Lindsey Graves, Birth and Postpartum Doula

10/18/2024

This month, we remember all babies gone too soon, gone before we had the chance to hold them and love them the way we planned. ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19sFaZYmQ3/

08/05/2023

As World Breastfeeding Week draws to a close, thinking of some of my favorite accomplishments while nursing. Painting a stairway. Exploring a corn maze. Touring the White House. Cutting my husband's hair. Hauling wheelbarrows of mulch. Find this sweet little Dr. Seuss style poem that seemed fitting. 🥰

Would you nurse her in a park?
Would you nurse her in the dark?
Would you nurse her with a boppy?
And when your b***s are feeling floppy?

I would nurse her in the park.
I would nurse her in the dark.
I’d nurse with or without a boppy.
Floppy b***s will never stop me.

Can you nurse with your seat belt on?
Can you nurse from dusk til dawn?
Though she may pinch me, bite me, pull,
I will nurse her til she’s full.

Can you nurse and make some soup?
Can you nurse and feed the group?
It makes her healthy strong and smart,
Mommy’s milk is the best start!

Would you nurse her at the game?
Would you nurse her in the rain?
In front of those who dare complain?
I would nurse her at the game.
I would nurse her in the rain.

As for those who protest lactation,
I have a perfect explanation.
Mommy milk is tailor made
It’s perfect food, you need no aid.
Some may scoff and some may wriggle,
Avert their eyes or even giggle.

To those who can be cruel and rude,
Remind them breast’s the perfect food.
I would never scoff or giggle,
Roll my eyes or even wiggle!
I would never be so crass or crude,
I KNOW that this milk’s the perfect food!

We make the right amount we need,
The perfect temp for every feed.
There’s no compare to milk from breast
The perfect food, above the rest.

Those nursing smiles are oh so sweet,
Mommy milk is such a treat.
Human milk just can’t be beat.

I will nurse, in any case,
On the street or in your face.
I will not let my baby cry,
I’ll meet her needs, I’ll always try.
It’s not about what’s good for you,
It’s best for babies, through and through.
I will nurse her in my home,
I will nurse her when I roam.
Leave me be sir or ma’am.
I will nurse her, MOM I am.

— author unknown

08/14/2022

https://www.facebook.com/100028941867258/posts/744674943173894/?sfnsn=mo

"Many women come to me and say "I want a peaceful zen birth like the ones I see on social media".
"What would that look like?", I ask.
"I want to be in a pool of water, breathing my baby out, staying in control and not yelling".

They tell me about these "zen" births on social media- often just snippets of the labour put together with some relaxing music over top (I must admit, I like to watch them).

In reality tho, in all of births that I have witnessed, yes there is some breathing and zen moments, but there is also a lot of roaring, sweating, moaning, crying, vocalising, wild movements and noises. Lots of acting "out of control". Lots of pure instinctive expression. It is so important not to inhibit any of this!

To be fully expressed during labour helps us to release the energy that builds in the body. Vocalising is a wonderful way to cope with the intensity of labour and helps us to free tension. We know that tension creates more pain. This is one of the tools we practice in my classes.

We have been well conditioned in society to behave in certain socially acceptable ways. When we act "out of the norm" we can feel shame or embarrassment. Repressing our expression keeps our bodies rigid and keeps us living in our minds and not in our feeling heart.

As part of your birth preparation I recommend you start to express yourself more. Vocally express your pleasure more when making love. Let your body move in ways it wants to- close your eyes and feel. When you feel sad, allow tears to come. When you feel angry, roar into your pillow. Sing loudly when your favourite song comes on. Laugh without inhibition. Make noises- even "inappropriate" ones.

Labour is not something to be controlled. It is for letting go."

📷: Monet Nicole - Birthing Stories

Words by Mothers Circle

05/22/2022

Too good not to share 😂

02/11/2022

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/research-conducted-at-nimh/join-a-study/trials/adult-studies/women-with-a-history-of-postpartum-depression-the-effects-of-hormones-in-postpartum-mood-disorders

03/26/2021

This should be everywhere. Well done New Zealand!

https://people.com/politics/new-zealand-unanimously-votes-to-give-couples-who-suffer-a-miscarriage-paid-time-off-to-recover/

10/29/2020

04/02/2020

Know your rights. This is YOUR choice.

"To summarize, the CDC does not categorically recommend separating infants from infected mothers, and currently, there are insufficient data to support routinely doing so. Because the decision is ultimately up to the mother and family, they should be carefully educated about the clear risks of separation as well as its potential benefits."

Breastfeeding expert Dr. Melissa Bartick reviews conflicting guidelines around breastfeeding and COVID-19.

03/13/2020

https://www.dona.org/covid-19-and-doulas/

The 2020 COVID-19 outbreak will affect the birth and postpartum experience for families. DONA International offers these resources for doulas worldwide.