As a doula agency owner, I have the privilege of speaking with 30 or more new and expecting parents each week. I hear their stories, their struggles, their excitement, their worries and a slew of myths and lies that they have been told and believed. The lie that gets me every time is: EVERYONE DOES THIS ALONE! …
Adjusting in the 4th Trimester—All Hands On Deck! Continue reading »
As a Malaysian postpartum doula of Chinese origin, a large proportion of my clientele are Asian (Chinese). I have supported quite a few Asian clients who observed the traditional practice of sitting the month or Zuo Yue Zi or Zhor Yuit. I am sure a lot of postpartum doulas are aware of this tradition, but …
Sitting the Month – The Chinese Confinement Period Continue reading »
As a busy Postpartum Doula, the thing I get the most questions about is SLEEP! So, I want to share the tips I give my families to help make their transition to a life with a newborn a little easier. The first thing I share is that expectations about sleep with an infant will “kill …
We have all heard the saying, “We spend months or years preparing for the wedding and no time is spent preparing for the actual marriage”. The same can be said for how we approach educating expectant parents for the postpartum period. Parents will spend weeks preparing for the labor and birth but seek out little …
Postpartum: How Can We Do More as Educators? Continue reading »
I have spent the last two decades as a birth worker, doula trainer, and labor & delivery and maternal child health nurse. I have been able to support families from prenatal education and yoga, labor and delivery, to watching children and families grow in so many directions. I have been hearing the same question tossed …
What We Know About Cannabis Use in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Continue reading »
Providing care to a new mother and her newborn is a privilege that should not be taken lightly as a healthcare provider. Everyone that plays a role in either educating or participating in physical and psychological support must ensure the new mother feels safe and cared for in her ability to take care of her …
Supporting a New Mother’s Ability to Parent Continue reading »
Sierra Brooks, CPD, CLC, HBCE, LCCE and CAPPA Postpartum Doula trainer explains what a Postpartum Doula is and what they do, with the help of fellow Doula Danka Orellana. Sierra Brooks CPD, CLC, HBCE, LCCE, CAPPA Faculty Sierra has been serving women through pregnancy, birth and postpartum since 2000. Starting out as a birth and …
Bengkung belly binding is the art of wrapping a postpartum women’s belly and hips for physical support and to help hasten the recovery process after childbirth. This belly binding technique uses a long strip of cloth to wrap around the abdomen from the hips to the ribcage. Women are traditionally wrapped as soon after birth …
Working as a Postpartum Doula is one of the greatest passions of my life! I have been so fortunate to support many moms around the country with education on how to care for their precious, new bundle of joy! Even as a seasoned doula, I am constantly still learning from my families. Creating a safe …
I’ve seen many internet posts recently on doula support platforms, discussing how doulas should deal with clients who make choices contrary to individual beliefs or strong biases. Topics such as circumcision, religious rituals, marijuana, and alcohol use are often the source of conflict in these posts. As I read through the MANY responses I was …