Between Contractions

Amsy Dees + Stephanie Dawson
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Parenting

Between Contractions is a real, honest space where we talk about the hard stuff—between the hard stuff. Hosted by Amsy Dees, a certified birth and postpartum doula and Stephanie Dawson, a board-certified lactation consultant, this podcast brings together expert insight and real-life experience. Each episode is filled with practical tips, thoughtful conversations, and authentic stories designed to empower families as they navigate pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum journey.

  1. #26 - Building Psychological Capital for Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond

    6d ago

    #26 - Building Psychological Capital for Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond

    In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie introduce a concept they think every parent needs in their toolkit: psychological capital. This isn't about toxic positivity or pretending everything is fine — it's about building the real, practiced emotional resources to keep going, ask for help, adapt when plans change, and recover when things don't go the way you expected. The good news? These are skills, not personality traits. You can practice your way into a less stressful parenting journey.  The HERO framework:  Hope — Not "everything will go perfectly," but believing so deeply in your goal that you have multiple paths to get there. If your only path to feeling empowered during birth is an unmedicated delivery, an unexpected induction can leave you feeling like you failed. Building hope means recognizing there are many ways to feel empowered — even when the details change.  Efficacy — The ability to trust in yourself. Believing you have what it takes to handle what's in front of you, make informed decisions, and advocate for yourself and your baby, even in unfamiliar or scary situations.  Resilience — The ability to recover after setbacks, which are incredibly common in this season of life: birth trauma, NICU stays, painful feeding journeys, unexpected weaning, loss, postpartum struggles. Resilience is built through realistic self-talk ("this is hard and I'm still learning" instead of "I'm failing"), supportive relationships, and community — texting a trusted person instead of isolating (or asking ChatGPT). Rewriting your story over time — asking what you learned, how you advocated for yourself, what support helped — is a powerful resilience-building exercise.  Optimism — The belief that there is a light at the end of the tunnel: the baby will not be colicky forever, you will sleep again, hard situations are not permanent or all-defining. Like the other pillars, optimism is a trainable skill — which matters because chronic stress, sleep deprivation, trauma, and isolation naturally pull people toward worst-case thinking.  Download the HERO Prenatal Homework PDF: PRENATAL HERO HOMEWORK PLAN.pdf Putting it into action — small, SMART goals:  The hosts circle back to the idea that big transitions are best handled one bite at a time. When setting goals, make them SMART:  Specific  Measurable  Achievable  Relevant  Time-oriented That might look like: "I'm going to call the therapist and see if I can get on the schedule" instead of "I need to fix my mental health." One feeding at a time. One honest conversation about boundaries. One phone call.  Why it matters: Pregnancy, birth, feeding, fertility, and early parenting are deeply vulnerable experiences layered with exhaustion, identity shifts, physical recovery, and pressure to do everything right. Psychological capital won't make that season easy — but it gives you something to stand on when it gets hard. Amsy Dees - amsydeesdoula.com // instagram.com/amsydees.doula/ Stephanie Dawson -  growlakeland.com // instagram.com/grow.lakeland/   DISCLAMER: The views shared on this podcast are our own and do not represent any specific organization. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your care.

    20 min
  2. #25 - A NICU Mom's Story: Dr. Ariel Evans (Part 2)

    Jun 18

    #25 - A NICU Mom's Story: Dr. Ariel Evans (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of this conversation, Stephanie, Amsy and Dr. Ariel pick back up where they left off, moving from the birth story into the emotional terrain of NICU life, discharge, and what came after. They talk about the guilt so many NICU parents feel for stepping outside the hospital — even briefly — and why that time in the sunlight actually matters for being able to walk back in and show up fully for your baby. They get into the tension of holding two identities at once: the medical professional who understands every beep and every line, and the mom who just wants to hold her daughter. Dr. Ariel opens up about the emotions that surfaced most during her NICU stay, whether her professional background added pressure to "hold it together," and a moment that stuck with her about misjudging if her milk was even coming out — and how breastfeeding assessment is so much more nuanced than just feeling for letdown. By the end, this conversation turns into something bigger than one family's NICU stay — it becomes a reflection on resilience, identity, and what it means to mother through fear and still come out the other side. Find Dr. Ariel Evans & Wonderfull Made Physical Therapy: @wonderfully.made.pt // wonderfullymade-pt.com     Amsy Dees - amsydeesdoula.com // instagram.com/amsydees.doula/ Stephanie Dawson -  growlakeland.com // instagram.com/grow.lakeland/   DISCLAMER: The views shared on this podcast are our own and do not represent any specific organization. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your care.

    1h 4m

  3. Jun 11

    #24 - A NICU Mom's Story: Dr. Ariel Evans (Part 1)

    In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Dr. Ariel Evans — pelvic floor physical therapist, co- owner of Wonderfully Made PT, co-founder of Swann Collaborative, and one of the funniest humans you'll ever meet — to talk about something no amount of clinical training can fully prepare you for: becoming a NICU mom.  At 26 weeks pregnant, a car accident set off a chain of events that would land Arielle in an emergency C-section, a magnesium drip, and 27 hours away from her daughter before she ever got to see her. Elliana Tikvah — "My God has answered" and "hope" — came into the world at 2 pounds, 6 ounces, 13 inches long, with the most elegant fingers and toes you've ever seen.  What follows is one of the most honest conversations we've had on this podcast. Dr. Ariel doesn't just tell you what happened — she takes you into what it actually feels like to watch monitors on your own baby while your doctor brain and your mom brain are constantly fighting for control. What it's like to ask permission to touch your own child. To grieve the birth you planned while trying to show up for the one you got.  A few things that stuck with us from this episode:  The only cure for pre-eclampsia is delivery — and Dr. Ariel reflects on whether the car accident that brought her in may have actually saved her life  42 days in the NICU, and Elliana went home exactly on the day she was cleared — at 35 weeks, just under 5 pounds  NICU nurses are a different breed entirely. Angels, really.  And if you ever need to be moved from one OR table to another, for the love of god, lift with your core  Tune in next week for Part 2, where Stephanie, Amsy and Ariel go deeper into the NICU experience, feeding challenges, identity shifts, and what this journey has meant for Ariel as both a mom and a provider.    Find Dr. Ariel Evans & Wonderfull Made Physical Therapy: @wonderfully.made.pt // wonderfullymade-pt.com     Amsy Dees - @amsydees.doula // amsydeesdoula.com  Stephanie Dawson - @grow.lakeland // growlakeland.com    DISCLAMER: The views shared on this podcast are our own and do not represent any specific organization. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your care.

    44 min
  4. #23 - Pet Peeves: More Things That Drive Us Crazy (Part 2)

    Jun 4

    #23 - Pet Peeves: More Things That Drive Us Crazy (Part 2)

    Amsy and Stephanie are back with Part 2 of their pet peeves episode, and they've still got plenty to say. From old wives' tales to outdated hospital practices, here's what made the list this time around.  Pet peeves covered in Part 2:  Baby must fully empty one breast before switching to the other — This is one of those rules that gets repeated constantly but isn't a one-size-fits-all truth. Some babies do fine switching back and forth, and rigidly insisting on fully emptying one side before offering the other doesn't work for every baby or every feeding relationship. The "breast one is dinner, breast two is dessert" idea has its place, but it shouldn't be treated as a hard rule that applies to everyone.  PROM (Pre-Labor Rupture of Membranes) — When your water breaks before contractions start, it's exciting — but it almost always sets off a chain of interventions. Most providers will ask you to come in immediately, and once you're there, it's hard to leave without agreeing to pitocin and a room. What often goes unsaid: your infection risk actually increases once vaginal exams begin at the hospital, not before. Around 90% of people will go into labor on their own within 24 hours of their water breaking — but few are given the space to let that happen.  Membrane sweeps without consent — Performing a membrane sweep during a cervical exam without telling the patient first — or informing them after the fact — is not consent. It happens, and it needs to stop. Cervical exams and membrane sweeps also carry a risk of accidentally rupturing membranes, which is another reason informed consent matters so much.  "Your baby has a big head" — Growth ultrasounds at the end of pregnancy almost always come with a warning about head size, and it is almost never relevant. Baby's skull bones aren't fused — they're floating plates designed to overlap and cone as the baby passes through the pelvis. Ultrasound measurements can also be off by up to two pounds in either direction. And position matters far more than size: a small baby in a poor position can be a harder delivery than a well-positioned eight-and-a-half pounder.  Heartburn = hairy baby — Not evidence-based. Not true. Just a thing people say. One host had heartburn severe enough to "burn down a village" and both babies came out completely bald. Plenty of people with full-headed babies never had a moment of heartburn. It's a fun old wives' tale, but let's retire it.  Have a pet peeve of your own? The hosts want to hear it — send them a DM.  Amsy Dees - @amsydees.doula // amsydeesdoula.com  Stephanie Dawson - @grow.lakeland // growlakeland.com    DISCLAMER: The views shared on this podcast are our own and do not represent any specific organization. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your care.

    19 min
  5. #22 - Pet Peeves: Things That Drive Us Crazy (Part 1)

    May 28

    #22 - Pet Peeves: Things That Drive Us Crazy (Part 1)

    Amsy and Stephanie had so many pet peeves to get through that this episode turned into a two-parter. In Part 1, they dig into some of the most common misconceptions, misleading narratives, and outdated practices in birth and postpartum care that they wish people would stop accepting at face value.  Pet peeves covered in Part 1:  "The cord was around the neck!" — Nuchal cord is extremely common and almost never the problem it's made out to be. Babies don't breathe through their necks until they're fully born, and the cord continues delivering oxygen even when wrapped around the neck. The Wharton's jelly surrounding the cord acts as a natural cushion against compression. The hosts also call out how nuchal cord is sometimes used after the fact to justify a C-section that may not have been necessary.  Inductions for due dates — Due dates are estimates, not expiration dates. They're calculated from the last menstrual period without accounting for cycle length, ovulation timing, or the actual date of conception — meaning they can be off by a week or more right from the start. Inducing simply because a date has arrived, when the body and baby aren't ready, can mean a long, difficult induction process that parents aren't fully prepared for.  Not eating or drinking in labor — The research does not support restricting food and drink during labor. Labor is an intense metabolic process that requires real nourishment — not a sugar-free popsicle or a cup of low-sodium broth. The hosts point out the irony that hospitals were quick to embrace 39-week induction research but have been slow to act on decades of evidence supporting eating and drinking in labor.  Calling every C-section an "emergency C-section" — The vast majority of C-sections are not emergencies. Planned C-sections for breech or placenta previa, unplanned but non-urgent C-sections for labor stalls, and even relatively quick decisions to pivot to a C-section are not the same as a true emergency — which involves a four-minute delivery window, staff running, and often general anesthesia. Using the word "emergency" for everything both minimizes true emergencies and unnecessarily traumatizes people around births that were, in fact, a considered decision.  Evidence On Arrive Trial Article: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/arrive/    Amsy Dees - @amsydees.doula // amsydeesdoula.com  Stephanie Dawson - @grow.lakeland // growlakeland.com    DISCLAMER: The views shared on this podcast are our own and do not represent any specific organization. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your care.

    23 min
  6. #21 - Let's Talk About Bed Sharing — The Worst Kept Secret

    May 21

    #21 - Let's Talk About Bed Sharing — The Worst Kept Secret

    In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie tackle one of the most common — and least talked about — realities of new parenthood: bed sharing. Studies suggest around 65% of families in the U.S. bed share at some point, and yet most people won't admit it, often because they planned not to and ended up doing it out of desperation. The hosts want to change that conversation — not by encouraging everyone to bed share, but by making sure that if you do, you're doing it as safely as possible.  Why this matters: The bigger risk isn't bed sharing itself — it's accidentally falling asleep with your baby on a couch, recliner, or nursing chair, which is significantly more dangerous. Planning ahead, even if you don't intend to bed share, means you're prepared if it happens.  The Safe Sleep Seven — key guidelines for safer bed sharing:  No smoking — Neither parent should smoke, and baby should not have been exposed to smoke during pregnancy  Sober parent — No alcohol, sedating medications, or substances that impair arousal  Breastfeeding — Breastfeeding parents tend to naturally position themselves protectively around their baby; this is considered a meaningful risk-reducing factor  Healthy baby — Full-term, healthy babies are at lower risk  Baby on their back — Same as crib sleep, baby sleeps on their back  Lightly dressed, no swaddling — Skip the swaddle for bed sharing; dress baby in pajamas and keep the room cool with good air circulation  Safe surface — Firm mattress, no soft bedding, no pillows near baby, no gaps between the mattress and headboard or wall; keeping blankets at hip level or below is one way to manage warmth without putting soft bedding near baby's face  Practical tips from the hosts:  If one partner is a heavy sleeper, has sleep apnea, or has unpredictable sleep movements, consider having that partner sleep elsewhere temporarily  A floor mattress removes the risk of baby rolling off the bed  Some families use the "river" setup — baby in the middle, a parent on each side — which is standard practice in Japan and many other cultures  A note on culture: Bed sharing is the norm in much of the world — Japan, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, and across Africa and Latin America. The U.S. is one of the few places that recommends against it outright. Some European countries like the UK, Norway, and Sweden are shifting toward providing safer bed sharing guidelines rather than blanket bans — because outright bans aren't stopping people from doing it, they're just stopping people from doing it safely.  Bottom line: Bed sharing isn't for everyone, and that's completely fine. But a crib isn't automatically safe either — stuffed animals, loose blankets, and monitor cords in a crib are their own hazard. Wherever your baby sleeps, think it through intentionally and set it up as safely as possible.  Amsy Dees - @amsydees.doula // amsydeesdoula.com  Stephanie Dawson - @grow.lakeland // growlakeland.com    DISCLAMER: The views shared on this podcast are our own and do not represent any specific organization. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your care.

    24 min
  7. #20 - The Five S's & Other Ways to Soothe Your Baby

    May 14

    #20 - The Five S's & Other Ways to Soothe Your Baby

    In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie walk through the Five S's — a classic framework for soothing a fussy baby — plus a handful of bonus techniques that go beyond just feeding. Whether you're a partner trying to help, an exhausted mom, or a family member wanting to support, this episode gives you a practical toolkit for calming a crying baby that doesn't start and end with the breast.  The Five S's:  Side lying / Stomach lying — Many babies settle quickly when flipped onto their side or tummy. The slight pressure on the belly can also help with gas and discomfort. The classic "football hold" across a forearm is a great go-to.  Sway — Movement is deeply soothing for newborns. If the baby is fussing while you're sitting, try simply standing up and swaying or walking. Babies tend to calm the moment you're in motion.  Swaddle — Wrapping a baby snugly can help regulate their nervous system — similar to the calming effect of a firm hug during a panic attack. It also adds warmth, since newborns aren't great at regulating their own body temperature.  Shush — White noise, humming, or a gentle shushing sound mimics what babies heard in the womb. Worth trying, especially when combined with the other S's.  Suck — A pacifier, clean finger, or breast can be calming for babies who just need to suck. Just make sure to watch for hunger cues first so you're not accidentally masking a feeding need.  Bonus soothing techniques:  Go outside — Walking out the front door with a screaming baby is surprisingly effective. The change of environment, fresh air, and sensory shift tends to calm babies almost immediately — and gives the caregiver a moment to breathe too.  The freezer door — Standing in front of an open freezer for a few seconds can provide a quick sensory reset for both baby and parent.  Baby wearing — Many babies resist the carrier at first but settle once they feel secure. Help bridge that gap by patting baby's bottom while they're in the carrier so they feel your presence before you go hands-free.  Add water — A warm bath, feet under a running faucet, or any age-appropriate water play is remarkably calming for babies and kids of all ages.  An important reminder: If you've tried everything and you're at your wit's end, it is always okay to lay the baby down in a safe space and walk away for a few minutes. A crying baby is safe. Take a breath, regulate yourself, and then go back through your list. Never shake a baby.  Amsy Dees - @amsydees.doula // amsydeesdoula.com  Stephanie Dawson - @grow.lakeland // growlakeland.com    DISCLAMER: The views shared on this podcast are our own and do not represent any specific organization. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your care.

    27 min
  8. #19 - Hospital-Employed Doulas — Game Changer or Band-Aid? 

    May 7

    #19 - Hospital-Employed Doulas — Game Changer or Band-Aid? 

    In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie dig into a headline-making story: the University of Chicago Medical Center announced it will staff around-the-clock doulas for patients with qualifying insurance, at no cost. The response online has been deeply divided — and the hosts get into why, approaching the topic with the nuance it deserves.  Rather than a simple thumbs up or down, they walk through both the real concerns and the genuine benefits of hospital-employed doula programs, and what it could mean for the future of birth support in the U.S.  The concerns:  Whose loyalty is it? A doula employed by the hospital has her paycheck — and her job security — tied to that institution, not to the laboring person. That can limit how much she's willing to advocate, push back, or offer alternatives when a provider wants to move in a particular direction.  No prenatal relationship. Much of the research showing doulas reduce C-sections, low birth weight, and postpartum mood disorders is tied to the ongoing relationship built before birth. A doula who meets you for the first time in active labor can't provide that same foundation.  No postpartum continuity. Doula support after birth — check-ins, emotional support, recovery help — is a meaningful part of what makes doulas effective. Hospital-based doulas typically end at discharge.  Patient-to-doula ratios. The program plans ratios similar to nurses, with up to two patients per doula per shift. Continuous, one-on-one support is exactly what the research is based on — splitting attention undermines that.  Impact on independent doulas. Could hospital doula programs eventually be used to limit or exclude independent doulas from entering the building? U Chicago says no — but not every hospital system will have the same safeguards.  The benefits:  Access for those who need it most. Single moms, teen moms, uninsured patients, and Black women — who face disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality — are the most likely to be laboring alone without support. Having any doula present is meaningful.  Culturally congruent care. The Chicago program is intentionally recruiting doulas who reflect the communities they serve, recognizing that shared lived experience matters in building trust and providing relevant support.  Still better than nothing. One of the Chicago doulas, Andrea Von, put it directly: 90% of their clients would have been completely alone without this program — and many of them are Black women already navigating a system that isn't built for them.  The bottom line: Both hosts land on cautious optimism. The questions are real, and not every hospital that adopts a similar program will build in the same protections. But for the people most underserved by the current system, access to any support during birth is a meaningful step — even if it's not a perfect one. LINK TO THE ARTICLE: https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/04/09/around-the-clock-doulas-now-available-in-uchicagos-labor-and-delivery-ward/  Amsy Dees - @amsydees.doula // amsydeesdoula.com  Stephanie Dawson - @grow.lakeland // growlakeland.com    DISCLAMER: The views shared on this podcast are our own and do not represent any specific organization. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your care.

    27 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Between Contractions is a real, honest space where we talk about the hard stuff—between the hard stuff. Hosted by Amsy Dees, a certified birth and postpartum doula and Stephanie Dawson, a board-certified lactation consultant, this podcast brings together expert insight and real-life experience. Each episode is filled with practical tips, thoughtful conversations, and authentic stories designed to empower families as they navigate pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Amsy Dees + Stephanie Dawson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Amsy Dees + Stephanie Dawson
  • Show Website
    Between Contractions

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