Between Contractions

#21 - Let's Talk About Bed Sharing — The Worst Kept Secret

In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie tackle one of the most common — and least talked about — realities of new parenthood: bed sharing. Studies suggest around 65% of families in the U.S. bed share at some point, and yet most people won't admit it, often because they planned not to and ended up doing it out of desperation. The hosts want to change that conversation — not by encouraging everyone to bed share, but by making sure that if you do, you're doing it as safely as possible.  Why this matters: The bigger risk isn't bed sharing itself — it's accidentally falling asleep with your baby on a couch, recliner, or nursing chair, which is significantly more dangerous. Planning ahead, even if you don't intend to bed share, means you're prepared if it happens.  The Safe Sleep Seven — key guidelines for safer bed sharing:  * No smoking — Neither parent should smoke, and baby should not have been exposed to smoke during pregnancy  * Sober parent — No alcohol, sedating medications, or substances that impair arousal  * Breastfeeding — Breastfeeding parents tend to naturally position themselves protectively around their baby; this is considered a meaningful risk-reducing factor  * Healthy baby — Full-term, healthy babies are at lower risk  * Baby on their back — Same as crib sleep, baby sleeps on their back  * Lightly dressed, no swaddling — Skip the swaddle for bed sharing; dress baby in pajamas and keep the room cool with good air circulation  * Safe surface — Firm mattress, no soft bedding, no pillows near baby, no gaps between the mattress and headboard or wall; keeping blankets at hip level or below is one way to manage warmth without putting soft bedding near baby's face  Practical tips from the hosts:  * If one partner is a heavy sleeper, has sleep apnea, or has unpredictable sleep movements, consider having that partner sleep elsewhere temporarily  * A floor mattress removes the risk of baby rolling off the bed  * Some families use the "river" setup — baby in the middle, a parent on each side — which is standard practice in Japan and many other cultures  A note on culture: Bed sharing is the norm in much of the world — Japan, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, and across Africa and Latin America. The U.S. is one of the few places that recommends against it outright. Some European countries like the UK, Norway, and Sweden are shifting toward providing safer bed sharing guidelines rather than blanket bans — because outright bans aren't stopping people from doing it, they're just stopping people from doing it safely.  Bottom line: Bed sharing isn't for everyone, and that's completely fine. But a crib isn't automatically safe either — stuffed animals, loose blankets, and monitor cords in a crib are their own hazard. Wherever your baby sleeps, think it through intentionally and set it up as safely as possible.  Amsy Dees - @amsydees.doula // amsydeesdoula.com  Stephanie Dawson - @grow.lakeland // growlakeland.com    DISCLAMER: The views shared on this podcast are our own and do not represent any specific organization. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your care.

#20 - The Five S's & Other Ways to Soothe Your Baby

In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie walk through the Five S's — a classic framework for soothing a fussy baby — plus a handful of bonus techniques that go beyond just feeding. Whether you're a partner trying to help, an exhausted mom, or a family member wanting to support, this episode gives you a practical toolkit for calming a crying baby that doesn't start and end with the breast.  The Five S's:  * Side lying / Stomach lying — Many babies settle quickly when flipped onto their side or tummy. The slight pressure on the belly can also help with gas and discomfort. The classic "football hold" across a forearm is a great go-to.  * Sway — Movement is deeply soothing for newborns. If the baby is fussing while you're sitting, try simply standing up and swaying or walking. Babies tend to calm the moment you're in motion.  * Swaddle — Wrapping a baby snugly can help regulate their nervous system — similar to the calming effect of a firm hug during a panic attack. It also adds warmth, since newborns aren't great at regulating their own body temperature.  * Shush — White noise, humming, or a gentle shushing sound mimics what babies heard in the womb. Worth trying, especially when combined with the other S's.  * Suck — A pacifier, clean finger, or breast can be calming for babies who just need to suck. Just make sure to watch for hunger cues first so you're not accidentally masking a feeding need.  Bonus soothing techniques:  * Go outside — Walking out the front door with a screaming baby is surprisingly effective. The change of environment, fresh air, and sensory shift tends to calm babies almost immediately — and gives the caregiver a moment to breathe too.  * The freezer door — Standing in front of an open freezer for a few seconds can provide a quick sensory reset for both baby and parent.  * Baby wearing — Many babies resist the carrier at first but settle once they feel secure. Help bridge that gap by patting baby's bottom while they're in the carrier so they feel your presence before you go hands-free.  * Add water — A warm bath, feet under a running faucet, or any age-appropriate water play is remarkably calming for babies and kids of all ages.  An important reminder: If you've tried everything and you're at your wit's end, it is always okay to lay the baby down in a safe space and walk away for a few minutes. A crying baby is safe. Take a breath, regulate yourself, and then go back through your list. Never shake a baby.  Amsy Dees - @amsydees.doula // amsydeesdoula.com  Stephanie Dawson - @grow.lakeland // growlakeland.com    DISCLAMER: The views shared on this podcast are our own and do not represent any specific organization. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your care.

#19 - Hospital-Employed Doulas — Game Changer or Band-Aid?

In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie dig into a headline-making story: the University of Chicago Medical Center announced it will staff around-the-clock doulas for patients with qualifying insurance, at no cost. The response online has been deeply divided — and the hosts get into why, approaching the topic with the nuance it deserves.  Rather than a simple thumbs up or down, they walk through both the real concerns and the genuine benefits of hospital-employed doula programs, and what it could mean for the future of birth support in the U.S.  The concerns:  * Whose loyalty is it? A doula employed by the hospital has her paycheck — and her job security — tied to that institution, not to the laboring person. That can limit how much she's willing to advocate, push back, or offer alternatives when a provider wants to move in a particular direction.  * No prenatal relationship. Much of the research showing doulas reduce C-sections, low birth weight, and postpartum mood disorders is tied to the ongoing relationship built before birth. A doula who meets you for the first time in active labor can't provide that same foundation.  * No postpartum continuity. Doula support after birth — check-ins, emotional support, recovery help — is a meaningful part of what makes doulas effective. Hospital-based doulas typically end at discharge.  * Patient-to-doula ratios. The program plans ratios similar to nurses, with up to two patients per doula per shift. Continuous, one-on-one support is exactly what the research is based on — splitting attention undermines that.  * Impact on independent doulas. Could hospital doula programs eventually be used to limit or exclude independent doulas from entering the building? U Chicago says no — but not every hospital system will have the same safeguards.  The benefits:  * Access for those who need it most. Single moms, teen moms, uninsured patients, and Black women — who face disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality — are the most likely to be laboring alone without support. Having any doula present is meaningful.  * Culturally congruent care. The Chicago program is intentionally recruiting doulas who reflect the communities they serve, recognizing that shared lived experience matters in building trust and providing relevant support.  * Still better than nothing. One of the Chicago doulas, Andrea Von, put it directly: 90% of their clients would have been completely alone without this program — and many of them are Black women already navigating a system that isn't built for them.  The bottom line: Both hosts land on cautious optimism. The questions are real, and not every hospital that adopts a similar program will build in the same protections. But for the people most underserved by the current system, access to any support during birth is a meaningful step — even if it's not a perfect one. LINK TO THE ARTICLE: https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/04/09/around-the-clock-doulas-now-available-in-uchicagos-labor-and-delivery-ward/  Amsy Dees - @amsydees.doula // amsydeesdoula.com  Stephanie Dawson - @grow.lakeland // growlakeland.com    DISCLAMER: The views shared on this podcast are our own and do not represent any specific organization. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your care.

#18 - Booby Traps: Common Pitfalls That Can Derail Your Milk Supply

In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie have a candid rundown of the most common "booby traps" — well-meaning but potentially harmful mistakes that can unknowingly undermine breastfeeding and milk supply. From flange sizing to clogged duct advice, they cover the things they wish more people knew before their feeding journey began.  Topics covered:  * Flange fit — One of the most overlooked factors in pumping success. Using the wrong flange size (too big or too small) can reduce output and cause pain. Many people never get properly fitted and just use whatever comes in the box — don't wing it.  * Getting your period back — A temporary dip in supply around your cycle is a known and common occurrence. There are things you can do to manage it.  * Nipple confusion — myth or reality? — The hosts unpack the nuance around bottles and breastfeeding, including how flow preference (not confusion) is the more accurate concern, and why introducing a bottle sooner rather than later can actually help.  * High lipase milk — Some pumping parents produce milk that develops a soapy or metallic taste when stored. Introducing bottles earlier can help you catch this sooner, and scalding the milk before storing is one way to manage it.  * Tongue tie and body tension — Any baby with significant tension can present as if they have a tongue tie. Bodywork and pre-release prep matter, and follow-up with a knowledgeable lactation provider after any revision is essential for success.  * Clogged ducts — what NOT to do — Aggressive massage is outdated advice and can make things worse. Anti-inflammatory approaches and ice therapy are now better supported by evidence than heat and hard massage.  * Pumping timing after birth — "Always pump right away" and "don't pump yet" are both oversimplifications. The right answer depends entirely on your situation, which is why personalized guidance from an IBCLC matters so much.  * Lactational amenorrhea as birth control — Breastfeeding can suppress ovulation, but only under very specific conditions. Baby sleeping through the night, supplementing with formula, or going long stretches without feeding can disqualify you — so don't assume you're covered.   Amsy Dees - @amsydees.doula // amsydeesdoula.com  Stephanie Dawson - @grow.lakeland // growlakeland.com    DISCLAMER: The views shared on this podcast are our own and do not represent any specific organization. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your care.

#17 - Pain Relief Options in Labor — What You Actually Need to Know

In this episode, Amsy walks us through the medical pain relief options available during labor, from the lowest-intervention techniques all the way to the epidural. Whether you're planning an unmedicated birth, keeping your options open, or already know you want an epidural, this episode helps you understand what's actually available — and what to expect from each option.  Options covered, from least to most intervention:  Sterile water injections — Not a medication at all, just sterile water injected just under the skin of the lower back. It stings going in but can provide meaningful pain relief, particularly for back labor, by stimulating endorphin release. Low risk, lasts a couple of hours, and mainly administered by midwives. Not widely offered locally yet, but worth asking about.  Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) — A handheld mask you control yourself during contractions. It doesn't eliminate pain but slows your reaction to it, creating a floaty, relaxed feeling. Fast acting and leavesyour system quickly if you don't like it. Notably, it does not cross the placenta.  IV narcotic medication (e.g., fentanyl, Demerol) — Similar in effect to nitrous — takes the edge off and can help you rest between contractions in a long labor — but doesn't provide strong pain relief on its own. Does cross the placenta, so hospitals typically won't administer it past 8 cm or when delivery is imminent, due to the risk of the baby being too sleepy to breathe well at birth.  The epidural — The most well-known option and the gold standard for pain relief in labor. A catheter is threaded into the lower back to deliver continuous numbing medication. Most people experience near-complete numbness from the waist down, though experiences vary. Dosage can often be adjusted up or down based on your preferences. Some hospitals now offer a patient-controlled button for small extra doses when needed. Risks include blood pressure drop (which providers prepare for), and rarely, a dural puncture headache.  Topics covered:  - How each option works and what it actually feels like  - What crosses the placenta and what doesn't  - Timing restrictions for IV pain meds  - Epidural hot spots, one-sided effects, and dosage flexibility - The patient-controlled epidural boost button  - Nitrous mask vs. mouthpiece — which works better and why - Sterile water injections: rare but worth knowing about  Amsy Dees - @amsydees.doula // amsydeesdoula.com  Stephanie Dawson - @grow.lakeland // growlakeland.com    DISCLAMER: The views shared on this podcast are our own and do not represent any specific organization. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your care.