Birth Your Way Israel - Rebecca Aaronson, Birth Doula, RN, CRNP

29/07/2025

“I couldn’t be more grateful to have had Rebecca as my doula. Even though I reached out late in my pregnancy — around 35 weeks with my sixth baby — she stepped in seamlessly and became not just a doula, but a true coach, guide, and friend throughout the final stretch of pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

Even with this being my sixth birth, Rebecca came with fresh ideas that truly made a difference — from late pregnancy comfort and health tips to labor prep and nursing advice. In just one meeting, she tuned in deeply and somehow remembered every little detail I mentioned I might like during labor, even though it all happened so quickly (we were in the delivery room for just 30 minutes before baby arrived!).

She had my playlist playing, battery candles flickering, massaged all the right places, and reminded my husband about orange essential oil — all while helping me in the bathroom and then gently guiding me into my preferred birth position. She even arrived at the hospital before us and had already explained to the staff that I tend to labor quickly, so we skipped triage and went straight to delivery — just in time. Her ability to navigate everything in Hebrew was also a huge help and comfort.

Rebecca is a true gem. Don’t hesitate to have her by your side. She brings not only a wealth of knowledge and experience, but also a calming, empowering presence that lifts you up through pregnancy, labor, postpartum recovery, and nursing. I only wish I had found her sooner!”

27/07/2025

The Haakaa silicone breast pump that works by suction is something that I recommend buying and having on your breastfeeding journey. It is great for relieving pressure /cutting the edge if you have some engorgement (making a softer, more comfortable landing spot for baby too) or if baby slept a little longer than usual and your breast is uncomfortably full of milk. Can also catch milk on the side baby isn’t latched on when you have letdown (which happens bilaterally). It is so light and easy to keep by your bedside or in your diaper bag and you can freeze whatever milk you get out.

Note: this simple pump, is indeed still a pump, so too much stimulation of the breasts with it can be a cause of oversupply, since our bodies still work by supply and demand.

The ability of this simple pump to to provide quick relief and take some milk out quickly, and easily using suction is really helpful. It is a brilliant tool to keep in your lactation tool bag 🤱🏻

***The more you squeeze the bottom of the pump, the stronger the suction will be 💪 .***

25/07/2025

“Rebecca was really the best shaliach for me in every way as a doula!! I searched for a doula for quite some time as it was my first birth and I had a high risk pregnancy, so I was looking for a doula with a medical background and experience with diabetics while also leaning towards the most natural birth process as possible. Really at every stage of the process- prebirth classes, the birth itself, and post birth, Rebecca was a wellspring of support, insight, and guidance. I really felt she went beyond for me at every stage!! The classes before really helped me and my husband prepare mentally/emotionally/physically. During the birth itself she was 100% on and focused, guiding me through every contraction and helping me manage the pain without medical intervention thanks to her encouragement, massage, movement and breathing techniques. And after the birth she continued to be a huge support, which especially with bringing home my first, I really needed and appreciate so much!! I can really see how huge her role was in helping me have a positive birth experience BH!”

16/07/2025

not the baby warmer.

Research shows that most babies born after an unmedicated labour, when provided with a period of uninterrupted skin to skin with their mother, will navigate themselves to, and then latch on to the breast within an hour of birth.

Creating an opportunity for interrupted skin to skin after birth is the best way to support this mind blowing process happen.

Research has also shown that immediate skin to skin increases the chances that babies are breastfed, extends the length of breastfeeding, and also helps to improve rates of exclusive breastfeeding.

If this period of skin to skin wasn’t possible for your baby and you, all is not lost! Skin to skin continues to be beneficial, and can help get feeding back on track, as well as promoting bonding.

Please get in touch if you need a hand with feeding your baby at any stage.

With huge thanks E, W & for letting me use this amazing image.

***s

13/07/2025

Mind-blowing fact: 🤯

Microchimerism is the presence of a small population of genetically distinct and separately derived cells within an individual. Microchimerism occurs between mother and fetus when a small numbers of cells transfer across the placenta during pregnancy. This exchange occurs both from the fetus to the mother and from the mother to the fetus. 🤰

So, mothers carry the cells of their children in them and cells from their own mother as well, long after the umbilical cord has been cut, these cells remain in the mother (and hers in her children as well). 👶🏻

These fetal cells stay in the mother’s body long after birth, settling in her organs, skin, and even her brain. These cells can help heal the mother. In some cases, scientists have found that if a mother’s heart is injured, fetal cells rush to the damaged area and turn into heart cells to help repair it. 🫀

This cellular connection means that every child a woman carries leaves a lasting mark on her body. Even pregnancies that don’t go to full term can leave behind this imprint. 💞

Remarkably, researchers have found fetal cells in a mother’s brain as long as 18 years after giving birth. It’s a science-backed reason why mothers often say they can “feel” their children, even when they’re not physically near.

It’s a beautiful reminder of how deeply connected a mother and child truly are—both during pregnancy and long after.

Seriously, incredible!!!

12/07/2025

Hemorrhoids. Ouch! 😭 An uncomfortable, but real part of many pregnancies and postpartum experiences.

💪 Good to be prepared with some tricks for healing and soothing these irritating, swollen veins that cause tremendous pain in the bottom.

They can be caused by hormonal changes and increased pressure from the growing uterus or from pushing during the birth itself. Hemorrhoids can cause pain, itching, and bleeding, particularly during bowel movements.

Some tricks for soothing and healing hemorrhods:

⭐️ Aloe Vera gel
⭐️ Witch Hazel (Tucks Pads)
⭐️ Coconut oil
⭐️ Ice pack
⭐️ Sitz bath with epsom salt (can also add chamomile)
⭐️ Calendula
⭐️ Use a peri-bottle or bidet to spray the area and gently pat dry (avoid harsh wiping with dry toilet paper)
⭐️ Castor oil topically (only postpartum!! Not to be used during pregnancy.)

Preventing straining with bowel movements is also important 🚽:

⭐️ Hydrate well with water
⭐️ Exercise
⭐️ Eat Foods with Fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, oatmeal, dried fruit)
⭐️ Magnesium supplement
⭐️ Use a Squatty Potty or Stool for feet

24/06/2025

Does my newborn need a hat? 👒👶🏻
No! 🚫

There is *no* reason or evidence for putting a hat on a newborn full term baby. In fact, it can be detrimental to oxytocin flow and get in the way.

👶🏻 Placing baby skin-to-skin keeps baby at the exact temperature the baby needs (thermoregulation). Putting a hat on a full term baby who is skin to skin with mom has NOT been found to aid temperature maintenance.

❤️ Skin-to-skin also reduces postpartum hemorrhages and increases oxytocin flow (love hormone which is needed for breastfeeding and to help the placenta to be delivered and the uterus cramp back down into the pelvis and prevent too much bleeding).

😘 Hats may impede instinctive feeding and bonding behaviours for term babies and prevent parents from smelling and kissing their baby’s head (important in oxytocin flow).

So skip the hat (and the warmer!!) and keep baby skin to skin with mom 👩🏻

Westbury, Becky. (2022). Baby hats at birth: help or hindrance?. The Practising midwife. 25. 32-34. 10.55975/FHEV5889.

15/06/2025

In these crazy times, it is so special to be with couples bringing new life into this world. More light and hope and strength. We are strong and alive!!! Am Yisroel Chai!!!! 🇮🇱👶🏻💕

10/06/2025

Why are women more likely to go into labor at night?

The hormone melatonin (which helps us sleep) is higher at night. It turns down our thinking brain (prefrontal cortex), so we can relax and sleep.

Melatonin synergizes with oxytocin (the love hormone responsible for labor contractions) to help strengthen contractions and make them more efficient.

Oxytocin flows well when it is dark and restful/relaxing and there is less stimulation and distractions. Keeping the birthing room dark/with low lights helps to promote melatonin production, which boosts oxytocin flow.

Pregnant women may experience contractions through the night that then stop in the daytime hours. This is not uncommon. Often they will pick up again at night, following our circadian rhythm and release of melatonin. 🌖

08/06/2025

Eating chocolate triggers the release of endorphins and dopamine (hormones that make us feel happy). So consider eating some good dark chocolate in labor for an extra boost of happy hormones and reduction of pain in labor. 🍫