Leya Mitchell, Doula

07/07/2022

05/14/2022

A new study could offer some answers behind the mysteries of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which kills on average more than 1,000 babies a year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

05/08/2022

So many wonderful humans out there to celebrate today! They may not all go by “mom”, but today let’s celebrate and thank all those mother figures in our lives. 💕

05/08/2022

To celebrate Mother’s Day, I am offering my birth photography package for free to anyone who books their birth doula package this month! (I still have availabilty for the fall & winter but only limited spots left in the summer).

I absolutely love being able to capture these moments for my doula clients. The first moments of contact, the strength of the body during surging contractions, the overwhelming feeling of love.

(Also shout out to this amazing mama on her first Mother’s Day. It was an honor to be present at this birth, which she absolutely rocked).

05/06/2022

💜 Know the signs and symptoms!

Need support with your current pregnancy? Thinking about getting pregnant again? Join our global support group:
➡️ Preeclampsia, Eclampsia & HELLP Syndrome Survivors Global Support Network

Join our activities for Preeclampsia Awareness Month:
➡️ endpreeclampsia.org/awareness-month

Share your story with us for a chance to be featured in our social media:
➡️ endpreeclampsia.org/faces

Follow us on Instagram:
➡️ instagram.com/endpreeclampsia

🌸

03/22/2022

02/18/2022

From The Formula Fairy

Although this recall doesn’t necessarily indicate the need for a formula change, some of you may need to, or want to! So I threw this together- it has suitable alternatives for each Similac formula.

Some of these alternatives are nearly identical, others are very close, some have several small differences, but all are options to consider when Similac formulas aren’t available. The biggest difference to keep in mind is that all similac formulas are palm oil free, but several of these other options contain palm oil. That’s not usually a big concern, but it can cause constipation for some babies.

If you want to learn more about the specific differences between each formula I have highlights for every category of formula (Standard, Gentle, Sensitive & Hypoallergenic) so you can browse through & compare your current formula to the other options you’re considering.

Keep in mind that anytime you switch formulas it can be normal for your baby to experience an increase in digestive symptoms like gas or spit up for up to 2-3 weeks, as well as changes to stool pattern, color or consistency, but they should be manageable and short lived. Don’t panic if you switch formulas and your little one doesn’t immediately tolerate it- they may just need a few days for their sensitive digestive systems to adjust to the change.

Signs your baby is NOT tolerating a formula? Widespread rash, mucus in stool, persistent diarrhea, persistent constipation, blood in stool, any respiratory symptoms, inconsolable crying, refusal to feed, projectile vomiting/painful reflux. If your baby experiences any of those symptoms after switching formulas be sure to reach out to your pediatrician ASAP!

01/29/2022

It’s a common myth that you only need a doula during an unmedicated birth, but doula care is for everyone!

01/29/2022

Wait for it………………..

🌟delayed cord clamping benefits the health of mom and baby

✨✨ The World Health Organization recommends clamping the cord between 1 and 3 minutes

🥴🥴🥴ACOG only recommends waiting 30-60 seconds to clamp and cut the cord

In my practice I wait until the cord has changed color from blue to white and has stopped pulsating completely before I clamp and ask Dad to cut the cord.

Delayed cord clamping allows more blood to transfer from the placenta to the baby. This has many health benefits for both mama and baby.

The only downside of delayed cord clamping is the potential for increased jaundice in the newborn due to the higher amount of red blood cells that then break down into bilirubin. I have not seen this be an issue I’m my practice.

✨✨✨Wait for White to clamp and cut that cord!✨✨✨

01/26/2022

Starting a new book for my Birthworkers Book Club today.

12/13/2021

Elf on the Shelf demonstrating some birth ball positions.

Just showing us some great position to try for your upcoming birth 😍

11/17/2021

from my 34 week-er. Did you know 1 in 10 babies is born premature (before 37 weeks)? I’m so grateful for all of the NICU nurses and neonatologists who took great care of Finn.

11/15/2021

Good read today! I love learning more about the history of Midwifery care.

Did you know that for centuries, midwives and other lay healers were typically the ones who delivered babies? Much of their knowledge was from personal experiences and passed from one to another. During the witch trial era, many of these women healers and midwives were accused of witchcraft because the ability to heal seemed too closely related to the ability to harm. Many were executed because of this. Not only were these women healers a victim of the witch hunts, but so were all the people who consequently deprived of midwifery care.

11/10/2021

| La cesárea es la única cirugía donde se abren cinco capas de tejido y se espera que la madre se ponga de pie seis horas después, responsabilizándose de una personita más, sin mencionar las intensas contracciones de útero, producto de la estimulación de las glándulas mamarias, la liberación de oxitocina... etc..

Si eres una madre vía cesárea, eres más fuerte de lo que piensas. Siéntete orgullosa.

11/08/2021

https://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2017/05/reasons-to-hire-a-doula.html

If you are preparing for an upcoming birth a doula may be exactly what you need. These are the top 10 reasons to hire a doula.