Calm and Confident Doula Care, LLC

06/17/2025

The words “failed” do not belong anywhere in conversation about pregnancy, birth or postpartum 🙅🏽‍♀️

We have midwives, hospitals, birth centers, OBGYN’s and MFMs for good reason! In a percentage of cases, they are all very much needed 🧑🏼‍⚕️👩🏽‍⚕️👨🏾‍⚕️ we as birth workers and families are GRATEFUL for these resources being readily available to families when they are truly needed.

The #1 cause of home birth transfers is maternal exhaustion. This is why it is essential to rest, hydrate and nourish your body during early labor. A hospital transfer from a homebirth is by no means a failure. It is the responsible, proper use of the resources that are available to keep families safe. Please don’t place this in a negative light.💜💡
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06/13/2025

06/06/2025

This! Melinda is preparing to take even more continuing ed on positions that help make space in labor for an easier birth. This move right here is a solid way to finish off labor and help get that baby in their parents’ arms 😊

06/06/2025

Here are 5️⃣ interesting facts about breastfeeding 👇

05/29/2025

The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique situation for studying the effect of deprivation of supportive care and companionship during labor. Not surprisingly, study participants reported high levels of stress, levels comparable to those experienced when undergoing cesarean surgery. The study’s lead author observes that lower stress hormones and increased oxytocin levels when people feel emotionally supported during labor is a likely explanation for research finding that emotional support during childbirth shortens labor, decreases use of pain medication, and lowers cesarean rates.

What are the implications of this study?

Access to supportive care and companionship during labor has been restored, but nonetheless, hospital staff consider it a nonessential element of labor care, to be permitted or withdrawn at their discretion as, for example, when administering an epidural or during cesarean surgery. This study, along with others, shows that supportive care is not a frill. Failure to provide supportive care and free access to companions of choice can have adverse effects on labor outcomes.

https://bit.ly/3EYLk1y

05/13/2025

Whoo hoo! Milla and Melinda can now provide support for families with Apple Health at NO expense to the pregnant person. We are so pleased to finally be able to offer this option and eternally grateful to the numerous people who have worked tirelessly over the past few years to bring this option to Medicaid families.

03/12/2025

Milla and Melinda are ready to share some of their insights on helping labor to progress! With over 500 births collectively attended, we've got a few tips and tricks up our sleeves. Our next Get That Baby Out! group class is coming up April 17 at Sprout Birth Center & Natural Health

They can also come to you for a private, in home workshop on your schedule.

Have The Tools You Need To Give Yourself The Best Chance Of A Smooth And Easy Labor.

03/08/2025

We’ve been to some really peaceful water births here at Calm & Confident. We are happy to support you in finding a birthplace supportive of this if you are interested!

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to conduct a thorough and contemporary assessment of maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with water birth in comparison with land-based birth.

02/17/2025

We join you when you want us to be there. It’s not about how far apart contractions are or how uncomfortable they are - it’s when you want our support- we are there for you. One of us is ALWAYS on call, so even if your little one decides to come sooner than you expected - we are there for you.

The vast majority of parents will need significant emotional, physical and advocacy support well before the medically defined phase of active labor, or 6 cms. of dilation, especially during induced labors.

Ethical doulas do not withhold their in-person support until an arbitrary cervical dilation or the medical phase of active labor. Choose a doula who makes your emotional well-being their highest priority and provides support when and where you need it, regardless of what phase of labor you're in or how far dilated you are.

02/11/2025

Our popular Get That Baby Out! Workshop is once again being offered in an in person group format at Sprout Birth Center & Natural Health on March 13th. We have very limited space so sign up early to learn activities and positions you can do to help give yourself the best chance of an efficient and uncomplicated labor. We feel this info is so important that ALL of our clients get this class included in their doula package with us.

Have The Tools You Need To Give Yourself The Best Chance Of A Smooth And Easy Labor.

01/31/2025

Check out these fantastic outcomes at Puget Sound Birth Center last year! Well done everyone! So much admiration for the important work midwives are doing every day.

Our 2024 Statistics are in! Some other fun facts:
🌕 22 babies born on a full moon
🌙 18 babies born on a new moon
🚗 3 babies born in the car (all made it to the birth center)
🏠 5 babies born at home that came too fast to get to the birth center
🛁 102 babies were born in the water
✨ 33 people used nitrous in labor
🤰🏾 42 people went beyond 41 weeks
Whew!! It was a beautiful year!