Have taken a childbirth education course or read books about the stages of labor? We are going to break away from the medical idea of dilation equally in the stages of labor and talk about it organically and flexibly to what the body is showing you during the stages. We’ll touch upon the behavior of the birthing person, sounds they may make, how they’re moving in their body, communication and if the labor projects have been stopped to a halt. It’s a great topic to think about who is in front of you laboring or maybe you’re the laboring person and this is happening to your body, as opposed to what we’ll see in a medical labor book.
To have this conversation today, I’ve invited Ashley Brichter. Her first birth did not go as planned which she will share with us. She is founder of Birth Smarter, doula, childbirth educator and parent. Born and raised in NYC, she currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has a lot of knowledge and information to share with us.
Ashley provides us valuable information about what your body may be doing during the early phases of labor and when you’re further along, turning the corner as contractions become more intense. You will receive so much from her in this episode. I’m excited for you to hear our conversation.
In this episode you will learn:
- About Ashley and how they got into birth work?
- A flexible framework for the stages of labor. What is often described as the stage of labor and then examine how it’s more beneficial to see what is actually happening with the laboring person to see what coping skills best support the person in the moment.
- Ways following an expected behavior in a certain stage of labor instead of reading the person in front do you a disservice.
- Emotional and physical sign posts the support team can be aware of.
- Building a flexible framework of coping while matching the intensity of labor.
- Ideas for someone who is not feeling huge sensations yet.
- Tools for someone who is experiencing strong, longer and closer together contractions.
- Comforting techniques Ashley suggests for this moment in labor, transition – where the contractions are very close and intense.
- One final tip or piece of advice Ashley would like to offer new and expectant parents.
- Get connected with Ashley.
About Ashley:
Ashley Brichter is an educator, speaker, consultant, and entrepreneur. Despite her experience with hundreds of families as a doula and birth educator – like so many, her first birth did not “go as planned.” Better for it, she founded Birthsmarter in 2019, which provides unbiased, inclusive, and award-winning practical wisdom and guidance to the next generation of families. Ashley was born and raised in New York City, though she’s currently living in Salt Lake City, UT and is enjoying the mountains and Red Rocks of The West with her husband and two amazing kids. She is a Certified Fair Play Facilitator, and sits on the board of ProNatal Fitness.
Connect with Ashley:
Website: Birth Smarter
Instagram: @birthsmarter
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