Creating a birth plan helps convey to your care team what your priorities and concerns are during your labor and with your new baby. While birth plans are less crucial at home or birth center deliveries, they're important to have for hospital births. Generally there's a standard protocol for hospital staff to follow, so having your wishes in writing can help facilitate communication about your requests. Plus in the middle of your labor you're not going to want to be answering questions repeatedly - having your wishes already typed up helps ensure everyone is on the same page. Continue reading
Birth “Plan” Tips
Getting Started | Tips for Doulas
Originally posted 2011, updated February 2015
I've recently had the chance to visit with a couple people interested in becoming doulas, and I love being able to pass on the tips I've gathered from my own doula mentors and from experiences over the last few years.
* There are several options for certification programs, with varying requirements and prices. I went with Birth Arts for a variety of reasons, and I've been very happy with the program. I've learned more recently about Birth Boot Camp Doulas training program and I'm impressed with all I've heard and read about it thus far. Their ongoing support and extensive training and resources (to include business & marketing, videos, headshot, etc) has nothing I've seen that can compare with it.
Doulas are trained and certified, but they are NOT licensed. There is no one governing organization for doulas, and multiple groups offering certifications. Their programs vary so it's up to you as the doula to research those options and find the best training program for you. Some doulas have been around for years & are fantastic, but they began certifying with one group but no longer maintain certification. Their reasons vary - some have developed a different philosophy than their certifying organization, some no longer want to pay the annual fee and deal with the paperwork and proof of ongoing education (though they are still doing the ongoing training.) Others have such a strong reputation in their area and are mentoring other doulas are don't feel that they need to stay certified officially to be offering their services. However, this is ENTIRELY different than some of the new doulas I'm hearing about beginning their training & quitting without completing it but presenting themselves as certified doulas. (I'm horrified I need to even include this but I've been hearing about it happening more and more.) Do your training, and then be completely and entirely honest with parents and your birth community about whether you are trained, certified, etc. Honesty should be assumed, I'm sad that it's even a discussion about whether doulas are being dishonest about their training. Continue reading
Reading List for Birth Professionals
While I have a lending library and Pinterest board for my doula clients, I realized I should have one for doulas and other birth professionals. Training programs have required reading books that cover birth in general, but there are other books not always required that are incredibly important. I am pinning those titles here. I would love to hear what you think of them, and if there are titles you think I should include.
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links. This does not impact your purchase price, and helps support this website.
Posted in Links, Readings, TIPS FOR DOULAS, Training
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The Power of the Words We Speak | Tips for Doulas
After reading an article I loved about "Doulas Who Do Nothing" I was pondering the idea of doulas as pacers. (Go read the post, it's wonderful!) The author mentioned a book - The Worst Is Over: What To Say When Every Moment Counts.
As my husband will tell you, I love books - I'm rather addicted, in fact, our home is filled with books. But it's actually pretty rare that I buy a book - I'll get it from the library or Paperback Swap if I think it looks really promising, but I won't actually spend money on a book unless I've read and loved it already. For whatever reason, this one I decided to buy - and I am so glad I did. I started reading through the introduction while eating lunch, and I had to stop eating to grab a pen and start underlining and writing notes. Then you know it's a good book! From the intro:
In so many words, every interaction is an opportunity for healing; emotional and physical. Whenever you interact with another being, you are touching the whole being and that interaction must be holy. And by knowing that, and treating all we encounter with care, you can move through life like an angel. Words, song, prayer - their effects can be myriad, profound, even, as you shall see - life saving.
The author of the pacer article said she got the book to help as a parent, which was also my intent. This will absolutely be beneficial for any and every doula - or anyone present at a birth - to read. I can immediately see for myself in hindsight how words are powerful in moments of intense emotion, physical challenge, trauma, or really any intense experience in life. How often as parents do we "doula" our children or a loved one through a painful experience, and how crucial are the words we speak in those moments?
Has there been a time in your life that the words spoken to you are embedded into your memory? For good or bad... words of comfort, or words that inadvertently hurt? Words that reassured or words that motivated and encouraged?
I'll post more of the book as I go through it - I'm excited, and would love to hear your thoughts, too. Go read it!!
(Disclaimer, affiliate links are included in this post, so if you purchase through them you are helping this website continue being a great resource. Thank you!)
Posted in Birth, Doulas, Links, TIPS FOR DOULAS
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Pre-Birth (and Conception!) Checklist
(Written May 2011 and updated January 2015.)
When I landed on bedrest with our third baby still in our first trimester I was nowhere near ready to bring a newborn home. I had to get ready real fast, and while flat on my back. Bedrest meant I had LOTS of time to think and plan, and when your wonderful friend goes to the grocery store and calls from her cell to say, "Okay, what do you need??" it helps to have some clue. (I had no clue.) After not being able to do anything for myself when expecting that little one, it was really important for me to be as prepared as possible before we got pregnant with our next baby. Not that I'll ever get through my whole list, but I started a "pre-baby prep list" a few pregnancies back and I just modify it when I know we're starting to think about another baby. Yep, I am this obsessive about planning - but I've had lots of practice, and it's getting easier with each baby. Plus I love that sense of being prepared and being able to relax a bit and focus on the kids and growing that little baby in peace. If I can get this stuff out of the way, I can put my attention on the important stuff.
I have a friend hoping and planning for another baby and we discussed this today so here it is - my list! I hope it helps! You know who you are. 😉
Continue reading
Ina May’s TED Talk
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Gift for the Birth Professional in Your Life
Oh, these made me giggle! You can get them on sale RIGHT NOW at YourDoulaBag.com if you order in bulk - you can mix and match which organs you get. (Unfortunately the holiday mix pack is no longer available but you can order the individual pins.) I think they're adorable and the pins come on a funny little card. I immediately thought of a few birth professionals I wanted to gift these to, women who have inspired and encouraged me and helped serve our birth community this last year. Is there a midwife or OB you enjoy working with, a chiropractor that helps your clients with great adjustments, a breastfeeding educator or lactation consultant that's supported some of your clients, or a placenta encapsulator that works in your area? Wouldn't these pins make them smile?
But even more than the pins, write them a note and let them know how much YOU appreciate them! I know when I receive a note from a client or colleague that it absolutely makes my day, I treasure those cards and keep them in my doula binder to remind me of how blessed I am through this work.
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Cesarean Rates & Information
I've read through many of the posts on The Unnecesarean Blog and I've linked to some of them before. It's a fantastic resource for moms and birth professionals. (Hint, hint, doulas - you really should go check it out.) I was thrilled to have a chance to meet Jill Arnold at the SouthWest Birth Round-Up earlier this year. Jill also created the website CesearenRates.com which is where I go for stats when I was doing some guest lectures at a local university. What are some other great cesarean & VBAC resources you share?
Posted in Birth, C-sections, Community Resources, Hospitals, Links, Pregnancy, TIPS FOR DOULAS, VBAC
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Tips Testimonial!
Thank you to Allie for your feedback and sweet words!
(Allie's website can be found at CaymanDoula.com)
I am SO grateful to have stumbled across this website. As a newly certified doula the blogs you post, and the tips you give are invaluable. One of the best things I have done in the last few months is subscribe to the 'tips for doulas' page.
Setting up your own business is a challenge, especially within this realm of work. However, having your website to refer to is a comfort and a great source of relevant and sensible information. I look forward to each new post and feel very lucky to have this resource at my finger tips!
Thanks Heidi!
Interested in subscribing to my Tips for Doulas? Learn more and sign up here.
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Babies x 2
How adorable are these little guys?? That big boy I think has been smiling since birth - every photo & anytime I visit him in person he has that grin that can light up the room!
I suspect that this family will be experiencing many adventures as these brothers grow & explore the world together. I'm thrilled I was able to be part of their welcoming party!