Learning Lab
Resource Library
Every handout, link and tool from our Learning Lab videos, organized by topic in one place.
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Childbirth Education BasicsTambién en español →
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Cesarean BirthTambién en español →
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Breastfeeding BasicsTambién en español →
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Newborn EssentialsTambién en español →
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Postpartum RecoveryTambién en español →
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Clases en español
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Preparación para el parto: lo básicoChildbirth Education Basics · in Spanish
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Parto por cesáreaCesarean Birth · in Spanish
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Lactancia materna básicaBreastfeeding Basics · in Spanish
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Cuidados básicos del recién nacidoNewborn Essentials · in Spanish
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Recuperación pospartoPostpartum Recovery · in Spanish
Crisis Support
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
1-833-852-6262 (1-833-TLC-MAMA)Free and confidential, 24/7. Call or text.
Postpartum Support International HelpLine
1-800-944-4773Pregnancy & Prenatal5 resources⌄
- Aviva Romm: Natural PregnancyArticlesArticles on natural pregnancy from Dr. Aviva Romm.
- Spinning Babies Week by WeekWebsiteWeek-by-week pregnancy guidance from Spinning Babies.
- Plus Size BirthWebsiteResources and support for plus-size pregnancy and birth.
- How to Count the KicksVideoHow to track your baby’s movements during pregnancy.
- MotherToBabyWebsiteInformation on medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Also available in Spanish.
Labor & Birth Support13 resources⌄
- Stages & Phases of LaborVideoAn 8-minute overview of the stages and phases of labor.
- The Painless PushWebsiteInformation on epidurals and pain relief in labor.
- Mother’s AdvocateWebsiteMaterials for a better birth.
- Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM)WebsiteA national program working to make maternal health care safer.
- Every Mother CountsWebsiteA nonprofit working to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother.
- Birth Plan TemplatePDFA printable birth plan to fill out (BabyCenter).
- Trauma-Informed Birth PlanPDFA birth plan designed with trauma survivors in mind.
- Natural InductionVideoWhat the evidence says about natural induction methods (Evidence Based Birth).
- Protecting the PerineumVideo SeriesA video series on protecting the perineum during birth.
- EBB Advocacy Role PlayVideoA 3-minute advocacy role play from Evidence Based Birth.
- Birth Monopoly: Reproductive RightsWebsiteInformation on rights in childbirth.
- Birth By The NumbersWebsiteBoston-based birth research, with cesarean and birth data by state.
- Find Your Hospital’s Safety & Cesarean StatsWebsiteHospital safety grades and ratings from The Leapfrog Group.
Cesarean Birth & VBAC11 resources⌄
- What Is a Family-Centered/Gentle Cesarean?VideoA 90-second video from Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
- Tips for Gentle Cesarean PlanningArticleHow to plan for a gentle or family-centered cesarean (Lamaze).
- Questions to Consider for Birth PreferencesArticleWriting a family-centered cesarean birth plan (Motherlove).
- Evidence for Skin-to-Skin After a CesareanArticleWhat the research says about skin-to-skin care after a cesarean (Evidence Based Birth).
- Enhanced Recovery After Cesarean (ERAC)VideoA 2.5-minute video on recovering after a cesarean.
- Chewing Gum After Cesarean SectionArticleResearch on whether chewing gum helps bowel function recover faster after a cesarean (Cochrane).
- Cesarean Scar Self-MassageVideoA guided demonstration of cesarean scar self-massage.
- Cesarean Scar Care Info SheetPDFHow to care for a cesarean scar during healing.
- Belly BindingArticleUsing a postpartum belly wrap (Cleveland Clinic).
- VBAC.comWebsiteInformation and support for vaginal birth after cesarean.
- The Evidence on VBACPodcastEvidence Based Birth episode 113 on the research behind VBAC.
Breastfeeding & Lactation3 resources⌄
- Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to BreastfeedingVideoBreastfeeding guidance from pediatrician Dr. Jack Newman.
- Global Breastfeeding Collective: Ten StepsWebsiteThe Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.
- La Leche League InternationalWebsiteBreastfeeding resources and support.
Postpartum4 resources⌄
- Examples of Global Postpartum Cultural CarePDFHow postpartum care is practiced in cultures around the world.
- Nina’s Favorite Postpartum ProductsPDFRecommended products for postpartum recovery.
- Pull-On Belly BinderProductA pull-on postpartum belly binder (Amazon).
- How to Make PadsiclesArticleStep-by-step guide to making frozen pads for postpartum comfort (Healthline).
Newborn Care14 resources⌄
- The Golden Hour and Skin-to-SkinVideoThe first hour after birth and why skin-to-skin contact matters.
- The First Hour After Birth: A Baby’s 9 Instinctive StagesWebsiteThe nine instinctive stages a newborn moves through in the first hour.
- 9 Stages ChartPDFA one-page chart of the nine stages (NHS).
- What Is Vernix & Why Is It Important?ArticleResearch on the protective coating on a newborn’s skin (National Library of Medicine).
- Evidence Based Birth Signature Articles for BabyPDFEvidence Based Birth’s signature articles on newborn topics.
- How to Swaddle a BabyVideoA 5-minute step-by-step swaddling demonstration.
- Milk & Moon BabiesWebsiteEvidence-based information on baby sleep.
- Global Health Media ProjectVideosInformation and teaching videos.
- Baby Formula ExpertWebsiteInformation on different formulas.
- CDC: Formula Preparation & StorageWebsiteHow to safely prepare and store infant formula.
- Brazelton Touchpoints CenterWebsiteInformation for new parents.
- National Coalition for Infant HealthWebsiteInformation for parents of premature babies.
- Common Newborn Questions & ConcernsGoogle DocAnswers to questions families often ask about their newborn.
- InfantRisk CenterWebsiteInformation on medication safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Baby Safety & Home5 resources⌄
- Preventing Shaken Baby SyndromeWebsiteInformation for new parents (American SPCC).
- Car Seat Safety TipsWebsiteChoosing and installing a car seat safely (Safe Kids Worldwide).
- The Car Seat LadyWebsiteCar seat information for new parents.
- Car Seat Inspection & The Right Seat (NHTSA)WebsiteChoosing the right car seat and getting help checking your installation.
- Dogs and BabiesWebsitePreparing your dog for a new baby (ASPCA).
Parenting & Family Support5 resources⌄
- Single Parent AdvocateWebsiteSupport and resources for single parents.
- National Fatherhood InitiativeWebsiteResources and support for dads.
- Military Birth Resource NetworkWebsiteSupport and resources for military families during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
- WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)WebsiteNutrition support for pregnant and postpartum families and young children (USDA).
- Healthy Families AmericaWebsiteHome visiting and parenting support for families with new babies and young children.
Mental Health & Wellness7 resources⌄
- PSI Online Support MeetingsWebsiteFree online peer support groups from Postpartum Support International, led by trained facilitators.
- MGH Center for Women’s Mental HealthWebsiteInformation and research on women’s mental health, including during pregnancy and postpartum (Massachusetts General Hospital).
- MCPAP for MomsWebsiteMassachusetts program supporting perinatal mental health during pregnancy and the first year postpartum.
- Open Path Collective: Affordable CounselingWebsiteLow-cost counseling and therapy.
- Prevention and Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth (PATTCh)WebsiteResources on preventing and treating traumatic birth experiences.
- Pregnancy Loss (Stillbirthday)WebsiteSupport and resources for families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss.
- Postpartum Recovery After LossWebsitePhysical and emotional recovery after pregnancy or infant loss (Liz Winters Wellness).
Professional Guidelines4 resources⌄
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)WebsiteNational clinical guidelines for OB-GYNs.
- American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)WebsiteNational guidelines for certified nurse-midwives.
- American Academy of Pediatrics: HealthyChildren.orgWebsiteGuidance from pediatricians for parents and families.
- Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP)WebsiteConsensus statements and advisories on anesthesia care in pregnancy and birth.
Recommended Books14 resources⌄
- The Birth PartnerBookA Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Partners, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions, by Penny Simkin.
- When Survivors Give BirthBookA book by Penny Simkin on supporting survivors of abuse through pregnancy and birth.
- Killing the Black BodyBookRace, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty, by Dorothy Roberts.
- The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of AnswersBookBy Dr. Jack Newman and Teresa Pitman.
- Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete GuideBookBy Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley and Ann Keppler.
- Ina May’s Guide to ChildbirthBookBy Ina May Gaskin.
- The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New MotherBookBy Heng Ou.
- Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Early Motherhood—and Trusting Yourself and Your BodyBookBy Erica Chidi Cohen.
- Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New MothersBookBy Karen Kleiman.
- Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth PreparationBookBy Pam England and Rob Horowitz.
- Dog’s First BabyBookBy Natalie Nelson.
- Good to Be Grand: Making the Most of Your Grandchild’s First YearBookFor grandparents.
- Waiting for BabyBookBy Rachel Fuller. A picture book for soon-to-be big brothers and sisters.
- Mama’s BellyBookBy Kate Hosford, illustrated by Abigail Halpin.