043: Penny Simkin on the Birth Partner: A Guide for Dads, Doulas and Labor Companions

<p><strong>Guest:</strong> Penny Simkin, a physical therapist, educator and doula <strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">who has specialized in childbirth education and labor support since 1968 and the author of "<strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions”</span></strong></span></strong><span style= "font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><strong>In this episode, we will cover:</strong></p> <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;">what 48 years of childbirth education has taught her when it comes to dealing with soon-to-be parents when labor starts</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">why a doula is so important for both the woman and the birth parter (and the baby)</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">what her book, "The Birth Partner" covers and how it can help the birth process go smoother</li> </ol> <p><strong>Resources mentioned in the conversation:</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Penny's website:</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;"><a href= "http://www.pennysimkin.com">www.pennysimkin.com</a></span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">DONA International (Doula Services): </span></span><span style= "font-weight: 400;"><a href= "http://www.dona.org/">http://www.dona.org/</a></span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">The Birth Partner book - (<a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Birth-Partner-Complete-Childbirth-Companions/dp/155832819X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466644172&sr=8-1&keywords=the+birth+partner">buy it here on Amazon</a>)</li> </ul> <p><strong>About Penny Simkin:</strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Penny Simkin, PT, is a physical therapist who has specialized in childbirth education and labor support since 1968.</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">She estimates she has prepared over 14,000 women, couples, and siblings for childbirth. She is author or co-author of