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Basic Labor Strategies
Why Hire A Doula?
“If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.”John Kennel Doula (pronounced doo-lah) is a Greek word meaning “women’s servant.” A labor or birth doula is a formally or informally trained support individual who provides a range of support to those who are pregnant, birthing, and postpartum and focuses on…
A Birth Plan Isn’t What You Think It Is
Hard truth time: a “Birth Plan” isn’t really a birth plan. Many people have already suspected as such, which is why it’s often reframed as “Birth Preferences” or “Birth Wishes,” yet remains in mostly the same format: a description of the ideal birth outcome, and procedures that won’t be accepted. Your true birth plan involves…
Sacred Severance: “Birthday Candle” Cord Burning Ceremony
I made a few different choices for my second birth, one of which was eschewing the cord-cutting tradition. Instead of clamping and cutting J’s umbilical cord we held a sacred severance ceremony, an ancient ritual that involves using flame to slowly burn the cord. It was a beautiful and peaceful few minutes dedicated to J’s…
