BIRTH
BASICS
BASICS
A doula might dim lights, lower noise, or reduce interruptions to support this hormone.
What is oxytocin?
This early milk is rich in antibodies and often called “liquid gold.”
What is colostrum?
A doula can provide emotional, informational, and ______ support.
What is physical support?
This type of touch—firm and intentional—can reduce pain signals.
What is counter pressure?
This strategy helps doulas avoid burnout and maintain boundaries when supporting many clients.
What is self-care or professional boundaries management?
This is the term for the softening and thinning of the cervix before dilation.
What is effacement?
This mood shift peaks around days 3–5 postpartum and can cause emotional swings.
What are the baby blues?
This term describes a doula’s responsibility to stay within their role and avoid performing clinical tasks.
What is scope of practice?
This breathing technique focuses on slow exhales to calm the nervous system.
What is patterned, paced, or relaxation breathing?
This type of support has been shown to reduce cesarean birth rates by as much as 25%.
What is continuous labor support?
The “ring of fire” occurs during this stage of labor.
What is the second stage/pushing?
The recommended amount of time for skin-to-skin immediately after birth.
What is at least one uninterrupted hour?
This is the term for helping clients communicate with their provider using questions like “What are my options?”
What is advocacy? (or “What is informed decision-making support?”)
This large inflatable tool helps clients open the pelvis while resting in bed.
What is a peanut ball?
This ancient Greek physician described labor stages.
Who is Hippocrates?
This birthing position uses gravity and keeps the sacrum free.
What is upright/squatting?
This process describes the uterus shrinking back to its pre-pregnancy size in the weeks after birth.
What is involution?
This phrase describes how doulas stay neutral and avoid projecting personal preferences.
What is unbiased support?
Changing into forward-leaning or hands-and-knees positions can increase pelvic diameter and encourage this fetal movement.
What is rotation or descent?
Doulas gained major recognition after this 1990s study showed improved birth outcomes with continuous support.
What is the 1993 Kennell & Klaus doula study?
This fetal position—back of baby's head toward the birthing person’s back—is considered less optimal.
What is OP (occiput posterior)?
This set of muscles, significantly impacted by pregnancy and birth, is supported by breath-work, optimal posture, and gradual strengthening postpartum.
What is the pelvic floor?
These five letters, making an acronym, summarizes evidence-based decision making.
What is the BRAIN acronym?
This structured sequence of positions encourages optimal fetal positioning through asymmetry and movement.
What are Spinning Babies techniques?
This famous obstetrician popularized the phrase “The cascade of interventions.”
Who is Dr. Sarah Buckley?