The Minimalistic Doula

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The Minimalistic Doula

Hi!

I'm Allison, a birth doula serving the Dayton, OH & surrounding areas 🖤

Surrender + Rise: Your Guide to Achieving a Successful VBAC ⬇️
https://allison-champ-s-school1.teachable.com/p/surrender-rise-your-guide-to-achieving-a-redemptive-vbac

05/27/2026

skin to skin is SKIN to SKIN, no blankets in between 🤍

benefits of immediate skin-to-skin for BABY can help:
▪️regulate temperature
▪️stabilize heart rate & breathing
▪️support healthy blood sugar levels
▪️reduce crying & stress hormones
▪️encourage instinctive feeding behaviors & improve breastfeeding outcomes
▪️promote bonding & sleep
▪️support immune system development through exposure to mama’s microbiome

benefits for the MAMA:
▪️increase oxytocin (the love hormone)
▪️helps the uterus contract & reduce bleeding, while encouraging breastfeeding which also helps
▪️supports milk production & feeding on demand
▪️helps lower stress & anxiety levels
▪️strengthens bond & attachment
▪️may help create a sense of grounding & calm after an intense experience

the benefits of skin to skin doesn’t stop after the immediate postpartum - it continues on through childhood 🖤

05/14/2026

TENS unit 🤌🏼

a TENS machine is a small device that can be used in labor to help manage pain naturally by sending mild electrical pulses through sticky pads placed on your back. it’s all controlled by you, turning it up as high or low as comfortable. there’s also a “boost” button that you can push as a contraction builds for a temporary, higher stimulation setting.

the electrical pulses:
▪️help block pain signals from reaching the brain
▪️encourage the body to release endorphins (your natural pain-relieving hormones)
▪️gives you something rhythmic & grounding to focus on during contractions

benefits:
▪️drug-free pain relief
▪️you are able to stay mobile
▪️minimal side effects
▪️gives many laboring people a sense of control
▪️usually helps “take the edge off” rather than eliminate pain completely

things to note:
▪️it should not be used in water
▪️pads can’t be placed over broken skin
▪️women with pacemakers or certain medical conditions should check with their provider first

I have personally never used a TENS in labor myself, but have had lots of mamas enjoy having it as an option! have you ever used one during labor? did you feel it helped?

05/10/2026

mother’s day looks a little different when you witness motherhood begin over & over again 🤍

I’ve watched women meet versions of themselves they’ve never known before — strong, raw, soft, exhausted, powerful, undone, & completely transformed all at once. I’ve seen mothers bring life into the world while learning to be reborn themselves.

to the mothers who labored for hours, the ones who birthed in peace & the ones whose stories changed unexpectedly, the ones who have yearned for a baby & those who have lost, the mothers healing physically & emotionally, the ones awake in the quiet hours feeding & comforting their babies, the ones wondering if they’re doing enough — you are.

being invited into these moments as a doula is something I never take lightly. motherhood is the most cherished part of my life, & to support & witness woman after woman enter the same era — how BEAUTIFUL.

today I’m celebrating every version of motherhood — the joyful, the tender, the sad, the messy, the sacred, the loved 🤍

05/07/2026

our bodies know, & it’s okay to meet it with softness ❤️‍🩹

many unexpected emotions may arise when beginning to look or touch your cesarean scar. this can be due to nerve sensitivity, numbness, trauma response, stress, or aversions. feelings such as nausea, dizziness, light headedness, or the “ick” are all normal - even tears can surface as your body reconnects with an area that went through so much.

cesarean scar massage plays an important role in recovery, healing, & the breakdown of scar tissue - which is especially important for future pregnancies - even more so for those whose goal is a VBAC.

here are some helpful tips if you find yourself experiencing any of the above emotions:
▪️start with desensitization - gently touch around the scar first, gradually moving closer to the incision as you feel ready.
▪️begin gently, slowly, & gradually - once you feel ready to touch the scar itself, you can do so with the lightest, most gentle touch, with no additional pressure. you can even use a soft cloth to just gently graze the area. if that’s only for 30 seconds once a week, that’s still a win.
▪️distraction - play your favorite show, movie, audiobook, podcast, conversing with your partner, etc. you may also try to focus on deep breathing or meditation techniques.
▪️allow others to massage the area for you - this could be your partner, pelvic floor therapist, medical professional, etc.
▪️as you get more comfortable touching the area, you may add additional pressure & massage techniques.

healing isn’t always linear or quick. go slow, breathe, pause when needed, & give yourself grace through it all 🖤

04/30/2026

another full year of breastfeeding 🤍

I have breastfed almost consecutively the last 6 (almost 7) years, stopping only for a few months in between each baby, when becoming pregnant again.

my body has not been “mine” for a long time now, but I’m so at peace with that. to grown, nourish, & comfort what I love most in this life, three times now, has been more than worth it.

cherishing these moments for the last time around - which is heartbreaking & relieving all at the same time ❤️‍🩹

📷

04/27/2026

all spots for birth support are filled for the remainder of the 2026 year 🤍

though in person support is full, I do have an option for a 3 hour prenatal visit and 24/7 virtual support for labor if you felt that would be beneficial (though in person support is VALUABLE so I’m happy to give recommendations for other local doulas)!

thankful for the trust all you mamas put into me, supporting one of your most monumental life moments.

by the end of September, I will have supported over 100 births in 3 years 🖤

nothing I love more than the magic of birth ✨

04/24/2026

our last little babe is O N E today 🤍

Hudson is the sweetest, most curious little boy. we love him so much!!!

fastest year of my life 🥲

04/23/2026

an updated introduction ✨

i’m allison! a certified birth doula through childbirth international & a VBAC certified doula through the VBAC link, serving the dayton, oh area since april, 2023.

along with being a doula, i have a bachelors degree in child development & family relations, though most of my career has been spent as nanny, preschool teacher, & my most favorite - a stay at home mama. my passion for pregnancy & birth began during my second pregnancy while learning & becoming educated on SO much more surrounding birth.

due to experiencing three vastly different pregnancy, birth & postpartum experiences, my desire and calling to support other women during this transformative time has only grew. between the comparison of all my births (one vaginal & medicated, one cesarean, & one natural homebirth VBAC - HBAC), I learned a whole different side of what birth care can look like, quality support women can be given, as well as the number of choices women have. I wholeheartedly want to encourage other mamas to see the same side 🖤

i LOVE my job, LOVE getting to build relationships with the most wonderful families, & LOVE getting to see women bring their babies into this world! my heart is so incredibly full from this work i do 🫶🏼

random facts about me:
▪️i went to college in Tennessee on a D1 volleyball scholarship (back to back high school state champ) 🏐
▪️when I’m not at a birth, you can find me adventuring outdoors with my family, making nature crafts, homeschooling, reading a book, doom scrolling (whoops 🫢) or taking a bath 🫧
▪️i am very much a planner & somehow ended up in a career that is completely unable to plan for 😂
▪️my favorite color is black 🖤
▪️i love a good conspiracy theory
▪️my guilty pleasure is love island 🏝️
▪️favorite podcasts: birthing instincts, the VBAC link, crime junkies

📷

04/21/2026

🖤🖤

it was so special supporting you, Anna. twins can quickly change a birth plan, but you handled each change with a great amount of surrender. every moment that felt hard, you changed your mindset to thankfulness. you are such a strong, selfless mama & I feel so honored to have walked with you during pregnancy & postpartum 🤍

04/19/2026

had a mama give birth at 43+1 this weekend ✨ phew!

most women are encouraged to induce by 42 weeks (maximum, many hospital providers will recommend earlier than this).

but this mama’s intuition told her otherwise. she advocated for herself at her appointments, & with the right monitoring along the way, she continued growing her baby 🤍

this mama also labored for 30+ hours unmediated & birthed her baby beautifully 🥹 what a freaking tough woman.

all of this to say, in a healthy & uncomplicated pregnancy, there’s no need to induce on a set gestational timeline. it comes down to whatever YOU feel comfortable with, with the knowledge & education within you.

every baby, every body, every mother is unique 🖤

04/16/2026

dad’s can catch babies too 🤍

did you know that you can choose who helps catch your baby? that could be yourself as the mother, your partner, a family member or friend, or of course your midwife/OB.

this is such a special, sacred moment - to be the first one who touches your baby!

if this is an important preference for you, make sure to add it in your birth plan & remind the nurses when it comes close to pushing time ✨

Address

Dayton, OH
Dayton, OH

Website

https://theminimalisticdoula.com/

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