Labor with Leslie Doula Services

02/11/2019

Okay, I know I've been MIA in the birth world, but this is amazing! Any other doulas out there know this trick? Has anyone tried inhaling alcohol wipes for nausea? I'd love to know your thoughts!

A buddy of yours approaches you in the field and tells you that he’s been feeling nauseous throughout the day after eating the “hot” chow that was served this morning. He denies any significant abdominal pain, fevers, sweats, chills, vomiting, or diarrhea at this time. He just tells you he’d like to not be so nauseous so he can get back to work.

You reach into your bag to get some ondansetron (Zofran) tabs, but realize that you gave your last ones out yesterday to someone else, and you don’t’ have a good resupply available.

Instead of just turning your buddy away, is there anything else that you could do?

What about inhaling an alcohol wipe?

Yes, this is a thing. A small but significant body of literature is demonstrating that the use of inhaling the smell from simple isopropyl alcohol wipes can significantly decrease perceived nausea, in some cases even more than traditionally used medications like Zofran.

One of the most recent was an emergency department-based study in which patients were given either:
Group 1: inhaled isopropyl alcohol wipes and oral Zofran
Group 2: inhaled isopropyl alcohol wipes and oral placebo
Group 3: inhaled placebo and oral Zofran

Patients were reassessed at

The results were decreases in nausea were greatest in Group 2, followed by Group 1, then Group 3.

That’s right, the Zofran only group actually had the smallest decrease in nausea.

Additionally, the use of rescue antiemetics was nearly twice as high in…. yup… Group 3, the Zofran only group.

So if you’re in a pinch, and out of meds, with a nauseated patient, reach for an alcohol wipe and ask them to breath deep. And even if you have traditional medications, think about adding this low-cost, no significant side effect, readily-available intervention.

Study link here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29463461

More in-depth information here:
https://www.wikijournalclub.org/wiki/Aromatherapy_with_isopropyl_alcohol_for_nausea






Tactical Emergency Medicine
Tactical Medics Group
Combat Medic & Corpsman
Department of Combat Medic Training
Ft Sam Houston AMEDD Center & Schools
U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD)
North American Rescue
Combat Medical
Tactical Medicine
Tactical Medics
Prolonged Field Care
Operational Medicine

16/12/2017

What an awesome Dr! I love that he is encouraging MOVEMENT during labor. Get up and move those babies down ladies ;)

24/09/2017

I ❤️ my Haakaa! It is perfect for a mom that just needs a small stash and isn't exclusively pumping. Have you tried it yet?

Have you ever heard of the Haakaa breast pump? If you haven't, allow me to introduce to you the breastmilk-extracting wonder that has mothers raving. (Some moms even claim they can pump more using this simple manual pump than they can with their electric pumps!) Moms in the BabyCenter Community hav...

03/07/2017

I KNOW most momma's feel this way at the end. Nailed it!

27/06/2017

I ❤ this! Very insightful and comforting to know that we all struggle at times no matter what our background or culture is. As I always say, build your village! If you don't have one, get started on making one.

Many American women want to breast-feed — and try to. Only about half keep it up. It's like they've lost the instinct. One researcher thinks she's figured out why and how to get the instinct back.

27/06/2017

I love this! It's so hard to condense a birth story to 6 words. Here are my three:
#1 Overdue induction, intense, incredible, powerful.
#2 Water broke, induction, failed epidural, defeated.
#3 Sixteen minutes of crazy, hello baby

Tell me yours!

02/06/2017

Hello! Many of you know that I just recently had a little one of my own. My doula business will be on the back burner for a couple of years. You may know that in addition to my passion for birth, I also have a passion for baking. You may have even tasted some of the things I've made as I have baked for many events on island from the birth and baby fairs to doula circles and trainings.

I have decided to start selling my baked treats until my baby isn't nursing anymore and I can pick up where I left my doula business.

I would love if you hopped over and liked my page. If you are still on island or have friends who are still here then a share is even better! Thank you so much for your support!

Delicious homemade treats from my kitchen that will keep you coming back for Just one Mort bite...

23/05/2017

The AAP put out new guidelines on how much juice children should have. A few years ago it bothered me that my kids never wanted water, and we live in a very hot place where hydration is key. I grew up on water and drink so much! I myself rarely drink anything but water and coffee. I implemented a 2 drink rule for my kids a few years back. For our family this means you can have two "sweet" drinks per day such as juice or chocolate milk and obviously we need to cut back even more! However, now my boys love water and I feel better knowing they are being hydrated in a healthy way. Plus, if you know anything about me and my baking hobbies, you know full well that my family gets plenty of sugar in other forms...🙈

04/05/2017

All women and babies are different. Pregnancies can vary up to five weeks even when they know the moment you conceived. Trust your body, trust your baby.

The length of a pregnancy naturally varies between different women by as much as five weeks, scientists have discovered for the first time.

28/04/2017

This is so full of great information ❤️❤️

Is your goal to arrive while in transition, or right before? Here's how to labor at home as long as possible before heading to the hospital.

25/04/2017

LESLIE'S LIST of Baby Must Haves

If you know me, you probably realize that I'm pretty minimalistic when it comes to baby gear. There are several reasons for this like the fact that we have moved often and we generally don't have lots of space or storage in Japan. My main reason though, is that babies just don't need much STUFF and they grow so fast that they don't use what they do have for very long. So, besides the essentials (clothes, diapers, car seat etc), here is my list of life changing baby items that I love and would be sad to be without:

-A GOOD quality baby carrier (ergo, boba, tula, lillebaby, etc.). I know the price tag can be hard to swallow but when considered that I wore my "baby" to the age of 4 very regularly and am now using it for the new one, it was/is 1000% worth every penny to help carry your little ones and still have your hands free.

- A baby bath sponge. It's literally a big sponge that comes in different shapes like turtles and ladybugs and lays in your regular tub. I think regular baby baths are dumb. They take up way too much space and are a pain to fill and use without making a mess. I poke a hole in the foam, tie string through, wring it out, and hang between uses. Super lightweight, easy to store, and you can't beat the $7 price tag.

-Some form of bassinet or Co-sleeper. My kiddos nurse very frequently until they wean and that means I need them close so that I can sleep too. I have no problem with regular co-sleeping when done safely, it's just not for me. I move around a lot and don't sleep as well with a baby in my bed. I want them close enough to touch but in their own space.

And here's a small list of things I think are a complete waste of money:

-baby bath tubs
- Nix the changing table and keep changing baskets with diapers, wipes, etc in the main area you are in during the day and next to your bed for night times. Let's face it, do you really think you will walk upstairs to their nursery every time they need changed? The first month they need as many as 20 changes in a 24 hr period!! Just to give you an idea if this is your first or it's been a while and you have forgotten.

-wipe warmers
-baby towels. I just use ours which are softer and more absorbent anyway. HOWEVER, I DO use baby washcloths. The size is much better for their tiny bodies.
-tons of baby toys. They are so interested in the world around them or even their own fingers that they don't need a lot of extra stimuli.

I'm sure I have more but I am finally able to lay my sweet sleeping baby down and my brain is moving on to other "to do's." I would LOVE to hear what your must have items are, even if it's a wipe warmer ;)

01/04/2017

When it comes to feeding babies, new parents typically fall into one of three categories: Breastfeeding, bottle feeding or some combination of the two.

23/03/2017

Did you find movement helpful during labor? I did! Moving around not only helped with the pain during contractions but I also had some very last minute nesting and swept and vacuumed! I found the distraction helpful and welcomed my sweet little one an hour and a half later.

It’s a common question among expectant mothers: how can I reduce the pain of childbirth and shorten my labor while doing what’s best for my baby?

17/03/2017

Does your baby have an Irish name?

Happy St. Patricks Day Facebook! Here's some fun baby names from the Emerald Isle.

13/03/2017

"You know what we do all day? Everything". Lol. So much truth! I know it's way easier said than done but I really do try and enjoy these crazy, tiny humans and all of the work they bring. One day they will be gone and I'll only have to clean my house once a week. While this sounds magical at the current moment, I know I will feel lonely and bored and wish that I had people to take care of. In the meantime, give yourself grace and remember self care. Turn on a kids movie and take yourself a nap on the couch 😂

13/03/2017

A good reminder!

If you are one of the moms blessed enough to be able to pump and store your breast milk, you may be wondering the correct way to thaw out your frozen milk. Thawing breast milk in an improper fashion can cause it to lose some essential vitamins and minerals. Most experts recommend thawing frozen

02/03/2017

I didn't personally experience this until my third delivery. With the first two, I just started pushing when I was 10 cm dilated and was told to do so. The third birth was incredible to just let my body do it's thing!! Did you experience the fetal ejection reflex?

The term 'fetal ejection reflex' was first used in the 1960s, and refers to a strong sensation late in labour. Find out what triggers it and how it works.

23/02/2017

Every mother knows that you take advantage of any and all rest you can get with a newborn. Here is me with my 5 weeker grabbing a cat nap in Korea on our way home to Okinawa. Can I say how GLORIOUS it was to finally be horizontal after that 13 hr flight from Chicago!! This is also my PSA for my very favorite baby item, a good quality carrier. Having one allowed my baby and I to both rest close to one another without any fear that he would fall or roll off of the chairs.