Doula Odessa & Birth Services

05/25/2026

My beautiful birth doula clients at their last prenatal appointment with me before I go on call for their estimated due date!

05/20/2026

What an amazing training that I just attended with the amazing Shelley!

05/14/2026

Should you wait until your breasts feel full before nursing or pumping?

The short answer? No, you don’t need to wait.

Breastfeeding works on a simple but amazing system: supply and demand. The more milk you remove—whether by nursing or pumping—the more your body knows to make. Waiting until your breasts feel full can actually send the opposite message to your body, signaling it to slow down milk production.

Here’s how you can keep your supply flowing:

👉 Nurse or pump often, following your baby’s hunger cues.
👉 Focus on a proper latch to help your baby feed effectively.
👉 Minimize unnecessary formula supplementation, which can impact your supply.

When your breasts are regularly emptied, your body understands that your baby needs more milk. If feedings are delayed or missed, or if your baby isn’t latching well, it can lead to a reduced supply over time.

Remember, your body is uniquely equipped to meet your baby’s needs—whether you’re nursing one baby or multiples. By responding to your little one’s cues and staying consistent, you’re giving them the best start.

✨ If you’re looking for guidance and practical tips to navigate your breastfeeding journey with confidence, check out our Simply Breastfeeding Online Course. It’s packed with everything you need to succeed, whether you’re just getting started or need extra support.

Learn more and join today! (link in bio)

05/13/2026

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all parents, guardians, and caregivers. From my family to yours!

04/23/2026

At some point, we all experience childbirth - either as a mother or as the child being born. And yet, so much of the process remains obscure, a taboo in our staunchly patriarchal society. When photographer Emilia Bergmark-Jiménez was commissioned to photograph a birth a few years after giving birth herself, she realized how important documenting this monumental event could be - not only for the family, but for anyone who came across her photos.

“To Be Born and to Give Birth”, shines a light on one of the most intimate relationships between two humans; that of mother and child. For three years, Bergmark-Jiménez traveled around Sweden photographing women giving birth, inviting us to witness this life-changing moment in all its raw glory.

“To Be Born and to Give Birth“ is on view at .stockholm uFotografiska19, 2025.
Words and Repost by
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© EmiliaFotografiskaénez

04/20/2026

“From the moment my husband and I met Odessa we knew she was the right doula for us. She is professional, punctual, caring, sweet, and extremely knowledgable about prenatal nutrition and mental heath, as well as birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum care/healing...Having her support made me feel calm and confident going into the birth. She also learned hypnobirthing techniques to use with me during the birth which proved to be incredibly powerful for me during my birthing time...I would highly recommend Odessa to anyone and will be using her at my next birth! Odessa is such a thoughtful and kind person who will make you and your partner feel loved, cared for, and supported.”

Now offering Certified Birth Doula Support! www.doulaodessa.com

doula

Thank you for the honor of being your doula! For the full testimonial from my client, please view:
https://doulamatch.net/profile/16119/odessa-bates-ma-cd-cpd-cpes