, Kimberly Sebeck, Knoxville Doula 2018

Facebook

Repeat Clients — Or Not?

Oh, doulas love repeat clients! There is just something so rewarding about working with a family for a second or third time — or even more! Often a doula is the first one to know that another pregnancy has happened. We get a text with a positive pregnancy test photo attached or a question of, “Hey are you available for a (fill in the blank) due date?”.

But sometimes, especially with flourishing social media, we find out a family hasn’t rehired us. It has absolutely happened to me. And I am writing this not only for people interested in doulas/have used doulas but also newer doulas. What is the etiquette regarding this?

First, I’d like to acknowledge there are very real reasons to not be rehired! Just off the top of my head:

• Funds may be an issue, especially as a family grows
• Perhaps the client went natural last time and is choosing not to this time and feels a doula isn’t necessary
• Maybe they learned so many techniques in their other birth(s) they feel they can handle this on their own (I believe in them!)
• Maybe they have become close to another doula and want to try her out (yes, I 100% support that!)
• Possibly they had a traumatic birth experience and having the same birth professionals feels like a trigger (yes, a traumatic birth can happen even with a doula present)
• It could be they hired a midwifery team that provides extra support like birth assistants or even doulas
• A new medical condition has changed their perspective of birth (same for pregnancy loss(es)
• They may be trying a different type of pain management like hypnobirthing or hypnobabies and planning to use medical grade hypnosis
• Another local doula has skills they feel more drawn to or simply feels more connected to them
• Or… It is none of your business

Yes, I have had some of those scenarios play out for not getting rehired and I am here to say it is totally fine! It doesn’t hurt my feelings one bit. While I hope if it’s over funds that I could connect them with a lower fee or sliding scale doula, I also understand a budget is sometimes set in stone and cannot be stretched. Additionally it can be awkward for some people to say they are low on funds for something. It can be awkward if you run into your doula and feel you have to explain why you aren’t/can’t/don’t want to rehire her.

Please let me reassure you that there is no reason to feel awkward. While I would love to support your family again I also trust you know what you need. I still want to hear how your pregnancy is going. I still want to hear how your birth went, watch your birth video or see your photos. I still want to be your friend on social media if that is your comfort level. Any good doula will feel this way. It’s not about us, it’s about you. If you feel like sharing the reason, feel free, and if not, that’s ok, too.  Doulas empower women and families. You do you and we will cheer you on.

All Rights Reserved, 2018
Kimberly Sebeck, Knoxville Doula

 

 

If Your Husband Wants Family To Watch The Birth But You Don’t

There was a post going around on social media sites about a woman saying her husband was forcing her to have her in-laws in the delivery room but she didn’t want to, what should she do? The chosen answer was for her to challenge her husband to have a bowel movement and be naked, spread eagle for 12 hours, in front of her parents first. If he did so, then she should allow his parents in for the delivery.

Apparently a lot of people thought it was funny. And I get that it was a joke. It might not have even been real. Many things on the internet aren’t. However, it got me to thinking.. what if it was a real question? What would my answer have been to this woman?

I wouldn’t have used a poop/bowel movement analogy. Yes, there can be poop involved with birth. But that is such a small part of it and ignores all the beauty and wonder surrounding birth. A human– your baby, your child– is coming into the world! As for some bodily fluids that go hand in hand with this arrival, definitely think about only having people in your space that you would feel comfortable with seeing you at your most powerful and most vulnerable.

What I would have said instead to the woman is to encourage her to have her husband think of birth as an intimate time. As a baby is conceived, so it is born. Low lights, music, your partner’s touch and embrace all encourage oxytocin. When you think about it that way, most of us wouldn’t have our in-laws involved in the conception, would we? Most couples are going to choose/need some professional guidance during the process, it’s true, but professional midwives, nurses, doctors, doulas, etc, know professional boundaries and remain… professional. It is a different dynamic.

Another part of the answer was for the husband to be “spread eagle” for 12 hours. Well, that’s just silly. I have yet in 18 yrs of being a doula to see anyone be spread eagle in labor for 12 hours. Women labor differently, it’s true. Some remain quite modest and wear clothing or use sheets and others feel comfortable being naked but they do not sit around spread eagle for hours on end. Some like photographs of the birth and others do not. Some women are fine with relatives watching and that is okay, too. The woman posing the question was not fine with her in-laws being in the room.

An honest and open conversation with your partner is a good starting point. A childbirth class is also a good option to learn about labor and birth. Most educators will bring up a conversation about visitors and family as well as the need for privacy and how hormones of labor can be disrupted by interruptions. Bringing up what a special and intimate, relationship strengthening time labor and birth is sounds so much better than a poop challenge. Couples grow together as their family grows from two to three (or whatever number baby you are adding).

Kimberly Sebeck, Knoxville Doula 
All Rights Reserved, 2018