Q City Doula

Q City Doula I am a Doula in Charlotte, NC and the surrounding areas. I believe that every woman should have a po

I am on a family vacation in DC, today we were scheduled for a private capital tour and to see the Supreme Court. I have...
05/03/2022

I am on a family vacation in DC, today we were scheduled for a private capital tour and to see the Supreme Court.

I have a lot of feelings about the scene I saw today. I was grateful my children saw a historic moment in history. I am grateful that I was able to talk with my kids openly about abortion.

I am grateful that my life was saved twice because of abortion. Two of my pregnancies did not make it and I had to consent to an abortion to save my life. I agree that this is a complex issue, I don't agree with every side of the issue. I think it is vital that everyone understand, that anytime you have a miscarriage procedure, you are having an abortion. Anytime the baby has passed away and your body does not go into labor on its own you are having an abortion. The issue is more complex than you may realize.

I love my clients. Heidi .story.academy and I were partners for this birth, Rachael's baby was born with some rare genet...
04/14/2022

I love my clients. Heidi .story.academy and I were partners for this birth, Rachael's baby was born with some rare genetic issues and it was such a gift to serve her.
Lunch yesterday fed my soul, she is thriving as is baby Nico.

Birth Team! This pictures captures so beautifully what a birth team is. We have Erin, Collin of and the all surr...
04/07/2022

Birth Team! This pictures captures so beautifully what a birth team is. We have Erin, Collin of and the all surrounding the birthing person in love, patience and respect while they cope through the contraction waves one at a time. This picture brought tears to my eyes because it symbolizes surrounding the birthing person in love.
www.qcitydoula.com
www.douladifferently.com
www.birthstory.com

C-Sections can be scary, but having providers who care about you and your baby can make all the difference. The is sm...
04/05/2022

C-Sections can be scary, but having providers who care about you and your baby can make all the difference. The is smiling and sweetly welcoming this little one into the world, with love and joy. The OB was gentle and talked the birthing person through everything. No conversation was happening in the room that didn't have to do with this case. They recognized the needs of the parents and recognized them as people going through a hard experience. I hope I can be a provider like them one day.

story.academy

You can do skin to skin in the OR and this is what it would most likely look like. Blood pressure still needs to be take...
03/17/2022

You can do skin to skin in the OR and this is what it would most likely look like. Blood pressure still needs to be taken every2 minutes, so the birthing person can't hold the baby on their own, but your partner, doula or nurse can do it for you. In some births, we are unable to have the baby on the birthing persons chest, so we hold the baby cheek to cheek with the the birthing person or your partner can be skin to skin with the baby, make sure to pack a button down shirt in your hospital bag in case there is a c-section..

www.qcitydoula.com

Endorphins and Oxtocin! These two hormones have such a huge impact on birth and bonding. Did you know that anyone in the...
03/11/2022

Endorphins and Oxtocin! These two hormones have such a huge impact on birth and bonding. Did you know that anyone in the room during a delivery can get a surge of these hormones, many birthworks call it a birth high.

Essentially is it love hormones, it numbs your body to the pain it just endured and allows you to feel instantaneous love for your newborn. Like with all things, there is a wide range of normal. I personally was in shock after my unmedicated birth and didn't feel that high or intense bonding for 15 minutes. Don't be upset if it is not instant, have patience and faith that it will come

One of my favorite things is seeing how couple look at each other after birth, this picture says it all.

Photo credit: Sabrina Lewis at Q City Doula

www.qcitydoula.com
www.douladifferently.com
www.birthstory.com

Let's talk partner support! Many times when I am interviewed, the partner is worried that having a doula means that they...
03/11/2022

Let's talk partner support! Many times when I am interviewed, the partner is worried that having a doula means that they won't be needed. That could not be further from the truth. In these 2 photos, her partner is behind her, silently holding space, telling her it will be ok and always had his hand on her. He kept this position in early labor, while walking, using the peanut ball, through transition, in the shower and while pushing. It is beautiful to witness the love between two people through such a powerful, raw experience like birth.
A doula could never replace a partner who loves you! We just bare witness to that love!

photo credit to Sabrina Lewis with Q City Doula

Happy heavenly birthday to Dennis-Michael, born sleeping 7 years ago. Jason was my anchor that day and still is now. I a...
03/11/2022

Happy heavenly birthday to Dennis-Michael, born sleeping 7 years ago. Jason was my anchor that day and still is now. I am so grateful he is partner and that he fully supports and embraces my calling to help birthing people.

Yesterday my 12 year old daughter got so excited. "Mom, did you know there is a whole month celebrating us"! My husband ...
03/05/2022

Yesterday my 12 year old daughter got so excited. "Mom, did you know there is a whole month celebrating us"! My husband looked at her confused, and she proudly declared, "it's because we are women dad, and we are awesome".

I was so proud of her and felt a parenting win!

Little one made her opinion of being born known. Typically when the head is delivered there is not much reaction from th...
03/03/2022

Little one made her opinion of being born known. Typically when the head is delivered there is not much reaction from the baby, they are a little shocked or stunned. Not this one. Her head came out, a ton of amniotic fluid shot out of her nostrils and she started crying. I have never seen a baby begin to cry with just the head delivered. Overachiever!!!
(Photo shared with clients permission) Photo Credit Sabrina Lewis

www.qcitydoula.com

01/01/2022

Just left my 62nd birth for 2021. In a lot of ways this year was the most difficult yet, it taught me so much. I was honored to support so many families and look forward to 2022 and what it brings.

As healthcare workers, we take care of other people all the time. This client is a NICU nurse who listens to newborns al...
12/29/2021

As healthcare workers, we take care of other people all the time. This client is a NICU nurse who listens to newborns all day long, but this moment was when she listened to her daughter for the first time. It was a beautiful moment that she had dreamed of since she first new she was pregnant.
www.qcitydoula.com

The deep squat with a double hip squeeze can feel intense, but it can be so effective. This was a client and I yesterday...
12/23/2021

The deep squat with a double hip squeeze can feel intense, but it can be so effective. This was a client and I yesterday morning. Her water ruptured in the early morning hours and when she got to the hospital at 7am she was 1cm, 25% effaced and -4 station. We walked for 45 minutes and switched back and forth between this deep squat with hip squeeze and a lift and tuck. At 930am she was 2cm, 70% effaced and -2 station. That is HUGE progress for such a short time period.

After we walked she did rest for an hour, I try and suggest doing good movement and work for an hour and then recover and rest the body for an hour.

What movement or positions worked for you in early labor?

All of these details are shared with my clients permission. Thank you to Savannah Smith, The Savvy Doula for sneaking a picture when we passed you in the halls.

www.qcitydoula.com

Baths in labor can be a game changer. Many call them the midwives epidural. It is important to wait for a bath until you...
12/13/2021

Baths in labor can be a game changer. Many call them the midwives epidural. It is important to wait for a bath until you are in active labor or past 5cm. Before then, it can stall or stop your contractions. If you are in early labor and want water, a hot shower is recommended.
I like to take a measuring cup and poor water over my clients belly and chest or if they are in the hands and knees position, poor water on their back. This helps them to distract from the sensation of contractions and stay warm.
If a client is hot, but wants to stay in the water, I put a lavender ice cold washcloth on their neck, forehead or chest. Making a lavender ice wash cloths is one of the first things I do when I get to a birth.

www.qcitydoula.com
www.birthstory.com
www.douladifferently.com

Oxytocin and rest while in labor. Would you believe this is active labor? There is a fine balance of movement and rest w...
12/02/2021

Oxytocin and rest while in labor. Would you believe this is active labor? There is a fine balance of movement and rest will in labor. After doing 10 lift and tucks and sidelying release for 4 contractions each, I suggested that she and her partner take a rest. Her back pain was eased to muscle soreness through the exercises and so she needed to conserve strength now.
Laying down can be wonderful and doesn't slow down labor, especially if you snuggle your partner and keep the oxytocin flowing. She stayed relaxed and breathed through the contractions, but as soon as one ended, she went back to sleep. She took 2 45 min naps through her 14 hour labor, that is amazing. Photo Credit: Sabrina Lewis of Q City Doula

www.qcitydoula.com

Midwives are magical!!!I learn something new at every birth and I love when I get to do deliveries with midwives. This m...
10/27/2021

Midwives are magical!!!

I learn something new at every birth and I love when I get to do deliveries with midwives. This midwife had her hand on my clients belly for a good portion of the pushing phase, talking with mom and baby. It was like she was having a silent conversation with the baby, sensing his needs and giving him some extra love. I have seen midwives labor sit before, but this was new and inspiring.

I hope when I become a midwife I can remember today and slow down enough to listen like this.

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Gorgeous view from Presbyterian medical center. I helped welcome 4 babies earthiness in a 36 hour period. I was amazed a...
10/14/2021

Gorgeous view from Presbyterian medical center. I helped welcome 4 babies earthiness in a 36 hour period. I was amazed at the strength of these women and their partners. Being a doula is a joy even when I am tired.


www.qcitydoula.com

10/13/2021

4 clients waters have broken with in 26 hours of eachother. 4 delivered one to go. I have made it too all deliveries and am super grateful for amazing doulas willing to step in.

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Charlotte, NC

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+1 704-942-6880

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