Stay Tuned!

Doulas Etc. is hard at work creating a new website so keep your eye out! Due to come out early May.

We have really been looking forward to our upcoming “Doulas Etc. Retreat” (special shout out to Marcia Mattern and Shannon Bacus who have been working so hard on that front) and the chance that gives us to learn from one another, refuel, and come back refreshed and ready to serve our clients! If you don’t already follow our Facebook page, be sure to go “like” us to get updates and see pictures from the retreat.

Wordless Wednesday

Photo by Amanda E. Photography

Expectant Waiting

Woohoo! It’s Christmastime! It’s the hap-happiest season of all (sorry, had to do it).

Seriously though, this is my favorite season! There is so much I love about Christmas, and one of my favorite things is waiting for Christmas. That’s right. I said waiting is one of my favorite things about Christmas.

Anticipating…

Hoping…

Preparing…

Waiting.

My family and I spend the weeks leading up to Christmas observing Advent.  Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparing as we get closer and closer to Christmas. Starting the fourth Sunday before Christmas, we set aside time each day to be intentional in our waiting. We have fun things we do throughout that time as well as things that are meant to teach how that little baby born in Bethlehem was exactly what so many people had been waiting for and how we are still a people waiting.

I know waiting isn’t everyone’s favorite thing to do, and I certainly can’t claim to be the most patient person myself. But, man oh man, how I love Advent! It is more than just waiting for something good to get here (How many days until Christmas, again?), but about how the days leading up to that good thing are also days with a purpose. Days used to prepare yourself. Days used to grow and to refocus on what is really important. Even though I may not be the best at waiting, as a doula I certainly get a lot of practice.

I am constantly walking alongside my clients as they come to the end of their pregnancies, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their little ones. It is often hard. Parents are anxious to meet their child. Sometimes they are scared about whether or not they are ready, filled with questions about what labor will be like, what kind of parent they will be, what their life will look like after adding a new person to their family.

This time of waiting at the end of pregnancy is also extremely exciting and can be an especially joyous season. Nurseries get decorated, maternity photos are taken to remember this special moment, moms track their little one’s growth week-by-week (often times comparing them to produce for some reason). It is also a time of preparation.  Parents start readying older siblings, pets, and their homes for when baby comes. Of course, we can’t forget,  there are celebrations. Baby showers, blessingways, and babymoons all fill up the days leading up to THE DAY.

I don’t just walk alongside my clients during the waiting but I also get to see their waiting come to an end. I get to receive that call, “I think this is it… I think I’m in labor” and then that other call, “Yes, I am definitely in labor!” I get to walk alongside as a woman labors and surrenders and realizes the conclusion of her waiting and the beginning… the beginning of everything else. I get to witness mothers made and mothers made again. And then… I get to do it all again, waiting with a new mother. And then again… and again. It’s a good thing I love the waiting 😉

Birth Center in Central Illinois… Could It Be?!?!

Have you heard… all the buzz?!? We here at Doulas Etc. have heard and we love it! The chatter on social media as well as the talk at playdates has been all about the possibility that Bloomington / Normal will be getting a freestanding birth center. The murmuring has been taken to the next level this past week when Obstetrics and Gynecology Care and Associates  announced that, yes, they do have plans to open an “independent, locally owned birthing center for low risk mothers seeking high value, high quality, and personal one-on-one care for the birth of their baby” in Bloomington Normal. They also extended an invitation to the community to attend a free “Lunch and Learn” on Thursday, November 13th to come and hear about these plans and to get more information. This event features Dr. Steven Calvin who will be speaking on the topic “Birthing Centers: Why the Time Has Come”.

I, for one, am very excited to hear what Dr. Calvin has to say for us and the possibilities here in Bloomington/Normal. Dr. Calvin broke new ground in Minneapolis when he became the first doctor in Minnesota to open a freestanding birth center. As the founder and medical director of The Minnesota Birth Center he has worked to “collaborate in building a comprehensive midwife-led maternity care model that empowers mothers to have a safe, seamless, and satisfying pregnancy experience.”

Are you planning on attending the lunch and learn? Many of the Doulas Etc. ladies will be there, myself included. Come say “hi”- we would love to see you!

Fall Doula Workshop

 

Here it is – the Fall Doula Workshop!

Jessica Poppe will be offering a two-day workshop just for doulas! Whether you are someone just starting off, trying to figure out if becoming a doula is right for you, or you’re an experienced doula who would love more hands-on instruction – we have seen a need for training for this amazing profession in our community and have made this workshop for you! This training has been split into two-days:

• On Friday, September 19th we will be focusing on offering support. We will cover a summary of pregnancy; nutrition; pregnancy exercises; common prenatal care; and pregnancy discomforts (including ways to alleviate them). We will learn about the labor process; comfort measures/tools; your “doula bag”; providing care in both a hospital and home setting; the role of the doula; offering emotional, physical, and informational support; supporting the partner; advocacy; positions for labor/birth, etc. There will be lots of hands-on practice in a fun environment.
• The second day (Saturday, September 20th) we will shift gears to discuss running a doula business. We will explore breaking down your fee; finding clients; keeping records; organization; communication; handling being on-call; partnerships and back-ups; writing a contract; using social media; marketing; professional development/continuing education; etc.

You will receive a packet of forms you may use with your business (including client intake form, initial phone inquiry form, and previous birth experience worksheet) as well as a binder with tons of great information. The cost for the two-day workshop is $150

We understand that someone who is not necessarily wanting to go into business as a professional doula but still hoping to provide labor support as a person “trained” to do so for a family member or friend may want to only attend the Friday session. Likewise, someone who may have already attended several births and is comfortable with providing support but would like more help when it comes to running the business side of things may only want to attend the Saturday session. That is fine! You may choose only one day of the workshop for $95 (you will still get a binder with great information specific for the day you have selected. Only those attending the Saturday workshop will receive the packet of doula forms)

THE DETAILS:

WHAT: Doula Workshop led by Jessica Poppe

WHERE: Normal, IL ( near Advocate BroMenn Hospital. You will receive the exact address after registering. )

WHEN: Friday, September 19th – Saturday, September 20th
9:30a – 3:30p (with a break for lunch)

*An e-mail confirmation and registration form will be e-mailed to you after payment is received. If you would like the registration form e-mailed to an address different than that associated with your paypal account, please indicate when paying.

Two-Day Workshop: includes a binder with tons of great info and a packet of doula forms you may use for your business
Register before August 31st $150
After August 31st $175

Friday Only: Your binder will only include materials covered that day and you will not receive the doula forms
Before August 31st $95
After August 31st $115

Saturday Only: Your binder will only include materials covered that day. You will receive the doula forms to use
Before August 31st $95
After August 31st $115

Cancellation Policy
Payment in full is expected at the time of registration unless other arrangements are made.
We rely on an accurate attendance count to make important arrangements for our workshops.
If the trainer cancels the workshop, the entire fee will be refunded.
All other cancellations will be charged a $20.00 processing fee.
If the cancellation is made within one week of the workshop, no refund will be given but payment may be applied to a training workshop given by the same trainer within 12 months. (If applicant does not attend a workshop within 12 months, all fees are forfeited.)
In the event you decide to leave the workshop at any time, there will be no refunds

Doulas and the 3 R’s

Relaxation. Rhytm, Ritual.

I remember first reading about the 3 R’s during my doula training in a handout called, “The 3 R’s in Childbirth Preparation: Relaxation, Rhythm and Ritual” by Penny Simkin (this may have been when my doula-crush on Penny Simkin started). As soon as I read it and reflected on my own births and the one birth I had done as a doula at that point, I knew it rang true. The gist of the handout was that when you observe women who are coping well with labor you see a variety of coping techniques but you do see some similarities in those techniques as well. One similarity is that these women are able to relax during and/or between contractions. A lot of times, these mothers will let their muscles go limp (dropping their shoulder, relaxing their jaws, etc.) either during or between contractions- sometimes for both. The other observation is that when a woman feel safe, secure, and supported she will often develop repetitive rhythmic activities which helps with coping. It didn’t take long after I started attending births that I noticed this ALL THE TIME. Whether is be the client who wants me to fan her during each contraction and stop as soon as it is over or the client who wants the rice sock applied to her back while she bounces through every contraction on the ball.
Among other things, I have witnessed swaying, stomping, rocking, moaning, cussing, counting, singing, humming, toe-curling, finger-tapping, and tongue-clicking.
As a doula, I notice that I seem to develop my own repetitive ritual while supporting a client. Usually trying to fall in sync with what both the mother and her partner are doing I notice myself saying the same things over and over, swaying and breathing rhythmically while making “low, deep noises” myself with the mom. Sometimes the “pattern” I fall into is a hush where I am silent and just placing a firm, steady hand on mom’s shoulder during a contraction. I see dads pick up on patterns and they are often included into the pattern that mom has discovered (she will want dad to hold her a certain way, put pressure against her back, say a certain phrase, etc.)
When I see a laboring woman start using rituals and repetition- I get very excited! It makes me happy because it lets me know that she has found a personal way to work with her labor. Her own personal coping technique is usually the best way for her to work through labor and works better than any other thing I could suggest. It also lets me know that she feels safe, secure, and supported… loved. She is not too self-conscious with her labor and has allowed herself to surrender to the process and to her body’s natural coping techniques. When I see a mom starting to use her own coping techniques I try to stay out of the way and to encourage her with what she is doing. Usually a simple, “that’s it”, “that’s the way”, or “beautiful!” is all a mom needs to let herself do what she needs to do. If you would like to read more about the Three R’s – you can find Penny’s article here

Spring Doula Workshop Scheduled!

Jessica Poppe will be offering a two-day workshop just for doulas! Whether you are someone just starting off, trying to figure out if becoming a doula is right for you, or you’re an experienced doula who would love more hands-on instruction – we have seen a need for training for this amazing profession in our community and have made this workshop for you! This training has been split into two-days:

• On Friday, May 2nd we will be focusing on offering support. We will cover a summary of pregnancy; nutrition; pregnancy exercises; common prenatal care; and pregnancy discomforts (including ways to alleviate them). We will learn about the labor process; comfort measures/tools; your “doula bag”; providing care in both a hospital and home setting; the role of the doula; offering emotional, physical, and informational support; supporting the partner; advocacy; positions for labor/birth, etc. There will be lots of hands-on practice in a fun environment.
• The second day (Saturday, May 3rd) we will shift gears to discuss running a doula business. We will explore breaking down your fee; finding clients; keeping records; organization; communication; handling being on-call; partnerships and back-ups; writing a contract; using social media; marketing; professional development/continuing education; etc.

You will receive a packet of forms you may use with your business (including client intake form, initial phone inquiry form, and previous birth experience worksheet) as well as a binder with tons of great information. The cost for the two-day workshop is $150

We understand that someone who is not necessarily wanting to go into business as a professional doula but still hoping to provide labor support as a person “trained” to do so for a family member or friend may want to only attend the Friday session. Likewise, someone who may have already attended several births and is comfortable with providing support but would like more help when it comes to running the business side of things may only want to attend the Saturday session. That is fine! You may choose only one day of the workshop for $95 (you will still get a binder with great information specific for the day you have selected. Only those attending the Saturday workshop will receive the packet of doula forms)

THE DETAILS:

WHAT: Doula Workshop led by Jessica Poppe

WHERE: Normal, IL ( near Advocate BroMenn Hospital. You will receive the exact address after registering. )

WHEN: Friday, May 2nd – Saturday, May 3rd
9:30a – 3:30p (with a break for lunch)

*An e-mail confirmation and registration form will be e-mailed to you after payment is received. If you would like the registration form e-mailed to an address different than that associated with your paypal account, please indicate when paying.

Two-Day Workshop: includes a binder with tons of great info and a packet of doula forms you may use for your business
Register before April 30th $150
After April 30th $175

Friday Only: Your binder will only include materials covered that day and you will not receive the doula forms
Before April 30th $95
After April 30th $115

Saturday Only: Your binder will only include materials covered that day. You will receive the doula forms to use
Before April 30th $95
After April 30th $115

Cancellation Policy
Payment in full is expected at the time of registration unless other arrangements are made.
We rely on an accurate attendance count to make important arrangements for our workshops.
If the trainer cancels the workshop, the entire fee will be refunded.
All other cancellations will be charged a $20.00 processing fee.
If the cancellation is made within one week of the workshop, no refund will be given but payment may be applied to a training workshop given by the same trainer within 12 months. (If applicant does not attend a workshop within 12 months, all fees are forfeited.)
In the event you decide to leave the workshop at any time, there will be no refunds

Winter Veggies

This winter has been rough! Between the record-breaking cold and the snow day after snow day, I have retreated to comfort foods to get me through. Many times comfort food ends up equaling meals that aren’t so great for me (Mac’N’Cheese, anyone?) Well, I have discovered my new comfort food. Or, maybe it is a whole comfort way of cooking – ROASTING!

Here I am with two of my boys “roughing” it through this crazy winter.

My three guys. Probably saying, “We want more veggies!” Okay, maybe not 😉

I will admit, it is so much easier for me to eat healthier meals in the spring and summer. During that time of year, I enjoy taking walks in my neighborhood when I can actually see the lovely, healthy food springing up from my neighbors’ gardens. Not to mention my weekly stroll through our Farmer’s Market- all of the in-season food just asking to be made into something yummy! Well, we are a long way off yet until my neighbors’ gardens and the Farmer’s market start giving me meal inspiration but thankfully, spring and summer aren’t the only seasons that offer us delicious and good-for-you food.  Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, apples, leeks, mushrooms, cabbage, cauliflower, parsnips, oranges, tangerines, carrots, beets, onions, as well as winter squash are among some of the great offerings that the colder months have to offer and so many pair extremely well with my new “cozy-blanket” of cooking- roasting.

Out of that list of fruits and veggies, I have roasted every single one of them except for the oranges and tangerines (will have to give that a try next!) and, so far, I haven’t met a roasted food that I hadn’t liked. Even vegetables that I thought I didn’t really like before, like Brussels sprouts, were amazing roasted. Roasting food brings out the natural sweetness- giving you a browned, caramelized, crispy treat that seems to be, now that I’ve tried it, the only right way to prepare these foods 🙂 I don’t really have a roasting “recipe” per se and there are many great how-to’s on how to roast vegetables (and yes- you can roast fruit as well. Be sure to try some apples!) but let me just encourage you to not give up on delicious, healthy eating in these cold, winter months!

Doula Workshop

Malory Teegarden and Jessica Poppe of Doulas Etc. are very excited to offer a two-day workshop just for doulas! Whether you are someone just starting off, trying to figure out if becoming a doula is right for you, or you’re an experienced doula who would love more hands-on instruction – we have seen a need for training for this amazing profession in our community and have made this workshop for you! We have split this training into two-days:

• On Friday, December 6th we will be focusing on offering support. We will cover a summary of pregnancy; nutrition; pregnancy exercise; common prenatal care; and pregnancy discomforts and comfort. We will learn about the labor process; comfort measures/tools; your “doula bag”; providing care in both a hospital and home setting; the role of the doula; offering emotional, physical, informational, support; supporting the partner; advocacy; positions for labor/birth, etc. There will be lots of hands-on practice in a fun environment.
• The second day (Saturday, December 7th) we will shift gears to discuss running a doula business. We will explore breaking down your fee; finding clients; keeping records; organization; communication; handling being on-call; partnerships and back-ups; writing a contract; using social media; marketing; professional development/continuing education; etc.

You will receive a packet of forms you may use with your business (including client intake form, initial phone inquiry form, and previous birth experience worksheet) as well as a binder with tons of great information. The cost for the two-day workshop is $150

We understand that someone who is not necessarily wanting to go into business as a professional doula but still hoping to provide labor support as a person “trained” to do so for a family member or friend may want to only attend the Friday session. Likewise, someone who may have already attended several births and is comfortable with providing support but would like more help when it comes to running the business side of things may only want to attend the Saturday session. That is fine! You may choose only one day of the workshop for $95 (you will still get a binder with great information specific for the day you have selected. Only those attending the Saturday workshop will receive the packet of doula forms)

THE DETAILS:

WHAT: Doula Workshop

WHERE: Normal, IL ( near BroMenn Hospital. You will receive the exact address after registering. )

WHEN: Friday, December 6th – Saturday, December 7th
9:30a – 3:30p (with a break for lunch)

COST: Two-Day Workshop $150 (included: a binder with tons of great info and a packet of doula forms you may use for your business)
Friday Only $95 (Your binder will only include materials covered that day and you will not receive the doula forms)
Saturday Only $95 (Your binder will only include materials covered that day. You will receive the doula forms to use).

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Doulas and The Golden Hour

Photo credit: Amanda E. Photography http://www.amandaephotography.com/

The first hour of your baby’s life is often referred to as “The Golden Hour” because of the importance of maternal-infant bonding right after birth. Having a doula can be a great way to protect this special time. A doula’s job is to offer emotional support, physical comfort, and assistance in obtaining information. During prenatal visits a doula will help you envision your Golden Hour and how you would like this immediate postpartum period to look.
Certainly, a great reason to have a doula is to ensure your preferences for this period are communicated to the hospital staff, but here are 5 other things a doula can do during this transition that you may not have thought of:

1. A doula is encouraging.
It is pretty common for a new mom to feel a full array of emotions all at the same time: extreme joy, concern, relief, disbelief, excitement and awe. Sometimes a mom will feel exhausted after the hard work of labor, but more often she experiences a rush of adrenaline and renewed energy. A doula can be there to reassure you that these feelings are normal and that “You did it! Your baby is here!”

2. A doula helps keep the focus on the MotherBaby dyad.
I was first introduced to the idea of a MotherBaby dyad in a breastfeeding course. The definition of a dyad is, “a group of two people, the smallest social group’ and “two persons involved in an ongoing relationship or interaction”. It is easier to recognize the dyad during pregnancy- which is the epitome of “two persons involved in an ongoing relationship or interaction.” But birth is not just the process of moving a baby from inside of a mom to the outside. It is a transition for the dyad and the best way for this transition to occur is with mom and baby as close as possible. Evidence shows that this immediate skin-to-skin contact stabilizes and regulates baby’s body temperature, blood sugar levels, breathing, and heart rate. Also, having baby placed on mom’s chest will stimulate mom’s uterus to contract and aids in delivery of the placenta and controlling postpartum bleeding. Most hospitals (especially baby-friendly ones!) have responded to this evidence and try to ensure early skin-to-skin contact between mom and baby. Even so, hospital staff have to focus on the separate clinical assessments of mom and baby. But a doula, not having to worry about clinical care, is free to view mom and baby as one and care for them as such.

3. Doulas recognize that you are the expert when it comes to caring for your baby.
The most qualified person in the room to care for that new baby is not the doula, or the care provider, or the nurse- it is the mom. Her baby has instincts and is capable of communicating their needs to her and she has the ability to listen to and respond to her baby. Babies left alone on mom’s chest for an hour typically self latch, nurse better, and for a longer duration of time than other babies. A doula understands that by not interfering with mom and baby during this time but instead offering information on a newborn’s cues and capabilities, mothers experience increased confidence in their mothering, are more responsive to their babies, and have a more positive perception of their infants (Nugent, Petrauskas & Brazelton, 2009).

4. Fewer interventions during labor/delivery can mean fewer interruptions during the Golden Hour.
Research shows that the presence of a doula can lower instances of regional analgesia, anesthesia, vacuum or forceps-assisted deliveries, and cesareans. If we can lower the instance of interventions that may add discomfort to mom or baby, cause mom or baby to be drowsy or disorientated, or impact baby’s ability to latch on or suckle than we can offer mom and baby an easier transition from pregnancy to parenthood. Sometimes these interventions are medically indicated, beneficial, and necessary. In those cases, a doula still recognizes the importance of the Golden Hour and can help facilitate moms and babies being together as soon as possible. In the rare times that mothers and babies cannot be together, a doula can be an invaluable support during what very well can be an upsetting time. She can help ensure you have access to resources such as a breastpump, a lactation consultant, support groups, and information on relevant topics such as kangaroo care.

5. A doula can attend to the “little things” so you and your partner can focus on your new family.
Whether it is grabbing bags out of the car, requesting warm blankets for you and baby, or locating a meal for you or your spouse; your doula will be happy to attend to all of those “little things” so that you and your partner can spend that time bonding with your new baby.

If you are interested in locating a doula for your own birth, give one of us a call! Not local? You can check out: http://www.DoulaMatch.net
http://www.DONA.org
http://www.cappa.net