Em the Doula

We're so excited to be arriving in Cary, NC this Spring! We're a brand new women's clinic and birth center right next door to WakeMed Cary.

Home birth dry run and prepping! I love seeing a husband actively wanting to learn how to support and love his wife during birth ❤️

As a doula, yes, I’m always there for mom. I want to enable mom to feel empowered during her birth. I want to advocate for her wishes when needed. I want to help educate and prepare her through pregnancy. I want to physically support her and meet her basic needs during labor.

✨ Buts dad needs a doula too ✨

I always tell my clients, when dad is able to be by your side and provide physical and emotional support during labor, it will help labor. It will your boost oxytocin! Because that’s the person you love the most!

If I can also support, educate, prepare, and meet dad’s needs, he will be so much more enabled to support mom during labor.

How do I do this?

I teach dad ✨before labor✨ how to effectively do hip squeezes and provide physical support.

I give him ideas on how to speak verbal affirmations over his wife.

We do dry runs like pictured where dad and I practice setting up the birth pool.

I will make sure dad is staying fed and hydrated.

I will make any runs outside of the intended birth room so that dad does not have to leave her side.

I provide education on what to expect during labor.

During labor I provide so much reassurance, guidance, and direction when he’s seeing the person he loves the most running their marathon.

This client keeps saying she cannot wait to see how I boss her husband during birth, and that the main way I can support her is to support her husband ❤️

I do not stop supporting mom. Supporting mom is the side of doula work we are so familiar with though. So let’s not forget about how to support dad, because in the end, that’s another way to support mom. Plus, dad is always so thankful after birth for the guidance. 🙏

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I have TWO doula-inspired cross stitch patterns for your download! For this week only, these two patterns are 10% off using the PROMO code DOULASHELP247.

Patterns can be purchased and downloaded from my ETSY page Stitched Perfect. Link is in my bio for Instagram followers or pasted below for Facebook.

Moms: Download these cross stitch patterns and make your own hand-made-by-you gift for your doula! Orrrr you can use this project piece during pregnancy to prepare yourself for natural labor and decorate your birth space.

Birthworkers: These patterns are perfect for decorating your workspace, office, birth bookshelf, or home! Join your passion for birth and supporting mothers into a creative project piece.

Crafters: This is a fun and easy cross stitch pattern to practice your needlework skills.

Everyone else: Support me in this publication by purchasing the pattern for yourself, a doula or birthworker you know, your pregnant friend or sister, or by simply sharing this post!

https://stitchedperfectus.etsy.com?coupon=DOULASHELP247

Yes, the week is over! And no, the patterns are not finished yet. I am at the beginning of a month long visit to Texas (my sister is having a baby), but I will continue to work on these patterns while here! I’m not going to put a due date on this project this time. At the point they are done though, I will immediately publish and SHARE!

A little work in progress update! I am having so much fun creating a series of cross stitch patterns all about birth. They are primarily focused on doulas, and what we do. The patterns are simple and easy for beginners yet still fun for those experienced with needlework. I will publish the patterns to my Etsy shop once the series is completed (Im shooting for next week!). These are GREAT for birthworkers and birth nerds, but also make an awesome gift for your birth team!

Something new is in the works! I am working to combine my passion of birth with my passion of creating. Any guesses as to what I’m working on? This product will be easily enjoyed by all!

My goal is to have the product ready just in time for Christmas 🎄

My blog post is live!

Em the Doula and Birth Services Fayetteville Doula Christian Doula Birth planning is for everyone! A birth plan is a communication tool directly from you for everyone on your birth team. It lets your team know your wishes, what you know about birth, areas that you may or may not consent to, and so much more! This is why I think it's so important for doulas to take

To celebrate Mother’s Day Christian Hypnobirthing is giving you 2 courses for the price of 1!

Includes BOTH the Faith-Filled Childbirth Course and the Empowered Postpartum Course for just $99 (normally $99 each!).

Follow this link and use the code MOTHERSDAY for the discount!

https://christianhypnobirthing.mykajabi.com/a/2147522467/Ft92SFv4

This is the childbirth course I chose to take with this third pregnancy, and I have LOVED it. A couple of clients have also used Christian Hypnobirthing through their labors and have found it a great coping method!

What’s included:
✨Faith-Filled Childbirth Course:
- Over 4 hours of childbirth educational video content led by creator of the Christian Hypnobirthing App Tara Menzies, including modules on:
* Understanding our miraculous design
* Techniques to help you relax, overcome fear, and build a faith-filled birth mindset
* Ways to physically prepare for birth
* Facts and research that can help you make informed and confident decisions around birth
* How to feel more connected to God and your baby throughout pregnancy and labor
- Our printable Birth Affirmation Cards
- 4 hours of interviews with birth professionals

✨The Empowered Postpartum Course:
-5 in depth video modules to help you feel confident and prepared for postpartum, including:
- Setting Yourself Up for a Great Postpartum led by Nurse Midwife , MSN, APRN, CNM, founder of Emergence Midwifery
- Infant Sleep with Baby-Led Sleep Specialist Lauren Fucci founder of
- Pelvic Floor Health and Recovery (vaginal and caesarean) led by Physical Therapist Dr Laura Gordey founder of
- Feeding Your Baby with Lactation Consultant Christina Deleon founder of
- Maternal Mental Health with Nurse Practitioner Stacia Scott founder of

Do not miss this fantastic deal! Ends Monday! ❤️

NORA tea!! I made some for myself as I get close to my third trimester. It turned into a larger batch for mamas in the area! There are still some left for my local Fayetteville and Fort Bragg mamas. $15 for the smaller jar and $20 for the larger jars. I only have two larger jars left!

NORA tea is a loose leaf blend of nettle leaf, oatstraw, red raspberry leaf tea, and alfalfa. My blend also includes lemon balm and rose hips for added flavor. To make, mix 1/4 cup of the loose leaf tea blend in 1 quart of boiling water. Steep overnight and enjoy throughout the next day either hot or cold. I drink 1 quart over a two day period and sweeten mine with honey!

I have seen most midwives suggest starting NORA tea in the third trimester but no earlier than 16wks.

In my next post, I will describe some of the many benefits of NORA tea!

Light Filled Life Photography is expanding her portfolio to include birth photography! Emarie is already a talented newborn and lifestyle photographer. As she begins expanding her services to include birth photography, she is offering a special promotion on her birth photography package. This is only available to three more families! Emarie is a mother to three children herself and fully understands the birth process. She wants to capture the beauty in your birth so that you can reflect back on it in the years to come.

SECOND NIGHT SYNDROME

Many new parents are quite caught off guard by night number two with their new baby!

After the first 24 hours of sleepiness and even having to "wake baby to feed," baby seems to wake up and discover that they are ravenous!

All. Night. Long. Feeding, then crying, then feeding then crying! It's easy to become concerned that maybe you're just not producing enough milk and your new baby may very well starve. Cue deep feelings of failure (which are then exacerbated because you're exhausted from the birth process and now not sleeping all night!)

It makes sense if you think about all that baby has been through - the physical exertion of birth and their bodies recovering and adjusting can make them exceptionally tired the first day. But by day two, they wake up and bit and realize that things are SO MUCH DIFFERENT than what they are used to.

They are experiencing a rumbling in their tummy that is quite disturbing. They have new textures on their skin, new noises all around, and the brightness of the lights makes them want to keep their eyes closed. The only thing they recognize is mama. The warmth of her skin makes them feel like they are safe. Home.

Another good reason babies seem to have their "days and nights" mixed up that second day is biological: Prolactin (our milk hormone) is highest when melatonin (our sleep hormone) is highest. And our milk supply is a supply and demand system.

Thus: the more your baby nurses at night, the quicker your milk supply will come in!

So mama, just be prepared. Your little one will need some extra attention on night number two!

Hold them close, lots of skin to skin, nurse as often as they desire, and don't get discouraged! You are doing exactly what you were meant to do! You're doing a great job!

This is me not forgetting about World Breastfeeding Week. Tell me your breastfeeding accomplishments below. Any amount is worth celebrating 🙌🏼 And remember… pumping is breastfeeding too!

Ehhhhh no thank you

He's a 2. 🥴😂

It's great to have your partner as involved as possible for pregnancy, labor, birth, and clear through Postpartum. Their role is so essential and can be a constant support. Their role is unique. No one could take away the type of love and support a partner brings. Or even a family member.

A doula is something different. A doula is trained and studies this particular phase of life on a daily basis. They've been to countless births and can almost hear what to do next in the sigh or the moan of the birther. We also are excellent at helping ensure the partner knows what to do in certain situations so they can support the birther even more!

I use "he" in this scenario because I have a husband and he would definitely be a 2 if he would have said this. 😂

We often get questions about these sort of things.
Can I birth in a trailer- yes
Can I birth in an apartment- yes
My house is a bit messy- so
My neighbors might hear me- so
You can birth any where…in any position…with anyone you choose to be there. Your midwife is there for support.

Nope 👇

Some facts about nuchal cords:

🔆 Nuchal cords are incredibly common, occurring in an estimated 1 of 3 births.

🔆 They are very rarely dangerous.

🔆 Fetuses receive oxygen through the umbilical cord, not by breathing through the mouth or nose, so a cord around the neck is not cutting off their air like it would for you or me. If the cord is left in tact, the baby can still be receiving oxygen from the placenta for several minutes after birth.

🔆 Most babies with a nuchal cord have one that is very loose and it can be simply slipped over the head after birth. There is usually no indication of the nuchal cord at all.

🔆 The main way for a nuchal cord to be harmful (if the cord is healthy) is if it is wrapped multiple times and is so tight that it compresses itself, thereby decreasing blood flow inside, or if there is a true knot so tight that it does the same (rare). The cord would have to be extremely tight to cut off blood flow between the body and brain.

🔆 Nuchal cord is very difficult to identify before birth, even with ultrasound.

🔆 You do not need to have a c-section solely due to a suspected nuchal cord.

🔆 Medications given during a birth induction/augmentation can cause erratic & extra strong contractions, causing heart decelerations in the fetus. If a c-section is performed and a nuchal cord is discovered, it is frequently blamed (though the cause was more likely the induction meds). This can lead the mother to feel her baby was "saved" by the hospital staff, when they may have actually been the ones to CAUSE the issues the baby was "saved" from.

🔆 A healthy umbilical cord is filled with a gelatinous substance called Wharton's Jelly that protects the cord vessels as a fetus twists and turns its way inside the uterus.

If you want to read up on the evidence on nuchal cord, visit my Instagram account () and scroll back to my post of that name.

Some women find the entire labor and birthing experience painless or even enjoyable. However, many also experience times of intensity, especially during transition. Using the affirmation “this will be over soon” is perfect for the intense feelings transition may bring. Thankfully, when transition hits, it means labor will be over soon! This is a good affirmation to share with your partner or doula to ask them to speak directly to you during transition.

Some variations of this affirmation are
👉🏼I am almost done
👉🏼My baby will be in my arms soon
👉🏼This is temporary
👉🏼I can do anything for 1 minute

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTd7cCrYq/?k=1

Jo on TikTok Cosleeping is as safe as you make it

Trinity Doula Services Professional and compassionate support for every family.

Please do not dilute your baby formula! Reach out to your pediatrician, local mom groups, neighbors, family, churches, etc before resorting to this.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTdtQBso3/?k=1

kiryng on TikTok

Every year on May 19th we celebrate those who selflessly give to all the babies in need.

This year it’s something extra special, given the current situation it’s needed now more than ever. So whether you donate to a milk bank or peer to peer, today’s for you. Thank you for all that you do. 🥛

Relactation During Emergencies - La Leche League USA La Leche League USA helps parents, families, and communities to breastfeed, chestfeed, and human milk feed their babies through parent-to-parent support. LLL USA encourages, informs, educates, supports, and promotes the use of human milk and the intimate relationship and development that comes from....