Elissa Harper Doula

09/03/2021

✨ How big was your baby?✨

Mine were both 💛💛 !

Ooh, this is fun. Whatcha got? 😁

09/02/2021

Absolutely incredible!

Well before I knew the benefits to being vertical during labor and childbirth, I was fortunate enough to have a midwife suggest birthing vertically. Within 3 contractions after switching from side-lying to vertical, in a squatted position over a birthing stool, my first baby was born - finally, after 2.5 hours of pushing.

Now that I have become educated and experienced in the many different positions that a person can bring their baby earthside, I'm happy to offer any that will take advantage of the benefits of gravity!

Wow!! Imagine a hospital where vertical birth was not only practiced.... but preferred! The hospital in Otavalo, Ecuador has a 90% vaginal birth rate (vaginal!), of which approximately 75% are born vertically! The other 15% are birthed in a clinical room similar to North American standards. This means that only 10% of births are cesarean, which is 5% below the national Ecuadorian average of 15% cesarean births. Oh, and if THAT didn’t blow your doula mind... they are an intercultural institution where the Indigenous midwife (partera) has her own prenatal room, that resembles the inside of a home - with a fire place, beds, stove, and more! For over 20 years this hospital has been promoting these relationships and practices. The community feels supported, listened to, and connected through option and shared respect for their diversity.
Reposted from

08/23/2021

How did everyone make out after Henri? In our area of Connecticut, we had a good amount of rain that slowed to a warm drizzle by mid-afternoon. We decided to bring the kids out to explore the rain, and they loved it.

It was the best way to break up a long day at home 🥰

08/23/2021

I'm finally back and making time for my birthwork!

Since deciding to move, we ended up selling our home in MA well before finding a home to buy. We're now in this strange limbo of living with my parents (😬) until we fall in love with a home AND get our offer accepted. While I'm eternally grateful, it can be A LOT.

It's an interesting dynamic to be a parent but also not THE parent, if that makes sense.

ANYWAY, all this to say that I'm so happy to finally be back to the work that I love. I'm excited for what's to come on both personal and professional fronts!