A Doula’s Guide to Early Labor for a Pregnant Person
“Help! I’m in early labor! What should I do?”
As doulas, we get this question ALL the time! And luckily, we have plenty of ideas that we share with our clients for how to spend this time.
Our goals during early labor are to 1) settle your mind, and 2) utilize this early labor time to prepare for later stages of labor. Here’s how we suggest to do that:
How to Find & Learn About Your Pelvic Floor: A Prenatal/ Postnatal Practice
We’ve been teaching prenatal and postnatal yoga for over a decade, and in all these years, we’ve learned that it doesn’t do any good to talk about the pelvic floor if you don’t know where it is!
So our first step is helping folks FIND their pelvic floor and REFLECT on what’s going on.
Once you know your anatomy, you can work to create balance in your pelvic floor.
The Power of Words of Affirmation in Pregnancy & Labor
When I am in the presence of a laboring person as a doula or support person, I find myself returning to these potent cue words:
“Soften”
“Open”
“Release”
“Allow”
“Breathe”
“Lean in”
“Melt”
“Ground”
How to Prepare for Postpartum: A Realistic Guide
As birth workers, we spend a lot of time talking with folks about how to prepare for postpartum. But as I come up on the birth of my second child, I’ve thought a lot about how to apply these tips and tricks to my own life. As so here is my personal plan for preparing for postpartum.
Holiday Gift Guide
As a parent, I sort of dread the holidays. My son has enough toys, you feel me? The extra stuff tends to overwhelm my toddler and leads to meltdowns. So, this year, I’ve committed to gift practical, usable, or experience based. What does that mean? LESS STUFF and MORE MEANINGFUL CONNECTION!
Sleep & Pregnancy: Tips for Getting A Good Night’s Sleep
Let’s talk about sleep.
A common pregnancy woe is sleep, whether you’re uncomfortable, restless or waking up for the million-eth time to pee.
Luckily we have some tips that we’ve shared with countless clients to help them through the night as a pregnant person. Because sleep is always important, but we want to make sure that you’re as rested as you can be during pregnancy.
What to Know about the First Latch: Breastfeeding 101
The first latch with your newborn can feel foreign and awkward. It’s usually the very first time you have a tiny human ferociously vying for one of the most sensitive parts of your body.
Why You Should Write Your Birth Plan/ Preferences When Preparing for Birth
Many birth preparation checklists have a line about writing a “birth plan” to bring with you to the hospital, birth center, or wherever you plan on giving birth. But how do you write such a document?
We’ve guided many clients through this process, but before we talk about the “how,” we need to discuss the “why.”
Preparing for Birth: Diaphragmatic Breath
Preparing for birth often brings our clients in touch with terms they’ve never heard before.
Diaphragmatic breathing is no different.
What Should You Eat During Labor? Food & Drinks in Birth
In our work as doulas, we are often asked what what you should pack in your labor bag to fuel your labor.