As you are preparing for birth, the to-do list can be quite long– we know. Building your support team is one of these to-dos, and, in fact, is one that we recommend prioritizing!

Beyond your medical provider (your OB or midwife), some of the other providers you might want to hire include birth doula, postpartum doula, childbirth educator and newborn prep teacher, lactation consultant, and pelvic floor therapist.

Okay, so that’s a lengthy list. And, if you take it step by step, each support person you get in place should be able to offer recommendations and referrals for other folks that may be a good fit for you. Additionally, you may not personally need or want all of these providers, and that’s okay. As always, take what works for you and leave the rest. 

Who’s On Your Support Team + When to Book 

Birth Doula: We suggest booking by the start of your second trimester if possible. Many doulas are booking months ahead, so it’s never too early to start reaching out. Your birth doula will typically offer a few prenatal meetings to help you prepare for labor, as well as postpartum visits. They will also be someone that you can reach out to with questions, requests for evidence or referrals, and to process with from the time you book them through postpartum. The earlier you book with them, the more value you get!

Postpartum Doula: Again, we suggest booking by the start of your second trimester, if not sooner. At ABG, we are often booked several months out. Sometimes a postpartum doula will offer a prenatal consultation to help you plan for postpartum and to discuss your priorities for their care. In-home postpartum shifts can be either daytime or nighttime, depending on the doula and your family’s needs. Read our article on how postpartum doulas support the entire family here. Additionally, check out our guide to finding the best postpartum doula for you here!

Childbirth Education (CBE) + Newborn Prep Classes: Clients often like to save classes for the start of the third trimester. We think this is a great idea, as the info will be fresh in your mind when baby arrives! At ABG, we offer 3 newborn prep classes– Breastfeeding Basics, Newborn Care, and Infant Safety and CPR. While we don’t currently offer CBE classes, we have folks we like to refer to. Also keep in mind that your birth doula may have suggestions (or teach a class themself)! Tip: Many times these classes can be covered by your insurance, medical savings plan, or HSA.

Lactation Consultant: Schedule during your third trimester and again for the first week after your due date birth. If you are planning to breastfeed, it’s always great to establish rapport and get some introductory information from a lactation consultant prenatally. This way, you already know who you can call, if or when you are having feeding questions or challenges. We also recommend booking an appointment  3-5 days postpartum so that you have support transitioning home and adjusting to your milk supply coming in.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist (PT): If you are experiencing pain during pregnancy (this is quite common as the body is going through lots of changes), we recommend scheduling with a pelvic floor PT. Not only can they help you find ease and relief with pregnancy-related discomfort, they can also help you prepare for childbirth AND postpartum recovery. In most cases, you won’t see your pelvic floor PT until at least 6 weeks postpartum; however, it is highly recommended to have a postpartum assessment (whether you gave birth vaginally or surgically). 

ABG is Here for You

Your growing family matters deeply to us at Austin Baby Guru. We are here to offer support, ideas, and referrals as you find the best support team for your family. We invite you to reach out if you are interested in learning more about our services.

*Photo Credit: Canva