Jessica Austin

birthtakesavillage.com

Promoting a gentle and informed birth culture in Vancouver, BC.

Prenatal Visit Topics

Feel informed, confident and supported during your pregnancy and birth

Topics Specific To Home Birth

  • What you really need for home birth supplies
  • When to call your doula & registered midwife or traditional birth attendant
  • Understanding the reasons your registered midwife may suggest a hospital transfer

Topics Specific To Hospital Birth

  • When to call your doula
  • When to leave for the hospital
  • Understanding the hospital environment
  • How to communicate with hospital staff to get your needs met

Birthing Comfort Measures

  • Hip Squeeze and Comfort Measures
  • Toning and using the breath
  • Water
  • Acupressure points
  • Massage
  • Positions
  • Meditation techniques
  • Guided meditation or hypnosis tools

Topics Specific To Birthing With An Epidural

  • Understanding the benefits and risks of an epidural
  • What to expect with the epidural procedure
  • The “Walking” epidural
  • When to get the epidural
  • Being prepared in case the epidural doesn’t work or is not given when you would like it
  • How to push with an epidural

Topics Specific To Water Birth

  • Supplies for a water birth
  • Using a birthing pool for comfort
  • Birthing your baby into water

Understanding the Phases of Birthing and what to do in each phase

  • First, Second, Third Stages
  • Holistic Stages of Birth

Mother Directed Pushing

  • What is mother-directed pushing?
  • What does it look like?
  • Videos of mother-directed pushing

Understanding Informed Consent

  • What it is and why it’s important
  • See Informed Consent Article
  • Discussion on how to make sure you have the opportunity to give or refuse consent

Understanding Common Tests / Exams

  • Ultrasounds and Non-Stress-Tests
  • Gestational Diabetes Screening
  • GBS Screening
  • Vaginal Exams

Understanding Common Interventions

  • Induction or augmentation with artificial oxytocin
  • Induction or augmentation with artificial rupture of membranes
  • Fetal Heart Rate monitoring
  • IV for hydration
  • Medications for analgesic or anaesthetic effect
  • Cesarean birth

Understanding Standard Procedures For Immediately After Birth

  • For baby: cord clamping, drying, newborn hat, weighing and measuring, Vitamin K, eye ointment, PKU test
  • For mother: injection of artificial oxytocin

Preparing For The First Days and Weeks With New Baby

  • Breastfeeding preparation
  • Bathing your newborn
  • Caring for the intact penis in newborn boys
  • Diapering options
  • Postpartum support, meal preparation from friends and family

Additional Prenatal hours

The prenatal visits are generally designed to complement your prenatal education and help formulate your vision for your birth. They are also an excellent opportunity for us to get to know each other and build a strong relationship before the birth. We will address as many of the above topics as possible, but we will have to prioritize based on your interest. I can always provide you with further resources / readings to do on your own. If you would like to add prenatal visit hours on top of what’s included in your doula package, my rate is $25 per additional hour.

Join Our Free Prenatal Group

For added educational support, participating in the free monthly Birth Takes a Village prenatal group is strongly recommended. Visit for details.

Jessica Austin

604-700-4115

Support for all birthing women & couples, including those with a history of caesarean births, or previously challenging or traumatic birth experiences.

doula support – placenta encapsulation – free prenatal groups