#410: Labor Preferences, Not Birth Plan! No Apology With Doula Lia Berquist

This week, with Blyss still on the road, Stu is joined by guest co-host Raquel Hernandez as they talk to guest Lia Berquist about the importance of birth plans. Lia, a doula and birth educator, provides insights on what it takes to create a strong birth plan. She emphasizes the foundational role of comprehensive childbirth education and the need for individualized, flexible, and positively framed birth plans. The conversation touches on key preferences to include, such as avoiding unnecessary interventions, ensuring immediate and constant skin-to-skin contact, and specifying newborn care procedures.

About Lia Berquist:

Lia Berquist, is a Childbirth Educator, Doula, and birth worker. She is committed to supporting her clients physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She has given birth to two beautiful babies (who are now grown/and almost grown) herself. Both of her births were vaginal and unmedicated by choice - one in a hospital, one at home - and feels like she couldn't have done it without her doula. Lia has a Bachelors of Science in Human Environmental Sciences – which equates to commercial interior design - but childbirth has been her passion since 1998. She has been teaching childbirth classes in The Bradley Method ® in Long Beach, California since 2011. In 2012, she became a certified Doula and has since had the honor of witnessing over 350 births. It is her goal to empower women, birthing people, and their partners, through positive, evidence-based education and doula care, to give birth in the way THEY choose.

Website: https://www.yournaturalbirth.net

Instagram: @yournaturalbirth

Resources

Dr. Stu’s Informed Consent for Twin Delivery at Home

Milli Hill Substack Article, A life less apologetic

Bradley Method: bradleybirth.com

In This Episode

The Importance of Birth Plans

The Bradley Method Explained

Benefits for Dads and Birth Coaches

Choosing the Right Childbirth Class

Introducing Your Birth Plan to Your Provider

Importance of Including a Plan for C-Sections

The Do’s and Don’ts of a Birth Plan

This show is supported by

• Restorative Roots | Go to https://restorativemeals.com/ code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 10% off weekly meal plans.
• WeNatal | Go to WeNatal.com/Birthinginstincts for a free magnesium with any subscription order.
• BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness program.
• Pique Life| Go to https://piquelife.com/birthing to get 10% off for life on Pique's Herbal Teas!

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