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Posts in Birthing Partner

I'm Scared I Won't Know When to Go to the Hospital

I'm Scared I Won't Know When to Go to the Hospital

Sixteen years ago, my husband was speeding down the interstate trying to get me to the birth center. I remember gripping his hand and and yelling at him to go faster and not stop for anything. We had run to get into the car because our daughter was coming SOON. I had my nightgown on and no underwear….I really thought this baby was going to be born in our car. Long story short, I did make it to the birth center and she was born 30 minutes later. But what I wished I had done was head in to the birth center a couple of hours before. I wished I had had someone to tell me that it was time to go. Here's how you can learn from my mistakes!

Birth, Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Doulas, Hospital Birth, Labor, Pregnancy, PushingHeather ClementsOctober 10, 2024labor, labor support, birth, birth partner, doula, birth center, hospital birth, Doula, prodromal labor, contractions

Top 5 Things for New Dads to Know

Top 5 Things for New Dads to Know

Life is good! The baby showers have happened, the nursery is painted, and the infant car seat base is installed in your car. You just have a few weeks left before your baby is born! With that excitement also often comes with some nervousness about becoming a new dad. Let us help ease your concerns with our Top 5 Things for New Dads to Know!

Birth, Birthing Partner, Childbirth Education, Father's Day, Labor, New Parents, Newborn, Parenting, Older Kids, Pregnancy, RelationshipsHeather ClementsJune 10, 2024new dad, new parent, Father's Day, fathers, newborn, newborn care, New baby

What to Know About Pre-Eclampsia

What to Know About Pre-Eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is diagnosed when you have high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy combined with protein in your urine. Pre-eclampsia is very serious and needs to be treated by your care provider. Read our latest blog to find out more about what to expect when you receive this diagnosis.

Birth, Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Complications, Doulas, High RIsk Pregnancy, Hospital Birth, Inductions, Labor, Pregnancy, Prenatal CareHeather ClementsFebruary 15, 2024labor, pregnancy complications, pregnancy, induction, blood pressure, magnesium, labor and delivery

The Number 1 Way to Prepare for Labor and Birth

The Number 1 Way to Prepare for Labor and Birth

Pssst….we have a secret and we want to share it with you! You may have questions about how to best prepate yourself for labor and birth. While there are certainly books to read, podcasts to listen to, stretches to do, etc…we are going to tell you the top way to prepare for birth.

Things to Try When Labor is Stalled

Things to Try When Labor is Stalled

First, know that it is OK and sometimes perfectly normal for folks to hang out in the same place in labor for awhile. It’s also normal for you to want to get the show on the road. Here are a few things to try if your labor has stalled.

Joy to the World (an Ode to Labor)

Joy to the World (an Ode to Labor)

Tired of hearing the same Christmas songs over and over? We took matters into our own hands and wrote a little “Joy to the World“ parody all about labor and birth. Sing the words to the tune of the original song!

Birth, Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Hospital Birth, Holidays, Labor, Newborn, Pregnancy, Pushing, ChristmasHeather ClementsDecember 14, 2023labor, labor and delivery, early labor, active labor, Pushing, contractions

What Can I Do to Prepare My Body For Labor?

What Can I Do to Prepare My Body For Labor?

Clients often ask us how they can prepare for labor. While there are many ways to prepare for labor itself (take a childbirth class, practice good breathing, go on walks, practice relaxation techniques, etc), there are many things you can do to help your body to start to prepare for labor. Take a look at our newest blog to find out how!

Birth, Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Childbirth Education, Labor, PregnancyHeather ClementsSeptember 21, 2023labor, pregnancy, labor prep, cervical ripening, dates, red raspberry leaf tea, evening primrose oil, perineal massage, pumping

Why Should I Take a Childbirth Class?

Why Should I Take a Childbirth Class?

Your sister took a 12 week long childbirth class while your best friend didn’t take any class at all. Both of them tell you their way is the right way. Everyone from the hospital to Instagram influencers are telling you what they think is the right way to give birth while all you want to know is what will contractions feel like and when should you go the hospital. Good news….you can learn all that and more in one of our childbirth education classes. Take a look at our newest blog post to see why you should take a childbirth class with Doulas of Raleigh.

Birth, Birthing Partner, Childbirth Education, Comfort Measures, Epidurals, Hospital Birth, Inductions, Labor, Labor Augmentation, Pregnancy, Prenatal Care, PushingHeather ClementsAugust 31, 2023pregnancy, labor, labor and delivery, comfort measures, childbirth education, childbirth

How Can I Use A Peanut Ball During Labor?

How Can I Use A Peanut Ball During Labor?

Doulas like to say that peanut balls add a bit of magic to your labor. A peanut ball is probably one of the best tools available for your use in your labor and delivery room. This tool can help you have a smoother, quicker labor. Take a look at a few ways you can use a peanut ball during labor.

Ways to Move During Labor

Ways to Move During Labor

Moving during labor can help decrease contraction pain, facilitate the labor process, and help your baby become more enganged into your pelvis. Read on to find out some ways to move throughout your labor (yes, even with an epidural!)

Breathing Techniques During Labor

Breathing Techniques During Labor

Breathing well is one of the best ways you can can help yourself cope with your labor contractions. There are many different ways to help you or your support team guide your breath. Take a look at our blog post for more details.

Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Comfort Measures, Doulas, Labor, Pregnancy, PushingHeather ClementsJanuary 26, 2023labor, labor support, pregnancy, doula, birth partner, birth doula, breathing, guided relaxation, guided breathing, rainbow breathing, box breathing

The Welcoming Hour

The Welcoming Hour

The Welcoming Hour, sometimes called the Golden Hour, begins as soon as your baby is born. Read our newest blog post to find out what to expect and what you can do to get maxium benefits for you and your new baby during this first hour of your baby’s life.

Do I Still Need A Doula If I Have A Midwife?

Do I Still Need A Doula If I Have A Midwife?

Postivie pregnancy test..check. Secured an amazing midwife…check. Hire an amazing doula? Ch..wait…now why do I need one if I already have a midwife? This is a common question and we answer it today in our blog!

Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Doulas, Inductions, Labor, Pregnancy, Prenatal CareHeather ClementsNovember 10, 2022labor, labor support, labor doula, labor and delivery, pregnancy, birth, birth doula, birth partner, hospital birth, midwife

Supporting Loss

Supporting Loss

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Unfortunately, there seems to be a stigma and maybe a shroud of secrecy surrounding loss. Everyone deserves support but it seems as though no one knows how to support others through their loss. This is unfortunate as 1 in 4 people experience this kind of loss at least once in their life time. We’ve gathered some ways to show support.

Newborn, Relationships, Self-care, Pregnancy, Labor, Doulas, Birthing PartnerHeather ClementsOctober 28, 2022pregnancy, birth, loss, infant death, stillborn, miscarriage, fetal demise, postpartum support, emotional support, supporting loss

How to Prepare for Labor Day

How to Prepare for Labor Day

Labor Day weekend is here and some folks have been preparing to travel to squeeze in one last beach or lake trip, preparing to host a cookout for family and friends, or just preparing to have a nice long weekend at home. We thought Labor Day weekend was a great time to talk about preparing for your very own Labor and Birthing Day!

There are 4 main things to consider when preparing for labor and birth: think about the birth experience you’d like to have, choosing a care provider, educating yourself, and hiring a doula!

Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Childbirth Education, Doulas, Labor, PregnancyHeather ClementsSeptember 2, 2022pregnancy, labor, labor doula, doula, birth, birth partner, birth center, hospital birth

What to Expect the First Hour After Birth

What to Expect the First Hour After Birth

Whether you’ve labored for a few hours or a few days, there’s nothing like finally getting to meet your baby. Here’s what to expect from the moment your baby is born until the first hour after their birth.

Birthing Partner, Birth Doulas, Breastfeeding, Labor, New Parents, Newborn, PregnancyHeather ClementsAugust 26, 2022labor, labor and delivery, birth, postpartum

Ways to Augment Labor

Ways to Augment Labor

In many cases labor progresses just fine on its own but sometimes there is a reason to augment, or enhance, labor. Augmentation of labor is different than induction of labor. Augmentation would happen after spontatneous labor is already underway. Take a look at this post to read about different ways to enhance labor.

Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Labor, PregnancyHeather ClementsAugust 19, 2022labor, labor support, labor and delivery, birth, birth partner, birth doula, labor doula