While nothing can totally prepare you for childbirth, there are several things you can do to help you feel at ease. Journal Spend a few minutes each day focusing on your baby, writing down your feelings, questions, and thoughts for the future. This can be a great way to connect with your baby. Childbirth Education … Continue reading 5 Ways to Prepare for Birth
Category: Pregnancy
As summer begins and the weather heats up, it’s especially important to remember to keep hydrated if you are pregnant. Dehydration occurs when the body is losing water faster than it is taking it in. A woman needs to consume more water when she is pregnant. Since water is used to regulate the body’s temperature, … Continue reading Summer’s Here! Drink Up!
What is the connection between birth and fear? Why is fear such a common component of birth? Why are we afraid of something that billions of people have done (and every one of us has experienced – even if we don’t remember it?) And what effect does that fear have on labor and delivery? When … Continue reading Fear of Birth
It's the big day! Time to bring baby home! And time for your dog to meet your little one! What can you do to make the first introduction go smoothly? The most important thing to remember is to be calm. Dogs can sense when you or others are agitated or anxious and they react accordingly. … Continue reading Puppies and Babies – Part 3
What are some things you can do in the weeks leading up to bringing baby home that can make the introduction go more smoothly? It's important to remember that dogs handle change in different ways, some better than others. First, know your dog and how he responds to new people and situations. Then take some … Continue reading Puppies and Babies – Part 2
Our 4-legged babies are a part of the family. But as much as we may anthropomorphize them, we need to remember that they are animals. The friendliest dog can still be unpredictable in certain situations. I recently attended a workshop about introducing your baby to your dog given by Robin from Fydoland. She gave us … Continue reading Puppies and Babies – Part 1
This year's theme for World Doula Week is #doulasbenefiteveryone. World Doula Week's Facebook page posts a challenge for each day of the week, which celebrates doulas all over the world as they empower families during childbirth. One of the challenges is to tell a brief story about how being a doula has benefited me in … Continue reading World Doula Week
If you're in the birth world, you of course know about April -- and you may have been watching her 24/7 or you may be tired of seeing blog posts about her. If you're not in the birth world, you may have no idea what I'm talking about. For those who don't know, April is … Continue reading Waiting with April
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!
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