Tag: doula support
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Kinlea’s Birth Story and A Doula for Young Moms in Birmingham, AL
Client Birth Story A young mom feared she wouldn’t be heard by her care team. Meet Rachel, a doula for young moms in Birmingham who helped Kinlea feel respected, supported, and strong through preterm labor and a hard postpartum season. Trusting Her Body, Respecting Her Voice at 20 When Kinlea first called me, she was…
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Avoiding an Episiotomy During Her VBAC: Alondrea’s Birth Story
*Client stories* Alondrea called me late in her pregnancy with one big goal: she wanted a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), and she wasn’t sure her provider was going to be the ally she needed to get there. He’d told her she “could try.” Not exactly a resounding yes. That one phrase set the tone…
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Birth Doula Support for Partners: You Matter Too
It’s Not Just About Mom: What Birth Doula Support for Partners Really Looks Like When people picture birth doula support, they usually picture me next to the mom. And I am. But my role is just as much in providing birth doula support for partners. Fear of giving birth doesn’t only belong to the person…
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Nicole’s Birth Story: Birth Doula Support Through a Long Labor and Gestational Diabetes in Birmingham, Alabama
*Client stories* Rachel here: Nicole wrote this birth story herself, in her own words. She generously agreed to let me share her Birmingham, Alabama gestational diabetes birth story here on the blog. I love handing the mic over to my clients, because nobody tells it quite like the mama who lived it. Below, you’ll find…
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Postpartum Rage and Anger During Pregnancy: Why It Happens and What Can Help
When Pregnancy and Postpartum Rage and Anger Catch You by Surprise Most people expect new motherhood to be tender and joyful. Yet many women quietly find themselves face-to-face with postpartum rage, an intensity of anger that feels sudden, confusing, or even frightening. You might snap over something small and feel a wave of guilt afterward.You…
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Is a Doula Worth the Money? What You Actually Get When You Hire One
It’s a question that comes up all the time in pregnancy forums, Facebook groups, and late-night conversations between expectant parents: Is a doula worth the money? When you’re preparing for birth, the costs can add up quickly. When you’re covering medical expenses, baby gear, and unpaid maternity leave, it’s natural to wonder whether doula support…
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Do Doulas Take Insurance? Here’s What You Need to Know
A Common Question: Do Doulas Take Insurance? One of the most common questions I get is: “Do doulas take insurance?” It’s a great question. Some insurance companies and state agencies are beginning to recognize value of doula care (yay for progress!). So I’ve been digging into this issue more deeply. I recently completed a continuing…
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How to Stay Grounded When the Path Disappears
Earlier this month, Nicholas and I went hiking in the Brecon Beacons in Wales. Years ago, I lived near there, and those wild hills and sweeping ridge lines were one of my favorite places to walk and reflect. So naturally it meant a lot to share that part of my life with him. What I…
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What to Expect from Me as an Orthodox Christian and Inclusive Birth Doula
Every family deserves a doula who recognizes that each pregnancy is unique and every birthing family deserves to be seen, heard, and supported with presence, compassion, and care. Indeed, as an inclusive birth doula, I meet you where you are. I recognize the importance of honoring each pregnancy as a deeply personal journey and each…
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When Baby and Elder Care Collide:
Doula Support for the Unsung Baby and Elder Caregiver “My mom needs me. My baby needs me. I don’t know who I am right now—except tired.” Caring for a newborn while also supporting an aging parent or family member. The reality of managing baby and elder care simultaneously is becoming increasingly common. What’s more, it…