16 - Why Prenatal and Postpartum Planning is Essential for Your Pregnancy Journey

If you think prenatal classes are just about breathing techniques and baby prep, think again. In this episode of Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies, and the Battle for Sleep, Deb takes you on a deep dive into the life-changing benefits of prenatal classes—and why they’re the secret weapon every parent needs in their arsenal.

From childbirth education that demystifies labor to essential newborn care tips (because no one wants to Google “how to swaddle” at 3 a.m.), this episode is packed with practical advice and real talk. You’ll also learn why having a toolkit of pain-coping techniques is a must—even if you’re planning on an epidural. And let’s not forget the often-overlooked MVP of parenthood prep: postpartum planning.

Deb doesn’t just stop at the basics; she shares her own first-time parenting struggles and explains how her Preparing for Parenthood Workbook and personalized consultations fill the gaps traditional classes miss. If you’re ready to reduce the overwhelm, build confidence, and navigate parenthood like a pro, this episode is for you.

Don’t miss it—because your future self (and your sanity) will thank you!

Links and Resources:

• Preparing for Parenthood Workbook - https://www.douladeb.com/workbook-preparing-for-parenthood 
• Book a Consultation with Doula Deb - https://www.douladeb.com/prenatal-preparation 

Transcript

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Welcome to Doula Talk, where we talk about all things postpartum, babies, and the battle for sleep. I'm Doula Deb, here to guide you through parenthood, where sleep feels like a long lost friend, and everything from diapers to developmental milestones keeps you on your toes. Whether you're tackling sleepless nights, newborn quirks,

toddler antics or just trying to find what works for your family, I got you. With years of experience, real talk advice and a dash of humor, I'm here to help you find your rhythm. So grab your coffee or your toddler's leftover snack, settle in and let's get into it. Hi there, welcome to Doola Talk. I'm your host Deb, your go-to birth postpartum and sleep doula and mom to two amazing kiddos.

In this episode, we are going to do a replay of a discussion that we had over at my other podcast, Birth and Baby podcast, where we talk about all the benefits of prenatal classes. Whether you're a first time parent or adding another little one to your family, this conversation dives into why prenatal classes are a total game changer for preparing for childbirth and early parenthood. We'll cover everything from childbirth education and newborn care to the importance of postpartum planning, an area that's often overlooked

but absolutely essential. So grab your favorite cup of tea or coffee and let's dive. Today we're diving into the topic that is near and dear to my heart, the benefits of prenatal classes. These classes can be a game changer in how you approach childbirth and early parenthood. So let's get started. Prenatal classes truly are your go-to for all things childbirth and early parenthood.

They provide invaluable education and prep work, helping you feel more confident, informed, and supported so that you can approach this transformative time. But what exactly can you expect from these classes? Well, we're going to go ahead and dive in. The first is going to be childbirth education. Here you'll dive into the stages of labor, pain management options, and birthing techniques. Knowledge is power. Understanding what happens during labor can demystify the process and

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reduce your anxiety. And speaking of pain management, I want to take a moment to address a common misconception I often hear. I don't need to practice pain coping. I'm going to get an epidural. Well, epidurals can be helpful with pain management. It's important to remember that they don't always work perfectly for everyone. Sometimes they don't take it as expected and only provide a partial relief, like half of your body.

That's why it's so beneficial to have pain coping techniques in your toolkit. And that's all about being prepared for every scenario so you can stay as calm and comfortable as possible. Don't forget that you can't get an epidural until you're admitted to the hospital and settled in. Most hospitals won't accept you and be admitted until you're at least four to five centimeters. That's a lot of laboring to do before you can get that pain management on board.

So it's best to have lots of tools in your toolkit to manage that early labor until you can get to the hospital. The next is going to be breastfeeding support. Prenatal classes go beyond just breastfeeding. They're about feeding support in general. Even if you're not planning on breastfeeding, having knowledge about feeding your newborn is key to feeling confident and prepared. These classes will help you master breastfeeding positions, understand formula feeding techniques, and tackle common feeding challenges head on.

This foundational knowledge can make the early days of feeding much smoother and a lot more enjoyable, regardless of your feeding choice. Then the third class is gonna be a newborn care class. And when it comes to caring for your newborn, every parent wants to feel competent and prepared, right? And in this class, you'll learn essential skills like diapering, bathing, and soothing techniques. You'll gain hands-on experience and practical tips that can make those initial weeks at home with your baby a lot less daunting.

Understanding these basics can build your confidence and really help you navigate the early days of parenthood much more smoothly. One of the biggest benefits of prenatal classes is the confidence that they build. They really equip you with the knowledge and skills needed for positive birthing experience and beyond. Knowing what to expect can significantly reduce anxiety and empower you to make the informed decisions. It's all about feeling ready for that big day.

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Another wonderful aspect of these classes is the opportunity to connect with other expectant parents. Sharing experiences, building a support network, and finding emotional comfort and knowing you're not alone on this journey can be incredibly reassuring. Many prenatal classes also offer postpartum support in helping you navigate those early days of parent head with confidence. Look for the classes that provide resources and follow up sessions to support your ongoing journey. Now, while

Prenatal classes cover essential topics for childbirth and early parenthood. They often miss a crucial component, postpartum planning. This gap can leave parents feeling really overwhelmed and unprepared for the realities of life after birth. I remember when I had my first baby, I had taken all the prenatal classes, read all the books and felt so ready for the birth itself, but I didn't give nearly enough thought to what came after.

When we brought our baby home, I felt lost and completely overwhelmed. I thought, how did they let me just take this baby home? I just sat in the living room looking at my newborn like, okay, now what? And then those sleepless nights and the constant feeding was a drastic change in our routine. And they were a lot more challenging than I anticipated. I found myself wishing I had prepared better for the postpartum period and really surrounded myself with a lot more support.

After working with families for over 15 years, I can instantly tell if they've planned for postpartum. And trust me, comprehensive preparation is key. This is why I offer a postpartum planning and a preparing for parenthood sessions. This is designed to fill the gap left for traditional prenatal classes. By preparing for parenthood workbook is designed to fill the gaps traditional prenatal classes often miss. It's a comprehensive guide that covers everything from creating a postpartum plan

to managing sleep schedules and self-care routines. Whether you're a planner by nature or feeling overwhelmed, this workbook will empower you to navigate parenthood confidently. For those seeking more personalized support, my private Preparing for Parenthood or Postpartum Planning consultations dive deeper into your own unique needs and concerns. In these sessions, you'll receive personalized guidance and support to get you fully prepared for parenthood. From crafting a postpartum

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plan tailored to your family's unique needs, developing practical strategies for managing sleep, feeding, and self-care. And then we build a support network to ensure that you feel connected and cared for during this critical time. Best part is I'm going to be there to help guide you every step of the way. Let's hit on those key takeaways for one more time because let's be honest, between type changes and coffee refills, we could all use a little recourse. We talked about the three different types of pre-natal classes today.

The first was childbirth education. Knowledge is power, friends. The more you know about labor, the less it feels like a scene from a sci-fi movie. The second was breastfeeding and feeding support. Whether it is breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or formula, having a plan and some skills will save your sanity. Believe me. And third is newborn care, diapers, baths, and soothing because you do not want to be Googling how to swaddle at 3 a.m. Believe me, I've done it.

And let's not forget the most overrated benefit of prenatal classes, confidence. Knowing what to expect and having a support network makes all the difference. If you're feeling like traditional prenatal classes leave a little too much to the imagination when it comes to postpartum life, I've got you covered with my Preparing for Parenthood workbook and personalized consultations. Just head over to my website at DulaDev.com to learn more.

And before you go, I want you to remember that you are not alone in this wild ride, all parent head. I'm here to help you navigate it with confidence, joy, and maybe a little bit of caffeine induced chaos. Thank you for listening and we'll see you next time.