Maternity & Mohr

Birth stories are always worth sharing, even if they are four months late!

Momma K and her husband are dear friends that I was so grateful to get to serve as their doula! We met up four times throughout her pregnancy to do prenatal education and prepare for her labor and postpartum. During this time, they learned about the physiology of labor, what to expect in every situation, comfort measures to help cope through labor, as well as basic newborn care & breastfeeding foundations. We discussed the families wishes and goals and built a plan from there.

My goal by the time we have finished prenatal appointments is to leave both the couple and myself feeling confident for when labor comes, that they can calmly handle anything that might come their way.

Momma K went into labor around 8 am and we stayed in contact as she labored at home with her husband. In the afternoon, they came over to my apartment where she labored for a few hours. This was perfect since I was able to support her and her husband, and my home was just 5 minutes from their chosen hospital. Her husband read her scriptures as she worked through contractions.

So thankful for my amazing clients🤍 it is such a joy to check in on my mommas postpartum & see the joy that they are experiencing with their child, even in the midst of losing sleep & such immense change in their lives. I am so blessed to play a small part in hopefully making their transition to motherhood easier and I am so thankful for their trust in me.

happy thanksgiving! So thankful for all of you and your support of my work🤍

4 Essential Ways to support your partner in labor🤝

As a birth partner, you play a vital role in your loved one's birth experience. Here are three ways to provide unwavering support:

1️⃣ Offer comforting words and affirmations to boost their confidence.

2️⃣ Provide physical support through massage, breathing exercises, or physical touch.

3️⃣ Be their advocate, communicating their birth preferences to the medical team. Together, you can create a positive and empowering birth experience.

4️⃣ Provide unwavering support no matter your partner's birth choices. No matter what decisions they make about how to give birth, they deserve to have you by their side, encouraging and affirming them through it all.

Another birth in the books and this momma was an absolute champ! First baby and her labor from start to finish was 6.5 hours! I love what I do and I am forever grateful for the privilege these families give me in allowing me into their birth space! What a joy to come alongside them in support 🤍

Behind every healthy delivery and thriving postpartum journey lies the power of prenatal education. 🤰 Today, I had the privilege of empowering a wonderful mom with knowledge, confidence, and peace for her journey ahead. 🤍 what a privilege it is to come alongside mothers and encourage them as they step into motherhood in all its beauty and challenges!

I typically have 2-3 prenatal appointments with my clients where we spend time learning about how to stay healthy during pregnancy, prepare for labor and delivery, and postpartum as well. Clients join me in my home, or I join them in theirs like I did today☺️ if desired I am also happy to meet my clients in another location like a coffee shop! Wherever they are most comfortable🤍

🌟 Top 3 Positions for Labor Comfort 🌟

Finding the right position during labor can make a world of difference! Here are three positions to try for optimal comfort and progress:

1️⃣ Standing or swaying: Utilize gravity to your advantage and sway or rock your hips for pain relief and encourage baby's descent.

2️⃣ Hands and knees: This position can help relieve back pain and create more space for your baby to maneuver.

3️⃣ Side-lying: Rest on your side with pillows for support, promoting relaxation and allowing your body to find a comfortable rhythm.

Remember, listen to your body and trust your instincts during labor! 🌺

Today's quote is also a part of todays prenatal education recommendation!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9LO1Vb54yk&list=PLS8v3eT0_8RaUJW2r582l-4J-hJm8fvrZ&index=1

Ina May Gaskin has decades of midwifery experience under her belt. With other midwives on her Farm, Ina May opened one of the first birthing centers in the country. Since then, more than 3,000 women have given birth there, and the C-section rates are an astonishing 2 percent, while the national average hovers at 32 percent!

Ina May is a wonderful source of wisdom and education on labor and birth. In stories today I have linked her TedTalk that's on YouTube! I'll also save it to my highlights!

To wrap up WBW, here are 10 Ways to Support a Breastfeeding Mother!

Offer Encouragement: Provide verbal support and positive affirmations. Let her know she's doing an amazing job in her breastfeeding journey. Knowing that someone sees her hard work and effort will make her feel seen and appreciated.

Create a Comfortable Space: Ensure she has a cozy and private area to breastfeed, whether at home or in public, to help her feel at ease. Things like proper back support & comfort while breastfeeding can help her keep going!

Bring Snacks & Water: Keep her well-nourished & hydrated during breastfeeding sessions, as breastfeeding can be physically demanding. A great rule of thumb is to drink a glass of water every time that baby has a feeding!

Help with Household Chores: Lighten her workload by assisting with household tasks, giving her more time to rest and bond with the baby. Mom's already have so much on their shoulders, help them take some of the weight off so that they can focus on what is more important.

Educate Yourself about Breastfeeding: Learn about breastfeeding basics, common challenges, & ways to support her better. It may be helpful for you to offer up new breastfeeding positions for her to try, like reclining or cross cradle hold.

Run Errands: Help with grocery shopping, picking up baby supplies, or any other errands to save her time and energy. Mamas shouldn't have to worry about leaving the house to get diapers, toilet paper, you name it!

Watch for Signs of Hunger: Familiarize yourself with hunger cues, so you can help recognize when the baby is ready to breastfeed. If breastfeeding is already a challenge, an overtired baby can make it even harder!

Respect Her Decisions: Support her choices regarding breastfeeding, whether she chooses to exclusively breastfeed or supplement with formula. As long as both baby and mama are healthy, that is what is most important.

Defend Her Choices: Be her advocate if she faces criticism or judgment about breastfeeding in public or other aspects of breastfeeding. Protect her & make her feel safe.

Be Patient, Present and Offer a Listening Ear: Offer your presence and be there for her during the ups & downs!

Remember, the support you provide can make a world of difference in a breastfeeding mother's experience! Every act of kindness and encouragement contributes to a more positive and successful breastfeeding journey. Mom's need all of the support that they can get!

As we continue with celebrating World Breastfeeding Week, I wanted to give a specific shout out to breastfeeding moms in the workplace. You are amazing! Not only are you nurturing your little one with the incredible gift of breast milk, but you are also juggling the demands of the workplace with grace and determination. 💪👶

Did you know that under the PUMP (Protecting the Right to Unite for Milk Protections) Act, breastfeeding mothers have the legal right to express milk at work? 🍼 This means you can advocate for yourself and your baby's well-being, ensuring you have a private and comfortable space to pump.

Your commitment to providing the best for your child while pursuing your career is truly inspiring. 🌟 Whether it's finding those precious moments during breaks or planning ahead for pumping sessions, you navigate it all with unwavering strength.

Let's celebrate the working moms who are breastfeeding champions, balancing their professional and maternal roles with determination and love. ❤️ Your dedication is making a lasting impact on your little one's health and development.

Remember, you are not alone on this journey. We stand beside you, cheering you on every step of the way. 🎉 Together, we're breaking barriers and empowering mothers to thrive in both their personal and professional lives.

Tag a fellow working mom and share your breastfeeding and pumping stories below! Let's celebrate each other's triumphs and continue supporting one another in this incredible journey of motherhood. 🤗💕

After months of hard work, our Maternity and Mohr website is live! You can find us at MaternityandMohr.com 💛I appreciate all your support for my small business and would love if you would go check it out! It's super helpful for you to like, comment, and share this post as well, and it's free for you to do!

www.maternityandmohr.com

Breastfeeding Facts! Did you know?🤱 (Part 2)

As we continue celebrating World Breastfeeding week, I wanted to share some more education about the benefits of breastfeeding, and how amazing the female body is!

1️⃣Breastfeeding creates a special bond between mother and baby. The skin-to-skin contact, eye contact, and physical closeness during breastfeeding promote emotional bonding and provide comfort and security for your little one. Skin to skin contact has also been shown to be beneficial for the mother and the infant in reducing maternal postpartum depressive symptoms!

2️⃣Breast milk is easier for your baby to digest compared to formula. It contains enzymes that aid digestion and is customized to meet your baby's specific nutritional needs, reducing the likelihood of digestive issues and discomfort.

3️⃣Breastfeeding helps to promote healthy weight gain in babies. Breast milk provides the ideal balance of nutrients, supporting healthy growth without overfeeding, and reducing the risk of childhood and adulthood obesity. By breast-feeding, you are helping to encourage a healthy body weight for your child all the way through adulthood.

4️⃣Breast milk is always ready and at the perfect temperature! No need for heating or preparing bottles in the middle of the night! Just lift your little one to your breast, and the nourishment is instantly available.

I acknowledge that breastfeeding isn’t always easy, in fact, it can be quite challenging and tiring for mamas. If you are struggling with breastfeeding, I’d encourage you to connect with a local support group or organization like , or even find a local IBCLC provider! You are strong and capable, and whether you got to breastfeed or not, a healthy and fed baby is what matters most.

It’s World Breastfeeding Week, and I am excited to kick it off with some Breastfeeding Facts! Did you know?🤱 (Part 1)

1️⃣ Breast milk changes its composition to meet your baby's needs! It adapts its nutritional content and immune properties to provide the perfect balance for your little one's growth and development. The milk that you produce when your baby is 2 months old is likely drastically different from what you will produce when your baby is 10 months old. If you pump, you might even notice differences in the color and appearance of your milk. The fat, water, and other properties can be ever changing, even throughout just a single day of feedings.

2️⃣ Breastfeeding has long-term benefits for both baby and mother. It helps to protect against infections, reduces the risk of chronic conditions, and promotes healthy brain development in infants. One of the coolest things I have learned, is the benefits for moms! For mothers, breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer and promotes postpartum recovery. When you breastfeed your baby or spend time skin-to-skin, it increases your oxytocin levels, which can greatly aid in the passing of the placenta and reducing hemorrhaging when you are newly postpartum.

3️⃣ Did you know that breast milk has antibacterial properties? It contains antibodies and other bioactive components that help protect your baby from infections, boost their immune system, and provide a natural defense against harmful pathogens. You might notice changes in the color of your breastmilk when your baby is sick. This is because your body responds to the germs in your babies mouth or in your environment and produce antibodies to help keep your baby healthy! How amazing is that?

4️⃣ Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of allergies and asthma in children. The unique composition of breast milk helps build a strong immune system, reducing the likelihood of developing allergies and respiratory conditions later in life.

Share these fun facts with a friend, and stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow!

🤍The love languages of labor🤍

These are some great ideas for ways to support your partner in labor, or ideas to bring yourself comfort in your birthing space! Happy laboring🥳

Comment below some of your favorite comfort measures from when you where in labor!

🌟 Tip Tuesday 🌟
4 Essential Tips for Early Labor

During early labor, it's crucial to stay calm and focused. Here are four tips to help you navigate this stage with confidence:

1️⃣ Rest and Relax as much as you can: It's amazing to feel contractions & know that you will be meeting your baby soon! However, we want to conserve your energy! If it's nighttime, try to go back to bed & sleep between contractions. If it's during the day, try going about your normal routine until things are farther along.

2️⃣ Stay hydrated and nourished. Labor takes energy and your body needs nourishment and hydration. The uterus is a muscle that requires energy like any other. If you are feeling hungry, eat. Even if you're not super thirsty, I'd still encourage you to drink. Electrolytes and broths can be especially beneficial. Sip on water, electrolytes, broths, or herbal tea and opt for energy-boosting foods like fruits and whole grains.

3️⃣ Find comfort in soothing activities like warm baths or gentle walks. Experiment with different positions and movements to find what brings you relief.

4️⃣ Communicate your needs to your birth partner or doula for continuous support. Let them know how you're feeling, what helps you cope, and any specific requests you may have. They are there to provide comfort and reassurance throughout the journey. Remember, you've got this! 💪🏼

Finally got my certificate in the mail! Hallee Mohr, Certified Birth Doula has a nice ring to it!😉 I am ecstatic looking towards the future, and all of the women and families I hope to serve through this amazing work🤍

Hello! If you’re new here, I’m Hallee, a passionate birth doula committed to empowering women during their birth and postpartum experiences. My journey as a doula began with my genuine desire to provide women with a positive birth experience. I firmly believe that every woman deserves to feel supported, informed, and in control during this transformative time.

By offering education, emotional guidance, and constant compassionate support, I strive to create an environment where mothers can embrace their inner strength and make informed choices.

Beyond my role as a doula, I am happily married, and have a love for all things health and fitness. I believe that nurturing the body and mind play a vital role in a positive birth experience.

In my free time you can find me experimenting in the kitchen, cooking & baking tasty and nutritious meals for myself & my loved ones.

My passion for reading fuels my commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with the latest evidence-based practices in maternity care. By staying informed and seeking out new knowledge, I can provide the highest level of care and support to my clients!

With me as your doula, you can expect unwavering dedication, personalized attention, and a steadfast advocate by your side throughout your pregnancy, labor, & beyond.

My mission is to empower women, foster confidence, and create a nurturing space where each mother’s unique journey is honored and celebrated.