One of our goals at Carolina Birth and Wellness is to offer complete support every step of the way during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. So when we brought two International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) onto our team and launched our lactation program, we knew we also had to make this support expand to pregnancy.
Virtual Doula Support
And while some clients love to have that face to face support that they receive through our traditional Birth Doula Support, or our Postpartum Doula Support some have more specific needs. Those needs may not require that same physical presence at their birth. Because of that, we are officially launching our Virtual Doula Support.
Group Prenatal Appointments for Birth Doula Clients
Our goal of these prenatal appointments is to supplement the information you are receiving in the your childbirth education classes and private prenatal appointments with your doulas, while also building your community.
Questions To Ask On A Doula Interview
During our years of meeting potential clients, we have been asked some great questions about why we are the ideal birth and postpartum doulas for you in the Triangle area.
Paying for Doula Support
There’s one thing we are a bit biased, doula support is worth the investment. However, that investment can be a bit challenging for our clients.
Common Nipple Issues While Breastfeeding
One of the most common concerns we hear from our breastfeeding clients is about the status of their nipples! From cracked and bloody, to flat and sore, we hear it all. The most important thing to remember: your nipples should not hurt while breastfeeding or pumping!
Common vs. Normal During Pregnancy
So often on Facebook and other social media sites, our birth doulas and postpartum doulas read questions from concerned pregnant folks or new parents asking various questions about if others experienced a similar issue during pregnancy, birth, and/or parenthood. However, we are reframing that question to: Is it common and is it also normal?
Why Even Have A Birth Plan?
Some say that having a birth plan sets up unrealistic ideals for your births. And while if you have rigid expectations, that may be true. However, we feel that writing the birth plan isn’t what is important.
Optimizing Feedings With A Newborn PLUS Printable Feeding Log
When you have a newborn, the consistent worry of making sure your baby is getting enough to eat is completely normal! Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, the key to feeling confident about having a fed baby is optimizing each and every feeding. Below are a few of our favorite tips:
Mantras for Parenthood
We often talk with our birth doula clients about using affirmations and mantras to help with the birth process as they can be extremely helpful to cope. And in the same light, using affirmations as a new parent can be encouraging. Here are a few of our favorites:
Decoding the APGAR Test For Newborn Babies
The test is divided into 5 sections with each section receiving a score of 0 to 2. It is to help determine if the newborn needs immediate medical attention, but not to predict long-term health issues.
Affirmations for Labor and Delivery
A popular way we support our birth clients is through verbal affirmations during labor and delivery.
Tips For Birthing A Posterior Baby
You may have read about or seen in your ultrasound that a baby can be posterior, and that news can sometimes be not exactly what you want to hear. However, our birth doulas are well trained in how to provide physical support prenatally and during birth to help, while also are able to direct you to other resources that may help.
Power of Breath
Sometimes we take breathing for granted, because, well, we normally don’t think about it. However, we are challenging you to really notice your breath.
CBW As A Top Birth Blog
We are so excited to be featured on the Top 30 Birth Blogs from Feedspot.com!
Doula Support During Birth
But what exactly do we do in the birth room while you are laboring and pushing? The short answer is: whatever you need!
Infant Behavioral States
Just like you, infants sometimes are not in the mood for certain activities. While they cannot verbalize that, parents, babysitters, and other guardians begin to notice signs of what the baby is feeling.
First Rule of Parenting: Never Say Never
While you are pregnant, every new parent starts to think about how they will parent, and make a lot of statements about how they will never let their future children do certain things. We are all guilty of it.
What’s Your Goal For Today?
We approach each client at each postpartum doula shift with a clean slate. We do not have any opinions about what should, or what should not be done, by the parent, or what should or should not be expected from the baby. We do, however, always start the shift with the same simple question: What is your goal for today?
Making Returning to Work, Work
Whether you are going back to work at 6 weeks, 6 months, or even a year, there are always some adjustments. Parents that continue to breastfeed while working certainly face a few different obstacles, but we believe if you develop a sustainable plan prior to a big event, you are more likely to succeed.
