Doula Odessa & Birth Services

02/04/2026

02/03/2026

02/03/2026

To the mom awake in the quiet hours of the night, feeding a tiny human while the rest of the world sleeps….

The clock feels frozen at 2:17 a.m. Your eyes burn with exhaustion. Your body is still healing. Your mind is racing with questions you never knew you would have. Is the baby eating enough? Why won’t they settle? Will I ever sleep again? Am I doing this right? 🌙

You scroll your phone just to stay awake while your baby nurses, or feeds in your arms. You feel alone, even though millions of mothers are awake at this exact same moment doing the very same thing.

What no one tells you is how heavy these nights can feel. How emotional it is to be everything for someone who needs you constantly. How love and exhaustion can exist at the same time. How you can feel overwhelmed and deeply grateful in the same breath.

But here is what is true.

Your baby does not see the messy house. They do not notice the laundry piling up or the dishes in the sink. They do not care if dinner was takeout or cereal.

They know your warmth.
They know your smell.
They know the sound of your heartbeat.
They know the safety of your arms.

To them, you are home. 🏡

Every night feed, every ounce pumped, every soothing rock, every tear wiped away, every moment you keep going when you feel like you cannot, it all matters. You are building trust, security, and love that will shape their whole world.

Even when you feel invisible.
Even when no one thanks you.
Even when you doubt yourself.

You are doing something extraordinary in the most ordinary looking moments.

One day, these nights will be memories. One day, you will miss the weight of this tiny baby asleep on your chest. One day, the house will be quiet again, and you will look back and realize how strong you truly were.

So if tonight feels heavy, take a breath. Drink some water. Text a friend. Ask for help. Cry if you need to. Then keep going, one feed at a time.

You are not failing.
You are not alone.
And you are doing better than you think.

To every new mom surviving one night at a time, you are deeply loved and appreciated more than you know. 💕

02/02/2026

www.doulaodessa.com

Hello! My name is Odessa Bates, owner of Doula Odessa & Birth Services. I’m based in Western Massachusetts & have been in the health & wellness field for over 25 years. I’m a Certified Birth Doula, Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner, Evidence Based Birth Professional, Empty Arms Bereavement Professional, LGBTQIA+ ally, Trauma informed, Culturally informed, Substance Use informed, and a former counselor with a master’s degree in Women’s Studies. I’m trained & educated in a wide range of topics surrounding prenatal, birth, & postpartum experiences. My goal as your birth doula in this magical time is to support you & your family to have an experience that is uplifting, empowering, & joyful. I travel to MA, NY, VT, & CT within an 1.5-hour radius from my home base in Pittsfield, MA 01201. Fully Certified, Insured, Vaccinated, & Boosted. Virtual services also available for any location. I’m also a MassHealth approved certified birth doula provider, which my services are financially 100% covered. I look forward to working with you!

02/01/2026

www.doulaodessa.com

Hello! My name is Odessa Bates, owner of Doula Odessa & Birth Services. I’m based in Western Massachusetts and have been in the health and wellness field for over 20 years. I’m a Certified Birth Doula, Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner, Evidence Based Birth Professional, Empty Arms Bereavement Professional, LGBTQ ally, Trauma informed, culturally informed, Substance Use informed, and a former counselor with a master’s degree in Women’s Studies. I am trained and educated in a wide range of topics surrounding prenatal, birth, and postpartum experiences. My goal as your doula in this magical time is to support you and your family to have an experience that is uplifting, empowering, and joyful. I travel to MA, NY, VT, and CT within an 1.5-hour radius from my home base in Pittsfield, MA 01201. Fully Certified, Insured, Vaccinated, and Boosted. Virtual services available for any location. A MassHealth approved certified doula provider (Birth Doula is financially 100% covered).
Doula Odessa & Birth Services

01/31/2026

🎉 Understanding the Stages of Labor: Knowledge is Power! 💖

Labor happens in three main stages, and knowing what to expect can make the experience feel more empowering.

1️⃣ First Stage – Early & Active Labor
• Early labor: Contractions start mild and irregular. Your cervix begins to dilate (0–6 cm).
• Active labor: Contractions become stronger, longer, and closer together. Cervix dilates from 6–10 cm.

2️⃣ Second Stage – Pushing & Birth
• This is when you start pushing. Baby moves through the birth canal and is born.
• Duration varies—first-time parents may push longer than those who’ve given birth before.

3️⃣ Third Stage – Delivery of the Placenta
• After your baby is born, the placenta delivers. Contractions continue but are usually lighter.
• This stage is essential for recovery and monitoring for any complications.

💡 Tip: Each labor is unique. These stages can overlap, and the timing can vary widely. Staying informed, supported, and breathing through the process makes a big difference!

Your birth. Your strength. My support. ✨

Gypsy Heart Doula
Aka Tree Hugging Doula

01/29/2026

When it comes to pregnancy, birth, parenting, and breastfeeding, we often hear, “Nobody told me…” We’re here to change that—by reminding you that you’re not alone and that many of the unspoken experiences are absolutely normal.

[Image Description] Photo of a crying baby on top of a colorful blanket. Text reads, "Nobody told me...You may leak when you hear a baby -- any baby -- cry. Your body is so in tune with its environment that it may respond to another child's cries by letting down milk." The La Leche League USA logo is in the bottom right corner.

01/25/2026

www.doulaodessa.com

Hello! My name is Odessa Bates, owner of Doula Odessa & Birth Services. I’m based in Western Massachusetts and have been in the health and wellness field for over 20 years. I’m a Certified Birth Doula, Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner, Evidence Based Birth Professional, Empty Arms Bereavement Professional, LGBTQ ally, Trauma informed, culturally informed, Substance Use informed, and a former counselor with a master’s degree in Women’s Studies. I am trained and educated in a wide range of topics surrounding prenatal, birth, and postpartum experiences. My goal as your doula in this magical time is to support you and your family to have an experience that is uplifting, empowering, and joyful. I travel to MA, NY, VT, and CT within an 1.5-hour radius from my home base in Pittsfield, MA 01201. Fully Certified, Insured, Vaccinated, and Boosted. Virtual services available for any location. A MassHealth approved certified doula provider (Birth Doula is financially 100% covered).

01/25/2026

Did you know that night feedings play an integral role in overall milk supply?

[Image Description] Photo of an infant sleeping, arms sprawled. Text reads, “Did you know that you produce the most milk at night?” Continued in comments.