birthED

08/26/2026

NEW ON THE BLOG!

Thank you to this family for sharing their birth story in an incredibly empowering and thoughtful description of their homebirth with a nonemergent transfer. It makes all the difference when the teams are working together to ensure safe and reliable transfer from homebirth when needed. The story is illustrated beautifully by Sierra Gaitán-Hegstrom and the words of the family. Check it out in our link in bio!

08/13/2026

We also can’t believe we are talking about September class offerings but here we are!!! We have limited availability in Sunday Lamaze for BOTH September et and October so lock up your spot early in those months if you’re a or expecting a 🍂 or ❄️

08/05/2026

The long awaited due date post! Seeing an influx of people in my classroom and Doula clients that are extremely concerned about going past 39 or 40 weeks 🤷🏻‍♀️ spoiler alert everyone this is entirely normal. Settle in, look at the data, talk to trusted people in your life - your provider and your Doula - we got you 💪🏼💪🏼.

08/03/2026

The world just gained 11 new DONA International trained thoughtful, kind, hilarious, wise and grounded new doulas ❤️❤️❤️ the night before training. I was sitting with some friends talking about how I was trying to gather the energy to get through three full days of training. It feels similar to beginning a long run or dauntingly difficult project. But I told this group just as I’m telling you now 30 minutes into this training and I felt so inspired by their hopefulness eagerness and interest in each other and in the world that the work seemed easy and I was sad to see them go.

07/30/2026

COMING SOON - to an Instagram reel near you. The long awaited “when did you go into spontaneous labor” completely unofficial not quotable or an ethical sample size chart!

07/21/2026

Heyo! We updated the times for our summer workshops to accommodate more due dates. We moved VBAC prep to August 8th so if the previous date did not work for you now it’s your chance! Only two spots left in our express class if you have interest and want some refresher education.

07/18/2026

Keep pushing for collaboration and partnership in the birth room. It’s worth it and families get better care ❤️

Doula Liz Hochman thinks of herself as a trail guide.

Helping families navigate pregnancy, birth and early parenthood with confidence is what she does best. But doulas haven't always been viewed as part of the health care team once families arrive at the hospital.

Fairview is working to change that. Through Fairview's Birth Justice Initiative, community doulas, nurses, physicians and midwives are coming together to make birth more supportive, equitable and centered on families. Those conversations have already led to change, including expanding access for two support people during cesarean births — making it possible for many patients to have both a loved one and their doula present.

In our latest collaboration with the Star Tribune's MN Rising series, we share how listening, partnerships and trust are helping create healthier beginnings for families.

Full story in the comments.

07/06/2026

My Hands
They have held many
In strength
in purpose
With assurance and knowing
My hands
They are aged but strong
They are sore and callused
With softness and love
My hands
Have held my babies
Your babies
My breasts and yours
My hands
Could tell stories but they won’t
Could share histories and fears but they won’t
Will hold you and others
My Hands

06/13/2026

There are other ways to preserve your energy and avoid burnout I promise you. I can teach you these things in our birthED DONA International Doula trainings. I also would love to sit and chat over a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. We can figure out a way that you can manage this work without leaving people wanting you and you’re not in the room.

06/10/2026

🎉🥳🎉
Welcome back Kristen and welcome to the world baby Lewis! We have added Kristen’s cpr classes back to the schedule starting in July. Thanks to Natalie for covering during Kristen’s maternity leave.