From the moment a baby is born, they are biologically wired to connect. One of the most powerful and immediate ways to support this connection is through skin-to-skin contact, sometimes called "kangaroo care." It’s a simple practice: placing an undressed baby on a bare chest. But its impact on both baby and parent can be profound, offering emotional, physical, and long-term health benefits.

No matter the type of birth you’re planning, skin-to-skin can be an incredible part of your early bonding experience. Let’s explore why.

You have legal rights during pregnancy, labor and hospital stays! Part of advocating for yourself is knowing what those rights are and how to ensure they’re being followed. This blog post teaches you 7 rights you have.

Cervical checks are often treated as a routine part of pregnancy and labor—but here’s the truth: they’re completely optional.
Whether you’re nearing your due date or already in labor, understanding what cervical checks are, when they’re offered, and why you might choose to decline them can make a big difference in how you feel about your care. In this post, we’ll break it all down so you can feel informed, empowered, and ready to advocate for what feels right for your body.

“Your baby is measuring big.”
If you’ve heard those words during pregnancy, you’re not alone—and it’s normal to have questions.

In this post, we explore what it really means when your baby is estimated to be large, how accurate growth scans are (hint: not very), why size alone isn’t a valid reason for induction or cesarean, and how many parents go on to birth bigger babies with ease. We’ll also talk about gestational diabetes and how it may play a role.

Whether you’re feeling pressured, confused, or just want more clarity—you deserve evidence-based information and calm, confident support.

Read on to feel empowered, not intimidated.

Experiencing a birth that didn’t go as planned can leave many parents feeling confused, disappointed, or even traumatized. Whether you had a cesarean birth you weren’t expecting, faced unexpected interventions, or felt unsupported during labor, your feelings are valid. In this post, we’ll explore how to begin healing after a difficult birth, how to process and reclaim your birth story, and when it might be helpful to seek additional support. If you're struggling to make sense of your experience, this guide is for you.

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.

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.

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.

If you are pregnant, you have probably been googling every topic under the sun! The more you search, the more questions you may have. You’ll learn things you didn't even know you needed to know – like the fact that some people KEEP their placenta after birth! Now, if you’re not familiar with this and are wondering, “Why on earth would someone keep their placenta???” this post is for you! We’ll go over what the placenta is, why some people keep it, and what you can do with it. Keep reading to see if this is something you would like to do!