CL | West Michigan Childbirth Options and Support, Grand Rapids Doulas, Holland Doulas, Lakeshore Doulas

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  • Home
  • Info
    • Blog >
      • Blog {The Original}
    • Handouts
  • Services
    • Birth Mapping
    • Mother Baby Blessing Ways
    • Just Pregnancy Doula
    • Emergency Birth Doula
    • Postpartum Services
    • Baby Ceremonies
    • Henna
  • So, You Want To Be A Doula?
  • Meet The Doulas
    • Juliea Paige
    • Danielle Alandt
    • About Doulas
    • Client Reviews | Community Projects

How The Doula Biz is Like the Wild West - And Why That Needs To Change.

12/27/2015

1 Comment

 
Definition of Wild West. : the western United States in its frontier period characterized by roughness and lawlessness.

It's quite possible a lot of people wont like me after I say this....but, I think there are doulas out there doing more harm then good for birth in the US - and, that desperately needs to change. Now.
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Helpful Pregnancy Related Information

8/20/2015

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Pregnancy is an interesting and beautiful time in your life! There is nothing on Earth like this experience. Just about everything that you do, you will be constantly aware of the life growing within you, and it will consistently influences much of your life.

Below we have compiled helpful links and videos on topics related to pregnancy to help inform and support you on your journey.

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Labor Like A BOSS

4/30/2015

4 Comments

 
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Childbirth? 
Bring it on. 

This is a helpful attitude to have when it comes to giving birth. 

The more intense it is, the closer you are. 
EMBRACE THIS.

Bring.
It.
ON.

Bring my baby to me. 
GET THIS OVER WITH.
This is your motivation.

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A Baby's Perspective Of Birth

4/13/2015

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When I was being trained to become a doula, we were told about how children can sometimes recall their births in exact detail. I was pregnant for my third and final child at the time and became very excited by this study and decided that when the time was right, I was going to ask my child about their birth. The rules were simple - don't ask any "leading" questions and wait for a moment that felt right, when the child is lucid and offers the information. 

About 3 years later I was watching a birth video on YouTube (not uncommon in this doula's homestead) and my youngest came in and watched the tail end of it with me (ha! Pun intended). When it was over he said "the baby came out?" and I said, "Yep. The mama and the baby worked together and the baby came out and was born! Isn't that cool?"

"Yea! That's how I came out of you body, too." 

This is the moment. I felt it in my bones...he was lucid, curious, attentive - and he seemed to know what he was talking about. So, I said, "Yes it is! Do you remember what that was like?"

And, he said...

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A Collection Of Some Of The Sweetest Natural Childbirth Video's On The Web.

3/30/2015

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This is a collection of beautiful birth videos to help mamas have the inspiration they need to give their body and their baby the benefit of the doubt to deliver their baby naturally. It's SO important to read positive stories and watch natural birth videos so we know that it is absolutely possible to have the birth we're hoping for. The intention of this post is not to shame moms who didn't want or have a "natural birth" - it is intended to help the moms who DO want a natural birth to see what it looks like so they can begin to visualize and prepare for theirs while gaining confidence in their abilities and strength. 

We learn from seeing, what we want you to learn here is that natural birth is more than possible - it's freaking AWESOME!  

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Stop Telling Women They "Can't" Do Stuff. Especially Birth.  

2/19/2015

2 Comments

 
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So, you want to give birth naturally - but - almost everyone in your world thinks you're crazy. You need to know it's NOT you....it's everyone else who has drank the kool-aid. Here's what you need to know so we can change the "story".

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CANDID JULIEA: Many Birth and Baby Experts Don't Know Jack About Breastfeeding.

2/15/2015

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Who did you look to for help when breastfeeding? 

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Was it your Pediatrician, maybe your nurse? Maybe you hired a midwife or a doula and asked them? Did you know that you could reach out to local support groups or lactation consultants? 

More importantly - did you ask the person you were getting your advice from how they are qualified to answer the question? Did you assume they were knowledgeable about this issue and trusted whatever they told you? Did it seem to help or hurt your situation?

A "booby trap" is when inaccurate information is given by an authoritative power which can hurt more than help the process of successful breastfeeding.

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Informed Mama Series: Interventions In Childbirth and the FIVE secrets to avoiding them.

2/11/2015

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When planning for birth it is important to remain flexible, but educated so that you do not end up with what we would call "unnecessary intervention". 

Most healthcare practitioners and facilities do not or cannot support customized care for each individual, therefore many women who are laboring within their realm of "normal" get pushed through a system of guidelines and protocols that shouldn't necessarily apply to them. It is important for you to know that it is OK (and even responsible) to question the interventions that may come up during your birth experience. Having a doula present can greatly help you understand proposed interventions and help you understand what is actually necessary and what isn't and she will help you advocate for yourself if the situation arises. 

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Informed Mama Series: Cesarean & VBAC Birth

1/20/2015

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Currently, the American cesarean section rate in America lingers at around 33%, 22% of those women are primary cesareans (meaning they are first time mothers). This means that one out of three women will end up with a cesarean and that every child she subsequently has will be "higher risk" and it might be incredibly difficult for her to find a care provider and/or hospital who will support or even admit to a woman that she can try to give birth vaginally after cesarean (VBAC). The risk of an unwanted and unnecessary cesarean is especially higher for the families who go into the birthing process without being informed or supported properly. Hospitals and OB's are there to medically manage your care - not to ensure that you have a natural or even satisfying birth experience. If you truly wish to avoid a cesarean - or to even have an empowered one when neccessary, get informed and hire a professional to help you along in your journey!


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How To {Properly} Make Herbal Teas and Infusions

1/8/2015

1 Comment

 
Herbs are amazing. All around us, even in our own back yards, are herbs that are packed with nutrients that are beneficial to us in so many ways. For ages, we humans have relied on our knowledge of herbs to survive and thrive! This powerful medicine, when used appropriately and with knowledge and intention, can naturally balance our mind and body into a state of health.
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    It's all in you.

    When we know better - we do better. This blog is dedicated to those who are committed to doing the very best they can with the knowledge and experience they have. <3 

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