Self-Care

Applying the Foundational Attitudes of Mindfulness to Your Doula Practice

April 13, 2020 / 6 minutes of reading / Doula, Labor Doula, Parenthood, Self-Care / 1 Comment

Mindfulness meditation is one of the fastest-growing health trends in the United States, according to the CDC. But what is mindfulness, and why might it be helpful for your work as a professional doula? Mindfulness is “The awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, in Purser, 2015). …

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The Hustle Culture

December 23, 2019 / 4 minutes of reading / Business, Self-Care

“Don’t stop when you’re tired. Stop when you’re done.”  This philosophy has become more and more acceptable when it comes to work ethic.  There is a misconception with entrepreneurs that you must be working at all times or you won’t be successful, you won’t get ahead, you won’t beat out the competition. But at what …

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Transforming Pain as Doulas

October 29, 2019 / 5 minutes of reading / Inspiration, Labor Doula, Self-Care

What is childbirth, really?  Is it just about getting a baby out?  Of course not!  It’s also about becoming a family and working hard to discover what our bodies are brilliantly capable of.  As doulas, it’s our job to see our clients through the process, to witness their transformation before our eyes, as they dig …

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Healthy Self-Care and Preventing Burnout

October 29, 2019 / 3 minutes of reading / Inspiration, Self-Care / 1 Comment

Birthworkers are a dedicated bunch.  The phone rings at all hours, and we answer, ready to roll.  We offer comfort for the aches, balm for the fears, and remind our clients to believe in themselves, find their power, love their bodies, and nurture their babies.  We wipe away tears without judgment and celebrate joys without …

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Releasing Yourself from Energy Vampires

October 29, 2019 / 5 minutes of reading / Self-Care / 5 Comments

Did you ever wonder why after taking care of yourself including getting enough rest, eating whole foods, exercising etc., that something is still not right? Perhaps you feel fatigued after otherwise being well earlier in the day or have a sudden feeling of fatigue after working with a co-worker or listening to a client, friend …

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A Book Review – Round the Circle: Doulas Share Their Experiences

October 29, 2019 / 3 minutes of reading / Breastfeeding, Business, Educating, Home Birth, Inspiration, Labor Doula, Postpartum, Self-Care

They say that experience is the best teacher. However, another person’s experience can be an even better teacher. That is the idea behind the collection of doula experiences by CAPPA Faculty Member Julie Brill, CCCE, CLD in her book, Round the Circle: Doulas Share Their Experiences. The title gives a great glimpse into what the …

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Am I A Good Mom?

October 29, 2019 / 4 minutes of reading / Motherhood, Parenthood, Postpartum, Self-Care

When women become Mothers, there is great expectation about our ability to care for, nurture, protect and respond to our babies and children.  There may even be an assumption that we all know how to do this.  It’s in our DNA, right?  When I work with Moms on day 2 or 3 postpartum; parenting toddlers, school-aged …

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Harvey and the Help Averse

October 29, 2019 / 6 minutes of reading / Educating, Labor Doula, Postpartum, Self-Care

2017 was quite a year in my community. We survived the costliest natural disaster in US history, Hurricane Harvey. Many birth professionals in our community lost everything in either their homes or from their practices or both. My storm experience involved watching the waters rise up our driveway to a level never seen since the …

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