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Shoulder dystocia is a rare but significant birth complication where the baby's head is delivered but a shoulder gets stuck behind the mother's pubic bone, similar to moving furniture through a doorway.

• Occurs in only 0.5-1% of births
• Risk factors include large babies, maternal diabetes, prior shoulder dystocia, and short maternal stature
• Providers look for the "turtle sign" where the baby's head retracts slightly after emerging
• Birth rooms typically have stools ready for this emergency
• McRoberts maneuver (hyperflexing mother's legs) is usually the first intervention
• Additional techniques include suprapubic pressure, internal maneuvers, and position changes
• All-fours position is often used as a last resort intervention
• In extreme cases, intentional clavicle fracture may be necessary
• Most babies recover well, though there may be temporary arm weakness
• Mothers may experience increased bleeding or perineal tears
• Birth teams train regularly for this scenario and have clear protocols

Please reach out and make a human connection with someone today, whether it's someone you've seen recently or someone you haven't connected with in a while.

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Show Credits

Host: Angie Rosier
Music: Michael Hicks
Photographer: Toni Walker
Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood
Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton
Voiceover: Ryan Parker

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Angie Rosier shares insights on doula guidelines at hospitals, exploring the delicate balance between supporting clients and collaborating with medical staff.

• Hospitals will sometimes provide doula guidelines that outline appropriate roles and boundaries
• Doulas are welcome additions who provide emotional support, comfort measures, and improved communication
• Doulas should not perform clinical tasks like checking vital signs, doing vaginal exams, or administering medications
• Gray areas exist where doulas may assist with monitors or participate in brainstorming strategies
• Hospital policies typically restrict electrical items, open flames, and items requiring heating for safety reasons
• Creating a collaborative team atmosphere is essential for positive birth experiences
• The primary goal shared by everyone is a healthy mother and healthy baby

Please reach out to someone near or far and make a human connection today. Make a difference in someone else's life – you never know what a difference that can make.

Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/
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Show Credits

Host: Angie Rosier
Music: Michael Hicks
Photographer: Toni Walker
Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood
Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton
Voiceover: Ryan Parker

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Media portrayals of childbirth shape our cultural beliefs and personal expectations, often presenting inaccurate, dramatic versions that instill fear rather than confidence. Our perceptions about birth are influenced by family, education, and especially the entertainment industry which frequently misrepresents what labor and delivery truly entail.

• Common birth myths in media include the dramatic water-breaking scene, screaming women who've lost control, useless panicked partners, and unrealistically fast labors
• Movies and TV shows compress birth into minutes when real labor typically takes hours or days
• Media often portrays birthing people as passive participants rather than powerful, central figures in their own experience
• Childbirth scenes in media typically feature only white women in hospital settings, missing the diversity of real birth experiences
• Social media offers more authentic birth content but can still present misleading or aesthetically-edited versions
• Mainstream portrayals in recent shows and films like "Pieces of a Woman" and "Grey's Anatomy" continue to emphasize drama and tragedy
• Being intentional about the birth media you consume can help you develop more realistic expectations

Reach out to someone who's been meaningful in your life, let them know it, thank them and make that human connection today.

Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/
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Show Credits

Host: Angie Rosier
Music: Michael Hicks
Photographer: Toni Walker
Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood
Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton
Voiceover: Ryan Parker

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A well-fitted breast pump flange is crucial for comfort, breast tissue protection, and maximum milk supply. The flange—the part of the pump that covers the areola and nipple—should be sized to match your exact nipple diameter measurement, not 2-4mm larger as previously recommended.

• Pumps don't actually pump milk; they create suction that pulls milk from the nipple
• Most pumps come with standard 24-28mm flanges, but many women need much smaller sizes (16-18mm range)
• Measure your nipple diameter (not areola) using the measuring tools that come with your pump
• Get flanges that match your exact nipple measurement for best results
• Silicone inserts can help adjust flange size and are more comfortable than hard plastic
• During pumping, your nipple should stay at the base of the tunnel without excessive areola movement
• Each breast may need different sized flanges
• A properly fitted flange can increase milk output, improve comfort, and reduce risk of clogged ducts
• Nipple elasticity may change over time, requiring flange size adjustments

Make sure you make a human connection today, one that will help you and help someone else.

Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/
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Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning

Show Credits

Host: Angie Rosier
Music: Michael Hicks
Photographer: Toni Walker
Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood
Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton
Voiceover: Ryan Parker

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Making personal connections with new parents is vital, especially in the clinical healthcare environment where postpartum families often feel lost in the system.

• Phone calls to postpartum patients create essential connection points during a vulnerable time
• Initial skepticism from parents receiving hospital calls quickly transforms to appreciation
• These calls serve as a lifeline for those struggling with postpartum recovery or depression
• Checking in weeks after birth is crucial when most visitors have stopped coming
• Postpartum recovery can be lengthy and challenging, especially after difficult births
• Everyone needs a support network they can reach out to during the postpartum period
• Human connection provides critical support within our capitalistic healthcare system
• New parents should identify their inner circle of support before they need help

If nobody's calling to check in on you, please reach out to someone in your support network. And remember to check on your friends, neighbors, and family members who have recently had babies - especially weeks after birth when things can be really hard.

Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/
Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning
Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning

Show Credits

Host: Angie Rosier
Music: Michael Hicks
Photographer: Toni Walker
Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood
Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton
Voiceover: Ryan Parker

Send us a text

Birth work involves witnessing both beautiful and difficult moments, creating an emotional weight that doulas carry alongside their clients. After 23 years as a birth doula, I've learned that acknowledging the challenging aspects of birth is essential for processing and growth.

• Difficult births create emotional weight even when outcomes are positive
• Recent challenging experiences include a four-hour medical emergency with a newborn who ultimately thrived
• VBACs that end in repeat cesareans can be particularly heartbreaking
• Birth can be traumatic even when there's a healthy outcome
• Medical providers often dismiss emotional trauma with statements like "at least you have a healthy baby"
• Doulas experience a unique emotional load due to their continuous relationship with clients
• Processing difficult experiences might involve talking with fellow doulas, writing, or sitting in silence
• Rituals like lighting candles can help process difficult birth experiences
• Hard moments become threads in a tapestry that shape us rather than shatter us
• Finding resilience means adapting to both triumphs and difficulties

Reach out to someone you know who has experienced a difficult time. Make a human connection - you'll both be better for it.

Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/
Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning
Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning

Show Credits

Host: Angie Rosier
Music: Michael Hicks
Photographer: Toni Walker
Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood
Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton
Voiceover: Ryan Parker

Send us a text

Breast pumps have evolved dramatically from ancient ceramic vessels to modern wearable technology, with significant changes in accessibility since the 2008 Affordable Care Act required insurance coverage for one pump per pregnancy. This episode explores the history, types, and considerations for choosing the right breast pump for your unique situation.

• Breast pumps date back to the Roman Empire when ceramic vessels with straws were used to express milk
• Electric pumps entered medical use in the 1920s, but portable models weren't available until the 1960s-80s
• The 1990s marked a breakthrough with battery-powered pumps for home use
• Insurance must cover one breast pump per pregnancy under the 2008 Affordable Care Act
• Wearable/hands-free pumps offer mobility but have gentler suction and smaller capacity
• Traditional electric pumps provide stronger suction, better supply maintenance, and cost less
• Consider your lifestyle, milk supply needs, and mobility requirements when choosing
• Some people benefit from having both types of pumps for different situations
• Not everyone needs a pump - consider your specific situation before purchasing
• Consult with an IBCLC for personalized recommendations

Reach out to someone today, someone you know or someone you don't, but make a human connection in person, by touch, by eye contact or digitally or electronically. Reach out to someone today and make a difference in their life.

Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/
Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning
Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning

Show Credits

Host: Angie Rosier
Music: Michael Hicks
Photographer: Toni Walker
Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood
Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton
Voiceover: Ryan Parker

Send us a text

Traveling with babies doesn't have to be overwhelming if you know what to bring and what to leave behind, with baby gear rental services offering a game-changing alternative to hauling equipment.

• Pare back to essentials rather than bringing everything your baby uses at home
• Consider what equipment can serve multiple purposes during your trip
• Baby gear rental services like Baby Quip deliver cribs, car seats, strollers, and more to your destination
• Your diaper bag doesn't count as a carry-on, but only pack what you'll need during the flight
• Bring minimal diapers and wipes for the journey – you can buy more upon arrival
• Try to book flights around your baby's nap schedule when possible
• Wearing your baby through the airport frees up your hands for luggage
• Breast milk, formula and baby food are exempt from liquid restrictions but may need additional screening
• Label all your baby equipment that will be going through security or checked
• Maintain flexible expectations and a sense of humor throughout the journey

Make a human connection today – reach out to someone in person, online, or through text. I know you will be better for it, and so will they.

Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/
Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning
Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning

Show Credits

Host: Angie Rosier
Music: Michael Hicks
Photographer: Toni Walker
Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood
Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton
Voiceover: Ryan Parker