A Beautiful Birth NJ

A Beautiful Birth NJ updated their website address.

Did you know 1 in 5 pregnant women or new moms will experience a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMADs) during their pregnancy/postpartum period? The current climate can be scary for all of us, and being pregnant or a postpartum mom can leave you feeling vulnerable enough as it is!

This was taken 2 days before I gave birth to my second child. At the time, I personally didn’t realize that I did experience pregnancy related depression. We often think that pregnancy or postpartum is suppose to be the happiest time of our lives, but the reality is it can bring a range of emotions, some we never expected.

Today is World Mental Health day, and I am sharing a piece of my story to let you know you are not alone, and please reach out for support if you are feeling this way.

A Rainbow Baby is a baby born after the loss of a child, whether it be a miscarriage or infant loss. Today, we celebrate these babies to raise awareness, and to let families know they are not alone. Sending all my love to the families that have weathered the storm. 🌈❤️

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I gave birth to my third baby on March 15th and brought her home during the beginning of the pandemic. Since then I have been trying to gather my thoughts around this situation as both a postpartum mom and a labor doula.

Below are some things that have personally helped me during this time.

1. Allow yourself to grieve the pregnancy/postpartum period you envisioned before the pandemic.

This is so important, sit in your feelings and process them but try not to let yourself get stuck there. Know that you are not alone in feeling this way because each pregnant and postpartum person is experiencing it right along with you. Try and make time for yourself to decompress and please reach out to those in your community for support. Virtual support groups are a great resource during this time.

2. Stay informed but know when to turn off the TV and put down your phone.

There is so much information out there it can be beyond overwhelming. Stick to fact based resources regarding pregnancy and covid-19, and if you don’t know where to start consider talking with a doula. Although in most hospitals we can’t physically be there for your birth we are still able to support you virtually. A big part of that is providing you with evidence based research and resources during this time.

3. Dig deep to trust your instincts and know your boundaries.

Now that the world is slowly starting to open back up and we are all trying to navigate what our “new normal” will look like going forward, remember that you do not have to do anything you’re not comfortable with.
And please as always if you have any questions or need someone to talk to - I am here! I am accepting clients due in August and supporting virtually!

Tonight at 6! It’s not too late to join us!💜🤰🏻

‼️ Tomorrow ‼️ We’ll be having our FREE support group meeting at 6pm! If you’re pregnant or have recently had a baby and need a safe space to talk with people who understand, join us! You can come to just one meeting or all of the meetings! Whatever you need. To register, click here: bit.ly/alonetogetherreg

I am so excited to be a part of this! Message me for more details ❤️ We may feel more alone than ever, but we are going through this crazy time together, myself included.

The uncertainty of this time can be scary, but we can get through it together, mama! I am three weeks postpartum myself and am going through so many emotions, right along with every other pregnant and postpartum mom.

I am so excited to be a part of the virtual support group below with A. Doula and India Smith. I hope you can join us, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any additional questions.

Are you pregnant or have recently had a baby and dealing with challenges due to COVID-19? Maybe you're just trying to manage your mental and emotional wellness.

We’re offering a FREE WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUP to help you form supportive relationships and to give you a safe space to share your experiences. We meet on Thursdays, via Zoom! To register, click here: bit.ly/alonetogetherreg

Hi there 👋🏼 little introduction, I am Alex - I’m a mom of (almost!) 3 kids - all under the age of 5. A little about me and my birth experiences below - these were definitely the catalyst for me becoming a doula as they were such transformative and life changing experiences.

I am an only child and was one of the first of my friends to get pregnant. I bring this up because as first time parents we tend to reach out to those closest to us to rely on their birth experiences to give us insight on what to expect. After talking with my family and hearing their trauma ridden experiences I knew I needed more support and information if I was going to try to have the birth I wanted.

I sought out a doula and took active birth classes with my first pregnancy to gain as much knowledge as possible. I slowly emerged myself into this world and found so much support and a lot of information along the way. I felt confident and prepared when asking my provider about my options during each of my pregnancies, and when it came time to give birth I had two very different, yet beautiful birth experiences.

I honestly believe this is because I felt respected and heard throughout my pregnancy and childbirth. I never felt as though things were just happening to me, I always felt like I was an active participant in my experiences.

Now, the best part is I get to support other women and their families by providing emotional, physical, and informational support so they can make their own informed and empowered decisions! Also, doulas aren’t just for those that want to try to go unmedicated, as anyone will benefit from having this additional support, even your partners! If you have questions about all that a doula does, please ask! I am an open book and love talking about this subject! I am now booking clients for the end of summer and beginning of fall. ❤️

I wish I knew who the original artist was for this so I could give credit where it’s due. How perfect is this image?

An easy way to remember the phrases that are pictured is by referencing B.R.A.I.N 😊
I go over this acronym with my clients when we talk about informed consent and refusal at one of my two prenatal visits.

Benefit- What are the benefits to this intervention?

Risks - What risks are associated with this for my baby and myself

Alternatives - Are there any alternatives, what other options do we have?

Intuition - What is your gut telling you right now?
This one is why it is so important to have a support system in place during your pregnancy journey and especially in labor. Sometimes we need someone to gently remind us in the moment to check in on how we are feeling. A doula can be that person to ask you, “are you okay with what’s happening right now?”

Now - Is this urgent? Do we need to make a decision right now, or do we have time to think about it?
I love words below!

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First I have to say: healthcare providers are not always the enemy, and hospitals aren’t the enemy either - the first step to setting yourself up for the best possible outcome by finding a provider that you can trust to hold your best interests at heart AND to have the capability to do so. Ask about your birth plan at the very first visit, ask how they feel about all the things that are important to you. Hopefully then you can prevent ending up in a situation like this one. These statements are meant to give you a sense of how to break the implicit authority of providers & hospital staff over patients without trying to start fights between vulnerable patients and wellmeaning providers. As a provider I occasionally find myself frustrated or offended when a patient doubts my intentions, but I recognize the importance of patients voicing their needs and reminding me to step out of my role as hospital employee and into my role as birthkeeper. .

And I am here to respect, support, and encourage you while you figure out just what your version of a beautiful and empowering birth story looks like. ❤️

This is 💯 my philosophy- who else agrees? Need to buy this t-shirt now!

Sharing this birth art to brighten your day!

I am obsessed with this from so much I asked my husband for a print for my upcoming birthday! 😍 This looks like the perfect image to have surrounded by birth affirmations.

This little lady and her big brother are definitely what inspired me to get into birthwork.

I am excited to say I am now accepting clients for the months of July and August 2020. If you’re interested in having a doula at your birth or just want to know more about what a doula does, message me! I love connecting and talking about this subject. ❤️

I think this is one of the biggest misconceptions about what a doula does. I love this image from because it is so true, I will not speak for any of my clients, as that is not my place. Instead, I give you the tools you need to feel confident and empowered to speak up for yourself! Whatever informed decisions you make for your baby, your body, and your options during birth I am here to support you and not judge.