Is sleep really that important? In a word -- YES! Getting a good night's sleep has a lot more benefits than just feeling refreshed in the morning. Sleep allows your body to do some physical healing, maintains hormone levels, and boosts your immune system. Sleep plays a very important part in emotional well-being and improves … Continue reading Sleep? Hey I’d Like Some of That
Category: Childbirth
I recently came across a great article about attuning to your baby. It is an interesting look at the science behind how your baby communicates with you in the early weeks and months, and how you can learn to pay attention to her cues. You can read the post here. It's a good reminder that … Continue reading Attuning To Your Baby
During the birth planning session, I often hear from clients about their desire to be able to move around during labor. A common fear about hospital births is the potential to be confined to the bed. Most women don't feel empowered if they are told to stay put, especially when they are uncomfortable or in … Continue reading Ambulation During Labor — is it Really That Big of a Deal??
One of the most frequently asked questions about doulas is, "I'm getting an epidural, so why would I need a doula?" That's a great question, and here are several things to keep in mind about why a doula is always a great member to have on your birth team. Informational Support Your doula is an … Continue reading Epidural OR Doula? NOPE! Epidural AND Doula!
I came across a great article about bonding with baby and how many women do not feel this immediate bond. The article talked about how the initial bonding period might be interrupted during the birth process and the first few weeks postpartum. It reassured women that they can talk about those feelings (or lack thereof) … Continue reading Not Bonding With Baby
Recently this question was posed: use one word to describe what your clients get when they hire you Of course, there are many words I could choose, but the first one that came to mind was SUPPORT As a doula, this support takes many forms. You can read about what that support looks like during labor … Continue reading One Word
What does non-judgmental support really look like? When I became pregnant and entered the world of motherhood, I had lots of ideas about how I wanted my birth to go and how I wanted to parent my child. My husband and I spent lots of time thinking and talking about those details. Little did I … Continue reading Non-judgmental Support
Tips for getting through Prodromal Labor We've all seen labor begin on TV shows and movies. Most of the time the woman's water breaks, they head to the hospital, a few contractions with screams and the baby is born. Easy right? We all know though, that in reality, just as every woman and baby are different, … Continue reading Will I Be In Labor FOREVER?
It may not seem to make sense that when you finally get the thing you have longed for, you don't seem all that excited to have it. Many women have an incredibly strong desire to have a baby. They may have waited for the right partner, or may have had trouble conceiving. But when that pregnancy test … Continue reading Is It OK If I Don’t LOVE Being Pregnant?
"Our thoughts create our experiences." -- Louise Hay I came across this quote in a book I'm reading and I thought it was very fitting for the work I do as a doula. Whatever the outcome of a birth, it is the parents' perception of that birth that will form the memory and therefore the … Continue reading Circumstance vs. Experience
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