Have some birthing preferences you want to make clear to your care providers? Here’s how to get the point across easily and effectively. Research your hospital or birth center’s policies & standard procedures Spend a little time digging in to what is already standard at the place you’ll be delivering. […]
5 Ways to Honor the (Very Real) Life & Death of Your Baby
If you’re experiencing a miscarriage, pregnancy loss, or infant loss: I am so sorry. My certification as a Birth & Bereavement Doula often takes a backseat to supporting “happy births,” but my colleagues and I have noticed a great need in our community for bereavement support, so we have recently started […]
10 Springtime Names for a Baby Girl
Springtime conjures up some beautiful ideas for naming a baby. If you’re due in spring and on the lookout for a floral, breezy name, take a look at our list! May/June – springtime months with a classic feel Posy – a flower name; a nickname for the more formal Josephine […]
Honor Thy Placenta: 3 Things to Do with Your Placenta (Besides Eating It)
If you’re somewhere between “chop it up and chug it in a smoothie” and “chuck that thing in the incinerator ASAP” on the What to Do with Your Placenta spectrum, consider these ideas for ways to honor this incredible organ: Make art. Placenta prints are a common way to commemorate […]
The 3rd Stage of Labor: Delivering Your Placenta
The movie montage of giving birth goes a little something like this: Contractions start. Water breaks. Pain and suffering. Rush to the hospital. Scream, “You did this to me!” at partner. Sweaty, guttural pushing. Baby emerges and is placed on your chest. Everyone smiles. And, scene. The truth is, when you deliver your […]
Motherhood is Lonely: 3 Ways to Combat Postpartum Loneliness
The excitement of a new baby has died down a bit. Your visitors left, your mom finally went home, the meal train has ended, and your partner’s gone back to work. Your friends who don’t have children might not visit as often. And here you are. Alone. With a newborn. […]
A thrill of hope | Placerville Doula
A blank slate, a fresh start…the anticipation of a new year is reminiscent of pregnancy and the expectancy of your little one’s arrival, amirite? There is something so special and sweet about the opportunity to let go of what once was and create something new, full of endless possibilities and, perhaps most importantly, […]
“Why Did You Become a Doula?”
As a doula in the age of social media, of oversharing and Facebook and Instagram, I try to stay abreast of current topics and conversations on social media. When I think my expertise, passion, and experience in supporting families can be useful, I engage in conversations on my friends’ pages […]
When We Say We’re “Unbiased”: The Placerville Doula Difference
Throughout our website, marketing materials, and social media profiles, you’ll find the word “unbiased” everywhere you look. But what does that mean? What does “unbiased” look like as we support you during your pregnancy, your birth, and your transition into parenthood? Unbiased means we support you, regardless of your age, […]
Epidurals: 5 Ways A Doula Can Support You
Think doulas are only for the natural, grin-and-bear-it type of births? Think again! Here are five ways a doula can support you during your labor with an epidural: Positioning | Once your epidural is placed, your options for movement are limited. Your doula provides that extra set of hands, pillows, and […]