Gentle Starts Waco Doula

05/15/2026

"HG stands for hyperemesis gravidarum. It is a rare, severe complication of pregnancy characterized by extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting that goes far beyond typical "morning sickness." It can lead to severe dehydration, weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies, often requiring hospitalization and intravenous (IV) fluids"

Its so much more than morning sickness,
-losing weight
-hospital stays
-chronic nausea
among other symptoms for some moms. And if you ask me, it's not so rare anymore, I meet so many moms who have had it/have it.

Did you have HG when you were pregnant? What was your experience? Tell us some tips that helped you!

05/10/2026

"This of my favorite illustrations of breast anatomy!
・・・
Our breasts tend to not be celebrated very often for what they were actually created to do. What our bodies are capable of providing for another living being is incredible and nothing short of perfection and should never be shamed, but celebrated.⠀⁠⠀
⠀⠀⁠⠀
Our milk ducts are intricate and life giving network of channels nestled among fat cells and glandular tissue. These milk ducts branch off near our chest wall and are called ductules which have small cluster of sacs called alveoli. A cluster of alveoli are called lobule and a cluster of lobules are called lobe.⠀⁠⠀
⠀⁠⠀
AXILLARY LIMPH NODES⠀⁠⠀
The axillary lymph nodes help fight infection in our bodies by filtering lymph fluid from your breasts.⠀⁠⠀
⠀⁠⠀
FATTY TISSUE⠀⁠⠀
Fat tissue surrounds the ducts and lobules.⠀⁠⠀
⠀⁠⠀
LOBULES⠀⁠⠀
Produces milk during pregnancy and breastfeeding.⠀⁠⠀
⠀⁠⠀
FIBROUS TISSUE⠀⁠⠀
This tissue helps support your breasts and is what makes them feel firm.⠀⁠⠀
⠀⁠⠀
MILK DUCTS⠀⁠⠀
The milk ducts carry milk from the lobules to your ni**le during breastfeeding.⠀⁠⠀
⠀⁠⠀
AREOLA⠀⁠⠀
Is the dark area around your ni**le.⁠
・・・
Words and illustration by "
📷 💗

04/21/2026

Yes! Doulas can help so much 🙌🏻 look at these studies/stats!

A 2025 study published in AJOG adds powerful, up-to-date data showing associations between doula care and improved maternal and newborn outcomes.

Key Maternal Outcomes:

More vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC): For every 100 patients who received doula care, there were 15 to 34 additional VBACs compared with those without doula care.

Higher postpartum follow-up attendance: 5 to 6 more per 100 received postpartum office visits.

Key Neonatal / Infant Outcomes

Increased exclusive breastfeeding rates: Babies whose families had doula support were more likely to breastfeed exclusively.

Fewer preterm births (and early preterm births): Doula-supported births showed a reduction in preterm birth rates.

In short, the study links doula care with improvements in birth outcomes — across birth mode (more VBACs), infant health (less prematurity), and early infant care (breastfeeding, postpartum follow-up).

Read more: https://internationaldoulainstitute.com/2025/11/evidence-for-doulas-new-ajog-study-finds-doulas-improve-outcomes/

04/21/2026

Amen 💜

04/13/2026

In a world where we rush around and try to fit too much in, a baby’s ‘due date’ has come to be seen by some people as a kind of appointment.

Statistically, only 5% of babies are born on their due date and many healthy babies are born before or after this.

I sometimes suggest that people plan to do something nice on their baby’s due date; there’s a really high chance that you’ll be free to do it!

But the important thing to remember is that, on the whole, our bodies and our babies’ bodies know what they’re doing.

If you’d like more information about due dates, induction or birth in general, see https://www.sarawickham.com/iol

04/13/2026

Slowly rebuilding my lending library for clients and I found this gem second hand 🙌🏻

Have you read it? What did you think?

04/02/2026

✨Availability for Placenta Encapsulations for the upcoming months! ✨

I'm currently taking clients in Bosque & McClennan counties for April, May and June!

AND!!! If you book this month (for any of these months) you'll get FREE prints AND a tincture included!

So if you're in Waco or surrounding areas, let's get you on the calendar 🙌🏻

Considered having your placenta encapsulated but have some questions? Shoot me a message! I'd be glad to answer and help you decide if encapsulation is right for you!

02/19/2026

A lot of women lately have been asking about dilation and if they should be checked more because their doctor simply suggests it.
Well I’m here to tell you, evidence shows your cervix isn’t a crystal ball and actually performs much better when left alone 🙌🏼

Here’s 5 reasons to decline cervical/vaginal checks during labor

http://wholewoman.com.au/birth/vaginal-exams-in-labour-are-not-compulsory

07/21/2025

Mark your calendars for Aug 8th!

06/04/2025

It's been a while since we have worked and posted but we are jumping back into 2025 with more classes and support options!

Starting with banana bread and some postpartum dinners for a client/friend who recently had a beautiful baby boy! 💕