As I sit here watching the Summer Olympics, I wonder how many of these athletes could benefit from a Doula? These athletes are trained to peak at their most gifted, innate athletic ability during this special opportunity. Looking back on it, I know I would have benefited from a Doula just trying out for the
8 Common Causes for IUGR
What is IUGR? Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is diagnosed when a baby appears smaller than expected, specifically if an ultrasound indicates the baby’s weight has dropped below 10% for their gestational age. As a birth Doula, I have helped 20 couples bring their little ones earth side. Within those 20 births, I had my first
6 Benefits to Bengkung Belly Binding Postpartum
Bengkung means a strip of cloth in the Indonesia language. Bengkung Belly Binding is a traditional Indonesian treatment of tightly wrapping a long strip of cloth, Stagan, around a woman’s middle section. Bengkung works by twisting and weaving the strip of cloth tightly around a woman’s middle section and thighs so her muscles remain engaged
7 Pros to an Athlete’s Birthing Experience
I have been an athlete for as long as I can remember. I started out in sports in my single digits years with cross country running and softball. In junior high, I added volleyball, basketball and track. By high school my parents had me narrow it down to 1 sport because they did have 2
Support Breast Cancer Awareness
There are numerous women out there that are battling breast cancer. We have our very own family member fighting breast cancer over the past year. Our sister is a loving wife, to an amazing supportive husband, and a mother of 4 gorgeous children, the youngest are 2 year old twin girls. 2 Kraftee Chix specially
Ideal Birth Plan
This past week I had 2 of my mommas achieve their ideal birth plan. They wanted drug free All Natural births with their second child. They both arrived at the hospital, 2 different days of course, at 7cm dilated. They both labored well at home and had the goal of arriving at the hospital at
“Hormone of Love”
Oxytocin is a natural hormone the body produces known as the hormone of love. This hormone is released in large quantities during labor from the brain into the bloodstream. Oxytocin has many functions like protecting the baby’s brain during birth, causes uterine contractions, gives a feeling on calmness and aids in breastfeeding. Stimulating your nipples
TENS
What is TENS? It stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It sends mild electrical impulses through your skin where the nerve fibers are stimulated. The TENS unit is a handheld battery operated device that has leads and stimulating pads that are placed on the mothers back in certain areas, which is controlled by the mother
Squats & Kegels
Are you strengthening your pelvic floor? I just attended an seminar given by the Tarrant County Birth Network, presented by Marie Warner, a Board Certified Women’s Health Therapist located here in the DFW area. She said the magic number for Kegels each day is 80! You can do a combination of quick squeeze relax, repeat
VBAC
I had the opportunity to shadow another Doula for experience just last week. The birth was utterly amazing. This incredible momma went for her VBAC and was successful! As Doulas, we used comfort measures, essential oils, rebozo, acupuncture, TENS units, the shower and tub, cool wash cloth, etc. to help this momma through active labor,