Better Birth Jackson

01/08/2026

Three of our Better Birth Jackson Members (left to right: Alexandra, Kristen and Emma) plus another doula (Chandra) attended today's Doula Support in the OR training by University of Michigan - Sparrow Hospital. They recently started allowing doulas to support their clients in the operating room if a cesarean birth is needed as long as the doula has taken Sparrow's OR doula support training.

It was a lovely time of chatting with the nurses who did the training. We love collaboration! They did a presentation of what to expect before, during, and after surgical births. They explained the different staff roles, what recovery may look like, urgent maternal warning signs, showed us how to take a blood pressure with an at-home blood pressure reading cuff (so that we can teach clients how to take their own blood pressure at home if needed), and showed us what the OR looks like. It was great to chat with the nurses, ask questions and walk through different scenarios so that we can better prepare and support our clients who many need a cesarean birth at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.

Many of us doulas have experience supporting cesarean births (both planned and unplanned) at other hospitals and now we're excited to say that Sparrow will now be one of them.

12/16/2025

We just wrapped up our last Better Birth Jackson meeting of the year with a Christmas party! We're grateful to be serving families all over Southeast and Southwest Michigan as their doulas this year.

12/04/2025

One of our members is offering Childbirth Education Classes in 2026!
Evidence Based Birth Childbirth classes is a 6 weeks class series where it's a combo of online videos, workbook and weekly virtual class check-in to discuss what we learned and answer questions. Each class starts at 6pm EST.

The Jan 6 class will have ASL Interpretation.

For more info or to register go to https://kristenschellbirth.com/classes/

12/03/2025

Choosing a provider is one of the most important parts of planning a VBAC. You can do everything “right”—hire a doula, educate yourself, prepare your body—but if your provider is not actually supportive, your chances of success drop dramatically. Their philosophy, hospital policies, and clinical approach shape your entire birth experience.

🟢 Green Flags — Signs Your Provider Supports VBAC

🟢They quote VBAC success rates from current evidence, not fear-based statistics.
Supportive providers stay up to date and give you balanced information.

🟢They encourage spontaneous labor and physiological birth.
They understand that VBAC success is higher when your body leads the process.

🟢They don’t impose automatic cutoffs, like “You must go into labor by 39 or 40 weeks.”
Rigid timelines often lead to unnecessary repeat C-sections.

🟢They discuss how to make VBAC happen—not why you “can’t.”
A supportive provider helps you strategize and looks for possibilities, not obstacles.

🟢They allow mobility, intermittent monitoring, and upright pushing positions.
Birth-friendly practices boost your chances of a successful VBAC.

🟢Their hospital has a clear, accessible VBAC policy.
Consistent hospital support matters just as much as the individual provider.

🔴 Red Flags — Signs Your Provider Isn’t VBAC Supportive

🔴They say “We’ll try… but if anything goes wrong, we’re doing a C-section.”
This usually means they’re expecting you to fail.

🔴They require early induction or refuse VBAC inductions entirely.
Neither extreme reflects evidence-based care.

🔴They quote an inflated uterine rupture risk, like “10%.”
Actual risk is around 0.5%—less than 1%.

🔴They say “I’ll let you labor” or “We’ll allow a trial.”
Language reveals mindset. You don’t need permission for your own birth.

🔴They won’t discuss your previous operative report.
A supportive provider wants the full picture to give personalized recommendations.

🔴They express fear-based concerns, like “Your pelvis may be too small,” without evidence.
These myths have been debunked for decades!

A VBAC-supportive provider doesn’t just impact your options—they impact your safety, your confidence, and your birth outcome. VBAC success is strongly linked to the provider’s philosophy and hospital environment, not just your body’s “ability.” You deserve someone who believes in your capacity to birth and works with you, not against you.

If something feels off, trust your gut.
If something feels empowering, lean in.

Choosing the right provider can make all the difference. 💛

Meme made by yours truly :)

11/29/2025

Hillsdale resources

‼️Hillsdale listen up‼️

I want to introduce you to a new friend of mine Flavia Hass Ibclc

She is a HILLSDALE IBCLC ❤️🥳🎉🎊

Flavia just began her business Peaceful Path Lactation, LLC to help Hillsdale mamas with breastfeeding struggles.

Over the last month, Flavia and I have spent endless hours texting, sending voice memos, and teaming up to help solve lactation struggles with the moms I serve and I am SO grateful to have access to more advanced care right in town. Hillsdale has NEEDED more breastfeeding support and Karina and I are receiving texts for more help weekly.

Let’s give her a hearty welcome and go follow her page🫶

Hillsdale Hospital, Helping Hands PRC, Branch-Hillsdale-St.Joseph Community Health Agency you guys need to get in on this.



Like, share, and repost we need to get the word out 💪🏻

11/13/2025

09/29/2025

Childbirth Education Classes coming up for those due in Late Fall 2025 to early Winter 2026!

09/26/2025

‼️ “Your risk of stillbirth doubles after 40 weeks” ‼️

Many parents are surprised to learn that the risk of stillbirth changes week by week in the final stretch of pregnancy. While most babies are born healthy and safe, research shows that the risk of stillbirth doubles every week after 37 weeks until 43 weeks.

HOWEVER, most aren’t actually informed on the ratios or percentage of risk and some are even fearmonger into an induction by how this information is presented at appointments.

Here’s what that looks like out of 10,000 pregnancies:

37 weeks: about 3 in 10,000 (0.03%)
38 weeks: about 5 in 10,000 (0.05%)
39 weeks: about 7 in 10,000 (0.07%)
40 weeks: about 10 in 10,000 (0.1%)
41 weeks: about 12–13 in 10,000 (0.125%)
42 weeks: about 14 in 10,000 (0.14%)
43 weeks: about 17 in 10,000 (0.17%)

✨ Most pregnancies will still end with a healthy baby, but it’s important to understand these numbers when making decisions about birth plans, induction, and monitoring. By having all the information, you are able to assess the risk for yourself and take more responsibility in your birth outcomes.

🧡 Knowledge = empowerment. Ask questions, know your options, and partner with your care team to make the best decision for you and your baby.

(Note: There can be other risks to consider when choosing to go past 42 weeks and there are situations in which an induction may be medically, necessary, always make sure to talk to your provider about your specific pregnancy concerns ❤️)