Stephanie Ondrack 4/26/26 Stephanie Ondrack 4/26/26

Gate Control Theory

There are many approaches to coping with the physical demands of labour, ranging from breathing & relaxation to the use of medical anaesthetics. Before you give birth, it is a good idea to be aware of some of these options so you will be able to make use of them during labour.

Stephanie Ondrack 3/31/26 Stephanie Ondrack 3/31/26

Choosing Your Doula

So you have decided to hire a doula for your upcoming birth. That’s great! If you’re still considering the pros and cons, you can check out this article. But if you’ve already made the decision that you’d like to have doula support at your birth, the next step is choosing your doula.

Here are eight things you might want to consider.

Stephanie Ondrack 3/18/25 Stephanie Ondrack 3/18/25

The Terror Of Tearing: Demystifying The Dreaded ‘tearing’ During Birth

A very common fear before giving birth for the first time is the idea of tearing. And it’s obvious why. The image of having your body ripped open is dreadful and appalling. It’s terrifying. The very idea makes anyone cringe and cower, and gives the impression that birth will be excruciatingly painful, and damaging to your very bodily integrity.

But this particular image is somewhat misleading. It’s an inaccurate analogy that is based on centuries of not understanding everything that happens during birth, and focusing exclusively on the idea of the mechanics of one body bursting out of another. Yes, that sounds scary, like the movie Alien, or The Substance, or countless other iconic images of parasitic host-body horror. But this is not a good metaphor for birth, because it misses all the quiet ways our body can help us birth the baby, and stay intact while doing so.

Here are twelve facts about your perineum that might change the way you think about a baby emerging from your body.

Stephanie Ondrack 10/26/24 Stephanie Ondrack 10/26/24

Is This Really Labour?

Recognising the signs of labour can be an elusive and vague target. Until you’re actually in it. Then it’s pretty unmistakable. But only if you know what you’re looking for.

So what are the signs of actual labour?

First, let’s start with what’s not.

Stephanie Ondrack 9/23/24 Stephanie Ondrack 9/23/24

Drinking in Labour

Why is hydration so beneficial during childbirth? Read our latest blog post to find our why.

Stephanie Ondrack 3/26/21 Stephanie Ondrack 3/26/21

Q: How do I know if I really need a medical procedure?

Q: How do I know if I really need a medical procedure? I’m worried about being subjected to unnecessary procedures, but also worried about refusing something I might actually need. How do we make these decisions?

Guest 3/26/21 Guest 3/26/21

Childbirth-Related Trauma and PTSD

Being traumatized during childbirth is much more common than most people think. Unfortunately, trauma is one of the hidden costs of childbirth, a cost that women often bear in silence and without recognition or support.