Grand Rapids Birth Collective

06/06/2023

Such a great opportunity for any aspiring doulas in Michigan who wish to serve their communities!

Big news! The State of Michigan is fully funding 75 full scholarships, hotel allowance, and a $20/hour stipend for birth doulas at our next three workshops. Please apply soon if you're interested, we expect these scholarships to be allotted quickly. Thank you to the state for their dedication to Medicaid beneficiaries and doula coverage! 🥰🤩⚡️⭐️

https://heartsoulbirthpros.com/scholarship/

03/17/2023

One of my favorite parts of my job as a doula is of course celebrating these little lives and their special mamas! Every birth is special and each little life is so cherished. This sweet boy is
🍀💚ONE💚🍀 year old today. Roscoe your entrance to this world was full of strength, grace and the presence of Jesus! You are a gift!

10/12/2022

💓

Lactation Counseling Cards are done and going around town! Thank you 💕

05/15/2022

This is such important information ♥️

Do you know a common reason parents quit breastfeeding? It's not what you think.

It's perceived low milk supply. Perceived. Not actual. And who can blame them? Stores sell 9oz bottles. Social media bombards us with ads for fancy drinks and cookies with pictures of happy moms and overflowing bottles of milk.

But we're here to tell you the real story. Your body is only supposed to produce an ounce of milk an hour. And that's both sides combined. After 4 weeks, your baby will take 20-30oz of milk for their first year. You never have to increase your supply again. The content of the milk changes over time, but the volume doesn't.

Milk has a circadian rhythm, meaning different amounts get made at different times of day. It's normal to pump much more in the morning than in the afternoon. That doesn't mean there's something wrong.

When you leave a bottle for your baby, leave 1-1.25oz/hr you'll be gone. Small, frequent bottles help keep your baby's expectations realistic. If they're getting two 5oz bottles in 8hrs, they're still getting 1.25oz/hr, but do you only nurse your baby twice in 8hrs? They'll start to expect large volumes from you, which can make them impatient or fussy. Some babies refuse to nurse and will only take bottles. Keeping the bottles realistic and having a clear understanding of a healthy milk supply will help you meet your feeding goals.

Save this so you can remember how much to leave in bottles, and to remind yourself you're doing a great job making milk!

04/09/2022

🤰🏻✨
A year ago when I decided I wanted to pursue birthwork I was overwhelmed on where to start. After almost a decade of caring for kiddos and families as a professional nanny, I already knew that working with families is a huge part of my calling. Around this time last year I was reminded how quickly life can shift, and in that season of “shifting” in my personal life I was reminded that it takes only a moment for life to completely change. What is said and who is there in that moment of “in between” MATTERS. That’s how I see birth. Labor and delivery is a monumental shift in our reality. How you feel (Safe? Scared? Reassured? In control? Validated?) during that shift matters. Those moments of “shifting” stick with us because our mind, body, and spirit are all affected at once.
🌬 💭
At 19 years old, I had my first baby. (And then my second baby came in the beginning of a global pandemic after thinking we REALLY did a good job planning that one 😅 story for another day). I felt afraid, out of control, completely unknowledgeable, like I was being told what to do as if I were another number or statistic, and I immediately knew this couldn’t be the norm. Unfortunately, that is the norm for so many women and families. “Healthy mom, healthy baby” should not be the only goal, because it is the BARE MINIMUM. Everyone should be provided the safest possible birthing experience, and everyone should be given the space to create incredible memories in their moments of “shifting” seasons.
🌧 ☀️ 🌸 🍁
Over the past year I’ve walked alongside so many amazing families in birth and postpartum as their doula, and I don’t take a single opportunity for granted. As I continue pursuing my degree in Nurse-Midwifery, I get to continue working in the field I am so passionate about and it wouldn’t be possible without my wonderful clients. Thank you all so much for entrusting me to be there for you during the “in between” of seasons and during the shift of bringing new life into the world. So much love 💗✨


Photo cred: APCO✨

02/11/2022

Powerful reminder ♥️

It’s all fun and games
And sexy breathing exercises for birth
And romantic plans about how he’ll take the baby
While you do yoga every day

Until you’re 10 days postpartum
Still bleeding and soaked in breastmilk
Riding a roller coaster of hormones and sleep deprivation
And your lovely partner forgets to pick up a smoothie
On his way home from the grocery store

And you lose your sh✨t
Like sobbing into the bathroom sink
Like cursing his mother
Like wondering why you ever procreated with someone capable of such unimaginable selfishness

And then, when the storm has passed,
And you’ve had a snack - you realize
Two shaky, raw, sleep deprived humans
Trying to be life rafts for one another
While sinking into the depths of exhaustion and stress
Keeping the tiniest, most fragile, precious being afloat
Is hard AF

We weren’t meant to do this alone
We were not meant to be sent out to sea
In a tiny little life boat with no map

Even the most loving, stable partnership can sink
Under the weight of operating in survival mode
While finding your footing as parents

So, if you’re out there, treading water
Buried in laundry and breastmilk
Surviving on freezer pizza and three hours of sleep
Thinking mildly unkind thoughts about the person you chose to parent with
Because he can’t seem to calm the baby
Or remember your smoothies
Or grasp the depths of the earth shaking
transition you’re navigating

You’re not alone
And it will get easier
One sleepy, shaky day at a time

Words and Art by Catie Atkinson
Spirit Y Sol
www.linktr.ee/spiritysol

01/18/2022

01/09/2022

I have a few openings this year for due dates in April, May, and June! I would be honored to walk alongside you in pregnancy and birth! 💗 If you are thinking about hiring a doula I would love to chat a bit about what I can offer you in your journey! Send me a message or head to my website and fill out the info under “schedule a consultation” ✨

www.chlothedoula.com