How to Find an LGBTQ+ Friendly and Affirming Practitioner
When you’re queer, trans, nonbinary, or part of the LGBTQIA+ community, finding a provider who truly sees and affirms you can make all the difference, especially during sensitive seasons like pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood.
Too many LGBTQ+ folks have experienced dismissal, judgment, misgendering, or care that feels clinical but not compassionate. You deserve better, and you don’t have to settle for “tolerated” when you could be celebrated.
Here’s how to find LGBTQ+ friendly (and affirming!) providers who will support your whole self.
You’re Not Alone: Navigating Postpartum Mental Health with Therapist Jennifer Blackstone
Licensed therapist Jennifer shares what new parents need to know about postpartum mental health, including common signs, when to seek help, and how doulas and therapists can support families together. You’re not alone—support is here.
Losing Yourself in Motherhood—and Finding Your Way Back
Embarking on motherhood can be a rollercoaster of emotions. It can be deeply joyful and incredibly overwhelming—sometimes all at once. One moment you may feel full of love and purpose, and the next, totally unsure of who you are now. That mix of emotions is normal.
If you’ve felt lost in your role as a mother or like your identity is slipping through your fingers, you are not alone. This is called identity loss, and it’s one of the most common and least-talked-about parts of becoming a parent.
Let’s talk about what it is, why it happens, and how to begin finding yourself again, without guilt.
TENS Units for Labor: A Natural Pain Relief Option You’ll Want in Your Birth Plan
If you're preparing for birth and looking for natural ways to manage labor pain, you're probably already exploring positions, breathing techniques, and maybe even water therapy. But there’s another powerful tool that often gets overlooked: the TENS unit.
Used widely in the UK and gaining popularity in the U.S., TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) units are a safe, drug-free way to manage contractions, especially in early and active labor. At Your Family Doula Services, I not only teach clients how to use them, but I also offer labor-specific TENS unit rentals so families can feel empowered and prepared when labor begins.
Doula vs Nanny vs NCS: What’s the Difference?
Having support during the postpartum period isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. When you're held, cared for, and supported in the right ways, you’re more likely to feel calm, connected, and confident as you adjust to life with a new baby. The beautiful thing is: there are so many options for support, and the key is finding the one that meets your needs. Understanding the different roles—whether it’s a postpartum doula, a newborn care specialist, or a mother’s helper—not only helps you ask the right questions when interviewing, but also ensures you feel satisfied with the kind of care you receive. When you know who you’re hiring and what to expect, your postpartum experience can feel a lot more aligned, intentional, and nurturing.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common postpartum support roles so you can decide what feels right for your family, whether you’re looking for help during the day, overnight, or both.
Doula vs Midwife vs OBGYN: Building a Birth Team That’s Right for You
Pregnancy involves many decisions, like where to give birth, how to prepare, and who you want by your side. One of the most common questions I hear as a doula and educator is, “What’s the difference between a doula and a midwife?” While doulas are becoming more mainstream, there is still some confusion about our role during pregnancy and delivery and how it differs from all of the other support available.
Let’s break it down simply so you can feel more confident in building a support team that fits your birth vision.
Surviving Pregnancy in the Summer
There’s no sugarcoating it: being pregnant in the summer is a whole experience. Between the extra weight, the blood volume increase, the hormone-induced temperature shifts, and the actual sun blazing outside, summer can be rough on a pregnant body.
But as a doula, educator, and mom who has supported so many families and been pregnant through a couple of humid Jersey summers myself, I’ve gathered the realest, most helpful tips to help you feel good in your body, stay sane, and even enjoy parts of this season.
When Is the Right Time to Hire a Doula?
One of the most common things I hear from potential clients is:
“I hope it’s not too early to reach out...”
Or just as often:
“I hope it’s not too late!”
Let me reassure you right now — it is never too early to hire a doula. In fact, hiring a doula earlier in your pregnancy opens up so many more opportunities for connection, preparation, peace of mind, and support.
Why Childbirth Education Matters: How Knowing Your Options Changes Everything
When you're pregnant, it can feel like everyone has an opinion about what you should do. You hear advice from family, friends, strangers in HomeGoods... even your algorithms start serving you tips. It’s a lot. But here’s the thing no one tells you loud enough:
✨ You have options.
✨ You have power.
✨ And birth education can help you own both.
As a doula and childbirth educator, I’ve witnessed firsthand how learning about birth shifts your mindset from fear to confidence. Birth education isn’t just about knowing what happens during labor—it's about understanding your body, your choices, and your voice.
Do Doulas Replace Partners?
Labor is an intense and life-changing experience, not just for the birthing person but also for their partner. Partners often want to be involved and helpful, but they aren’t always sure how to best support labor. This is where a doula can be a great resource by guiding and empowering partners to be as involved as they want and ensuring the birthing person receives continuous care.