Erica Goehring, Doula Services

It's World Breastfeeding Week! Breastfeeding support was my gateway into birthwork. I served families as a La Leche League Leader for 14 years. It was a joy and privilege to help in this specific way. As my doula practice grew and my own family grew, I stepped away from volunteering for LLL, but my training and experience have allowed me to support many doula client as they fed their babies.

💜 I support you if you breastfeed.
💜 I support you if you supplement.
💜 I support you if you use tools such as an SNS or ni**le shield.
💜 I support you if your goal is one week, one month, one year, or baby's self-weaning.
💜 I support you if you pump.
💜 I support you if you use donor milk.
💜 I support you if you choose to formula feed or decide to combo feed.
💜 I support you at the beginning, and I support you when you wean.

So why highlight World Breastfeeding Week?

I choose to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week because despite all we know about nursing and all the pro-breastfeeding resources out there, parents still feel overwhelmed and unsupported as they do this big, hard thing. Too often, misinformation and negative feedback from well-meaning loved ones and even medical professionals derail families in their nursing goals. As long as that is happening, I will raise my hands high in the air and shout, "Over here! I can help!" 👋

Welcoming a little one soon?

A valuable resource for the Pittsburgh area.

🌟 Happy 8th Birthday to the Still Remembered Project! 🌟

Today, we are humbled and grateful as we look back on 8 incredible years of serving our community! Throughout these years, we have had the privilege of standing alongside many beavered parents and families who have been touched by pregnancy and infant loss.

Together we have witnessed countless stories of resilience, courage, and love. We have seen families come together, sharing their grief and supporting one another. We have been touched by the strength and determination of parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends who have joined hands and hearts to honor the precious babies that are gone too soon.

It is thanks to the unwavering support and dedication of our amazing board, team of incredible volunteers, generous donors and loving community that we have been able to provide thousands of remembrance keepsakes items, host an ongoing monthly peer based support group, hold remembrance events, have bereaved family outings, work alongside hospital partners to provide more keepsakes and resources for their patients, beautify our community with a remembrance garden and so much more! 💕💙

Today, as we celebrate this milestone, we want to express our deepest gratitude to all of you who have contributed to our mission. Your kindness, generosity, prayers, and compassion have made a difference in the lives of so many grieving families.

Together, we will honor the memories of the precious little ones who are forever in our hearts and the bereaved families who walk among us everyday. Always Still Remembering…. Together. 🤍

💕💙💕💙💕💙💕

Check out this talented photographer! I love the overall look of his work.

🔥 session loading….

Mantra Monday: Labor is called labor for good reason. It can be hard, or there can be moments of difficulty. You can do hard things! You are strong.

Are you in the postpartum phase? The early weeks and months of postpartum bring their own kind of hard. You can do hard things! Remind yourself again and again. Reach out for help when you need it. Use your tools.

You can breastfeed after a C-section birth!

Such a good question!

I recommend hiring a doula in the first trimester if possible. An early contract means 24/7 support through the ever-changing needs of pregnancy. We have time to get to know one another, build a friendship, and create a deep working relationship. I have time to know your birth partner before the big day!

From a financial standpoint, an early contract allows for comfortable payments spaced through the pregnancy if desired.

However, it is never too late to hire your doula! Although not ideal, I have personally greeted my client for the very first time in Labor & Delivery. 😂 It happens!

Whether 10, 20, or 30 weeks, we have plenty of time to get acquainted.

Later contracts usually mean two visits in quick succession in order to fine tune the birth plan and communicate about preferences, goals, and concerns. We may utilize video calls to connect in a meaningful way.

If you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation at any point, please DM here. 🤍

Every doula will have different guidelines for making contact. Here is how I operate my practice:

🤍 Contracted clients may call, text, or email 24/7. I am always available to my clients for information and reassurance. Non-emergency texts and emails will be answered as soon as possible.

🤍 Have something on your mind? Give me a call so that we can chat about it. No question is too silly or too small.

🤍 When you experience potential signs of labor, get in touch so that I can begin preparing to join you when you believe the time is right. Don't worry about a false alarm. It happens all the time!

❤️ When you are in labor and ready for me to join you at your home or birth place, please CALL.

Mantra Monday: the words you tell yourself matter.

In pregnancy, labor, and even parenting, the internal monologue you create helps shape your reality. Elite athletes do it, and you can do it, too!

Each Monday, I will help you develop a library of positive language to be the foundation of your mental game. Practice them. Internalize them as you prepare for your birthing time or face any challenges in your day.

I am strong. You are strong. Remind yourself often.

Hello there! 👋 It's time to reintroduce myself. I'm Erica, a professional birth and postpartum doula in western Pennsylvania. I have been serving families in PA, Ohio, and West Virginia since 2015. I am a trained Hypnobabies Hypno-Doula (2018), and I am currently training as a bereavement doula with Stillbirthday.

I partner with Blessed Arrivals, a full service doula group in the Pittsburgh area.

I am mom to six amazing kids, ranging from 18 years to almost 10 months old. Raising them with my husband Cory is the greatest joy of my life. I enjoy making a home, baking, writing, volunteering in my church and community, and studying martial arts.

Here are the beliefs I carry into my doula practice. See if they resonate with you.

🤍 I highly value the time I have with clients before, during, and after birth. If you are looking for a true companion who wants to walk alongside you with consistency, compassion, knowledge, and good cheer, I might be the right fit for you.

🤍 I believe safe and fulfilling births can happen at home, birth center, and hospital. Choose a place that aligns with your priorities.

🤍 I believe pregnancy and birth are healthy elements of a full life cycle. Both processes will *usually* proceed naturally without the need for scrutiny or interruption.

🤍 However, the world is not a perfect place, and when extra care is needed, you should be able to receive information, guidance, and space to make informed decisions about the kinds of tools you would like to use in your pregnancy, birth, and parenting. You are the expert on your body and your baby -- even when you consult professionals. Nobody, including ME, gets to decide what is best for you and your family, but a talented birth team can be an absolute gift!

🤍 I am often a quiet presence in the birth room. I am still and calm, allowing you to show me through your words and actions what kinds of care you need.

🤍 I believe physical, emotional, and spiritual health are life-long pursuits. Pregnancy and postpartum are special times for a little extra attention in these areas. The investments you make now will benefit you and your child for years to come.

Each year on March 22, we celebrate World Doula Day and kick off World Doula Week!

Today I honor the thousands of doulas around the world who serve families and guide the next generation of doulas. I give thanks for the dozens of families who have welcomed me into their birth rooms and their postpartum nests as their own doula since 2015.

This World Doula Day is special to me as I announce the RELAUNCH of my practice after an extended sabbatical and maternity leave. I am now open for due dates in October 2024 and beyond!

Please stay tuned all week for content and announcements. It feels wonderful to be back!

Checking out Labor & Delivery at Washington Hospital with .

https://www.facebook.com/share/e556VF2S7xEg5Lrm/?mibextid=xfxF2i

I believe you can do hard things.
Full stop.

Thank you, midwives, for the important work you do in our community.

This month we remember the babies lost before birth and after. We lift up the parents who never held their little ones and the parents who had to let go far too soon. May the beautiful forget-me-not bring a sweet reminder that our babies are not forgotten.

This woven wrap, borrowed from a precious friend, feels amazing, and I adore the colors and knot theme. Babywearing is a great way to stay close to baby, increase your bond, create security for baby, and perhaps get some chores done. 😉

I did not expect to work today, but a sweet baby girl had other things in mind. 💗

When you are laboring, you will likely be reminded to breathe. Your doula will tell you. Your partner will likely tell you. Your nurse will tell you. Your midwife or doctor will tell you.

Being honest -- it can be a bit frustrating. 🙉 You are doing your best to manage the most intense experience of your life. You want to get that job done! And the best advice you're getting is to just breathe? 🤷‍♀️

Taking a deep breath:
⭐️ lowers stress
⭐️ stabilizes and lowers blood pressure
⭐️ increases oxygen to you and your baby
⭐️ relaxes muscles
⭐️ helps distract you from the intensity of uterine contractions

Maybe it isn't JUST a breath after all. 🙂

****** 👶 RESOURCES ALERT 👶 ******
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host its 3rd annual Best Books for Babies Diaper Distribution event with the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank at CLP—Hill District on July 23rd. Families with babies ages birth to 18 months can receive diapers and a 2022 Best Books bundle at this special, free event! No registration required.

For more information, visit: www.carnegielibrary.org/event/diaperdistribution202

Birth is certainly everyday magic, a miracle every time.

You are your own person with a unique body, mind, and set of experiences that will influence every aspect of your birth and parenting. Your birth will not be "ordinary," and your care shouldn't be either. Having a doula on your team means you will be accompanied by a person who has studied your preferences, learned your personality and habits, and desires your goals right alongside you. When you choose your birth team, ask yourself who will enhance this intimate and highly personal experience.

Introducing siblings is a special experience surrounding birth. A new relationship is being built in those first moments. Whether it is immediately after the baby is born or in the days and weeks to come, gentle yet intentional encouragement can be the key to a smooth transition for the whole family.

Erica Goehring, Doula Services updated their information in their About section.

✋️ Yep, that's me! Always picked last in gym class. 😄 I'm still a little grouchy about that! But in childbirth, even I was strong, powerful, and fierce. You can find that inner athlete, too.

Simple beauty.

World Doula Week

A precious baby girl was born yesterday. What a privilege it is to walk beside new parents as they begin this chapter of life!