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Mother Minder DOULA, Cork (2026)

29/10/2023

New logo, new page! I've finally decided to take the big step: unify this account with my main one. In this past year it became clear to me how difficult it is to manage multiple accounts at once. That's why I've decided to use only one of them from now on and to focus mainly on yoga and holistic care for pregnancy and postpartum.

If you are interested in these topics follow my other account maggie_motherminder

See you there!

15/03/2023

Hormones are key in physiological birth. They can be your best friend or your worse enemy! Educate yourelf and your partner before birth so that you can be ready to face it in the best possible way.
Did you know all this? Let me know in the comments.

01/03/2023

Another feedback from one of my yoga students. Yoga is amazing during pregnancy and in case you are interested in taking classes with me check my old posts or my yoga page

Have a great day!
Maggie

24/02/2023

It should be clear by now what a doula is (if not, check the previous posts), but what is the difference between a birth\antenatal doula and a postpartum one? Let's have a look at the differences.
A birth doula is a person that is with you during pregnancy and during birth, whether you give birth at home or at the hospital. She meets you during pregnancy and helps you understanding what will happen during birth. She will be with you for the whole duration of labour and birth and most doulas check in once or twice after birth.
But after you have got your baby that's when a postpartum doula's job starts. Unless your doula is trained for both (birth and postpartum) she most likely wasn't there during birth but she will support you and your family from birth onwards. She will come to your house and help in any way you need: light house chores, help with siblings, cooking or anything else that can allow you to take care of yourself and the baby. These doulas usually work for longer periods but it's completely up to you and what you need from here.

Have you hired a postpartum doula? Are you planning to? Let me know in the comments below!
I’ll see you soon.
Maggie

22/02/2023

Putting a comb in your birth bag can really change the day! No, it's not just used to comb your hair but it can actually help you with pain management. Research shows that holding a comb with the teeth facing your palm during each contraction can activate the gate control theory of pain: our mind can only process a certain numbers of stimuli at the time and distracting the brain with the "pain" of the comb can help with labour sensations. Another theory is related to acupressure and it refers to the fact that the comb would touch important acupressure points in your palms that act like pain relief. So, what are you waiting for?! Put that extra comb in the bag! Just two advices: choose a comb made of wood since plastic can break and be painful and while you use it start squeezing right at the beginning of the wave and don't stop for the whole duration.

Have you used a comb for your birth? Let me know in the comments!
I’ll see you soon.
Maggie

21/02/2023

Skin to skin is magic! Keeping your newborn in contact with your bare skin right after birth (but later on too) has multiple benefits. Here are some of them:
-it stabilises body temperature: right after birth your baby needs help to control his\her body temperature and your body can do exactly that,
-improves heart and lungs functions: it calms down your baby helping him regulate his heart rate,
- it helps with breastfeeding: baby knows your smell and can crawl to your breast if allowed too,
-reduces crying: babies might be shocked right after birth and being in contact with you can calm them down reducing the crying,
-it helps with bonding: skin to skin with mom is ideal but if mom got surgery and needs some time, skin to skin can be great with dads too. Not only it helps babies but it helps dad bonding too. If anything happens during birth and skin to skin is not immediately available keep in mind that you can do it at any time, especially during the 4th trimester when that extra bonding time is soooo important. So take advantage of every calm moment to keep the baby close to you end enjoy the bonding.

What about you? Did you have a chance to do skin to skin? Are you planning too? Let me know in the comments below.

I’ll see you soon.
Maggie

10/02/2023

I am not surprised of the amount of women that are worried of being induced. In an American survey 41% of women stated that their providers tried to push for an induction. First of all we have to be aware of the reasons why they may want to induce and these are the most common reasons:
• Baby’s size: Baby’s size is just like hip’s size, it doesn’t really exist! Not only scans are often wrong about sizes but we always have to keep in mind that the pelvis is flexible and can accommodate the size of your baby.

• Amniotic fluid level: this level is strictly connected to your hydration so if you think the levels could be wrong try to drink more and ask to be tested again.

• Still pregnant after you due date: we’ll soon talk specifically about due date but for now remember that babies rarely come on they due date and we should talk about due month rather than day! Make sure your EDD (estimated due date) is correct if you think you know when you have conceived or if you keep track of your ovulation and be ready to be surprised, babies come when they want.

• To ensure you end up with a specific provider: this often happens right before holidays or weekends. A doctor invites you to have an induction so that he\she can be present during the birth. Guess what? Your provider in any case WON’T be in the room for most of the time so remember that you don’t need to plan your birth around that.
Having said so, if they are pushy try and ask them these questions before taking a decision:
Why are you recommending it? What happens if I don’t get induced? Is it safe to continue my pregnancy and wait a little bit longer? Are there any other risk factors?

Remember to advocate for what you believe is best for you!
What about you? Did they suggest an induction? What was your reaction? Let me know in the comments.
I’ll see you soon.
Maggie

08/02/2023

A frequently asked question about doulas is: “I’m planning to give birth in the hospital. Can I still hire a doula?". And the answer? Yes, indeed! Doulas are not only for home births and here’s how she can help you have a positive birth experience in the hospital.
• Before the big day, your doula will work with you to prepare you for the birth and will inform you all about birth. The antenatal meetings are for you to ask all the questions you might have and for her to prepare you as much as possible.
• She can also help you determine your birth preferences. Just because your birth will be in hospital it doesn’t mean you don’t have choices. Think about movement, pain management, pushing phase, cord clamping….so many things that you can choose. The more you know the more you’ll be able to advocate for yourself.
• Your doula will support, listen to, and honour you and your partner during the first phase at home but also in the hospital, since most hospitals are more than open to have doulas. You’ll have to inform them before hand and check if they have specific requirements. She will be with you during the first hours at home and she can help you determine when is the right moment to move to the hospital.
• Your doula can also help you plan ahead for the postpartum. Many doulas offer postnatal packages but in any case they would be able to guide you through easy breastfeeding issues, simple house chores or even just cooking a nutritious meal. Your doula can also help you set up a support network as well as helping with siblings.
And you? Have you ever been supported by a doula? How did she help you? Let me know in the comments below.
I’ll see you soon.
Maggie

03/02/2023

You are almost there….it’s a matter of days, or maybe weeks! No one can really know when your baby will come and the EDD (estimated due date) is often wrong. Why is that? That’s because it’s almost impossible to know when exactly you got pregnant and in addition to that babies might come between 37 to 42 weeks no matter what, which means a good 5 weeks of doubts.
What to do then? The only thing that you can do is to wait, patiently. My suggestion is to stop considering it a due day but rather a due month and if the pressure of people around you is too high don’t tell them anything at all! Something like “I am due in April” is more than enough. At the end of the day there is no way to predict nor to speed the process up. The average first time-mom actually goes into labour after 40 weeks and sometimes relaxing and letting go of expectations can be the best solution.
What about you? When is your due month? Or when did you give birth?
Let me know in the comments.
I’ll see you soon.
Maggie

01/02/2023

Mama you are not alone, or at least you should not be. Even if I strongly believe in women’s power, giving birth is hard work and you should be supported. Your birth partner can be anyone that you choose to have by your side on the big day. Most of the time is the father\mama of the baby but no one says that it can’t be your mom, sister or simply your doula. Choose wisely because your birth partner plays a big role in the whole experience and here is how he\she can help.
• BE PREPARED: mama is the one doing the big work but that does not mean that your partner should have no clue of what is going on in your body or in the room. Please take antenatal classes together, listen to positive birth stories together or anything else that can help you learning what needs to be learnt. In my antenatal workshops I usually recommend partners to be present and to ask all the questions they might have.
• KNOW THE PLAN: we have already talked about birth preferences (see other post) and the partner will most likely be the one who will have to advocate in case you feel things are not going as you would like. You might be too emotional or focused and he might need to be the one to step up and talk to the doctors. So know the plan and stick to it!
• VALIDATE: every birth is different and even if this is your 4th child emotions and feelings will be there together with some kind of discomfort most likely. The only thing you have to do is to validate all her feelings and tune in with her. Empathy is key.
• BE PRESENT: no matter what, try to BE THERE. Not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. Birth can be scary and you have to be in it together for the mama to feel supported. If you feel like you can’t do it, for any reason, please consider hiring a doula, we are not there to replace, we are there to support you both.
What about you? How did your partner help? Did you feel supported? Let me know in the comments.
I’ll see you soon.
Maggie

27/01/2023

This is one of the feedback from my former prenatal yoga student. I could not be more grateful for this amazing job.
If you are pregnant and are looking for yoga classes you can look at my other posts or visit my yoga page

21/01/2023

It’s time to pack your bag. The important things to carry with you might change according to your personal needs but most things are usually quite common among women and this is what I think you should not forget.
My first advice is to pack together with your partner so that during labour he\she can help you by finding what you need in the bag without wasting time. For what concerns what type of bag you should bag it does not make much difference whether you decide to pack a bag, a backpack or a carry on with wheels. My only recommendation is to be mindful of your pelvic floor so in case you choose a bag please ask for help and mind how you carry it.
Important things to remember:
• Birth plan: to let the hospital staff know your preferences
• Slippers and socks: to keep your feet warm
• Pjs suitable for breastfeeding (if you choose to breastfeed). I usually recommend wide long sleeves in case they need to place an IV
• Maxi pads: for the bleeding after birth (choose reusable menstrual pads\underwear if possible)
• Snacks and drinks: giving birth is hard work and you need energy! Pack something simple but nutritious like nuts, honey, dry fruit
• Lip balm: your lips might get really dry because of the AC in the hospital
• Essential oils, fairy lights music or anything else that you might need to keep the environment quite (more about this is future posts)
• New born clothes\diapers: for the first day\days
I don’t usually suggest to carry anything for your ni***es because it is not necessary during the first days same for any other accessory that you might want to use for your baby. The first days are all about resting, feeding and getting to know each other.
And you, what are you planning to take with you to the hospital? Any other recommendations?
Let me know in the comments!

Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll see you soon.
Maggie

Mother Minder DOULA

29/10/2023

15/03/2023

01/03/2023

24/02/2023

22/02/2023

21/02/2023

10/02/2023

08/02/2023

03/02/2023

01/02/2023

27/01/2023

21/01/2023

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