Elizabeth Holcomb Doula Services of Northeast Alabama

08/05/2020

Just another day of saying Happy World Breastfeeding Week!! ❤

07/30/2020

The theme for World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-August 7) is breastfeeding for a healthier planet! 🌍

I love this!! As someone who believes that worldwide female empowerment in addition to sustainable lifestyle choices, can help our Mother Earth, I’m looking forward to the content that will be shared! Sharing my knowledge and experience in breastfeeding is my FAVORITE part of my job. One reason I offer my lactation support for free!! Most people know how passionate I am about breastfeeding, but those of you who dont know I breastfed all 4 of my children,I breastfed through pregnancy, I breastfed a toddler and baby at the same time and I also have breastfed someone else's baby when they needed a break and the baby only would take the b**b.
If you have any any questions please feel free to message me!!
❤️🌍🤱🏼🤱🏽🤱🏻🤱🏿

07/02/2020

Hey!!
I just wanted to let everybody know I am still currently booked up with births through august!!! 🥰🤰
I still have some spots left for my placenta services & henna belly art!🙌
I will always have 24/7 unlimited free breastfeeding and bereavement support, never be afraid to call,message or text me.🤱.

06/28/2020

Reposted from Earthley

Most women are subject to routine pelvic exams during pregnancy...early, late, and during labor. But did you know these are often NOT necessary?

Early in pregnancy, cervical exams are used to "confirm" pregnancy. A simple, non-invasive urine test can do the same thing.

Late in pregnancy, cervical exams are used to "predict" labor. While a pelvic exam *may* benefit a woman who is pre-term and having signs of impending labor (via the "Bishop score"), there is no benefit to women who are full-term and simply wondering how many more days it will be!

During labor, there is also little benefit. Most providers use cervical exams for their own knowledge, so that they can try to predict when they'll be needed for delivery. It doesn't impact the progress of labor or improve the outcomes for mom or baby.

Pelvic exams can also introduce foreign bacteria and increase the risk of infection to both mother and baby. Some women find the exams extremely uncomfortable mentally and physically, especially if they are performed frequently or by different providers. They also immediately shift the vaginal flora, which can impact the baby's gut development (but no studies have been done to see what the long-term impact might be).

One situation in pregnancy where an exam may be advised is if a woman has had a previous second-trimester loss, or is having symptoms of very pre-term labor. Cervical shortening is highly predictive of early labor, and women can get progesterone supplements to help sustain the pregnancy until they are full-term. However, "repeated" exams do not improve outcomes with pre-term labor. (An ultrasound may also work to detect a shortening cervix.)

If you don't want a pelvic exam, you have the right to say NO (until or unless you change your mind or something goes wrong). You can also learn how to check yourself for dilation during labor, if you want to know. Whether or not you have an exam, baby *will* be born. :)

Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20159393
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5503468/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23857468
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3560273/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20556763
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10076131
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28475099
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21551402
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3647734/

06/10/2020

June 6th is International Homebirth Day!❤💜

06/09/2020

Welcome to Pride Month 2020!

In my business i celebrate love - all love. I recognize that families come in all shapes and sizes, and i support all of them.

My wish for Pride is for you to have a fun, loved-up, generous and safe month. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

06/08/2020