These educational resources were created to help support women’s health, nutrition, pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, and overall wellness. Many of these documents started as school projects, client handouts, or educational materials during my training and years in birth work, and this library will continue growing over time as I create and update more resources.
My goal is to provide helpful, easy-to-access education all in one place for individuals and families looking looking for additional information and support. I also plan to continue expanding this section in the future with updated resources, wellness tools, educational guides, and a dedicated section for teen reproductive health education, which is often underserved and difficult to access.
These resources are currently free to access and may be shared with others who may benefit from them. Some older documents or outside links may occasionally become outdated as materials continue to be reviewed and updated over time.
These documents are for educational purposes only and are not medical advice or a replacement for care from your healthcare provider. Always speak with your provider before beginning anything new or making medical decisions.
This document covers notifying your employer, safety measures, traveling, workers rights, and resources.
This covers what to expect at each gestation for growth of your baby and changes in your body systems.
This covers many common discomforts of pregnancy and things to try to fix them.
This is a video recording of me explaining ways to prepare for a newborn like sleep, car seat safety, pediatrician, and more.
Here are the references for links I mentioned-
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Te9RzXkYTQuh-T5z78rrMU5phVkD_B59MX4L1gZVOgY/edit?usp=sharing
This is a resource for dental care in pregnacy and much more information.
https://www.byte.com/community/resources/article/dental-care-guide-pregnant-women-babies/
Dental care options for Medicaid adults in Yakima are
Apple Valley Family Dental- Yakima
Community Health of Central Washington- Ellensburg
For fast newborn evaluations for tongue ties- Central Washington Pediatric Dentistry- Yakima.
Unsure of what to do with your placenta or just haven't considered that there are options? Check out this document for a large list of options!
Placenta Encapsulation
Thinking about having your other children involved in your birth? Check out this document for lots of considerations and how to prepare them.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wwkSgXtDkzJUBTjho4XfB9pxrd7oO3c3hpqoYBBmoJ0/edit?usp=sharing
This is a side by side comparison of the two. This gives details of what each one offers.
This is a very detailed guide for anything you could want to know about hormones, the movements your baby makes to maneuver your pelvis, the stages of labor, and immediate postpartum. This was a group project with credit given for each section.
This covers the benefits of downsides to common diets like vegan, vegetarian, keto, and paleo.
This discusses the health and needs of important minerals in the body such as Calcium, Iron, Iodine, Magnesium, and Zinc.
These micros complement many others. This covers Choline, Glycine, Omega-3, and Probiotics.
This presentation covers the micronutrients A, B6, B9, B12, and D.
This is a close relationship between Macros and Micros and helps them work together to best help your body.
This is about what to look for, goals to try to focus on, recipes, and more!
This discusses what important vitamins to look for, levels to look for, and suggestions for brands based on need.
This is a 3 day meal plan only using WIC approved foods to get a balance of macro and micro nutrients.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zgsbyJxunQiosE8ZxHXM2v8ZiORG3rB6i64MRV6pHgk/edit?usp=sharing
This discusses SNAP or EBT benefits, TANF (Temporary assistance for needy families), and some food banks available in Yakima.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14APOASEEt22BPtPA0sSWqbuUhx9u9wX0jVl8UW5NsCY/edit?usp=sharing
This covers all the information you could want for creating a birth plan and if you need to create a birth plan at all. Everyone organizes these differently but try to avoid paragraphs and use more of bullet points in list form that is quick and easy for a provider to read what is important to you.
This covers many positions just to hang out in if labor is progressing well. This also covers what to do for weird labor presentations and back labor. I recommend printing this out close to labor and trying these positions to see what is comfortable and circle those, cross out ones that are not. Then you can bring this with you or have it for labor for ideas of positions to try. Sometimes positions you don't like are needed to help labor progress or to turn a baby into a better position.
This document is for helping partners be involved and understand what is going on with their partner better.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FmGAiAxwi_hOF48vKuLr-UxRtpmI-j7pf4r4kCtL-88/edit?usp=sharing
This covers some of the things I do. This is meant for partners who want to be really involved, having a family member be your doula who doesn't have a lot of experience or because you didn't want to hire a doula, or for new doulas who are trying to learn some tricks.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uvRrv4iwvMudF0hS3qckfMipakCZUyZIUwQ-8lY9R0U/edit?usp=sharing
There are so many different breathing techniques but I generally focus on just deep breathing. I say start with a deep breath at the beginning of a contraction and let it out slow while relaxing. Do this again in the middle and end of each contraction with reminders to let your body relax and to take a break between. Verbal reminders and affirmations can be helpful between breaths as you are struggling. Practice while you poop with breathing and relaxing as it is the closest thing to pushing.
Here are some more techniques to practice:
These are a variety of videos for various purposes. These include various birth videos some graphic some not. All are detailed next to the video about why I recommend that video.
This one covers all the things you could pack for a hospital bag, and how to decide what you actually need since everyone is different.
This is good for planned cesareans, VBAC moms, or if you just want to have a plan and information just in case so it isn't as big of a change.
Here is a list of supplies needed for a home birth and some optional things that can also be helpful.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/15EsKnQPqlG8JDDEAWHaF8531w6mO4YlSbngm7G8cvhI/edit?usp=sharing
This document covers cleaning, childcare, visitors, space, supplies, and in case of emergencies.
There is a large amount of natural pain relief options some are simple such as moving your body, others are more complex such as acupressure. Here is a complex list with links for pain relief options to look further into.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OZwdQXnL2JQJyYAdS5NGZMtSl-0VaTydfnxMBHH1QrA/edit?usp=sharing
This document will cover what GBS prophylaxis is and what options are available in your test positive. This will also have a wonderful decision making tool embedded
Here are detailed descriptions for genetic testing. Some are diagnostic and some are just screenings.
This document discusses why AROM is considered, what it is, how it is done, and risks and benefits.
This document is more from a provider perspective, but still has lots of good information about the relevance and risks why it is recommended.
This section is currently being developed to help individuals and families better understand common prenatal testing, procedures, interventions, and care options throughout pregnancy. The goal is to provide supportive, easy-to-understand education that helps families feel more informed and confident when making decisions alongside their healthcare providers.
Thank you for your patience and support as this educational library continues to grow.
This is just a photo with a few simple steps for breastfeeding.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rvaWu-FyUr9HzulqTR_KYkr8igCcRBkk/view?usp=sharing
This covers positions to nurse in, how to get a good latch, how to tell if your baby is hungry, and much more.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Bilv9WOYYB7F9fG5Cm21mkTC4lsj86-fBd2CE3eyAY/edit?usp=sharing
This covers lactation consultants, all sorts of breastfeeding videos, helpful tips and tricks, etc.
This covers proper weight gain, signs of a full baby, normal diaper output, and reasons to call a pediatrician.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hLSG-i8jkPF2Hw0tJx_lgBFgmAFsGKxZ/view?usp=sharing
Got Milk? Too much to be specific? This is the presentation for you. This covers causes, treatment options to ask your provider about, and things you can try.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/199CEbFl34JAgqDHNfeX2lYS7QlY6Jime/view?usp=sharing
If you have sore tender spots where milk has collected, otherwise known as plugged ducts then this document will help you unclog them and get some relief or help you tell if its turned to mastitis and you need more help. If you get fever/chills, a red wedge on your breast, or severe pain you may need a doctor for infection.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pfRMeaBxvEmHEIHmQGvmqsPdtnztdg0b/view?usp=sharing
This document is to know if something is going well or is you might be struggling with something breastfeeding. They are side by side comparisons. Stay in touch on this one, I plan to update it soon with problem solving ideas.
Concerned about something being in your breastmilk from an over-the-counter drug or herb? Perhaps the safety of something prescribed? Then check out Lactmed. It gives detailed descriptions of most substances in relation to their safety for breastfeeding and is easy to use.
This is a very detailed and more medicalized explanation of what each of these are, how they occur, risk factors for it, treatment, and more.
*Graphic photos warning*
Benefits and downsides to both. There is no wrong way to feed your baby only what is right for your family.
This describes HSV in general and some breastfeeding specific considerations and treatments if an outbreak occurs.
This is a set of instructions for the first night home and the next few days postpartum or even longer. Reasons something is concerning or normal and what to pay attention to for you and baby. Your midwife or OBGYN will have given the same or similar instructions before departure.
This is a comprehensive list of items you could buy or prepare for postpartum, however it needs to be individualized. No one needs all of these, this list is meant to trigger thoughts of something you may have wanted but didn't think about and others you don't personally feel are needed. Postpartum can be minimal or extensive preparation based on your own needs.
This document discusses many ways to prepare your postpartum items, space, company, etc. It also discusses common problems and solutions.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11jE2YKqWWnRIzd3DDnu85HoI5Flrj0iGVYx4PGoIm4A/edit?usp=sharing
This has recipes for padsicles, baths, and foods. The food and smoothie recipes are links to other pages who made helpful lists of healing recipes, lactation ones, 5-ingredient, and ayurvedic recipes.
This is a document describing how and when to reach out with concerns and how to identify if you have a mood disorder postpartum which is more common than many people think and a variety of emotions. Partners can also have postpartum mood disorders not just the birthing person. This document is not finished for resources, but will be soon.
This document is for partners to work on feeling connected and bonding during pregnancy and postpartum. It can be challenging during postpartum and naturally a divide can occur from sleep loss, busy new lives with a baby, and feelings overwhelmed or touched out from caring for a baby full-time. This helps offer ways to curb that and connect how you both prefer.
This is a presentation that covers the differences between menstruation and ovulation and the phases in each cycle. This will also cover the hormones involved during these phases and a few additional ones.
This document describes all birth control methods available, their efficacy, hormonal and non-hormonal, risks and benefits, safety in breastfeeding, etc. This is a great guide when considering what options you have.
Pap smears are recommended for female health routinely. Starting at age 21 every 3 years unless abnormal results, and after age 30 every 5 years until age 65. Then no more! This document describes the typical process of a pap and what is happening. I will add sometime soon more about advocating for yourself, what abnormal means, and what they are testing for and why.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12l8_I49DchtvtsTcohMS1loeWFWpZhrtUvfRrTOcIyc/edit?usp=sharing
This section is currently in development and will focus on easy-to-understand education surrounding puberty, cycles, hormones, body literacy, and reproductive wellness for teens and young women. This area of education is a personal passion of mine, as many young women are left feeling unsupported and under-educated about their bodies, cycles, and reproductive health. Future additions will include wellness tools, supportive materials, and a comprehensive teen cycle and reproductive health guide.
Thank you for your patience and support as this library continues to grow.
This is the entire class presentation. This will be expanded and recorded as a class available for viewing come September-October 2024.
This is meant to teach basic childbirth education and give more resources for self-learners and visual learners. There is a large part on advocating and your rights at the bottom.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mF0Ck58CQ7Wq2eEXxUyqNDwbGgcyHyQAf43OyaNmC9w/edit?usp=sharing
Educational video content is currently in development and will include supportive, easy-to-understand topics surrounding pregnancy, postpartum recovery, women’s wellness, reproductive health, and educational walkthroughs for commonly asked questions and concerns.
Thank you for your patience and support as this educational library continues to grow.
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