Owl Manor Birth Services

07/15/2022

Two different hospitals in two days. Busy busy busy. 🥰

07/12/2022

Good morning!

06/28/2022

And that’s a wrap! Healthy baby boy. Healthy Mama. All is well and I’m headed home! Been a long night!

06/27/2022

It’s been a while, but back to work.

05/20/2022

I came to my office today to start removing my poor neglected plants to move them home for two reasons.
1) I’m going through a divorce right now and in this transitional period of my life, it’s made it so that any extra expenditures aren’t feasible right now, so I’m saying goodbye to my office come July.
2) Even on the in between, unless I’ve had clients, I haven’t been able to get out here enough to take care of my plants and they mean a lot to me. Seeing my monstera wilted in this way makes me quite sad. They need to come home where they can be cared for properly.
I am living out in Tooele now, and am still at this point planning to be covering the areas I have been before unless I start to feel like it’s become to much. But for now, I don’t feel over extended. I am just adjusting.
If you happen to need me, I’m still here for the time being. :) I’ve toyed with possibly transitioning out of birth work but I’m giving myself a time period of adjustment before I make any rushed and emotionally fueled decisions.
I love birth work. It is a fire in me that burns quite bright, but it may not be my final destination and that’s okay. We will see where this next little while takes me.

04/11/2022

Advocating for yourself can be a hard thing especially when you’re in the throes of labor, and with TWINS!! This is such a neat story. I hope it brings someone some birth inspiration today.

I cannot WAIT to share this story with you. A twin hospital birth, where babies were delivered right on this very floor. My sweet client had to advocate HARD for herself. Even at 8cm, through transition and through pushing she had to tell people “no” repeatedly.

So so so proud of her and so excited to share this amazing story! ❤️❤️

03/07/2022

When choosing your birth partner/s, what things are important to you? What qualities would you be looking for? What kinds of conversations do you have to make sure that you get the care you need at such a vulnerable time?

One exercise that can both be an opportunity to bond with your partner and set up a fool proof plan of action is to make a list WITH your partner about what you hope your birth is going to be like, what their role is in supporting you, and what kinds of things you would like done if plans change!

Remember, this time also is a huge change for them too! Including them can be such a special experience and help them feel like they are a very crucial part of your birth!

📷

TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING BIRTH PARTNERS

There's way more to it than just being there and having baby cuddles.

Who do you want to be at your birth?

Partner
Mum
Dad
Friend
Sister
Doula
Brother
Neighbour
Auntie Sally's god daughter?

How many do you want?

None
One
Two
Half the village?

There's no right or wrong answer.

There is an unwritten obligation to have your partner or the other parent in the room with you whilst birthing their baby, but *NEWSFLASH* - THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE THERE.

When deciding who to have in your birth space don't make the decision out of expected societal obligation, but sit down and really think:
❤ who can serve me during my birth?
❤ who has the capability to support me and be 100% present throughout?
❤ who can respect me, my autonomy, my body and my choices?
❤ who can advocate for me if I am unable?
❤ who is willing and able to prepare for my birth as much as I am?

For many, that will be their partner, but for others that might not be! In fact, having their partner there may be counterproductive for some.

So have a think about WHO you want at your birth. WHY you want them there, and WHAT role you want each of then to play in your experience, and only then can you assemble your dream birth team to support you no matter what path your birth takes.

👇 would love to know if anyone had someone other than their partner/other parent present at the birth of their child?

👇 Did your birth partner live up to expectations?

🔖 tag a pregnant friend who needs to know their options.

❤ BOOKING FOR INDEPENDENT, EVIDENCE BASED BIRTH AND POSTNATAL PREP CLASSES IN ASHFORD, KENT WILL OPEN SOOOOOOOON ❤

02/07/2022

Did you know?

Doulas are statistically found to make your birth outcome better.

The facts don't lie.

01/31/2022

Do you know how crucial it is to drink enough water during pregnancy?

Here's a couple facts that might surprise you!

- Not drinking enough water can make it so that the body has hard time regulating heat which can lead to overheating. Overheating can cause neural tube defects in infants.

- Can lead to decreased levels of amniotic fluid levels that protect baby and helps them grow.

- Can lead to worsened body aches, sciatica pain, joint pain, and muscle soreness.

- Can contribute to constipation, and slow moving bowels.

- Can cause headaches and migraines.

- Can cause dizzy spells and disorientation.

It's always a good idea to make sure to keep some kind of container that you can keep water in. You're more likely to drink water if you have something with you at all times. I've found that with my clients, buying a new water bottle JUST for their pregnancy was fun and allowed them to be a bit more excited about drinking water.

What's one way that you found helps you drink enough water while pregnant? Do you have any tips or tricks to help you remember?

01/17/2022

Happy Monday! Back to work after a sick filled weekend. Luckily not covid, but definitely not fun either.
How is everyone else feeling today?

12/27/2021

In being a doula that provides bereavement support, I spend a lot of time reading. I am slowly getting through a book called "Companioning at a time of Perinatal Loss". It's one of those texts that really reinforces the fact that Perinatal Loss care is all about standing beside the family and not trying to fix the situation at hand, and rather doing everything you can to support the family in their grief and providing positive reinforcement and healing through their journey. Not doing it for them, but rather just being something to hold on to that is steady in a rather rocky time of life. A hand to hold as they climb the stairs of grief.
In the introduction of this book it says "The roots of the word companioning are the basis to the philosophy: "com" means "with, and "pan" means "bread". A companion is someone you would share a meal with. A friend. An equal."
A companion is someone to walk with you in all phases of life, the good, the bad, the hard, the emotional, the things that literally build our foundation and make us who we are. Without companions, I know I personally would be lost. It's such a humbling thought to know that we get to stand beside people in their times of deepest heartbreak and walk with them as they heal and get to help them celebrate the little life that they created, no matter how brief the little life lived, they still did. They were still their little loved one.

12/22/2021

I'd like to introduce you to City Birth and Newborn Photography - Rowan is one of two photographers that personally attended my own birth in February of 2020. I honestly had no clue the kind of impact having photography of my birth would have after the fact. When you are in the throes of labor there is so much that is happening around you and you are so focused that you miss a lot. Having photos of everything not only captured all of it to look at for years to come, but also gave clarity to the moments that felt fuzzy during my birth. I call that incredible labor focus "labor tunnel vision" because you can still hear and see what's going on around you but everything is so intense that you put your head down and just focus to get that baby earthside.
If I had the ability to include photography for free for all of my clients I absolutely would because it's THAT worth it. Birth is something that only happens a few times in your lifetime, and each time it changes you, your family dynamic, and shows you your strength. It clearly shows the amount of support you have around you, the tender moments with loved ones and providers during, and between contractions, any help from older children, etc. Capturing these moments is a beautiful thing and can be so powerful to look at when all the intensity has past, you've had time to rest, and your head is much clearer.
The photos that are included in this post are a few from my birth, and a few that are chosen by Rowan because they are a few of her favorites. If you are interested in having a birth photographer for your birth, definitely reach out to her. You won't be disappointed.

12/20/2021

When I was in labor with my daughter I learned something I hadn't known before about the way that OBGYN's and Midwives can tell about how a baby is positioned in the pelvis. Once consent is obtained, the provider can insert their fingers into the vaginal canal and feel baby's head once enough dilation is achieved. They then feel for what are called "sutures". Initially I was REALLY confused about why my infant would already have sutures in the womb, as we normally attribute that word to stitches to close a wound.
The "sutures" are the lines where the bony plates of the skull eventually fuse together can be easily felt by the provider. This is often referred to as the "soft spots" or fontanelles infants have for a time after birth until the plates fuse. It gives them the ability to see which direction the baby is oriented and helps them determine what the next steps would be in trying to adjust the position of baby to make the birth easier.
Babies often are born with their heads facing the birthing individual's re**um because that is the optimal position that allows them to most easily navigate under the pelvic bones with flexion of the neck. The head must be able to "dip" below the bones and the rest of the body usually follows soon after. It IS a variation of normal for babies to be born the other way around, but often they end up with a bit of bruising on their faces that will fade over the next week or so after birth. It's not always an immediate emergency, but providers often do their best to maneuver baby into a better position for birthing.
It's neat the many techniques that can be used to ensure things are easier on the birther.
Photo credit: www.childrenswi.org

12/19/2021

I know that this is primarily a birth related account but YOU GUYS! If you like sweets or need a cake made for a birthday, or any other event, Melissa is your lady!

I went and got my preorder of Holiday macarons from . Every time I get MACARONS from her they’re so freaking good. I THOUGHT I was gonna like the candy cane flavor best but I was literally blown away by the white chocolate gingerbread. It’s definitely my favorite.

12/13/2021

There's huge amounts of intensity that exists in the throes of labor. So much so that sometimes it feels as if you're outside of yourself. I like to explain it like you experience "tunnel vision". You have to focus so intently that the voices around you become muted, you don't remember a lot of what is happening around you, and the sensations are the only thing truly commanding your attention.
It is said that during labor, women leave their bodies, travel to the stars to retrieve the souls of their babies, and return together. This is such a precious notion. We do so much work physically, emotionally, and mentally to get our little ones earth side, it only makes sense that we would travel the universe to make sure that they would make it safe as well.
Photo by

12/10/2021

Doulas are, in my opinion, some of the most amazing people that exist. They are often selfless, kind, compassionate, and they are the helpers. Their chosen profession says a lot about what they value, who they care about, and what they hope to accomplish in their work. Many doulas are driven by their intrinsic ability to show up for people, relate to them, care for them, and do what they can to make sure that the experiences that their clients have are positive regardless of the circumstances.
Often times doulas get into this line of work due to some personal experience with birth that either empowered them and inspired them to also be someone who makes a positive impact on others, or they happen to have been mistreated by the medical system and it becomes a passion to help educate their clients so that they know they have the right to choose the way their birth happens. Sometimes that looks like human rights violations, lack of consent, hurried and negligent care, etc. The great part about having these individuals as part of your birth team is they are there to help you make decisions at your convenience not at the convenience of your birth team.
I personally couldn't have ever done my home birth without the help of , my experience with my home birth was amazing. It was a positive experience that catapulted me into doula work after looking into it for several years prior and telling myself "that might be to difficult to pursue". I had also experienced the rushed care that made everything feel so far from personal in a hospital. I had experienced poor bedside manner, misinformation, being pushed to make decisions that I wasn't sure of, and being told I had not other option to be on my back while I labored. Having had my daughter at home among amazing midwives and an attentive doula changed all of that for me and so here I am.
It makes me so interested in the stories that others have to tell about their reason for entering into doula work. What choices/experiences led them to choose to follow this path and what keeps them chasing it. If you are a doula or a birth worker of any kind and follow me, please, feel free to share with me!

12/08/2021

One of the things I never realized before I started doula work is all of the “invisible work” that goes into being a doula. The continued education, the constant adjustment of practice to better serve clients, the self work, the books, reading, prepping, restocking of any supplies you need, adding to educational materials for clients, etc.
It’s a constant flow of learning and adjusting as you go. I keep a keychain on my work keys that says “I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. -Maya Angelou” I think it fits perfectly for not only my line of work, but also for life in general. Never close yourself off to learning, or adjusting. You continue to grow if you are receptive to the fact that learning and changing the way you think is life long.

12/04/2021

Foot bath = initial prenatal! Always so excited to be serving amazing people.