Very Green Doula

02/07/2024

Took a hiatus to rest and recover! While I was gone from this platform, I completed a naturopathy and integrative wellness certification program.

An integrative health coach is a professional who works with individuals to help them achieve their health and wellness goals through a holistic approach. Integrative health coaching involves addressing all aspects of a person’s life, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. My background in social science and plant medicine has led me to explore integrative health and wellness! 🌱

Integrative health coaches often use a client-centered approach, focusing on the individual’s unique needs and preferences. They may also incorporate techniques from various healing modalities, such as mindfulness, meditation, and energy work, to support the client’s journey to optimal health. 🧘‍♀️

Overall, integrative health coaches aim to help clients achieve balance, vitality, and resilience in all aspects of their lives, leading to improved overall health and well-being. While I’m able to take clients of all backgrounds, I desire to work with moms or moms to be as they navigate the adjustment period that is motherhood. Be what you think you need more of 💕

12/05/2024

To the parents celebrating Mother’s Day today.
To all maidens I’ve witnessed become mothers this year.
To all the mothers who have added babies this year.
To mothers who are grieving the loss of babies.
To the ones who are wishing to become mothers.
To the ones that are missing their mothers.
Happy Mother’s Day. Women make the world go round.

08/05/2024

I was fortunate enough to care for Amelia’s family as a doula in 2022. Amelia’s life inspired me to get back in to birth work after the pandemic halted my doula efforts.
Amelia’s mom shared this post and I hope it will help others understand anencephaly and how babies with anencephaly leave a lasting impact on everyone around them. I think of Amelia frequently and will always have a special place in my heart for her. Shared with permission from mom:

“May is Anencephaly awareness month.
For those of you who dont know what Anencephaly is, it is A baby born with an underdeveloped brain and an incomplete skull.
Anencephaly is a defect in the formation of a baby's neural tube during development. A baby born with anencephaly might be stillborn or survive only a few hours to a few days after birth.
We were very blessed that Amelia was so strong and lived for 14 hours but even though she lived for that long it was never enough. We miss her everyday.
Anencephaly happens in 1 and 4,600 babies. Unfortunately there isnt much that tells us why but i believe God needed them more than we did.
Here's to always celebrating my kiddos including my sweet angel Amelia Rae
i miss you everyday sweet girl.”

02/05/2024

Roll call for all my May mamas!!! Share this post if you are due in May!🤰🏽 What’s your guess date for when baby will be born?!

05/04/2024

A certified professional midwife (CPM) is a type of midwife who has met the certification/training requirements set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). CPMs primarily work in out-of-hospital settings, such as birthing centers and home births, and focus on providing holistic, individualized care to women during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Sometimes you’ll hear people refer to these midwives as “community based midwives” They are experts in undisturbed physiological birth. Practicing as a CPM is legal in more than 30 states, but is CRIMINALIZED in others.. (whack!) Many CPMs continue to advocate for equal access to care even in states where it is outlawed.

Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), on the other hand, are registered nurses who have completed additional training in midwifery and have obtained a master’s degree in nurse-midwifery. CNMs are licensed to practice in all 50 states and typically work mostly in hospitals, birth centers, and other healthcare facilities. They are able to provide a wider range of services, including gynecological care and primary care for women of all ages.

In summary, the main difference between a CPM and a CNM is their educational background, scope of practice, and practice setting. CPMs focus on out-of-hospital birth and provide care to low-risk women, while CNMs are able to practice in a variety of settings and provide a broader range of healthcare services due to being able to practice in a variety of settings. What are your state’s laws regarding midwifery? And did you deliver with a midwife? (Please protect the privacy of CPMs if you are in a state where the laws restrict midwifery practice🫶💗)

22/03/2024

What if I told you. Creating fear around childbirth only benefits the profit makers? When women feel afraid to birth their babies, they are more likely to accept intervention in the name of what their care provider says is best for them. Parents want what’s best for their babies, and that’s an easy point for money generating entities to prey on during pregnancy, labor and delivery. These interventions (especially in the hospital) rack up the bill. Ways to reduce the chances of becoming susceptible to this include:
-attending a childbirth education course so that you are empowered to make autonomous decisions as situations arise.
-choosing a care provider that aligns with your birth plan.
-having a doula or birth keeper attend your birth with you if you need extra nonmedical support.
-being confident that your body knows how to grow and birth your baby.

Fear is associated with having a negative birth experience and having more intervention at delivery. Know the facts and don’t take any crap 😉

17/03/2024

My birth attendance stats for 2024 births so far!
5 home births (we LOVE a baby born at home!)
18 birth center births (at a real free standing birth center!)
1 hospital birth (for my bff who delivered twins)
I’ve lost count of water births but I’ve been to a good little cluster of them recently 🧜‍♀️

You kind of get spoiled to the out of hospital setting with stats like these. Let me tell you what it looks like… typically only 1 midwife and assistant. More often than not, a doula. Constant snacking during labor. Intermittent monitoring and no IVs unless you need it. Free movement mama! Rarely delivering in the bed. Basically never delivering on your back. Placenta delivery spontaneously and cord left attached for 1 hour. Now THATS delayed clamping 😂🫶 Uninterrupted bonding time. Home in bed by the time your baby is 6 hours old. Access to the midwife 24/7 in case you have any concerns. A home visit check up the next day. Then another one at 3 days. That way you can prioritize rest without dashing around to 5 different doctor’s offices. I’m obsessed with out of hospital deliveries. I love that each family we care for gets this kind of care. I can’t wait to see where this “work” takes me.

06/03/2024

1. In Mexico, it is common for women in labor to drink a traditional beverage called "agua de Jamaica," made from hibiscus flowers, which is believed to help strengthen contractions and provide energy during childbirth.

2. In Japan, it is a custom for pregnant women to eat seaweed soup during labor, as seaweed is believed to promote easy labor and aid in postpartum recovery due to its high nutrient content.

3. In India, pregnant women often consume a drink called "dry fruit milkshake," made from a blend of dried fruits, nuts, and milk, which is thought to provide energy, nourishment, and strength during labor and delivery.

4. In some African cultures, women may participate in rituals involving the burning of certain herbs or incense to ward off evil spirits and ensure a safe and smooth childbirth process.

5. In Indonesia, it is believed that eating spicy foods during labor can help stimulate contractions and speed up the labor process, leading some women to consume dishes like spicy sambal or curry to help bring on labor.

6. In Brazil, pregnant women may practice a ritual called "benzimento," where a healer or midwife recites prayers and blessings while massaging the mother's belly to ease pain and help guide the baby into the correct position for birth.

7. In parts of the Caribbean, women may drink a traditional tea made from herbs like ginger, cinnamon, and bay leaves during labor, as these ingredients are thought to have warming and soothing properties that can help relax the body and ease pain.

8. In Russia, it is a common practice for women to wear a special beaded necklace called a "rozhdestvensky," which is believed to provide protection and good luck during childbirth and ensure a safe delivery for both mother and baby.

9. In Tibet, pregnant women may consume a special broth made from yak meat and barley, known as "thukpa," which is thought to provide strength, nourishment, and warmth to support the mother during labor and enhance her postpartum recovery.

10. In some Native American cultures, women may participate in traditional ceremonies involving drumming, chanting, and smudging with sage or sweetgrass to create a sacred and supportive environment during labor and delivery, honoring the spiritual connection between mother, baby, and the natural world.

05/03/2024

I’ll run’n go get the midwife brb 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

02/03/2024

It’s Small Business Saturday Y’all! 👏🏻
It’s time for Birth Worker Roll Call!!! 🫶 Midwives, doulas, photographers, lactation, ultrasound and more!
Whether your local📍or non local, share your business, location, and services you offer below so we can network! 🖇️
Be sure to share the post so we can reach as many birth workers as possible!🥰

29/02/2024

Early labor>active labor>transition

These are great photos of the different demeanors you go through in each phase of labor.
🤰🤩In early labor you’ll likely be excited, you may be able to say “whew, I’m having contraction….. okay. That one is over” *logs contraction timer*
😮‍💨😶In active labor you’ll be more focused, less verbal and more likely to have contractions that consistently demand your focus.
🥵😵‍💫In transition you may feel like you want to quit. You may need more support and more frequent reminders that you CAN do it and you’re likely at the finish line. After this phase of labor, the only thing left to do is wait for the urge to push to make its appearance!

Can you guess which phase of labor is each photo?!

24/02/2024

One year ago was the ONLY day that I was so sure I wasn’t going to go in to labor. It was my due date and NOBODY has their baby on their due date, right?!

A sign of labor approaching is “nesting”! These are the photos I took one year ago as my labor was imminent. I didn’t know in the moment but looking back at the things I felt I needed to take a picture of that day is telling. I felt a strange nostalgic feeling. I remember feeling so good and connected with nature. I planted my tomato sprouts in the greenhouse, I smelled my peach blossom flower and I was teary eyed as I watched Teller love on our chickens on the first warm day in February. I hadn’t had a single contraction yet… little did I know…. Things would take a swing around dinner time. 💗

23/02/2024

Systematic Cesarean is incompatible with mother autonomy.

Put a finger down if you’ve decided to hyperfixate on breech birth ✌️….☝️….

Breech is a variation of normal. Doctors should know how to do the maneuvers when needed, the government shouldn’t criminalize midwives who do.

22/02/2024

February has been hectic. But I’m still in such awe of my best friend and her family. At the beginning of this month I was afforded the opportunity to attend perhaps the most special birth I’ve ever been to. The delivery of my best friend’s babies. The twins were born and able to go home with mom and dad a few days later. I’m so appreciative that I got to be there, as this friend has been my doula (in the most perfect ways for me!) at both of my births. I love this family so much and I’m so proud of them all for their strength and resilience. Happy Birthday babies 💗☯️

21/02/2024

That immediate postpartum rush of OXYTOCIN 🥹These pictures only get better as you zoom in on each persons face. 😂

19/02/2024

🌿No resolution this year, just vibes🌿

Tenacity refers to the quality or characteristic of being persistent, determined, and unwilling to give up or yield in the face of adversity, obstacles, or challenges. It involves the ability to maintain a firm and unwavering resolve, often driven by a strong sense of purpose or goal. Tenacity implies a relentless pursuit of one's objectives, even in the face of setbacks, failures, or difficulties, and the willingness to exert continued effort and determination to overcome obstacles and achieve success.

I have big goals this year. Pursuing midwifery. Completing my masters. Finding the perfect balance between work and my family. Taking every chance I can to learn about myself and others. It’s going to be a great year y’all. Cheers to a new year 🥂

16/02/2024