Delissa Owen - Birth Doula

12/21/2025

✨As the longest night of the year gives way to slowly returning light, the winter solstice reminds us that even in darkness, new beginnings come. For those preparing for birth—or welcoming little ones into the world—this is a beautiful time to pause, reflect, and honor the cycles of life.

Across cultures, solstice traditions celebrate hope, renewal, and the promise of growth. Whether lighting candles, gathering with loved ones, or simply taking a quiet moment for yourself, I invite you to embrace this season of transformation and new life.

🌿 Just as the sun returns, bringing light and warmth, birth brings new possibilities and joy into the world. May this solstice inspire your journey with hope, peace, and gentle beginnings.

12/20/2025

A lovely Christmas home birth story.

"The contractions started strong again in the pool and I held on to the edge swimming my hips back and forth as I breathed my baby “down and out” of my body. It was so amazing to be able to move with my breath, but not have to support the weight of my body like I did when I was on hands and kn

12/18/2025

Give the gift of a gentler, more supported postpartum recovery to a loved one preparing for birth with placenta encapsulation. Many women report benefits such as improved hormone balance, increased energy levels, enhanced milk supply, and smoother overall recovery during those precious early weeks after birth. A meaningful gift that supports healing, nourishment, and recovery when it’s needed most. ❤

For more information, go to my website at: www.delissathedoula.com/placentaservices

12/05/2025

🌿 Walking the Labor-inth 🌿

If you've ever taken my class, you know about labyrinths. This tool has been used for hundreds of years in a variety of cultures around the world, usually as a ceremonial ritual or symbolic rite of passage. We use labyrinths as a way to connect with your inner experience of childbirth. Just like walking a labyrinth, birth asks us to move inward—step by step—through twists, turns, and moments of uncertainty, always leading toward the center: the birth of the baby and the parent.

This activity helps parents connect body, mind, and breath, encouraging reflection, mindfulness, and trust in the process. It’s a hands-on, engaging way for learners to experience that while the path may look complex, there is always a way through.

Curious how this may deepen your own birth preparation? Join one of my group classes or schedule a private class. Go to: www.delissathedoula.com/classes to learn more.

12/02/2025

This transformative class goes beyond the basics of childbirth preparation—it focuses on building *real pain coping skills* and *resiliency* for whatever your birth journey holds.

In this class, you’ll learn to embrace the pain, fear, and uncertainty that can come with childbirth, and turn them into sources of strength and empowerment. Through hands-on techniques, mindfulness practices, and insightful discussions, you’ll gain the mental and emotional tools needed to navigate labor with confidence.

**What you’ll gain from this class:**
✨ Effective pain coping strategies for a variety of birth scenarios
✨ A deeper sense of trust in your body’s abilities
✨ Confidence in your resilience, no matter what challenges arise
✨ Support in building a strong, informed mindset for the birth experience

Whether you’re planning a home birth, hospital birth, or anything in between, this class will leave you feeling empowered and ready for whatever comes your way. 💖

*Ready to transform your birth experience? Find more information at my website here: www.delissathedoula.com/classes or contact me with any questions!*

In-person childbirth classes and workshops in Soldotna, AK. For hospital births, homebirths, or birth center births. Partner classes available. Individual workshops throughout the year.

11/27/2025

11/22/2025

Going out of state and will have minimal cell service. I'll get back to you when I get home!

May you find gratitude in the midst of whatever your week holds ❤

11/17/2025

Effacement: Errr, what's that?

Did you know that during labor your cervix doesn't just dilate? During pregnancy, your cervix is long, firm and closed off with the mucus plug. This is a protective measure for your baby, keeping the uterus safe from pathogens. But as your cervix dilates, it needs to soften and thin out. That is called "effacement".

You might hear your provider say something like "2 and 70%" during a cervical check. This means that your cervix is 2cm dilated and 70% effaced (meaning, it has thinned out quite a bit but not all the way).

Why is this important? Early labor can be very long and it may be discouraging if you have a cervical exam during this time only to learn you're at a 2 or 3. Yet, there is a lot of work happening still! Your body has to break apart the collagen in your cervix so that it can be more elastic and flexible while it continues to dilate. For first time birthers, this process usually begins just before or during labor and tends to take longer. If your body has labored before, this can begin before labor and often goes a bit faster.

So, if you hear that lower number than you were hoping for, know that your work is not in vain and progress is still happening! Not everything is about dilation 😉

11/15/2025

🌟 GIVEAWAY CLOSED🌟

I’m so excited to announce my partnership with Black River Fitness , and we’re celebrating with a special giveaway just for YOU! The winner will receive The Foundations Package from Kenai Core Fitness, and Black River Fitness will cover your admission for our 1:1 training sessions!

Here’s how to enter:
1️⃣ Follow +
2️⃣ Share this post to your story and tag us both
3️⃣ Tag a woman who inspires you in the comments below and tell us why she deserves to win!

✨ Giveaway ends 11/14/25
✨ Winner announced 11/15/25 on the page

Let's lift each other up, one strong woman at a time! 🤍

11/13/2025

💛 Happy World Kindness Day! 💛

How are you choosing kindness today? In what small way can you spread joy and show compassion on this day?

Kindness is the simple yet powerful act of showing empathy, care, and consideration for others. It's not about grand gestures, but about the small, thoughtful things that make people feel valued and understood. Kindness is being present for someone, offering a comforting word or touch, or just listening without judgment. It’s the ability to give without expecting anything in return, knowing that your actions, no matter how small, can make a positive impact in someone’s life.

Let’s spread a little extra kindness today, in birth and beyond. 🌸

11/12/2025

Have you heard the warning that the placenta acts as the filter for baby so it collects heavy metals? Well let’s look at that a little…

A study from 2018 investigates the practice of placentophagy, specifically looking at how dehydration and steaming affect human placental tissue. The research showed that when placental tissue is processed using these methods, the levels of heavy metals were WELL below food safety guidelines (did you know that garlic has 10x more lead than the avg placenta??), ensuring that it remains a safe choice for consumption. Additionally, bacteria levels were found to be significantly reduced by the process, even after 6 months, further supporting the practice’s safety when prepared properly.

This research sheds light on the potential benefits of placental consumption while ensuring safety and quality.

Another study done in 2005 looked into heavy metal content in the placentas of people who smoked during pregnancy. There was a higher level of cadmium and zinc in these placentas, yet the amount still remains relatively low. Other studies point to the possible connection between living in a highly polluted environment (we’re talking coal mines here) and the retention of heavy metal in the placenta. These metals accumulated on the mother’s side, giving some evidence to supply the idea that heavy metals collect in the placent, though still at very low levels.

And yet, in all, what does this tell us? Like with everything, you need to do what is right for you! If you are exposed to high levels of toxins/heavy metals, this may impact whether or not you personally choose to encapsulate. For the average non-smoking individual, the concern of heavy metal exposure is no more than many other fruits and vegetables we consume.

Interested in the actual studies and numbers? Follow the link in my bio to get access to resources.