Labor Day weekend is here and some folks have been preparing to travel to squeeze in one last beach or lake trip, preparing to host a cookout for family and friends, or just preparing to have a nice long weekend at home. We thought Labor Day weekend was a great time to talk about preparing for your very own Labor and Birthing Day!
Whether you’ve labored for a few hours or a few days, there’s nothing like finally getting to meet your baby. Here’s what to expect from the moment your baby is born until the first hour after their birth.
Read MoreIn many cases labor progresses just fine on its own but sometimes there is a reason to augment, or enhance, labor. Augmentation of labor is different than induction of labor. Augmentation would happen after spontatneous labor is already underway. Take a look at this post to read about different ways to enhance labor.
Read MoreWhen we think about what we need to prepare for life with a new baby, often times we focus on things. The stuff we should add to a our baby registry. Strollers, baby monitors, diaper bags - those kinds of things. But the truth is you and your baby will probably be fine without a lot of stuff in the early days (other than diapers, food, some clothes, and a safe place to sleep). So what do you really need to feel prepared for postpartum? Pro tip - it’s not stuff. If I could share just a few things that actually help new parents feel better prepared for their postpartum journey, it would be the following….
Read MoreIt’s World Breastfeeding Week, so we’re talking about lactation on this week’s blog. There’s so much to say about breast and chest feeding. Where to begin? As a seasoned Postpartum & Infant Care Doula and Infant Feeding Educator/Specialist, if I could only impart to you THREE things that would help you meet your breastfeeding goals they would be….
Read MoreThe Witching Hour. The Period of Purple Crying. A Total Living Nightmare. Okay, we made that last one up, but there are several names for the time of day (usually the evening) when newborns seem to just totally lose it and cry and cry and cry. And no matter what you call it, boy is that time rough! So what exactly is the Witching Hour? Today’s blog breaks it down and offers some helpful tips to survive this not-so-fun time.
Read MoreCan you take your newborn outside, even in the summer heat? The answer to that is YES! No one wants to stay locked inside all summer long. Get out there with your baby and get some fresh air. Just take a peek at our tips for keeping your newborn cool before you do.
Read MoreCheck out this blog post to see what you can expect during labor if your Group Beta Strep (GBS) screening is positive.
Read MoreIt’s 90 degrees and sunny yet again. It’s too hot to do anything but stay inside in the A/C or get into a pool, lake, or ocean. Sounds easy, right? Maybe pre-kids when you just had to get yourself ready and out the door. Now, the thought of packing up everything you need for a baby or todder for a day at the pool seems a little overwhelming. Good news! There’s plenty of ways to get your baby playing in water without ever leaving your house. Check out some of our ideas!
Read MoreOne of the biggest choices ALL new parents will make is how to feed their new baby. Will the baby be breastfed? Formula fed? Maybe a combination of both? Maybe the new parent plans to exclusively pump and bottle fed? This is not always an easy choice. And once that choice has been made, there is still a mountain of questions surrounding how to make it work. That’s why Doulas of Raleigh offers Infant Feeding Support. Learn more about this service in today’s blog.
Read MoreSunday, June 19th, is Juneteenth. Juneteenth is a celebration of the anniversary of the emancipation of slaves in 1865. June 19th, 1865 is the day when federal troops arrived in Texas to free the remaining enslaved people in the United States. This was TWO AND A HALF YEARS after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth is now a federally recognized American holiday and many African American people celebrate Juneteenth by hosting cultural and educational events around the 19th of June. These events celebrate freedom and the many contributions made to society by African Americans. Read on to find out about some of these events going on in the Triangle.
Read MoreIf you’re anything like me, Father’s Day ALWAYS sneaks up on you and you’re left scrambling for something fun and exciting to gift your partner besides another “World’s Best Dad” mug. Please tell me I’m not alone. Solidarity. So this year, get ahead of the game and check out our list of the top experiences around Raleigh for the dad (or whoever fills that role) in your life.
Read MoreFather’s Day is just around the corner so we thought it was a great time to talk about how labor doulas support Dads/birth partners during labor. Doulas are not just for the laboring person! Check out all the ways a labor doula can support the dad-to-be!
Read MoreImagine stimulation coming at you from all sides. Lights are bright and changing. Sounds are blaring - from the TV, the beeping microwave, multiple voices in your ear. One minute you feel the smooth skin of your mother’s cheek. The next your dad’s scratchy sweater. Then back to mom. This is too much. You’re overtired and overstimulated and you just can’t take it anymore. Time to start wailing. You are overstimulated!
Read MoreYou might think that labor doulas are only there to support you during your labor. You might think labor doulas only support the physical aspects of labor. The good news is the labor doulas are so much more. Take a look at the ways you can get emotional support from labor doulas throughout your pregnancy, labor, and birth.
Read MoreAre you overwhelmed by racing thoughts? Does it feel like you are in a state of constant worry? Do you sometimes have scary thoughts about something happening to your baby? Maybe you even feel dizzy, nauseous, or like your heart might leap out of your chest sometimes. Do you know that all of these things can be symptoms of postpartum anxiety? Today on the blog we’re shedding light on this common, yet not always talked about, perinatal mental health issue.
Read MoreAre you stumped on what to get someone for Mother’s Day this year? Take a look at our Top 10 gift ideas!
Read MoreYou just had your first labor contraction….now what?! Don’t immediately head to the hospital, you’ve likely still got several hours at home. And don’t worry if you’ve suddenly forgotten everything you learned in childbirth class and everything you’ve read about labor. We’ve got you covered; take a look at our post for our suggestions for early labor at home.
Read MoreShould I introduce a pacifier to my baby? This is one of the most common questions we hear from new parents. And one issue where people tend to have very strong opinions. So today on the blog we’re going to break down pacifier use from an evidence based perspective, weigh the pros and cons, and leave you with enough information to allow you to make the choice that’s best for your baby.
Read MoreApril 11-17 is Black Maternal Health Week. Take a look at the ways care providers and doulas can support Black women and help decrease Black maternal mortality rates.
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