Doula Naeemah's favorite perinatal YouTube channels and videos for Pregnant and Postpartum People
- mynaeemah
- Jan 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 21
Click here to skip to the lists of Doula Naeemah's favorite perinatal channels and videos, instead of reading the blog.
It goes without saying that we are in the digital age of screens and devices for all things all the time everywhere. Audiobooks and podcasts over paper books and magazines. Videos whether long, short, or in bits, over conversation, articles, reports, and even the aforementioned audiobooks and podcasts. The shorter the better (indicative of our rapidly decreasing attentions spans, but that is a thought for another article). As a matter of fact, people have told me that I am asking too much of my site visitors and members to read my blogs and even my descriptions and bio. To that I say an emphatic, "WHATEVER!" This whole website as a project and as a product is specifically intended to represent me online and to be my own useful outlet for my writing and to share with YOU and everyone all the good (useful) stuff that passes through my brain and my life. If we aren't a fit, that's our choice!
I say all of this to say that when I first engage with a client, I usually ask how they prefer to receive and consume information because I know that not everyone has the appetite and palate that I have. I personally love getting information and intel via all the ways: reading (everything from books to blogs, leaflets to labels, posters to podcast transcripts), radio (usually NPR, sometimes WURD), videos (from expert talks to vlogs, documentaries to DIY), classes/trainings (I love a free training and there are so many!), printed handouts, observation (ear hustling and people watching), research, and good old fashioned experience.
Most folks these days have little time or interest in sitting still and focusing on anything long-form, let alone reading, and unfortunately, so many are under-educated and lack the literacy and critical thinking skills required to process dense resources. These are some of the reasons videos are so popular and why I have made the effort to share a few that I consider good, useful information that is from the lived experience of experts, evidence-based, and/or clinically supported.
I have gathered a few channels, curated a few playlists, and selected a few videos that I find offer useful guidance from studied practitioners and knowledgeable lived experience experts who want to help people have the best, most empowered and safe perinatal experience they can conceive (lol pun intended). Preparing to give birth is similar to training for a marathon. It is my hope that you will dig in and find your way to integrating all of this info into your life and your childbearing journey.
There is a lot that I want to share with my clients so they can be effectively educated and informed towards curating the birthing and mothering/parenting experience their hearts desire. This is different from the fantasy shown in the media and from the stories that people tell of their own experiences. Community-sharing of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum stories, while very important, are only useful if they are used to bear witness and as a glimpse of possibility, not at all to set expectations for one's own birth. Most influencers are not experts and evidence-based education is not everywhere. It is important that our birthing people and their support systems be able to tell the difference between click-bait, good intentions, and useful media offerings about the perinatal experience. Every pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience is different, including each one of any one mom/birthing person.
Below are a list of YouTube channels and videos that I have personally curated and reasonably vetted. I say reasonably because I have definitely NOT watched every single video in its entirety, so as always, please use your own best judgement and/or cross-reference with your provider and widely trusted sources.
Channels: Expert Experience for Birthing People and their Supporters
Global Health Media videos
PBS (not YouTube)
If you aren't exactly sure of the detailed physiology and biology of how pregnancy works, here's a clear video explaining How Pregnancy Happens.
Information and guidance that will help you manage your expectations, during pregnancy, about the birth and immediately after the birth (postpartum)
Info and guidance supporting realistic and managed expectations of having a newborn, healing from the birth, and breast/chestfeeding, so you can prep for the 4th trimester.
Naeemah's
Because it is so important that the support people be on the same page and know what is actually helpful, meaningful, and impactful...as well as how to recognize and address concerns affecting any and all parents of the newborn...ahead of time.
Finally, though I do not actually support or condone setting babies in front of screens for any reason, if your baby must watch the screen, here are some suggestions:
We welcome you to share your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments or in the Black Maternal Health online Discussion Group.
Please book a Discovery Session if you are interested in having me as your perinatal doula, PA MMP cannabis caregiver, or general wellness, family, or relationship coach to see if it would be a fit.
One perfect love.
~Naeemah :)
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