River Valley Doula

09/11/2023

Those who are pregnant, postpartum, parents with littles, anyone in the community who wants to be a part of building community to support survivors of perinatal depression, anxiety, or even to come and help normalize how postpartum may feel so that parents know they are not alone. There will be food, activities, a walk, and more!

is hosting their climb in October in NWA and Mercy Hospital is one of the sponsors for this event!

04/08/2023

Wow! This doula has been busy the last few months!

✨I had bariatric surgery in September and I’ve lose 90 pounds
✨I became a jeep girl!
✨I graduated with my BSOL
✨I’m getting out there and being active again
✨I’m running in the okc memorial half-marathon at the end of this month

For 2023, I wanted to find joy in each day, which has included daily gratitude journaling and trying new things with my 3 kiddos and husband of almost 8 years ♥️

I and still taking clients for labor and postpartum, so reach out if you are looking for someone in the Fort Smith area!

Finally, I begin Pre-Nursing classes to work on my BS to BSN this summer ☀️ 👩‍⚕️

09/28/2022

✨Let me reintroduce myself✨

I’m Meg, owner of River Valley Doula! I am certified through ProDoula as a labor and postpartum doula♥️

I live near Fort Smith, Arkansas with my husband and our 3 kids. We have an English bulldog named Beau and a black cat named Cassie.

When I’m not with clients, I spend my time substituting, working out in the gym, cleaning AirBNBs, or trying to complete homework as I am finishing my bachelors and set to graduate in December!

I have a very easy going personality, rely heavily on my faith to keep me strong, and I want whatever my clients want!

I have been blessed with amazing clients this year and I am currently booking clients due in 2023. Since it’s just me, I limit labor clients to 1 a month, occasionally 2.

If you ever want to grab a coffee or lunch, maybe even meet at the Nature Center I would love to get to know you!

I’m an open book, so ask any questions you might have for me below ⬇️

09/19/2022

Baby girl tried to come out elbow and cord first!

Momma was incredibly strong as she breathed and swayed during labor. The shower brought some relief, but miss sassy had plans of her own in the end.

She’s a squishy, beautiful, and hungry butterball of a baby💕

09/18/2022

I’m ever so grateful to be in this space, and always amazed by the strength of my clients ♥️

Last night was no different!

I want to thank the birth team at Mercy, especially an incredible Dr. Bell for his calm demeanor and caring hands!

09/02/2022

Yep, that’s about right ♥️👌🏼

Having the right support team for birth matters.

When I was in nursing school I worked as a doula and absolutely loved being in that role. I still incorporate a lot of the skills that I learned as a doula into my midwifery practice.

I highly recommend you hire a doula and surround yourself with an educated, wise, supportive support team for your birth.

08/26/2022

And many hospitals routinely give pitocin immediately after delivery to help stimulate contractions which assist the uterus postpartum.

Can anyone else *feel* this photo 🙋🏼‍♀️

“We have now reached the massage portion of your stay, rated 0 stars on Yelp. 0/10 do NOT recommend” 🤣

Fundal massage, or uterine massage is a technique used to help stimulate the uterus to contract. This technique is used after the placenta has released and can help prevent postpartum hemorrhage. This technique also helps care providers check on how the uterus feels after birth.

🩸 If the uterus feels like a hard softball an inch or few under the belly button and bleeding is normal. Then all is well!

🩸The patient will have these massages about every 15 minutes for the first hour after the placenta is released. The massage is then spaced out as the care providers feel is needed.

🩸 If the uterus is not contracting down on itself then the patient will have more bleeding than normal and the uterus will feel soft. This can be dangerous as a contracting uterus helps stop bleeding.

🩸 If the uterus is not contracting. A provider may choose to give a very rough "massage" to help stimulate more contractions. They may also choose to help baby get latched on. A baby latching on to the breast can help stimulate oxytocin release that will, in turn, help the uterus contract. There are also medicines given orally or via IV to help as well.

🩸With each baby, the uterus works harder to contract back down to its normal size. Therefore, many birthing people experience stronger contractions after birth with each baby that they have.

🩸 This massage can be pretty rough. Do you remember having this? How did it feel? Did you have an epidural during this time?

🩸 Did you know that you can ask your provider to show you how to do this yourself at home?

and thank you to for this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ post!

08/15/2022

Have you heard of the ’rest and be thankful’ stage?

A perfect example of the time in labour coined the ‘rest and be thankful’ stage.

“Sheila Kitzinger, decades ago, identified it as the “rest and be thankful” stage of labor, during which the uterus reforms itself around the now-descended baby, and when contractions may slow down or stop altogether. If this stage is not interfered with, the contractions will pick up when the uterus is newly formed and ready” ~ Midwifery Today

Repost
・・・
when your body needs rest // Tiffany was right there at the end, fully dilated and mentally ready to meet her baby. But her body needed rest. She pushed for a while in bed, but it just didn't feel right. What did feel right was a nap. So she and Matthew curled up in bed, with a peanut ball to help keep her pelvis open, and they passed out. Midwife Sam and I raided their kitchen to find coffee, and chatted downstairs, giving them space to sleep. And after a while, we heard labor sounds coming from the bedroom! We headed back upstairs, and shortly after, she birthed her beautiful baby in the tub, with powerful surges that were so much stronger than before.⁠⁠
Listen to your body. Just because you are fully dilated doesn't mean your body (or your baby) is ready yet. Let yourself rest, eat, move...lean into what your body needs in the moment!⁠⁠
Midwife:

08/14/2022

Yep!

"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

08/11/2022

If you don’t know your options, you have none 👌🏼 An epidural can be an incredible tool for labor.

08/05/2022

How incredible is that!

07/31/2022

✨Ask me ANYTHING!✨

✅Want too know how I can support you during XYZ?
✅Need more information on (insert pregnancy related jargon)?
✅Not sure where to even start with your birth preferences?

From pregnancy until postpartum there are thousands of decisions you may need to make. What if you don’t know what those are in the first place? Would it be helpful to have someone at your fingertips to find out for you?

Consider me your birth best friend! I’ll talk pregnancy, labor, and postpartum all day if you’d like 👍🏻

If you are interested in learning more, message me and we can setup a time to meet!

There are tons of cozy places we can hangout for an hour or so and chat about all things pregnancy!

Consultations are free for potential clients, $25 an hour if you simply want to learn more. Think of it as a crash course 😉

07/28/2022

Isn’t this so cool!? ♥️

07/22/2022

♥️

07/21/2022

✨Announcements✨

It’s been a busy couple of weeks, I’m still here and doing the doula thing!

I’m now accepting clients due between October and April, so if that’s you let’s get together!

I have limited availability due to keeping my client load low. It helps me be present for your birth when needed! After all, that’s what you hired me for👌🏼

Private yoga sessions and virtual doula services are now available, as well♥️

Try to stay cool in this heat and message me if you have any questions ☺️

07/19/2022