WiseWoman Doula LLC

If you’ve felt any part of this, you are not alone! I am available with sympathetic heart and ears, as are others who have shared their stories as part of

Your pregnancy, your baby, and your experience are as unique as they are precious ❤️

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Awareness Month. If you have experienced or are experiencing loss in this way, know you are not alone.

[FREE Webinar] How To Reverse PCOS Symptoms, For Good Leave PCOS problems in the past and embrace clear skin and regular cycles.

Check out this superbly stated perspective article from a fellow doula on PMD ❤️

The Root Cause of Perinatal Mood Disorders This past week, I read an article about postpartum depression in our local newspaper. At first I was pleased about the growing awareness of the way new moms and babies are struggling, but as I read, I started feeling pretty upset. The thesis of this article is that depression amongst new mothers neg...

I wish we were all more open about our bodies and how they have changed after Baby. The biggest postpartum shocker for me was that first 💩 (thank goodness for prunes and apricots!) What is something you wish you had known?

An Extremely Candid List Of The Way Bodies Change After Childbirth Sarah Nicole Landry, a.k.a. The Birds Papaya, isn't afraid to get super honest.

WiseWoman Doula LLC updated their info in the about section.

It’s fire cider season! 🔥 Ward off germs 🦠 and improve digestion with powerhouse ingredients like garlic, turmeric, citrus, and apple cider vinegar. Order from my page, or make your own! has a great recipe, and cites sources on the benefits of each ingredient.

Have gotten quite a few questions about midwives and midwifery care in the past few months. This is a great clarifying resource. Stay tuned for an upcoming post about questions for perspective OB care providers!

What is a Midwife? What People Need to Know Not enough people know what a midwife is and the work they do. Today I'm talking to Mary Love, a nurse-midwife, all about the profession.

Healing chicken soup - my most ordered meal. The secret is a rich, nutrient-packed bone broth, and a whole lot of love ❤️

You can (and SHOULD) have a doula, even during the era of Covid. Embrace support for your most peaceful transition into parenthood ❤️

Yes, You CAN Have a Doula, Even During a Pandemic What a weird, wild year this has been. So much has changed that it is actually difficult for me to remember what it was like to go to the mall or grocery store without having to think about masks,...

Radical honesty + vulnerability can heal the world. How incredible that Chrissy Teigen is choosing to channel her heartbreak to help others with their own struggles. Our 💔 with you

Chrissy Teigen Sharing Her Miscarriage Agony Will Help Thousands of Women | KQED Teigen’s raw photo upends a format that usually asks women to hide their imperfections.

Mama Health Salad from our garden, staring:

-Borage for hormonal balance and reduced inflammation
-Dill and peppers for fiber, folate, and vitamin C
-Some gorgeous free-range eggs as a satisfying, rich ‘dressing’

Let food be thy medicine ❤️

I love every word of this... as doulas, we fill in gaps in existing care and ensure families feel less alone in welcoming their child(ren) into their homes

Informal but Essential, Herbalists and Birth Workers Fill Gaps in Community Care Working informally is challenging for birth workers and herbalists, but they are an important part of community care that is lacking within mainstream...

One of my favorite days is meal-delivery-day! It’s great to spread nutritional lovin’ to some sweet families.

Today’s load included lactation-supporting granola and bars, healing soups, and flowers to help stave off postpartum depression. 💜💙🌹

What a great way to reframe the old addage of “false labor.” Your body is preparing for birth throughout pregnancy!

There’s no such thing as false labour. 🤭 .

Yep, you might find one evening things start niggling, there’s some twinges, you loose your mucous plug, have some tightenings, maybe it even feels like it’s really ramping up! You’re excited! You bounce around on your ball all evening, your partner cancels their plans, you run a bath, watch a funny film, do all the ‘early labour prep’ you’ve been planning! Then you both head to bed- to get some sleep & hopefully wake up ready to call the midwife! The following morning, you wake up.. and nothing! 😫 That evening the cycle repeats.. the following morning NOTHING! Now you’re feeling disheartened, tired, impatient, stressed 😬 it FEELS like ‘false labour’, someone might have even told you it’s ‘false labour’.. but it isn’t ❤️

Allow me to reframe things for you. Every single moment of pregnancy- your baby and your body are preparing for birth. Every single minute that passes is one minute closer to meeting your baby. In the last few days of pregnancy there’s so much going on in there that we can’t see from the outside that needs to happen before your baby is born; just because it’s ‘stopping & starting’ or moving slowly, doesn’t mean your body isn’t doing exactly what it’s supposed to! These early surges might be encouraging your baby to rotate into the right position; they might be helping your baby tuck their chin down & align themselves for birth; they might be moving your baby further down into your pelvis; they might be causing your cervix to soften, draw forwards, shorten, or begin to open.. you’re doing everything right!

So if this is you in a few months time, a few days or maybe even as your read this- you’re already one minute closer to meeting your baby 💪🏻 this is one minute you’ll never do again and SOMETHING in there has changed! Things ARE always moving forward! And it WILL reach a point where the starting doesn’t stop, until you have your gorgeous baby in your arms!

So for now- 📺 Distraction 🧖🏿‍♀️Relaxation 🌬Breathing 🙏🏻 Patience 👶🏼 and trust ❤️ You’re so close. If this was you, what are your best tips for staying positive during this stage? . 📸

Loving Life Beyond Birth's recent post about the many benefits of often-overlooked oatmeal. This is why it's one of my favorite foods to bring to expecting and postpartum families.

Let food be thy medicine 💕

Do you find oatmeal a bit of a bore? I beg to differ!
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Compared to other grains, oats are high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and protein...and they can be dressed up beautifully! Try my recipe...complete with cacao nibs, sesame seeds, nuts, dried fruit, nut butter, and more!
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Oats are recommended by doctors for lowering blood sugar and cholesterol, as well as soothing skin conditions and constipation. Oatmeal is an ideal quick healthy breakfast (or anytime meal) because it is so filling. Combined with healthy fats (ghee/coconut oil) they provide long-lasting energy.
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For new mamas, all of these benefits are wonderful AND its worth noting that oats are also galactagogues, meaning they promote breastmilk production. For another oat-filled recipe, check out my lactation cookies!
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Oatmeal easily fits with Ayurvedic postpartum diet recommendations because it is warm, and mushy and it can be a wonderful carrier for beneficial fats and warming spices (cinnamon, but also nutmeg, turmeric, cardamom, cloves, etc).
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So if you have written oatmeal off for being boring or because you haven't had a great time with it in the past, give it another go - you might love it!
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Recipes can be found on my blog (https://www.lifebeyondbirth.com/blog-1)

Please join me in encouraging other families experiencing pregnancy, birth, and parenthood during these unprecedented times. Often, something as simple as a letter can mean the difference between overwhelming isolation and hope. ❤️

https://wisecommunitydoulas.wixsite.com/wisecommunitydoulas/dear-mama

Dear Mama: Letters of Love | wisecommunitydoulas Being a pregnant or new parent can be an exciting time for many, but navigating through ever-changing circumstances that produce uncertainty, is a challenge. It is especially challenging if you do not have a strong support system to help you adjust emotionally, physically and financially.

If you anticipate a birth without your doula being allowed to be present, or if your partner wants extra prep for better supporting you, check out this FREE course!

We are excited to announce the launch of our newest class! The Daddy Doula Class was created with birth partners in mind! This class will be a Live Zoom Class taught by Patricia Howell, experienced Certified Lamaze Childbirth Educator and Birth and Postpartum Doula and will be focused on empowering birth partners to support their loved one through pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum. It also includes a class packet with over 20 handouts of information! You don't want to miss it! Registration is required, so please call today at 417-832-9222.

We are currently offering all of our classes FREE to expectant and new parents. The Doula Foundation is a non profit organization. If you would like more information on sponsoring a family in need, please give us a call!

Making one of my favorite postpartum meals - congee! From the healing ingredients used as toppings to its creamy comforting texture, and its easily digested starches to promote sleep, it really is the perfect food for families with a new baby. ❤️

Let food be thy medicine.

Hello and thank you for visiting WiseWoman Doula! My goal is to help you have a successful birth as YOU define it, as well as a calm, supported transition into your family's new dynamic after bringing Baby home. With my background as a Biomedical Engineer and researcher, I love helping families find credible sources of information so they can make truly informed decisions. I also support clients with custom meals, made with their nutrition and healing goals in mind.

After providing informal postpartum support services to families for over 10 years, I felt prompted by my own birth experiences to pursue my official doula certification. As of July, 2020 I will be certified by Doula Training International to provide personalized prenatal, birthing, and postpartum support in the Charlotte area.

I would love to talk with you about how I can support your growing family. Please message me, so we can get to know each other and get you + your family the support you deserve!

The Importance of Postpartum Recovery After childbirth, new mothers often jump right back into their daily lives, with little to no emphasis put on social support, self-care, and the very real reality of postpartum mood challenges. But Eastern practices, focused on nurturing the mother, could help.