What: State and Local breastfeeding coalitions are there to support, educate and advocate for families, healthcare providers, childbirth educators and doulas. Check in your state or county to see what they are up to for 2021! Many Coalitions are supported by The United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) which is an independent nonprofit coalition of more […]
Does your State have a Breastfeeding Coalition? Continue reading »
One of the most popular questions in my Postpartum Doula trainings and on social media is “what should I pack in my postpartum doula bag?”. When discussing this with my students or other new doulas, I often rattle off a list of common items, and then throw a few other ideas at them that they
What’s In Your Postpartum Doula’s Bag? Continue reading »
For Patricia Prime, the owner of Peach County, Georgia based Prime Baby Time Consulting LLC., the maternal mortality crisis in her state can no longer be overlooked and is shaping every aspect of her work. Prime, 56, of Bryon, Ga, has been a Registered Nurse for the past 29 years and a CAPPA Certified Postpartum
CAPPAPedia: Patricia Prime – Postpartum Doula Continue reading »
The American Psychological Association defines trauma as an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster. However, a person may experience trauma as a response to any event they find physically or emotionally threatening or harmful. Our minds are so powerful, powerful enough to work, study, engage, and manage the
Vicarious Trauma and Birth Work Continue reading »
Some mother’s experience challenges while breastfeeding, there are many challenges that they can face while breastfeeding. When moms encounter these barriers, they are less likely to continue their journey with breastfeeding. One of the common challenges I get from moms are nipple pain, which then leads to the question, “Is my baby getting enough milk?”
A Mother’s Triumph Continue reading »
While sitting in a Community Action Network meeting in Maricopa County, Arizona three years ago, Patrick Hutchins was stunned to learn that the infant mortality rate among African Americans in Phoenix at the time, was 6 percent higher than in white communities. Healthcare professionals at the meeting attributed the data largely in part to absentee
CAPPAPedia: Patrick Hutchins – Childbirth Educator & Postpartum Doula Continue reading »
During a recent virtual one-day intensive childbirth class, one of my students, at 36 weeks pregnant, during introductions told us that she had given birth 12 years ago by C-section and was excited and somewhat anxious about having a vaginal delivery, this time. When she’d indicated where she was giving birth, I knew that VBACs
The Importance of Exploring a Multitude of Birth Options Continue reading »
What is trauma-informed? Be trauma-informed is to recognize that trauma is very common in people’s lives. Simply put, “There’s a story behind every person. There’s a reason why they are the way they are. They aren’t just like that because they want to be. Something in the past created them, and sometimes it is impossible
Trauma-informed Approach Continue reading »
I began my Labor Doula career when my sister-in-law found out she was expecting twins. She was getting frustrated with her doctors sharing various opinions about how she should birth these babies. Some doctors said the safest option was to schedule a Cesarean at 36 weeks. Other doctors in the same practice said she could
Supporting Labor Doula Clients Expecting Twins Continue reading »
Communication is a topic that spans every profession and enhances every relationship. Effective communication is imperative for expressing thoughts and opinions in a healthy way. In the healthcare profession, good communication can be a matter of life or death. Motivational Interviewing is very well established and uses a series of foundational skills to accomplish favorable
Motivational Interviewing Continue reading »