Blessed Beginnings Doula Services

05/26/2022

I’ve got some news.

After many conversations and lots of prayer, I am taking a break from doula work. Maybe for a little bit, maybe for a long time. I’m not sure. But I’m excited for this next chapter of my life staying home full time with my babies.

Feel free to connect with me over on my personal accounts, I don’t think I’ll be spending much time on this one, at least right now!

Much love to all of the beautiful families that I’ve served and everyone who has supported me along the way!

Be blessed,
Ashley

05/22/2022

We understand that breastfeeding may feel even more "high stakes" with the current formula shortage. Leaders are happy to talk with you before birth to help avoid difficulties and reduce stress.
757-828-6555, every day, 9am to 8pm.
Leaders are parent-volunteers taking calls in our homes. If we can't pick up right then, LEAVE A MESSAGE or TEXT A MESSAGE. We will return your call.

05/19/2022

Fridays at Empower! Looking forward to seeing you all. I'll bring snacks! ~ Cathy

05/16/2022

05/13/2022

We are here to support ALL families in any way we can.
Here are some resources for families looking to donate or source donor milk: Human Milk 4 Human Babies - Virginia and Eats On Feets ~ Virginia that are designed for peer to peer milk sharing (there are chapters for other states if you are not local to VA).
LLL does not facilitate informal milk sharing. We absolutely support Milk sharing via appropriate avenues! Always a labor of love ❤

For formula: If you are local and have sample formula to share, the group linked below may be a good way to offer it or if you are looking for a specific formula.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1625793367805853/?ref=share

05/12/2022

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/07/06/the-air-force-didnt-have-a-manual-for-pregnant-airmen-so-this-mom-made-one/?fbclid=IwAR3j4XRDPeY9gh9X7P8JygbQvPyYsot7OewgFjxtyRjJYPBtY2McIR46N5Y

The Air Force wants to turn Thompson's guide into an official document.

05/09/2022

It’s warming up nicely ☀️

Top tips for babywearing safely in this kind of weather (cos babies often still want to be held or you need to go somewhere)…
💦keep well hydrated
🕶find or make shade (brollies are good portable shades!)⛱
🧴protect exposed areas with sun block (zinc based)
☀️use single layer breathable carriers (like the MiniSling, cotton ring sling, mesh Beco Cool/Izmi or the ultra light solar Integra or Tula Lite)
👍hip or back carries are cooler
🌞go out early or late, avoid the middle of the day
😎use a buggy for transport, (but don’t put cloths over for shade, it just raises the temp, use things like the snooze shade)

More at www.carryingmatters.co.uk/heat

04/21/2022

You read that right.

Per the American College of OB/GYN's 2019 VBAC guidelines, the risk of maternal death during a planned vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is 0.0019%.

Expressed another way, that is a risk of 1 in 52,600.

Did you have any idea the risk was that low?

Whereas the risk of maternal death with an elective repeat cesarean after one cesarean is 0.0096% or 1 in 10,000.

Again, both really small numbers but the risk of maternal death is five times higher in a repeat cesarean.

This is why when pregnant people are threatened with "you could die if you plan a VBAC," it falls flat.

But it is often really successful in coercing someone into a repeat cesarean... as well as eroding patient autonomy and any trust when the birthing person learns the facts.

As a L&D nurse told us, "There is no real informed consent anymore."

This is just yet another example.

ETA: Some people asked in the comments about the risk of fetal death. We discuss that here: https://vbacfacts.com/2012/04/03/confusing-fact-only-6-of-uterine-ruptures-are-catastrophic/

Others have asked about vaginal birth after classical cesarean: https://vbacfacts.com/2021/08/10/vbac-after-classical-t-j-incision/

… or after two cesareans: https://vbacfacts.com/vba2c

… or after three or more cesareans: https://vbacfacts.com/vba3c

Also, you can download our free resources including:

- a report debunking the top 5 uterine rupture myths: https://vbacfacts.com/report

- a handout busting the top 3 VBAC myths using national guidelines: https://vbacfacts.com/acogmyths

- and a VBAC planning checklist: https://vbacfacts.com/checklist

04/20/2022

03/29/2022

*Testimonial Tuesday*

“When we found out we were expecting baby number four we knew we wanted the postpartum support we didn’t have with our previous babies. After interviewing Ashley, we knew we had found a perfect fit for our growing family.

This postpartum experience has been, by far, the smoothest and easiest for us and we attribute a great deal of that to Ashley’s support and care. Ashley makes sure I get a true break while she’s here - a nap, a bath, a chance to give my older kids some time with me without the baby - as well as taking a big chunk of the weekly housework off my plate. Not only is Ashley a great help with the physical aspects of postpartum care, she is also an expert on newborn care and breast/chest feeding support. Even though I’m an experienced mother of three older kids and a former doula myself I still relied on her knowledge and expertise for information and support. Her emotional support and compassion have been invaluable to me as I processed my birth experience.

Hiring Ashley was one of the best decisions we have ever made. Our only regret is that we didn’t hire her nine years ago when we were pregnant with our first!”

Do you need this kind of postpartum care? I have one immediate start opening and lots more throughout the year - send me a message to schedule your free consultation!