The Sacred Birth Academy

In this lesson, we're going to uncover your personal goals for your birth and create your big-picture birth vision. By the end of this lesson, you'll have a download of the birth vision worksheet to work on.

Let's print out the birth vision worksheet and spend some time working through the 12 questions and really getting clear on your why.

We will dive deep into the core principles of your birth mindset and highlight their profound importance in shaping your birth experience. Understanding these principles allows you to cultivate a positive and empowered mindset, essential for navigating the journey of pregnancy, labor, and birth.

In this lesson, we'll be discussing the differences between managed birth and physiological birth and the advantages of undisturbed or low-intervention birth. I'll be giving you both sides of the story, so you can make an informed decision.

You'll learn about the history of obstetrics and how it came to be what it is today.

I will guide you through understanding your pre-existing birth biases, which are crucial in making informed decisions about your birth. I will walk you through a worksheet that will help you uncover what has influenced your views on birth, such as your own birth story, how your care provider speaks about birth, and how birth is portrayed in media.

I discuss the concept of safety and risk in the context of pregnancy and birth. I break down the subjective nature of these terms and how they are defined by society. I also explain the importance of looking at risks and benefits together and making decisions from a place of calm and understanding.

I'm going to share with you my exact blueprint for making informed and autonomous decisions during both your pregnancy and your birth. I'm using a system called RAINBOW that will help you make decisions with ease and without second-guessing yourself.

In this lesson, I'm going to talk about the three foundational decisions that will completely change the outcome of your birth. We'll discuss whether to plan for a physiological birth or a medically managed birth, your birth location, and the type of care provider that you want to hire for your birth.

In this lesson, I discuss the importance of developing personal autonomy for a successful and fulfilling birth experience. I explain what an autonomous birth is and why it should be your number one goal.

In this lesson, I will teach you about radical responsibility and how it can help you reclaim power in your life, especially in the context of birth. I will walk you through four simple steps that will help you recognize and release your victim mindset, and ultimately reclaim your power to own your actions and feelings.

I discuss the legal rights you have during childbirth and how they differ from hospital policies. I explain the importance of informed consent and how it is often confused with signing consent forms. I also touch on the issue of maternal-fetal conflict and how it relates to informed consent.

In this lesson, I share my favorite lesson on advocating for yourself during labor. I provide tips and tricks on how to speak up against perceived authority figures, such as your care provider, and stand up for your preferences. I emphasize that you have the right to say no at all times and that respecting a woman's bodily autonomy is a core ethical principle.

In this video, I will guide you through evaluating the quality and usefulness of prenatal tests and using critical thinking skills to make informed decisions about your care. I will also discuss common pregnancy complications and what the research says about them.

We will focus on Navigating Labor and Postpartum Options. I will show you how to make informed and autonomous decisions about your birth preferences. We will use the All the Birth Decisions worksheet as a tool to organize your resources and preferences.

This video will guide you through the basic options for early labor, including your birth environment, fetal monitoring, and cervical exams. We will discuss the importance of feeling safe and calm in your birth environment, the pros and cons of different monitoring methods, and the limited benefits of routine cervical exams.

In this video, I discuss various aspects of pregnancy and birth, including premature rupture of membranes, going past your due date, meconium in your waters, different presentations of the baby, the speed of labor, and VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean).

I provide you with important data, such as the fact that up to 40% of births in the U.S. involve an induction. I explain that inductions are a complex process involving feedback mechanisms, hormones, and pharmaceuticals. I emphasize the importance of considering evidence-based information and making informed decisions. I encourage you to detach yourself from your due date and embrace the unpredictability of birth.

In this video, I discuss various non-medical pain relief options that can be used during labor. I explain the concept of the gate control theory and how it can help manage pain perception.

In this video, I will guide you through the second stage of labor, focusing on pushing techniques and interventions. We will discuss the options available during this stage, including different positions and techniques, tearing, and the use of instrument delivery.

In this video, I will guide you through the immediate postpartum options following the birth of your baby. We will discuss the golden hour, the umbilical cord, and the birth of the placenta. I will explain what happens during this crucial time and compare undisturbed care to typical medical practices. It is important to make informed choices that align with your preferences.

In this video, we will explore the various tests and procedures that newborns undergo, such as the Apgar score, cord blood banking, newborn screenings, eye ointment, vitamin K shot, hepatitis B vaccine, and circumcision. I will provide you with information on each procedure, including the pros and cons so that you can make informed decisions for your baby.

I explore factors such as the mainstream obstetric norm and the influence of revenue goals on cesarean rates. I also address the different types of cesarean births, including planned, unplanned, and emergency cesareans, and emphasize the importance of knowing your options and making informed decisions during labor.

In this final lesson of the module, I will be discussing uncommon labor complications. We will demystify and provide information about 8 different complications that can occur during your birth.

In this video, I will guide you through the process of creating your dream team for your birth experience. I will help you get clear about who you want to invite into your birth space and how they can best support you.

In this video, I will guide you through the process of setting yourself up for a peaceful and calm postpartum period. I will discuss the importance of building a foundation of a calm mindset and provide tips on how to plan and prepare your support system

This is for the non-birthing person. In this video, I will guide you on how to involve your partner in your birth preparation. By understanding the importance of your role and gaining confidence, you can improve your partner's birth experience.

In this video, I will be discussing mindset strategies for birth and practical strategies for calming the mind and dealing with painful sensations. I will explain the importance of emptying the mind, releasing anxiety and tension, and challenging the myth that birth is a terrible and painful event.

In this video, I will guide you through the four meditations that will become the backbone of your birth preparation. These meditations are essential for surrendering to the intensity of labor and creating a deeper connection with your baby.

In this video, I will discuss pain-coping practice methods and techniques to help you have a pain-free birth experience. I will share my own experience of not feeling pain in my perineum during childbirth and explain how it is possible to turn off pain signals to the brain. I will emphasize the importance of belief in oneself and trust in one's ability to handle intense pain or pressure.

Before you watch this video, set aside at least 30 minutes to get through this thoughtfully.

Make sure to:

• Grab a bowl of ice and a towel

• Be sure to switch hands when we switch to a different coping technique

• Put the ice down between each technique to give your hand a break

Now dive in!!

In this video, I will guide you through an entire intentional pain-coping session, providing you with the necessary tools to manage pain during labor.

We will explore the concept of fear in relation to birth. We will discuss what fear means in the context of childbirth and how it can affect the birthing process. I will provide practical tips on how to release your fears and prepare for birth without fear.

I will guide you through the process of breaking down your birth fears and overcoming them with curiosity. We will explore why fears of emergencies are not specific enough and how getting specific about your fears is the first step towards overcoming them.

I will guide you on how to prevent your fears from coming true. While it's impossible to prevent every fear, we can take steps to minimize some of them. I will show you how to identify your biggest fears, research and brainstorm ways to prevent them, and make a commitment to implement those strategies.

I will guide you through the process of overcoming your birth fears. We will start by sharing your fears out loud with your support system, followed by changing your perspective and dialogue to reflect your desires instead of your fears.

I will guide you through the process of creating a birth plan that effectively communicates your preferences to your birth team. I will explain the importance of a birth plan and how it can support you during the birth process.

In this video, I will discuss effective ways to communicate your desires and preferences during your birth experience. I will emphasize the importance of self-advocacy and provide strategies for maintaining control of the situation. I will also highlight the rights you have over your birth and the decisions you make for yourself and your baby.

I will discuss the importance of releasing expectations as you approach your due date. We will cover last-minute preparations, creating helpful habits, and getting into the right headspace for birth.