Newly Nurtured Doula Services

06/06/2024

The 5-5-5 Rule of Rest

The goal? Prioritize rest for two weeks! Now, a new mom’s brain tends to go to: “I need to be doing more!” And a lot of them hear “well that seems a bit lazy, don’t you think”. 🙄 This healing process requires a lot of self-reflection and self-discipline because our society has gone away from such natural practice for so long. We need to 👏slow 👏 down! Rest is productive.

Can you go on a walk? Of course, but if you feel pelvic pressure or heaviness afterwards, then you did too much. If you had an increase in bleeding after doing something more active, you did too much. We have to let our body’s heal, holistically.

I also understand that for many it is but a privilege to have that much assistance available in your postpartum journey. If you don’t have access to this kind of support, then keep this information in your mind and let it help you choose what tasks and activities are most important to do in your day so you can still plan for the most rest.

If you’re like me, and maaaany other mamas, and need someone to tell you to slow down while also supporting that then call up a postpartum doula! We are the perfect village to support you through a healing 5-5-5!

With gratitude,
Your Postpartum Doula - Ashley

05/07/2024

🚩heavy vaginal bleeding - soaking a pad in less than hour, clots bigger than an egg
🚩vaginal bleeding that is not decreasing
🚩a fever
🚩sudden swelling in your face, vision changes, a severe headache
🚩persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness
🚩breast pain/redness/warmth, flu like symptoms
🚩feeling dizzy or lightheaded
🚩extreme fatigue stopping you from typical activity
🚩foul smelling vaginal discharge
🚩frequent or painful urination
🚩pain in your calf, back of knee, groin, or thigh or swelling in these areas
🚩shortness of breath, sudden extreme weight gain, swelling in leg/ankles/feet
🚩pain not responding to medication
🚩redness, swelling, discharge from any stitches

🫶🏻 You know your body best. Trust your gut and if something feels off get checked!

🫶🏻 Save it, screen shot it, tag it, send it. You just might save a mama.

With gratitude,
Your Postpartum Doula - Ashley

04/13/2024

C-Section Awareness Month- recover with me!

🫶🏻 Keep on top your pain meds and stay scheduled. Utilize heat & cold to manage swelling, any hematomas, soreness.
🫶🏻Prioritize rest. It’s useful and NECESSARY. Horizontal rest and sleep will encourage healing. Nourishing, warm, easily digestible foods & Hydration that include easy means for extra nutrients like broths, teas, and soups.
🫶🏻Slowly increase your movement over the first few weeks. Gentle short walks around the house every couple of hours, gentle movements in bed such as ankle pumps. Try out the 5-5-5 rule!
🫶🏻Chewing gum, peppermint tea, warm water to support bowel motility. Hydration and daily osmotic laxative to ease passing, especially if taking narcotics. Use a step stool under your feet + pillow to support incision. Breathing out into a closed fist can help relax the pelvic floor during a bowel movement.
🫶🏻Have your people in place for support - partner, family, friends, postpartum doula to take care of the “other stuff”. Your job is to heal your body and be with your baby.
🫶🏻Whether your belly birth was planned, unplanned or emergent take the time to process what it means to you. Our birth stories play a larger role in both short and long term recovery than most people appreciate
🫶🏻Splint your incision with a pillow or blanket when sneezing, coughing, pooping, blowing nose etc. Log roll in bed and put your ““nose over toes” when sitting/standing. Avoid stairs where possible. Try a step stool for getting in/out of bed, car, the tub etc.
🫶🏻Keep incision dry & clean. Follow protocol for your closure type and restrictions put in place - such as nothing heavier than babe being lifted, no driving until cleared, keep products off incision until healed. Use breath-work for early mobility!
Begin early desensitization around 1 wk with soft fabrics. Between 6-12 wks begin mobilization by working outward in toward scar. Silicone tape, cupping, & dry needling can be added support to aid in appearance.

Comment below your fave recovery advice! 👇🏻

With gratitude,
Your Postpartum Doula - Ashley

03/24/2024

03/14/2024

👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Some may call it “2nd Night Syndrome” but simply, baby is homesick. Around 24 hrs post birth and a typically restful day, when the stress and fatigue all settles from entering the world your little ones senses become overwhelmed. When the place they were once hugged tightly and rocked to the whooshing lullaby of moms heart and voice, the most serene, warm darkness has been replaced quite abruptly. Bright light, cold,hard suraces, clothes, new smells and feelings. No more whoosh and sway.

Parents tend to jump to the conclusion that something is wrong, moms declaring they don’t have enough milk. Mama, you are doing great. Humans are carry mammals. We are meant to hold our babies close and complete gestation externally! In these moments, remember the only pieces of “home” baby has left is your voice, smell, and sound of your heart under the warmth of your skin. Take then home mama. Bringing your baby skin skin and frequently to the breast establishes bond, comfort AND milk supply.

Tips to Thrive on Night 2:
🫶🏻skin to skin as much as possible, then more
🫶🏻put baby to the breast early and often
if worried, hand express or chat with a Lactation professional
🫶🏻let their hands be free to self soothe
🫶🏻sway, rock, bounce
🫶🏻breathe, mama.
🫶🏻acknowledge your feelings. It’s ok be overwhelmed and frustrated

With gratitude,
Your Postpartum Doula - Ashley

For another read check out:

https://www.renaissancemidwifery.ca/docs/babys_second_night.pdf

03/06/2024

You can. You have. You will 🫶🏻

From my new book ‘Beautiful Chaos’ 📖
www.jessicaurlichs.com

03/03/2024

Such an amazing program for new moms to be apart of. If this interests anyone reach out and become a part of the village moms need so deeply!

Looking for Volunteer Baby Cuddlers!

03/03/2024

DM me “postpartum list” for your free full list!

Packing your hospital bag is both exciting and a little bit daunting. Did I pack everything I need?! Did I pack too much? What things are actually going to be helpful!?
If this is your first babe how would you know? You will likely take advice from others or read articles online about what the best “essential hospital list” is. Everyone’s “essential” is different because everyone’s experience will be different. Take the time to do an internal scan of what things call to you culturally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically when you experience transitions in life.
Unsure of how to apply these to your postpartum journey? Try chatting with a doula, we can help you look at it through a new lens! 🫶🏻

You’ll want to include your items for labour/delivery of course but we tend to overlook what items would support us in our first steps of postpartum. The above list are few “essentials” that are both tried and true from yours truly and a reminder to support ourselves holistically in this transition. 🫶🏻

Be sure to also include the basics such as:
Extra pads and high-waisted, stretchy, breathable un**es
Comfortable, breathable, lightweight clothes, that support breastfeeding, skin to skin and if needed a c-section scar
A robe and easy footwear - think warm grippy socks, slippers, slip-on shoes
Toiletries
Long phone charger
Ni**le cream
+++

Some moms may find it helpful to back two bags - a labour & delivery bag and a postpartum bag that their partner can swap out for less clutter.

What else would you add? What did you feel was “essential”? Comment below!

With gratitude,
Your Postpartum Doula - Ashley

03/03/2024

👋🏻 We’re on Facebook now! You can see my full content over on Instagram but don’t worry I’ll be spreading the love on this platform going forward as well!

The face behind the doula work is kind of important as that’s who you create a connection with and choose to be a safe person in your vulnerable space and time so let’s start there!

Ashley Dowler - that’s me 🙋🏼‍♀️
I create and hold space for new and expecting families. New moms and dads trust in me to assist them in making informed decisions, preparing them for postpartum life, and to quietly become the extra set of hands we always hear about needing. I provide safe, nonjudgmental, validating and encouraging lines of communication. Your questions are answered with ALL of the evidence based answers and resources to allow you to make your own informed decisions that I am honoured to support. I wholeheartedly believe in community and village. To be a part of yours is a privilege I take seriously. You will see me connecting with others to bring the best offerings to my clients. Holistic care is ideal and sits deep with me so I strive to bring holistic postpartum care and referrals.

Fun facts:
🫶🏻 I am VERY crafty - I always have side projects going of some sort - woodwork, sewing, crocheting, putting ideas to trial
🫶🏻 I am in a house full of BOYS, even all our animals are boys
🫶🏻 I try to bring a little humour to everything
🫶🏻 I love breads, pastries, anything from dough. And I do mean L-O-V-E , I don’t discriminate

I’m a pretty cool cat if I do say so myself but I’ll let you be the judge of that! If you’re reading this thinking yes, that’s exactly the kind of experience I’m hoping for then slide on in to my dm’s and let’s chat!

I am so grateful to meet you all!
Your Postpartum Doula - Ashley