Self-Care

The third trimester is an exciting time as you think about welcoming your new baby and all that you have to do to become prepared. Maybe the days are whizzing by or maybe they are inching slowly, either way it can feel as though there is never enough time to finish doing it all! If you haven’t a clue of where to begin, or if you’re wondering if you’ve covered it all, use this third trimester “to do” guide to help organize and prepare. ...

What kind of touch do birthing people want in labor? If this is a question you’ve ever asked yourself as a loving partner or spouse, here are a few tips from an experienced doula and massage therapist who’s helped many couples like you find their way during labor. In some ways, the kind of touch birthing people want during birth is different and in many ways it’s similar to the kind of touch they appreciate when not in labor. Here’s what you should know. ...

In honor of Infertility Awareness Week, watch our founder and maternal health expert, Jada Shapiro, as she leads a conversation focused on individual journeys and struggles through conceiving. ...

Over thirty percent of women in the United States have cesarean birth yet moms get very little education or support on how to recover. As a postpartum doula and c-section mom myself, I’m here to help you with a full guide of how-to recover and steps you can take to speed up your healing and recovery. ...

Recently, many celebrities and influencers have publicly shared their surprise at having to wear heavy-duty postpartum underwear after giving birth; some even likening it to joining their baby in wearing diapers. As a longtime postpartum doula and founder of boober, where we connect new parents to postpartum care providers who guide them through the 4th-trimester transition, I help new birthing parents navigate the ins and outs of postpartum from how to feed their baby, to how to heal their perineum, to what to wear during the birth recovery process. Many people will bleed up to 6 weeks post-birth and some will need to heal from a tear or an episiotomy, so I am often asked which postpartum underwear to pick. Reliable and comfortable postpartum underwear is key to your comfort and recovery post-birth. ...

Watch Jada Shapiro, boober founder, and maternal health expert, in conversation with physical therapist Dr. Sneha Gazi, PT, DPT, owner, and CEO of Sneha Physical Therapy, an expert with a passion for treating women with pre and postpartum issues such as incontinence, scar adhesions, diastasis recti, and pelvic pain. She is also the host of “Fit As a Fiddle with Dr. Sneha Gazi” a leading health and wellness Podcast. In this informative talk and Q&A, they talked about what to know about pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and your pelvic floor....

Plugged ducts and mastitis are common conditions that can appear in lactating people. If you’re experiencing a hard, painful spot or lump it could be a plugged or clogged duct....

We all know there are three trimesters to pregnancy, and, thankfully, there is beginning to be broader awareness of the all-important – yet little-discussed – fourth trimester. These post-birth months are both a time of continued newborn growth and development and an incredibly important time of healing, adjustment and regeneration for new postpartum parents. Your postpartum diet is a key part of your recovery. For ages, different cultures have honored traditions of ‘mothering the mother’ or nurturing the birthing parent with emotional support and nourishing meals, all in the name of helping the new parent replenish their strength and heal from the hugely physical accomplishment that is pregnancy and birth....

What to avoid during pregnancy is one of the first searches newly pregnant parents make. Pregnant people can mostly continue on as before, but there are some things to avoid. Eliminating behaviors known to be harmful during pregnancy is a stepping stone for most parents of what all parents are hoping for when they start their fertility journey: a healthy mom and baby. Here is a checklist of things to consider avoiding while pregnant:...

There are many reasons a nursing parent may decide to stop breastfeeding or pumping. It can feel like a big decision or just a natural next step, but no matter why you are choosing to wean, it is really important to protect your health (both physical and mental) during the process. It might be comforting to remember that all nursing parents do eventually wean and that the body is designed for the transition....