BirthWell Doulas

Part of being a doula is to know when to step back. I know you always think of us giving counter pressure, giving mom verbal encouragement, bringing her water... and we do all those things. But there is also a time to step back and give space. Thank you Holy Spirit for guiding these moments.

Many dads are afraid that a doula will take their place. Dads, we could never replace you.

❤️ Kristin

Midwifery ❤️

What makes it worth getting up early on a Saturday morning? Teaching a birth class where you get to talk to parents about God's design and purposes for our pregnancies, labors, and births. We had amazing dads who didn't just sit through the class as if they could be anywhere else or checked out. No, these dads came ready to learn, engage, and support their wives as they together grow their families.

Thanks Sheila & Blessed Joy!


Birth Restored

Look at this beautiful course journal that you get when you register and attend the Birth Restored class with us!

IT INCLUDES:
📖 SCRIPTURES FOR REFLECTION & ACTION
❓️QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR PROVIDER
🍳 HELPFUL NUTRITION INFORMATION
✔️ CHECKLISTS TO HELP YOU BE PREPARED
📊 CHARTS TO HELP YOU EVALUATE PROS/CONS
🤰BIRTH PLAN CREATION
📱QR CODES FOR MORE RESOURCES & EDUCATION

AND THERE IS MORE....

We have a class coming up at Blessed Joy in Terrell and there is still room for you! Leave a comment for more info!

*baby wakes up 🤣🤣

Happy World Breastfeeding week!
Here is a fun local way to celebrate!

Looking for a way to celebrate locally? Come out on Saturday morning at 9am to Yellowjacket Park in Rockwall! I'll be there along with Kristine Keller Ibclc from Operation Lactation and Alyssa Peri from Breastfeeding Counselor. Hope to see you there!

BirthWell recently served another mama and daddy as they welcomed their precious baby boy. The moment I found out I was more than likely going to be gone that day/night, my daughter Milah rushed to make me a healthy snacks to take with me. She was excited to serve me as I serve others.

💜Kristin

Mamas take a look. She always has wonderful information. If you don't already, go ahead and follow her on social media.

Electrolytes & Pregnancy: Why these minerals are crucial and how to get enough - Lily Nichols RDN When it comes to electrolytes and pregnancy, these minerals are crucial for you and your baby. Electrolyte needs increase during pregnancy; here’s how to get enough in your diet.

Much needed connection with other birthworkers! We all learned something new and were able to continue to build relationships to better serve our communities of mamas and families ❤

Happy International Day of the Midwife from BirthWell Doulas! Thank you all for the sacrifices you give to your clients. The clinic hours, the counseling, sleepless days and nights, the worry over our care, missing family memories to help us create ours, and so much more. Midwives are such a blessing to families and we are so blessed and grateful to have you all as our care providers! To our personal Midwives- we love you so, thank you for guiding us through the doors of motherhood, and for mentoring us through our Doula needs. We pray you have the best day and feel SO loved because you are!

Labor brings out so many feelings and emotions. It is beautiful, full of joy, but also hard and sometimes desperation comes. There are moments where we need to be reminded of the truth of God's word. There was a moment in labor when this mama need to pause and say this out loud. There is strength that comes because God's word is alive.

Mama: Kyla Wallace
Photographer: Blayre Weaver Photography
Midwife: Sweet Pea Midwifery Spring Forth Life Birth Services

For all of our mamas to remember as you go into labor. You can do hard things because we get our strength from the one whose fountain never runs dry. God is faithful and you are loved 🥰

We welcomed the first day of spring with a sweet baby girl, and are closing World Doula Week with a postpartum visit!
💖
This Mama ROCKED her precipitous birth in a whopping THREE hour labor start to finish after days of prodromal labor. We call this “precipitous labor” aka RAPID labor. She had a wonderful team of midwives supporting her, and the sweetest most attentive Husband by her side! We are so blessed to serve our BirthWell clients 😍

We are celebrating World Doula Week 2022! You know what puts a smile on our face? What we toast to? When we get the honor to serve a mama and her growing family. When we have the privilege to be a part of such an intimate moment that will be remembered forever. We smile when we know that a mother felt empowered, supported, and loved. When a father, who many times gets pushed out of the birth space, is also touched because he was seen, valued, and active in the process.

Don't forget to schedule a free interview with us to see how we can love and serve you.

📷 Shay Corcoran

We have availability!

We know, sometimes birth plans change. Maybe you just learned about the benefits of having a doula or realized that your birth team needs to look different. Did you know that some hospitals are allowing doulas, and yes even spouses and photographers too?! We are excited too!!!

It isn't too late to add a doula to your support team. We would love to connect with you! You can send a text, DM, or email.

Check out our website @ www.birthwelldoulas.com

❤️ Nikki & Kristin

✨HEY MAMA✨
We want to hang out with YOU! Birth moms, step moms, foster moms, biological moms, adoptive moms, grieving moms, waiting moms, spiritual moms… you’re all welcome at our table. Bring your kiddos, bring yourself and let’s just hang out and spend time with one another over some coffee and good conversation. Motherhood can be challenging, but that doesn’t mean we have to do it alone. Grab your girlfriends and let’s celebrate together all the different seasons of motherhood we are in.

https://m.signupgenius.com/ #!/showRSVPSignUp/10c0e4dabad2aabffc61-tlcmommy

It was a busy but AMAZING weekend for BirthWell. I got to meet with moms and families to prepare foe their birth and navigate how I can best serve them. What is my number one goal as a doula? To make sure that you walk away from your pregancy, labor, and birth with a positive, empowering experience. My desire is that no matter what the details of the story are, that you have precious memories and know that you were supported through it all.... through the the moments that were filled with joy, times of desperation, feelings of excitement, navigating the uncertainties, and all of the highs and lows.

Once you make the decision for our doulas to serve you we start meeting with you to plan for your birth. We also do free interviews so that you can ask us your questions and to see if we are a good fit for you. Send us a message, email, drop a comment, and take a look at our website. We would be thrilled to schedule a consultation with you.

Remember, your story matters!

💕Kristin

Want a traditional maternity shoot? Blayre does that. She also does unconventional, fun shoots that showcase the personality and style of a family. Send her a message with your fun ideas to book and tell her we sent you! 📷🤰

Rockwall friends here is another midwife option in our area! Olivia Delavega at Sweet Pea Midwifery would be happy to meet you and answer all of your questions. Unlike an OB office, midwives typically limit the number of clients they serve. If the providers you have reached out to are booked, send us a message and we are happy to provide more recommendations for you. You can also check out our resource page for more info. Link below.

https://www.birthwelldoulas.com/resources

Hi mommas! I have openings for clients in 2022. Thinking about midwifery I would LOVE to chat!! DM me! Share this exciting news with any friends that are expecting or looking to switch providers. I also take late transfers!

"I’ve always wanted to be a Mama—that’s why it shocked me and when all I seemed to hear from so many people—even strangers was,
“just wait..”
wait until you have to wake up every hour
wait until they are screaming their head off
wait until you have no social life
wait until you get pooped on all the time
you’ll never shower
you’ll never go out with your husband again
you’ll never sleep again

Basically—your life is over kinda thing.
No encouragement. No talk of all the beautiful, wonderful parts about becoming a mother.

I wish people had told me this. So I’m sharing it with you—

Wait until you smell that sweet newborn smell
Wait you kiss their tiny head
Wait until you nuzzle your nose against theirs
Wait until they smile at your voice
Wait until it’s 2:35am and it’s just the two of you awake together while you nurse him
Wait until you see your husband hold your baby for the first time
Wait until _____

I really don’t know why it always has to be the horrors that people share with new moms to be.

We know it’s going to change our lives forever, that we are going to lose sleep, that yes, it’s even going to be hard sometimes.
But can we just talk about the beautiful parts too?

Every day has different levels of tired, maybe that laundry didn’t get switched over when you wanted it to...but I’m learning that these days are short, and motherhood is beautiful. So being tired sometimes—it pales in comparison to everything else.

Look forward to the beautiful parts ♥️"
📸 and words from .little.bostons

A recent review from a mama we had the privilege to serve.

"I HIGHLY recommend Kristin Stephens. She was my 1st choice when I was going to do a home birth with my Midwife. When I found out I had a genetic blood disorder during pregnancy which turned my pregnancy high risk and I could no longer deliver at home she was STILL my 1st pick for my Hospital Birth. When it came time for my daughter to arrive I had PROM which means my water broke, but I never progressed into labor. No dilation, no contractions. Kristin showed up for me every single day and did EVERY SINGLE THING to insure that we had tried all of the things to try to start labor. I am confident that there was nothing more we could do naturally to get my body to naturally start the labor process. Once at the hospital and I chose to go ahead with medically inducing into labor after 3 days of trying to get my body to do it naturally Kristin was there with us through my INTENSE 15 hour labor. She prayed over me, held pressure on my body through every contraction & made sure my wishes were honored during my hospital delivery. She’s a wonderful woman of God, she listened to what I wanted and empowered me to stick with what my heart desired regardless of my ever changing birth plan. She stayed with me for 18+hours at the hospital. I seriously couldn’t have done it without her. My husband & I are so very grateful for her."
-Britany Thomas

Truth.

God's design is so perfect and amazing!

The umbilical cord contains 2 arteries and 1 vein. Here's a clear view of all 3!

This strong mama met her baby girl Adalay this week! It was an honor to serve the Thomas family. Britany educated, prepared, and advocated for herself and her baby girl. Your birth story matters!