S2, Ep.22: Stress & trauma during pregnancy: the role of the birth worker with Ja'Neen Jenkins Washington

08/04/23 • 62 min

Stress and trauma. We hear that we shouldn’t stress during pregnancy. That stress is bad for our health. But how can we take an action-based approach to stress and trauma reduction and nervous system regulation? What are the options provided for someone struggling with Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) apart from medications? How can we, as birth professionals, identify and encourage a client to seek support? Is there a way that we can *actually* address the poor maternal health outcomes that are only getting worse in our society? And, how can we address our own stress and trauma so that we do not take it into our work.

In this episode we’re joined by Ja'Neen Jenkins Washington to chat about all things stress and trauma during pregnancy. Touching also on how our society is set up in a way that disproportionately impacts black and brown families. How can we help? Racism is deeply rooted and can affect not only the physical outcomes of a birth but also the mental health outcomes of these populations.
Ja'Neen brings us some really important and helpful ideas. She’s someone we should all get to know. The amazing work she’s doing is combining mind and body to help the perinatal population to thrive. She takes an individualized, client-focused approach to stress and trauma. Bringing together mental health, somatic body awareness, and so much more to provide her clients with a holistic experience. Stacks the cards in their favor for a better experience.
We also discuss how critical it is that birth pros do more than just ask their clients to meditate or take deep breaths for dealing with stress. It’s important for birth workers to have their own inner resources and coping strategies. And, we discuss the importance of the post birth ritual in helping birth workers to find joy in their job and avoid the burnout that is so prevalent in our industry. Let’s shift the paradigm, together!
Website: https://www.covered318.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/covered318/Show Notes: Covered Services | BRM® Professional Training

Previous Episode

S2, Ep21: The embodied approach to the body and movement with Lauren Ohayon

Today we chat with Lauren Ohayon, creator of Restore Your Core® and co-creator of Body Ready Method®! This is a candid conversation about the embodied approach.

How do we meet our clients where they’re at and empower them to experience new patterns in their body? And do it in a way that does not induce shame, blame and negative thought patterns. How do we shift the "right vs. wrong" narrative? Too often, we think we are suppose to rush in, take charge and “save” our clients. This puts them in the same place that the modern industrial medical complex puts them. They end up outsourcing their own inner knowing, wisdom and embodiment to a perceived expert.
Diastasis recti during pregnancy is expected, so why do we need core and pelvic floor prehab and rehab work? We talk about how society makes pregnant and postpartum people think that their body is not good enough. And the notion that there is always some ‘work’ to do.
With great knowledge comes great responsibility. Lauren and I discuss the importance, as professionals, of both understanding and being able to assess and work with clients through the deep scientific lens of movement patterns. And, doing so in an empowering way that firmly places the power back into the hands of the human in front of us. How do we educate and train our clients without inducing fear, hyper-vigilance and self blame? How do we educate and train our clients in the embodied approach? I invite you to listen in on this conversation.
This episode also shares more about the background story of how Lauren and I came to join forces. We truly feel we are here to bring this work to the world and we hope our work embodies our passion!

Website: https://restoreyourcore.com/
Facebook Private Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/restoreyourcore
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelaurenohayon/
Show Notes: https://restoreyourcore.com/professional-training/

Next Episode

S2, Ep.23: Advocacy in the birthing room with Denise Bolds

In this episode we sit down and chat about birth advocacy, prenatal prep, postpartum healing and much more with experienced doula and BRM® Faculty, Denise Bolds!

Denise shares her family history and what brought her into birth work. We discuss what is important to know for your client and for you as a doula, before going into a birth where you are not sure the doctor and the client are on the same page. How do we strategize for an optimal birth outcome? What do we do when we see the provider is going against the client’s wishes?
We also discuss birth advocacy. How to actually support your clients to advocate for what they want for their birth. How can we truly shift the paradigm of birth? And, what it looks like to doula through a medically complex birth or in a less than supportive environment. How much is too much advocacy? Should we speak on the birthing person’s behalf? Do we just come in with guns blazing or is there a different approach that tends to work better?
We come together and also discuss the importance of prenatal prep, communication, education, and collaboration between the birthing person, their support team and their care providers. Denise shares about the importance of making hospitals more ‘family friendly.’ Ensuring that not only are they designed to support the baby and the birthing person but also the support team.
How do we address the racial disparity in postpartum healing? As a birthworker, what is our role in supporting postpartum people? Should we really leave new parents alone until the first check-up at 6 weeks postpartum? Denise also shares incredible wisdom and insight on what role, if any, the insurance companies have to play in shifting the paradigm and culture of pregnancy, birth, and postnatal recovery.
Join us for this powerful episode!
Website: https://www.bolddoula.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bolddoula/
Show notes: https://www.blackwomendovbac.com/ | https://bodyreadymethod.com/