Maybe you’ve heard of postpartum doulas? Maybe you’ve even heard how magical they are? But do you know what it looks like to have the support of a postpartum doula with you during the day? Take a look at today’s blog to get a better understanding of how postpartum doulas support new parents during their postpartum recovery.
Read MoreYou’ve read all the books. You’ve taken the class. You’ve watched a ton of YouTube videos and followed all the most relevant Instagram accounts. You should be fully prepared to breast or body feed your brand new baby, right? Well….let’s just say that nothing is guaranteed when it comes to your infant feeding journey. Education and support are definitely great things to invest in. But if we’re being honest, some days are just HARD, even for the most well-educated and well-prepared. So what do you do on those really tough days? Read on to find out.
Read MoreDoulas 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.
Read MoreLabor 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.
Read MoreIf you’re anything like me, when it’s already 100 degrees outside when you wake up, the idea of a big breakfast to start the day just isn’t that appealing. That’s why I’ve been loving this easy green smoothie recipe in the morning. It’s cool and refreshing, creamy, sneaks in a serving of veggies, and has an extra protein punch to keep me full until lunch. If you’re looking for an easy breakfast idea, check this out.
Read MoreWhen you imagine snuggling your sweet, brand new baby, you probably don’t envision a hard, dried, blackish thing stuck right in the middle of their adorable little tummy. Yet, that’s exactly what will be there for the first week or two. Yep, I’m talking about the umbilical cord stump - what’s left attached to your baby’s belly button after the umbilical cord is cut following birth. Read on to learn how to care for the umbilical cord stump.
Read MoreHere you are 7 months pregnant and it is 95 degrees outside with 90% humidity. So super fun that that your body temperature also rises about .2 degrees while you’re pregnant. It’s giving hot girl summer, like, literally. Park yourself in front of the A/C and read our blog to find out some ways to stay cool this summer.
Read MoreIt 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.
Read MoreIt’s here. Summer. The days are longer, everywhere is green, the lightning bugs are out - there’s so much to love about summer in North Carolina. But - and it’s a big one - it is H O T here! When you’ve got little ones at home with you during these long summer months, a visit to the splash pad can be just the thing to beat the heat and add a little excitement to the day. So today on the blog we’re sharing our favorite area splash pads. Check them out!
Read MoreMost 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.
Read MoreFather’s Day 2023 is on Sunday, June 18th. This Ode to Fathers goes out to all the dads, grandpas, uncles, brothers, stepdads, foster dads, and any other human who fills the role of a father. Happy Father’s Day!
Read MoreJune 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.
Read MoreI’m sure you’ve probably imagined feeding your baby their first taste of solid foods. Open wide! Here comes the airplane. Vroom. (Or whatever noises airplanes make these days. I’m not sure.) It’s exciting to think about - imagining those little eyes wide with anticipation, the scrunched up little face as that new taste hits their mouth, those squishy baby cheeks smeared with pureed whatever. It all sounds so adorable. But introducing solids can also come with a host of questions - most importantly, how do I know my baby is ready for solid foods? Today on the blog we’re talking about all the things you should look for before introducing solids to your baby. Take a look.
Read MoreJaundice! What in the world is that? When you imagine meeting your baby and those first few days together as a new family, you probably planned for a lot more snuggles and a lot less of whatever that is. But jaundice can be a common condition for newborns. And even if your baby never develops a serious case of jaundice, your baby’s providers will at least test for it before leaving the hosptial and at your baby’s first peditrician visit, so it’s worth knowing a little more about what to expect. Read on to find out what happens if your baby has jaundice.
Read MoreYou 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.
Read MoreThis Mother’s Day I’m feeling a little reflective. My children are entering the teen years, so gone are the days of homemade cards and handprint art. Being a mom during this stage carries with it a different weight - more sleep for sure, but also more worry. And as I look ahead down the road of motherhood, I can see only twists and turns; never the end. Because for all of my days I will carry this title. Mom. So here is my ode to all you people out there fulfilling this role in another person’s life, no matter what your individual title is.
Read MoreMay 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.
Read MoreDid you know that one of the biggest disruptors to a new parent’s breastfeeding goals is probably something you haven’t even heard of? Yep! It’s called “Perceived Low Milk Supply” and it can derail a breastfeeding relationship just when everything started to go right. But it’s also one of the easiest feeding challenges to overcome with just a little bit of education and support, so that’s what we’re bringing to you on today’s blog.
Read MoreOne thing we’ve discovered over the years of running our agency, Doulas of Raleigh, is that new parents love sleep! It’s why our overnight postpartum doula support is one of our most popular services. And hopefully you’ve heard of overnight doulas. But you may have also heard people talk about hiring night nannies or night nurses to get more sleep. So what’s the difference? Take a look at today’s blog to discover what those differences are - they’re actually quite big!
Read MoreYou’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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