First, please know that you are not alone in this very difficult journey. Losing a child is a traumatic situation that no one is prepared for. As a grief therapist, the best advice I can give you at this moment is to allow yourself to feel every emotion that comes throughout this journey. You do… Read More Infant Loss
There is a lot to labor and birth of a baby and many expectant mothers often fear contractions. Your body becomes a powerhouse the minute it begins forming your baby and it’s absolutely amazing to see how it works. Below is an excellent example of what happens during contractions. This video was going around on Facebook… Read More Contractions: What Are They and How Do They Work?
WARNING: Infant loss is mentioned in this blog post. I am the mother of 4, 3 who are with me and one who rests in paradise. My 3rd child was stillborn at 39 weeks gestational age due to missed Preeclampsia. There were so many missed warning signs that lead up to her death. Many of… Read More Count Those Kicks
My favorite tool for pregnancy and childbirth is the Rebozo. In each Childbirth class, I allow the students to try out a Rebozo to see just how much comfort it provides during pregnancy. The good thing is though, you can use it after the baby comes too! Some Midwives and Doulas use it to help… Read More Why a Rebozo is Important for Pregnancy and Childbirth
Have you ever wondered how babies breathe while they are in their mother’s womb? After seeing a picture of a water birth, it got me thinking…not everyone understands how it is possible for a baby to be born in water and not drown. To some people, that is common sense, but to others, it’s something… Read More Do Babies Breathe While in the Womb?
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) stated, “Evidence suggests that, in addition to regular nursing care, the continuous one-to-one emotional support provided by support personnel, such as a doula, is associated with improved outcomes for women in labor” (Hodnett, Gates, Hofmeyr, & Sakala, 2013). Labor support during pregnancy has been shown to reduce… Read More The Value of Labor Support
A doula is there to offer emotional, physical, and informational support. There are many reasons a doula is highly recommended for a birth! Below are just a few of the reasons… SHORTER LABOR: There have been many studies regarding the length of labor with a doula-assisted birth versus the length of labor without a doula.… Read More Reasons You Need a Doula
Doulas are trained to provide emotional, physical, and information support for the mom-to-be before, during, and after labor! Doulas offer unbiased and non-judgmental support and stand by the mother’s decisions according to her birth plan, whether it be an all-natural birth or a medicated birth, in a birthing facility or at home! The Madriella Doula… Read More What is a Doula?