Pregnancy/Birth

• Prenatal visits to build relationship and trust

• Guidance on nutrition and exercise during pregnancy

• Discussion of birth preferences

• Help navigating prenatal testing and medical decisions

• Breastfeeding education and preparation

• Resources and referrals (childbirth classes, pelvic floor therapy, etc.)

• Support with fears, anxieties, or birth trauma processing

• Education on stages of labor and what to expect

• Information on birth positions and comfort measures

• Partner preparation and education on support techniques

• Discussion of pain management options (natural and medical)

• Creating a postpartum support plan

• Continuous presence and emotional support throughout labor and birth

• Physical comfort measures (massage, counter-pressure, hip squeezes)

• Breathing and relaxation techniques

• Use of aromatherapy, birth ball, peanut ball, rebozo, hydrotherapy, and other tools

• Advocacy and communication support with medical staff

• Immediate postpartum support (bonding, initial breastfeeding)

Lactation Support

• Finding comfortable breastfeeding positions

• Latch concerns

• Reading hunger cues

• Hand expression techniques

• Growth and weight gain questions

• Oversupply or overactive letdown

• Building and maintaining milk supply

• Exclusive pumping guidance

• Sore, cracked, or bleeding nipples

• Engorgement

• Plugged ducts

• Mastitis symptoms and management

• Thrush or yeast infections

• Nipple blebs or blisters

• Cluster feeding concerns

• Returning to work pumping plans

• Supplementing while maintaining breastfeeding

• Introducing bottles

• Paced bottle feeding techniques

• Introducing solid foods while breastfeeding

• Extended breastfeeding support

• Gentle weaning strategies

• Tandem nursing (nursing while pregnant/nursing siblings)

• Premature baby breastfeeding challenges

• Nursing after cesarean birth

• Medications and breastfeeding compatibility

• Suppressing lactation if desired

Postpartum

• Newborn soothing and comfort techniques

• Safe sleep education and guidance

• Diapering and umbilical cord care

• Bathing baby safely

• Understanding newborn cues and communication

• Swaddling techniques

• Infant wearing guidance

• Postpartum healing education and guidance

• Cesarean recovery support

• Perineal care and comfort measures

• Guidance on postpartum warning signs

• Helping with hydration reminders

• Encouragement to rest and recover

• Birth story debriefing

• Recognizing signs of postpartum mood disorders

• Resources and referrals for perinatal mental health

• Supporting the emotional transition to parenthood

• Anxiety and overwhelm management strategies

• Grief support (if applicable - loss, difficult birth, etc.)

• Partner education on postpartum support

• Helping partners feel confident in baby care

• Sibling adjustment support and activities

• Family bonding time facilitation

• Transition planning as doula support ends