Who Should Be At Your Birth?

It’s time to get into the matter of being picky about who shows up at your birth. I feel it’s especially relevant now when tensions are already high and pregnant people are carrying additional stresses into labor. If it were ever THE time to surround yourself with positive, compassionate people, it’s now. How can youContinue reading “Who Should Be At Your Birth?”

My 3 Favorite Comfort Measures For Labor

1. Visualization This is my personal favorite as I know firsthand the power of visualization for coping with labor sensations. In my second birth story, I wrote about how practicing visualizations in pregnancy helped prepare me for the energetic shifts of labor, during which we experience an altered state of consciousness and move between brainwaveContinue reading “My 3 Favorite Comfort Measures For Labor”

Basic Labor Strategies

Behold, basic labor strategies for a natural birth! Alas, we do know the labor process is largely unpredictable (shall we say wonderfully mysterious?) and typically not wanting to follow any kind of measured, mechanical pattern. This list of ideas can be helpful even if your labor doesn’t compartmentalize itself into neat and easily identified “stages.”Continue reading “Basic Labor Strategies”

What’s In My Doula Bag?

First, I would like to preface by saying I firmly believe in a birthing person’s ability to bring a baby into the world without a whole lot of (or any) “stuff.” I never use all the contents of my bag, I often rely on one or two things, and I sometimes even forgo all ofContinue reading “What’s In My Doula Bag?”

Laughter in Labor

Having a good time in labor actually helps it progress. And why not be open to the possibility of enjoying yourself in labor? After all, it leads to the birth of your child — a momentous event worth celebrating! Studies have shown laughter offers many health benefits, including: helps manage pain – when muscles areContinue reading “Laughter in Labor”