Morning Brief: LA Doulas, The LA River, And Pi Pie

Good morning, L.A. It’s March 15.

When my son came into the world in 2018, his birth was attended by a doula. My husband and I would have been at a loss without her; she helped me stay calm through the pains of contractions and guided him on how to help during my 19 hours of labor.

But in the months leading up to that moment, we spent a long time researching what a doula is and what their role is during childbirth. After all, they’re not doctors or midwives, and they don’t make medical decisions.

We learned that doulas provide emotional, educational and physical support for birthing people and their families during pregnancy and beyond. Our doula, for instance, suggested to my husband when a good moment might be to rub my shoulders (as well as a good moment to stop).

My colleague Mariana Dale reports that people who work with doulas while giving birth are less likely to have preterm births and cesarean sections. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said in 2014 that "one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of support personnel, such as a doula."

With that said, there’s still a lot to learn if you’re in the market for one. Fortunately, Mariana dove deep into the world of doulas and answered many of the questions that frequently come up. Such as: what exactly do they do? How much does it cost? How do I find one?

Check out her comprehensive guide here, or pass it along to your expecting friends.

Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A., and stay safe out there.

What Else You Need To Know Today

• For local Ukrainians and Russians who have loved ones in both countries, the stress surrounding the war is magnified. And misinformation abounds. 
• A new pedestrian and bicycle bridge spanning the L.A. River is open.
• It’s been over a week since L.A. County dropped its indoor mask mandate. Despite this, it remains unclear when the L.A. Unified School District will do the same.
• COVID-19 treatment pills have arrived to at least 20 L.A. County CVS clinics as part of President Biden’s “Test To Treat” initiative. 
• In a seemingly never-ending sequel, Hollywood is still excluding women and people of color from starring movie roles. 
• Three Southern California teams are getting ready for March Madness: the UCLA Bruins, the USC Trojans and the Cal State Fullerton Titans.
• Box office revenues are up from the depths of the pandemic, but streaming is now king.

Before You Go ... Yesterday Was National Pi Day, But You Should Still Eat Pie Today

It's that time of year again.

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It's time for the flakiest, crustiest food holiday of the year: Pi Day. A myriad of L.A. pie purveyors are ready to sate your sweet tooth. We've divided them into four categories: Standards, Pie and a Meal, Outside-the-Box and Just Desserts.