“Representation isn’t just nice, it’s a necessary part of a safe and equitable health system.” ❤️ I started @theeducatedbirth because it wasn’t possible to find birth education materials that authentically included Black women — many didn’t reflect us at all! Now we create inclusive visuals that represent and celebrate the many identities and presentations of people in our communities. Our materials are being used all over the world by reproductive health workers who are helping change the status quo. This Black History Month we acknowledge where we started — and what we continue to be rooted in — once again. We recognize and pay homage to all who have come before us and contributed to the care of parents and babies. And we are honored to be doing this work for a future of equitable care for us all. We appreciate and value all the support that helps The Educated Birth do what we do — create beautiful, comprehensive, and inclusive print and digital teaching tools for reproductive health work. If you’re looking for ways to #DoTheWork this #BlackHistoryMonth share this post and join us on Patreon. www.patreon.com/TheEducatedBirth Link in bio too ❤️ #representationmatters
An epidural delivers numbing medication into the epidural space of the spine to block pain signals, numbing from the belly down to varying degrees. ✅ Epidurals are considered very effective and can help laboring people when exhausted and in need of sleep/rest. Or if they simply desire one! 🩺 Other interventions like blood pressure monitoring, oxygen monitoring, IV fluids, a catheter, continuous fetal monitoring are routinely included when epidurals are used. ⚠️ While considered very effective, epidurals don’t always have the same impact on everyone. Sometimes labor progresses quickly and the birthing person doesn’t feel the full effect — sometimes they don’t provide as much relief as desired — and sometimes (~10% of the time in one study of ~19k births) they just don’t work. ⏰ It’s also worth noting that epidurals can take *time* — while it may only take 10–15 minutes for the procedure, it can take an hour or even a few hours before the anesthesiologist comes in, and then 20-30 minutes to feel the epidural’s full effect. ❌ There are potential side effects and risks — including drops in blood pressure, headache, difficulty urinating, and back pain for birthers. Discuss your pain management preferences with your care provider + birth team in advance. What other coping techniques are you interested in using alongside and/or instead? When the labor comes, with the support of your stellar birth team — you can enact your plan AND hold space for change if that’s what best fits for you. 💬 Have you had an epidural? Do you have epidural-related tips/info to add? Share in the comments below. . . . . . . . . . . . . . This post is based on content from our Labor + Birth Toolkit — a teaching tool perfect for doulas, midwives, OBGYNs, childbirth educators — really any professional who supports pregnant people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ✨ Learn more about our teaching tools ✨ Link in bio #birth #labor #laboranddelivery #babybump #takebackbirth #pregnancy #pregnant #birthmatters #knowyouroptions #reproductivehealth #informedbirth #midwife #doula #motherhood #parenthood #fatherhood #parenting #representationmatters #inclusivity #epidural
It should be easy to find *an abundance* of positive images of and stories from Black women and birthing people. But the reality is we live in a world and navigate a healthcare system where we meet incredible challenges and can experience vast inequities. We DO have beautiful, positive, and thriving experiences — but it’s often IN SPITE of the myriad of obstacles we’re up against. I started @theeducatedbirth because it wasn’t possible to find birth education materials that authentically included Black women — many didn’t reflect us at all! These Google searches are a true story. Now The Educated Birth creates inclusive visuals that represent and celebrate the many identities and presentations of people in our communities. Our materials are being used all over the world by reproductive health workers who are helping change the status quo. This Black History Month we acknowledge where we started — and what we continue to be rooted in — once again. We recognize and pay homage to all who have come before us and contributed to the care of parents and babies. And we are honored to be doing this work for a future of equitable care for us all. We appreciate and value all the support that helps The Educated Birth do what we do. If you’re looking for ways to #DoTheWork this #BlackHistoryMonth share this post and join us on Patreon. www.patreon.com/TheEducatedBirth Link in bio too ❤️ #representationmatters #bhm2023
✨NEW✨ The Labor + Birth Toolkit! Inside you’ll find… ✅ over 55 pages of info sheets, anatomical diagrams, and activity sheets on a variety of labor and birth-related topics. INCLUDING 5 different styles of birth preference sheets. PLUS: ✅ over 20 illustrations of pregnant people, babies, the uterus, and placenta for customizable use ✅ over 20 customizable Canva templates for social media. WHAT MAKES OUR MATERIALS UNIQUE + VALUABLE? 👍🏽 ✅ we write concise summaries + design creative diagrams for repro health ed ✅ we create inclusive + intersectional illustrations of babies + pregnant people ✅ we draw from and cite reputable and responsible sources ✅ we write with gender-inclusive terms + for reading levels from 8th grade up ✅ we use a peer-review system to assess + edit before we publish For the first 24 hours you can get this entire toolkit for $25 off! DISCOUNT CODE: 25OFF24HRS See the link in bio! #representationmatters #reproductivehealth #doulas #midwives #labor #birth
Taking a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy is one important way we support healthy fetal development. Did you know… ✅ It’s recommended to start taking prenatal vitamins as early as three months before pregnancy when possible ✅ There are many different kinds of prenatal vitamins including pills, capsules, gummies and liquid forms ✅ There are many different formulas of prenatal vitamins — each kind doesn’t include the same nutrients ✅ Taking a prenatal vitamins does not replace healthy eating. But alongside a nutritious diet they set a strong foundation for a healthy pregnancy and baby! Discuss the best option for you with your care provider and a perinatal nutritionist if you can too! 💬 What has your experience with prenatal vitamins been? Share with us in the comments! . . . . . . . . . . . . . This post is based on content from our Pregnancy Toolkit — a teaching tool perfect for doulas, midwives, OBGYNs, childbirth educators — really any professional who supports pregnant people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our teaching tools uniquely equip repro health workers to support parents because… ✨ we write concise summaries + design creative diagrams for repro health ed ✨ we create inclusive + intersectional illustrations of babies + pregnant people ✨ we draw from and cite reputable and responsible sources ✨ we write with gender-inclusive terms + for reading levels from 8th grade up ✨ we use a peer-review system to assess + edit before we publish Link in bio #birth #labor #laboranddelivery #babybump #takebackbirth #pregnancy #pregnant #birthmatters #knowyouroptions #reproductivehealth #informedbirth #midwife #doula #motherhood #parenthood #fatherhood #parenting #representationmatters #inclusivity #prenatalvitamins
We’ve got the visual + interactive tools for teaching + talking about birth preferences + labor positions right here! We’re prepping now for February shipments 📦 of Birth Preferences Card Sets and Labor Positions Card Set (the latter pictured here)! ✨Learn more about our teaching tools ✨ Link in bio #birth #labor #laboranddelivery #babybump #takebackbirth #pregnancy #pregnant #birthmatters #knowyouroptions #reproductivehealth #informedbirth #midwife #doula #motherhood #parenthood #fatherhood #parenting #bellybump
Egg 🤝 Sperm … or not 🩸 ❗️Only 5% of sperm typically make it from the uterine canal through the cervix to the uterus ❗️While amounts can range, on average around 100 million sperm are released in a single ejaculation ❗️Sperm introduced via Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) have to travel a shorter distance and for less time than they would otherwise because they’re inserted directly into the uterus 🩸The average number of menstrual cycles is 450 in a lifetime . . . . . . . . . . . . . This post is based on content from our Pregnancy Toolkit — a teaching tool perfect for doulas, midwives, OBGYNs, childbirth educators — really any professional who supports pregnant people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our teaching tools uniquely equip repro health workers to support parents because… ✨ we write concise summaries + design creative diagrams for repro health ed ✨ we create inclusive + intersectional illustrations of babies + pregnant people ✨ we draw from and cite reputable and responsible sources ✨ we write with gender-inclusive terms + for reading levels from 8th grade up ✨ we use a peer-review system to assess + edit before we publish Link in bio #birth #labor #laboranddelivery #babybump #takebackbirth #pregnancy #pregnant #birthmatters #knowyouroptions #reproductivehealth #informedbirth #midwife #doula #motherhood #parenthood #fatherhood #parenting #representationmatters #inclusivity #obgyn #menstruation #menstrualcycle #uterus #fertilization
What are some of your favorite tips for staying physically active during pregnancy? Guidelines on exercise and movement during pregnancy will look different for different people. This is a great topic to cover with your care provider to make sure you have a plan that’s safe and the best fit for you. See this illustration + more in our Pregnancy Toolkit — a teaching tool perfect for doulas, midwives, OBGYNs, childbirth educators — really any professional who supports pregnant people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our teaching tools uniquely equip repro health workers to support parents because… ✨ we write concise summaries + design creative diagrams for repro health ed ✨ we create inclusive + intersectional illustrations of babies + pregnant people ✨ we draw from and cite reputable and responsible sources ✨ we write with gender-inclusive terms + for reading levels from 8th grade up ✨ we use a peer-review system to assess + edit before we publish Link in bio #birth #labor #laboranddelivery #babybump #takebackbirth #pregnancy #pregnant #birthmatters #knowyouroptions #reproductivehealth #informedbirth #midwife #doula #motherhood #parenthood #fatherhood #parenting #representationmatters #inclusivity
Our care providers have an immense impact on our experience — walking with us through whatever hills, valleys, twists, or turns pregnancy, labor and birth may bring. Whether a midwife or OBGYN, signs your provider is a good fit for you include: ✅ You feel comfortable asking them questions + they provide full, clear responses ✅ They treat you + your preferences with respect ✅ They provide the time you need to feel heard + cared for ✅ They respect your bodily autonomy, only doing procedures with consent + stopping/pausing when asked ✅ They take your concerns seriously + respond in a timely manner ✅ They offer expertise, but treat you as the decision-maker in all of your medical options Treat choosing a care provider like hiring for a job — because you are! You’re paying for the care you receive. So ask all the questions and make the choice you feel the best about. Midwives and OBs aren’t the only options either. Some family doctors provide prenatal + birth care, and MFM doctors specialize in high-risk care. 👋🏽 Pssssssttt… it’s never too late to switch providers either. 💬 There’s a lot to this topic and we’re only touching the tip for this post! Have something to add? Drop it in the comments! ❤️ . . . . . . . . . . . . . This post is based on content from our Pregnancy Toolkit — a teaching tool perfect for doulas, midwives, OBGYNs, childbirth educators — really any professional who supports pregnant people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our teaching tools uniquely equip repro health workers to support parents because… ✨ we write concise summaries + design creative diagrams for repro health ed ✨ we create inclusive + intersectional illustrations of babies + pregnant people ✨ we draw from and cite reputable and responsible sources ✨ we write with gender-inclusive terms + for reading levels from 8th grade up ✨ we use a peer-review system to assess + edit before we publish Link in bio #birth #labor #laboranddelivery #babybump #takebackbirth #pregnancy #pregnant #birthmatters #knowyouroptions #reproductivehealth #informedbirth #midwife #doula #motherhood #parenthood #fatherhood #parenting #representationmatters #inclusivity #obgyn
There are a number of things that can be different for first pregnancies versus ones that follow — but there are really no hard or fast rules! Here are some things that are commonly named as different for first pregnancies vs those that follow. Our experiences of pregnancy are impacted by so many things including: ✅ family, friend, partner and/or community support ✅ mental + emotional health ✅ physical health + medical needs ✅ work + lifestyle ✅ more! 💬 What differences have you noticed in your first pregnancy vs others that followed? . . . . . . . . . . . . . This post is based on content from our Pregnancy Toolkit — a teaching tool perfect for doulas, midwives, OBGYNs, childbirth educators — really any professional who supports pregnant people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our teaching tools uniquely equip repro health workers to support parents because… ✨ we write concise summaries + design creative diagrams for repro health ed ✨ we create inclusive + intersectional illustrations of babies + pregnant people ✨ we draw from and cite reputable and responsible sources ✨ we write with gender-inclusive terms + for reading levels from 8th grade up ✨ we use a peer-review system to assess + edit before we publish Link in bio #birth #labor #laboranddelivery #babybump #takebackbirth #pregnancy #pregnant #birthmatters #knowyouroptions #reproductivehealth #informedbirth #midwife #doula #motherhood #parenthood #fatherhood #parenting #representationmatters #inclusivity
✨Inclusive Anatomy Posters Available On Demand! ✨ Why does it matter to see anatomy illustrations that include BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and other people from underrepresented groups? Underrepresented groups face unique challenges when seeking and navigating medical care, including and sometimes especially reproductive health care. A mix of challenging experiences and/or poor support can have a weathering effect that further aggravates mental and physical health challenges. Our inclusive graphics can serve as a visual indicator that people from underrepresented groups are welcome in your space. That paired with genuinely supportive, trauma-informed, equitable care can have a transformational impact. Posters in sizes 12x18 and 24x36 are available! Estimated delivery 3-6 days from completed order. If you’d rather have digital access, these are included in our Pregnancy Toolkit! ✨Learn more about our teaching tools ✨ Link in bio #birth #labor #laboranddelivery #babybump #takebackbirth #pregnancy #pregnant #birthmatters #knowyouroptions #reproductivehealth #informedbirth #midwife #doula #motherhood #parenthood #fatherhood #parenting #bellybump #anatomy #anatomyart #inclusiveanatomy
What does it mean that our materials are ✨ peer-reviewed ✨? ✅ Before any new TEB product is released we send a draft to a team of 25+ reproductive health professionals, including RNs, midwives, IBCLCs, doulas, and more ✅ We provide view-only access to the materials for up to a week and a feedback form covering everything from content to format to pricing ✅ We offer compensation in the form of store credit for our products for completed reviews ✅ After the review period has concluded we MAKE CHANGES based on the feedback ✅ And we reply back to the review team to overview what we heard + update them on what we changed + why While we love to see kind words like above — we get great constructive criticism from our review team too. As a result of our review process for The Pregnancy Toolkit we: ✨ Updated language to reflect that many medical care options are offered and/or recommended but are not required ✨ Rewrote a section on BMI + pregnancy (see our recent post on weight) ✨ Adjusted several uterus/placenta illustrations, and MUCH more! 👋🏽 We do not currently have an OBGYN on the review team and we’d love to have some! If you’re interested, meet us in the DMs. 🙌🏽 These reviews are on content from our Pregnancy Toolkit — a teaching tool perfect for doulas, midwives, OBGYNs, childbirth educators — really any professional who supports pregnant people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our teaching tools uniquely equip repro health workers to support parents because… ✨ we write concise summaries + design creative diagrams for repro health ed ✨ we create inclusive + intersectional illustrations of babies + pregnant people ✨ we draw from and cite reputable and responsible sources ✨ we write with gender-inclusive terms + for reading levels from 8th grade up ✨ we use a peer-review system to assess + edit before we publish Link in bio #birth #labor #laboranddelivery #babybump #takebackbirth #pregnancy #pregnant #birthmatters #knowyouroptions #reproductivehealth #informedbirth #midwife #doula #motherhood #parenthood #fatherhood #parenting #representationmatters #inclusivity #obgyn