Dragon's Heart Doula Services LLC

🎉 Happy World Doula Week! 🌸

March 22 marked the beginning of World Doula Week, chosen to coincide with the spring equinox, symbolizing the resurgence of fertility across numerous cultures.

I've had the pleasure of encountering numerous remarkable doulas during this journey, and from each one, I've gained invaluable insights and knowledge. 🌟

Did you know that doulas:
🤰 Decrease the likelihood of c-sections
👶 Boost the confidence of new parents in newborn care
⏱️ Potentially shorten labor duration
💉 Lower requests for epidurals and analgesics
🤱 Enhance the initiation and continuity of breastfeeding
😊 Heighten satisfaction with the birth experience for mothers
💖 May decrease the occurrence of postpartum mood disorders

Coming soon on February 1: our new ADHD Support for Moms & Birthing People Support Group!

This free and virtual group is for pregnant and postpartum moms and birthing people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Some common challenges for those with ADHD are completing organizational tasks, paying attention/focusing, talking excessively, impulse control, emotional regulation (or frustration tolerance), and time management. Pregnancy and postpartum period can bring up unique challenges for those with ADHD. These groups are led by PSI-trained support group leaders who have lived and/or professional experience in navigating ADHD during the perinatal period.

Learn more and register at bit.ly/FindSupportGroup!

✨Let go of fear with every exhale, embrace positivity with every inhale. ❤️

The journey to meet your precious little one can be a daunting experience, and it's not uncommon to feel overwhelmed or anxious. This week, let's focus on taking deep breaths and releasing any fear or negativity with every exhale. Remember to breathe in positivity and let it fill your soul.�

As your doula, I'm here to support you and help reframe any negative thoughts you may have about your journey. Let's focus on self-care and positivity as we prepare for this exciting new chapter in your life.

Your emotions are valid, and they matter. As a doula, I am here to support you and provide a safe space for you to process and express your feelings. Remember, you are deserving of love, care, and attention. 💕✨

Did you know that having a doula during your hospital birth can provide physical, emotional, and educational support? 💕
✨Physical support includes massage, positioning, and other comfort measures to help you cope with labor pains. Your doula can also help you stay hydrated and nourished throughout your labor.
✨Emotional support includes encouragement, reassurance, and a calming presence. Your doula can help you manage stress and anxiety, and provide support to your partner as well.
✨Educational support includes helping you understand the medical procedures and interventions that may be offered during your labor and birth. Your doula can also help you communicate with your medical team and advocate for your preferences.
Having a doula by your side during your hospital birth can make a world of difference! 🌟

Please join us for our free postpartum support group this Thursday, Aug. 17 from 11:00 a.m. to noon at the Huntsville Hospital Medical Mall Wellness Center classroom (1963 Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, AL 35801). The meetings are facilitated by an experienced Mother Baby nurse who can answer your questions. Registration is recommended: https://www.trumba.com/calendars/moms-support-group

✨Today's the day!✨

Well, actually it’s a day late. For weeks, I have been planning to launch my website on August 15th because it’s the anniversary of the formation of Dragon’s Heart Doula Services. But if I have learned anything during my time as a doula it’s that life (and birth) doesn’t always go the way we plan. We have to be flexible and make the best of what we have! So, today is the day!!

I am so excited to share my website with you all. I hope you find it helpful and informative. Please let me know if you have any questions or feedback.

Thank you for your support!❤️

Hi everyone!
I know I've been away for a while, but I've been working on something exciting behind the scenes! I can't wait to share it with you all soon!
Stay tuned!

Healing starts with help 💙 If you are ready to take that brave step, here are ways to do so:
✨ In an emergency or crisis situation, call or text the National Su***de and Crisis Lifeline at 988
✨ Call or text the PSI HelpLine at 800-944-4773. You never need a diagnosis to ask for help.
✨ Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-943-6746
✨ Connect with a PSI Support Volunteer
✨ Join the PSI Peer Mentor Program
✨ Join a virtual PSI Support Group
✨ Find a trained provider in the PSI Directory at psidirectory.com
✨ Join one of PSI's Chat with an Expert calls

You are not alone, you are not to blame, and with help, you WILL be well 💙

Many clients don't know the hospital will provide a lot of necessities. These are the top things I suggest that the birthing person pack:

✨Phone & Charger

✨Toiletries

✨Signed Birth Plan

✨Snacks

✨Towel

💬Comment your hospital bag must-haves below!

🌟It's true! When you receive an epidural you can be moved into many positions to help labor progress!

💬Comment below to share your experience with an epidural!

“I Won’t Hold Your Baby

…unless you ask me to, in which case, I will snuggle and cuddle your baby as much as you want me to.

I never ask my clients if I can hold their baby. In fact, I rarely ever touch my client’s baby if I can help it. Sounds sort of like the opposite of what you might picture of a doula, right? We must all be birth crazy, baby obsessed women who just want to cover babies in kisses and love and get an emotional high from attending births?

Not this doula.

I LOVE attending births. Call me crazy, but getting those middle of the night calls is one of my favorite parts of this job. I get to listen to someone at their most vulnerable times - the excitement, the hesitation, the nervousness of the unknown. Being able to provide some comfort, reassurance and continuity of care to the people I work with is so important to me (and them!)

Rushing off in the night, quietly getting myself ready, getting in the car and heading off to their home or hospital makes me feel like I’m on a secret birth mission that nobody around me knows about. When I arrive I fall as seamlessly as I can into the rhythm of the birth and start supporting my clients in whatever way they need most.

When the baby arrives I step aside and leave room for the new parents to discover their baby. I try and grab some photos (I’m not a birth photographer though, so keep your expectations in check!) and then I only step in if my client needs me for some reason.

Why does that matter? Why won’t I ask to hold your baby? Simply because: they are yours, not mine. I want you to be able to hold your baby as close as you want, for as long as you want without anyone interrupting that time. There will be enough people coming along in the next few hours and weeks who need to take that baby out of your arms for whatever reason, and tons of friends and family who will offer help by “holding the baby”.

Instead, I want to hold you, whether that’s in my arms, in my heart or my thoughts. By supporting and “holding” you, I don’t need to hold your baby. But if you ask me to, I would LOVE to.”

Written by

♀️Happy International Women's Day! Serving and supporting women is what doulas do!

♀️Tag your favorite women below to show your love!

This is a question I am often asked by prospective clients. Many people refrain from using a doula because they don't know we support all births.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions or want to discuss how a doula can support your labor!

Tell me how I can support you on this chilly Doula Check-in Tuesday!!

Doula Check-in Tuesday!

How are you feeling today?