Learn more about Align’s coordinator and birth/postpartum doula Emily K by reading her spotlight interview!
Read More
You may have heard that writing a birth plan, or summary of your birth preferences can help you to have a more positive birth experience. I couldn’t agree more; however, in my opinion that’s not the first, only, or even most important part of preparing for your birth. Here are my 5 top tips for planning for a positive birth experience…
Read More
I'm so happy to share this question and answer with Ellie Ryan, DC! She is an excellent chiropractor who sees patients of all ages including prenatal, postpartum and pediatric care. I last saw her a few days ago on my way home from a birth, and went home for my nap feeling right as rain! 😊 Since several of my clients have recently shared how much chiropractic helped their babies I asked Dr. Ellie if she would share a little about how she helps her tiniest patients. Read on to hear directly from Dr. Ellie.
Read More
A lot of families we support as doulas aren't aware that they'll likely have a choice when it comes to how their baby’s heart rate is monitored during labor, and don't realize how large an impact this choice can have on how a birth unfolds. So, what are the different types of monitoring, and which is best for you? Read on for a little background info that may help when discussing this important decision with your provider…
Read More
In our culture, many of us grew up watching tv and movies that portray labor coping as limited to a woman panting and screaming for drugs. Remember The One Where Rachel Has a Baby? The truth is, it doesn't have to be this way. If you do decide to use pain meds (a completely valid choice) you still have options you can learn about and prepare for ahead of time. There are also non-pharmaceutical alternatives that can be very effective, and benefits to holding off until later in labor to have meds, if you decide to go that route. Read on for additional information on narcotic options and the lesser-known natural coping techniques you may want to include in your birth plan…
Read More
I'm so happy to be able to share this question and answer with Julie Qualle, DC! She is an amazing chiropractor who specializes in prenatal, postpartum and pediatric care. Not only have I had clients rave about her, I’ve also had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Julie myself. She is such a caring, nurturing person and truly gifted healer. Read on to hear directly from Dr. Julie…
Read More
Most people know that on the journey to having a baby, vaginal exams will be part of the equation. But do you know the purpose of these exams? What they're checking for? Possible risks? What your options are in this area? If not, read on.
Read More
Exercise may not be high on the list of things you feel like doing while battling morning sickness, fatigue, or other pregnancy related discomforts, but it may be worth it for both you and your baby. After all, exercise may be the very thing you need in order to feel less nauseous, more energized, or more comfortable. It may help you to get better rest, have an easier labor, and recover more quickly postpartum as well. In addition, exercise could have a significant impact on your mental health, which is known to affect fetal neurobehavioral development, and consequently, child outcomes.
Read More
If you have a healthcare provider who you trust is capable of recommending the best treatment for you and your baby, who are you to question their advice?
Read More
You may have heard of something called the “birth plan curse”, or something along those lines. The basic idea being that the more detailed a birth plan, the more likely a woman is to end up with a c-section. I’ve heard this idea tossed around, encountered it in online labor and delivery nurse forums, and I’ve even had a client report that a nurse told her after her Cesarean birth that it was essentially her detailed plan that caused it. Today I’d like to call this ideology out for what I believe it is. Complete and utter BS…
Read More
I’ve been a practicing birth doula for the past four years, supporting births of all kinds- mostly in hospital, a few home births, medicated, unmedicated, hypno-births, cesarean, vacuum assisted, some short, some really long. I’ve also gone through the pregnancy and birth experience twice personally- once before and once after training as a doula, once with a doula and once without. Somewhere along the way, a spark was ignited, a deep desire to to spread information far and wide in order to help others have positive birth experiences too. Because YES, a healthy mom and baby are always at the top of the list, AND how a family feels about their experience matters DEEPLY. You do not get a do-over on your baby’s birth story. So here’s my advice on how to prepare for a positive experience…
Read More
As society as we knew it seems to come to a screeching halt, babies are still being born. A recent client of mine just posted the most adorable photo of her baby wearing a onesie that said “Stay Home” as she remarked that she wished everyone had a baby to snuggle with during this time. While the reward will most certainly be a bright spot for growing families during this strange and scary time, getting to that destination is becoming increasingly anxiety provoking for many. Group birthing and breastfeeding classes have been canceled, you may be worried about who will be allowed to join you at the hospital due to changing visitor policies, and of course there are extra health concerns for yourselves, your babies and your partners to consider. So what’s a pregnant person to do right now? Here are 3 suggestions:
Read More
I am beyond delighted to be able to share this Q&A with Shannon Gyles, Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist at New Moon Wellness. Known as a go-to person to see during pregnancy in Madison, Shannon is one of the few alternative health care practitioners in the area that specialize in women's health. As her website states, "Shannon has found her true calling in working with fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum, helping facilitate healthy babies, healthy mamas, and healthy families. She personally understands the joy and difficulty with the changing demands on the body during pregnancy, postpartum, and caring for a newborn… is honored to be able to work with women to prep the body and baby for labor and finds great joy in helping facilitate initiating labor when needed." Read on to learn more from Shannon about acupuncture during the childbearing year.
Read More
What do you think of when you think of hypnosis? Swinging shiny objects, snapping fingers, a low-rent comedian making people quack like ducks? I'm willing to bet whatever comes to mind is absolutely nothing like modern childbirth hypnosis. I know this first hand, as I am a Hypnobabies trained Hypno-doula, I've used it personally for the birth of my two daughters, as well as supported many doula clients in using it to successfully achieve easier, more comfortable birth experiences…
Read More
Epidural use during labor is on the rise. According to a Stanford study published in Anesthesiology in 2018, there was a 10% rise in use since 2008. And according to this article, the researchers were “blown away” by the findings. Said Alexander Butwick, MD, an associate professor of anesthesiology, "We were really surprised the rates were so high."
Using pain medication during your labor is a very common and completely valid choice. Why, if you decide to get drugs, would you also want to hire a doula? Aren't doulas just for those that want an unmedicated labor- crunchy types who want to go "all natural?" Not at all. And here's why…
Read More
Every birth is different, and it can feel hard to prepare for the big day when there are bound to be aspects beyond your control. Focusing on what you CAN control will help. Here are the top 3 things you can do to help achieve the kind of birth experience you want…
Read More
DONA International published an article in 2018 celebrating Mother’s Day in which the kids of doulas told what they thought doulas do… “Something with vaginas. You help babies,” said Uriah, age 9. “Doulas just sit there,” said Lyndi, also 9. “Mom, seriously. Don’t make me try to explain it,” said Aidan, age 18.
Some doulas even debate what we should “do”, saying we should aim to be more of a “be-la” than a “do-la”. That it’s not our place to advocate or give advice.
I believe being a good doula is about striking a nice balance…
Read More
I'm absolutely thrilled to share this question and answer with Ingrid Andersson, RN, CNM, MS. Not only is she, as a friend put it, "just an amazing human," she is the Founder and President of Mothers' Milk Alliance, Inc., a Board member of Women's Medical Fund, Inc., member of the Dane County Public Health Fetal and Infant Mortality Review team and former Steering Committee member of Wisconsin Environmental Health Network. She has been a regular guest speaker in the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and Department of Gender and Women's Studies, as well as at Edgewood College, Madison College and Dane County Emergency Services. Prior to midwifery, she worked as a volunteer family crisis intervention counselor and later as a doula. For 8 years, she worked as an RN in high-risk antepartum, postpartum, newborn and breastfeeding care at St Mary's Hospital (SSM Health) in Madison. While a nurse, she travelled to Kenya to learn from traditional birth attendants and British-trained midwives. Read on to hear directly from Ingrid.
Read More
I could not be more excited to feature amazing Madison midwife Emily Beaman on my blog today! This Q&A was originally posted when SSM Dean Health announced the addition of their midwifery practice- including experienced Certified Nurse Midwives Emily Beaman, Mara Evans, and Kimberly Bertram. Read on to hear from Emily about this exciting option for full-scope midwifery care, as well as what clinic and hospital based midwifery care entails.
Read More