Bernice Smith Doula

A good comparison of true vs false labor. Trust your instincts, listen to your body🩷

Not all contractions mean labor 👶🤍

False labor (Braxton Hicks) can feel very real, especially near the end of pregnancy. But there are a few important differences that can help you know when labor is truly starting.

✨ True labor contractions:
• Become regular and closer together
• Get stronger over time
• Usually don’t stop with rest or movement
• May start in the back and move to the front

✨ False labor contractions:
• Are irregular and unpredictable
• Often stay the same intensity
• May stop when you rest, hydrate, or change position
• Usually felt mostly in the front

Remember: every pregnancy is different, and it’s always okay to call your provider if something feels off 💛

🚨 When to call your doctor:
• Contractions are regular, strong, and getting closer together
• Your water breaks
• You have vaginaI bIeeding
• You notice decreased baby movement
• You have severe pain or feel unwell
• You’re unsure if it’s labor — always call if you’re concerned

The trusty date:
Research has shown a promising effect of consuming dates on the duration of the stages of labor. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids found in dates stimulate the production of prostaglandins, which are necessary for labor. Dates are also rich in folic acid, vitamin K, iron, potassium, and magnesium.

Always a good reminder of some of the questions you can ask🩷

Reminder, you can ALWAYS ask questions.

Unlike the ridiculous legal fight of a Florida woman, most facilities will accept your autonomy - even if there's some pushback.

Discussion and respect is how we have safe birth without unnecessary trauma. Doctors, midwives, nurses who practice with respect will have these conversations with you to help you make informed decisions and understand if there's a true medical concern.

Too hard to remember everything? Try BRAIN.

B - benefits for me? For baby?
R - risks for me? For baby?
A - alternatives? What alternatives exist?
I - intuition? What's my gut feeling?
N - nothing? What happens if we were to do nothing for now?

👇🏽 What questions did you ask in labor?

Wishing all my special moms and beyond a wonderful Mother's Day🩷
The strength of a mother is second to none!

Next class/group starting 25 May at the Caritas service centre in Newton Park.

I love this as a continuous reminder! The key word being "estimate". So many times, the due date puts unnecessary pressure to 'get things moving', when waiting and patience are often all that's needed💙

An estimated due date is just that, an estimate. It gives us a general idea of when to expect baby, expected growth range, etc. But it does not give us an EXACT day to expect baby.

When making decisions about interventions in care, it's important to remember that your due date is an estimate.

Even in cases with exact dates (such as IVF), there are still variables for when baby is truly ready for birth.

Did you give birth on or close to your due date? Did you ever feel pressure for interventions based on your due date?