Gentle Labor

21/08/2025

If I found myself pregnant just "a few" years ago, I would hire THIS midwife at first light!!! ❤️🤗

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1752yjPgi9/

11/08/2025

She left this side of eternity so swiftly, but her memory lives on. To my Little Pennykins: Nana will love you forever! 💜

Services for Penelope Jean Fazio, born on August 5th, 2025, will be held 1030 a.m., Friday, August 15, 2025 at the Indianola Regular Baptist Church. Penelope was able to spend her life in the comfort of her mothers womb, before safely arriving in the arms of Jesus her savior. Penelope

05/12/2024

Recently, my daughter and I were blessed with a new (to us) vehicle. Interestingly enough, we were both assigned an identical prefix on our license plates. Being prone to contriving acronyms, this is what we came up with..

People Die Postpartum Doulas
in Hurricanes (help) Heal

I like to be optimistic. 🤔😂

20/09/2023

I witnessed a baby being released from the confines of the womb and swept into the arms of her loving parents
on this same day that
I celebrated the life of a dear friend who had been freed from the restraints of sin and ushered into the arms of her loving Savior.
The time passed in only 4 1/2 hours.
It felt like a lifetime.
"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21b)

05/06/2023

I couldn't've said (or pictured) it any better! ❤️

In our practice we highly encourage honoring the Golden Hour. 🥰 The newborn exam can wait, vitals are still done, but we recognize how important this early bonding is for you and your baby’s health and wellbeing.

“The Golden Hour encompasses a set of evidence-based practices that contribute to the physiologic stabilization of the mother–newborn dyad after birth. Important elements of the Golden Hour include delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin contact for at least an hour, the performance of newborn assessments on the maternal abdomen, delaying non-urgent tasks (e.g., bathing the newborn) for 60 minutes, and the early initiation of breastfeeding. The Golden Hour contributes to neonatal thermoregulation, decreased stress levels in a woman and her newborn, and improved mother–newborn bonding. Implementation of these actions is further associated with increased rates and duration of breastfeeding.” -providing evidence-based care in the golden hour, nursing for women’s health journal.

📷 client photo posted with permission.

01/06/2023

Getting "old" CAN be nice; especially when I pass along a di$count as your birth doula!

31/05/2023

So, a delivery was made today and I'm not talking about babies. As a birth doula, I have opportunities to not only serve the clients of CBW's midwives; but I also serve as back-up doula for my fellow doulas of Christian Birth Workers of Central Iowa. To the Mystery Sender of this bouquet: I know you can't put a price on peace of mind, but it sure is beautiful!

18/05/2023

It is impossible to overstate the importance of Good Friday, when Jesus died for our sins, and Easter Sunday, when he was raised from the dead — but Jesus’s earthly ministry did not stop there.

During the 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus TAUGHT His disciples (Luke 24:27), He SERVED (Acts 1:1a), He GAVE INSTRUCTION (Acts 1:9) He ENCOURAGED his friends (Luke 24:36), He MET His friends WHERE THEY WERE AT (Luke 24:29) and PROVIDED HOPE to all those heard Him (Acts 1:3b)

These are all facets of care that I wish to convey as a postpartum doula. So on this 40th Day since Resurrection Sunday, I wish to honor Ascension Day by offering postpartum doula services for up to 40 days after Baby's birth. With Beyond Gentle Labor you, too, can experience a "burning" that inspires confident motherhood. (Luke 24:32)

01/05/2023

A little something to honor prenatal or postpartum mom's. Happy Mother's Day (early 😏)!

19/04/2023

Wish I'da known about this method 25 years ago!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/327914478943432/permalink/778434270558115/?mibextid=Nif5oz

12/03/2023

Hello! Since I'm finding myself in the ebb and flow of new babies and due babies, this is a good time to wait out the tide and reintroduce myself as one who is thoroughly enjoying my view of the birth world.
First and foremost, I define myself as a born-again believer in Jesus Christ Who makes it possible for me to flesh out His Word with my life as a wife, mother of eight, Nana of 12 (and counting!), and birth doula. I'm not ashamed to say that GOD is the One Who colors my view of pregnancy, birth, and the sanctity of life.
My journey into birth work began at the request of my son and his wife to be the acting doula when they welcome their first child this side of the womb. As a result of their inspirational birth, not only did I gain a grandson, but my vision to offer Gentle Labor as a doula was born. Since that time, I've had the privilege of informing and empowering many couples by coaching them through a wide variety of labor comfort measures and birth techniques. Helping them experience God's design for their unique birth is a win, win, double win - for me, for baby, and for parents alike. I continue to increase my knowledge and am currently being trained as a birth and bereavement doula through Stillbirthday. It has been (and still is) a joy to offer TLC as Tammy, a Labor Coach.
Since that time, Gentle Labor has ignited a passion in me to also offer experienced postpartum care. With our society's shift away from close-knit families or church support, new mothers are often propelled through their rite of healing & recovery only to return to work or take on the lion's share of household duties just days, if not weeks, after birth. Our culture has lost sight of cradling new mothers with the nourishment and replenishment that she needs to be physically able and emotionally stable to sustain herself as well as her family. As a result, Beyond Gentle Labor emerged. By offering a helping hand in cleaning, cooking, and laundry, I am able to bring a family's birth story to a beautiful ending (or beginning, rather) - helping women draw their first breath into motherhood while opening the child's eyes to a world where there is still kindness and compassion. To offer tender loving care to the mother IS to care for the child < the family < and their corner of the world.

24/02/2023

Contractions were strong. 😬
Mama grabbed my hand.🤝🏻
Let's just say it was a tight squeeze.😳
What we doulas won't go through. 😂