Doula Lauren May

15/10/2022

I’ll be back to doula work soon but for now I’m still enjoying this precious time with my baby.

18/05/2022

Now on maternity leave 🥰

21/04/2022

The first few weeks postpartum are such a sacred time that must be protected and reclaimed. Let’s make bounce back culture a thing of the past. Stay in bed, stay home, stay in your cocoon for as long as you want and need. That goes for the whole fourth trimester too, anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months.

25/03/2022

Some relaxing birth prep for me today. Birth affirmation cards the colour of Brienzersee, my happy place and a poster of comfort measures for my birth partners to remember. A little homemade but helpful all the same.

25/01/2022

Nutritious, healthy and delicious meals prepared for this Mama arriving home from a trip away.

Veggie Lasagne, Sweet Potato, Chickpea and Spinach Stew, and Lentil shepherds pie mixture she can simply add mashed potatoes to. All groceries done and house cleaned ready for her and her families arrival.

What support do you dream of to make your life as a mum easier? Maybe I can help.

23/12/2021

12/11/2021

So I’ve been MIA from my doula work for a good few months now whilst I’ve been working on something else. 🥰🥰🥰🥰 Baby Peacock will arrive in Spring next year. It was a long journey and at times it felt too raw to be in the birth worker world. I’m happy to say that everything is going well and Doula Lauren May is up and running again. If you have any questions or concerns about your pregnancy, birth and the fourth trimester, please do get in touch. Sending love. ❤️🧡💛💚💙 just off for another snack…

15/07/2021

from Birthrights] This is an absolute basic human right! But we don’t know it, we don’t think about it, too often we just go along with things then wonder why we said yes afterwards, feeling like we didn’t really have a choice, feeling coerced and pressured. But we do have a choice. Every single time! If you’re pregnant please please please follow Birthrights] who are doing incredible work raising awareness and training birth workers (including midwives and obstetricians) on recognising situations where human rights are at risk of being breached and how to stop this from happening!

28/05/2021

New blog post :)

What is it? What does that mean for you? Where can I get it? May 28th Night feeds can be lonely and exhausting. In Switzerland we’re lucky enough to have up to 10 visits from your midwife which is great. But I’m yet to see support offered to new mums overnight. The nights can be the hardest. It ...

26/05/2021

from the lovely Charlotte.

It's always nice to receive positive feedback and to know I helped. ☺️

Sending love to Charlotte and her beautiful daughter Amara.

24/05/2021

New blog post over on the website :)

Venturing out and making a community - May 24th Wow, it’s been a while. I’m pleased to say that since the website went live I’ve had some lovely compliments on the website and lots of positive feedback on the work of a doula. I’ve been away from the blog for a while whilst I’ve been focusi...

23/05/2021

20/05/2021

Always ask why. So often we simply do as we're told in a hospital environment and especially when requests are presented as commands.
'We're going to take your blood pressure now.'
'We're just going to check how dilated you are.'
'We're going to schedule your induction for next week'.

With this language it's no wonder we're left doubting whether we have choice in these matters but we absolutely do and must assess these actions and how they relate to us.

For any situations you don't feel sure on, using the BRAIN technique can be helpful. You have the right to ask questions, the right to decline or request alternatives.

Remember, your body, your baby.

18/05/2021

Night feeds can be lonely and exhausting.
Doula Night Support - what it looks like.
Your doula arrives at 9pm, makes you a nice warm drink and sends you to bed. Your baby is cared for and brought to you in bed for feeding then whisked away for changing and cuddles whilst you sleep. You wake refreshed and look forward to breakfast in bed. After clearing away breakfast and hanging out the laundry, your doula takes the rubbish out and wishes you a nice day.

Does that sound like something you'd appreciate? Many doulas, including myself offer night support. Get in contact if you need a good nights sleep.

15/05/2021

from by Amanda Burleigh

Once a baby is born, it needs to regulate its blood volume.
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It does this by taking the right amount of blood from the umbilical cord and placenta into its body before the cord is clamped and cut.
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This is an important physiological process called placental transfusion.
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It is the reason why we have realised that clamping and cutting the cord too early can be dangerous for the baby.
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In term babies, this process supplies about a third of the baby's blood.
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Placental transfusion helps support and perfuse all organs and systems.
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The residual blood in the placenta is not extra. It is not helpful to call it cord blood. It is intended to end up in the baby.
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The blood that some people call 'cord blood' is the same blood that the fetus's heart was pumping in utero in order to perfuse their body and the placenta.
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When the baby is in utero, the placenta is acting as the baby's lungs.
⚪ It's baby's blood and belongs to them.

Write it in your birth plan / preference.

13/05/2021

I recently asked my mum if she read any parenting books before I was born. She recommended this, 'How to really love your child' which i've since been reading. The focus is on giving unconditional love and focused attention to fill up the child's emotional tank.

What parenting books are you reading or have read to help you navigate being a parent?

12/05/2021

Last weekend the photographer who did the photos for my website also did a shoot for my husbands business .velo We have both set up businesses in the past year and set out on careers we both feel passionate about. It feels great to have his support and to support his dreams too. How does your partner show up for you? Your partner is your biggest advocate and most important birth partner.