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 »
The success of the chest/breastfeeding couplet depends largely on the amount of support they receive while making the decision to breastfeed, during pregnancy, and after the birthing parent delivers. Research has demonstrated for many years that people who receive excellent social support will have increased confidence to breastfeed and will sustain a more positive outlook
Social Media and Lactation Support 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 »
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 »
It’s a question that comes up at every doula training – “What do you carry with you to a birth?” On message boards and doula support forums, there are so many options and ideas and lists of suggestions for things that doulas may want to purchase or may need to carry to support someone in
What’s in the Bag? Continue reading »
1942, an age where birth had been overtaken by obstetrics and medicalization, Dr. Grant Dick- Read’s book, Natural Childbirth introduced birth in a gentle manner. Exploring the baby’s own experience and the theory that fear and tension induced more pain. At this time these concepts were seen as radical. The Bradley method was developed in
The Evolution of Breathing in Labour Continue reading »
What is a non-profit organization? A Non-profit organization is a business that has been granted tax-exempt status (501c3) by the IRS because it furthers a social cause and provides a public benefit (Kenton, 2020). Donations made to a nonprofit organization are typically tax-deductible to individuals and businesses that make them, and the nonprofit itself pays
Starting a Non-Profit Organization – It may not be as hard as you think! Continue reading »