Delissa Owen - Birth Doula

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Soldotna, AK
Delissa Owen - Birth Doula

I provide prenatal and birth doula services to Soldotna and the Central Peninsula.

11/05/2025

Group childbirth classes are back on the menu! 😁 I took a short break from them this fall, but planning on holding them quarterly throughout the coming year.

So, if you are hoping to attend one of my group classes and are due between Feb and April, this is the class for you!

Due after April? Look for my next group offering in March!

Register for classes by going to www.delissathedoula.com/classes or following the link in my bio.

11/04/2025

Studies show that postpartum fatigue is common for mothers after birth and that this symptom can lead to other cognitive and behavioral issues as well (anxiety, depression, increased stress). Fatigue is a predictive variable in determining future symptoms of postpartum depression. So…knowing this, what can you do?

Having a postpartum plan (much like a birth plan!) is so important in creating a space for healing, recovery, and support after birth. This is why we always leave room in my classes to discuss postpartum. Sleep, nutrition, and support are all vital!

Getting enough whole foods rich in essential proteins, minerals, vitamins, and especially iron is essential to providing what your body needs during thus period. As far as iron goes, we know that even in nonanemic women iron plays a crucial role in alleviating fatigue. Studies have seen that iron supplementation postpartum can massively improve these symptoms of fatigue and help with cognitive and behavioral functioning, decreasing the risks of postpartum mood disorders. Along with many trace minerals, placenta capsules can be a good source of iron, contained 24% of the RDA, but should not be relied upon to complete fulfill your body’s need for iron. High quality meat, seafood, and leafy greens are all rich in iron as well.

11/02/2025

Oh joy, it's that time of year again!

I don't know about you but it usually takes my kids about a week to adjust😆

10/31/2025

Gotta love the creativity of our OB department! Dilation ghosts 😂

Happy Halloween! 👻

10/30/2025

So, What Exactly Is a Doula?

A doula is a trained professional who provides non-medical support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. While a doctor or midwife focuses on medical care, a doula focuses on YOU—the emotional, physical, and informational support you need to feel empowered and confident.

✨ What does a doula do?
-Labor support: Comfort measures, relaxation techniques, and reassurance during labor
-Emotional support: Helping you feel calm, confident, and heard
-Physical support: Encouraging movement, positioning, and massage
-Educational support: Explaining your options and helping you understand what’s happening in the moment

A doula is a source of continuous support throughout your birth, making sure your voice is heard, your needs are met, and you feel informed and cared for. It’s the personalized support every birthing person deserves.

Curious about how a doula can support your birth? PM me for more info or to schedule your free consult. Check out my website at: www.delissathedoula.com/services 💌

10/29/2025

**Exploring Placenta Consumption: History and Therapeutics**

Did you know the placenta has been used around the world in ancient and current times for different medicinal and therapeutic purposes?

In the early 1900’s in the Italian Marches, there were reports of placentophagy where women consumed their placentas to boost milk production after other methods failed. The placenta was typically washed, cooked in saltwater or broth, and eaten, similar to how some animals consume their afterbirth. This was successful for these women who were struggling. Historically, the placenta was used in ancient times and the Middle Ages to treat difficult labor, and it remains a part of traditional remedies in some cultures. For example, in Morocco, eating the placenta is believed to prevent infertility, while in China, it is used to treat conditions like anaemia. And these are only a few examples among many!

While the idea may seem unconventional or even repulsive to some, its therapeutic effects on postpartum recovery and other health conditions continue to be a subject of interest and speculation. But ask some of the many women who have taken capsules after their birth and you will hear stories of improved moods, improved postpartum recovery, lactation and more.

Curious how placenta encapsulation may benefit you during the postpartum period? Learn more on my website at: delissathedoula.com/placentaservices

10/28/2025

So, you’ve been told that consuming your placenta can provide key nutrients that may aide in recovery after childbirth? But what EXACTLY is available in the placenta??

As far as minerals go, there is quite the selection! Sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and copper have all been found in the placenta (in this one study alone!). The amount of minerals you would obtain from your daily placenta pills does not meet all your nutritional needs, but it’s a great start. Don't forget to support your healing and recovery with a diverse, nutrient dense diet!

Stay tuned for more information about placentophagy and its possible benefits for your postpartum experience. ❤️

Interested in learning more or booking my placenta services today? Go to: www.delissathedoula.com/placentaservices to find out more.

Interested in going deeper? Take a look at the study mentioned above:
Phuapradit, W., et. al. (2000). Nutrients and hormones in heat dried human placenta. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, 83(6), 690-694. Retrieved 27 Oct 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10932499

10/20/2025

Did you know I offer private classes?

A group class doesn't always work with your schedule. Maybe you want a more personal touch or to be able to go deep into one topic. In these cases, a private class may be perfect for you!

Typically we cover as much of the basics of childbirth education as we can, but we get to go on rabbit trails or deeper into topics that are more relevant or important to you. The basic class is 6hrs, split into either 2 or 3 sessions depending on your preference.

Interested in scheduling a private class for you and your partner? PM me for more details. My schedule is flexible!

10/18/2025

What affirmations or mantras helped you through labor? What words brought you comfort or kept you present in the moment?

Here are some that I have used. I'd love to hear more!

10/15/2025

**The Placenta’s Role in Postpartum Mood Disorders**

Did you know that the placenta plays a significant role in the hormonal shifts during pregnancy and after birth? 🤰

The placenta plays a key role in hormone production during pregnancy, taking over the role of managing estrogen and progesterone to maintain your pregnancy as well as helping to regulate cortisol levels, among other things. The removal of the placenta just after birth causes a sudden drop in these hormones, which can impact your mood. These hormonal shifts may contribute to feelings of sadness, depression, or anxiety in the postpartum period, whether it’s the baby blues during the first couple of weeks postpartum or further postpartum mood disorders.

While these shifts are natural, some women may be more sensitive to them, increasing the risk of postpartum depression. Understanding the connection between the placenta and hormonal changes can help you recognize and address postpartum mood challenges.

If you're experiencing emotional struggles after giving birth, don't hesitate to seek support from a healthcare provider or reach out to a loved one. You deserve care and understanding during this time. 💙

10/13/2025

We can spend so much of our time and energy in imagining and planning for our desired outcomes, yet, often, it’s not until we’re in the moment of actually doing the thing (in this case, labor 😊) that we realize how limited our control is. We can support certain outcomes but we cannot control them or make them happen. So what can we control in labor/birth/postpartum?

One thing that we can control is how we engage with our reality. How we choose to lean in or lean out of the current situation. In my classes, you'll hear me talk about the idea of “the next best thing”. When your birth plan shifts or dynamically changes, what can you do in that moment? You could choose to not engage with a decision (to avoid it, pull away, put responsibility in another's hands) or you can choose into the next step. What is the "Next Best Thing" in this given scenario? What can I say "yes" to right now in order to keep leaning into this challenging moment?

If you are currently pregnant and preparing for the birth of your baby, I challenge you to ask yourself these questions: What happens when I avoid making a decision that needs to be made? How does my body and mind respond to that avoidance? What then shifts for me when I let go of the outcome or future possibilities and make a decision that I know is needed right now? What helps me to say "yes" or "no"? ❤

Address

Soldotna, AK
99669

Telephone

+19074204932

Website

http://www.delissathedoula.com/

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