Blue Cascade Doula Services, LLC

02/12/2019

I've been quiet over here, but I'm still here. We are just getting settled into our new home and life here in Richmond. I'm now accepting a select few postpartum clients through April 2020. Book your time now! Send me an email at bluecascadedoula@gmail.com to book.

25/08/2019

They spoke about the importance of seeing black women nurturing their children.

20/07/2019

Now accepting Fall/Winter 2019 clients in

18/07/2019

Big news y’all! My family and I are
moving to Richmond VA at the end of August here I come 💕

13/06/2019

An infertility and infant loss community for women of color.

12/06/2019

“I've started to see my mom differently too, as well as every other new mom out there. While I am very new in the journey, I feel humbled by the stories from other moms and am in awe of those who navigated these tumultuous newborn days and nights with other children to care for.”

While I had gone through the motions of doing the preparations, what I hadn't done was say goodbye to my old life.

11/06/2019

Absolutely gorgeous 🤗🤗💕💕

After years of trying, waiting, heartbreak, patience, and so much love, they finally have their little ones here!

Kelly carried the twins for 36 weeks. One baby is biologically hers and the other her wife's. Jaci has ALSO been able to breastfeed the babies! 2 babies, 2 mamas, so much love 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦

🌈💙💜

~ Melissa Benzel Photography with Kelly and Jaclyn Pfeiffer
www.benzelphotography.com

06/06/2019

Terrifying that episiotomies are still being done unnecessarily. The after effects of episiotomies can last a lifetime. This has to stop. Give birthing people time to birth their babies!

An episiotomy is a surgical cut to the va**na during childbirth. A USA TODAY analysis finds a startling number performed despite guidance from 2006.

04/06/2019

A powerful reminder that love defines families.

01/06/2019

29/05/2019

I HAVE ANXIETY
I’M ON MEDS
I’M STILL A GOOD MOM
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A gentle reminder to all the moms struggling right now...
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It’s OKAY to ask for help
It’s OKAY to start medication ♥️
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
That doesn’t change the fact that you’re a great mom.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌈 Your mental health is a priority
🌈 Your happiness is a priority
🌈 Your self-care is a priority
🌈 Your existence is a priority
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Be kind to yourselves 💕

📷 credit: Kailyn Hart

29/05/2019

I will post this over and over until people listen

13/05/2019

“Wherever you are in your journey, I see you 💕”

06/05/2019

Thank you to all the midwives I know and love!!! You all do amazing work and you are so so appreciated and awesome 💕💕🤗

It’s also International Midwives Day!

Tag a midwife below and tell them how awesome they are!

I’ll choose one comment and both you and the midwife you tag will get a FREE shirt! 💕

Thanks for all you do, you wonderful midwives! The impact you have on women’s lives is monumental!

03/05/2019

If you’re struggling with breastfeeding, please watch this. What a great video 💕💕💕💕

28/04/2019

WA State Doula reimbursement passed the final budget!!! (with Open Arms Perinatal Services, Somali Doula Services of Northwest, Rainier Valley Community Clinic, Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations at Bastyr University, Prevention & Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth - PATTCh, Surge Reproductive Justice, Legal Voice, Midwives' Association of Washington State, Amerigroup, Swedish, Providence Health & Services, Northwest Washington, PEPS - Program for Early Parent Support, HealthCare Authority, Q/tpoc Birthwerq Project, Seattle Indian Health Board, United Nations of All Tribes, Native American Women's Dialogue on Infant Mortality, Health Coalition for Children and Youth, et.al)

WA State Doula reimbursement passed the final budget!!! (with Open Arms Perinatal Services, Somali Doulas Northwest, Rainier Valley Community Clinic, Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations at Bastyr University, Prevention & Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth - PATTCh, Surge Reproductive Justice, Legal Voice, Midwives' Association of Washington State, Amerigroup, , Providence/Health System, Northwest Washington, PEPS - Positive Early Parenting Support , HealthCare Authority, Q/tpoc Birthwerq Project, Seattle Indian Health Board, United Nations of All Tribes, Native American Women's Dialogue on Infant Mortality, Health Coalition for Children and Youth, et.al)

19/04/2019

A great post on gender neutral terminology for birth professionals.

As a birth-worker dedicated to equality and access to quality care, is important to mention some key points about language and inclusion. Bringing awareness to the terminology we choose to use about the people we serve, is something we must bring to the front of our minds. For instance, “breast ma

15/04/2019

From April 11th to 17th, the Black Mamas Matter Alliance is leading the 2nd Annual ! This year’s theme is “Decolonizing Research to Develop Meaningful Policy for Black Maternal Health.” Sign up for BMMA’s e-newsletter and stay up-to-date on ways that you can mobilize to support Black Mamas during http://bit.ly/BMHW19

Toolkit Local Events Film Guide The second annual national Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) campaign, founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, is a week of awareness, activism, and community building intended to: Deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health in the US; Amp...

02/04/2019

Hey all! I have a few last minute openings this Summer. Reply now to get on my schedule.

19/03/2019

Hey y’all 👋🏻

I’m super excited to be taking over Instagram today to share a day in the life of a Doula.

Follow along! Can’t wait to see you there 🤗

09/03/2019

Some babies don’t sleep well, some babies do.

Some babies breastfeed well, some babies don’t.

Some babies cry a lot, other babies are calm.

Some babies smile and coo, and others are serious.

Some babies are busy, others are calm.

The fact is that no two babies are the same.

So we need to give ourselves some compassion instead of guilt or anxiety about the things our babies are doing or aren’t doing.

It’s ok if your baby sleeps through the night, and it’s also ok if your baby wakes up. You are a good mom both ways.

It’s ok if your baby breastfeeds or if your baby is formula fed. You are a good mom both ways.

If your baby is colic or calm, you are a good mom both ways.

You are a good mom because you love this baby so much.

Our culture will tell you a million ways to be a perfect parent, but the truth is you don’t need to follow every rule to be a perfect parent.

Love is one the rule.

So today, stop comparing your baby to all the other ones on the internet. Stop judging your own abilities as a parent so harshly and listen to your own intuition.

What does your baby need? Is it snuggles, bouncy chair, breast, formula, sleep training, or middle of the night cuddles? You know what’s best for your baby better than anyone else, and no matter how hard you look online you will never find the answer that is 💯 right for your baby.

Trust yourself mama. Know that you got this. Know that your mental health matters and a mentally healthy mom is so important to caring for your child.

You are a good mom. And no matter what kind of baby you have, you’ve got this!

08/03/2019

This collaboration is on my mind.

Let’s band together as women and rise.

We’re stronger together than we are separate ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

Malala Yousafzi: "I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard... we cannot succeed when half of us are held back." Art by 👉🏻.art

08/03/2019

2018 and 2019 are apparently my years for growth.

Personally and professionally.

I’ve done things that have pushed me so far out of my comfort zones I wanted to puke.

And guess what; I’m damn proud of the fact that I’ve had the guts to make big, hard decisions and take chances. That’s how things get done and history is made.

06/03/2019

Another great capture from today! We had so much fun at the PEPS luncheon. Thanks again 🤗💕.

06/03/2019

Had the most AMAZING time today with these beautiful humans. 💕🤗

Thank you so much for supporting me and taking time out of your day to chat. I’m so glad we can come together in support of new families throughout Washington state.

@ Seattle, Washington

03/03/2019

This right here 🙌🏼. Go check out they’ve got some rad resources! with
・・・
👋🏽Infographic Update! 👏🏾 Inside Your Pregnant Body, Stages of Labor, Stages of Labor from Baby’s Perspective, After Baby’s Born, and Hormones Naturally Produced in Labor have been updated to ensure gender neutral language.
See www.theeducatedbirth.com/blog for a list of resources to learn more about the gender spectrum and how many parents are impacted by gaps in healthcare in this area.
We care because this impacts the providers and birth workers who use our materials as well as the people our materials are created to speak to — who are trying to conceive, are pregnant, are giving birth, and are beginning their journeys as parents. Everyone deserves to feel welcomed and to be treated with compassionate, high quality care — language is a part of that.
Thank you so much for your support, walking with me as I grow this into a collection I hope will serve birth workers and parents like you better!
The Educated Birth Shop exists to equip expecting parents for well-informed and empowering birth by equipping birth educators and doulas with high-quality, easy to learn from, visually engaging birth education materials.

25/02/2019

Join us in donating to the Birth Worker of Color Scholarship Fund, so that we can create a space at the Evidence Based Birth® Conference for people of all walks of life to come together and have shared learning that benefits us all. The Backstory Evidence Based Birth® is hosting a conference f...

18/02/2019

If you are pregnant or newly postpartum, this is the wellness event for you!

If you are pregnant, postpartum, or have a baby under 6 months old, this wellness event is for you!