Category Archives: Postpartum Doula

Shout it from the Mountain Tops

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It’s been almost three years. The first year full of fight and fear. The second full of awakening and appreciation. The third giving me the drive to share my story and shout it from the mountain tops. I’ve done a lot of growing in those three years. I finally feel like a woman. Ready to take on the journey of myself and what I’m all about. I’m not sure I would have had that if it wasn’t for my miscarriage and my subsequent fight with postpartum anxiety and depression.

In today’s world, we are supposed to move on. We are supposed to be thankful for the blessings we already have. Of course I am thankful. How could I not be thankful for the amazing little being I get to spend every day with? Thankful for the man that has stuck with me through my struggle and the most difficult time of our marriage. I’m thankful for family, who even though they may not have understood, were there for me. Friends who told me to be pissed, to cry, to be ok with not understanding - and then - to use it.

Use it? Yes, use it. Postpartum depression and anxiety can bring out a side of you that you don’t want to face, a part of you that you never even knew was there. It’s scary and liberating at the same time. It took me a long time to get to this part of healing. To be able to say, “I’m bigger than you!”

I’m bigger than you but I know you are there and I know how to deal with you. Anxiety is a strange thing. Once it’s there, it’s always there, just under the surface. A few years in, I feel its presence and sometimes I welcome it. Because it taught me I’m a fighter. I always knew I was but how does one “really” know until faced with adversity?

I don’t like to boast. I don’t like pity. But you better believe I’m going to use my struggle. Use it to show other women that they are strong. To show families that you can make it through. To know they aren’t alone. That it’s an obstacle and not an ending.

For me, coping with my miscarriage and PPA/PPD has come through sharing my story hoping it may help others or assist in eliminating the stigma that is attached to postpartum conditions. It’s come from throwing my struggle and passion into learning more about maternal mental illnesses and more about how I can help other women through my work as a postpartum doula.

A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to lead a team of Warrior Moms in Louisville, KY during the first Climb Out of the Darkness event benefiting Postpartum Progress, Inc. I’m doing the same here in our new home this year.

If you feel inspired to participate in Climb Out of the Darkness on June 20th, there are two ways to do so:

1. Join our team in Colorado Springs! We’d love to see you there! Bring your families, friends and supporters and join us Warrior Moms in our “symbolic rise out of the darkness of maternal mental illness and into the light of hope and recovery.” Pretty awesome, huh?

2. Donate to the cause if you are not in the area or can’t make it to the event. Any support is appreciated and proceeds benefit Postpartum Progress, Inc.

You can also visit our event page on Facebook for location information and frequent updates on our progress!

This post is intended to raise awareness surrounding postpartum anxiety and depression and to support my team’s efforts for Climb out of the Darkness 2015 which benefits Postpartum Progress, Inc.

Postpartum Progress’ Climb Out of the Darkness™ is the world’s largest event raising awareness of maternal mental illnesses like postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety & OCD, postpartum PTSD, postpartum psychosis, postpartum bipolar disorder, and pregnancy depression and anxiety. Climb Out is held on or near the longest day of the year annually to help shine the most light on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The event features mothers and others across the globe joining together to climb mountains and hike trails to represent their symbolic rise out of the darkness of maternal mental illness and into the light of hope and recovery. Funds raised support the 501c3 organization Postpartum Progress (http://postpartumprogress.org)

The Colorado Mountain Doula Philosophy

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You know what they say about opinions right?

Everyone has one……..

This is a very common question that we get in interviews. Part of that is because for years there have been lists floating around with “Questions to Ask Your Doula”. One of those questions has always been, “What is your birth philosophy.” This questions stems from the early days of birth activism, when being a doula was all about bucking the system and standing up for women.

These things are still important and activism has its place in society. It does NOT have a place in our professional standards.

Back when I was a solo Doula I would get this question in nearly every interview. Answering it always felt like I was backpedaling or trying to go around the question. What I finally came up with was this.

“I don’t have a standard philosophy of birth other than that it’s a normal part of life. Every single client is different. If you want to have a dance party during labor and turn up the music, that’s what we’re going to do. If you want to watch Star Wars during labor and push your baby out during the credits, (true story) go for it! If you want to watch a Christian comedian on TV, arrange a gentle cesarean, pray between every contraction, light candles, burn incense, get an epidural and hold my hand for eight hours while you doze off, keep completely silent, hold your baby only after they’ve been cleaned up, repeat the same mantra over and over and over again while three people massage every inch of your body……THAT’S WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO.”

Our personal opinions on any of your choices during pregnancy, birth or postpartum doesn’t matter. What we did with our first, second, third or sixth child and how our choices changed over time doesn’t matter.

ALL that matters is that a birthing family feels safe with the plans they’ve made and confident in choices they make when plans change.

Did you feel supported? Did you feel confident? Did you feel loved and happy? If things didn’t go the way you planned, did you feel safe to talk about it and ask questions? Were you given the answers to the questions you asked? Did you find your power?

These are the only things that matter. What is YOUR philosophy? What do YOU want your birth to look like? What if your philosophy changes with your second, third or sixth baby? Will you feel supported and loved by your Doula? Will you feel safe and confident?

Your Doulas should only have philosophies about their own births so that they can feel safe, confident, loved and supported. That is the only time their philosophy matters…..when it is theirs.

Colorado Mountain Doulas’ birth and postpartum philosophy is YOUR birth and postpartum philosophy. Be Educated~Be Well~Be Supported.

World Doula Week Blog Hop. #workddoulaweekblogchallenge http://www.notjustnine.com/#!world-doula-week-blog-challenge/c1j71

Getting to Know Colorado Mountain Doulas Agency

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It’s Day two of #worldDoulaweek and today we’d like to take a little time to tell you more about our agency and how it works by answering some frequently asked questions:

When you choose Colorado Mountain Doulas Agency for your Doula services, you can rest assured that we will do our best to find the perfect Doula match for you. A few other things you may like to know about how our agency model works:

  1. What kinds of backgrounds do the Doulas in your agency have?Our Doulas begin this work in a variety of ways.

-Self education
-Training through a certifying agency
-Certification through a certifying agency
-Mentorship under more experienced Doulas
-Any variety of the above

To become a Colorado Mountain Doula, all of our Doulas agree to become ProDoulas. We all take a ProDoula training within the first year of working at the agency. If we stay with the agency for longer than 6 months, certification with ProDoula and adherence to the ProDoula philosophy and standards of professionalism is required. All CMDs are trained with the same professional standards to ensure quality of care for you.

  1. I plan to have an epidural, have specific medical needs or special circumstances with my birth. Are your Doulas equipped to help me?

    Your specific scenario would need to be discussed individually with your Doula Team to ensure the proper care and support for your family. Colorado Mountain Doulas have a wide variety of experience and specialize in several areas including, and not limited to:

-Adoption/Surrogacy
-Breastfeeding After Reduction
-Cesarean (planned and unplanned)
-Home, Hospital, and Birth Center Births
-Induction (planned and unplanned)
-LGBTQUAI* Friendly
-Medicated Birth
-Unmedicated Birth
-PTSD/Trauma
-VBAC

  1. What happens if my Doula isn’t available when I go into labor?

    One of the many advantages to using Colorado Mountain Doulas Agency for your birthing year is that all of our Doulas work in teams of two. Your back up Doula is part of your Doula team. Both Doulas attend your interview, prenatal appointments, and postpartum appointments. Each Doula team has a shared on call phone number which you have access to 24/7. The Doula team works on a rotating on-call shift, so whoever is on call when you go into labor, will be there for you quickly. You never get a stranger attending your birth. Postpartum Doulas also have a backup. You will know your back up ahead of time in case of injury or illness.
  2. Can you give me a list of hospitals and providers that I should stay away from?

Colorado Mountain Doulas are professionals who strive to work with all providers in all birthing locations. We can offer you the resources and questions to ask providers to make informed decisions about the providers and locations you are choosing to make sure they align with your specific needs. One provider or location may be the perfect match for one family, while another chooses a different option.

  1. I’m choosing not to: (vaccinate, breastfeed, have a natural birth, delay cord clamping, etc.) will your agency still work with me?

With CMD you will always get unbiased, nonjudgmental support. We do not have opinions on the decisions our clients make. We offer love and support for every situation and only give advice regarding potentially dangerous situations. All information is based on the most current evidence.

World Doula Week Blog Hop. #workddoulaweekblogchallenge http://www.notjustnine.com/#!world-doula-week-blog-challenge/c1j71

What Is a Doula?

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This question instantly makes me think of a quote I read about a year ago.

“A Doula is like a trail guide, familiar with the path, she keeps you hiking through the hard parts, knowing the view at the end is incredible.” - Courtney Baca, Open Arms Birth.

Preparing for birth can be compared to planning to climb a 14er (a mountain over 14,000 ft). It’s hard work. It takes planning, determination, endurance, and stamina. You wouldn’t just take off on a climb without any preparation.

A Doula can help you with that plan; being your trail guide through every step in the process. According to WikiHow, there are 11 steps to planning to hike a 14er. For this purpose, we’re going to go with 10 steps and compare it to the role of Doula as trail guide for your birth.

  1. (Prepare your route)-Preparation is key in pregnancy and birth. Prior to, or in very early pregnancy, our PEPP Talk Workshop can help you navigate all your options and help you research how to choose your care provider, your place of birth and, just as in labor, decide which medical options are right or wrong for you.
  2. (Notify someone of your trip and estimated date of return)- As part of the PEPP Talk, we go into depth about how to research your care providers, how to choose your place of birth and who else you want on your team. We can guide you to know what to ask of a provider to determine if you will be getting the care you deserve.
  3. (Gather all your supplies) - A Birth Blueprint is an essential tool to have as you prepare for the journey of birth. During your first prenatal with Colorado Mountain Doulas we will help you navigate all of your options and will provide you with any information you request to plan your beautiful birth.
  4. (Give yourself enough time to complete the trip and avoid hazardous weather) - Prenatal visits also include answers to questions about your specific needs and wants during labor.
  5. (Try to keep a steady pace) - Prenatal visits review comfort techniques, labor positions, and movement to keep you and your partner working together throughout the process.
  6. (Stop and rest if needed) - The last trimester of pregnancy comes with its own set of questions. Your Doula can help navigate late pregnancy options and remind you to rest and conserve energy for the next phase.
  7. (Enjoy the view at the top)- As your pregnancy reaches its peak, your Doula will be there with reminders to listen to your body, be a sounding board for you and your partner about what is normal, and to ease your mind as you enjoy this final stage of bonding before your family grows.
  8. (Observe and return before hazardous weather) - The day has arrived! Your Doula will be there every step of the way to help navigate early labor, and put all your preparation to work. We will come to you whenever you ask and help your partner support you at home, hospital, or birth center.
  9. (Keep a steady pace on the decent)- After your baby has arrived your Doula will stay with you to help with immediate postpartum. We help make sure you are comfortable, and that infant feeding has been established.
  10. (Brag to your friends about your success)- Our Doulas come to your home to check on you and answer any questions you have about your birth experience, your newborn, feeding, and managing your growing family. Our Postpartum Doulas can continue to help as needed to ensure your postpartum transition is the best that it can be, with hands on, experienced, support in your home.

You’ve done it! You’ve climbed the mountain and made your way back down! Spread the word far and wide that birth can be an amazing experience and that your Colorado Mountain Doula was your trail guide along the way.

 

World Doula Week Blog Hop. http://www.notjustnine.com/#!world-doula-week-blog-challenge/c1j71