Posts tagged 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
I'm in Labor and I'm Scared
I'm in Labor and I'm Scared

I’ll never forget being in labor and in the car on the way to the hospital. I would have a contractiotn every few minutes and would have to focus all my attention on working through it. Believe it or not, that wasn’t even the hardest part. In between contractions, I had time to think. I started thinking, wow, this baby atually has to come out of me. That’s when the tears started rolling down my face.

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Birth, Labor, PregnancyHeather Clementslabor, birth, labor and delivery, 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
When You Don't Feel the Love
When You Don't Feel the Love

I’ve never shared this with anyone. 

When my midwife placed my baby on my chest after each of my births, I felt….nothing. Well, I definitely felt relief that labor was over.  But that moment of instantly falling head over heels in love with my new baby.. I didn’t have that... What was wrong with me???

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4th Trimester, Birth, Labor, New Parents, Newborn, Parenting, Postpartum Recovery, RelationshipsHeather Clementslabor, birth, postpartum, newborn
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
Supporting Loss
Supporting Loss

October is Pregnancy, Infant, and Child Loss Awareness Month. While no one likes to think about this, we know that 1 in 4 people experience loss during their pregnancy and about 1 in 160 pregnancies end in stillbirth. This means that it is very likely you or someone you know has experienced loss. Read more to find out how you can support others during and after their loss.

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Complications, Infant Loss, PregnancyHeather Clementspregnancy, birth, stillborn, miscarriage, infant death, labor, labor and delivery, supporting loss, emotional support
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
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
Tips for Your Induction
Tips for Your Induction

According to data from a 2018 study, nearly 42% of first time mothers were scheduled for an induction. Sometimes those inductions were medically necessary and sometimes the birthing person chose to schedule an elective induction. You may find yourself discussing and scheduling induction with your care provider for a number of reasons. Regardless of the reason, we have some tips to help your induction be a better experience for you and your partner.

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Inductions, Labor, Labor Augmentation, PregnancyHeather Clementsinduction, early labor, active labor, pregnancy, labor, labor and delivery, labor doula, labor support, birth, birth partner
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!

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Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Doulas, Inductions, Labor, Pregnancy, Prenatal CareHeather Clementslabor, 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.

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Newborn, Relationships, Self-care, Pregnancy, Labor, Doulas, Birthing PartnerHeather Clementspregnancy, 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!

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Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Childbirth Education, Doulas, Labor, PregnancyHeather Clementspregnancy, labor, labor doula, doula, birth, birth partner, birth center, hospital birth
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.

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Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Labor, PregnancyHeather Clementslabor, labor support, labor and delivery, birth, birth partner, birth doula, labor doula
Emotional Support in Pregnancy and Labor
Emotional Support in Pregnancy and Labor

You might think that labor doulas are only there to support you during your labor. You might think labor doulas only support the physical aspects of labor. The good news is the labor doulas are so much more. Take a look at the ways you can get emotional support from labor doulas throughout your pregnancy, labor, and birth.

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Birth Doulas, Cesarean Birth, Doulas, Inductions, Labor, Pregnancy, PushingHeather Clementslabor, birth doula, pregnancy, birth, labor doula, emotional support
What Makes Our Birth Doulas Different - Stellar Birth Support
What Makes Our Birth Doulas Different - Stellar Birth Support

Have you ever wondered what doulas actually DO? More specifically, what labor doulas do? Check out this blog to get a little insight and read about why Doulas of Raleigh Labor Doulas provide the best labor support in the Triangle.

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Birth Doulas, Doulas, Labor, Newborn, Pregancy, Premature BabyHeather Clementslabor, labor support, labor doula, labor and delivery, birth, birth doula, pregnancy, world doula weekComment