The Doula Download

As you prepare for the birth of your baby, a lot of your focus is on creating a plan for labor and birth. What is often overlooked is creating a plan for your recovery and transition into life with your new baby.

Postpartum planning is the process of assessing your needs and resources during the days and weeks after birth.

This process goes far beyond who will be responsible for doing the dishes or walking the dogs. This in-depth process can help growing families turn what is often a time of exhaustion and confusion into a time of nurturing, bonding, and intentional recovery.

From meal planning, and housekeeping, to setting up your home to facilitate ease of care for yourself and your new baby, postpartum planning is an essential part of preparing for the birth of your baby.

Join us as we discuss the ins and outs and even some doula secrets for planning for your postpartum success.

Induction of labor is a topic that many of our clients bring to their doulas, especially as the due date grows closer.

The induction of labor can happen for two reasons. Some indications are necessary for medical reasons, and others happen due to the ability to schedule the day the labor will begin.

When induction is medically necessary, there are some factors to consider. The Bishop's score will indicate whether the chance of the induction is likely to result in success. When the Bishop's score is not determined to be favorable for induction, cervical ripening is the first step.

There are two methods to approach cervical ripening. One that involves medications. The other involves mechanical means.

Join us as we explore the reasons, methods, and what to expect when an induction becomes part of your birth plan.

When it comes to placenta encapsulation, who you choose to process your placenta matters.

The placenta is an organ. An organ that carries all of the biohazardous risks that any other organ or meat carries. How it is processed, and the location in which it happens is foundational to a safe process.

When considering placenta encapsulation, you may picture a stainless steel location, like a commercial kitchen. But the reality is most individuals who perform encapsulation are doing so in their own homes. Typically their own kitchen or garage.

While this can seem harmless on the surface, many factors can impact the quality of the process and the finished capsules.

Join us as we discuss the many considerations when choosing placenta encapsulation.

Trigger Warning: Discussions of trauma surrounding childbirth and neonatal loss.

Trauma surrounding childbirth can come in many forms. Physical and emotional trauma is the most common, but the perception of a threat to oneself or the baby can also result in trauma.

Childbirth is one of the great unknowns. How the birth of your baby may unfold is unpredictable for most pregnant individuals. Especially for those who desire a vaginal birth.

Individuals who have experienced previous trauma are at an increased risk for trauma surrounding childbirth. Along with those who have existing anxiety or panic disorder. Trauma can result when labor doesn't go to plan or expectations surrounding how labor and birth will go are unmet.

Finding a way to comfortably and safely process a traumatic birth experience is an important part of recovery from birth trauma. For some, the help of a qualified professional will be essential. For others, journaling, support groups, or speaking about their experience to others can help them move through trauma.

Join us as we take on the very tender topic of recovering from a traumatic birth.

Postpartum doulas are innovators of support and masters of adaptability.

The particular challenges your family may face after birth are as varied as you are. But there are commonalities amongst the families we work with.

As postpartum doulas, we have the experience and resources to help you and your family find the path of least resistance as you recover from birth and navigate life with your new baby.

Your postpartum doula can minimize stress and frustration and increase confidence. We focus on your bond with your baby and how you are handling this transition into life with this new tiny human.

We often receive calls from growing families who ask:

"Can you help me with feeding? We are having issues." We got you.

"I am really struggling to try to figure out a daily routine. I need predictability." We can do that.

"I have some big feelings about losing myself, and I want to be the best parent possible to my baby." We can help you navigate that.

"My partner and I haven't slept in the past 3 days. How quickly can you be here" We've got you covered.

Adding a baby to the family is a huge transition. A transition full of unknowns and uncertainty. A postpartum doula can help you navigate this transition with confidence.

Join us as we discuss the many benefits of adding a postpartum doula to your post-birth support system.

Ask 10 people about doulas, and you'll likely hear at least one of the common doula myths among the responses.

Doulas are like midwives. They are only for those who plan to have an unmedicated birth. Doulas hate hospitals and doctors. The possibilities are endless.

While some of the myths may apply to some doulas because they had to start somewhere, right? There are far more doulas today that do not fit these common myths and stereotypes.

In this episode, we address five of the most common doula myths:

I have a supportive partner; I don't need a doula. Doulas are the same as midwives. Doulas can't support those who choose cesarean birth. Doulas dislike doctors and hospitals. I'm not planning a natural birth, a doula won't support me.

Join us as we explore and debunk these common doula myths!

When it comes to pregnancy, there's no doubt that it brings a host of physical and emotional sensations. Many of which you've likely never experienced. With all the "weird" that is happening to your body, it's hard to know which pregnancy symptoms are normal and which to be concerned about.

Many pregnant individuals don't want to bother their providers. They hesitate to call or go in to be checked when they have a new symptom. But ask any provider, they'd rather you call, and determine it is nothing vs. it being something that you shouldn't have ignored.

In this episode, we discuss five pregnancy symptoms that shouldn't be ignored.

Vaginal bleeding Severe abdominal cramping, back pain Leaking fluid Severe swelling and visual disturbances Persistent itchy skin

Come join us as we explore these pregnancy symptoms and why you should contact your provider if you experience them.

One of the first decisions you make when you find out you are pregnant is who you will hire as your prenatal care provider. For some, an established relationship with a trusted gynecologist may make this an easy choice.

Others may find themselves searching for the perfect provider to provide their prenatal care and facilitate their birth. You may have a preference for an obstetrician or perhaps you prefer a midwife.

Regardless of your choice, the individual you pick will significantly influence where you will give birth and what options are available to you as you navigate pregnancy and birth.

As doulas, we recommend giving some thought to what you want your birth to look like. What options would you like to have available? Do you prefer giving birth in a hospital, birth center, or at home? For many, the preference in birth location will determine which type of provider is available in that setting.

Join us as we discuss the ins and outs of why who you hire as a prenatal care provider can influence the options available to you during birth.

Having a grandchild is often one of those peak moments in a grandparent's life.

There is typically a lot of excitement surrounding welcoming a new baby into the family. Some grandparents are anxious to jump in and get their hands dirty, and others prefer to give their support from afar.

When grandparents are present and participate in the lives of their grandbabies, there are often points at which the grandparents and their children will disagree on how a baby should be raised. This is a power dynamic that many growing families may not have experienced before.

So how do you handle those disagreements or differences of opinions with your parents as a parent?

As a parent, it's essential to understand where the grandparent comes from. For many, they are relying on the practices that they used to raise you. You turned out ok, right?

Many grandparents haven't kept pace with the changes in research and recommendations surrounding infant care. Changes that have likely changed since they raised you. The use of car seats, sleep safety, when to start solids, and outdated breastfeeding practices. These topics present points at which conflict and disagreement can happen between parents and grandparents.

There are many complexities in navigating how involved grandparents will be in the lives of their grandchildren. Join us as we discuss how to handle those expectations and navigate those hard conversations with your parents!

Is this labor? This is one of the most common questions doulas receive from our clients.

From Braxton-hicks to spotting to irregular contractions, how labor may begin is as varied as the person having a baby. Yet, understanding the overall labor process and the stages of labor can help growing families assess where they may be in the overall labor process.

While early labor is often the longest part of labor, it is also where contractions are further apart, shorter, and less painful.

Active labor is where things start to happen. Contractions are coming closer together, are more predictable, last longer, and can cause you to stop what you're doing and give your total focus to the contraction until it is over.

Transitional labor is the point at which labor is the most intense. It's normal to want to quit. To want to go home. Yet while it is the most intense, it's also the shortest part of labor for many.

The following two stages are pushing and the birth of the placenta. While pushing looks different depending on the individual and their unique circumstances, it is often where many birthing individuals feel most productive.

Join us as we help you learn about the stages of labor and how to navigate them confidently.