 You have a positive pregnancy test.
Now what? There’s a moment—sometimes quiet, sometimes overwhelming—when you realize everything has just changed. Whether this pregnancy was long-awaited or a complete surprise, you might be feeling joy, disbelief, gratitude, fear, often all at once. And that's okay. Take a breath. You don’t have to have it all figured out today. Early pregnancy is less about doing everything “right” and more about settling into the reality that your body is beginning an incredibly beautiful process. In these first days and weeks, one of the most important things you can do is begin building your support system. That includes choosing your care provider, whether that’s an OB-GYN, midwife, or a combination of both, and scheduling your first prenatal appointment. This visit typically happens around 8–10 weeks, though some providers will see you sooner depending on your history. At that appointment, you can expect a mix of medical history questions, lab work, and possibly your first ultrasound. It can feel like a lot, especially if this is your first time navigating the healthcare system in pregnancy, so don’t hesitate to write down questions ahead of time. You deserve to feel informed, heard, and supported from the very beginning. Meanwhile, your body is doing intense behind-the-scenes work, and the first trimester can be humbling. Fatigue isn’t just “being tired”. It can feel like your body is asking you to slow down in a way you’re not used to. Nausea, food aversions, bloating, headaches, and emotional ups and downs are all common. Give yourself permission to adjust your expectations. Eat what you can tolerate, when you can tolerate it. Small, frequent meals often help, as does staying hydrated, even if that means sipping water slowly throughout the day. Ginger, vitamin B6, and rest can be supportive, but most of all, listen to your body. This is not the season to push through at full speed. Sharing your news is another layer to navigate, and there’s no universal timeline. Some families choose to tell close loved ones right away, while others wait until after the first trimester. Both choices are valid. Consider who you would want in your corner if things felt uncertain—that can help guide your decision. When it comes to work, you are not obligated to share immediately unless your job involves physical risks or requires early accommodations. When you do share, it can be helpful to come prepared with a general idea of your needs, even if they’re minimal at first. Your partner, if you have one, may be experiencing their own mix of emotions, and this is a beautiful time to begin growing together in this journey. Support in early pregnancy often looks simple but meaningful. Helping with meals, picking up extra responsibilities when you’re exhausted, attending appointments when possible and creating space for open conversations. Encouragement, patience and presence go a long way. This is also a great time to start learning together—about pregnancy, birth options, and what kind of experience you both hope to create. If you’ve walked this road before, this pregnancy may feel familiar in some ways and completely new in others. Expanding your family, especially going from one child to two, brings a different kind of preparation. There’s the emotional piece of knowing your firstborn will no longer be your only, and the practical reality of managing your energy while still parenting. You may feel a pull between savoring your time with your older child and preparing for what’s ahead. Invite them into the journey in age-appropriate ways by talking about the baby, reading books together and letting them feel involved. At the same time, be gentle with yourself. Parenting while pregnant can be physically and emotionally demanding, and it’s okay if this season looks different than your first. You might also find yourself thinking more intentionally about postpartum this time around. What support did you wish you had before? What would make the transition smoother for your family now? These are important questions worth sitting with early. Above all, know this: you don’t have to do pregnancy perfectly. There is no gold standard of how you should feel or what you should be doing at every moment. There is only your body, your baby, and your unfolding story. Surround yourself with care, stay curious, and give yourself grace as you step into this new chapter. Ready to have support from day one? Reach out to schedule a complimentary consultation and learn more about doula services, birth planning, and postpartum support.
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 As the holidays approach, many of us feel the excitement of family gatherings, the joy of giving, and the peace of rest. Yet for some in the Triangle area community, particularly those who are undocumented, unhoused, or facing food insecurity, the season may be bringing deep stress, uncertainty, and loneliness. This year, let’s expand what “giving back” means. Let’s lean into compassion, solidarity, and justice. Even small actions can help make our community safer, more welcoming, and more resilient.
Below is a guide to meaningful ways to support your neighbors during the holidays, especially those who might otherwise be vulnerable to ICE detention, homelessness, or lack of reliable food. Supporting Immigrant and Undocumented Neighbors a) Align with Local Advocacy Groups
Helping Those Without Stable Housing a) Support Local Homelessness Nonprofits
Addressing Food Insecurity in the Triangle a) Volunteer with Hunger-Relief Organizations
Building Long-Term Solidarity: Beyond the Holidays
This holiday season, giving back doesn’t have to look like expensive gifts or grand gestures. Sometimes the most profound impact comes from being present, offering time, empathy, and solidarity to neighbors who face real risk, instability, or hunger. Whether you help accompany someone to a court hearing, donate meals, or volunteer to sort food boxes, your actions reverberate: they affirm dignity, build trust, and strengthen our shared community. Let us remember: the holidays are not just about receiving. they’re an invitation to serve. Let’s lean in and come together. Your time, support and compassion can be a gift that changes lives.  One of my past birth clients enjoying the Golden Hour with her son When we think about the moment a baby enters the world, it’s easy to focus on the birth itself. But there’s a critical period immediately afterward that has profound benefits for both the newborn and the birthing parent: The Golden Hour. What is the Golden Hour?
The "Golden Hour" refers to the first 60 minutes after birth, though many experts advocate for extended uninterrupted bonding during the first two hours. During this time, the newborn is placed skin-to-skin on the birthing parent’s chest without unnecessary interruptions. This sacred window is a time of powerful physical, emotional, and biological connection that lays the foundation for bonding, breastfeeding, and long-term health. The Benefits of the Golden Hour 1. Promotes bonding and emotional connection Skin-to-skin contact in the first hour helps trigger the release of oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” which strengthens the bond between parent and baby and reduces stress and anxiety for both. 2. Supports breastfeeding initiation Babies are born with instincts to breastfeed. During the Golden Hour, many newborns will crawl to the breast and latch on their own—this is known as the "breast crawl." Early breastfeeding initiation is linked to improved long-term breastfeeding success and maternal milk supply. 3. Regulates baby’s vital signs Being held skin-to-skin helps the baby maintain stable body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. It also supports healthy blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of hypothermia. 4. Encourages healthy gut and immune function When breastfeeding is initiated during the Golden Hour, babies receive colostrum—the nutrient- and antibody-rich first milk—which helps populate the newborn's gut with beneficial bacteria and supports immune development. 5. Reduces crying and improves sleep Babies held skin-to-skin tend to cry less and sleep more peacefully. They are more calm and alert, which supports early learning and attachment. How Hospitals and Providers Can Support the Golden Hour To protect this vital period, hospitals and care providers can: 1. Prioritize uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact- Ensure that the baby is placed skin-to-skin on the birthing parent's chest immediately after birth, ideally before any routine procedures like weighing or bathing (unless there is a medical emergency). Encourage uninterrupted contact for at least the first hour. 2. Delay non-urgent interventions- Non-essential tasks such as newborn exams, vitamin K shots, and footprints can usually wait. Allow these to be done while the baby remains skin-to-skin or after the Golden Hour is complete. 3. Support breastfeeding initiation- Provide lactation support during this time, if needed, but avoid interfering with the natural process of the baby finding and latching onto the breast. 4. Educate families prenatally- Hospitals can offer prenatal classes or materials explaining the Golden Hour and encouraging families to include it in their birth plans. 5. Respect parental wishes- Encourage open communication and ask families if they have preferences around the Golden Hour. Include it as part of standard birth protocols unless medically contraindicated. 6. Train staff- All members of the care team—OBs, midwives, nurses, and pediatricians—should understand the importance of this hour and collaborate to protect it. The Golden Hour isn’t just a feel-good practice, it’s a science-backed, deeply human approach to beginning life outside the womb. With just a bit of planning and support, hospitals and care teams can make this moment as peaceful, bonding, and beneficial as possible. If you're preparing for birth, talk to your provider about your wishes for the Golden Hour, and consider adding it to your birth plan. It’s a small window of time with lifelong impact.  Welcoming a new baby is one of life’s most exciting milestones, but preparing for parental leave from work can be overwhelming without a clear plan. Whether you’re giving birth, adopting, or welcoming a child through surrogacy, it’s essential to take the time to plan your leave thoroughly so you can focus on your growing family without unnecessary stress. Use the following guidelines to help you plan a smooth transition into and out of parental leave: 1. Understand Your Rights and Benefits- Start by learning what parental leave policies apply to you:
2. Plan Your Finances- Parental leave may mean a change in income, so financial planning is key:
3. Talk to Your Employer Early- Give your employer ample notice so they can support your transition:
4. Create a Work Transition Plan- Ensure your role is covered while you're away:
5. Prepare Emotionally and Mentally- Taking leave from work, especially for the first time, can be emotionally complex:
6. Plan Your Return- Returning to work is part of the transition:
Planning for parental leave takes effort, but it pays off by creating a smoother, more confident experience for both you and your workplace. With clear communication, thoughtful preparation, and some flexibility, you can enjoy your leave knowing everything is under control and be better prepared for the transition back to work when the time comes. Did you know? Best of Both Worlds Doula Services can help you with the logistics of parental leave. Whether it's telling your employer about your pregnancy, planning your leave from work and preparing for the fourth trimester or even your return to work, BOBWDS will help you through it all. Schedule a consultation to learn more.   Induction- the process of bringing on childbirth by artificial means, typically by the use of drugs. When most people hear the word “induction,” their minds often go to ceremonies, job promotions, or the start of something significant. It’s a word that implies a beginning, often marked by formality and intention. But in the birth world, “induction of labor” can carry very different connotations—often emotional, sometimes overwhelming, and deeply personal. For many expectant parents, the idea of medical induction can stir up a mix of emotions: relief, anxiety, disappointment, fear, or even excitement. Some may have envisioned a spontaneous onset of labor—the dramatic moment when contractions begin naturally, perhaps after their water breaks or in the middle of the night. The idea of scheduling or medically initiating labor can feel like a departure from that imagined, more "organic" experience. But for others, especially those facing medical concerns or overdue pregnancies, induction may feel like a welcome, even life-saving, intervention. Let's break down what medical induction and augmentation of labor actually involve, what you can expect during the process, and the risks and benefits you should be aware of when navigating this part of the childbirth journey. What Is Medical Induction of Labor? Medical induction of labor is the process of using medications or other methods to stimulate uterine contractions before natural labor begins, with the goal of delivering the baby vaginally. It’s often recommended when continuing the pregnancy poses a greater risk than delivering the baby. Some common reasons for induction include:
Methods of Induction There are several methods used to induce labor, and the approach your care provider recommends will depend on your cervical readiness (measured by something called the Bishop score) and the specific circumstances of your pregnancy. Here are the most commonly used methods:
What Is Augmentation of Labor? Augmentation is similar to induction but refers to enhancing labor that has already started naturally but is not progressing effectively. This often involves:
What to Expect During the Process Induction can take time--sometimes hours or even days, depending on how ready the cervix is and how the body responds. Here’s a general idea of what to expect:
Risks and Considerations While induction and augmentation are common and often safe, they are not without potential risks. These may include:
 It’s important to discuss these risks with your provider and understand the benefit-risk balance in your unique situation.
Medical induction and augmentation of labor are powerful tools in modern obstetrics. For some, they are essential and life-saving. For others, they represent an unexpected turn in a carefully imagined birth plan. Whatever the reason for induction, being informed and supported is key. Ask questions. Advocate for your preferences where possible. Surround yourself with a team that listens and respects your values. And remember: whether your labor begins on its own or with some medical assistance, the ultimate goal is a safe, healthy delivery for both you and your baby. If you’ve experienced an induction or are preparing for one, feel free to share your story or ask questions in the comments. Birth looks different for everyone and every story matters. |
About the AuthorKelly Collins Archives
May 2026
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