Tali Mansdorf Naturopathic Doula

02/08/2023

I have been to many births, but this one a few weeks ago was by far the most incredible and special one... this one I experienced with the loving support of David and my mom by my side, not as a doula, but a mama myself.
הודו לה' כי טוב כי לעולם חסדו.
David and I are feeling so blessed and grateful for our baby girl.
Huge thank you to Dr. Matan Elami for being there every step of the way.

03/08/2022

03/08/2022

04/04/2022

"These well known mexican dresses are not just beautiful... they have significance behind them. When a girl would get her first period there would be a celebration for her and she would receive a dress like this with flowers blooming by the "womb" area to represent her new stage of life."
- Angelina Martinez 💗

13/10/2021

"Monumento la madre"...(the monument of the mother).
I love this monument so much.
A mother holding her child together with her beautiful rebozo, a cherished woven cloth that is used traditionally by the women here in Mexico.
The relationship with the rebozo starts early on in the womb as the mother uses it to tie her belly for comfort and to receive "manteadas", gentle sifting massages (both during pregnancy and in childbirth! If you have tried it you get how magical it can be 😉)
Once her baby is born, the rebozo continues to be used to wrap and carry her newborn till childhood.
It is said "the rebozo is an extention of loving hands"... and this monument depicts that beautifully.

30/09/2021

After the holiday of sukkot, when I would attend a birth in a specific Jerusalem hospital, I would very often find little jars of etrog (citron) jam labled "for easy birth" on the shelves of the hallway in the delivery ward. These little special jams were made by women in the area and gifted to birthing women who cared to use it in hopes of a smooth birth.
The "jam" is used as a segulah (a spiritual/mystical practice used for attaining a certain desired outcome) for easy childbirth.This is based on the idea that the tree of knowledge was an etrog tree. It is taught that as a result of Chava (Eve) eating from this tree that childbirth took on a new reality, a more challenging one, as we know of today. The idea is by eating an etrog that was blessed and used for a holy purpose (the "arbaat haminin") on Sukkot, undergoes a sweetening process when turned into jam and serves as a "fixing" that is believed to help ease childbirth.
I am all for women connecting to positive birth in the ways they choose , BUT ...I would like to remind women who specifically connect to this, please consider only using ORGANIC/home grown etrogs. Since etrogs for sukkot are grown to be "perfect" and beautiful they are generally heavily sprayed with pectisides and really should not be used for consumption.
Wishing everyone healthy, safe and beautiful births! (Filled with Organic etrogs, if that's your jam 😉).

30/08/2021

As many of you know, the sisters of Saint Joseph do such beautiful and important work in the birth world, doing all they can to help bring life into this world with love, respect and care.
The same effort and incredible sacred work is done in their other hospital in Jerusalem, Saint Louis, a hospice where they accompany with love, care and compassion those who are leaving this world.
This campaign was just launched to help raise money to improve the conditions of the hospital (that are quite needed) and help better their patients quality of life for their remaining days.
"We may not be able to add days to their life, but can add life to their days"
Please consider donating.
Any amount would be so appreciated.
(There is a short clip from a moving documentary about Saint Louis, in the comments)

Imagine yourself in a garden, with green trees and bright flowers, … Valentina Sala needs your support for GIVE LIFE to St. LOUIS: a HOSPITAL without borders

24/05/2021

Finally! What a blessing to get to visit my dear teacher.
One of the main perks of relocating to Mexico for some time, is definitely being able to learn, soak up the most amazing knowledge and spend quality time with my teacher, Angelina a beautiful wise traditional midwife.💗

#דולה

20/05/2021

Have you ever had someone give you a really nice compliment causing you to blush? Or have you recieved bad or stressful news causing you to have heart palpatations or stomach issues? How about someone expressing something really loving to you, leading you to feel calm, happy and relaxed?
These are all ways we see, that the way our body works and functions can be affected by simple words.
The power of language is one of my favorite lessons that I teach as a KG hypnobirth instructor. It is a wonderful "tool", just like water therapy, massage, movement. When this lesson is applied at birth it can have a pretty profound impact on the birthing woman, her environment and her team.
During the birth itself, choosing the right words when we speak to ourselves in our hearts and minds, and asking our care takers and partners to use them wisely, can help reach the goal of a positive birth experience.
A simple phrase or word (such as "failure to progress”, “only four centimeters”, “wrong position”, "big baby"  "contraction" (as opposed to "wave/surge") can easily lead to fear and anxiety causing the release of adrenaline. And we all know adrenaline in labor is a big no no! It can reduce the release of oxytocin which can cause a stall in labor/negatively effect labor progress, cause more pain and just not feel very nice....at all.
On the other hand, oxytocin is what we want! By using more positive, loving and encouraging words and language, we can help relaxation and the natural flow of oxytocin that is so needed and present at birth.
And what if birth goes in another direction then planned or interventions are needed? I have seen words be one of the main keys in helping influence and navigate a potentially challenging situation towards a more positive, confident and empowering outcome.
I encourage women to be aware of the language they are using and hearing from others leading up to the birth.Try and surround yourself with positive birth stories and positive language to build confidence in your body and a calm state of mind.
Blessing us all to use our words only for good. In the birth world and beyond.

27/04/2021

Some of you may recogonize this "baby" from my prenatal education classes.
I'm happy to announce that "baby" has got himself an additonal model role as I train to become an infant massage instructor through the International Association of Infant Massage.
Looking foward to teaching groups of parents this wonderful practice that will surely benefit them and their little ones.
And what a fun way for me to keep in touch and continue to support and guide my mamas/papas and babies on their journey after birth as well.

21/04/2021

So, what is laughing gas and how does it work?
Laughing gas (a.k.a nitrous oxide) is a form of inhaled pain relief drug made up of a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. It is not understood exactly how it provides pain relief, but is thought to alter how we percieve pain, as well as decrease stress and anxiety.

PRO's
1.It's quick to start, you will begin feeling the effects after taking just a few breaths. No need to wait for anesthesiologist (can be great option for those waiting to get epidural or alternativley for those who ideally want epidural but either medically can not, or labor is going too fast.
2. You can stop at any time so if you aren't enjoying the effects or feel it is not helping, simply breathing regular air for a few minutes makes the effects disappear.
3. Mama administers it herself through inhalation,(no needles involved) she is in control!
4. Does not disrupt release of oxytocin/ no effect on progression of labor.
5. Does not limit mobility!
6. Usually fewer side effects compared to narcotics/epidurals. It is not stored in the body and more than 99% leaves the body as you exhale.
7.Can be used AFTER birth to relax while perineum is being checked/ stiches.

Cons:
1. Pain relief can vary for women and some may find it not enough or prefer another method.
(Important to know it does NOT numb and contractions ARE still felt...the gas "takes the edge off")
2. Can make some feel nauseous/vomit/ drowsy/disoriented/hazy memory of events.(usually short lived and goes away as soon as you stop using it.)
3. Should not be used by those who have severe b12 deficiency (the gas can lower b12 levels so if already low, can be dangerous).

Every birth and woman are unique. There are many different roads one can take when bringing a baby into the world, whether it be epidural/non medicated/hypnobirth/waterbirth/laughing gas./homebirth...ect.
Most important, know your options so you can choose what's best for you.
In terms of laughing gas? If you are interested in a low intervention birth, but may want a little extra help coping with labor, it may be a good choice for you..

08/04/2021

The Holocaust was something I grew up with. Something hard to grasp and yet in my blood all at the same time. It's a core part my familys identity.
During the war my mother's parents both lost their parents and a good portion of their family. My father's mother was "lucky" and survived with her entire family. My grandfather was not as "lucky" and had the opossite story. He lost everyone.
My Grandmother (his wife) used to say "I always felt that the Ribono Shel Olam saved him for me.” Today we know that it was also for the sake of ALL the generations to come. A few months ago, thanks to the miraculous union of both sets of grandparents I was blessed to celebrate my own union (under the chuppah my grandmother sewed) with all of them there in spirit.
Today and everyday, I remember their stories and honor and appreciate their perseverance, miracles and strength to continue. All that has allowed us all to be here today.
As my grandfather would say, the generations he brought to this world were his "zisse nekama", sweet revenge.I so badly wanted them physically at my wedding, but hoping and trust they were there in spirit and that the rebuliding and love has brought more comfort and healing to both them and our nation as a whole. We are here.

06/04/2021

So... most things remind me of birth in one way or another.That's what happens when you are a doula, you start seeing everything through the eyes of birth. But THIS? I think this one is obvious to all of us.
In a little cave on the side of a beautiful waterfall was this opening with water flowing out.
To me this looked exactly like the waters releasing in childbirth. (When the water "breaks").Legend says the water has healing powers. I believe it.

05/04/2021

Caves are known to be womb-like with their encompassing, quiet and mysterious energy. This one had even more of that vibe with beautiful formations it has slowly created deep within. Magical...

21/03/2021

I'm back in school.
Not birth related studies...well, actually kind of....SPANISH SCHOOL!
Pretty important to be able to speak and understand enough to communicate with future clients.😉 And of course, to continue to learn from the wise birth workers here in Mexico.
So for the next little while I'll be busy five days a week, 3 hours a day learning español.🙏

16/03/2021

I love succulents.
They carry so much birth energy.
It's pretty miraculous how just a tiny small piece of one "parent" plant can easily and abundantly create an entire new life.
How beautiful and magical?

11/03/2021

While I was packing up I found this hospital discharge paper from one of the first births I attended. I finished my doula course in 2006.
The year 2007 was dedicated to gaining experience and trying to attend as many births in order to finish my certification. Wasnt so easy finding mamas that wanted a 21 year old with little experience at their birth, but I managed. It was after this birth that I fell in love with birthwork.
I still remember the high feeling I felt for days later.

04/03/2021

For the last little while I have been getting so many messages like these.... "Are you moving"? "Will you be here for my next birth"?
"Is it true, youre leaving?" Ect. Ect.
So here it goes... for the last month I have been packing up my apartment and home clinic.And just a couple of days ago my husband and I got on a plane as we temporarily moved our home base to Mexico City.
Packing up my clinic was bittersweet. Looking through pictures of mamas and babies and reading all the thank you letters I recieved from new families over the past 14.5 years really touched my heart. I am so beyond grateful to all of you who have allowed me to be part of your births.This is not something I take for granted and I truly appreciate being invited into such a sacred space.
I can't even begin to express how challenging it is for me to tell my clients I won't be here for the next while (I think may even be harder for me than them 😂).
At the same time I am excited to see what this new stage brings. Mexico has been a blessing for me in many ways. It has taught me endless tools and knowledge of the birth world and of course, brought my husband and I together.
I am excited to delve deeper into the world of traditional midwifery, excited to offer what I know to a new community of women here in Mexico City, and excited to learn more as a birth professional to soon bring back to my women in Israel.
When will we be back? Not sure yet. But be in touch. In the meantime we plan on doing lots of long visits in Israel. So who knows...maybe I WILL be at your next birth. 😉.
Please keep me posted. Send pictures of your growing babies, let me know how you are and update me with any news. I'm here for you. Always!
(Prental education via zoom still happening. Thanks covid reality for opening that door)
This is definitley not goodbye, it's just a see you later.
To new adventures! Salud!