I then thought about how many times I have received a birth doula inquiry from a pregnant-mom-to -be who is very interested in a hiring me to help her achieve a natural birth and tells me she:

-She is too busy to take a comprehensive natural childbirth preparation course

-Is going to a high intervention hospital without tubs or showers

-Has a birth team that does not support low intervention births

-Has a partner who is not interested in that “natural stuff”

Doula’s are not magicians. Laboring women,and their partners, need to have an understanding of the process of labor, how to relax and how to utilize pain coping therapies to assist them if they are desirous of a natural birth.  But,they also need L & D nurses and hospital protocols that are supportive of the natural model,and doctors and/or midwives who will help them achieve their goals.

So, if you are looking to have a natural birth, take an excellent class, find a birth place that will support you and your partner, get yourself an awesome doctor or midwife and find yourself a magical doula.

The post We’re Not Magicians first appeared on Holistic Beginnings.

Antioxidant Smoothie

1 medium banana
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
2 TBS ground flaxseed
1/2 raw avocado
1 cup Sunrise Grower Organic Mixed Berries
2 cups Earthbound Organic Deep Green Blends
2 TBS Nutribiotic Rice Protein Powder

Here is the nutritional information for this vegan power shake:
Calories 527
Fat 24g (sat-2.8,poly 5.9,mom10.8,trans 0)
Cholesterol 0
Sodium 337mg
Potassium 1,472.2
Protein 39.5 g
Vitamin A 103.4 %
Vitamin C 125.3%
Calcium 60.2%
Iron 28.6 %

The organic mixed berries and greens are available at Costco. Although purchased fresh, I put the greens in the freezer.I mix all these ingredients in a Nutribullet, but I imagine it will mix well in any blender. This shake tastes great,takes 3 minutes to make, travels easily and offers so much nutrition in one glass. Try it-you’ll love it. (Pregnant or not)

The post A Great Way to Start the Day first appeared on Holistic Beginnings.

Currently, in our society, there is a gap in postpartum support. Women typically only see the pediatrician during the first six weeks, and the focus tends to be only on medical concerns regarding the newborn. Frequently, partners need to return to work rather quickly, grandparents live far away, and often work full time. Very often mothers lack the confidence needed to smoothly transition into their new role. While information is readily available online, there is too much conflicting information which can overwhelm new mothers.

Research and evidence has shown that women who receive support postpartum support have greater breastfeeding success, greater self confidence, lower postpartum depression and a lower incidence of abuse than those who do not have support. Having postpartum support represents a significant health benefit that should afforded to every new family.

Coming to assist the mother during the “fourth trimester” in the home, brings a different type of care to families. Listening to mothers, and families, answering their questions, offering non-judgmental support, providing tips about breastfeeding , providing education and assisting with other children in the family all help the mother feel more secure, less stressed and more relaxed, which can all help the mother bond with her baby. By nurturing and listening, postpartum doulas help in the processing of the new role of a mother. By providing reassurance of a mother’s intuitive abilities, postpartum doulas help mother navigate and gain confidence as a mother. When a mother feels this type of support, she will learn her own parenting style and feel more confident implementing it.

Postpartum doulas bring evidence-based information on normal physical and emotional birth recovery, infant care, breastfeeding ,parent-child bonding and coping skills to the new family. This is important when there is conflicting information by well meaning friends and family. When a situation falls outside of what appears normal, postpartum doulas refer to to outside medical practitioners, thereby allowing mothers to get help earlier before problems begin to escalate-whether it is a lactation consultant, psychologist or counselor or support group.

The role of the postpartum doula is to nurture the mother and the family, hear what she is saying, support her needs, offer an extra hand, do chores in the home, model behavior for mothers and family members, offer referrals for outside assistance and provides emotional and practical support to the mother. The fourth trimester is a delicate, special time. During this time, the mother and family who are well supported, relaxed and confident have a better chance of transitioning more easily than the mother and family who is left to face this process without any real hands-on support.

The post The Value of Postpartum Support first appeared on Holistic Beginnings.

I WILL NEVER LIE TO YOU.

The relationship between a doula and her client is sacrosanct. You must always trust what I say is the truth. So if you ask me “Is this almost over? or “Do you think I am coping well?”, I will answer you with complete honesty.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

I WILL NEVER MAKE A MEDICAL DECISION FOR YOU.

That’s not my job- it’s yours. Besides, I am not your medical provider. I can help you gather information and help you process what is happening. I am there to emotionally support you and your decision, not make it for you.

I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THAT YOU TAKE MEDICATION                                              

A doula encourages women in labor. If I said to you “maybe you should consider an epidural” what would be the underlying message to you? That your doula doesn’t think you can do it. How encouraging would that be? If you want an epidural, ask for it.    

I WILL NEVER JUDGE YOU                                                                                                                  

 Any decision you make is yours to make. I will help you understand what is happening to you, so you can make an informed decision. Whatever you decide, I will give you 100% unequivocal support. It’s your birth- it’s your decision. 

I WILL NEVER DOUBT YOUR STRENGTH                                                                                          

I am in awe of the strength of woman in labor. Never underestimate the power of your body, mind and soul . I  won’t either. I promise.

The post 5 Things I Won’t Do as Your Doula first appeared on Holistic Beginnings.

And maybe you don’t.

You have built up to this one moment in your mind for at least nine months, and probably more. We expect to feel the heavens open and the angels sing as our baby, the one we have long awaited, is finally in our arms. We anticipate the immediate joy we feel will compare to no other feeling we have ever had before. Well, sometimes it just doesn’t happen that way. Sometimes we feel relief that it’s over, or numb from an exhausting birth or none of the above. Perhaps we don’t know how we feel. AND THAT IS OK. It is your experience-you are allowed to feel how you feel.  Experience that moment the way you are meant to experience it, with no judgment and no guilt. There is no right or wrong emotion. It is YOUR first moment. Have no expectation-just let it happen. Your feelings will come as they will and they will be your feelings. And guess what? Whatever you feel is normal. Welcome to motherhood.

The post The Moment You’ve Waited for Your Whole Life first appeared on Holistic Beginnings.

Almost every time! I remember feeling a little embarrassed –was I being grandiose? And a little frightened-was I being foolish?

Of course, the answer to both questions was no. I was being neither foolish nor grandiose. I just wanted to try to have a birth with no drugs. I knew it would be hard-they do call it labor.  But as the time drew near, a nagging feeling deep inside of me grew.  Maybe I couldn’t do it. Why did so many women tell me, “You’ll see, just wait until you’re in labor“? So the inner battle of whether I could or could not do it continued until my labor began.  I was able to birth my son with no medication and it was truly the experience I hoped for. Was it difficult? Yes. But so are many things that we value.

Which brings me to my point. Imagine a friend or colleague telling you they are training for a 26.2 mile marathon.  Would you ever say “that’s too difficult to do”? Or, ‘Wait until you hit the halfway mark-you’ll never get through it”?

No.  You would not. I imagine you might  say “Good for you! “ or “I wish you well” or “You should be proud of yourself “ for attempting such a feat.

So, the next time a pregnant woman tells you she is thinking of birthing without pain medication, just tell her  “Good for you! I wish you the best!”

The post Just Wait Until You’re in Labor first appeared on Holistic Beginnings.