A Different Kind of Doula, S.E.Louisiana

Experiential evidence;

Reiki and guided meditation for high-risk (or high stress) pregnancy and labor-

With mama on monitors, I have observed blood pressures drop an average of 20 points while she receives Reiki, coupled with guided meditation. Similar to hypnotherapy, these techniques bring the mind and body into a deep relaxed state. This state can shift physical symptoms and manifest desired outcomes.

Guided imagery with the intention to soften and open, for instance, may yield results for a slow to progress cervix and allow the body to make the needed shifts to prepare for birth.

Sometimes the greatest obstacle is stress, which can create a tense and closed environment.. what we want is a soft, relaxed and open space within the mind and body.

We want women to experience a partnership with their body, to shift the mindset from "this is happening to me" to, "I am working with my body"

Birth is a transformation, in any way that it happens. It is possible to be free of fear when we invite the body soften, and open.

My training with Traditional Birth Arts in New York remains a consistent source of wisdom in my work with women. If you are considering this path and are invested in holistic care, take a look into this training. ✨️

https://www.facebook.com/traditionalchildbirtharts?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Traditional Childbirth Arts Education and support for birth workers of all types

Becoming a grandmother has deepened my practice as a space holder, up to and during labor, birth and postpartum. Witnessing my own daughter experience labor and birth, being in that intensity and fierce compassion, has been the most grounding experience of my life. Now a grandmother of three magical beings, I walk with a quiet protectivenes and tender calm in a world where life and experiences can be so jarring.
Labor and birth can be a peaceful and even exhilarating journey, and we all are deserving of spaces that celebrate both.

https://blog.ochsner.org/articles/curb-walking-what-is-it-and-can-it-help-induce-labor

Curb Walking: What Is It and Can It Help Induce Labor? | Ochsner Health What can be done to give the birthing process a little nudge? One “natural” technique to induce labor is curb walking.

Meeting the ethical obligations of informed consent requires that an obstetrician–gynecologist gives the patient adequate, accurate, and understandable information and requires that the patient has the ability to understand and reason through this information and is free to ask questions and to make an intentional and voluntary choice, which may include refusal of care or treatment. Shared decision making is a patient-centered, individualized approach to the informed consent process that involves discussion of the benefits and risks of available treatment options in the context of a patient's values and priorities.

Informed Consent and Shared Decision Making in Obstetrics and Gynecology Number 819 ( Replaces Committee Opinion Number 363, April 2007, and Committee Opinion Number 439, August 2009 )Committee on Ethics This Committee Opinion was developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Ethics in collaboration with committee members Ginny L. Rya...

https://www.ifwip.org/reiki-during-pregnancy-useful-information-on-benefits-and-safety/

Reiki during pregnancy: useful information on benefits and safety Reiki is a popular form of Alternative Medicine. This article provides an overview of basic principles of Reiki, its practices during pregnancy with special regards to the safety and benefits.

Doula is, a woman supporting women.

A traditional doula is trained in herbal and natural techniques, passed down from centuries of internaional Indigenous practices.

She is typically trained in a small group with highly focused learning and holds a holistic mindset towards women's health and birth.

*Valuable support for hospital births, not just for home births. Vaginal and cesarean birth families both benefit from doula support.

*Supports parent choice.

*Advocates in times of high stress.

*Educates without judgement.

*Can be affordable with payment plans or adjusted fees with eligibility. Free services may be available in certain circumstances.
All women who ask for support are deserving of support.

Photo: October 2023, planned C Section Mama

Parenting can be tiring and difficult, and feeling criticised or unsupported by people around you can make it harder. This article has some useful suggestions when you are feeling criticised.

Dealing with criticism - La Leche League GB Many new parents are surprised to find themselves feeling helpless when their baby first arrives. However well you prepare for your baby’s arrival, it is common to lack confidence or to worry that you don’t know what to do. There are thousands of books which will confidently tell you precisely w...

"During pregnancy, some baby cells migrate into the mother's bloodstream and then return to the child. It's called "mother-fetal microchimerism".
For 41 weeks, the cells mix and circulate back and forth, and, after the baby is born, many of these cells remain in the mother’s body, leaving a permanent imprint in the tissues, bones, brain and skin of the baby to mother, and they often remain there for decades.
Every other child a mother has will leave a similar imprint on her body.
Even if a pregnancy doesn’t end, or if you have an abortion, these cells still migrate into the bloodstream.
Research has shown that if a mother’s heart is injured, fetal cells will rush to the injury site, and transform into different types of cells that specialize in repairing the heart.

The child helps the mother repair, while the mother builds the child.

This is often the reason why some diseases fade away during pregnancy.

It's amazing how the mother's body protects the baby at all costs, and the baby protects and rebuilds the mother in return, so they can safely develop and survive.

Let's think about pregnancy cravings for a moment. What did the mother need, that the child made her wish?

The studies also showed the presence of fetal cells in her mother's brain 18 years after birth.
How wonderful is this? "

From an article by Nargis Kizalbash

Art by Enric Huguet (. hugs)

Remember 💗. Babies will tell your body when they're ready.

¿Sabías que antes del 1600 las Mujeres Occidentales daban a luz en cuclillas, sentadas y de pie?
Esto cambió cuando el rey Luis XIV de Francia dispuso que para poder él presenciar el nacimiento de sus hijos, sus mujeres debían dar a luz acostadas.

Aunque esa postura hace más difícil y doloroso el parto, pronto se generalizó, y los médicos franceses tuvieron que inventar los fórceps para evitar algunas de sus consecuencias. En poco tiempo se multiplicaron los instrumentos obstétricos, y se llegó a creer que el parto siempre era una urgencia que exigía atención médica para que fuera sin complicaciones.

Cada vez se populariza más la idea de que la mujer debe guiarse por su propio instinto en lo que se refiere al parto. El número de futuras madres que optan por el parto natural -entendido como aquel parto en el que la intervención externa es la mínima posible- va en aumento.

El obstetra francés Michel Odent, uno de los defensores más notables del parto natural, afirma que la parturienta no debe atenerse a ninguna regla, sino obedecer a su instinto, que la hace experta en dar a luz. Odent daba a sus pacientes entera libertad para proceder como quisiesen, e incluso les permitía sentarse en una tina de agua tibia para aliviar el dolor de las contracciones uterinas. De ahí surgió la idea del parto en agua.

Los conocimientos actuales de fisiología han demostrado que el parto vertical -de pie o en cuclillas- permite que el nacimiento del bebé sea más rápido y menos traumático. Sin embargo no existe una postura universal para dar a luz. En las comunidades más primitivas, las parturientas primerizas se guían por el consejo de mujeres más experimentadas.

"Birth work surely has changed and there is often unfortunate debate on how we show up for our sisters. I always have in mind the purpose of attending this sacred time in a woman's life. Comfort, safety, celebration, ceremony.. how are we holding space for this woman and her partner? Are we prioritizing their intimate moments and joy?
I wouldn't dream of seeing this work any other way.
To address the question if and how to advocate for clients, I will most certainly address anyone who is responsible for the care and safety of the woman I am serving, in the event that she can not self advocate in any given moment. The key is remaining calm and using language that reinforces her wishes. Avoid opinions as much as possible and stick with being an extention of your client. Every situation is unique and will prompt us to act or not act in different ways. When possible, I ask her what she would like to do, even if it's in front of her provider, when they are failing to offer an opportunity for informed consent. I remind women that they have choices and that they have a voice."

This is a response I gave to a question aimed at doulas in a birth forum and how we show up for women (I prefer to say 'women' instead of 'clients' when possible)and if we advocate. Depending on the training a doula receives and the agency or organization she works under, advocating may be off the table. This just isn't my jam. I do this work to support my sisters and that is what I intend to do.

https://www.facebook.com/100063744376397/posts/480917807376361/

Another fantastic post by an incredible group of birth workers.

https://www.facebook.com/100064438616743/posts/423858226438794/

Y’all! Age is really just a number. Our culture has deemed all pregnancies for mothers over 35 to be advanced maternal age- or even more comical “geriatric”. Being 35 does not mean your pregnancy is high risk. There are some small risk factors you should know about, but like all risk you should know the incremental increases before you panic or get labeled. Don’t let numbers dictate your care. We love supporting all ages :)

An important read.

https://www.facebook.com/100064438616743/posts/421819749975975/

Emergencies do happen. But they are very rare.
We hear every.single.day how a mother had an emergency surgery. Emergencies look and feel a certain way. They are quick and rushed and it is a rescue mission. If there was time to prep and your partner came back and you were awake, odds are, it was not an emergency. It was a situation that was decided on by your providers. Perhaps still a warranted surgical birth, but not an emergency. We have both worked in all three birth settings. We have witnessed all the birth philosophies. Most cesareans are not needed. Always ask. Am I safe right now? Is my baby safe right now? Do I have time to make a decision? What if I decide to wait? If there is time and everyone is safe…it’s policy or philosophy, both of which may not be in your best interest.