Pregnancy Support
On this page, you'll find information about Antpartum Doulas, Childbirth Educators and Prenatal Exercise. Scroll down to find out more!
Antepartum Doula Support
If you want support during childbirth, you can get a birth doula. Want help after the baby’s here? Then a postpartum doula is for you. But what if you need help before the baby’s arrived, during pregnancy? What if you’re on bed rest, or you’re experiencing a difficult pregnancy and need extra support? Then, you want an antepartum doula.
Antepartum doulas are a newer kind of doula, specializing in supporting women going through a high-risk or difficult pregnancy. They support their clients in a number of ways. If a woman is on bed rest, an antepartum doula can help much like a postpartum doula helps a new mother – cooking meals, light housework, helping the mother organize things for the new baby, and, most importantly, providing emotional and informational support.
Who Needs an Antepartum Doula?
“An antepartum doula can help to gather information about support groups for a high risk pregnancy and/or bedresting women, giving her the comfort that she is not alone,” explains Laura Dana, certified labor and antepartum doula. "An antepartum doula can act as a ‘sounding board’ for concerns and fears about the pregnancy. . . . Many times, an antepartum doula is someone who has faced a difficult pregnancy herself, and that in and of itself can be very comforting to the woman who is facing similar circumstances and is uncertain about what to expect.”
Antepartum doulas aren’t just for women on bed rest, however. Any mother-to-be may want an antepartum doula to help support them through the difficult emotional challenges. Women who have many children and need extra support may hire an antepartum doula, as may a mother who experiences severe morning sickness.
Antepartum doulas are a newer kind of doula, specializing in supporting women going through a high-risk or difficult pregnancy. They support their clients in a number of ways. If a woman is on bed rest, an antepartum doula can help much like a postpartum doula helps a new mother – cooking meals, light housework, helping the mother organize things for the new baby, and, most importantly, providing emotional and informational support.
Who Needs an Antepartum Doula?
“An antepartum doula can help to gather information about support groups for a high risk pregnancy and/or bedresting women, giving her the comfort that she is not alone,” explains Laura Dana, certified labor and antepartum doula. "An antepartum doula can act as a ‘sounding board’ for concerns and fears about the pregnancy. . . . Many times, an antepartum doula is someone who has faced a difficult pregnancy herself, and that in and of itself can be very comforting to the woman who is facing similar circumstances and is uncertain about what to expect.”
Antepartum doulas aren’t just for women on bed rest, however. Any mother-to-be may want an antepartum doula to help support them through the difficult emotional challenges. Women who have many children and need extra support may hire an antepartum doula, as may a mother who experiences severe morning sickness.
Childbirth Education
Childbirth education classes are offered based on the premise that knowledge about what to expect during labor and delivery prepares a woman for the process. Fear of the unknown is associated with increased pain and muscle tension. Childbirth classes traditionally teach breathing and relaxation techniques for women to use during labor and delivery. It is believed that these techniques enable the mother to better manage the pain of childbirth, feel more in control, have a better birth experience, and bond more readily with her newborn. Some childbirth classes promote a particular method and philosophy, such as the Lamaze and the Bradley methods.
Childbirth education classes provide information to pregnant women in an environment with peers, where they meet with other women or couples at the same stage of pregnancy. By educating women about the childbirth process, these classes enable women to focus on their particular issues during prenatal visits, while still receiving general pregnancy and childbirth information.
For childbirth educators who teach in English, Hebrew or both, please see our referral list.
Childbirth education classes provide information to pregnant women in an environment with peers, where they meet with other women or couples at the same stage of pregnancy. By educating women about the childbirth process, these classes enable women to focus on their particular issues during prenatal visits, while still receiving general pregnancy and childbirth information.
For childbirth educators who teach in English, Hebrew or both, please see our referral list.
Prenatal Exercise
Staying in shape during pregnancy is vital to Mom and Baby for optimal health. You'll feel better as the pregnancy progresses by maintaining your balance and posture. Your body will be in better shape to manage labor and birth.
If you were already exercising before your pregnancy, you can continue doing it up until birth as long as you’re comfortable, and as long as your caregiver says you can.
If you’re not used to exercising, you can start special a prenatal exercise course when you’re in your second trimester. The best idea is to verify that you have begun an appropriate program with a prenatal exercise expert.
If you were already exercising before your pregnancy, you can continue doing it up until birth as long as you’re comfortable, and as long as your caregiver says you can.
If you’re not used to exercising, you can start special a prenatal exercise course when you’re in your second trimester. The best idea is to verify that you have begun an appropriate program with a prenatal exercise expert.