SideKicks Doula Services

08/03/2020

It’s time to make it official. I’m retiring from my doula business. 😱😭💞💞

2020 has been a year of massive and unexpected changes for all of us. This is my 10th year of being a birth doula. 🥰 I’ve lost count of how many births I’ve attended so far- (in hospitals, homes, hallways 🤣) ... I caught an impatient baby with my bare hands, held countless moms’ and dads’ hands, dried a lot of tears, endured endless 42+ hour work shifts and endless months of being on-call 24/7... I’ve been called into work on Thanksgiving Day and my son’s birthday. I’ve been at two births at two different hospitals with two different mamas on the SAME DAY, watched in stunned wonder and amazement as a mother (holding her newborn daughter) was surprised with the news that an unexpected TWIN was arriving momentarily 😂🥳😱.... I’ve dealt with a lot of vomit 🤮 😲😬 and other unpleasant aspects of childbirth, prayed fervently over moms who were bleeding out, babies who were blue, and other tense and scary moments. I’ve watched new daddies completely lose it in joyful sobs over watching their little ones come into the world. I’ve comforted mamas whose little ones went to heaven before they were born. 💔 I’ve laughed and cried, helped mamas breastfeed, and have had some very strange text conversations. 😂😂🤪
I went from a mom of a 1, 3, and 6 year old, to a mom with kids ages 11, 13, and 16! Went from planning to send my kids to school to homeschooling them for the last 8 years...
It’s funny, cause I feel like anywhere I drive in the Lehigh Valley now, I’m like “oh that’s my client’s house!” 😂
I could probably write a book on all of the adventures this “job” has brought. Except it wasn’t just a “job.” It was a mission- a calling! It was a PASSION of PASSIONS (trust me, nothing else will keep you going after 3 days of no sleep...)
Looking back is unbelievable!

But here’s to looking forward. 2020 came with the roadblock of not being allowed in hospitals with my clients anymore. March brought everything to a screeching halt. Like all of us, I had no choice in the matter. The down time from the endless business of living life on call brought into focus what I feel God is transitioning me to as I embark on this new and exciting season of my life. I’m 40 now! AND, although my passion for birth will never go away, it’s been eclipsed by a greater passion I’ve always had since childhood-

MUSIC 🎶 🎹 !!! 💗🎶🎼🥳💞💞💞💃🏻
Let’s be honest, with teaching private music lessons, the hours are much better than being a doula 🤣🤪🙌
Here’s to new adventures and following passions and God’s leading!
So, if you need private piano, violin, or ukulele lessons for kids OR adults (in person or Online!) I know a great teacher .....
Katrina Beier, Music Teacher
😉🥰
Thanks for the memories, SideKicks Doula Services! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

07/08/2020

What a year 2020 has been so far! Due to COVID restrictions and policies at hospitals, I am continuing to suspend my business. I am not currently signing new clients or contracts. Doulas are still not allowed in local hospitals with their clients, and there’s no word on when that rule will change yet. Thanks for all the love and support! Stay healthy and stay tuned!!

06/01/2020

Just reiterating 💔😰💔 not booking any new clients now/ not signing contracts or taking deposits- Doulas are currently not allowed in L&D In the Lehigh valley due to Covid restrictions ....
💔😰 stay tuned y’all!
Thanks!!

05/29/2020

Congrats to a client and her new Baby girl today! It was a HARD MONTH for you, but you did it! 🥳💗

05/11/2020

05/02/2020

Congrats to my brave client,
who conquered her fears today, despite overwhelming pressure/stress/ and uncertainty!
Welcome new 8lb,1oz baby! Your mama was a rock star! Wish i could’ve been there in person!

04/15/2020

https://www.facebook.com/106439332787488/posts/2743779322386796/?d=n

One month ago, I was 38 weeks pregnant, full of anxiety, anger and fear. Hospital protocols were changing daily. Visitors were banned. Laboring women could only have one person with them. This isn't what I pictured delivering my third baby would look like.

Two weeks later, my husband and I walked into labor and delivery and were handed masks. We were told to wear those any time any one entered our room. The nurses were always masked, as was the doctor. This was my third baby and the whole process was so different than the other two.

During my first two deliveries we had guests in and out while I labored and more guests after delivery. There were no masks. No scary protocols. It was a celebration and everyone was invited.

This time, it was just my husband and I. The room was quiet. No chaos of visitors. The conversations were just him and I. Just the two of us for the first time in six and a half years.

I'm just going to say it: delivering during the pandemic was a blessing in disguise.

We delivered with quiet hallways in a quiet room filled with just the three of us. We welcomed this baby with no expectations of people rushing in during skin-to-skin. We established nursing without having to wear an awkward nursing cover.

It was just us and our little guy. It was perfect.

Twenty-four hours later we returned home. Due to social distancing, there were no visitors and no school. There was no early morning school drop offs or mid-day school pick ups. There was no "panic cleaning" for visitors. There was no schedule and low expectations.

Our girls have been able to bond with their little brother all day, everyday. Having no schedule with a newborn has been dreamy. We are all sleeping, nursing, and bonding with no interruptions. There's no pressure to get out of the house. There's no reason to try to squeeze into pre-pregnancy clothes.

If you are a pregnant momma set to deliver during all the chaos of the world right now, rest easy. Take a deep breath. While this is probably not how you imagined your delivery, find the blessing through this mess.

Enjoy this break from real life, snuggle up with your newborn and enjoy every last minute of the newborn stage. Too soon, that teeny tiny baby won't be teeny tiny anymore.

To read more from Stephanie: https://knoxvillemoms.com/author/slancaster/

03/29/2020