Forget Your Birth Plan: 5 Birthing Myths Debunked

NEW YORK - April 17, 2018 - PRLog -- According to a recent New York Times article, A black woman with an advanced degree is more likely to lose her baby than a white woman with less than an eighth-grade education. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 700-900 women die each year in the United States, as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications. Naima Beckles, Co-Founder, For Your Birth (http://www.foryourbirth.com), Harlem-based Doula agency says, "Regardless of socio-economics, post-delivery complications are common amongst black and Hispanic women.  My company is on a mission to remix the statistics via education on doula services to moms and families. Doula services include childbirth education, mom support from 20 weeks to post-delivery, nutrition, hospital care and most importantly, in-home care." For Your Birth will host a cooking demonstration for new parents on May 1, 6:00 PM at Whole Foods in Harlem.

Beckles, a leading doula expert, has been featured in numerous media outlets – educating and advocating for the work of doula care and support. Appearances include Tom Joyner Morning Show, Sirius XM, ABC-TV, NBC-TV, Amsterdam News, MadameNoire, Philadelphia Tribune, Hello Beautiful, Cumulus Radio (103.9) and popular public access show, BronxNet. Currently, she is filming The Doula Diaries (Season 2) as the lead doula in the popular docu-series.

A recent profile in NY City Lens: http://nycitylens.com/2018/04/taking-black-mothers-hand/

5 Birthing Myths Debunked by Naima Beckles:

1)    Must have a birth plan. Birth plans or preferences are primarily for you and your partner. They're the talking points that guide a conversation at a prenatal appointment with your doctor or what you say to your nurses in the hospital. This plan is not needed at the hospital.

2)    Doulas are for homebirths.  While the number of people choosing homebirth is on the rise, most of, births, are happening in the hospital.  Most doulas attend hospital births and have never even been to a home birth.

3)    If you're getting an epidural, you don't need a doula. Labor starts on its own and builds in intensity for most women.  Having a doula on your team can help you manage the pain from contractions when labor is early and reducing the need to be confined to the bed for very long.

4)    Childbirth classes are more than just breathing.  In the movies, childbirth classes involve couples sitting on the floor practicing funny breathing patterns.  That's not usually the case in real life.  Expect your childbirth class to be a crash course on understanding labor, managing the pain, teaching partners how to be useful, and getting the birthing logistics.

5)    Your doctor may not want a doula in the room. Your doctor wants what's best for you and if having extra support is what you desire, then you can expect your doctor to be on-board with you hiring a doula.  "The best compliment that I ever received as a doula was from a doctor who called me a human epidural after the patient who was also my client, triumphantly delivered a healthy baby boy," says Beckles.

The mission at For Your Birth is to lovingly educate families and mothers about the journey and stages of childbirth, pre, and post. The real work begins once the baby is delivered and mothers are in a fragile state mentally, spiritually and physically. "Mothers must trust and rely on their voice, body and support team to ensure a successful pregnancy, delivery and at home care. Doulas are a second set of eyes, ears, and support," states Naima.

To learn more about For Your Birth, visit their website, www.foryourbirth.com. To schedule an interview, contact Karen Taylor Bass, TaylorMade Media, 917-509-3061.