Role of the Community in Birth and Beyond

Sabrina Ortolano is back! In this episode we go deeper into what a community and village looks like in the perinatal period. We talk about how we can be a better village and what helpful support looks like.   Sabrina Ortolano is a Birth Doula who has been supporting families for nearly thirty years. She is also the owner of IPSB, Los Angeles’ longest-running bodywork school, where she is the head instructor for courses on prenatal massage and this history of birth in the United States. Sabrina’s teaching emphasizes how to provide the best care and support for clients navigating major life transitions and milestones, with a particular focus on the birth experience and its various nuances.   In this episode, the hosts discuss the role of the community in the postpartum period and how it can help new parents adjust to their new roles. They emphasize the importance of asking for help and accepting support from friends, family, and chosen community members. They also highlight the need for better infrastructure and policies to support families during the postpartum period. The conversation touches on topics such as the physical and emotional challenges of postpartum, the importance of self-care, and the impact of community support on crime rates and overall well-being. In this conversation, Sabrina and the Birth, Baby! hosts discuss the importance of building a support system during the postpartum period. They emphasize the need for friends and family to offer help and for expectant parents to be humble enough to accept it. They also discuss the importance of practicing self-care and focusing on positive moments. The conversation touches on the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community when building a village and offers tips for supporting families. They highlight the need for more accessible resources and trauma-informed care. The episode concludes with a call to action for everyone to support expectant parents and create thriving communities.   Owner & Director at IPSB - School of Integrative Psycho-Structural Bodywork IPSB Wellness, Education & Media Email: [email protected] Instagram: @‌ipsb_massage Learn More About IPSB here: www.IPSB.com Takeaways Asking for help and accepting support from the community is crucial during the postpartum period. Better infrastructure and policies are needed to support families during the postpartum period. The postpartum period involves physical and emotional challenges, and it's important to prioritize self-care. Community support during the postpartum period has a positive impact on crime rates and overall well-being. Building a support system during the postpartum period is crucial for the well-being of expectant parents. Friends and family should offer help and support without judgment, allowing the expectant parents to share their feelings and ask for help. Practicing self-care and focusing on positive moments can help improve mental health during the postpartum period. The LGBTQIA+ community faces unique challenges when building a support system and accessing healthcare during pregnancy and postpartum. There is a need for more accessible resources and trauma-informed care for expectant parents. Everyone should take action to support expectant parents and create thriving communities. Are you a parent interested in learning more from Ciarra? You can check out her class offerings HERE. For the pre-recorded, self-paced Birth Basics Class, click HERE. For the pre-recorded, self-paced Newborn Sleep Class, click HERE. Are you interested in training to become a birth doula? Check out Ciarra’s Birth, Baby! Academy Birth Doula Training and Certification HERE.  Online, self-paced Birth Doula Training and Certification Program with Birth, Baby! Academy This podcast episode is also on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with close captions, you can find the channel HERE. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and leave a review on your favorite place to listen to podcasts. www.BirthBabyPodcast.com Send an email if you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, you'd like to be a guest, or you have a recommendation for an episode idea! Email: [email protected] Follow on Facebook Follow on Instagram The information provided on this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. Reliance on any information provided here is solely at your own risk. This episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast was produced by Ciarra Morgan and Samantha Kelly. Ciarra Morgan: www.EmpoweredBeginningsATX.com www.BirthBabyAcademy.com Samantha Kelly: www.beautifullymadedc.com