Roxy Lewis Doula & Childbirth Educator

04/23/2026

Did you know most interventions during labor are routine rather than necessary and you CAN say no? Here are some ways you can politely decline unnecessary interventions during you birth!

"No." "No thank you," "I said no."

04/19/2026

Thinking about hiring a doula for your next birth? Check out this new study on how doulas can not only support you during labor but improve outcomes for both you and your baby!

A 2025 study published in AJOG adds powerful, up-to-date data showing associations between doula care and improved maternal and newborn outcomes.

Key Maternal Outcomes:

More va**nal births after cesarean (VBAC): For every 100 patients who received doula care, there were 15 to 34 additional VBACs compared with those without doula care.

Higher postpartum follow-up attendance: 5 to 6 more per 100 received postpartum office visits.

Key Neonatal / Infant Outcomes

Increased exclusive breastfeeding rates: Babies whose families had doula support were more likely to breastfeed exclusively.

Fewer preterm births (and early preterm births): Doula-supported births showed a reduction in preterm birth rates.

In short, the study links doula care with improvements in birth outcomes — across birth mode (more VBACs), infant health (less prematurity), and early infant care (breastfeeding, postpartum follow-up).

Read more: https://internationaldoulainstitute.com/2025/11/evidence-for-doulas-new-ajog-study-finds-doulas-improve-outcomes/

04/18/2026

🚫 Let’s talk about cervical checks—because more information isn’t always better.

Cervical checks are often presented as a routine, harmless way to “see where you’re at”… but there’s a lot they don’t tell you—and a lot they can disrupt.

First, let’s cover the risks 👇

⚠️ Increased risk of infection
Every time fingers are inserted into the va**na—especially after your water has broken—there’s a pathway for bacteria to travel upward.

⚠️ Accidental rupture of membranes
Yes, your water bag can be broken unintentionally during a cervical check. Once that happens, the clock often starts ticking in a way it didn’t need to.

⚠️ Emotional impact
Hearing a “low number” like 1–2 cm can feel incredibly discouraging—even if your body is doing exactly what it needs to do.

🤔 What situations justify a cervical check?

Cervical checks are completely unnecessary unless—

👉🏻 there is a medical reason to induce and you need to know if your cervix will be responsive to pitocin or other methods of induction

👉🏻 you want to be sure that your cervix is completely dilated before pushing (although this is rarely necessary because the cervix is usually dilated completely before having a strong urge to push)

Now let’s talk accuracy 👇

📉 Cervical checks are highly subjective. Even experienced practitioners are estimated to be wrong a significant portion of the time (some reports suggest up to 82%).

Why? Because this isn’t an exact measurement.

It requires a provider to:
• Insert two fingers into the va**na
• Locate the cervix
• Mentally estimate dilation based on how much space their fingers feel

That means the result depends on:
👉 The size of their fingers
👉 Their interpretation of what they feel
👉 Your body
👉 Your emotional state

Two different providers can check you minutes apart… and give you two completely different numbers.

And let’s not ignore this part:

😣 They’re uncomfortable.
You’re often asked to lie flat on your back—sometimes in the middle of a contraction—while your body is working hard to labor. It’s invasive, disruptive, and rarely aligned with how the body labors best.

Every unnecessary intervention—especially ones that don’t provide meaningful or actionable information—can interrupt that delicate rhythm. And once it’s disrupted, it doesn’t always pick back up again.

📣 Here’s the truth most people aren’t told:

✨ Dilation is not a crystal ball.
It doesn’t tell you when labor will start.
It doesn’t tell you how long labor will last.

You could be 3 cm dilated for weeks before labor begins…
Or 0 cm dilated and holding your baby the same day.

That number? It’s just a snapshot of one moment in time—not a prediction of what’s coming next.

🤍 You always have a choice.

You can ask:
“Is this necessary?”
“How will this change my care?”
“Are there other ways to assess how labor is progressing?”

💡🤫FYI—there are! In my childbirth course, students are taught how to identify phases of labor using physical, behavior, and emotional markers—indicators that are much more reliable than dilation alone!

🤍 You can also simply choose to decline! A simple “no thank you” will suffice!

Because your birth—

—is not defined by a number.

Follow me for more evidence-based information on birth! Or if you would like to learn more about my course, shoot me a message in my inbox! ❤️

04/16/2026

✂️ Episiotomy vs. Tearing: Why “Natural Tearing” Is Often the Safer Option

Let’s talk about something that still causes so much fear in birth conversations: tearing.

First, what is an episiotomy?

An episiotomy is a surgical incision made in the perineum — the tissue between the va**nal opening and the a**s — during birth to enlarge the opening for the baby. For decades, it was performed ROUTINELY under the belief that a clean surgical cut would heal better than a spontaneous tear.

But the evidence has told a very different story. 📚

Research and current guidelines from major organizations like ACOG and the World Health Organization no longer support ROUTINE episiotomy use because:

⚠️ An episiotomy is a deeper surgical wound than a superficial tear, and therefore, increases the risk and rate of:

‼️severe third- and fourth-degree tears (tearing into the a**l sphincter)
‼️ blood loss
‼️ postpartum pain
‼️ longer healing times
‼️ pelvic floor damage
‼️ painful in*******se after birth

In other words:

Being cut does not protect your body from tearing — it can actually make the damage worse.

🤐 Here’s what many people are never told:

In many cases, spontaneous tearing is smaller, more superficial, and less traumatic, usually tearing through the first layer of skin tissue unlike an episiotomy which cuts through skin tissue AND muscle tissue every time.

And for that reason, an episiotomy is typically at least a second-degree wound from the start.

That’s why, in most uncomplicated births, allowing the perineum to stretch naturally is the safer evidence-based approach. 👍

I’ll never forget hearing a labor and delivery nurse say she was so terrified of tearing that she would rather choose an elective cesarean. ‼️‼️‼️

Think about that.

A nurse working in birth believed major abdominal surgery was safer than the possibility of a spontaneous perineal tear.

Fear is real, that’s understandable. But to choose major abdominal surgery out of fear of something that is often minor, common, and physiologically normal? That says so much about how deeply misinformation can run.

A cesarean is a MAJOR surgery involving layers of skin, fat, fascia, uterus, and significantly longer recovery! Comparing that to the possibility of a first or second-degree spontaneous tear reveals just how distorted our understanding of birth physiology can become..

⚠️ And if even a labor and delivery nurse can be misinformed about the evidence, imagine how easily consumers can be led by fear instead of facts.

This is why evidence-based childbirth education matters.

If you’re ready to replace fear with real understanding, my childbirth education course walks you through exactly what’s evidence-based and what’s not — so you can make informed, confident decisions for your next birth. For more information, reach out via email or phone! Contact info is on my page! 👆🏻❤️🤗

04/15/2026

Pregnancy and birth is a big journey—you don’t have to do it alone!

I’m Roxy Lewis, a certified Bradley® teacher in Weatherford, Oklahoma, and my next 12-week Bradley Method® class series begins in the next few weeks, perfect for families with due dates in July or August!

With the Bradley Method®, you’ll get:

🌱A comprehensive childbirth education covering everything from pregnancy, to labor
and birth and even breastfeeding and postpartum care

🌱Live, interactive classes—never pre-recorded

🌱Support for both mom and support person (usually husband but can include a relative too!)

🌱Exclusive access to the Bradley Method® Student Center

DM me or visit BradleyMethod.com to learn more—I’d love to help you feel calm,
prepared, and confident! ❤️

04/13/2026

Okay, this is one of those blink-and-you-miss-it but absolutely brilliant moments in birth physiology that deserves way more hype…

Let’s talk about the “fetal Heimlich maneuver.”

First—quick clarification:
This isn’t an official medical procedure like the Heimlich maneuver used for choking. It’s a natural, built-in mechanism that helps clear a baby’s lungs during birth.

And honestly? It’s genius.

🧠 What is the “fetal Heimlich maneuver”?

As your baby moves through the birth ca**l during a va**nal birth - if the perineum remains intact - gentle but firm pressure is applied to their chest and ribcage. This pressure does something incredible:

👉 It compresses the lungs, helping push out the fluid that filled them in the womb.

Then—once baby is born and that pressure is released—
✨ the chest expands
✨ air rushes in
✨ and baby takes those first breaths

Nature basically designed a perfect squeeze-and-release system to help babies transition from fluid-filled lungs to air breathing. Add that to the many reasons evidence does not support episiotomies!

🌊 Why does this matter so much?

Inside the womb, your baby’s lungs are filled with fluid—not air. At birth, that fluid needs to move out so oxygen can come in.

The “fetal Heimlich maneuver” helps:
- Clear fluid from the lungs
- Reduce the risk of breathing difficulties
- Support a smoother, more efficient first breath

🏥 On a side note, did you know evidence also does not support routine suctioning with a bulb syringe at birth - even for babies with meconium stained fluid? Check out the link to the studies I’ve referenced below.

The fetal Heimlich maneuver has always been one of my favorite parts of physiological birth - which brings me to another point:

Undisturbed, physiological birth can be so powerful. When mothers are unmedicated and are supported by their birth team to deliver in upright positions (not on their backs in stirrups), and not rushed but encouraged to tune into their natural instincts - birth can unfold naturally, baby moves gradually through the ca**l, chest compression happens optimally, and the transition to breathing is smoother.

✨ Your baby isn’t just born knowing how to breathe—they are guided into it by a beautifully orchestrated process.

The so-called “fetal Heimlich maneuver” is one tiny piece of that design…
but it’s a powerful reminder that birth is not just an event—

It’s a transformation,
engineered with intention,
timed with precision,
and carried out by a body that knows exactly what it’s doing. 🤌

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4139400/

04/12/2026

“I can’t do this anymore.” — The exact words many women say right before they do.

Transition is often the most intense part of labor—and also the shortest (usually 10-30 minutes). It’s the shifting of gears between active labor and pushing, usually occurring between 8–10 cm dilation. Understanding what’s happening can help you stay grounded and confident, especially if your goal is an unmedicated birth.

🔥 Physical Signs of Transition

While some of these signs can be alarming if unaware of what’s going on, these are very normal and are not an indication of an emergency. Your body is simply working hard—and it shows. Similarly, if you’ve ever been an athlete you might have experienced some of these during an intense conditioning workout.

• Contractions are very strong, long, and close together (2–3 minutes apart)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shaking, trembling, or chills
• Hot/cold flashes
• Increased re**al pressure (baby is moving down!)
• Difficulty relaxing between contractions

This intensity means your body is almost ready to push.

💭 Emotional Signs of Transition - Self-Doubt

This is where many birthing people doubt themselves. You may hear:

• “I can’t do this anymore”
• Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
• Irritability or wanting to be left alone
• Sudden fear or panic, even confusion

💡 These thoughts are incredibly common—and often a sign you’re in transition, NOT FAILING.

🔄 Behavioral Signs of Transition

Your outward behavior shifts as labor peaks.

• Going inward, less talkative
• Short, focused responses or no response at all
• Gripping, moaning, or deep vocalizing
• Difficulty following instructions
• Wanting a change (position, environment, support)

You may appear like you’re losing control —this is natural. This is your body’s instinct taking over.

💉 This is the point at which most women ask for an epidural.

What most women DON’T know, however, is that by the time they get that epidural, they will either be ready to push or very close to it. This is why you may hear often from women that as soon as they got their epidural, they were ready to start pushing very soon afterward.

How to prepare for an unmedicated transition:

During second stage, the body needs every sensation available to be able to achieve a smooth and gradual descent through the birth ca**l (pro tip: this is the best way to avoid tearing!) If you can mentally accept that transition (though intense) is very short and experiencing it means you’re almost at the finish line - your body and baby will benefit greatly! Here are some tips.

1. Practice Surrender, Not Control
Transition isn’t about “handling pain”—it’s about riding waves. Practice letting go during pregnancy (breathwork, visualization, even during workouts).

2. Create a Comfort Toolkit
Think:
• Breathing techniques
• Hip squeezes
• Movement (swaying, hands & knees)
• Water (shower or bath)
• Low lighting + minimal noise

3. Use Grounding Language
Prepare phrases ahead of time:
• “One contraction at a time.”
• “My body knows what to do.”
• “This means my baby is coming.”

4. Know the Turning Point
When you feel like quitting—that’s often transition.
Not the end… the beginning of meeting your baby.

5. Build a Strong Support Team
A calm, confident partner or doula can remind you: “This is normal. You’re safe. You’re close.” In my Bradley Method® birth classes, husbands are involved in every class and are highly trained to be a strong support person throughout every phase of labor.

🤍 Final encouragements:

When your voice says “I can’t,”
your body is already saying “you are.”

When everything feels like it’s unraveling,
this is where your body is molding, changing, adapting.

Not breaking—
opening.

Not losing control—
crossing a threshold.

And on the other side of that moment,
where doubt is loudest and strength feels farthest away comes the moment you’ve been waiting and preparing for -

The arrival of your precious baby! ❤️🤱

04/12/2026

Giving birth is one of the most raw and vulnerable experiences in a person’s life, and for that reason, every woman deserves to give birth in the space she feels safest. In order for that to happen, though, you must be allowed to be an ACTIVE participant in every decision along the way. This brings me to a crucial topic in many of my childbirth classes - Informed Consent.

💡 What is informed consent?
Informed consent means that before any procedure or intervention, you are:

- Given clear, honest information
- Told ALL the risks and benefits
- Offered alternatives (including doing nothing)
- Given the space to ask questions
- Free to say yes or no WITHOUT pressure

🛑 Why it matters in childbirth
During labor, things can move quickly. But speed should never replace communication! Whether it’s a cervical check, breaking your water, induction, or a C-section—you have the right to understand and agree before anything is done.

An easy tool I teach in my courses is the acronym BRAIN. When a decision comes up, you can ask:
• Benefits – What are the benefits of this?
• Risks – What are the risks?
• Alternatives – Are there other options?
• Intuition – What feels right to me?
• Nothing – What happens if we wait or do nothing?

♥️ Remember:
Consent is ongoing—you can change your mind at any time. You are allowed to ask for more time or clarification. Your voice matters just as much as any medical opinion.

You deserve a birth where you feel heard, respected, and empowered.

Because informed consent isn’t just a policy—it’s a form of care.

If you’re expecting and would like to know more helpful tips including what local providers are supportive of physiological birth, involving your husband in the labor process, or effectively managing labor pain without the use of anesthesia - I’m your gal! Sign up for a Bradley Method® class today!