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Choices in Childbirth
An Interactive Film Series

Watch the videos and use our interactive tools to help inform your birth and parenting decisions.

They say it takes a village. Whether you’re surrounded by support or feeling isolated, Choices in Childbirth brings together a community of parents and professionals–including doulas, midwives, doctors, lactation consultants and more for you to add to your virtual village. Each film explores themes important to your maternity care, and comes with free downloadable resources to guide your journey.

Choose Your Path

Films

Film by film, build curiosity and knowledge to make the right choices for you.

What Does Good Maternity Care Mean to You?

What Does Good Maternity Care Mean to You?

Good care looks different for every person. In this film, you’ll meet doctors, midwives, doulas, and parents who discuss different models of care that are safe, respectful, and person-centered.

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Sources of Support

Sources of Support

It takes a village to raise a child, and it is an incredible act of self-care to ask for help. This film looks at ways to build a support system with family, friends and skilled birth workers who will be there for you each step of the way.

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Birth Explained: The Beauty of Biology

Birth Explained: The Beauty of Biology

How does birth work? Learn how the mind and body work together during labor to open up for your baby. It’s a beautiful process, and one you can learn to trust.

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Using Your Voice

Using Your Voice

While doctors and other providers are trusted professionals, you know your body best — trust your instincts! If something seems wrong or feels off, it is in your best interest to speak up for a safe and comfortable pregnancy.

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Considering Cesarean Birth

Considering Cesarean Birth

A cesarean birth can be a life-saving procedure, but it can also impact your health for the rest of your life. Every person needs information and support to decide if it’s the right choice for them.

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Unpacking the Postpartum Experience: What Do New Parents Need?

Unpacking the Postpartum Experience: What Do New Parents Need?

The care you receive after birth is just as important as during your pregnancy. Meet doctors, midwives, doulas, lactation consultants and new parents who share what the postpartum period is really like and how to find the support and care you need.

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Navigating Hope and Fear

Navigating Hope and Fear

While it is completely normal to feel stress or fear around pregnancy, labor, and parenthood, remember that hope and joy are important parts of your journey too. Take this time to ask the questions on your mind, create a birth plan, and prepare for the newest addition to your family — you got this!

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Centering Humanity: The Black Birth Experience

Centering Humanity: The Black Birth Experience

All people deserve a safe and positive birth experience, but all too often that is not the case for Black people. Meet doulas and midwives who reflect on how to center Black birthing people and ensure that every person has respectful, culturally aligned care that meets their needs and keeps them safe.

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What Could Make It All Different? (Spanish)

What Could Make It All Different? (Spanish)

All people deserve a safe and positive birth experience, but all too often that is not the case for people who have language barriers. Meet doulas and midwives who reflect on how to ensure that every person has respectful, culturally aligned care that meets their needs and keeps them safe.

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Asking Questions About Cesarean Birth (Spanish)

Asking Questions About Cesarean Birth (Spanish)

A cesarean birth can be a life-saving procedure, but it can also impact your health for the rest of your life. Every person needs information and support to decide if it’s the right choice for them.

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Virtual Village

Experts to help you navigate complex conversations on pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

Analuz

Doula

Motivated by her own birth experience to create a different reality for parents, Analuz is a multilingual doula and leader at Community Doula Program, an initiative that provides doula services in over 10 languages to people across the state of Oregon.

Debra

Doula / Educator

A globally recognized expert on the science of pleasure and the physiology of birth, Debra is a seasoned childbirth educator and doula who has trained thousands of people around the world.

Chanel

Doula / Educator

An activist, a doula, and a mother of six, Chanel first discovered doulas and midwives when she was pregnant with her first child. She now leads a national movement to ensure all people have access to high quality, equitable care through her work as founder of Ancient Song Doula Services,  co-founder of JustBirth Space, professor, and Commissioner on the NYC Commission for Gender Equality.

Erica

Doula / Educator

A doula who specializes in postpartum support, Erica leans on her improv and comedy skills from her early career to put families at ease. She also leads engaging childbirth education classes and support groups for parents as part of JustBirth Space.

LaShanda

Lactation Consultant

A mother who has traveled the world with her daughter, LaShanda is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who provides expert guidance on infant feeding and connects parents to culturally congruent postpartum resources.

Tikvah

Doula / Educator

After her own experience as a teen mom Tikvah knew no one should go through pregnancy and birth alone. She helped create a community-based doula program for teen moms at University of Chicago Hospital, a model that has been adapted nationally through HealthConnect One Community Based Doula Leadership Institute.

Amy

Midwife / Educator

With a background as a midwife, Amy has led national efforts to redesign maternity and perinatal care to be more person-centered and evidence-based. She oversaw the development of the learning program for Choices in Childbirth and assisted in directing and producing the film series.

Brittany

Birth Care Coordinator

An experienced nurse, Brittany is now a Birth Care Coordinator for the Birth Center of New Jersey, where she ensures that patients delivering in the birth center or at the hospital are connected to the education and resources they need throughout their care.

Carolina

Pediatrician

A community pediatrician in Corvallis, Oregon, Dr. Amador collaborates with postpartum doulas, home visitors, lactation professionals, and others to support the children and families who are most vulnerable.

Carolina

Doula / Educator

A doula, photographer, and educator in New York, Carolina connects with other doulas and birth workers through the Ancient Song Doula Services community.

Chrissie

Doula / Educator

A doula serving expectant and new parents in Chicago, Chrissie aims to provide culturally aligned care for Black parents and build awareness in the community about the support doulas can offer.

Emily

Midwife

A midwife who attends hospital births, Emily focuses on supporting informed choices and offering a broad range of options for people's birthing needs, as well as their primary and gynecologic care across the lifespan.

Karie

Midwife

A hospital-based midwife who is addressing the Black Maternal health crisis and leading an effort to bring birth center care to communities on the South Side of Chicago, Karie also founded Melanated Midwives, an organization focused on supporting the next generation of midwives of color.

Kiyoe

Doula / Educator

A birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, and prenatal yoga instructor, Kiyoe serves families in both English and her native Japanese in New York City.

Michelle

Doula / Educator

A full-time chemical engineer, Michelle was drawn to the science of birth, and became a certified childbirth educator and doula. For over 17 years, she has served families giving birth in all settings, and now provides training and mentorship for the National Black Doula Association and supports clients at The Birth Center of New Jersey.

Mimi

Midwife / Educator

A midwife in the public hospital system in New York City, Mimi is also a researcher who focuses on systems changes to create health equity for people from historically disenfranchised communities.

Nicola

Ob/Gyn

During part of her medical training as an Ob-Gyn, Dr. Pemberton gained first-hand experience with the British system, where midwives and physicians work together. She founded The Birth Center of New Jersey to offer team-based care and midwifery options to her community.

Pooja

Ob/Gyn

An Ob/Gyn and new parent, Dr. Mehta has led national efforts to improve outcomes and safety for birthing people and their infants, with a focus on people insured through Medicaid. She leads efforts to redesign care for pregnant and birthing people at Cityblock Health.

Sevonna

Doula

A doula through Ancient Song Doula Services and co-founder of Black Women's Blueprint, Sevonna's work focuses on pursuing reproductive justice for survivors of sexual violence and honoring intergenerational wisdom and cultural narratives for healing and wellbeing.

Tayo

Doula

Tayo, a doula, co-founder of Chicago Birthworks Collective, and a breastfeeding peer counselor, is working to improve birth and postpartum experiences in Chicago’s South Side.

Valentina

Doula

As a doula and perinatal home visitor in Oregon, Valentina supports all families, with a focus on Black, Indigenous and Spanish-speaking families. Valentina supports and empowers families by helping them learn how to navigate the healthcare system and providing the social and language support services they need to thrive during pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

Wandy

Doula / Educator / Lactation Counselor

After her empowering experience as a young mother who found high-quality care in her community, Wandy's midwife saw her natural leadership and potential and encouraged her to become a peer breastfeeding counselor through HealthConnect One's training. Today she's a national leader and advocate in the community health worker movement.

Yesenia

Doula

A doula and expectant mother herself, Yesenia provides culturally aligned doula and language support services primarily to Latinx/Latine families through Oregon's Community Doula Program.

Andrea

Doula

Recently trained as a doula through Ancient Song Doula Services, Andrea's passion is helping women and community.

Ashley

Doula

As a traditional birth and postpartum doula and part of the Chicago Birthworks Collective, Ashley incorporates mindfulness and visualizations into her practice, and supports clients to engage in shared decision making and advocate for what matters most to them.

Regina

Doula / Educator / Lactation Counselor

As a full-spectrum doula and educator, Regina founded A Passion for New Beginnings, a service to support expectant parents in New York and New Jersey, where she serves clients in English, Spanish and her native Cape Verdean Creole.

Tia

Doula / Lactation Counselor

After her own experience with infertility, Tia wanted to support others in their fertility journeys, particularly Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color facing disparities in fertility and maternal health. She became certified as a doula providing birth and postpartum services and supporting those navigating IVF and other fertility treatments.
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Behind the Scenes

We worked with national partners and community-based organizations to create a program that is trustworthy, backed by research, and puts equity and birth justice at the center.

Learn more about the people behind the series and how it came together.

Resources

More educational and interactive tools to help guide you along the way.

The Six Key Steps: Making Pregnancy and Birth Decisions

The Six Key Steps: Making Pregnancy and Birth Decisions

When deciding what’s best for you and your baby, following these six steps will help you ask the right questions and make choices with all the information you need.
Explore Your Options with the B.R.A.I.N. Technique

Explore Your Options with the B.R.A.I.N. Technique

B.R.A.I.N. is a useful technique that can help you weigh the pros and cons of any decision during pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
How to Assemble & Use a Sitz Bath

How to Assemble & Use a Sitz Bath

A sitz bath is a simple but powerful postpartum tool that will help heal your body at home after vaginal birth.
What’s the Difference Between a Midwife and a Doula?

What’s the Difference Between a Midwife and a Doula?

While both types of birth workers support people through all stages of pregnancy (including postpartum), midwives and doulas play very different roles.
The Powerful Effects of Walking in Labor

The Powerful Effects of Walking in Labor

Standing, walking, crouching on all fours: laboring on your back isn’t your only option.
Choices for People Having a Cesarean Birth

Choices for People Having a Cesarean Birth

Having a C-section can still include delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin contact, and many other options you typically see with a vaginal birth.
Using Code Words to Ask for Pain Relief

Using Code Words to Ask for Pain Relief

Picking a code word ahead of time will help ensure that you are the one who ultimately decides when you’re ready for an epidural or other pain relief.

Top 7 Tools & Guides for Cesarean and Vaginal Birth

Wondering whether a cesarean or vaginal birth is right for you? Read through these resources to learn more about the risks, benefits, and potential reasons for having a c-section or vaginal birth.

You Got This! Discover Helpful Non-Medical Comfort Options

These resources provide information to help you understand and support your body’s natural processes during labor and birth, including techniques to reduce pain.

Know Your Rights! 4 Powerful Resources for Childbearing People

Use these resources to become familiar with your rights during pregnancy and childbirth and to practice tools for self-advocacy.

Learn How To Take Care of Yourself Postpartum & Get Support

These websites provide background information and a list of resources to address a range of postpartum issues, including infant feeding, postpartum depression, and postpartum complications.

Where Can I Find A Doula? 5 Tools to Find the Right Fit for You

Use these resources to help find a doula.

What You Should Know About Potential Complications & Warning Signs

Use these resources to become familiar with maternal health warning signs and possible complications.

Resources to Help You Choose a Care Provider & Place to Give Birth

These resources provide information on different types of maternity care providers and birth settings, including key questions to ask potential providers to help guide your decision-making.

Breathe In & Breathe Out: Wellness Tools During Pregnancy

These websites provide information on accessible tools for mindfulness and emotional wellbeing, as well as free resources to address life stressors during and after pregnancy.

Finding Affordable (or Free!) Doula Support

The priceless support doulas provide is often out-of-reach for people who can’t afford their fees. But more and more, there are ways to find low-cost or even free doula services. This article provides a roadmap to finding the support you need and deserve.

How to Choose Your Provider & Get the Care and Support You Need

One of the first choices you need to make in your pregnancy is where to go for your prenatal care. And it’s an important choice!

My Sources of Support During My Partner’s Postpartum

Even if you’re not the one who gave birth, the postpartum period is hard. Asking for help is an amazing way to care for yourself and your family. Start by identifying and organizing your sources of support.

My Sources of Support During My Partner’s Pregnancy

Even if you're not the one who is pregnant, expecting a baby and supporting your pregnant partner is hard. Asking for help is an amazing way to care for yourself and your family. Start by identifying and organizing your sources of support.

My Sources of Support During My Partner’s Birth

Even if you're not the one giving birth, going through the birth experience and becoming a parent can be hard. Asking for help is an amazing way to care for yourself and your family. Start by identifying and organizing your sources of support.

A Love Letter to Your Postpartum Body

Inspired by Jasmine and LaShanda's conversation in Birth Explained: The Beauty of Biology, here's a worksheet to help you give your body the 'thank you' it deserves. After all it has gone through and done for you and your baby, give it a little love!

Welcome Sign for Postpartum Visitors

In the days and weeks after birth, you need time to rest and recover! Download and print this sign to welcome visitors and remind them how they can support you during this important time.

Affirmations for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond

Print or share these words of encouragement so you can get a boost of confidence when you need it. The set includes blanks where you can write your own affirmations.

My Sources of Support During Postpartum

Postpartum isn’t easy, physically or emotionally. Take the time to identify and organize your sources of support for yourself and your baby after birth.

My Sources of Support for Birth

Birth isn’t easy, physically or emotionally. Take the time to identify and organize your sources of support for labor and birth.

My Sources of Support During Pregnancy

Pregnancy isn’t easy, physically or emotionally. Take the time to identify and organize your sources of support to have a healthy pregnancy.

My Plans, Preferences, and Priorities for Birth

Use this worksheet to organize your birth plan and share with your support team what matters most to you during labor and birth.

What Matters Most During My Birth?

Coming up with a birth plan and making decisions will be easier if you have sorted out what matters most to you. Use this worksheet to think about your priorities so you can weigh your options.

What Matters Most During My Prenatal Care?

Making decisions about your prenatal care is easier if you have sorted out what matters most to you. Use this worksheet to think about your priorities so you can weigh your options.

Top 5 Prenatal Care Resources for You

These resources provide information on different types of maternity care providers and birth settings, including key questions to ask potential providers to help guide your decision-making.

JustBirth Space: Access Free Doula Messaging Support & Childbirth Classes

Get free messaging support from doulas and join support groups and classes today! For birthing people navigating pregnancy and parenting during a pandemic, a resource as accessible as your next text message can be a lifeline. ...
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