Q&A with Jasmine Bradfield of Atlanta Birthwork

We are in the day and age of information overload. You can practically have your questions answered by the first 3 links that pop up after you enter your search. Not only will your questions be answered, but anxiety may begin to creep up when you have to sift through what serves you or what does not for your particular situation. When it comes to pregnancy, childbirth, before and aftercare, resources and information abounds. At Athletes’ Potential, we desire to provide clarity, support and empowerment through your walk in life including the birth journey. 

Jasmine Bradfield is a traditional birthworker and doula currently pursuing her Midwife certification, and is local to Atlanta. Having doulas and/or midwives present during the birth process as continuous support is brimming with evidence that there are positive outcomes related to improving the birth experience. This also means decreased medications, decreased c-sections, increase in spontaneous vaginal births, shorter labor duration and decreased negative feelings about childbirth, to name a few. 1 

Jasmine, what is one thing you want our audience to know about doulas/midwifery? 

Birth is a normal physiological function of the body, and there are many different ways to support each unique life occurrence. I always say the best birth is an informed birth.

Every birth is different. No matter what you read, what you hear, or what a family member went through. So I like to start service with a ‘Birth Plan’ that helps the new family set the preferences for how they realistically imagine their birth may go. Then we sit for Childbirth Education. This is a meeting where we chat about pregnancy, childbirth and newborn common occurrences and complications. 

Knowing this information prior to birthing day helps families decide what is best for them, and not feel as pressured to travel through the unknown. If a provider presents an intervention, as a family they may ask the provider to step out for a moment so that we can all discuss what is best for them without influence or persuasion. Doing this also allows the family to make informed decisions that they are less likely to regret and also feel empowered. 

Support is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of those guiding the birth process. What are the top three ways you support your clients?

Education: Simply sharing what is unknown and filling the gaps between client and providers. 
Ex.: Childbirth education, Birth Planning. Postpartum Care

Self advocacy: Empowering birthers to use their voice to say how and what works for their body, birth and budding family. 
Ex.: I will not speak for a family, I will not make decisions. I will however ask the questions that remind the family of their wishes. I will offer space between the provider and family so that the family can discuss in private and decide as a unit how to proceed. 

Emotional/Physical support: This includes touch, conversation, movement, and self expression preparing the body for the endurance of birth 
Ex.: Oftentimes there are movements that will assist with the progression of birth. If the baby is high in the womb, I may suggest lunges. If we are later in birth and we still have some time to dilate, maybe we shift to a supported goddess. Emotional blockage can also stall birth because stress inhibits the body to relax. Sometimes opening the door for conversation or silence even may be the support needed. As a doula I am trained to see the times that support is needed to assist in the comfort, informing, and progression of birth. 

At Athletes’ Potential, we are experts at getting our clients back to the activities they love after injuries or life events such as pregnancy. What advice do you have to our postpartum moms within the first six weeks after delivery that can set them up for thriving? 

Recovery. The body has gone through a transformation and needs rest to heal. Although it may be difficult to resist the need to get back to work or reduce girth of the belly, the body truly needs to restore itself. A physical therapist can help you understand the extent of change in the body so you know when and where active movement can begin.

We believe that if you have a body, you are an athlete. In preparation for the delivery process, what are some ways you suggest preparing our birthing Mom for this enduring experience?

Pregnancy is the preparation for the marathon of birth. I suggest body work such as massage, physical therapy, chiropractors, yoga or some form of pregnancy safe exercise.  I love prenatal yoga for pregnant people. It is one of the only times you will find a room full of people experiencing what you are experiencing at the same time in a social setting. Pregnancy can at times feel isolating and you want to prepare the endurance of the mind too. 

What are ways to work with you? 

-My website is www.atlantabirthwork.com where we offer courses, classes, and birthwork services. 

-Social media: @atlantabirthwork

-You can join my in-person prenatal yoga class at The Yoga Hive http://www.theyogahiveatlanta.com/copy-of-schedule

-And I love to chat via email [email protected] about potential birth workshops, education and speaking events.

Ready To Come See Us?

​Thanks for reading,

​Dr. Krystal, PT, DPT, CMTPT, RYT-200

1. https://www.cochrane.org/CD003766/PREG_continuous-support-women-during-childbirth

Linked Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6483123/