#doula care
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The Unsung Heroes: Postpartum Doulas - Nurturing New Moms and Families
Shaina Tranquilino
December 11, 2023
Becoming a parent is an incredible journey filled with joy, love, and countless challenges. While the focus often revolves around the miracle of childbirth, we must not overlook the significance of postpartum care for both mothers and their families. In this blog post, we will explore the vital role of postpartum doulas, shedding light on who they are and what their invaluable support entails.
Who are Postpartum Doulas?
Postpartum doulas are trained professionals who provide physical, emotional, and informational assistance to new parents during the delicate post-birth period. They offer compassionate care to nurture not only mothers but also their entire family unit as they navigate through the early weeks or months after childbirth. These skilled individuals are equipped with expertise in breastfeeding support, newborn care education, maternal recovery guidance, and overall postpartum well-being.
The Role of Postpartum Doulas
1. Emotional Support:
Postpartum doulas understand that every mother's experience is unique and may be accompanied by feelings of uncertainty, exhaustion, or even overwhelming joy. With empathetic listening skills and non-judgmental attitudes, these doulas create safe spaces where moms can express themselves freely without fear of being judged. Their unwavering emotional support eases anxiety and fosters confidence in parenting abilities.
2. Physical Assistance:
The physical demands of caring for a newborn can be daunting for any parent. Postpartum doulas lend a helping hand by assisting with daily household chores such as meal preparation, laundry duties, and light cleaning tasks. By taking on these responsibilities, they alleviate some of the burdensome workload from new moms' shoulders so they can focus on self-care and bonding with their baby.
3. Breastfeeding Support:
One significant area where postpartum doulas excel is in providing breastfeeding guidance. They possess extensive knowledge about lactation, positioning techniques, and troubleshooting common nursing challenges. By offering practical advice and reassurance, they empower mothers to establish a successful breastfeeding relationship with their infants.
4. Newborn Care Education:
From swaddling techniques to diaper changing tips, postpartum doulas are a treasure trove of newborn care wisdom. They educate parents on the essentials of baby care such as sleep routines, soothing methods, and recognizing signs of infant distress or illness. Armed with this knowledge, new parents gain confidence in meeting their little one's needs effectively.
5. Advocacy and Information Sharing:
Postpartum doulas act as bridges between families and the vast network of healthcare professionals and community resources available to them. They help navigate this complex landscape by connecting parents with reliable information related to pediatricians, support groups, mental health services for mothers experiencing postpartum mood disorders, or even local parent-baby activities.
In our society that often focuses solely on the prenatal journey and childbirth experience, we must acknowledge the significance of comprehensive postpartum care. Postpartum doulas play an invaluable role in supporting new moms during this transformative period by providing emotional stability, physical assistance, breastfeeding support, newborn care education, and acting as advocates for their well-being.
As we strive towards nurturing healthier families overall, it is crucial to recognize the incredible dedication of postpartum doulas who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Their unwavering commitment helps new parents transition into parenthood with grace and confidence while fostering a loving environment where both mom and baby can thrive.
With that being said, the journey of welcoming a new life into the world is filled with both joyous anticipation and immense love. However, sadly, not all pregnancies end in the expected celebration. For families who experience the devastating loss of their baby during pregnancy or labour and delivery, navigating through grief can be an overwhelming and isolating experience. In these trying times, postpartum doulas play a crucial role in providing compassionate support and helping bereaved families cope with their grief.
Understanding the Role of Postpartum Doulas:
Postpartum doulas are skilled professionals trained to provide emotional, physical, and informational support to families during the postpartum period. Traditionally known for assisting new parents after childbirth, they have now extended their expertise to offer guidance specifically tailored to those experiencing perinatal loss.
Compassionate Emotional Support:
Losing a baby is a deeply personal and heart-wrenching experience that often leaves parents feeling isolated and emotionally shattered. Postpartum doulas who specialize in supporting families dealing with perinatal loss understand the unique needs of grieving parents. They possess remarkable empathy and compassion, creating a safe space where families can openly express their emotions without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.
These doulas offer active listening skills, allowing parents to share their stories, memories, hopes, and fears surrounding their lost child. By offering non-judgmental companionship through active mourning rituals such as holding ceremonies or participating in memory-building activities like journaling or creating keepsakes, postpartum doulas help parents process their emotions while honouring their baby's memory.
Physical Care and Recovery Support:
In addition to emotional support, postpartum doulas also assist bereaved parents in managing physical aspects related to pregnancy loss. These may include helping mothers recover from labour, providing guidance on self-care practices and nutrition, or assisting with practical tasks such as meal planning, household chores, or arranging for support from family and friends.
Navigating the Complexities of Grief:
Grief is a complex journey that affects individuals differently. Postpartum doulas who specialize in perinatal loss possess an understanding of grief's unique dynamics and can help families navigate its complexities. They provide vital resources and information about various grieving processes, counselling services, support groups, and other bereavement resources tailored to the specific needs of each family.
Advocacy and Education:
Postpartum doulas also play a crucial role in advocating for bereaved families within healthcare systems. They facilitate communication between parents and medical professionals, ensuring their concerns are understood and addressed sensitively. Additionally, they educate families about their rights, options for memorializing their baby, and assist them in making informed decisions regarding funeral arrangements or obtaining keepsakes like handprints or photographs.
The pain of losing a baby during pregnancy or childbirth is immeasurable, but no parent should have to face this heartbreak alone. During these challenging times, postpartum doulas specializing in perinatal loss offer invaluable support to grieving families by fostering understanding, empathy, and compassion. By acknowledging the significance of their experience, these doulas help parents honour their baby's memory while navigating through grief towards healing and hope.
#postpartum support#doula care#new mom guide#motherhood help#postpartum wellness#parenting assistance#maternal health#family support#postpartum journey#doula services#mom life balance#newborn care#postpartum recovery#empowered motherhood#parenting resources#infant loss awareness#infant loss
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#luke is clueless as usual#i'm pretty sure doula/kwan/steve don't care#liz is not included in this poll because she sucks#gilmore girls#kate middleton#frazzled loves polls
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"Because Death is as Sacred as Birth" - The Death Midwife
This quote resonated with my soul's love vibration. So often, birth is reversed and celebrated. I believe death should also be honored. Meaning, it is the beginning of new dew drops falling from a lotus flower. And, that death is really:
• Pure love
• Pure forgiveness
• The end of pain
• Reunion with Spirit
• Meeting with Light
And, nothing to be fearful about. Couldn't be happier in end-of-life care
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Why More Pregnant Black Women Need Doulas
In this blog, I discuss the challenges black women like myself face in accessing doula support, including cost and limited insurance coverage.
Maternal Mortality in Black Mothers
Black women face significant health disparities in the United States. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African American women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Additionally, black women have higher rates of pre-term birth and low birth weight compared to other…
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#baby#birth process#blackfamily#blackhistory#blackhistorymonth#childbirth#doula#emotional support#exams#health care professional#licensed#medical care#medical interventions#midwife#monitor#mother#physical support#postpartum#pregnancy#support
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my favorite person in the entire state of kansas just got a promotion and i am SOOOOOOO happy for her like literally i am over the moon it made a pretty not great day (super sleep deprived) now amazing. i lover her so MUCH she deserves this SO MUCH & she'd been passed over for the job she just interviewed for internally but it sounds like they MADE HER ANOTHER JOB POSITION SO SHE COULD TAKE IT. and i love her. did i mention i love her so much
#work woes#she inspires me so much i genuinely. AUGH.#she's the one who's a doula on the side and has a whole network of mommas she takes care of AND she's doing great work with [redacted niche#I LOVE MY FRIENDS.
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me to my friends: i promise i won’t get drunk and talk about noise music at your wedding
me 3 drinks later: God is in the weird sounds
#text#IN FAIRNESS i was sat at a table catching up with a friend i hadn't seen in a few months#and i guess since i had seen her last she had become a doula?? bc she said she got hyperfixated on improving birth care#and i was kinda like well i haven't really done anything interesting in the past few months. except the fake Pentecostal tent revival#do you wanna hear about the fake Pentecostal tent revival? and she was like OH BOY DO I#so permission to talk about hyperfixations was Explicitly given#also hilariously the best man's speech included bonding with the groom over going to a ''noise metal'' show#and i was invited as a friend of the bride so i didn't know this guy#but i HAVE to ask him what band it was lol
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12 years since my Odd-mother died 💜
She was such a kind woman, I wish I could have known her more
#talk#death tw#odd mother is like god mother but we're not religious#i wish i could talk to her about working in health care#apparently she trained as a doula with my best friend's aunt#small world#tumblr isn't the right vibe to post this but i needed to post it somewhere
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Self-Care
Anyone who knows me well will most likely tell you that I am a "recovering" workaholic. Even as I type this, I work full-time at one job, part-time at another, am pursuing my Master's degree, and am trying to start my own practice as a death doula. On top of that, I try my best to maintain a social life, make time for my hobbies, and go on adventures.
The one thing that I always tend to put off is self-care.
Which is the last thing I should be ignoring.
Last night, my partner and I went to Silver Spring, MD, to see Lacuna Coil. Oh my god, it was amazing. Going to shows is one of the ways I let myself decompress. Last week, when I was in death doula class in New Holland, PA, we took a side-trip up to Scranton to see Motionless in White. Next month, I am seeing Sabaton and Wardruna. In November, Minuit Machine.
One of the things that was a key point in INELDA's death doula class was self-care. If you are not caring for yourself, how can you care for others? One of the things they asked us in class was, "How many of you like to be out in nature?...When was the last time you actually got out in nature?"
I had already planned to go see MiW while I was in Pennsylvania, but it really hit home with me because I have a horrible habit of neglecting myself. I internalized at a young age that my purpose in life is to take care of others - and if I was taking care of myself, I was not taking care of others, and that was bad (and, therefore, made me "bad"). I need reminders to slow down. I have lofty goals, and I know I will meet them. But if I am on the go 100% of the time, then I will burn out. I was burned out before I was 25, and I can tell you from experience that it can take years to recover from burnout. Not days. Not weeks. Not months. Years.
So here I am, about to be 28, and I feel like I am finally getting my life started. Part of me wants to admonish myself for "wasting time", but how is that fair to me? Everything happens in its own time. I probably needed to experience burnout so I could start to unlearn all my unhealthy habits around not taking care of myself. While that is still a work in progress, I acknowledge that I have come so far. I am making time for things I love to do that allow me to actually unplug and check out from all my responsibilities, and even though that also takes energy it is more renewing than draining.
TL;DR
Take time for you. Unapologetically. You deserve it.
#lacuna coil#wardruna#sabaton#motionless in white#minuit machine#self care#decompress#death doula#concerts#live music#you are not a machine#love yourself#self love#inelda#take time for you
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My standards for doulas are so rock bottom after last time that my doula this time reached out at 39w2d to ask how I’m doing (which, you know, also benefits her so she can get an idea of when she may or may not be needed) and I’m like WOW INCREDIBLE SHE IS AMAZING
#babyjournal 2.0#39w2d#to be fair I actually just looked back at my messages and apparently the prev doula also asked how I was doing#within a day of this timeframe#but idk I just did not feel like she actually cared and completely forgot it happened so 🤷🏻♀️
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Birth Doulas: Empowering Support for Expectant Families
Shaina Tranquilino
December 12, 2023
Bringing a new life into the world is an incredible journey filled with joy, anticipation, and sometimes, uncertainty. During this transformative time, many women seek additional support to ensure a positive birth experience. Enter birth doulas – compassionate professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational assistance before, during, and after childbirth. In this blog post, we will delve into what birth doulas are and explore their invaluable role in empowering expectant mothers.
Understanding Birth Doulas:
A birth doula is a trained individual who offers non-medical support to expectant mothers throughout the entire childbirth process. These dedicated individuals are typically experienced in various birthing techniques and possess extensive knowledge of the physiological and emotional aspects of labour and delivery.
Their Role:
1. Emotional Support:
Birth doulas provide unwavering emotional support during pregnancy, labour, and postpartum periods. They assist expectant mothers by actively listening to their concerns, fears, hopes, and dreams surrounding childbirth. By offering empathy and reassurance, these caring professionals help alleviate anxieties while fostering confidence.
2. Continuous Physical Comfort:
Doulas employ an array of comfort measures to ease discomforts associated with labour pains such as massage techniques, breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, positioning suggestions, and more. Their presence ensures that the mother's physical needs are addressed consistently throughout the birthing process.
3. Advocacy & Communication:
One significant aspect of a birth doula's role is to act as an advocate for the mother's preferences and desires when communicating with healthcare providers or medical staff. This may include discussing pain management options or ensuring the mother has access to accurate information about procedures being performed.
4. Informational Support:
Birth doulas empower expectant mothers by providing evidence-based information on various aspects of childbirth like different birthing positions or breastfeeding techniques. They ensure that the mother is well-informed, enabling her to make educated decisions regarding her birth plan.
5. Partner Support:
Birth doulas also extend their support to partners or other family members involved in the birthing process. By guiding them on how best to assist and comfort the labouring mother, doulas help create a harmonious environment where everyone feels included and informed.
Benefits of Hiring a Birth Doula:
The advantages of having a birth doula during childbirth are numerous:
1. Increased Satisfaction: Studies have shown that women who receive continuous support from a birth doula report higher levels of satisfaction with their birthing experience.
2. Reduced Interventions: Research indicates that with the presence of a doula, there is often a decrease in interventions like cesarean sections and epidurals, leading to more positive outcomes for both mother and baby.
3. Emotional Well-being: The emotional support provided by birth doulas significantly reduces stress levels for expectant mothers, promoting overall emotional well-being throughout pregnancy and beyond.
4. Lowered Risk of Postpartum Depression: Women supported by birth doulas tend to have lower rates of postpartum depression due to the consistent guidance and nurturing they receive during the vulnerable post-birth period.
Birth doulas play an essential role in ensuring positive experiences for expectant mothers during childbirth. Their unwavering support, knowledge, and advocacy empower women to navigate this transformative journey confidently. By providing physical comfort, emotional reassurance, informational assistance, and acting as an advocate, these dedicated professionals contribute significantly to creating fulfilling and empowering birthing experiences for all involved.
#birth doulas#doula#doula support#pregnancy companion#empowered birth#maternal care#birth journey#supportive doula#birth preparation#labour and delivery#holistic birth#childbirth support#doula services#pregnancy wellness#labour coach#empowered motherhood#maternal health#birth experience#doula love#birth advocate
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How Death Doulas Can Help Hospices Improve Health Equity
By Holly Vossel
End-of-life doulas can help hospices’ efforts to improve health equity in hard to reach settings while also improving quality in the last days of life.
The quantity and quality of patient visits during the last days of life is an important quality measure for hospice providers. Having doulas at the bedside during the last days of life has positively affected hospice quality…
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Current Offerings~
Birth Support & End of Life Care
Postpartum Nourishment, Healing, & Ritual
Womb Ceremony
•In person availability Mid-May ‘24 - July ‘24
•one-on-one online support reopens, 4/12/24
Consultation is free 🩵.. schedule here: https://calendly.com/halobirthsupport
or email, [email protected], for more detailed information
#Birthwork#womb healing#womb trauma#Womb ceremony#Closing of bones#Birth#pregnancy#labor#postpartum#motherhood#mental heath support#mom life#infant care#midwifery#doula#birth support#Healing#death doula
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Death Doula
I have twice thought about being a doula, once for births and once for deaths. What ‘job’ could be more meaningful?
Birth and death are big events with lots of emotion swirling around where a calm practical doula can offer useful tips and emotional support. I have twice thought I could be that steady, sturdy person.
I had two beautiful home births in my thirties and attended two births. I…
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You may have heard of a birth doula – someone who provides non-medical support and advocacy throughout pregnancy, birth and after the baby has been born. More recently, so-called death doulas have became more popular. We are people who assist at the other end of the lifespan . We support good deaths. Death doulas can play a pivotal role in supporting a dying person and those around them. Their support can be emotional and practical.
We do many things. We can help develop a plan around the wishes and values of the dying person, advocate on behalf of the patient, attend to and manage their symptoms, conduct life reviews, and help to resolve unresolved issues for starters.
“When you change the way you view birth, the way you death will change.”
What I’ve observed as a death doula is most individuals have thee common…
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#EndOfLifeCare ShareYourStory DyingWish CompassionInCare EndOfLifeJourney gdesurvey gdeplan#EndOfLifeDoula DeathDoula MyTurn NewsweekFeature HonorFinalWishes TheGoodDeathExperience#death coach#Death doulas#death midwife and palliative care doula#dying guide#end-of-life doula#soul midwife
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An abortion doula pivots after North Carolina's new 12-week ban : NPR
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