Doulas — Blog — Doulas of Raleigh

Don't Suffer in Silence

Women tend to downplay symptoms so that they go unreported. When we do finally speak up, our concerns are sometimes dismissed and underplayed, even more so if we are not white aheteror if we are not heteronormative. Unfortunately, this downplaying and dismissiveness has caused grave repercussions, particulary causing a huge increase in the maternal mortality rate in this country. This blog is going to hi-light some times throughout your pregnancy and postpartum journey when you absolutely need to speak up and advocate for your care.

Make a Plan for Sleep

While you you prepare for your labor and birth, don’t forget make a plan for sleep-for you-when you bring your newborn home. Take a look at our blog post for suggestions how to make this sleep plan.

Places to Give Birth in the Triangle

You just found out you are pregnant. Congratulations! Now you have to figure out where to have this baby. Thankfully, Raleigh and the surrounding areas offer a lot of birth options. Take a look at our latest blog about where you can have your baby in the Triangle of NC.

Support for New Dads

We aren’t mean to do this parenting thing all on our own. Read our new blog post about Support for New Dads as we get ready to celebrate Father’s Day!

Random Facts About Labor and Birth

You took all the classes, read all the books, and listened to all the podcasts about labor and birth. You probably feel like you know everything there is to know. I’m here to tell you that at least one thing during labor will likely surprise you and make you think, “is this normal?” or “I didn’t know that!” Read this blog to learn more of the little known things that can happen during labor and birth.

I'm Scared I Won't Know When to Go to the Hospital

Sixteen years ago, my husband was speeding down the interstate trying to get me to the birth center. I remember gripping his hand and and yelling at him to go faster and not stop for anything. We had run to get into the car because our daughter was coming SOON. I had my nightgown on and no underwear….I really thought this baby was going to be born in our car. Long story short, I did make it to the birth center and she was born 30 minutes later. But what I wished I had done was head in to the birth center a couple of hours before. I wished I had had someone to tell me that it was time to go. Here's how you can learn from my mistakes!

The Nighttime Dread

Everyone tells you you don’t get much sleep after you have a baby. You don’t really internalize that before your baby is here. Then it hits you like a ton of bricks. OH. You don’t get much sleep after you have a baby. You can deal with that fatigue fine during the day but when the sun sets…the nighttime dread sets in. Some might even call it anxiety.

I'm Exhausted and Overwhelmed

There I was..maybe 5 days postpartum..sprawled across my bed. My eyes were tightly closed, I was balled up in a fetal position, desperately trying to get some sleep. My parents had come to stay with us for a few days and sent me off to take a much needed nap. Except, I couldn’t sleep.

What to Know About Pre-Eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is diagnosed when you have high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy combined with protein in your urine. Pre-eclampsia is very serious and needs to be treated by your care provider. Read our latest blog to find out more about what to expect when you receive this diagnosis.

Things to Try When Labor is Stalled

First, know that it is OK and sometimes perfectly normal for folks to hang out in the same place in labor for awhile. It’s also normal for you to want to get the show on the road. Here are a few things to try if your labor has stalled.

How Can I Use A Peanut Ball During Labor?

Doulas like to say that peanut balls add a bit of magic to your labor. A peanut ball is probably one of the best tools available for your use in your labor and delivery room. This tool can help you have a smoother, quicker labor. Take a look at a few ways you can use a peanut ball during labor.

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Have Two Doulas

It takes twooooo baby…it takes twoooo baby…..for me and you…..it takes two….two doulas that is! Doulas of Raleigh always pairs labor clients up with a team of two labor doulas. Read on to find out some of the reason why two doulas is better than one.

What Happens if I Go Past My Due Date

You have anticipated meeting your baby for months and your due date arrives…and your baby has not. Most first time mothers go into labor, on average, around 41 weeks and 3 days. You may be OK with waiting until your baby decides on their birthday. Once you get to the 4o week mark, there may be some additional things you can do. Read our latest blog to find out what to expect.

What Happens if I Have Preeclampsia

May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month. Symptoms include high blood pressure, swelling in the face or limbs, blurred vision, headaches, and sensitivity to light. Call your care provider immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. If you are diagnosed with preeclampsia you may have a different path to birth than you planned. Take a look at what you might expect if you receive this diagnosis.

Did My Water Break??

You’ve seen the TV and movie scenes where a very pregnant woman has her water break in a spectacular fashion! It looks so obvious! While it does sometimes happen that way, most of the time it is a little more subtle and can be a ittle tricky to identify. Read our newest blog post to find out a few things to try to find out if you really are leaking amniotic fluid.

Ways to Move During Labor

Moving during labor can help decrease contraction pain, facilitate the labor process, and help your baby become more enganged into your pelvis. Read on to find out some ways to move throughout your labor (yes, even with an epidural!)

Breathing Techniques During Labor

Breathing well is one of the best ways you can can help yourself cope with your labor contractions. There are many different ways to help you or your support team guide your breath. Take a look at our blog post for more details.

Positions for Pushing With an Epidural

You may have heard that you are totally numb if you have an epidural. You may have heard that you can only push on your back with an epidural. The good news is that is no longer the case! Most epidural placements now offer good pain control without confining you to being on your back. This means that you are able to push in different positions within your hospital bed. Take a look at some of your options!

Give Yourself the Gift of Sleep

You need sleep after your baby is born. While we wish this was easy as telling you to “sleep when the baby sleeps”, we all know that there are some days and some nights where your baby just won’t sleep. Instead, we urge you to have a sleep plan in place for yourself before your baby arrives. Of course, if your baby has already been born you can still implement a new sleep plan. Read our newest blog to find out more.

The Welcoming Hour

The Welcoming Hour, sometimes called the Golden Hour, begins as soon as your baby is born. Read our newest blog post to find out what to expect and what you can do to get maxium benefits for you and your new baby during this first hour of your baby’s life.

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Embrace your Journey with the Compassionate Support of Doulas of Raleigh!