I know what it’s like to wake up exhausted because I had almost no sleep the night before. And to lay down at night worrying if I was doing anything right, or if I would ever feel like my pre-baby self again. It got so bad that I found myself bleary eyed, enraged, and feeling incompetent, crying on the phone with my mom, 2000 miles away. So, I know how painful it can be. And, I know what it’s like to be on the other side of it. Find out more here.

Pain is normal in birth, but suffering doesn’t have to be. There are a few major things that can be done to set up an environment for comfort and pain relief before labor has even begun.

One possible step in preparing for conception can be creating a fertility altar. Before I ever knew what an altar was, I always had one: a special place that I curated with deep intention and used to connect with myself and my dreams. It was something that always called to me and I would like to offer a few words of guidance if you have never made an altar for yourself.

Many of us know that decreasing stress can help us to conceive yet we’re unsure what that means. Cut back hours at work? Take a bubble bath? In reality, we all have stressors that affect our lives on a daily basis. In fact, a little stress can even be a good thing. For the most part, we know how to manage those stressors and don’t really need to cut them down unless we really feel ourselves struggling under our schedules. The type of stress that affects fertility the most is the type you don’t see.

I was told that I would probably never conceive naturally. It’s a good thing I didn’t listen to that doctor.

The question I get most often is “how can I manage the pain of labor?” Truthfully, the most important thing you can do to cope with the sensations of labor is to understand what to expect. Once you know what is going to happen, it is easier to give yourself positive affirmations that what you are experiencing is normal and bringing you closer to your baby. Here is a quick guide to the stages of labor.

Women have been supporting other women through birth since the dawn of our species. This support is essential to positive outcomes and positive experiences for mothers and babies. Historically, support could come in the form of mothers, mothers-in-law, sisters, aunts, or other trusted women. Today, professional doulas are another option for unbiased support. Doulas Provide five facets of support including physical, emotional, informational, advocacy, and partner reinforcement. Within each facet, many layers of value can be found.