Joyful Births

03/27/2023

As world Doula week comes to an end, just remember to thank your doula 🥰

06/21/2022

The human body is amazing

𝚄𝚖𝚋𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝙲𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝙵𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚜

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The umbilical cord contains 3 vessels.
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There are two arteries and one vein.
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A lot of people think it’s basically just a “tube” of sorts transporting nutrients to their baby. But, it’s so much more intricately designed than that!
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The vein carries oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood to your baby, and the arteries carry the deoxygenated blood, waste products (such as carbon dioxide), and nutrient-depleted blood through the placenta and into your bloodstream to dispose of.
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After delivery, these vessels close by themselves. The arteries close first due to their muscular walls.
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The umbilical vein follows closely behind, allowing oxygenated blood to return to your baby from the placenta. 📍
At birth, the placenta contains 1/3 of your baby’s blood volume.
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By delaying cord clamping for several minutes, you are allowing that blood to be transferred to your baby where it belongs via the umbilical vein.
Photo Cred:

05/26/2022

As a birth doula, I would love to say that every birth I support goes according to plan, and every birth is just how the family pictured. But the reality is, babies do their own thing. Sometimes they just don't do what we want them to do.

My job as a doula is to educate, support, and empower families. My job is to make sure families understand their options and are not rushed into a decision. My job is to make sure the family is then confident in their decision. My job is to provide support to the family in any way I can. My job is to make sure the families feel in control of their birth experience .

As much as I would love to work my doula magic and make things happen according to the birth plan, sometimes I can't. Ultimately, we need a healthy baby, and a healthy mama. I will always do everything in my power to follow a birth plan, but the only thing I can guarantee is that I will educate, empower, and support families until the end!

05/22/2022

03/30/2022

When I leave to support a family for labor and delivery, I never know if I will be gone 5 hours, or 25 hours. That's just part of journey that is birth.
Late last night, after almost 29 hours in the hospital, a beautiful baby girl was born into this world! Her mama labored for over 30 hours, but after only a few pushes, baby girl was earthside. The look on Dads face when he saw his baby girl brought me to tears. Watching mama love on her precious baby, and the pure JOY on her and dad's face is the reason I do what I do. Those first few moments when a baby is born are euphoric and filled with such joy.
Being apart of those joyful moments is truly a reward with in itself! I am so thankful that they allowed me to be apart of their birth story.

03/24/2022

Happy World Doula Week to all the doulas out there. was excited this week to attend the Community Doula Implementation Meeting facilitated by DMAS and BabyStepsVA learn more and leading community doula expansion in VA or by email BabyStepsVA@dmas.virginia.gov

*Doula Support Services Increases likelihood of vaginal birth, breastfeeding initiation, indicators of health for newborns such as higher five-minute APGAR scores and overall satisfaction. Doula support decreases birth by c-section, use of epidurals for pain relief and instrument-assisted births.

03/23/2022

It's world doula week!!!! Considering hiring a doula for your next birth? Here's your sign. DO IT ☺

03/02/2022

Mind over matter!

Reposted from .birthing.fertility
Via
🆃🅷🅸🆂!!!

Having an unmedicated birth has very little to do with your pain tolerance and 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 to do with your mindset and preparation!

🔺️What are your views on birth?
🔺️Where do you hold your fears?
🔺️Do you believe in your ability to birth?
🔺️What do you believe about yourself?
🔺️Do you listen to your body?
🔺️How do you respond to stress?

This is where I come in... I help you set goals and address any fears, so you can labor effectively and birth the way you want!

Pain tolerance is subjective, intention and support is not!

02/27/2022

Birth is unpredictable. Even if you have a plan A, B, and C, there is always a chance you could end somewhere you did not want to. Because of this, it is important to discuss as many options as possible with your partner and providers. A doula can help navigate these options and provide calm, unbiased support for whatever you decide is best for mama and baby.

02/03/2022

Know the difference mamas!

Posted • / Melek Oz, Midwife For those asking, this is my original creation published online in 2013 or 2014 when I was working as a doula and a CBE. I will not be taking further questions. Thanks to the allies calling this out.

01/26/2022

Some of my previous clients looked at me crazy when I talk about using a comb 😄

𝚄𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊 𝙲𝚘𝚖𝚋 𝚒𝚗 𝚕𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚎𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚖 ⁣
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One of the comfort measures I like to talk to my clients about is the comb. ⁣
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This works on the Gate Control Theory of Pain, in which a non-painful stimulus (the comb pressing into your palm) can override and reduce painful stimulations (labor). ⁣
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This method works best if you practice mindfulness 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 labor starts, so that you can continually bring your focus back to the comb and away from your uterus. ⁣
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Mindfulness is a practice, and not something easily mastered in the moment. Feel free to message me for information on apps that can help with your mindfulness practice. ⁣
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And always remember:⁣
Birth matters. ⁣
So do you. ⁣
💖, ⁣


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01/02/2022

Today is a good day to have a good day!