Building Your Pregnancy Support Team Beyond Your Provider
Recently, someone on TikTok asked me how a person finds their care team during pregnancy. It’s such a simple question but it’s also an important one.
When people find out they’re pregnant, one of the first questions they ask is “Who’s going to deliver my baby?”
It’s an important question but I think an even more important one is:
“Who is going to support me throughout pregnancy, birth and the transition into parenthood?”
Pregnancy is about so much more than prenatal appointments and a due date. It's a major life transition and, in my opinion, it’s not be faced alone.
That's where a care team comes in.
Your care team is made up of the people and professionals who help support your physical, emotional and mental well-being throughout pregnancy. Every family's team will look a little different, but here are some of the people you may want to consider including in yours.
Your Medical Provider
For most families, this is the foundation of their care team. This includes:
An OB-GYN
A midwife
A family practice physician
Your provider monitors your health and baby’s health. It’s important to settle on a provider who listens to your concerns and helps you feel comfortable participating in decisions.
Your Partner/Primary Support Person
Having someone you trust by your side makes a huge difference. Still, your support person may want to help but can be unsure of what to expect during pregnancy or labor. That’s completely normal.
A benefit of having a strong care team is making sure that your support person has support, too.
Birth Doula
As a doula, I don’t perform medical procedures or make clinical decisions. Instead, I provide:
Emotional support
Advocacy
Education
Comfort measures
Encouragement
Every family is different, which means doula support isn't one-size-fits-all. Some clients want hands-on comfort measures and frequent check-ins throughout pregnancy. Others need help processing information or simply having a calm, steady presence in the room during labor.
During labor, support may look like helping you change positions, offering massages or counterpressure, guiding breathing techniques, creating a calming environment, or helping you think through options as decisions arise. I also support partners by helping them feel confident and involved.
One of my favorite parts of being a doula is helping families feel less alone and more informed as they move through pregnancy and birth. My goal is not to take over your experience, but to walk alongside you to help you feel empowered every step of the way.
Postpartum Doula
Families spend months (or years!) preparing for pregnancy and birth but then postpartum hits like a ton of bricks. Yup, you need a plan for that too! Postpartum is a tender period where you’ll likely need more support than you though - especially if you’re a first time parent like most of my clients.
A postpartum doula provides non-medical support during those early weeks as your family adjusts to life with a new baby. Support can look different for every family, but may include:
Emotional support and a listening ear
Newborn education and guidance
Infant feeding support and referrals when needed
Practical help around the house
Helping parents get rest and prioritize their own recovery
Creating space for parents to process their birth experience
A big misconceptions about postpartum is that parents should instinctively know what they're doing or be able to handle everything on their own. The truth is, humans were never meant to raise babies in isolation.
Whether your support comes from family, friends, a postpartum doula, or a combination of all three, having people in your corner during this season can make a world of difference.
Lactation Support
How will you feed your baby? No matter what method you settle on, having access to a lactation professional can be incredibly helpful when questions or challenges come up.
Pelvic Floor Therapy
This area of recovery doesn’t get enough attention. Pregnancy and birth places significant demands on the body. Pelvic floor physical therapists can help with:
Recovery after birth
Pelvic pain
Core strength
Bladder or bowel issues
Return to exercise
Mental Health Support
Pregnancy and postpartum can bring excitement but also uncertainty and stress. Having a therapist or support group can be invaluable. I know it sounds cheesy but taking care of your mental healthy is just as important as looking after your physical health.
Friends, Family and Community
Not every person on your care team needs cridentials. Support can be:
A friend who checks in regularly
A family member who brings dinner
Someone who watches the baby while you nap
The point is to have a community that reminds you that you’re not doing this alone. These relationships matter too.
Your care team doesn’t have to be perfect. Building it is a process. You don’t need everything figured out right away. You can start with your provider and build along the way. Others do it in the reverse by leaning into community and education before decing what additional support they want.
There’s no single right way to do it.
Pregnancy, birth and postpartum aren’t meant to be carried alone. The roles on your care team may vary but the importance of support remains the same.
Everyone deserves a team.
Here for you,
Juna 🫶🏽
