the benefits of having a postpartum doula

i am in the midst of working a postpartum gig with a family who just had their baby in early december. they hired me to work nights towards the end of their pregnancy knowing it was wise to have some assistance. like most families, they weren't sure exactly how much support they would need, so we began with a week commitment.

i think most people wonder why they would need to hire someone to come into their home and help take care of their baby. we live in a society devised of nuclear families. unlike many people around the world who live near most of their extended family or in a tight community, we americans are expected to fend for ourselves and do it all on our own. we are independent culturally, and to ask for help seems weak or unnecessary.

being pregnant is one scenario. for the most part, your body takes care of itself. you don't have to tell your brain how to make a baby or take care of it in the womb. your baby is safe and receives all of the nutrients she needs. there is no cry at 3 am to make you wonder what to do.

once outside the womb, all of this changes. now you have a tiny, helpless life in your hands, and crying is it's most frequent form of communication. in school we are taught many skills, however few of us are taught how to care for a newborn. and even though most couples engage in childbirth preparation, few enroll in a newborn care class.

so why have a postpartum doula? why not. why not set your family up right from the beginning? a postpartum doula will be in your home with you. after you give birth, you and your partner will most likely be exhausted. life around you will continue on, so meals, laundry, bills, errands, etc. will still need to happen. having another set of hands who are educated, confident, caring and kind will bring you the positive upliftment you will need to carry on.

a postpartum doula will help you organize your baby's nursery. she will educate you throughout the day or night any time you have a question or concern. she can show you skills such as how to soothe your baby, how to change your baby, or how to bathe your baby.

and most importantly her presence allows for you to have more rest. you can lay down for a nap, and know confidently that your baby is in good hands while you rest. postpartum doulas are there to run errands, do light housecleaning, and other organizing.

if you are breastfeeding a doula can help in many ways. she can assist with positioning and your latch. she can suggest ways to deal with engorgement and discomfort. she is educated in breastfeeding and is able to help with many uncertainties. and she knows when an issue is out of her scope, and who to call for help.

at the end of the day, none of us know how we will give birth. no matter how much we prepare for our natural home birth or expect a safe vaginal delivery in the hospital, we just don't know what journey nature will gift us to meet our baby. having a postpartum doula lined up to meet us at home the day we arrive from the hospital can be a huge relief.

when selecting a postpartum doula, i suggest you follow your gut instinct. pick someone who is well educated, trained and/or experienced. however, at the end of the day, select someone you feel good around. she will be in your intimate space and you want to feel safe and secure in her presence.

here is what most postpartum doulas offer:
• Support for the mother so that she may restore and replenish her strength
• Light massage and other relaxation techniques for mom

• Breastfeeding support and education

• More sleep and personal time

• Postpartum depression prevention and care

• Infant care skills and education in newborn characteristics

• Coping mechanisms

• Assisting with older siblings
• Healthy and wholesome meals to nourish the body

• Washing baby’s laundry

• Light housekeeping
• Running errands


• Screening phone calls and visitors


• Assistance in redefining new familial relationships
• Appropriate referrals


eating in awareness for the childbearing year

Eating in awareness
Eating well before conception assists in the chances of getting pregnant and the development of your baby. In fact, some people believe diet before conception affects the development of your baby more than during pregnancy. There are four vital nutrients for conception: Vitamins A & D, iodine and omega 3 fats.

What are the benefits of eating well during pregnancy?
Nutrition helps with your birth, the placenta, you baby’s health, postpartum healing and breastfeeding. During pregnancy the mama’s blood volume doubles. A healthy woman in pregnancy will gain 25 to 40 pounds . . .possibly more. It is important to get plenty of protein during pregnancy as a mother with adequate weight gain can have a low weight baby if she is not getting enough. By the second trimester the baby is growing rapidly, so you will most likely have an increase in your appetite. By the third trimester your digestion slows down, as there is less space for all of your organs. It is best to eat smaller and more frequent meals at this point if you haven’t already begun doing so.

Nutrition is a key component to a healthy pregnancy.

A good diet can help prevent: anemia, preterm birth, preeclampsia, fetal distress in labor, low birth weight, postpartum hemorrhage, mental retardation, learning disabilities, and hypertension.

A “good” diet consists of whole nutrient dense foods, also known as whole foods. During pregnancy it is best to eat minimally processed foods. Processed foods are foods like white flour, white sugar, and high fructose syrup. Many things we buy today prepackaged have been processed. It is important to become an ingredient detective! Read your labels.




Think whole foods diet and think the rainbow. You want to eat an assortment of foods for a variety of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. There are many philosophies in the realm of food. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, macrobiotic, pescatarian, gluten free, a raw foodist or an omnivore, trust your body. What sort of things do you crave? What tastes good to you? Your body will tell you what to avoid early on by your sense of taste and smell. However, if you eat a diet filled with processed foods, your body will crave these foods until you wean off of them.

Key things to remember—
--Rotate your foods . . .taste the rainbow.
--Place an emphasis on the following things: protein, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, DHA, fatty acids, Vitamins A, C, E, and D.
--Eat locally, organic and in season when possible.
--Avoid all refined sugars; eat sweeteners in moderation, including fruit.
--Remember you are eating for two . . .many women find it easier to eat smaller, more frequent meals each day.
--Each time you eat you teaching your baby how to nourish the body. Eat with mindfulness.

Pregnancy, Crankiness and Soothing Ideas workshop at BINI Birth

Dear Moms and Dads to be, Doulas and anyone else interested in learning more about pregnancy:

Please join the Bini Birth team and the exciting crew they have put together next Tuesday, December 8th for a fabulous workshop!

In the third session of the BINI BIRTH free workshop series, we'll discuss
common pregnancy discomforts, helpful hints to soothe them,
and various ways to cope.

This workshop will be facilitated by Ana Paula Markel,
and presented by an amazing team of professionals, including:
-Abigail Morgan (acupuncturist), L.Ac, MTOM
-Elizabeth Bachner (midwife), LM, CPM, L.Ac.
-Jessica Jennings (prenatal yoga instructor), MS
-Jessica Zucker (psychotherapist), Ph.D
-Alexandra Wyatt (student midwife & BINI doula), CD(DONA)
-Joanne Cohen (herbalist & BINI doula), CD(DONA)
-Sara Pereira (massage therapist), LMT

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
7 - 9:30 pm
at the BINI loft
5355 Cartwright Ave., Unit 313
North Hollywood, CA 91601

Please spread the word to clients, colleagues, family and friends.

RSVP to Sarah@BiniBirth.com

*$10 donation suggested, but not required.

nettle as an ally

Nettle leaves are one of the best friends to have in your life before, during and after pregnancy. There are so many glories to list when it comes to nettle.

Nettle is also known as Stinging Nettle, or formally as Urtica Dioca.***

Nettle is reputed to have more chlorophyll than any other herb. The list of vitamins and minerals in this herb includes nearly every one known to necessary for human health and growth. Vitamins A, C, D and K, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron and sulphur are particularly abundant in nettles. The infusion is a dark green color approaching black. The taste is deep and rich. If you are blessed with a nettle patch near you, use the fresh plant as a pot herb in the spring.

Some pregnant women alternate weeks of nettle and raspberry brews; others drink raspberry until the last month and then switch to nettles to insure large amounts of vitamin K in the blood before birth.

The benefits of drinking nettle infusion before and throughout pregnancy include:

~ Aiding the kidneys. Nettle infusions were instrumental in rebuilding the kidneys of a woman who was told she would have to be put on a dialysis machine. Since the kidneys must cleanse 150 percent of the normal blood supply for most of the pregnancy, nettle's ability to nourish and strengthen them is of major importance. Any accumulation of minerals in the kidneys, such as gravel or stones, is gently loosened, dissolved and eliminated by the consistent use of nettle infusions.


~ Increasing fertility in women and men.

~ Nourishing mother and fetus.

~ Easing leg cramps and other spasms.

~ Diminishing pain during and after birth. The high calcium content, which is readily assimilated, helps diminish muscle pains in the uterus, in the legs and elsewhere.

~ Preventing hemorrhage after birth. Nettle is a superb source of vitamin K, and increases available hemoglobin, both of which decrease the likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage. Fresh Nettle Juice, in teaspoon doses, slows postpartum bleeding.

~ Reducing hemorrhoids. Nettle's mild astringency and general nourishing action tightens and strengthens blood vessels, helps maintain arterial elasticity and improves venous resilience.

~ Increasing the richness and amount of breast milk.

***This information comes from Susun Weed, herbalist.



Please check out her books:

Dear Parents to be: A Taste of BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® this Saturday in North Hollywood

Birthing From Within

Presents
A Taste of BIRTHING FROM WITHIN®
Demonstration Childbirth Class for Expectant Parents
Based on the groundbreaking book of the same name.

What do YOU need to know to give birth?
How will you cope with the intensity and surprises of labor and parenting?



We invite you to participate in a two-hour BIRTHING FROM WITHIN
childbirth class, as a part of a demonstration within a workshop
for birth professionals. You will work directly with Virginia
Bobro, Certified BIRTHING FROM WITHIN Mentor and Facilitator.

This childbirth class introduces you to BIRTHING FROM WITHIN
pain-coping practices and offers opportunities for you to learn
from unique and interesting processes and discussions. This is
wonderful way to supplement classes you may already be taking,
or to find out more about BIRTHING FROM WITHIN’s dynamic and
compassionate approach to childbirth preparation.

Saturday, December 5, 2009
10:00 a.m. to noon
Bini Childbirth Center
5355 Cartwright Avenue, Unit 313
Los Angeles, California 91601
Phone: 818-822-9568
$25 per couple


For more information or to register, contact us at: contact@birthingfromwithin.com or 805.964.6611

For information about Birthing From Within, visit us at: http://www.BirthingFromWithin.com or check out this link.

December Birthing From Within Childbirth Intensive

This a two day intensive held on SUNDAYS December 6th & 13th.

What do you need to know to effectively give birth? How will you cope with the intensity of childbirth and parenting?

Sundays December 6th and 13th
9:30 am – 5:00 pm (with a 1.5 hour lunch break)
West Los Angeles
$180 per couple

We will focus on:
Exploring cultural and personal values of birth and parenting

Laborland: the stages of labor and the hormones involved

Learning and practicing pain coping techniques that will assist in your birth

Newborn consciousness: from womb, through birth, and into infancy

Holistic healing and the postpartum period

Using creative ways to find questions, explore answers and initiate solutions

CONTACT:
Danielle Marie Gutshall
310.467.8716
www.theconsciouscanopy.com
Or theconsciouscanopy@gmail.com for more information.

Vaccine Workshop tonight!!!

Doctor Lauren Feder will be presenting an educational workshop tonight at Yo Mama Yoga.

Yo Mama Yoga
1404 3rd Street Promenade, Suite 204
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Wednesday November 18, 2009
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
$60/couple

Dr. Feder is known throughout the Los Angeles community for providing holistic insight grounded in Western medicine. She is also a mother of two children, and author of a few books.

This workshop is held in response to the growing movement among parents to question the safety of such standards as vaccines to antibiotics. This workshop is for parents who are seeking optimum health for their children. Dr. Feder will present an overview of health, disease and each vaccination. Includes pros, cons, risk, benefits and prevention of vaccine side effects. Syllabus provided.