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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!)

What to Expect When I Arrive at the Hospital

After a few hours of labor it will be time to go to the hospital. Read this blog to find out what to expect once you arrive.

Labor, Pregnancy, Birth, Hospital BirthHeather ClementsFebruary 16, 2023labor, labor support, hospital birth, pregnancy, birth, labor and delivery, active 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

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.

Inductions, Labor, Labor Augmentation, PregnancyHeather ClementsDecember 2, 2022induction, early labor, active labor, pregnancy, labor, labor and delivery, labor doula, labor support, birth, birth partner

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?

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

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

Halloween Costume Ideas

If you are going to be visibly pregnant this year for Halloween, you have the opportunity to incorporate your baby belly into an amazing costume! In fact, your belly can even just BE the costume. Check out some costume ideas in this post.

Fall, Fashion, Holidays, Pregnancy, Recreation and Events, Self-careHeather ClementsOctober 14, 2022halloween, costume, pregnancy

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

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

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

What to Expect During Labor If You Are GBS+

Check out this blog post to see what you can expect during labor if your Group Beta Strep (GBS) screening is positive.

Inductions, Labor, PregnancyHeather ClementsJuly 14, 2022pregnancy, labor, labor and delivery, gbs, Group Beta Strep, GBS+

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.

Birth Doulas, Cesarean Birth, Doulas, Inductions, Labor, Pregnancy, PushingHeather ClementsMay 19, 2022labor, birth doula, pregnancy, birth, labor doula, emotional support

Top 10 Mother's Day Gifts

Are you stumped on what to get someone for Mother’s Day this year? Take a look at our Top 10 gift ideas!

Holidays, Mother's Day, New Parents, Older Kids, Pregnancy, Relationships, Recreation and Events, SleepHeather ClementsMay 6, 2022mother's day gift ideas, Mother's Day, motherhood, pregnancy, birth, postpartum

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.

Birth Doulas, Childbirth Education, Comfort Measures, Labor, PregnancyHeather ClementsApril 29, 2022early labor, comfort measures, labor support, labor, labor and delivery

Natural Cold Remedies For Pregnancy

Having a cold is no fun. Having a cold while you’re pregnant is REALLY no fun. Take a look at this post to find out some natural cold remedies that are safe for pregnancy.

Comfort Measures, Food and Drink, Pregnancy, Self-care, Winter, IllnessHeather ClementsFebruary 3, 2022pregnancy, colds, flu, COVID-19, strep throat

What We're Thankful For

Take a look at what Doulas of Raleigh Co-Owners are thankful for this year!

4th Trimester, Birth Doulas, Doulas, Holidays, New Parents, Pregnancy, Postpartum DoulasHeather ClementsNovember 24, 2021doula, doula team, pregnancy, postpartum support, family, local business, doulas of raleigh, Thankgiving

(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.

Birth Doulas, Childbirth Education, Comfort Measures, Doulas, Labor, Pregnancy, PushingHeather ClementsMay 21, 2021labor, labor support, labor and delivery, Pushing, Pushing positions, perineal massage, pregnancy

Planning Your Virtual Baby Shower

Virtual baby showers are en vogue right now. Take a look at this blog for ideas on how to plan a virtual baby shower.

New Parents, Newborn, Pregnancy, Recreation and EventsHeather ClementsApril 11, 2021pregnancy, baby registry, baby shower, virtual, virtual baby shower, new parent, Gift ideas

Doulas and Epidurals Can Be BFFs

Peanut butter and jelly…milk and cookies….chips and salsa….doulas and epidurals…all these things just go together! Hold up, you say, what do you mean doulas and epidurals go together?! Yep, it’s true. Check out this newest blog post to see how having both a doula and an epidural at your birth just might be a perfect pairing for you!

Birth Doulas, Comfort Measures, Doulas, Pregnancy, Labor, InductionsHeather ClementsMarch 18, 2021pregnancy, labor and delivery, labor support, birth doula, birth, epidural

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!

Embrace your Journey with the Compassionate Support of Doulas of Raleigh!