harmonyhealinghub · 11 months ago
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The Unsung Heroes: Postpartum Doulas - Nurturing New Moms and Families
Shaina Tranquilino
December 11, 2023
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Becoming a parent is an incredible journey filled with joy, love, and countless challenges. While the focus often revolves around the miracle of childbirth, we must not overlook the significance of postpartum care for both mothers and their families. In this blog post, we will explore the vital role of postpartum doulas, shedding light on who they are and what their invaluable support entails.
Who are Postpartum Doulas?
Postpartum doulas are trained professionals who provide physical, emotional, and informational assistance to new parents during the delicate post-birth period. They offer compassionate care to nurture not only mothers but also their entire family unit as they navigate through the early weeks or months after childbirth. These skilled individuals are equipped with expertise in breastfeeding support, newborn care education, maternal recovery guidance, and overall postpartum well-being.
The Role of Postpartum Doulas
1. Emotional Support: Postpartum doulas understand that every mother's experience is unique and may be accompanied by feelings of uncertainty, exhaustion, or even overwhelming joy. With empathetic listening skills and non-judgmental attitudes, these doulas create safe spaces where moms can express themselves freely without fear of being judged. Their unwavering emotional support eases anxiety and fosters confidence in parenting abilities.
2. Physical Assistance: The physical demands of caring for a newborn can be daunting for any parent. Postpartum doulas lend a helping hand by assisting with daily household chores such as meal preparation, laundry duties, and light cleaning tasks. By taking on these responsibilities, they alleviate some of the burdensome workload from new moms' shoulders so they can focus on self-care and bonding with their baby.
3. Breastfeeding Support: One significant area where postpartum doulas excel is in providing breastfeeding guidance. They possess extensive knowledge about lactation, positioning techniques, and troubleshooting common nursing challenges. By offering practical advice and reassurance, they empower mothers to establish a successful breastfeeding relationship with their infants.
4. Newborn Care Education: From swaddling techniques to diaper changing tips, postpartum doulas are a treasure trove of newborn care wisdom. They educate parents on the essentials of baby care such as sleep routines, soothing methods, and recognizing signs of infant distress or illness. Armed with this knowledge, new parents gain confidence in meeting their little one's needs effectively.
5. Advocacy and Information Sharing: Postpartum doulas act as bridges between families and the vast network of healthcare professionals and community resources available to them. They help navigate this complex landscape by connecting parents with reliable information related to pediatricians, support groups, mental health services for mothers experiencing postpartum mood disorders, or even local parent-baby activities.
In our society that often focuses solely on the prenatal journey and childbirth experience, we must acknowledge the significance of comprehensive postpartum care. Postpartum doulas play an invaluable role in supporting new moms during this transformative period by providing emotional stability, physical assistance, breastfeeding support, newborn care education, and acting as advocates for their well-being.
As we strive towards nurturing healthier families overall, it is crucial to recognize the incredible dedication of postpartum doulas who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Their unwavering commitment helps new parents transition into parenthood with grace and confidence while fostering a loving environment where both mom and baby can thrive.
With that being said, the journey of welcoming a new life into the world is filled with both joyous anticipation and immense love. However, sadly, not all pregnancies end in the expected celebration. For families who experience the devastating loss of their baby during pregnancy or labour and delivery, navigating through grief can be an overwhelming and isolating experience. In these trying times, postpartum doulas play a crucial role in providing compassionate support and helping bereaved families cope with their grief.
Understanding the Role of Postpartum Doulas: Postpartum doulas are skilled professionals trained to provide emotional, physical, and informational support to families during the postpartum period. Traditionally known for assisting new parents after childbirth, they have now extended their expertise to offer guidance specifically tailored to those experiencing perinatal loss.
Compassionate Emotional Support: Losing a baby is a deeply personal and heart-wrenching experience that often leaves parents feeling isolated and emotionally shattered. Postpartum doulas who specialize in supporting families dealing with perinatal loss understand the unique needs of grieving parents. They possess remarkable empathy and compassion, creating a safe space where families can openly express their emotions without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.
These doulas offer active listening skills, allowing parents to share their stories, memories, hopes, and fears surrounding their lost child. By offering non-judgmental companionship through active mourning rituals such as holding ceremonies or participating in memory-building activities like journaling or creating keepsakes, postpartum doulas help parents process their emotions while honouring their baby's memory.
Physical Care and Recovery Support: In addition to emotional support, postpartum doulas also assist bereaved parents in managing physical aspects related to pregnancy loss. These may include helping mothers recover from labour, providing guidance on self-care practices and nutrition, or assisting with practical tasks such as meal planning, household chores, or arranging for support from family and friends.
Navigating the Complexities of Grief: Grief is a complex journey that affects individuals differently. Postpartum doulas who specialize in perinatal loss possess an understanding of grief's unique dynamics and can help families navigate its complexities. They provide vital resources and information about various grieving processes, counselling services, support groups, and other bereavement resources tailored to the specific needs of each family.
Advocacy and Education: Postpartum doulas also play a crucial role in advocating for bereaved families within healthcare systems. They facilitate communication between parents and medical professionals, ensuring their concerns are understood and addressed sensitively. Additionally, they educate families about their rights, options for memorializing their baby, and assist them in making informed decisions regarding funeral arrangements or obtaining keepsakes like handprints or photographs.
The pain of losing a baby during pregnancy or childbirth is immeasurable, but no parent should have to face this heartbreak alone. During these challenging times, postpartum doulas specializing in perinatal loss offer invaluable support to grieving families by fostering understanding, empathy, and compassion. By acknowledging the significance of their experience, these doulas help parents honour their baby's memory while navigating through grief towards healing and hope.
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queenvlion · 2 years ago
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mynah-bird-death · 2 months ago
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Death and Love
Before I was a death doula I was (and still am) a certified sex and relationship coach. One of the things that I noticed in both trainings was that neither addressed the elephant in the room of physical love in the face of a terminal diagnosis.
My loves, those who are dying are not inherently sexless, and those who love them are not automatically caregivers instead of partners. This is normal and I will fight to climb this hill until someone buries me under it.
There is Nothing to be ashamed or hesitant about with still being attracted to any partners you may have. Nor does a terminal diagnosis mean you automatically need to toss your own desires and sexual needs aside. You're dying, not dead yet. You're allowed to Live.
You, my darling and exhausted partner, are allowed to want to remain your beloved's Partner not their nurse. You are allowed to demand care for your own needs. You are allowed to talk to your dying partner about dates, sex, and intimacy. You are Allowed, nay Encouraged (by me if no one else) to set aside time to be Partners, not dying and caregiver.
It is so so easy to forgo intimacy in the face of death. But, you don't have to my loves. I promise.
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usercelestial · 1 month ago
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even if i don't particularly like one of the past love interests i'm willing to defend her for life because the fandom is always so weird about women. especially taylor. people act like she's evil incarnate and i can't take it seriously.
yeah to be clear you don't have to personally like every single woman that graces your screen, in fact i encourage you to have nuanced opinions on female characters. it's almost worse to me to just reblog a gif set of henren and say awww and then not have any tangible opinion on their storylines. the issue is (1) acting like she's the most evil thing to ever exist and taking everything she does/says in bad faith or (2) not treating her like an independent character and forcing her into a cardboard cutout love interest role when she could be/was more than that, ie abby clark
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mydoulajourneywithgaby · 12 days ago
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Why do I feel called to be a doula?
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There are two reasons why I felt the call to become a doula. One of them is my own desire to one day become a mother. From the desire to prepare my land, my body, my mind and every other layer of my dimensionality as a woman. To prepare myself for this sacred and life changing moment. It came from all the heart that I already feel for the children I want to birth with my partner, from all the life, wisdom and care that I want them to have access to. That I feel called to cultivate in the coming years.
The second reason, which is deeply intertwined with the first one, is that when I receive another woman's reality, universe, situation, condition… It touches me profoundly. It touches me because I know what it feels like to feel unseen, unheard, like you are crazy for having certain kinds of thoughts and feelings. Because I know what it feels like to feel stuck, to feel tense, to feel scared, to feel un-equipped, not ready…
because I remember how I wished to have had someone with the capacity to receive me in my complexity as a human being, as a woman…
At the core of my being,It touches my heart tremendously to engage with women and receive how afraid they are, how alone they feel. Whether they are aware of it or not. It touches me to feel their doubts, fears, sadness, worries… I believe that no woman should carry and birth a child into this world feeling like she is alone and helpless in what is the most pivotal time of her life.
That’s why I feel called to be a doula.
I wish to offer as many women as possible a safe space where she can rest, relax, and exhale. To offer as many women as possible the support, love and care that she needs so that her pregnancy journey is as smooth as possible.
So that she can have a moment to take it all in and simply enjoy it, without so many worries..
I deeply believe that every woman deserves to receive this kind of care... to have another woman next to her accompanying her. To have a strong pillar that believes in her, in this raw power of nature that wants to take over and is slowly guiding her towards the birthing of a new being.
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
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frazzledsoul · 8 months ago
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wishbrightdreams · 2 months ago
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My Re-Introduction 🫶🏻✨
Hi there! Sorry I’ve been MIA this summer, things got busier than expected. With the Fall season upon us, I thought it would be a good idea to reintroduce myself! I got the idea from @ros3babe and this post is inspired by them. I started a new sound therapy online course, and I’m going to start volunteering at a local hospice in October which requires me completing a training course online prior to volunteering. This volunteering work will greatly benefit my education since I want to become an end-of-life doula (which is basically emotional support for the dying and their families), this will help open new doors for my career! I will post about my mental health, my special interests, my daily/weekly life, and life improvement, I would like to post about my spiritual journey as well but that is a personal topic and I’m not sure how people would react to that (it can get pretty weird haha).
✨A Little Bit About Me✨
* My name is Katie, but you guys can call me Shine or Wish 💫
* I’m 31 years old, I will be turning 32 in December! She/her
* I’m starting a new career this year! An end-of-life doula and sound healer. 🥰 I always wanted to be a screenwriter/author but that wasn’t in the cards for me apparently, when you’re called to do something important like this you take the call
* I’m on the neurodivergent spectrum, this is a positive space for neurodivergent people!
* I’m really fascinated by the law of assumption/attraction, practicing it myself
* I love anything that has to do with the mind and consciousness (if I was smarter I would have gone into psychology or something similar)
* Currently improving my life one day at a time, some days are better than others but luckily I have a lot of support in my life
* Really interested in personal development and wellness, but I do tend to struggle with them 😅
* I do not work currently and I’m on government support (living with family), but hopefully that will change soon with my new career taking off
* Loves anything paranormal/supernatural and outer space related
* I love to listen to music, play cozy video games, watch cartoons, read fan-fiction and meditate
* This blog was mainly used for being accountable for my habits, but that got to be too much pressure for me. So now it’s just a safe space where I can write freely about my special interests, and encourage others to keep doing their best
* I’m open to asking questions, I love giving people resources that I find online that could help them. I’m here to help support you as well! Let’s lift each other up to make the world a better place to live. 💖
I’m excited for this new chapter of my life to start! I know this will give me more confidence and self-trust in myself. My world will start opening up for me!
See you next time dreamers! ✨
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"Because Death is as Sacred as Birth" - The Death Midwife
This quote resonated with my soul's love vibration. So often, birth is reversed and celebrated. I believe death should also be honored. Meaning, it is the beginning of new dew drops falling from a lotus flower. And, that death is really:
• Pure love
• Pure forgiveness
• The end of pain
• Reunion with Spirit
• Meeting with Light
And, nothing to be fearful about. Couldn't be happier in end-of-life care
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harmonyhealinghub · 11 months ago
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Birth Doulas: Empowering Support for Expectant Families
Shaina Tranquilino
December 12, 2023
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Bringing a new life into the world is an incredible journey filled with joy, anticipation, and sometimes, uncertainty. During this transformative time, many women seek additional support to ensure a positive birth experience. Enter birth doulas – compassionate professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational assistance before, during, and after childbirth. In this blog post, we will delve into what birth doulas are and explore their invaluable role in empowering expectant mothers.
Understanding Birth Doulas: A birth doula is a trained individual who offers non-medical support to expectant mothers throughout the entire childbirth process. These dedicated individuals are typically experienced in various birthing techniques and possess extensive knowledge of the physiological and emotional aspects of labour and delivery.
Their Role: 1. Emotional Support: Birth doulas provide unwavering emotional support during pregnancy, labour, and postpartum periods. They assist expectant mothers by actively listening to their concerns, fears, hopes, and dreams surrounding childbirth. By offering empathy and reassurance, these caring professionals help alleviate anxieties while fostering confidence.
2. Continuous Physical Comfort: Doulas employ an array of comfort measures to ease discomforts associated with labour pains such as massage techniques, breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, positioning suggestions, and more. Their presence ensures that the mother's physical needs are addressed consistently throughout the birthing process.
3. Advocacy & Communication: One significant aspect of a birth doula's role is to act as an advocate for the mother's preferences and desires when communicating with healthcare providers or medical staff. This may include discussing pain management options or ensuring the mother has access to accurate information about procedures being performed.
4. Informational Support: Birth doulas empower expectant mothers by providing evidence-based information on various aspects of childbirth like different birthing positions or breastfeeding techniques. They ensure that the mother is well-informed, enabling her to make educated decisions regarding her birth plan.
5. Partner Support: Birth doulas also extend their support to partners or other family members involved in the birthing process. By guiding them on how best to assist and comfort the labouring mother, doulas help create a harmonious environment where everyone feels included and informed.
Benefits of Hiring a Birth Doula: The advantages of having a birth doula during childbirth are numerous:
1. Increased Satisfaction: Studies have shown that women who receive continuous support from a birth doula report higher levels of satisfaction with their birthing experience.
2. Reduced Interventions: Research indicates that with the presence of a doula, there is often a decrease in interventions like cesarean sections and epidurals, leading to more positive outcomes for both mother and baby.
3. Emotional Well-being: The emotional support provided by birth doulas significantly reduces stress levels for expectant mothers, promoting overall emotional well-being throughout pregnancy and beyond.
4. Lowered Risk of Postpartum Depression: Women supported by birth doulas tend to have lower rates of postpartum depression due to the consistent guidance and nurturing they receive during the vulnerable post-birth period.
Birth doulas play an essential role in ensuring positive experiences for expectant mothers during childbirth. Their unwavering support, knowledge, and advocacy empower women to navigate this transformative journey confidently. By providing physical comfort, emotional reassurance, informational assistance, and acting as an advocate, these dedicated professionals contribute significantly to creating fulfilling and empowering birthing experiences for all involved.
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bellshazes · 1 year ago
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my favorite person in the entire state of kansas just got a promotion and i am SOOOOOOO happy for her like literally i am over the moon it made a pretty not great day (super sleep deprived) now amazing. i lover her so MUCH she deserves this SO MUCH & she'd been passed over for the job she just interviewed for internally but it sounds like they MADE HER ANOTHER JOB POSITION SO SHE COULD TAKE IT. and i love her. did i mention i love her so much
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viksalos · 1 year ago
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me to my friends: i promise i won’t get drunk and talk about noise music at your wedding
me 3 drinks later: God is in the weird sounds
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mynah-bird-death · 2 months ago
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What the heck is a death doula? And why, for the love of marketing, are you a business page on *Tumblr*?!
Excellent questions love.
A death doula is a non-medical professional providing end of life comfort and support to the dying and their families. I help plan vigils, memorials, set up bucket list plans, and advocate for the dying once they are no longer cognisant enough to do it themselves. I sit by the bedside and hold vigil when someone is in their final moments. I do this for both humans and pets.
As for why Tumblr: yes I know. This is where businesses do Not succeed. This is not the social media site for that. But it fits my blogging and tagging needs and really, it's not like being on here is going to hurt my business any.
So here we are, join me as I ramble about death, dying, and death preparedness.
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morgan-is-here · 2 years ago
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12 years since my Odd-mother died 💜
She was such a kind woman, I wish I could have known her more
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qcsupermom · 2 years ago
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Friday Four: Calling All Black Dads To Be: Here's How You Can Save Mom And Your Newborn's Life!
Dear Daddy To Be: It’s time to declare a public health crisis! I know you’re excited about your baby’s arrival. And you believe all you have to do is hold your birthing mama’s hand, but the hard truth is that it’s gonna require a little more in this day and age. Black Parents are at the most Risk When Giving Birth- I think it’s fair to say. Considering statistics about the dangers that Black…
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unofficialchronicle · 3 months ago
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youtube
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ohello0 · 3 months ago
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Someone on the radio just talked about the growing industry of ppl capitalizing off of our neglectful and collapsing healthcare system and told ppl to “get their hustle up” by starting up a POSTPARTUM DOULA RETREAT BUSINESS???
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