“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 focusesContinue reading “Why Hire A Doula?”
Tag Archives: natural birth
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’sContinue reading “Sacred Severance: “Birthday Candle” Cord Burning Ceremony”
All About Amniotomy (AROM)
I was getting ready for class this weekend, gathering my ‘induction methods’ demo items. And I felt compelled to write a post covering one of the most standard practice medical options, particularly in hospital settings: Amniotomy, also called AROM (Artificial Rupture of Membranes). So let’s learn about it!
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”
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