Paige Hopkins Doula Services

05/03/2023

https://www.sarawickham.com/

Thought for the day:

If you put a handful of popcorn into the same pot, into the same oil and heat it all to the exact same temperature, it doesn’t all pop at the exact same moment.

Same with labour, birth and babies.

Be an individual.

Pop in your own time 😆😊

(For more evidence-based conversations about the timing of birth, see www.sarawickham.com/time)

03/24/2022

If only you could have seen the spontaneous dance party that happened when I saw THIS 💃🎉😭 Thank you, Heart of Houston Birth and Wellness Center 💖💖💖

Happy World Doula Week! The rest of the week we'll be featuring the doulas we've had the honor of working with during our first year here at the birth center and at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women.
Meet Paige Hopkins Doula Services! Paige is one of those people that was just made to do doula work! She so warm and so dedicated to supporting families AND her fellow doulas. Paige is both a labor and postpartum doula in Houston and surrounding areas. Although she's a newer doula, Paige is already in high demand. The secret is out so book your birth or postpartum with her NOW!
Thanks for all you do, Paige.

02/28/2022

02/26/2022

Informed consent ✔️

You have the RIGHT to refuse any intervention you want in labor, including an IV.

Whether you should or should not have an IV or saline (hep) lock in labor is a personal choice.

🗯First, lets be sure to distinguish between an IV and saline-lock:

An IV means you are hooked up to a bag of IV fluids which may be for hydration or medication administration.

A saline-lock or hep-lock is simply the port placed into your vein for intravenous access. It is a soft catheter and once placed is generally not too noticeable. It does not need to be hooked up to anything, so you are free to move around without tubing attached to you.

🔴The risks of an IV or saline lock are:

▪️infection, swelling, pain, discomfort, and being one-step closer to potential intervention such as fluids for hydration or Pitocin to help your labor along, and the unintended consequences as outlined above.

🟢The benefits of an IV or saline lock are:

▪️Quick and easy access to deliver pain, anti-nausea or GBS medication, pitocin for labor augmentation or with delivery of the placenta, or rapid fluids in case of postpartum hemorrhage.

Note: If you choose to have an epidural, a saline lock is recommended as IV access may be needed for additional fluids or in case something goes wrong.

Take away: Eat and drink in labor at will and say “No” to an IV if that is your preference.

ACNM: American College of nurse midwives
WHO: World health organization
NICE: National Institute for health and care excellence
SOCG: Society of obstetricians and gynecologists
ACOG: American College of obstetricians and gynecologists
ASA: American Society of anesthesiologists

01/02/2022

Is your birth team complete?
A labor doula is continually by your side - starting in early labor at home, until a few hours after your baby is born. I am on call for you 24/7, three weeks before your estimated due date. I spend an average of 2 hours with you during each prenatal visit. I provide education about hospital procedures and medications, so that YOU can make informed and empowered decisions about YOUR birth. Hospital, birth center, or home birth? I've got you! I support non-medicated, medicated, and "I don't know until I get there" births. I have countless evidence-based resources to share.

Want to learn more? Contact me for a free consultation!

"87 minutes of prenatal care. It is not women who are failing in the system. The system is failing women."

08/30/2021

I've been geeking out lately and taking as many classes as my schedule allows! There is sooo much evidence-based information available for birth workers and expecting families. Huge thanks to Leah Jolly for such an informative class.

Early breastfeeding support has a big impact on the success of long term milk production, building maternal confidence, and reducing postpartum depression. I'm super stoked to have these new tools to offer my birth and postpartum families! Thanks Leah!

08/30/2021

06/25/2021

Online and in-person classes are almost full!

"When you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change.” ~Marie Mongan, Hypnobirthing

04/05/2021

"Holding space" for you. It's one of the most rewarding things I do as a doula. Being physically, mentally, and emotionally available for you means that my focus is completely on you and your birth environment. It allows you and your birth partner to have "the space" during labor to be fully present. It can help you feel protected, less alone, and less vulnerable.

I am there for you without judgment. I am there to be sure that you are heard. I will embrace your vision and not question your decisions.

I am a professionally trained and certified birth companion who is continually present and focused on your birth experience.

It's the best job I have ever had 💗

04/01/2021

This beautiful couple was one of the first births I attended 😍. As a new doula, my thoughts are mainly focused on the later stages of labor - creating space for the mother, empowering her to advocate for herself, pain relief techniques, the many different labor positions to keep birth progressing, and supporting the birth partner - but THIS! This picture reminds me of the amazing and grace-filled moments before it all "gets real". What you see here is the magic connection between two people about to become three 👨‍👩‍👧

This new father was intensely and actively focused on his partner throughout the entire labor and birth! It was a profoundly beautiful thing to witness. 💞💞💞

Having a doula with you when early labor begins removes the worry of when to leave for your birth place. Parents are free to move into labor in the comfort of their own space 🏡👶💙

📸 by me and shared with permission 👍🧡

03/17/2021

Placenta encapsulation - have you heard of it? Have you done it? The supposed benefits include: a decrease in postpartum mood disorders, increased production of oxytocin, a decrease in stress hormones, restoration of iron levels following bleeding after birth, and increased milk supply. Although scientific data on the potential benefits and risks of placentophagy is scarce, almost every nonhuman mammal consumes its placenta after birth.
In this photo, my mom and my daughter sit beneath the tree that my mom planted on top of my daughter's placenta. Witnessing my home birth, my mom was so fascinated by the placenta, calling it "the miracle that nurtured" my baby for nine months - she convinced my midwife to let her keep it!
❤️ my mom and ❤️ that tree 🤗

01/07/2021

• • • • • •
One simple way to help improve your infant or child’s sleep is by changing
the light color in the nursery to red. It’s best when turned on before going to
sleep for the night or naps. A great portable option is to fill a mason jar with 40 battery operated red fairy lights.

White and blue (or green) based lights will inhibit your child’s melatonin at
night. White and blue based lights (including the light emitted from TVs,
smart phones, laptops and almost all forms of lighting used in the home)
inhibit the body’s secretion of melatonin by tricking the brain into believing it is still daylight.

Red based light has a much higher wavelength than white/blue/green light, which research shows does not inhibit melatonin. It doesn’t so much improve sleep, it just doesn’t
interfere with the blocks of it. Of
course the absolute best lighting to use in the nursery is nothing. Pitch black isn't realistic when it comes to
to night feeds or diaper changes. So
red light is by far the best second option.

Changing your baby’s light to red may not completely fix sleep concerns, but
it’s an awesome, quick and easy start.

Red light nightlight option: https://thebabydreammachine.com/collections/all

Research link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11763987/

12/03/2020

We're PREGNANT!!!

NOW WHAT?!?!?!

Step One: Hire yourself a doula, STAT! Generally you pay a flat fee for a doula, whether you hire them at 8 weeks or at 41 weeks, so you'll get more bang for your buck if you hire early in your pregnancy. Your doula can help you:

👩‍⚕️Navigate your health care provider options.
🏥Review your birth location options.
💻Find a birth class that fits your style and circumstances.
✏️Write a birth plan.
❓Answer pregnancy-related questions as they arise.
🤯Relieve your anxiety.

Doulas do so much more than just birth support. A good doula will make your entire pregnancy and birth feel like a piece of cake. 🎂
Reposted with gratitude:

11/20/2020

Look at my precious September baby, and her stunning mom 🤩
This first time mom totally OWNED her unmedicated birth, slow dancing through labor with her amazing partner!
I love this family with all my ❤️

Thanks for sharing, Jareli
You are a warrior woman 💪

11/19/2020

Hang in there, mamma. Joyously share the wonder, and fearlessly share the pain 🤗


Mama, it'll pass. ❤️

10/29/2020

Enjoy the privilege of those precious cuddles 🤗

Thank you, , so beautifully said 💙
・・・
There is SO much emphasis put on independent sleep. ⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀
Have you ever stopped to think about WHY we're rushing our children into independence? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀
⠀⁠⠀
From babyhood we're obsessed with how our children are falling asleep. Are they doing it independently or do they need support? Do you still HAVE to help your child go to sleep? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀
⁠⠀
What if instead of viewing our children's need for support to sleep as a negative thing, we viewed it as a privilege. If we appreciated it as an honour that we are the ones our little ones want to end the day with? That only we will do when it comes to sleep? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀
⁠⠀
If we can appreciate their littleness and soak up those bedtime moments do we let go of the anxiety and frustration we sometimes feel if our toddler asks us to sit or lay with them until they fall asleep? Can we be the calm presence to help our babies to fall asleep when they are struggling to do so?⠀
⠀
Do you still get to help your child fall asleep?

10/18/2020

This is my work and I love it!