The Good Life Doula

04/20/2020

04/01/2020

For anyone giving birth soon, I'm sure there is a lot of uncertainty and nervousness surrounding your birth. I'm keeping all birth workers and families in my prayers. Here are some evidence-based free online birth classes that might be helpful to those giving birth in the upcoming weeks.

Birthing in the Time of COVID-19:A Free Birth Class on YouTube Watch the Series on our YouTube Playlist Get Your Worksheets + Guided Relaxation mp3 Success! Email Send Me The Resources!

02/12/2020

Getting to be apart of this birth and finally meet sweet Melah Mae was such a special moment💛

Hello sweet Melah Mae! You were super cozy in your moms tummy, and in no hurry to have a birthday. But, what a precious gift you were when you finally arrived! Your mom worked so hard during labor with amazing perseverance. She had your dad, grandma, and her doula all supporting her. It was such an honor to be able to support your mom and dad during pregnancy, labor/birth, and postpartum. Come see us soon so we can snuggle you!
❤️- Your Addice Family..SATS...
Born at 12:47am, weighing 7pounds, 6ounces.

12/04/2019

Welcome to the world baby Kendyn🌼

A huge welcome to sweet baby Kendyn! Kendyn, your mom worked so very hard throughout a long labor, and continued to work hard during her pushing stage. We were all so proud of her strength and perseverance. She had your daddy, aunts, friends, doula, and grandma there supporting her and cheering her on! What a community birth it was, and every person present played an important role. It has been such a joy to care for your mom throughout her pregnancy, and now it’s a huge treat each time we see your sweet face.

❤️-Your Addice Family

11/21/2019

Happy to say I finally got around to making some business cards! I’ve been blessed to be apart of two incredible births this month and with each one my amazement for what the female body can do overwhelms me. After each birth I try to remind my moms that If they can bring another human into this world, they can do absolutely anything in life!

11/14/2019

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

11/05/2019

Compared to women who give birth in a birth centre, those who give birth in hospitals are much more likely to have interventions – from epidurals, to labour augmentation and caesarean deliveries.

10/19/2019

Great info on the “golden hour” after birth!

Sanfordhealth.org says:

The first few minutes after a baby’s birth are a magical time.

After nine months of waiting, a new mother gets her first chance to hold her baby in her arms, to count the tiny fingers and toes and gaze into the eyes of her newborn.

While everyone knows infants need bonding with their mothers early on, research has shown that what happens during the first 60 minutes of a baby’s life can maximize that bonding experience between mother and child. That uninterrupted contact between mother and baby during the “golden hour” after birth is critical to the child’s growth and development.

In the past, mother-child bonding often took a back seat to medical procedures immediately following a baby’s birth. A new mom would watch her baby be handed to a nurse who would examine and weigh the child, clean him up, give him his Vitamin K shot, put on a diaper and swaddle him in a blanket. After all the waiting, the new parents would finally get to hold their new baby.

Health care providers now know that immediate skin-to-skin contact is the best way for a newborn and mother to bond. The sooner after birth this can happen, the better experience the family will have.

In fact, the American Association of Pediatricians now recommends the following guidelines:

-Healthy newborns should be placed in “skin-to-skin” contact with the mother until the first round of breastfeeding is established.

-The medical caregiver and the nurses can conduct the first physical assessment of the baby while it is on the mother’s chest.

-Conventional procedures such as weighing, measuring, bathing, injections or blood test should wait until after the first feeding.

-Baby and mother should remain together throughout the recovery period.

Many hospitals and birthing centers now encourage families to wait at least an hour before introducing their new baby to family and friends. Instead, they encourage mother and baby to stay together and if desired, focus on giving the newborn a chance to breastfeed.

At The Addice, for all of the reasons this article states and more, skin to skin with mom for at least the first hour is always encouraged!

Photo thanks to: Stephanie Shirley Photography

10/18/2019

I love getting to know my clients throughout their pregnancy & joining them at their prenatal appointments. Birth work is the best work 💛

10/18/2019

Let me tell you, birth is absolutely incredible! This Mamma worked for hours on end letting her body so its things until it was time to bring her baby girl into the world. She accomplished an unmedicated birth, somethings she really desired to do. Being a birth doula is more than I ever imagined it to be. I’m honored to be invited to such an intimate space where families are made.

All photos shared with permission.