My Mama Doula

09/26/2023

Do you love this idea for your labor?

Pregnant, dancing 10 minutes before delivery baby João Homero with the obstetrician, Doctor Fernando Guedes. Music: "Paradinha" - Anita.

05/05/2023

I just had my first doxy.me telehealth appointment. My doula sisters recommended this app for virtual appointments. It is free, easy to use, and HIPPA compliant.

11/29/2022

Another way to turn breech babies was developed in the 1980s by chiropractor Dr. Larry Webster, which is aptly known as the Webster Technique, as per the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. The method targets the pelvic area and is designed to make more room for the baby to flip to the headfirst position by addressing musculoskeletal issues that lead to constraints of the uterus.

Read More:

It can be a bit scary learning that your baby is breached before labor. Luckily, there are simple tasks you can do so the baby can be ready for safe delivery.

11/22/2022

A less hands-on approach to flipping a breech baby is an activity that may even be enjoyable to the pregnant individual: swimming. Better Birth Blog explains that certain activities in the water are more likely to aid in the turning of a breech baby, including diving to the bottom and performing handstands. The buoyancy, coupled with the water pressure, can encourage the baby to turn on its own. Read More:

It can be a bit scary learning that your baby is breached before labor. Luckily, there are simple tasks you can do so the baby can be ready for safe delivery.

11/15/2022

The most common method for turning a baby from the breech position into the cephalic (head first) position is known as the external cephalic version (ECV) and involves a practitioner manually attempting to shift the baby from the outside, as explained by WebMD. This procedure is usually guided by ultrasound and accompanied by IV medications designed to loosen up the uterus.

Read More:

It can be a bit scary learning that your baby is breached before labor. Luckily, there are simple tasks you can do so the baby can be ready for safe delivery.

11/08/2022

According to healthdigest.com the three common ways to turn a breech baby should happen before gestation week 36. The three ways are external pressure, swimming, and chiropractor manipulation. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says serious complications can occur from a breech birth so many breech babies are delivered by cesarean section. For more information see https://www.healthdigest.com/1050312/ways-to-turn-a-breech-baby-before-labor/.

It can be a bit scary learning that your baby is breached before labor. Luckily, there are simple tasks you can do so the baby can be ready for safe delivery.

11/01/2022

Is a TENS unit right for you? What are the experts saying? Please check with your own midwife or care provider before using a TENS unit. But you may find this article interesting. My doula friends say they find a TENS unit very helpful for pain management.

When looking for a natural alternative to pain medications, some women consider using a TENS machine for labor. Here are the risks, benefits, and more.

10/30/2022

I recently assisted with a few amazing births. All mamas were very open to trying all my crazy ideas for comfort measures including, eye gazing with their partner, using a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit, curb walking, spinning babies three sisters, and laboring in a birth tub. These mamas seemed calmer at labor the more we worked together before labor. It seems having a gentle birth experience has a lot to do with being mentally and physically prepared. Having a labor partner close seems to help also. I love helping families bring new life into the world. I'm so grateful also for my doula sisters who so willingly share their stories of labor, love, gratitude, and tricks of the trade. What a great time to be alive!

10/26/2022

This is a great camp chair, perfect for lounging on the beach, hiking, or hanging out at the park. It folds up very small, is lightweight, and puts together easily.

Cascade Mountain Tech Outdoor Lightweight Portable High Back Camp Chair with Headrest Travel Lighter with CMT’s ultralight high back camp chair. Take camping, on a hike, to a soccer game, or just relax in your back yard with the perfect blend of comfort, durability, and portability. With a frame ....

10/25/2022

Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper, R.N.

Chapter 8 Gentle Birth Choices talks about how planning can create a gentle birth experience. This includes choosing birth providers where you can feel safe and supported, making a birth plan, and choosing a place to birth that supports your vision. These snippets are meant to be a teaser for wanting to know more ways to support a gentle birth - my personal favorite way to birth!

10/18/2022

Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper, R.N.

Chapter 7 Mind-Body Connection talks about different ways to exercise the mind-body connection like Prenatal Yoga, Prenatal Pilates, Prenatal Aquatic Exercise, and visualizing a gentle birth. All these help to have a gentle birth.

10/16/2022

I attended a very interesting discussion today on how a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit can help in pregnancy and labor. Here's a link. Perhaps a TENS unit is something to discuss with your OB or midwife.

Every labour is different and individual for each woman. For first time mothers, labour takes approximately 12 to 24 hours while women who are having their s...

10/11/2022

Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper, R.N.

Chapter 6 Waterbirth answers most frequently asked question like - how does baby breathe during a waterbirth? Babies in utero have no contact with atmosphere and no need to breathe. The baby in the womb "breathes" by receiving oxygenated blood from its mother via the placenta and umbilical cord.

09/27/2022

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gentle+birth+choices+barbara+harper&adgrpid=1344703285783213&hvadid=84044026336694&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=105&hvlocphy=43827&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-84044302726603%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22596_10461435&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_9mojjqgbik_e

I'm reading another great birth book called Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper R.N. Just looking at the table of contents excites me to get right into the heart of the book. Chapter 6 on Waterbirth, Chapter 7 on Mind-Body Connection, Chapter 8 Creating Gentle Birth Choices.

Amazon.com: gentle birth choices barbara harper

08/16/2022

What happens during delivery?
Since the vast majority of time we don’t know if a baby will have a nuchal cord, it is routine that the doctor will check the baby’s neck for a nuchal cord after the baby’s head is delivered. Usually the cord is loose and can be slipped over the baby’s head. At times it might be too tight to easily slip over the head, and the doctor or midwife will clamp and cut the cord before the baby’s shoulders are delivered. This keeps the cord from tearing away from the placenta when the rest of the baby’s body is delivered. Read more at

An umbilical cord sometimes can wrap around a baby’s neck before delivery. When it does, it’s called a nuchal cord. While this sounds like a scary scenario, it’s actually quite common and unlikely to cause problems. Learn more.

08/09/2022

When is a nuchal cord (when the umbilical cord is wrapped around baby in utero) dangerous?
If the cord is looped around the neck or another body part, blood flow through the entangled cord may be decreased during contractions. This can cause the baby’s heart rate to fall during contractions. Prior to delivery, if blood flow is completely cut off, a stillbirth can occur. Most time nuchal cord can be corrected at birth. Read more at

An umbilical cord sometimes can wrap around a baby’s neck before delivery. When it does, it’s called a nuchal cord. While this sounds like a scary scenario, it’s actually quite common and unlikely to cause problems. Learn more.

07/26/2022

Labor has 3 stages. First stage is early labor, active labor, and transition. The average labor lasts between 13 hrs 8 mins and 20 hrs 8 mins.

Early labor the cervix dilates 0-4 cm. Contractions are usually uncomfortable but bearable. Active labor the cervix dilates 4-8 cm. Contractions are more intense and it is harder to distract mama. Typically this is the time to go to the birth center or hospital. Transition is the end of stage one. It is short but steep. Contractions last the longest and are the closest together. Good partner support is crucial in this phase.

Stage 2 is pushing baby out and baby is born.

Stage 3 is when the placenta is born.
(Ideas from Cut Your Labor in Half by Mindy Cockeram.)

07/20/2022

There's nothing like hanging out with mom.