Your Cervix is Not a Crystal Ball While a cervical exam can offer a great snapshot of what’s happening right now, it’s not necessarily the best indicator of what may come. Neither is it really a great indicator of progress that’s already been made. It’s really just one small piece of a much bigger picture! Trust […]
Stuff Your Doula Says Continue reading »
Birth can be a little unpredictable to say the least! If you work in this field long enough, you are sure to accumulate a few strange, crazy, and even hilarious stories along the way. At times, a birth experience may seem like an episode from “Who’s Line is it Anyway?”, an improv comedy game show
Who’s Birth is it Anyway? Continue reading »
Over the years, I have graciously and humbly watched my practice and experience grow and change. A decade ago I was flourishing as a private practice Labor doula and childbirth educator for clients fortunate enough to pay for such birth services. Today, I work with young women who have multiple struggles every day, from poverty
Connect More Continue reading »
We have all learned and become very educated about the importance of the first hour after birth, skin-to-skin contact, infant regulation, breastfeeding, etc. We know that infants who are allowed skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth for at least an hour are better breastfeeders. But does every baby become a better breastfeeder because of this practice?
A Preventative Approach to Early Breastfeeding Continue reading »
Recently, I was felled for 48 hours by a flu-like virus. Body aches, fever, cough. The works. One morning, my ten-year-old daughter asked me, “Mom, what’s it called when someone is sick, and you wish you were sick instead of them?” “That’s called empathy, sweetie,” I replied in a fog as I reached for my
A Bad Case of Empathy Continue reading »
You get the questions too, right? “Oh, you should talk to Kimberly, she is one of those lactation (or doula) people.” These questions come my way not just from moms but also from within the birth world about becoming a lactation consult vs a doula vs an educator. What role is right for each person,
2017…Is This Your Year to Add a New Role? Continue reading »
Recently, I was invited to present the Certified Lactation Educator Training at a state-of-the-art educational facility that was equipped with all the “bells and whistles.” The equipment was intimidating and resembled something I had seen recently while watching a futuristic, sci-fi movie. The retracting screen was the only equipment I was vaguely familiar with. Fortunately,
Who is Our Target Audience? Breastfeeding as a Universal Topic Continue reading »
How often have you heard the words “foremilk” and “hind milk”? What thoughts or phrases come to mind almost immediately when these words are discussed? Fat milk or high calorie milk Watery milk Lactose intolerance Green stools Milk imbalance Keep baby on one breast until he comes off on his own Feed baby only on
Breastmilk is Breastmilk! Continue reading »
Lactation education is vital for new moms and their support persons. Statistically, those who form a decision to breastfeed prenatally are more likely to be successful. Breastfeeding should not be considered a controversial topic. If we shared breastfeeding information the same way we educate on car seat safety and back-to-sleep practices, perhaps we would see
Lactation Education: Vital for New Moms Continue reading »
The young woman in front of me sat cross-legged in the hospital bed clutching her swaddled newborn with tears streaming down her face. This was her first birth. She’d had a C section the day before and she had no family with her in the room. Her partner was not available. For the present, he
Becoming Active Listeners: Love in Action Continue reading »