Appalachian Doulas

Oh hey! I’m Kimberly, your q***r doula! Something that I take pride in every month of the year.
Your family is safe with me ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤

***rdoula ***rsupport

If you are pregnant, postpartum or an owner of a pelvic floor and don’t enjoy p*eing your pants, come check out this FREE event at the Ferguson YMCA in Candler!

*eyourpants

When your mom is a birth worker…

Dr. Millie noticed baby was breech when mom was 10cm. Nurse Henry consistently listened to heart tones until they could get mom into and emergency c-section.

Baby girl Strawberry 🍓
born at 7AM ⏰
weighing 5lbs5oz ⚖️
5 inches tall 📏

Mom and baby are doing great!

✨OXYTOCIN✨

I LOVE this hormone so much, I had it tattooed on me 🥰.

What is Oxytocin?
❤️Known as the love drug
❤️Made in your brain
❤️Strengthens contractions
❤️Stimulates lactation
❤️Helps you feel bonded with your baby and other loved ones
❤️Released with soft touch and s*x

When your bestie from childhood asks you to be their doula, you say yes.

I hate missing births but the flu doesn’t care. 😷🤒💀Thank goodness for backup doulas, and backups for the backups.
Thank you for covering for me!

I was running out the door the other day to get to a birth at the same time Brandon came home from his job with Hospice, and it just felt like this full circle moment. We often trade stories from our jobs and they are surprisingly similar. We meet with families, talk about their wishes, make plans for how they would like to leave or enter the world, and then do our best to make it happen with the circumstances at hand. Both experiences bringing great emotions. Any while those emotions are great joy or great sorrow, and unfortunately sometimes trauma, they always circle back around to great love.

I entered the hospital that night, barely a week after one of my favorite people in the world passed away in the same hospital, to welcome two new souls Earth side.

I’m not totally sure where I’m going with this post. I guess just notice that I have felt the deepest of sorrows only to turn around and witness the greatest joys. Both equally miraculous. And Brandon and I are absolutely honored to hold your hand as the souls of your loved ones crosses the plane of existence.

When your kid is curious about where babies come from, you hand them an umbilical cord!

*Epidural* is not a dirty word!

Epidurals DO:
🤰Provide pain relief.
🤰Give the opportunity to catch up on sleep so mom has more energy when it’s time to push.
🤰Help move labor along for a mom who was otherwise too tense to relax.

An epidural does NOT:
🤰Prevent the ability to change positions and move around.
🤰Take away the urge to push.
🤰Take away control.
🤰Make anyone a failure.
🤰Make a birth and less “natural”

Parenting: When you are prepared for everything when it comes to your kids and forget about yourself. So glad packed hats for her girls so we could borrow them on our 36 degree run this morning!

Today I got to talk to preschoolers about doulas! (It’s also happened to be the 100th day of school which is why everyone is dressed like an old person). They were so sweet and asked great questions!
Why do babies p**p so much?
Why do babies cry so much?
Why do babies just lay there?

I taught them how to swaddle a baby, and reminded them to make sure mom always has a snack and water.

I’d say Asheville will have a few new doulas in 20 years or so.

When I started postpartum work it never crossed my mind that I would be snuggling as many dogs as I do babies. I’m not upset about it.

Sixteen nights, four babies, one tired doula. 100% worth it to give those eight parents a full night or uninterrupted sleep!

My first year as a career doula was a success! It can only get better from here. It’s been an absolute honor to be invited into such a vulnerable, magical, and sacred space by so many families. See ya next year Asheville!

🎄Christmas baby! 🎄

The reason for the season.
If only the wisemen brought food…

Not only do these doulas pump you up for your birth, but we pump each other up for uphill 5k’s in the rain on early Saturday mornings.

Olivia has a new birthday buddy! Happy Birth Day Courtney and Archer! Such an honor to be welcomed into your birth space for THREE babies. And what better way to celebrate my own. Can’t wait to celebrate with you every year!

When you are headed to an all nighter in another state you make a trunk bed! Probably the closest you will ever see me to camping.

This is awesome!

Asheville Regional Airport opens new lactation suite for traveling mothers to nurse, pump Asheville Regional Airport has announced the opening ofThose traveling through Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) today will be the first to have access to the a

Holy guacamole! Thanks for the love y’all!

Today we remember:
🌈Parents who never held their babies in their arms
🌈Parents who held their babies for moments
🌈Parents celebrating a pregnancy or baby after a loss
🌈Parents waiting on a miracle

Thank you for putting into words what I couldn’t. You can read her full blog on my website here
➡️➡️➡️ https://www.appalachiandoulas.com/blog-1/pregnancy-after-loss

Two births in 24 hours.

One of my favorite parts of being a doula is watching those babies grow! What’s even better? When my doula babies become friends with my babies!

In my true fashion, I’m a little late. Happy Father’s Day to this guy! We love him so ❤️

It’s a beautiful night to have a baby!

Our NICU has an unfortunate need for formal attire for their littlest patients. These outfits will go to families who’s babies have passed or have a life limiting diagnosis for pictures or funerals.
Jessica ( ) has so kindly made space to collect these items at her upcoming clothing swap.
They are in need of sizes preemie to 12lbs. Both genders needed but a higher need for boy clothes.
If you are unable to make it to the clothing swap but have items you would like to donate, please reach out and I would be happy to arrange a time to pick them up.
❤️

Wishing a gentle Mothers Day to those with empty arms. I'm holding you in my heart always.

If you are a bereaved parent or parent to be in the Asheville area, there is support for you.

❤️ -- offers free professional photography as lasting keepsakes for grieving families.
❤️ will be holding a brunch THIS SATURDAY for moms of loss or who are grieving. Check out her FB for sign up link.
❤️ specializes in therapy for prenatal and postpartum parents.
❤️ offers free pregnancy grief services for parents given life limiting diagnosis for their babies.
❤️ -- Four Seasons Hospice works with families during pregnancy and if possible, after your baby is born. They also offer free grief support for families regardless of if they were patients. In addition to parent support, summer camp and day camp are offered to siblings of loss, free of charge.
❤️, are the small handful of doulas in the area who support families during pregnancy, birth and early postpartum to families who have been giving life limiting diagnosis for their baby.

Please don't hesitate to reach out for support. I am here for you!

Thank you to my friend for letting me use this sweet picture of her and her baby. You are both so loved.

It never fails, someone always has to p*e while waiting in the car rider line. , always have a toddler potty in the car!

Curious about doula support? Wanna eat some donuts? Stop by tomorrow from 10-12 and pick our brains 🧠!