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Sweet Pea ​Births
Sweet Pea ​Births
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
Blog
Q&A with SPB: DIY Padsicles
| Posted on January 17, 2017 at 6:27 AM |
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 Here is PART II of our VLOGS with guest doula, Michelle
Ludwig from Modern Mama Doula Services. Last week, she showed us her TOP 5 picks for postpartum. Today she is going to share her DIY tutorial for you to make
soothing postpartum “padsicles” right at home during pregnancy so that they are
ready for you when you are home holding your sweet pea! What you need: -Witch Hazel ~ we both really like the Humphrey’s brand –
available in regular or organic) -Maxi-pads ~ if you can find them, get some chemical-free and
bleach-free; usually available online -Cookie Sheet -Freezer Storage Bags How to: 1) Open up all the pads and leave them on the wrapper so
that they don’t stick to each other later 2) Lay them all out on your cookie sheet 3) Spray the witch hazel on to the pads until they are wet
BUT not dripping 4) Put the whole cookie tray into the freezer for about two hours 5) Once the witch hazel has frozen, take them back out of
the freezer and fold them back up for storage.
Place them in a freezer storage bag and back into the freezer while you
wait for your Sweet Pea to make their appearance. 6) Use them during the postpartum period on top of the large
postpartum pads you will receive in your birth kit or from the hospital. They will be a little chilly at first, but after the initial
freeze they will feel great on your bottom. I did ask Michelle what her experience was with other “add-ons”.
Some info out on the internet suggests using lavender essential oil or aloe
vera gel along with the witch hazel on the pads when you are preparing them. As Michelle so wisely answered, less is more. Witch hazel is
an extremely effective healing agent, and it would be a bummer to find out that
you are allergic to lavender or aloe vera when you are trying to heal from
birth, learning to breastfeed and figuring out your mothering. The witch hazel and pads are part of Michelle’s especially
prepared Bump Boxes. Along with the items
for padsicles, you will also receive some hand crafted postpartum essentials
that she makes herself. You can order Michelle’s specially
made with love package from her HERE Would you
like to interview Michelle as a doula? Please read her meet the doula feature
HERE Contact
Michelle: WEB http://www.modernmamadoula.com/ CELL OR TEXT 7204098977 EMAIL [email protected] Disclaimer:
Birthing From Within and Bradley
Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler,
Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale
|
Q&A with SPB: Postpartum Care Kit
| Posted on January 9, 2017 at 10:00 PM |
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 I am so
excited to feature Michelle Ludwig on the blog today! She is a birth doula and placenta
encapsulation specialist in the phoenix metro area.
In today’s
vlog, Michelle is sharing some ideas for postpartum self-care to help make the
early days of healing and breastfeeding a little smoother – every tip helps!
Here is a
recap for you:
1+2) Witch
hazel and some chlorine-free, bleach-free pads. You can use these to make “padsicles”, a cold compress that can be placed on top of the giant postpartum pads you will
get from the hospital, or your birth kit if you are birthing at a birth center
or at home. Stay tuned when we do our
diy share next week :) 3) Red
raspberry leaf tea – red raspberry is used as a uterine tonic and has long been
known to promote good uterine function.
It will help the uterus continue to contract as it heals and returns to
it’s pre-pregnancy size.
4) Herbal
soak – this is a special blend of herbs to promote healing. You can steep these
and use them in the peri-bottle to rinse after using the restroom. Another option is to use them in the a sitz-bath container or the bathtub. As Michelle mentions in the VLOG,
these herbal baths are an internet sensation now – many mamas are using them as
a setting for their pregnancy or postpartum photo shoots.
5) Nipple
cream – Michelle mixes up her own brand of wonderful using ingredients that are
safe for baby. You can apply and feed without having to wipe of your breast
first. A good nipple cream is an incredible relief to sore or chapped nipples
as you and your baby have your postpartum learning curve. Even if you have
breastfed before, there is a learning curve with each baby. And if you haven’t
been nursing through the pregnancy, your nipples will have to acclimate to
being used again. Even with a nursling through pregnancy, they typically don’t
feed with the same frequency as a newborn, so a little soothing is a welcome
relief.
You can order
Michelle’s specially made with love package whether or not you are her client.
Please check HERE for more details.
Would you
like to interview Michelle as a doula? Please read her meet the doula feature HERE Contact
Michelle: WEB http://www.modernmamadoula.com/ CELL OR TEXT 7204098977 EMAIL [email protected]
Disclaimer:
Birthing From Within and Bradley
Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler,
Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale
|
Meet the Doula: Ashley Anders
| Posted on October 7, 2016 at 10:36 AM |
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 Welcome to this month's installment of "Meet the Doula". This month I have the pleasure of introducing you to one of the Valley's postpartum doulas, Ashley Anders. I had the pleasure of meeting Ashley at an ICAN meeting last year, and I am happy to say we have kept in touch. She is honored to serve her families, and as such, Ashley is dedicated to furthering her own education so that she can better serve her clients. I hope you enjoy our feature with our October 2016 doula: Ashley! When was the first
time you heard the word, “doula”? I first heard the word doula years ago when I was talking
with a friend about supporting women in childbirth. How did you decide
that becoming a doula was part of your journey? Since I was little I wanted to be a Labor and Delivery
nurse, I loved supporting women and their families through one of the most
intimate times of their life, and watching them bring new lives into this
world, but quickly realized I didn't like the idea of having to leave my
patients to go to another patient, or leaving a shift before a baby was
born after being there her entire labor, or having to do all of the clinical
things. That is when I started researching to see if there was this
dream job out there of giving non-judgmental support to women and their
families before, during and after childbirth, and I came across birth and
postpartum doula! Are you a birth
and/or a postpartum doula? I am both a birth and postpartum doula, breastfeeding counselor
and newborn care specialist. Focusing most of my time
currently postpartum, breastfeeding and newborn care. How long have you
been a doula? I have been a doula just about 3 years. I am trained with
Childbirth International for birth, breastfeeding. I have also received
postpartum training, and trained with Newborn Care Solutions for my newborn
care specialist certification. I have supported single moms, moms on bed
rest, families that have a scheduled cesarean birth, unplanned cesarean
birth, teens, high risk, expected stillbirth, prematurity, twins and
triplets. What do you enjoy the
most about being a doula? For birth, I love that I am invited into the lives of
families expecting a baby. I love that I can build confidence in women
and their partners. Help them feel safe, protected and informed about the
birth experience and provide non judgmental support throughout their journey
into parenthood. For postpartum, I find that we often focus so much time
on pregnancy, and childbirth and forget that there is in fact a 4th
trimester. I enjoy helping everyone in the family transition into having
a new baby at home, if its baby #1 or baby #3. An extra set of hands to
help siblings adjust, help mom get a shower or a nap in, breastfeeding/bottle
feeding assistance, meal prep, and helping with all of the "is this
normal" questions I often get. Newborn care, infant brain
development, feeding, bathing, sleep conditioning, etc., are all things I love
to give information on to help clients make the best decisions for their
family! How do you work with
and involve the Coach? I make sure that we are working as a team. My job is never
to take the place of a partner or coach. I like to show and guide the
partners on things that they can do throughout labor to assist in the comfort
of the laboring mom, but also make them feel comfortable enough that they can
take a break, take a quick nap or grab something to eat and she will be
supported and never be left alone. What is the toughest
situation you have ever dealt with? How did you handle it? I would have to say that supporting a family through an
expected stillbirth was the toughest. She still had to give birth just
like any other laboring mother, but unfortunately had to say goodbye shortly
after her baby was born. It was hard! I cried alongside with them,
made sure that they had everything they needed and was just there for
them. The hospital was wonderful and provided the family with photos and
a box to remember him with. I joined them on the annual walk for infant
loss and continue to keep in touch with them. They were blessed with
their rainbow baby a year ago and I was honored to be by their side through the
birth of their second son. What keeps you
working as a doula? My family and my clients! I have the best :).
Hearing that I have found my calling, and that it is obvious that I love my job
and what I do, is so great to hear. I couldn't do this if I didn't have
the continued support from my husband. From day one he has supported me,
and pushed me to fulfill my dreams and I cant thank him enough! What does your fee
cover – how many visits or hours? Is there a different charge for a
shorter labor or longer labor? My birth fee includes 2 prenatal appointments where we will
discuss birth plan options, discuss postpartum care/plans and go over early
labor comfort measures. Your labor and birth, and up to 2 hours after, to
get you settled into your postpartum room, get you your first meal and make
sure that baby has had his/her first feeding. I will also schedule a time
within the first week to come and do a postpartum visit to talk through your
birth and make sure that feeding is going well and to answer any additional
questions you may have. Since birth is unpredictable there is not a different
charge if your labor were to go long or if you were to have a shorter
labor. Postpartum/Newborn care fees are hourly and I do
daytime and overnight care. Each contract can be fit to each client and
their needs. Do you offer any
other services to your clients? I offer breastfeeding support, it is included in my doula
packages, but I offer it separate if needed. Just for fun, what do
you do when you are not doula-ing? When I'm not doula-ing I'm sleeping! haha! I'm
also spending time with my husband and 2 kiddos: our daughter Tyler (11)
and our son Bennett (4), plus our 2 dogs Maddie and Oddie. We enjoy riding
bikes; mornings at the park, watching our daughter ride her horse, and just
spending quality time together with family and friends.  Love what you read?? Would you like to contact Ashley? Read more about Ashley and schedule a visit via DoulaMatch Phone: 480-457-9151 Email: [email protected] Disclaimer: The material included in this video is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and video contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. Sweet Pea Births offers Birthing From Within and Bradley Method® natural childbirth
classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert,
Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson |
Meet the Doula: Ashley Wain
| Posted on September 4, 2016 at 10:51 AM |
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 This month I would like to introduce you to Ashley Wain. She supported one of our Spring 2016 clients and they gave her rave reviews! When was the first time you heard the word, “doula”? I was working at the Ritz Carlton and our Chef was telling me how his wife was training to be a Doula and Placenta Encapsulator. I was intrigued and had to learn more about it. He put me in touch with his wife and I attended a baby event where she was a vendor. How
did you decide that becoming a doula was part of your journey? After having my Doula
at the birth of my 2 child I realized how much a Doula lived and
breathed birth. Doulas love every minute of it and I wanted to see and learn
more about it from a different perspective. My Doula allowed me to apprentice
under her and attend a few births to see if this life was really for me. After
the first birth, I was hooked! My life and outlook changed entirely. I was in
complete awe of women and their strength. When you watch a woman endure the
pain and then birth her baby the way she wants to, you see a baby being born as
well as a woman being reborn. It is amazing to see how much empowerment birth
gives us as women and we are never the same after. Are
you a birth and/or a postpartum doula? I am a Birth doula. How
long have you been a doula?. 2 Years, I am trained
and certified through ProDoula What
do you enjoy the most about being a doula? I love teaching women
about their options and supporting women in the birth they want. It doesn’t
matter if they want a natural birth, medicated birth, home birth, or hospital
birth, I support them 100%. It is their birth and I am only there to serve them
and assist them to enjoy the best day of their life. What
is your philosophy when you go to a birth space? Calm and Peaceful will
keep the oxytocin flowing. Regardless of whether we are laboring at home or in
the hospital, having lights low, soft music, and low voices can help a woman
find her inner strength. How
do you work with and involve the Coach? Dads/partners play the
most important role. They are there because the woman loves them and feels safe
around them. When a woman feels safe she can relax and when she is relaxed her
contractions are more effective and she can dilate more efficiently. My job is
to ensure the partner is able to relax and support the woman to the best of
their abilities. I will help navigate when the best time is to apply comfort
measures, when distraction is best, and when quiet is best. I want my partners to
enjoy this day just as much as the mother, without pressure and without stress.
What
is the toughest situation you have ever dealt with? How did you handle
it? There have been many
tough situations and all are handled differently because “tough” situations are
situational. What may be tough for one mama may not be for another. My job is to
serve and honor every mother and I owe a lot of my success to getting to know
each client on a personal level so I can help her get through the tough
situations. Every birth is very different and no matter how much we read
textbooks and no matter how much we know about birth we don’t know anything
about a particular birth. Having good relationships with providers and nurses
is so important to the overall satisfaction for the client. Making sure we stay
within our labor support role and let the nurses and providers do their jobs to
keep mom and baby safe, there is nothing we can’t overcome. What
keeps you working as a doula? Every time my client
births her baby and has the smile that lights up the room. Every time my client
reflects on her birth with utter satisfaction. Every time my client writes a
review that makes me tear up, I realize how grateful I am to do what I do and
help women realize their full potential. Every time the partners/dads walk me
out and hug me and say “thank you” I know I am doing what I am supposed to be
doing. What
does your fee cover – how many visits or hours? Is there a different
charge for a shorter labor or longer labor?
As
of right now, there is no change in fee or doula based on the length of labor.
I want the mother to focus on her birth and not worry about time. Do
you offer any other services to your clients? I have two other
packages families can choose, I offer Placenta Encapsulation, I teach
childbirth, and I have a natural product line.
Just
for fun, what do you do when you are not doula-ing? We love playing super
heroes, chasing our babies around, swimming, traveling, and spending quality
time with my husband! Would you like more information about Love Bug Doula Care + Natural Essentials? Ashley
Wain Labor Support Specialist Phone – 480-489-2704 Email – [email protected] Website – www.lovebugdoula.com Facebook
– www.facebook.com/lovebugdoula Instagram
- @lovebugdoula You can also find
LoveBug Doula on Yelp and Google Disclaimer: The material included in this blog is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and related videos contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in
Arizona: convenient to Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale,
Payson |
Meet the Doula: Kelly Sunshine
| Posted on August 8, 2016 at 5:49 PM |
comments ()
|
This month's featured doula is Kelly Sunshine, of Sunshine Doula Services. We have had the pleasure of being vendors together at several different local birth events. It is our pleasure to introduce you to her this month in our Meet The Doula feature.  When was the first time you heard the word, “doula”? I don’t remember the first time I actually heard the word,
however, as my sister-in-laws and friends were having kids I would always go be
with them while they were in labor and help them. I had already had a few of my
kids so they thought I would be helpful. I was essentially being a doula
without realizing it. Then one day a little over 5 years ago, I meet a gal who
was a doula and the dots all connected for me. I remember thinking how I wish I
would have had a doula with me at my 4 births. How did you decide that becoming a doula was part of your journey? I’ve had a passion for labor and delivery for years. I
contemplated getting my nursing degree at one point. But the more I thought
about it I realized I really enjoy helping moms through the entire birth
process and building relationships. I had heard about doulaing before. Then
about 5 years ago I met a gal who had been a doula for a few years and I
learned a lot more about the profession. At that moment I knew that was exactly
what my heart had been wanting to do. My husband, who saw my enthusiasm,
strongly encouraged me to “do it”. Before I even had a chance to make a
decision, he had already enrolled me in a doula certification training that was
happening in Phoenix 2 weeks later. I’ve never looked back since then. Are you a birth and/or a postpartum doula? Birth. How long have you been a doula? I have been a doula for almost 5 years. I am DONA Certified.
I have been fortunate to have a very active career and have been blessed to
work with over 350 families since I started. What do you enjoy the most about being a doula? So many moms have a vision of what an ideal birth would be
like. I like to help them develop the confidence to trust in their bodies and
themselves. There is nothing more rewarding than to support a mama and for her
to realize how strong and awesome she really is. I also truly love the
relationships I form with the couples. What is your philosophy when you go to a birth space? Empowering moms with the philosophy of, “its their agenda
not mine”; and using my skills to create an optimalenvironment that they
envisioned. Also helping them stay on course with their plan even when they
don’t think they can do it anymore. How do you work with and involve the birth partner? This is very important to me. I am not there to take their
place but to work together to help support the mom. I adjust my involvement based on how
comfortable their coach is and how involved the coach wants to be. If I see
they are feeling uncomfortable or nervous I show them things they can do to
support the mom. Once they get a little confidence then they step up and want
to do more. It really cool to watch. What is the toughest situation you have ever dealt with? How did
you handle it? Believe it or not the mamas are pretty easy to deal with. By
the time we get to a birth we’ve made a pretty strong connection and I
generally know what they need. As soon as you bring the extended families in,
not the daddy’s or partners, it can sometimes get challenging. My most notable
situation was with very vocal and disruptive family members in the room. They
were creating a lot of tension and drama and I could see it was upsetting the
mom. In fact, despite her requesting them to leave the room they simply weren’t
respecting her. I stepped in and with kind firmness asked them to step
outside into the waiting area. I explained that I wanted to take some time to
help the her get more comfortable and focused. They understood and spent the
rest of the birth in the waiting area. What keeps you working as a doula? I suppose the best way I can describe it is that being a
doula is in my blood. I just love it. It’s challenging work. It keeps me on my
toes. Every birth has its own unique dynamic. And I guess I am pretty good at
it. Perhaps it’s my gifting and a way of serving the world. What does your fee cover – how many visits or hours? Is there a
different charge for a shorter labor or longer labor? My fee covers a prenatal visit which generally last an hour
to 90 minutes. It also includes unlimited pre-birth support by phone, email and
text leading up to labor. Obviously I am with the family from the beginning of
active labor through approximately a couple hours after birth to help the mom
and baby get comfortable, and establish nursing if that is their desire. I also take photos of the entire labor, birth and after. I provide the family with the edited digital
copies, as well as a printed 4x6 set. I also write the family a birth story and
then meet them for a postpartum visit as well. My fee is the same regardless of
the length of the labor. Do you offer any other services to your clients? Yes. I do placenta encapsulation and have processed over 650
placentas. I also have some other pre- and post-birth products that are
designed to help moms prepare for labor and heal following the birth. Just for fun, what do you do when you are not doula-ing? Well being a doula occupies a good portion of my life. When
I am not doulaing, I love to travel with my husband and do family vacations
with our four kids. We entertain at our home frequently with family and friends,
which I love to do!  Would you like to Connect with our featured doula? Here is her contact information: Kelly Sunshine 602-410-5968 Disclaimer: The material included in this blog is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and related videos contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.  |
Meet the Doula: Alyssa
| Posted on April 5, 2016 at 5:31 AM |
comments ()
|
This month, I would like to introduce to you Alyssa Leon. I first met Alyssa when she was being mentored by another doula. Since that time, she has become a wonderful doula in her own right. She offers a doula-only package, or she can do birth photography and placenta encapsulation for her families as well. Enjoy getting to know a little bit more about Alyssa from Cherry Blossom Doula Services.  When was the first
time you heard the word, “doula”?I had first heard the word Doula when I was
pregnant with my second child and had switched to a midwifery based
practice. The midwife at the time mentioned it in passing, so I really
didn't learn more about it until I started my childbirth education training. How did you decide
that becoming a doula was part of your journey? I have always felt led to support pregnant women.
Growing up I was always fascinated with the birth process and couldn't wait to
become a mother. I finished the majority of the pre-reqs for the nursing
program thinking I would become a labor and delivery nurse but after having my
son, I needed to take a step back and focus on my family. When I started
feeling the pull again, I started off as a childbirth educator (knowing that in
order to fully support a laboring woman as a doula, I needed to completely
understand the physiological process.) The transition into becoming a doula was
organic....and I haven't looked back since! Are you a birth
and/or a postpartum doula? I am solely a birth doula. Although I love the
continuity of care as a labor doula turned postpartum doula for
a family, it is not possible to balance both with a full client schedule. How long have you
been a doula? I have been a doula for 3 years and have
attended 111 births. I am a certified childbirth educator (CAPPA),
certified doula (DONA), and also have the neonatal resuscitation certification. My experience as a doula is in all birth settings:
home birth, birth center, hospital and/or for cesareans. What do you enjoy the
most about being a doula? I love supporting and empowering women! When moms
reach their goals in labor, and are in awe of how strong they are, it
automatically affects their confidence as they transition into motherhood.
What is your
philosophy when you go to a birth space? My philosophy is that women need to feel secure and loved
when they are at their most vulnerable state. By providing a calm energy,
gentle touch and reassurance that the process is normal, they are able to
submerge themselves in the primal state that's needed to continue progressing
the labor. How do you work with
and involve the Coach? I compare it to a slow dance...it's an easy balance to step
in if the coach needs a break, the transition stage is overwhelming or if the
couple wants more emotional support. And I am able to fade into the background,
assisting with the environment details, nourishment, photos, etc., when the
couple needs that one-on-one time. I meld to whatever the needs of the family are...The coach's
appreciate the communication of what stage the mom is in, that what is
happening is normal or if the labor is taking a different path, reminding them
what options they have to make informed decisions. What is the toughest
situation you have ever dealt with? How did you handle it? The toughest situations I have been in is when families
realize they are not with the most supportive provider in the middle of their
labor. I provide a family as much information as I possibly can
about their current provider and birthplace when we meet, but it is ultimately
their decision on whether they stay or choose to move forward with a better
fit. I always say there is no reason to settle and leave it up to chance
when we have amazing midwives and doctors that are available and ready to
provide great care. What keeps you
working as a doula? My passion is what keeps me working as a doula but
the family/work life balance is what provides the stability with the on-call
lifestyle. What does your fee
cover – how many visits or hours? Is there a different charge for a
shorter labor or longer labor? My doula packages range from $700-$850 and
includes;
The fees stay the same, regardless of the length of labor. Do you offer any
other services to your clients? I offer Placenta Encapsulation and Birth Photography as
additional services. Just for fun, what do
you do when you are not doula-ing? When I am not with clients, I am with my family, being a
wife and mom. :) I love hiking, trying new restaurants and traveling when
I'm not on call. How to connect with Alyssa: Alyssa Leon, CCCE, CD(DONA), Owner of Cherry Blossom Doula Services Phone: 602-743-1270 Email: [email protected] Website: cbdoulaservices.com Disclaimer: The material included in this blog is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.  |
Meet the Doula: Michelle
| Posted on March 16, 2016 at 3:22 PM |
comments ()
|
 Meet this month's doula, Michelle Ludwig. She and I have met at doula meet and greets and at birth events - she was one of the fabulous doulas at Bradley Day 2014. Enjoy her "interview" and if you like what you read, her contact information is at the end of today's post. When was the first time
you heard the word, “doula”? When my husband and I
were trying to get pregnant with our first baby, I did what most first time
mamas do. I googled...and googled...and googled. I knew having a doula was a
non-option! How did you decide that
becoming a doula was part of your journey? I knew my heart always wanted to follow a path into childbirth education. Living on call 24/7 intimidated me about being a doula. My best friend (and my personal doula) encouraged me to explore my options and once I dove in I knew it was indeed the life for me :) Are you a birth and/or
a postpartum doula? I do strictly birth work. How long have you been
a doula? I've been a doula for 3 years and have attended around 160 births. I'm a DONA certified doula, have a been trained by the lovely Gail Tulley for Spinning Babies, and trained in placenta encapsulation. What do you enjoy the
most about being a doula? The "I did it face". When a mama looks up to their partner and has that smile that stretches from ear to ear. I love when couples know all their options and really individualize their birth process. What is your philosophy
when you go to a birth space? “Your body. Your baby. Your Birth.” I'm your travel guide; never deciding your destination, just helping you find the path to where you desire to go. How do you work with
and involve the Coach? I want birth to be
intimate. I want you to connect deeper than you ever have. My desire is to give
the correct set of tools to the couple and to let them run with it. I'm right
by their side helping them with positioning and questions, but this is their
birth and I want everything to be focused on them. What is the toughest
situation you have ever dealt with? How did you handle it? I like to consider myself pretty resilient. I've been thrown some curve balls in life, but everything is always temporary. You gotta keep on keepin’ on. What keeps you working
as a doula? I love, love, love what I do. I'm blessed to have a very busy business and lots of mom's and dad's to help. Every birth is different; I love how special my job is. What does your fee
cover – how many visits or hours? Is there a different charge for a
shorter labor or longer labor? My basic package includes a meet and great, a prenatal meeting (where we play a labor simulation game and go over so many ways to improve your labor experience), unlimited labor support, photography during birth, edited digital photos, and a postpartum visit. Do you offer any other
services to your clients? I am incredibly experienced in placenta encapsulation. I offer extended packages that include more photography, IBCLC visits, essential oil kits and much more :)  Just for fun, what do
you do when you are not doula-ing?My 3.5 and 1.5 year old girls keep me pretty busy. I'm married to a fine dining chef so we love to try out the latest new restaraunt and explore local farms. I'm also a huge football fan! ♡♡♡Your Body. Your Baby. Your Birth♡♡♡ Disclaimer: The material included in this blog is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Meet the Doula: Grace
| Posted on September 18, 2015 at 4:19 PM |
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 Grace Burnham works in partnership with Amanda Santana of Enchanted Desert Doulas. I have the pleasure of having known both of them for the last three years - they are both talented and have much more to offer their clients beyond their doula skills. SPB: When was the first time you heard the word "doula"? GB: I was 19 the first time I heard the word doula. I was thinking about massage school, and I was reading a massage magazine and when I saw the term “massage doula". I looked it up right away and I knew that was something I wanted to do. SPB: How did you decide that becoming a doula was part of your journey? GB: As soon as I learned what professional labor support was, I knew it was some something I wanted to do. I researched training options and found the Seattle Midwifery School doula program. The first birth I observed was a birth center water birth. I was hooked after that experience. Since then, I have seen many different kinds of births at different places. Every one reaffirms my connection to this work. SPB: Are you a birth and/or a postpartum doula? GB: I do both birth and postpartum doula work. I enjoy both for different reasons. SPB: How long have you been a doula? GB: It feels like forever since I became a doula, I have been a doula for 7 years and originally l trained with Seattle Midwifery School's DONA program. I later trained with Massage Doula. Along with that, I am also a Licensed Massage Therapist and Lactation Educator Counselor. SPB: What do you enjoy the most about being a doula? GB: Everything! I like watching couples or individuals grow and become families. I like supporting people during difficult experiences and watching them process and grow. I like helping people find their power and become their own advocate. Also, babies! SPB: What is your philosophy when you go to a birth space? GB: My philosophy in the birth space is it’s not my space, it’s not the care providers space, it’s the families space. I ask myself when walking into a birth space, “How can I help this family find their own power?" I absolutely want my clients to feel empowered by their birth experience. SPB: How do you work with and involve the Coach? GB: It’s the family’s birth and I am there to support them, so I coach the coach. I pay attention to the coach’s needs, making suggestions for them, or offering pep talks. I want partners to feel empowered by the birth experience so they start off on the right foot as empowered parents. SPB: What is the toughest situation you have ever dealt with? How did you handle it? GB: Without going into too much detail, I had a client who was struggling in a way that she wasn’t able to care for her infant and older children, so I was worried about their safety. I was left feeling like this mom needed more help to be able to parent and didn’t want her to end up with social services involvement. I worked with her family to get her professional help as well as providing additional postpartum hours. It was worth it and now they are thriving. SPB: What keeps you working as a doula? GB: The birth high after a new baby comes into this world. I can’t imagine birth work not being a part of my life in some way. It's one of those things that I feel I was meant to do. SPB: What does your fee cover – how many visits or hours? Is there a different charge for a shorter labor or longer labor? GB: I work with another Doula, Amanda. Our base fee covers 3 prenatal visits and 2 postpartum visits. Access to two doulas for unlimited questions or concerns via phone, email, or text prenatally as well as a doula at your birth. I or Amanda attend the birth from when you call and want one of us there until the family is settled and baby is fed— usually 2-4 hours postpartum. The rate is the same regardless of how long labor is. In addition to our base fee all birth doula clients can add massage, postpartum hours, or other services at a discounted rate. SPB: Do you offer any other services to your clients? GB: In addition to birth and doula work, I offer massage, couples and infant massage classes, breastfeeding and baby wearing classes. SPB: Just for fun, what do you do when you are not doula-ing? GB: When I am not doulaing I am lifting weights and watching Star Trek, but mostly lifting weights lately. How to reach Grace and Amanda Email: [email protected] Phone or Text: 480-420-8797 Blog Doula Match Profile http://doulamatch.net/profile/6167/grace-burnham Disclaimer: |
Meet the Doula: Laura
| Posted on June 30, 2015 at 11:41 AM |
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 Our "Meet the Doula" feature is back. This month we are featuring Laura Pruett, MT-BC. I met Laura at a Doula Care meeting for active doulas. I am so pleased to introduce her to our students and readers today. She has much more than traditional doula skills to offer her clients. SPB: When was the first time you heard the word, “doula”? LP: The
first time I heard the word “doula” was when my friend found out that our
mutual friend was a doula. She asked if, as a doula, she
could take out her IUD for her. Our doula friend educated us both that a doula
is not medically trained. SPB: How did you decide that becoming a doula was part of your
journey? LP: I
have been working as a board certified music therapist since 2011, and came
across a Continuing Education Class about incorporating music therapy into
childbirth education. I was intrigued, and took the course. The more I learned
about pregnancy and childbirth, the more I realized how much it impacts us as
individuals, and as a society. A few months later, I took another continuing
education course about how to use music therapy in labor support. I was
fascinated, and took a DONA doula training. I now combine both of my trainings
to offer doula music therapy support. I truly believe that if we want positive
change on an individual, community, state, national and global scale, we need
to treat each other better, starting from birth. My goal is very similar to Dr.
Sarah Buckley’s statement – “heal birth, heal the earth”. SPB: Are you a birth and/or a postpartum doula? LP: I
work as a birth doula. I have not taken a postpartum training as of yet, but
that is something I look to do in the future. SPB: How long have you been a doula? LP: I
have worked as a doula since May 2014. I was trained through Sound Birthing
Music, DONA and ProDoula, and I am working on completing my certifications. SPB: What do you enjoy the most about being a doula? LP: I
enjoy seeing a family come together, and being strengthened. SPB: What is your philosophy when you go to a birth space? LP: I am
there to support the mother and her birth team in whatever way I can, within my
scope of practice as a doula and music therapist. I am not there to “take over”
the birth, or to make decisions for the mother. The birth is not about me – it
is about a family coming together. SPB: How do you work with and involve the Coach? LP: I
encourage the coach to be as involved as they and the mother are comfortable.
If I see that the coach wants to support the mother, but does not know/forgot
how, I offer suggestions to help them become more involved. Again, the birth is
not about me, it is about a family working together. SPB: What is the toughest situation you have ever dealt
with? How did you handle it? LP: I
have not had too many tough situations present themselves in my doula work. The
toughest situation I have come across so far was when my first client was given
Pitocin. She handled her contractions beautifully for the first hour or so of
the Pitocin, but then the contractions became very intense very quickly, and
she could hardly move. I suggested she change positions, and then try walking
around. Shortly after starting her walk, she asked for an epidural. She
expressed relief after the epidural kicked in, and we continued working
together for the remainder of her birth experience. Since her birth, I have
learned more about how to better support women who receive Pitocin and
epidurals. If that situation were to present itself again, I would be a lot
more hands on in providing physical relief (massage, counter-pressure, etc.). SPB: What keeps you working as a doula? LP: Knowing
that strengthened and empowered families are important to positive societal
change is what keeps me working as a doula. I have music students and music
therapy clients (outside of birth work) in addition to my doula work, to
prevent doula burn-out. SPB: What does your fee cover – how many visits or hours? Is there a different charge for a shorter
labor or longer labor? LP: My
fee is the same no matter how long the birth experience. It includes 2 prenatal
visits, continuous support once I join the mother in labor
until 1 hour after the birth, and 1 post-partum visit within 72 hours of the birth.
It also includes 24/7 support via email, text and phone calls. And, it includes a back-up doula, just in case unforeseen circumstances keep me from attending the birth. The doula I work with is also a music therapist, and has been trained to provide music therapy in labor and birth. SPB: Do you offer any other services to your clients? LP: Yes.
I offer Creative Arts Birthing childbirth education classes (next class starts
July 11, 2015), and Personalized Lullabies. I also offer Birth Music
Consultations, which for women who already have a doula (or do not want doula
support), but want to learn how to use music effectively in their birth. SPB: Just for fun, what do you do when you are not doula-ing? LP:When
I am not doula-ing, teaching music lessons, or providing music therapy
sessions, I enjoy running, and I am currently training for a marathon. I also
enjoy playing with my 2 cats, and playing music. I have a blog and YouTube channel where I upload weekly videos of random music stuff. Huge thanks to Laura for taking the time to introduce herself to us!! AKK - now I want to have another baby so that I can have a birth with a music therapist on our care team...a mama can dream I guess...  Here are the different ways you can connect with her:
The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Meet the Doula: Sara
| Posted on June 10, 2014 at 7:50 PM |
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I had the pleasure of meeting Sara at MommyCon Phoenix last year (April 2013). Since then, we have reconnected in on-line forums and kept in touch. I am thrilled to be able to feature her as June's Doula of the Month.  About Sara: I'm passionate about supporting women in their birth choices and through labor and delivery. I am a birth activist, lactivist, essential oil lover, garden growing, crafter, and stilleto-wearing granola-momma lover of all things holistic and naturaopathic. I believe in prevention rather than reaction. :) When was the first time you heard the word, “doula”? The first time I ever heard the word "doula" was
after I gave birth to my first child. I had a basic understanding of what
doulas did but not enough to fully recognize the need for doulas in the birth
journey. How did you decide that becoming a doula was part of your
journey? I felt like my mom was my doula. I broke my shoulder about 7
weeks before giving birth to my second child. It was an experience full of
fear, apprehension, and aloneness. Even though both times I was handed a
healthy baby, they are not an experiences I look back on with much joy. I
realized then that I never wanted another woman to experience birth in that
manner. I began devouring every piece of information about birth and doulas I
could possibly get my hands on. I realized that "mothering," (the
greek root meaning of doula) is a huge part of my nature and life passion. How long have you been a doula? I officially went through doula training in April of 2012 by
attending a DONA Int. birth doula workshop. I am also a Certified Lactation
Educator and have taken several classes through ASU's College of Human
Lactation with the goal of becoming an IBCLC. What do you enjoy the most about being a doula? What do I love most? That's a really difficult question...
It sort of ties into my philosophy as a birth doula: I call myself the Lioness
Doula. People always ask "why Lioness?" Lionesses are never alone.
They birth together, hunt together, cross breastfeed the Pride's cubs together.
They are this strong, brave, powerful sisterhood of women. THAT is what I love;
that is why I do this. What is your philosophy when you go to a birth space? I believe no woman should ever have to birth alone, feeling
unsupported or unloved, and should never have anyone else's agenda brought into
their most vulnerable space, be it hospital policy, Doc preferences, mothers
in-law, etc. Birth matters. It's sacred and important. How do you work with and involve the Coach? My goal is to empower birth partners to make me useless. Let
me help you help her. What is the toughest situation you have ever dealt with? How
did you handle it? The toughest situation I've ever dealt with was probably a
birth I attended where the midwife was actually not very birth friendly. She
did so many things outside of mom's wishes and without discussing it with her,
just telling that it had been done. It took so much will power to set aside my
own feelings and fully support Mom. But at the end of the day, the most
important thing I can do is make Mom feel safe, keep partners involved, and
prevent my own (or others) perceptions from affecting Mom's view of the birth
experience. What keeps you working as a doula? Newborn Baby smell keeps me doula-ing. There's nothing like
it in the world. It's like magic. What does your fee cover – how many visits or hours? Is
there a different charge for a shorter labor or longer labor? My fee is $500 and includes up to 3 prenatal visits,
prenatal lactation education, attendance from onset of labor until
approximately 2 hrs postpartum, 1 postpartum visit and lactation counseling
session, and placenta encapsulation. Because I am so passionate that every
woman who desires, have access to a doula, I as that families contact me even
if $500 is out of their price range. I regularly barter/trade/take payments. Do you offer any other services to your clients? If desired, we can add on a blow dry style for newborn
pictures at an added cost. I also am available for lactation counseling and/or
support. Just for fun, what do
you do when you are not doula-ing? When I'm not doing my doula thang, I can be found at Got
Roots? Salon doing hair and body waxing, at home crafting and nagging small
children, or hanging out with my cute hubby! Does Sara sound like the right doula for you? Here is her contact info: Tel.: 480-734-5770 Web: http://lionessdoula.blogspot.com/ Mail: [email protected]
Was Sara your doula? Tell us about your experience and help our readers decide if she is the right doula for them - thank you! Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and
posted. The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |