Posts tagged labor support
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
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
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 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
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
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.

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Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Comfort Measures, Doulas, Labor, Pregnancy, PushingHeather Clementslabor, labor support, pregnancy, doula, birth partner, birth doula, breathing, guided relaxation, guided breathing, rainbow breathing, box breathing
Positions for Pushing With an Epidural
Positions for Pushing With an Epidural

You may have heard that you are totally numb if you have an epidural. You may have heard that you can only push on your back with an epidural. The good news is that is no longer the case! Most epidural placements now offer good pain control without confining you to being on your back. This means that you are able to push in different positions within your hospital bed. Take a look at some of your options!

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Birth Doulas, Doulas, Epidurals, Inductions, PushingHeather Clementsepidural, labor, labor support, labor doula, Pushing, Pushing positions, hospital birth
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
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.

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Birth Doulas, Birthing Partner, Breastfeeding, Cesarean Birth, Doulas, Formula Feeding, Labor, Inductions, Newborn, PregnancyHeather Clementslabor, labor and delivery, labor doula, labor support, golden hour, hospital birth, skin to skin, bresatfeeding, oxytocin, bonding, attachment, lactation
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
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
Supporting Dads in Labor
Supporting Dads in Labor

Father’s Day is just around the corner so we thought it was a great time to talk about how labor doulas support Dads/birth partners during labor. Doulas are not just for the laboring person! Check out all the ways a labor doula can support the dad-to-be!

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Birth Doulas, Cesarean Birth, Doulas, Labor, Inductions, Pregancy, PushingHeather Clementslabor support, labor and delivery, Doulas, birth partner, pregnancy, emotional support, epidural birth, cesarean birth
Tips for Early Labor
Tips for Early Labor

You just had your first labor contraction….now what?! Don’t immediately head to the hospital, you’ve likely still got several hours at home. And don’t worry if you’ve suddenly forgotten everything you learned in childbirth class and everything you’ve read about labor. We’ve got you covered; take a look at our post for our suggestions for early labor at home.

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Birth Doulas, Childbirth Education, Comfort Measures, Labor, PregnancyHeather Clementsearly labor, comfort measures, labor support, labor, labor and delivery
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
(Don't) Let Her Rip
(Don't) Let Her Rip

Whether this is your 1st baby or your 3rd, it’s normal to be apprehensive about potential tearing during birth. While we don’t have a crystal ball about who will and won’t tear we DO have a few tips to help minimize the chance. Take a look at this post for a few suggestions to help keep your perinuem intact.

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Birth Doulas, Childbirth Education, Comfort Measures, Doulas, Labor, Pregnancy, PushingHeather Clementslabor, labor support, labor and delivery, Pushing, Pushing positions, perineal massage, pregnancy