birthify

05/01/2026

👉🤰Just a hypothetical, but we’d love your take. Share your thoughts in the comments.

05/01/2026

So, it turns out that being 🤰pregnant affects the brain in some pretty noticeable ways, especially in areas related to reading people, understanding emotions, and being a good caregiver.

Research is suggesting that these changes might actually help new parents pick up on their kid's needs a bit more easily as time goes on.

Some studies have found that these changes stick around after the baby's born, and they might even make it easier for parents to pick up on subtle social and emotional cues.

But here's the thing: there's not a whole lot of research out there that specifically compares moms who are having their first kid to moms who are having their second, so we don't know as much as we'd like about how these changes affect them in different ways. And just because the brain changes, it doesn't mean that new parents will suddenly become experts at everything - these changes don't necessarily translate to better cognitive abilities across the board.

👉Sources: Hoekzema et al., Nature Neuroscience (2017); Kim et al., Behavioral Neuroscience; Barba-Müller et al., Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

04/30/2026

The umbilical cord is the baby’s lifeline for nine months, delivering oxygen, nutrients, and everything needed to grow 🤍 Then, in just one moment, it’s clamped and cut. That tiny snip marks the start of a brand new chapter ✨

Almost instantly, everything changes. The lungs take their first breath. The heart adjusts. This brand new little human begins life on their own 🌿 In medical terms, it’s called physiologic transition. But for parents, it’s something much deeper.

It’s the moment your baby becomes their own person 💫

One second, they’re fully connected to you, and the next, they’re stepping into the world. One small cut, and suddenly, it’s the beginning of forever 👶🤍

04/30/2026

I don't know who needs to hear this, but you don't owe ANYONE an explanation about why you birthed the way you did.

✨️Home birth? Awesome

✨️Scheduled induction? If you made an informed decision, we love this for you!

✨️No medication but in the hospital because you felt safer there? Wonderful

✨️Planned home birth but decided to transfer? I'm glad you had options, I hope you're feeling okay about the change in plans 💙

✨️Scheduled c-section? If this felt right or medically necessary, so glad we have safe options for birth!

✨️Wanted to go unmedicated but changed your mind? So glad we have options!

✨️In the forest with wolves? You do you 😉

The point is, YOU get to birth how YOU choose and you get to adjust plans however you need or desire. You don't owe anyone an explanation.

International Doula Institute

04/30/2026

This. 👏 If you are expecting, you need to hear this message from Dr. Bill Chun.

A doula is not just a "nice to have"—she is the constant, supportive force in the room when the hospital gets busy. She ensures you are respected and that you get the continuity of care you deserve.

From reducing C-section risks to simplifying postpartum recovery, the data shows they are a complete game-changer. 🩺🤍

Ready to prioritize your birth experience?
billchun

04/29/2026

Did you know that 1 in 3 babies is born with their umbilical cord wrapped around their neck? 👣✨

It sounds incredibly scary, like a noose, but it is actually a very common part of birth! Nuchal cords happen in about 20% to 30% of deliveries, usually just because the baby is active, the cord is long, or there is plenty of amniotic fluid to move around in.

Here is the thing: the baby isn’t breathing through their neck as we do. The cord is their lifeline, carrying oxygen and nutrients directly through its vessels.

While it is possible for a cord to get compressed if it is wrapped around the neck or body, heart rate problems from this are actually quite rare. That is all thanks to Wharton’s Jelly — an amazing, bouncy substance inside the cord that acts like a natural shock absorber. It helps the cord bend and stay open, protecting those vital vessels from getting squished.

Birth is an impressive, resilient process that usually works exactly as it should, even with a nuchal cord in the mix.

Video credit to @ peacefulbirthmethod

04/29/2026

🌙🤱 One of the biggest questions new parents ask is why babies want to breastfeed at night.

While it can be exhausting, nighttime nursing is a completely normal and important part of the early months.

It helps support milk supply, meets babies’ small stomach needs, and provides comfort, connection, and a sense of safety, especially during growth spurts 💕

✨ Those tough nights can be hard, but they are a natural part of parenting.

How did you navigate those early nights with your little one?

04/29/2026

👉Disney just dropped a powerful short film called Versa, dealing with some heavy stuff – infant loss, grief, and hope. I'm talking under 10 minutes, no dialogue needed – the emotions speak for themselves.

Versa was born out of a personal experience for Malcon Pierce, who lost his son Cooper. The film follows a couple on this wild ride: from the high of being pregnant to the devastation of losing their baby, the grief that rips them apart, and the journey of rebuilding themselves – not back to who they were, but into new, scarred versions.

Why do films like this matter? They give the loss community a chance to feel seen and understood. I mean, I felt like I was looking into a mirror when I watched it – it's amazing how grief can affect people so differently, even in the same situation.

I won't lie, I bawled my way through Versa multiple times. If you're a loss parent or you've been affected by infant loss, you absolutely need to watch this. It's raw, it's real, and it's a beautiful tribute to the little ones we've lost.

Kudos to Malcon and Keely for sharing Cooper's story with us. His legacy lives on through Versa, and I know it'll touch so many hearts out there.

Available on Disney+

Send a message to learn more

04/28/2026

Birth plans are everything, but sometimes the baby has a plan of their own! 🏠✨

Being sent home twice only to deliver in your own bedroom is exactly why having a dedicated support team is non-negotiable. Whether it is following the plan or navigating the unexpected, having that calm guidance makes all the difference when it matters most. 👶💖

Proof that with the right support in your corner, you can turn any "plot twist" into a beautiful success story. 🚀🙏

Video credit to @ rosematernityco

04/28/2026

So there's been some pretty groundbreaking research out of Besançon University Hospital in France that's changing the way we think about labor. For a long time, we've assumed that women need to push as soon as they hit full dilation, but this study challenges that idea by showing that actually, waiting a bit can make a big difference.

The researchers looked at over 10,000 births and found that when they delayed pushing for up to three hours, the actual pushing time went from way too long to under 15 minutes. This approach isn't just good for getting babies out faster; it also helps women have more natural births and reduces the need for interventions like forceps or vacuum extractors.

It's worth noting that midwives, nurses, and doulas have been saying this for ages - that women need a more patient-centered approach to labor. And it makes sense, because birth is a natural process that usually works just fine on its own if you just let it.

Now, I'm not saying there aren't situations where you need to push a bit harder, but the research suggests that for most women, it's worth waiting it out and letting the body do its thing. It's all about harnessing that fetal ejection reflex, which is like a natural birth turbocharger that can make things go a lot smoother and more efficiently.

👇🏽 Did you labor down or push as soon as you were fully dilated?
Study below.

Post credit to International Doula Institute

04/27/2026

Look, if your healthcare provider or a medical professional is trying to strong-arm you into doing something, especially if they are using scare tactics to get what they want, it is time to ask for a patient advocate.

📢 You have the right to stand up for yourself, and if that means firing them, then so be it ✨ you can absolutely do that. ✋🏥