BirthTUBE – Streaming Birth Live

La Bella Birth and Baby is so excited to tell you all about BirthTUBE and the amazing things that Paige LoPinto (BirthTUBE Founder) is doing! We had the pleasure of having a “virtual coffee date” with Paige last week to talk about all things doula related. Keep reading to learn more about this amazing group of women!

What exactly is BirthTUBE?

If you are familiar with Facebook, then you know that within the last year or so, Facebook Live has become very popular. For anyone who might not be as tech savvy (because let’s face it – technology seems to evolve every minute), there is now an option to stream live video off of your Facebook profile! This has opened a realm of opportunities online for education, entertainment, and networking. BirthTUBE is a private group on Facebook comprised of almost 30k members where pregnant women stream their birth live! Other members of the group are able to witness the miracle of birth as it unfolds in real time.

Why stream birth live?

This is a common question we get when we talk about BirthTUBE. Why would you want to stream something as intimate as birth for thousands of people that you don’t know? The answer is easy. Birth is beautiful. It’s not always rainbows and roses, but that in itself is what makes birth beautiful. It’s unpredictable, scary, challenging, life-changing, joyful, and miraculous! We live in a society that talks about birth as if it is an illness, a complication – a “condition”. Did you know that the United States has the highest cesarean rate and infant mortality rate than any other developed country in the world? BirthTUBE is helping our society to normalize birth. Streaming birth live isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. But this group allows pregnant women who stream their birth to be surrounded and rallied around by other women who uplift, encourage, and respect them. Plus, if you are pregnant yourself, sometimes watching birth videos can really help prepare you and encourage you on your own journey! There is absolutely nothing like witnessing the sheer strength and perseverance of a laboring mother and her birth team in real-time.

What to expect

When you join the BirthTUBE group, there are few things you should know. As with most Facebook groups, there are guidelines in place to protect the members as well as the integrity of the space. Some of the expectations include the following:

• BirthTUBE is a community of women supporting women! We are here to support each other, to build each other up, not tear each other down. Share birth stories and ask questions!
• No drama mama! BirthTUBE is a drama-free zone. This group is all about women supporting women. If you don’t feel like you can support a woman and her birth choices (breast/bottle feeding, place of birth, etc) then BirthTUBE is not the place for you!
• When you join the group, you can expect to see lots of uncensored birth videos, birth pictures, and birth stories. This is a group about childbirth after all.
• BirthTUBE is a place to ask lots of questions about pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.
• The wall is reserved for admin posts as well as Birth Live mamas – members can only comment! Jump into the conversation – don’t be scared!
• Meet the mamas who stream their birth live every Friday at 8pm Central Mountain Time.
• For members that would like to post and engage in further discussion, consider joining BirthTUBE’s sister group (link under social media).
• Do not talk negatively about anyone on the birth team. We want to keep BirthTUBE a safe space for everyone and that can’t happen if hospital staff stops approving live streams because of negative comments about them. Again, this group is meant to be encouraging, uplifting, and positive!

 

How To Apply to be a BirthTUBE Live Mama

Are you reading along and feel that you might want to participate as a Birth Live mama? Here are the steps to apply!

1. Fill out the form here. (You must be a member of the group to apply.)
2. If you are delivering in a hospital, you will need consent from the hospital staff.
3. Abide by the BirthTUBE Live Facebook group guidelines.
4. Paige will send you a questionnaire. She will also get confirmation from your birth team.
5. You will be added to a private message chat that includes other moms due around the same time as you.
6. You will then be added as a moderator of the group so that you can go live!

BirthTUBE Doula Directory and Doula of the Month

Chelsea was so excited and honored when Paige chose her as BirthTUBE’s Doula of the Month for April 2018! Each month, a doula is highlighted on BirthTUBE’s social media and newsletter. Be sure to keep an eye out in the group and in the newsletter for the announcement. You’ll get to learn lots of interesting things about La Bella Birth and Baby owner, Chelsea!

One of the goals of BirthTUBE is to educate mothers and their families on doulas and what they offer. One of the ways they do this is through the Doula of the Month. Another exciting method is the upcoming BirthTUBE Doula Directory! Paige and her team are working tirelessly to launch this system that will make it easily accessible for members of the group to find doulas in their area. Doulas will have the opportunity to purchase a listing (at a very affordable monthly or yearly cost) and market themselves through the directory. This is such an exciting way to connect moms and doulas together!

Where to find BirthTUBE

Luckily, you can follow BirthTUBE through multiple social media channels as listed below:

Main Facebook Group: click here

BirthTUBE sister group: click here

Instagram: @birthtube

Behind the Scenes of BirthTube (newsletter): link to sign up here.

Receive a text when a birth goes lives! Text “FOLLOW @birthtube” to the number “40404”.

To apply to be Doula of the Month, click here.

 

Have additional questions about BirthTUBE or La Bella Birth and Baby? Email Paige at hello@birthtubelive.com, or Chelsea at info@labellabirthandbaby.com.