Posts in Hospital Birth
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!

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Birth, Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Doulas, Hospital Birth, Labor, Pregnancy, PushingHeather Clementslabor, labor support, birth, birth partner, doula, birth center, hospital birth, Doula, prodromal labor, contractions
When Your Birth Plan Goes Up in Flames
When Your Birth Plan Goes Up in Flames

Did anyone prepare you for feeling so completely blindsided by how your birth went? Yeah, you’re not alone. It is hard to be happy with your experience when your birth plan gets thrown out the window. Read our latest blog for some empathy and validation.

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Birth, Cesarean Birth, Complications, Hospital Birth, Inductions, Labor, Labor Augmentation, Pregnancy, Premature Baby, Pushing, BIrth TraumaHeather Clementslabor, birth, pregnancy, labor prep, birth trauma, labor and delivery, emotional support, induction, cesarean birth
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.

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Birth, Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Complications, Doulas, High RIsk Pregnancy, Hospital Birth, Inductions, Labor, Pregnancy, Prenatal CareHeather Clementslabor, 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.

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Birth, Birthing Partner, Birth Doulas, Cesarean Birth, Breech Birth, Childbirth Education, Comfort Measures, Complications, Epidurals, High RIsk Pregnancy, Hospital Birth, Inductions, Labor, Labor Augmentation, Pregnancy, Postpartum Recovery, Prenatal Care, PushingHeather Clementschildbirth education, comfort measures, labor, labor support, labor and delivery, early labor, pregnancy, stages of labor
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.

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Birth, Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Childbirth Education, Doulas, Epidurals, Food and Drink, Hospital Birth, Inductions, Labor, Labor Augmentation, PregnancyHeather Clementsaugmentation, labor, labor support, labor doula, labor and delivery, pumping, nipple stimulation, positioning, peanut ball, birth ball, birth, hospital birth
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.

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Birth, Birthing Partner, Childbirth Education, Comfort Measures, Epidurals, Hospital Birth, Inductions, Labor, Labor Augmentation, Pregnancy, Prenatal Care, PushingHeather Clementspregnancy, 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.

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Birth, Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Comfort Measures, Childbirth Education, Doulas, Epidurals, Hospital Birth, Inductions, Labor, Pregnancy, PushingHeather Clementslabor, labor support, comfort measures, labor and delivery, early labor, active labor, Pushing, Pushing positions, epidural, epidural birth
Why Am I Shaking?!
Why Am I Shaking?!

Labor can be a wild journey and that includes times when you may shake uncontrollably. Even if you are T-Swift’s biggest fan, you really can’t just shake it off. Take a look at our newest blog to find out common moments when you might shake during labor and a few tips to help.

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Birth, Cesarean Birth, Childbirth Education, Epidurals, Hospital Birth, Labor, PushingHeather Clementslabor, labor and delivery, active labor, transition, epidural, labor support, hormones, deliveryComment
Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Have Two Doulas
Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Have Two Doulas

It takes twooooo baby…it takes twoooo baby…..for me and you…..it takes two….two doulas that is! Doulas of Raleigh always pairs labor clients up with a team of two labor doulas. Read on to find out some of the reason why two doulas is better than one.

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Birth, Birth Doulas, Doulas, Hospital Birth, Inductions, Labor, Pregnancy, Prenatal CareHeather ClementsDoulas, labor, labor doula, labor support, pregnancy, early labor, active labor, hospital birth, epidural birth, unmedicated birth, shared call
What Are My Options for Fetal Monitoring
What Are My Options for Fetal Monitoring

Most care providers will want to keep an eye on your baby while you are in labor. There are several options available for fetal monitoring. Some fetal monitoring needs to be continous and some fetal monitoring can be intermittent. Check out our newest blog post for your potential options.

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Birth, Childbirth Education, High RIsk Pregnancy, Hospital Birth, Inductions, Labor, Labor Augmentation, Pregnancy, PushingHeather Clementspregnancy, labor, labor and delivery, active labor, hospital birth, birth, fetal monitoring
What Happens if I Have Cholestasis?
What Happens if I Have Cholestasis?

June is Cholestasis Awareness Month. Cholestasis, or ICP, is a complication of pregnancy that causes extreme itching on the hands and feet as one of the most common symptoms. While a diagnosis of ICP is serious, may people have positive birth outcomes if it is treated. Take a look at our newest blog to learn more.

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Birth, Hospital Birth, Inductions, Labor, Pregnancy, Prenatal Care, High RIsk Pregnancy, ComplicationsHeather Clementspregnancy, pregnancy complications, cholestasis, ICP, labor, labor and delivery
What Happens if I Go Past My Due Date
What Happens if I Go Past My Due Date

You have anticipated meeting your baby for months and your due date arrives…and your baby has not. Most first time mothers go into labor, on average, around 41 weeks and 3 days. You may be OK with waiting until your baby decides on their birthday. Once you get to the 4o week mark, there may be some additional things you can do. Read our latest blog to find out what to expect.

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Birth, Birth Doulas, Doulas, Hospital Birth, Inductions, Labor, Pregnancy, Prenatal CareHeather Clementslabor, labor support, labor and delivery, labor doula, late term pregnancy, biophysical profile, fetal monitoring, pregnancy, induction
What Happens if I Have Preeclampsia
What Happens if I Have Preeclampsia

May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month. Symptoms include high blood pressure, swelling in the face or limbs, blurred vision, headaches, and sensitivity to light. Call your care provider immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. If you are diagnosed with preeclampsia you may have a different path to birth than you planned. Take a look at what you might expect if you receive this diagnosis.

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Birth, Birth Doulas, Doulas, Hospital Birth, Inductions, Labor, Pregnancy, Premature BabyHeather Clementslabor, labor support, labor and delivery, hospital birth, pregnancy, preeclampsia
Did My Water Break??
Did My Water Break??

You’ve seen the TV and movie scenes where a very pregnant woman has her water break in a spectacular fashion! It looks so obvious! While it does sometimes happen that way, most of the time it is a little more subtle and can be a ittle tricky to identify. Read our newest blog post to find out a few things to try to find out if you really are leaking amniotic fluid.

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Birth, Doulas, Hospital Birth, Labor, PregnancyHeather Clementswater, amniotic fluid, SROM, rupturre of membranes, leaking fluid, discharge, labor, labor and delivery, early labor, active labor, birth, pregnancy
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!)

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Birth, Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Childbirth Education, Comfort Measures, Doulas, Epidurals, Hospital Birth, Labor, PregnancyHeather Clementslabor, labor support, active labor, early labor, comfort measures, movement, pregnancy, labor and delivery, labor doula