Monthly Archives: May 2015

10 Reasons a Sibling Doula is Worth the Moola

Leave a reply

Trying to figure out what to do with older children can be difficult. There many ways we can help.

1. Your family members want to see the baby born.

Grandparents can feel conflicted, wanting to help you out by watching the grandchildren, but also wanting to be with you during this momentous occasion. A Sibling Doula can make sure the children are taken care of while supportive family is with you during the birth.

2. You want your children with you at your birth.

At home, at a birth center or in a hospital, your sibling doula will be there to help older children feel safe at your side, making sure they are not underfoot of your birth team and facilitating bonding with you and your partner throughout the process.

3. You do NOT want your older children with you at your birth.

Sibling Doulas are often also postpartum doulas and are experts in maintaining all aspects of the home; preparing it and your older children for your arrival. Feel confident knowing they are in loving hands with someone who fully understands the process.

4. You aren’t sure which you’ll want until the time comes.

A Sibling Doula is flexible. If labor begins and you realize your child’s energy is not right for the hospital, needs to take a walk to the park, or build a fort and watch a movie in another room while you labor, we are available to help you and your children navigate any change that becomes necessary.

5. You’re worried your older children may be scared.

Sibling Doulas are often birth doulas; highly experienced and trained in all aspects of labor, birth and family bonding. Having a sibling doula on the team ensures that your children will get the same physical, emotional and educational support you get from your birth doula during the entire process.

6. You’re worried your older children may be bored.

Sibling Doulas are fun! We often have children ourselves and/or backgrounds in nanny/childcare services. We have dozens of ways to keep your child happy while you labor.

7. Your older children have special needs.

Sibling Doulas are professionals. We approach all special circumstances the same way, with research, understanding and nonjudgmental support. Tell us what you need.

8. You have no support system nearby.

Here in Colorado Springs, there is a high likelihood that you are military or have moved recently. If you have not set up your support system yet, we are here to help with trained professionals who understand.

9. What if my family doesn’t make it from out of state?

Having your parents or other family members come in from out of state is a GREAT way to get support, but birth is unpredictable. Guess dates can vary by 5 weeks and most people need to navigate around jobs and other responsibilities.

10. You deserve to have the least stressful birth experience possible.

By hiring a Sibling Doula you have guaranteed support no matter when the big day happens. We go on call for you as soon as your contract is signed and stay on call until the birth of your baby. Your doulas are available to you 24/7. You never have to worry about waking us up at 2AM. That’s our job. It’s what we’re here for.

Jenn Leonard
A passion for helping families to make educated decisions about their families and their birth choices has lead Jenn to become a great source of information for many across the country. She has been educating families on their choices and guiding them to find their own voice in maternity care since 2002.

Jenn is a certified Labor Doula, beginning her studies with CAPPA, taking many additional trainings along the way and is recertifying with ProDoula in 2015. She is also a trained childbirth educator and Postpartum Doula teaching childbirth preparation classes, and also creating her own curriculum for a pre and early pregnancy workshop focused on families who are just beginning to plan for a family, into the 2nd trimester.

Today Jenn is the Co-owner of Colorado Mountain Doulas LLC, providing the community with much needed education, local resources, sibling, postpartum, and labor Doula services.

When she is not guiding families through their birthing year, Jenn is living in Black Forest, CO with her husband and two children on their hobby farm.

http://codoulas.com

10 Reasons to Have a Postpartum Doula on Your Side

Leave a reply

Sometimes, people ask us, “What exactly does a postpartum doula do?” Here are 10 reasons to have a postpartum doula on your side.

1. Asking a postpartum doula is easier than asking family. When you’re paying someone, it’s not hard to ask for your eggs to be cooked just the way you like them. Plus, it’s much easier to ask for what you need from someone you’ve hired instead of family.

2. It’s easier to get some rest with an extra set of hands around. A postpartum doula can take care of baby while you get some much needed rest instead of feeling like you need to entertain or host.

3. Because sometimes it’s nice to hear, “It’s going to be ok.” Having a shoulder to cry on and someone to open up to who has been along this journey with many other parents can make all the difference in the world.

4. Learn hands on how to perfectly swaddle and wear that intimidating carrier. You can safely learn how to wear baby and do other essential newborn things with the comfort of having an expert there while you try it out.

5. You have access to someone who knows when to refer you to a professional provider and can offer you the most up-to-date evidenced based information. Any questions you have that a postpartum doula can’t answer, they will find you an answer or refer you to a professional. That can be a relief in itself.

6. Having a postpartum doula is like having a best friend at your side who knows exactly how to take care of you and your family during those first few weeks at home. Postpartum doulas know just the things you need those first few weeks or even months. They are there for YOU and care about your smooth transition into a family.

7. A postpartum doula can help you transition with a new baby at home, especially when there are siblings around. Sometimes bringing a new baby into the home can be tough on siblings and parents so a postpartum doula can help you navigate the transition with ideas on how you can spend bonding time with all children.

8. A postpartum doula can help you form a postpartum plan. This plan can include such things as coming up with a schedule for visitors that works for you and planning for meals.

9. It’s comforting to have someone there to help with feeding assistance, whether that is breastfeeding or bottle feeding, who knows what they are talking about. A postpartum doula can also refer you to a lactation professional when needed.

10. Because you deserve to get the best start possible.

Jessica
With over 4 years of experience serving families during the most exciting, overwhelming, and rewarding time in their lives, Jessica Strickland is considered an asset and irreplaceable support person for new parents and expanding families.

Jessica, a DONA trained Labor Doula and trained Postpartum Doula with ProDoula, began her journey as a doula and small business owner in 2010 after leaving a career in non-profit marketing. Her passion is in birth work and supporting families through one of the biggest transitions in their lives. Her Doula career began as the mentee of an experienced Labor Doula and since then, Jessica has expanded the services she provides to the community as well as committed herself to furthering her skills to better serve her clients including Rebozo techniques and breastfeeding education.

When she is not pursuing her passion of supporting families, Jessica is living in Colorado Springs, CO with her husband, young daughter and two dogs. She loves to travel with her family and considers herself an amateur photographer and social media enthusiast. She is also a State Co-Coordinator with Postpartum Support International, Inc. Jessica is the owner of The Birth In You Doula Services LLC.

New Baby Must Haves

Leave a reply

You’ve made it through the first few months of exhaustion and excitement and you may or may not know if you’re having a boy or girl. So…what’s next?

Planning for a baby can be overwhelming and daunting — especially when you think of all the gadgets and beautiful things that new parents are expected to have these days.

Let’s cut through the clutter.

Here’s a list of 5 things I’ve learned through my experience as a mom, friend and Postpartum Doula that are MUST HAVES for parents when bringing home a new baby.

1. Sleep - Yep, I’m going there. Whether you’ve read every baby sleep book there is or you haven’t thought about it much yet, you need a game plan in place for when baby comes home. Where baby is going to sleep, how baby is going to feed, who is going to do what and when at all hours of the night, and where those dirty diapers are going to get changed are all questions that are great to have answers to before that first night home. Hire a Postpartum Doula or ask for help for those first few weeks. And, seriously, when that baby sleeps, SLEEP. Which brings us to our next MUST HAVE.

2. Support - Since you are supposed to be resting and tending to your newborn, laundry and dishes will inevitably pile up. You may not care about the mess or it may drive you nuts — either way, having someone around who understands that you’d rather hold your baby while all that stuff magically disappears is priceless. Whether that is a Postpartum Doula or well meaning family members and friends (who can very clearly see the list of “How You Can Help Us After Baby” chores posted on the fridge), this can be a new family’s saving grace. If you aren’t comfortable directly asking for help , check out babyli.st. It’s an online baby registry where you can add things such as Postpartum Doula services or home cooked meals along with your usual baby items from a variety of stores.

3. Sustenance - You are going to be ravenous and cooking a meal may not make it to the top of your list. A great way to make sure you are set up for a few weeks is to ask one of those aforementioned well meaning family members or friends to set up a meal train for you and spread the word. This is also something your doula can help with. Setting up a meal train allows you to have visitors without feeling like you have to entertain. They’ve brought you a meal and know that as soon as you see it, you’re going to want to devour it, so they’ll stay a few minutes and be on their way. Not that you don’t want company, but HELLO, you need sleep. and food. 1 hour ago!

4. Sanity - I said it. New parents need breaks. They need “me” time and that’s hard to get with a newborn by your side. Learning how to weave in those small moments of “you” time with the support of your Postpartum Doula, partner and friends is the ultimate survival skill for a new parent. Whether it’s a walk outside by yourself, chatting with a friend on the phone, catching up on that guilty pleasure tv show you’ve been putting off to take care of your family or organizing that nursery that’s been staring at you for days — it’s important alone time that will help you slowly feel like yourself again.

5. Swagger - As in “Watch me parent the hell out of this.” One of my favorite things about being a Postpartum Doula is seeing this moment.

Let me set the scene…we are out and about on one of the first few outings just parent and baby (with postpartum doula there for emotional support) and they put the baby in the carrier like a pro, grab the groceries quickly, pay for them, get baby back in the car with …wait for it… out waking the baby up! It really does deserve a gold medal. And, yes, it takes practice. Although that parent doesn’t get a gold medal (I may start carrying them along to postpartum jobs…) they gain the confidence to do it over and over again and it carries over into other aspects of being a parent and partner. It’s lovely.

So, as you start planning for the baby you’ll be welcoming in a few short months, think of how life may be a little different after they arrive. Building your support system for after baby is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your growing family. It’s going to be exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time. Planning for those big changes and must haves can be the first step in making life with a new baby a little more enjoyable!

 

Jessica
With over 4 years of experience serving families during the most exciting, overwhelming, and rewarding time in their lives, Jessica Strickland is considered an asset and irreplaceable support person for new parents and expanding families.

Jessica, a DONA trained Labor Doula and trained Postpartum Doula with ProDoula, began her journey as a doula and small business owner in 2010 after leaving a career in non-profit marketing. Her passion is in birth work and supporting families through one of the biggest transitions in their lives. Her Doula career began as the mentee of an experienced Labor Doula and since then, Jessica has expanded the services she provides to the community as well as committed herself to furthering her skills to better serve her clients including Rebozo techniques and breastfeeding education.

When she is not pursuing her passion of supporting families, Jessica is living in Colorado Springs, CO with her husband, young daughter and two dogs. She loves to travel with her family and considers herself an amateur photographer and social media enthusiast. She is also a State Co-Coordinator with Postpartum Support International, Inc. Jessica is the owner of The Birth In You Doula Services LLC.

Things to do when you’re 40 or more weeks pregnant in Colorado Springs

" data-medium-file="http://i2.wp.com/www.coloradomountaindoulas.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Maternity-Shoot-Sarah-Lund-Maternity-32.jpg?fit=300%2C300" data-large-file="http://i2.wp.com/www.coloradomountaindoulas.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Maternity-Shoot-Sarah-Lund-Maternity-32.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024"/>

10 Things to Do When You’re 40 Weeks Pregnant in Colorado Springs

3 Replies

Are you nearing the end of your pregnancy in Colorado Springs? Starting to feel like you’re just done, like you can’t go another day? I’m here to help. The end of pregnancy can be the most difficult time to relax and have fun- but it’s also a great time to enjoy our beautiful city! You might need some ideas for distraction, so I have compiled:

The Top 10 Things To Do in Colorado Springs when you are 40 Weeks Pregnant

1. Go see a movie at Kimball’s Peak Three Theater. This cozy, local movie theater is a wonderful place to hole up with your partner or a friend. Go catch a movie- it will likely be difficult to get out of the house once you are caring for a newborn!

2. Get a pedicure at Daisy Nail Spa. Your feet have put in long hours these past few months, and pregnancy can be hard on your feet. Daisy Nail Spa has a great reputation among the locals in town, with a very clean salon and reputable technicians.

3. Have a picnic lunch at Palmer Park. Bring a blanket and a delicious lunch, then set out to enjoy the gorgeous views in this amazing park. Be sure to take along an hot or cold pack in your picnic basket to keep your foods at an appropriate temperature (food poisoning is never a good idea, especially when pregnant!).

4. Take a walk at Garden of the Gods. This park is a favorite with the tourists! There are dozens of beautiful rock formations to be enjoyed, and paved trails for an invigorating walk, all easily accessible from parking areas. Your walk will help relax your mind and body for labor!

Taking a walk is always fun in Colorado!

5. Go for Josh and John’s ice cream! Josh and John’s ice cream makes their ice cream from scratch right in front of their downtown store- perfect for cooling off on a warm day! Try the oatmeal cookie flavor- I can’t bring myself to order anything else.

6. Be a tourist in Manitou Springs. Go browse the shops for gifts for your family, or try your hand at the historic penny arcade. Whatever you do- be sure to pay your parking meter (don’t ask me how I know)!

7. Have breakfast out at R&R Coffee Cafe in Black Forest. The cozy, relaxed atmosphere is perfect for bringing a good book to read, filling out your baby book, or having a lively conversation with friends.

8. Visit Ivywild School for music and food. There’s lots of music and live events at Ivywild, along with delicious, local food to enjoy! Babies can hear music while in the womb, so think of it as an outing for everyone in your growing family!

9. Take your dog off-leash at the Bear Creek Dog Park. Treat your furry child to an afternoon out at a gorgeous park on the west side. After all, your dog still needs quality time with you!

10. Enjoy a spicy Mexican food lunch at El Taco Rey. Have you heard that spicy food can help start labor? El Taco Rey’s authentic food might do the trick for you! Be aware that the seating fills up quickly during the lunch hour! You may need to take your food to go if they are busy.

Try to balance rest and fun activities while you are waiting for your baby to arrive, and drink plenty of water while you are out exploring. Before you know it, you will be looking for things to do in Colorado Springs with a newborn!

Sarah
Sarah is a birth and postpartum doula who provides services through Colorado Mountain Doulas. She is a La Leche League leader, a volunteer with her local babywearing group, church choir member, and mother to two young children. Sarah enjoys cooking, reading, and music.
http://www.florabirthservices.com

Meet Jen McLellan of Plus Size Birth

2 Replies

 

Hi Jen. Thanks so much for chatting with me about the very important work that you do. This is the last week of #Cesareanawarenessmonth and I wanted to chat with you about the class you have coming up and the myths and realities people of size face during birth.

First, tell me a little about yourself.

I started my blog, Plus Size Mommy Memoirs, 4 years ago. I was a new mom who wanted my fellow plus size mamas to know that we can have healthy pregnancies and positive birth experiences. Most of the information I found online was negative and I set out to change the narrative of plus size pregnancy and birth.

I had no idea that in a very short amount of time I would develop a huge community of women supporting one another before, during, and after pregnancy. Soon it became clear this was far more than a blog!

While I still love blogging weekly, I’m now a certified childbirth educator and public speaker. It has been quite a journey to transform my passion into a business over these past 2 years. The Memoirs community is now over 164,000 strong and the Plus Size Birth website receives over 1,500 hits a day.

How can your business help families during their birthing year?

My work is mainly targeted to plus size women, though I do spend a lot of time talking to people of all sizes about the importance of loving our bodies.

For plus size women, pregnancy comes with some unique challenges from an increase in risks to added emotional obstacles. My work is all about educating women how they can have a healthy pregnancy and empowered birth.

One thing I work really hard on is helping to connect plus size women with size friendly providers. It’s a provider who practices evidence based compassionate care. Women of size face between a 47% - 80% C-section rate depending upon their BMI. Sadly some care providers tell women they need a C-section based only upon their BMI. This is a fear based, not evidence based, recommendation. I’ve seen great improvements when women are connected with providers who support plus size women with dignity.

I also can’t speak highly enough about doulas and have even developed a list of over 350 doulas in 5 countries who support plus size women.

What is your best advice for a person of size to avoid a cesarean birth?

There’s a lot women of all sizes can do to help reduce their odds of having a cesarean birth; like being proactive with their health throughout pregnancy, hiring a doula, and laboring at home for as long as they feel comfortable (if they aren’t having a home birth). Another thing that doesn’t get talked about enough is the importance of doing research when selecting a facility for a hospital birth. Sadly not all medical facilities are created equal and the difference in C-section rates for hospitals located miles apart can be shocking. My best advice for someone who is plus size is to address everything I just mentioned and be sure they are working with a size friendly care provider. I know I keep circling back to that but it’s critically important.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Colorado?

I was born and raised in California but moved to Colorado on my own when I was 19. So while it has taken me over 15 years to get used to snow, I instantly fell in love with how nice people are to one another. Truly! I l take such delight that nearly every place I go people say hi to one another and hold doors open. I realize there’s a lot to really enjoy about life in Colorado, but kind people are my favorite thing!

Where do you like to take your family for fun?

I’m a big fan of play dates at the park! Colorado has so many beautiful parks and we’re really looking forward to taking full advantage of the parks with water features this summer.

Do you have any events, books or other materials you would like to tell us about?

Yes! I’m super excited to be heading to Colorado Springs on May 9th to educate birth professionals on how to support women of size. Click here to register for my class. If you’re unable to attend or aren’t a birth professional, I highly encourage you to sign up for my newsletter because I have lots of exciting classes and speaking engagements coming up.

I also want to share that I’ll be speaking at the Birth Without Fear Denver Meetup on July 25th. I’ll be talking about the importance of being in photos with our kids and capturing motherhood. Warning - bring your tissues!

I’m also currently developing online classes and writing a book to help women get the information they need to have healthy outcomes for themselves and their babies.

What is the primary goal of Plus Size Birth?

I believe all women deserve to be treated with compassion during pregnancy and birth. Sadly it’s not uncommon for plus size women to be mistreated by the healthcare community. Yes, women of size do have increased risks yet that doesn’t automatically mean a woman will have a high risk pregnancy. It’s my main goal to provide women with positive resources on how to have a healthy pregnancy. From connecting women to size friendly care providers to answering their unique questions along their pregnancy journey – I will do all I can to support plus size women during one of the most beautiful and yet vulnerable times of their life.

Thanks for taking the time to chat with me. We’re looking forward to your class next month. We are very excited to learn everything we can about providing the BEST support to all families in all circumstances.

Jenn Leonard
A passion for helping families to make educated decisions about their families and their birth choices has lead Jenn to become a great source of information for many across the country. She has been educating families on their choices and guiding them to find their own voice in maternity care since 2002.

Jenn is a certified Labor Doula, beginning her studies with CAPPA, taking many additional trainings along the way and is recertifying with ProDoula in 2015. She is also a trained childbirth educator and Postpartum Doula teaching childbirth preparation classes, and also creating her own curriculum for a pre and early pregnancy workshop focused on families who are just beginning to plan for a family, into the 2nd trimester.

Today Jenn is the Co-owner of Colorado Mountain Doulas LLC, providing the community with much needed education, local resources, sibling, postpartum, and labor Doula services.

When she is not guiding families through their birthing year, Jenn is living in Black Forest, CO with her husband and two children on their hobby farm.

http://codoulas.com