3 Things I Wish Someone Told Every First-Time Mom

I’ve spent a lot of time around families and babies, but becoming a doula has changed the things that I notice. After supporting new parents professionally there are some things that I notice come up time and time again.

1. Google Isn’t Your Care Team

These days, it’s completely normal to go to Google or ChatGPT for answers. From the simplest thoughts to figuring out the meaning of life, it’s become normal to replace real life conversations with technology. Buttttt, the internet can only take you so far!

Information is everywhere but personalized care ISN’T. Losing sleep because you doom scrolled at 2AM and now you’re worried about some scenario that you aren’t even at risk for - why do that to yourself? Of course I know that curiosity is human nature but please hear me. Lean into your care team. They can give you guidance based on your individual situation and health history. For medical decisions, your care team includes your OB-GYN, midwife or family practice physician. I’ve talked about other roles you might might want to add into your care team here.

2. Take the Childbirth Education Class

I’ve noticed a profound difference in my clients that take childbirth classes and those that don’t. Parents are able to replace fear of the unknown with the understanding of birth when they take the class. I don’t expect them to remember ever single thing they learn, but here are some key takeaways:

• What’s normal in labor

• Common interventions

• Comfort techniques

• What partners can do

• How to ask informed questions

Even when birth doesn’t go exactly as planned, my clients who took a childbirth education class are much more prepared for the pivot.

3. You’ll Need More Help Postpartum than You Realize

Most people spend months preparing for labor and birth…but then what? I encourage my clients to think about their postpartum experience. I try to drive this point especially with first time parents because when baby comes, their entire world changes in a way that’s never happened before. If you’re a person who’s used to having a ton of things on your plate, postpartum can hit hard when you’re forced to accept that you can’t be as efficient as you were. It’s 1000% OK that you aren’t but it can still be hard to come to terms with. Here are some things you might want to consider before giving birth. That way you’ll have a plan for who can help you with them, even if you have to hire someone.

• Meal planning/meal preparation

• Laundry

• Emotional support

• Feeding challenges

• Sleep deprivation

• Recovery

Please build your postpartum village before you think you need it.

For me, attending births has reinforced that asking for support isn’t a negative thing. It’s one of the best ways to prepare.

Here for you,
Juna 🫶🏽