Explore mindfulness techniques for pregnancy that reduce stress, encourage body awareness, and prepare you for a positive birth.

For generations, mothers were never expected to raise their babies alone. Villages, extended families, and communities surrounded new parents with helping hands, listening ears, and wisdom passed down through stories.

But today? Many moms find themselves navigating pregnancy and postpartum without that same circle of support. The late-night feedings, the endless questions, the flood of emotions — it can all feel overwhelming when you’re doing it in isolation.

And here’s the truth: you weren’t meant to do this by yourself.

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.

In a world that rushes new parents to bounce back, la cuarentena offers something radical: rest, care, and the belief that healing deserves time. Rooted in Latin American tradition and backed by science, this 40-day postpartum practice is not just cultural, it’s essential.

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.

Breastfeeding is natural but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. In today’s world, many parents are feeding a baby for the first time without ever having seen someone breastfeed. In this post, we’re diving into how to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy, what to expect in those early weeks, why support matters, and how this timeless act connects us to generations past. Whether you're planning to breastfeed for days or years, knowing your options and building your village can make all the difference.

Postpartum in the summer can feel overwhelming — from the heat to the pressure of “bouncing back” into a swimsuit-ready body. But the truth is, you don’t owe anyone a before-and-after. In this empowering post, we’re canceling bounce-back culture, celebrating the strength of the postpartum body, and offering supportive tools to help you feel grounded, nourished, and confident this summer — on your terms.

What if rest wasn't something you had to earn? In honor of BIPOC Mental Health Month, we're reclaiming rest as a radical, ancestral act of healing. This blog explores why rest is so often denied to women of color—and how we can begin to take it back.

It’s common—normal, even—to feel an overwhelming need to keep your baby close after birth. Maybe you don’t want others to hold them, care for them, or even be too near. You're not being overprotective. You're responding to powerful biological cues that are designed to help you bond, protect, and nurture your baby. In this post, we explore the science behind that deep instinct, how it connects to your mental health, and why things like smell and physical closeness matter more than people realize.
We’ll also talk about how others can support you without needing to hold the baby—and how to know when your feelings might be something more, like postpartum anxiety.

“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.

Planning a summer getaway while pregnant? Whether you're flying across the country or heading out on a road trip, travel during pregnancy can be safe, enjoyable, and even restorative, with a little extra planning. In this guide, you’ll find tips for flying, driving, staying cool, packing smart, and knowing when to rest. Learn how to keep your body comfortable, your baby safe, and your trip as stress-free as possible.

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.

Looking for ways to bond with your baby as a new dad? Here are 10 thoughtful, easy, and meaningful ways to connect with your newborn from day one.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.