Central Carolina Doulas

12/03/2025

This is a step in the right direction to support families 🎉

The BABES Enhancement Act has been signed into law! The new law directs the TSA to adopt enforceable guidance — and conduct audits — for the safe, hygienic handling of breastmilk, formula, and baby food during air travel. This is an important step toward making airports more family-friendly and supporting infant feeding on the go. Read more here: http://bit.ly/3KcAxnj

12/02/2025

Recent published research for neurodivergent breastfeeding mothers seeking a safe ADHD medication option.

✨ New Journal Publication! ✨

Huge news for breastfeeding mothers with ADHD — our study on atomoxetine is published!

Our study shows that only very small amounts of atomoxetine enter breast milk. Most mothers had an RID under 0.2%, and even the highest level found was only 0.65%, suggesting very low risk while breastfeeding.

Because of this new evidence, we are updating atomoxetine’s lactation safety rating from L4 to L2, reflecting a much safer profile than previously thought.

A few reports of infant fussiness have been noted, so monitoring is still important. Any concerns should be reported to systems like FAERS to help strengthen safety data.

This research provides encouraging evidence that atomoxetine may be a safe, viable ADHD treatment for breastfeeding mothers.

https://journals.lww.com/psychopharmacology/fulltext/9900/atomoxetine_as_a_viable_adhd_treatment_in.482.aspx #:~:text=Conclusions:,of%20ADHD%20in%20lactating%20women.

11/27/2025

📢 Big news for Fayetteville birthing community!

Fayetteville's first maternity clinic offering midwife-centered care for families planning to deliver at Cape Fear Valley Health will open on Jan. 12, 2026 on Walter Reed Road.

Midwife-centered care offers a holistic and individualized approach to prenatal care with a focus on shared decision-making, trust, and empowerment. This model of care involves a partnership between the midwife and the pregnant patient, where the patient's needs, values, and beliefs are prioritized, leading to improved health outcomes, higher satisfaction rates, and fewer medical interventions.

This is a big step forward for our community and for families who have historically sought out-of-town options for midwife-centered care. Kudos to Cape Fear Valley Health for recognizing the growing community interest in natural birthing options, respecting patient choice for personalized maternity care, and increasing local access.

Read full article: https://bizfayetteville.com/insights/tasia-mcclain/cape-fear-valley-health-announces-new-midwifery-clinic-to-open-in-january-2026/4953?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Achievers+%26+Accolades

Cape Fear Valley Health

11/19/2025

Thank you to Tammy McNeill (Healthy Start Family Care Coordinator) for coordinating the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders training for Hoke County Health Department. ⁣
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Maternity clinic providers, social workers, and public health educators learned about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), prevalence of FASD in our communities, strategies to help families of children living with a FASD, and how to integrate this information in perinatal and new parent education. ⁣
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If you are interested in bringing a Proof Alliance NC FASD training to your perinatal clinic, medical residency program, university, substance use treatment facility, or as a general education for parents, please contact us today! ⁣
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11/19/2025

Video tour of Womack Army Medical Center Labor & Delivery Unit. Our team support families at Womack and have base access. Contact us today if you are seeking doula support in 2026.

Join us for a tour of Womack Army Medical Center's Labor and Delivery department!

11/19/2025

Upcoming diaper and formula drive on Dec 5th at the Beyond Blue NC Neighborhood Center in Bordeaux Plaza across from Cape Fear Medical Center

11/12/2025

Outbreak investigation of infant botulism tied to ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula results in mass recall.⁣
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All ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula products have now been recalled. This includes all unexpired lots of formula cans and single-serve “anywhere” sticks. ⁣
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FDA is expanding its recommendation to include all ByHeart infant formula products due to the number of ill infants reported to have consumed this product, the identification of additional lot codes, and the identification of new cases of suspected infant botulism. ⁣
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Recommendations for caregivers:⁣
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🚨 Stop using all ByHeart infant formula products immediately.⁣
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🚨 Seek immediate medical attention if your child is exhibiting symptoms of infant botulism. Symptoms can take several weeks to develop following formula ingestion. They include: constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing and respiratory arrest. ⁣
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🚨 If your child consumed ByHeart formula and is not currently showing symptoms, continue monitoring them and seek medical attention if symptoms develop. ⁣
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🚨If you still have the formula at home, mark it as Do Not Use, take a photo of the bottom of the package for lot information, and store for 30 days before disposing. If your child develops symptoms within 30 days of consumption, our state health department may want to collect it for testing. ⁣
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Refer to FDA recall or manufacturer recall notices for further information. Note that although ByHeart infant formula is sold by major retailers, it comprises less than 1% of all infant formula sold in the US and this recall would not trigger formula shortages. ⁣
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11/11/2025

On Veterans Day, we honor the brave men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. We express our deep appreciation for your selfless service and dedication to our country. 🇺🇸

11/10/2025

TRICARE Open Season begins Nov. 10 and ends Dec. 9. If you are expecting to be pregnant in 2026 and want to change your TRICARE plan to align to where you want to deliver then now is the time to make those changes. Any changes you make will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

What does this mean if you are located at Fort Bragg?

➡️ You must be enrolled in TRICARE Prime if you want to receive prenatal care and deliver at Womack Army Medical Center. Note that Womack has first right of refusal and will likely retain you on post for prenatal care if you are on Prime. It is rare for Womack to release you to deliver off post.

➡️ To establish prenatal care and deliver at a birthing hospital of your choice off-post, then you must be enrolled in TRICARE Select.

Now is the time to plan for next year's babies! Our team of doulas all have military access to base and Womack to support our military families. Contact us today if you are interested in our doula support or classes.

11/10/2025

Postpartum Support International has a free online support group for perinatal parents recovering from substance use disorders. See link for more details and to register.

📣 Now available for ALL parents from pregnancy to 3 years postpartum: Substance Use Recovery Support for Parents Group ❤️

Join PSI-trained peer facilitators with lived and/or professional experience for a recovery-focused virtual gathering. This peer support group is for any parent (birthing or non-birthing) from pregnancy to three years postpartum who is engaged in recovery or considering recovery from substance use disorders (SUD). This is a meeting focused on recovery, meaning a goal of abstaining from use, excluding medications taken as prescribed. For people who are considering recovery or have had a slip and have used the day of the meeting, listening and observing is welcome, rather than active participation. No diagnosis is needed to attend.

The perinatal period brings about unique challenges for those trying to maintain sobriety, and this group is a space to share those experiences and receive support whether you’ve been sober for one day or one hundred days. Substance use disorders may include, but are not limited to, alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, and/or ma*****na use disorder.

PSI recognizes SUD as a chronic illness of the brain from which we can recover and lead healthy lives, and we honor that there are multiple, unique pathways to recovery for each individual. We hope to support those on their recovery journey as they also navigate pregnancy and postpartum.

🔗 View the schedule and register for this free online support group: https://loom.ly/Q_492wM

11/06/2025

Anchor Perinatal Wellness offers an intensive outpatient treatment program for perinatal mental health. Please do not hesitate to reach out to them for more information.

We currently have openings in our Perinatal Intensive Program both in-person and virtually.

If you or someone you know is struggling with maternal mental health, please reach out.

is also a great spot for resources.

10/31/2025

Central Carolina Doulas is a member of the Perinatal Quality Collaborative of North Carolina. Please see how the cut in funding affects our state and what you can do to advocate for this critical group.