Ray of Light Doula Services

08/06/2021

Ray of Light Doula Services updated their address.

Ray of Light Doula Services updated their address.

09/19/2017

Are you due in October or November and looking for a Doula?

I'm now taking families due in October and November. It's not too late to find the support person your family needs to help your birth experience the best it can be!

05/18/2017

This is such a great infographic on cervical dilation!

Visit my new and still-improving site to get your free guide to cervical dilation! betterbirthblog.com

05/17/2017

I'm so excited to say that my maternity leave is officially over! I'm now taking families due in December, January and February.

If that's you, I would love to meet with you and see if we'd be a great fit for each other!

03/21/2017

thumbsucker

How precious is this sweet baby?! Talk about delayed cord clamping!

03/17/2017

The myth of the painful birth - and why it's not nearly so bad as women believe

"In labour, the mind can be so powerful, for example, a few anesthetists have told me that when giving an epidural, if the mother thinks the drugs have been given, even if they haven’t yet, she has a better experience with the next contraction - sometimes completely pain-free.”

The mind is powerful, use it to your advantage!

It's a question you've probably been asked at some point:

10/12/2016

It is you. You are strong.

07/05/2016

Yes!!!

03/02/2016

Have you heard of birth photography? I absolutely love and adore birth photography and am thrilled to say that Harrisonburg has a wonderful birth photographer available, Nikki Trent from Nvision Photography.

I would *never* birth without a birth photographer again. The moments captured are irreplaceable and simply stunning.

Enjoy!

Baby A decided that her mama's tummy was super comfortable and made sure to take advantage of every possible last second on the inside. Finally, one afternoon thirteen days past her due date, Kaytea's labor began. When I arrived early the next morning, things were progressing nicely and Kaytea managed to maintain her upbeat, postive demeanor - even smiling and laughing between contractions! The excitement and anticipation these two parents felt while waiting for their little girl to arrive was contagious. Kaytea continued to labor for another 24 hours when they decided together with the care team that her contractions just weren't consistent enough to deliver Miss A. After a nervous transfer to the hospital for some help getting more consistent contractions, Kaytea delivered all 10 lbs 5.3 oz and 20 inches of Miss A at 2:26pm on Februray 7, 2016. Kaytea's birth story photography was a record at 35 hours long with a total labor length of 45 hours! WOW! What a magnificent display of the strength and determination of a woman. Congratulations to the happy parents!

01/15/2016

How to Take a Pregnancy Sillhouette Photo with Your Phone!

Grab one of these pictures before it's too late, they're stunning!

http://www.whitehouseblackshutters.com/how-to-take-a-pregnancy-silhouette-photo-with-your-iphone/

I’m currently 36 weeks pregnant and have been wanting to recreate this picture (scroll down a bit) from Kelly Hicks Photography for a while now. Before whipping out my fancy camera, I thought I’d see if I could get a similar look with my iPhone. And sure enough! With a little bit of work, apps,...Read More »

01/13/2016

What a beautiful moment for this mama and her baby as she brings another baby into this world

❤️

Kate Anderson Photography

01/10/2016

It's a shame this photo is hidden--it's gorgeous! Don't miss it mamas!

Part lotus!!! Preciosa la fotografia! !!

01/04/2016

Simply amazing.

Incredible. "On the left you see a fully closed and thick cervix with mucus plug - prior to the onset labor. On the right you see a fully effaced and dilated cervix in labor. The image on the right also illustrates how contractions cause the upper part of the uterus (fundus) to tighten and thicken while the cervix and lower portion of the uterus stretch and relax, helping the baby pass from inside the uterus and into the birth canal for delivery".

12/28/2015

We are so lucky in Virginia to be able to birth at home or at a birth center with a LEGAL midwife. To have options, to have choices.

Not all families have those options.

Illinois is one of the states that does not have those options, consider helping them so that families just like yours and mine have options. So they can choose to birth at home or at a birth center legally!

FINAL PUSH FOR DONATIONS!
Have you made your donation yet?
We need YOU to join our list of supporters donating just $10 each to help keep our push for legislation alive.

If we are fully funded now, we can focus solely on the bill from now until March!

PayPal: send donations to [email protected]

To donate via GoFundMe click this:
https://www.gofundme.com/SupportILMidwives

Or you can go to www.Illinoismidwifery.org and click on the "Donate" button.

Checks can be mailed also. Make them out and send them to:
Vicki Johnson
6092 Torchlite Trl.
Loves Park, IL 61111
Put CFIM in the memo line.

(Donations over $10 graciously accepted :) )

A Thousand Thanks for standing with Illinois CPMs!

11/21/2015

So true!

Yes!! This is all spot on! Anything you'd add?
thanks for the giggle, Mommy Shorts!

11/06/2015

How sweet is this picture?

So cute! www.947hits.com

10/15/2015

33.media.tumblr.com

You'll miss this when they're on the outside!

10/09/2015

Now that's how you treat a pregnant woman!

"I walked into the pizza shop and asked for a specialty sandwich. The owner said they aren't making it today. Just then, my wife walked in and I told her she'll have to order something else. Immediately the owner said, 'You should have told me it's for your pregnant wife'. He turned around and hollered, 'Turn on the oven, we're making a special sandwich!' I love this country."

10/05/2015

A quote from one of my favorite movies of all time AND birth? This had to be shared.

The hard is what makes it great!
Www.birthbootcamp.com

10/04/2015

17 Stunning Images of Newborn Babies Straight Out of the Womb (PHOTOS)

It's hard to imagine that they're comfortable like this but they are, they've spent the last 9+ months just like that!

Marry Fermont, a photographer from the Netherlands, takes gorgeous photos of newborn babies positioned exactly how they lived for 9+ months in their m...

10/02/2015

The look on this baby's face is classic!!!

Between two worlds. INCREDIBLE!

{Alexandra Kayy : Simi Valley Photographer}

09/30/2015

When in doubt, dance that baby out!

09/27/2015

I do this often! I may have hidden some Babywise books a time or two ;)

I confess...I had to do a little book rearranging today at Barnes and Noble.

09/05/2015

Trying to stay fit while pregnant? I love Knocked-Up Fitness and they're having a Labor Day Sale!

This weekend only save 20% off your entire order of any Knocked Up Fitness DVD's and programs! Use code: HealthyLife knocked-upfitness.com/shop-knocked-up-fitness-pregnancy-and-new-mom/

08/26/2015

This is so important to remember while getting your care! You have the final say!

Choose a provider who agrees with you when it comes to the things you want most during birth.

Thanks to Sara Sharp for her suggestion :)

08/14/2015

This made me literally LOL which doesn't actually happen very often!

“There is no other organ quite like the uterus. If men had such an organ they would brag about it. So should we.”
― Ina May Gaskin, Midwife, author, and speaker

08/06/2015

I love this! Keep baby close the first hour (and as long as you can).

Thank you Mumbai Midwife

07/15/2015

This is so true!

"There is a misconception in modern childbirth. It is that childbirth should be painless..." Contiune reading "Gentle Birth Strategies" by Ursula Sabia Sukinik here: http://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/Informed-Choice/gentle-birth-strategies.html

07/07/2015

10 Beautiful Umbilical Cords

Absolutely stunning!

Whenever I share an image of a baby still connected to his or her umbilical cord, I receive more engagement than almost any of my other posts. There is POWER in seeing how we nourished and sustained our child. There is UNDERSTANDING that comes from seeing/touching/acknowledging the cord that pulsed…

06/30/2015

Words of Wisdom: Keep the “Sensations” of Early Labor a “Secret”

The early stages of labor!

Rachel, our Brand Manager, is due to have her 2nd baby any day now. Her (amazing!) doula recently shared this piece with her about "secret sensation" time and

06/30/2015

Lost Calif. woman gives birth in car; not found for days

Wow what an incredible story!

Amber Pangborn was driving when she got lost, ran out of gas and then went into labor

06/17/2015

Thinking about using a wrap but it seems overwhelming? It's way easier than you think!

I have quite a few wraps in my baby wearing library and would be happy to set up an appointment with you to help you figure it out!

06/16/2015

A Mom's Gut Bacteria Plays a Vital Role in the Health of Her Kids: Here's Why - Mothering

Learn more about the role of your gut bacteria on the health of your kids AND get a free bottle of Probitoics!

Health is clearly at the top of the priority list for expecting parents, and while there are so many things outside of your control during pregnancy, there is one gift you can decidedly give to your baby to ensure a strong foundation for a lifetime o

06/12/2015

Lotus Birth: 7 Reasons Why Parents-To-Be Have One | BellyBelly

Have you heard of a "Lotus Birth"?

Learn More about it here!

06/10/2015

If you're pregnant, planning to be pregnant or have little ones at home you won't want to miss the OhBaby Expo!

https://www.facebook.com/events/874344215952147/