Debbie Dashiell Doula Services

01/09/2025

New Year, New Opportunities!!!

I'm opening my calendar for new birth clients. Check out this amazing opportunity for you to earn some cash while helping me grow my business!

05/11/2024

Back at it, customizing a new client's birth planning resource packet. I love what I do!

09/16/2022

Did you labor on the toilet? Believe it or not, the john is a fabulous and underrated tool during labor. Sitting on the can puts the birthing person in a supported squat position (especially when combined with a stool or squatty potty to elevate the feet - hello, baby!) opening the pelvis by up to 30%. It also encourages the birthing person to relax their pelvic floor, as one naturally does on the latrine, allowing the cervix to thin, soften, and open as needed.

Even better though - sitting on the pot is a great way to actively labor while also resting their body. Sit backwards on the toilet, toss a pillow up on the tank, and the birthing person can rest their head and muscles between contractions. I once helped a client into this position and a few contractions later they were snoring between surges (not typical results, but worth a mention.)

Sitting backwards on the commode also gives support people access to the birthing person's back and hips, inviting massage and counterpressure as an added bonus.

It's safe to say that just about anywhere you choose to give birth will have a toilet, so give this tool a try. If you utilized the throne during your birth, drop a 🚽 or leave your success stories below! 👇

09/16/2022

Lake Country Newborns on the news! Maggie did an awesome job showing the mission behind her business and what we do.
Click the link below to watch!

08/24/2022

They don’t call it “labor” for nothing! Movement in labor is soooo essential to the faster, easier and less painful birth experience you’re looking for! So much so that at The BirthHouse, the LAST place we want to see you is laboring in the bed.

Stand and deliver, y’all. You can do it too! 💪

08/17/2022

07/28/2022

I reached a new milestone as a birth doula: A completed contract for my first long distance client. Some people thought I was nuts to take on a client 150 miles away from me. And while I didn't arrive with loads of time to spare, my client was well-cared for by my backup until I arrived, and I was able to support my client both before and after the birth of her son. Here's some takeaways from my experience:

1. An in depth conversation about realistic expectations for all parties is crucial, including things like travel fees and clear communication. A comprehensive contract will help put everyone on the same page so they can make an informed decision if this is the right fit for them.

2. Having a backup doula you trust who is local to the client is non-negotiable. In fact, a double backup might even be necessary if the primary backup is on call for her own clients.

3. With a long distance client, traffic is a definite wildcard to discuss. For me, it meant a drive around Chicago which could have been a nightmare but was thankfully a breeze at 1:00 in the morning.

4. When labor comes on out of nowhere and things move faster than anyone expected, you trust your gut to make the drive after securing your backup, hoping you'll make it there in time for the birth.

5. Two doulas present at a birth is a beautiful thing. One set of hands for holding, another set for wringing out cool cloths for comfort, and two voices softly speaking comfort and empowerment over the mother...AMAZING

6. Having a place to stay lined up ahead of time to rest after the birth is important. In my case, it looked like crashing for a nap at my best friend's house. She even fed me a late breakfast, pie a la mode for dessert, and sent me home with a snack box. How blessed am I?!

While it's not something I would take on frequently, I would say my overall impression of having a long distance client was very positive. I attribute this to having relaxed clients who trusted my judgment and diligence in insuring their support, an incredible backup, an amazing friend to take care of me afterward, and a supportive family back home.

05/11/2022

This little sweetheart and his awesome parents have been a delight to work with. When "work" doesn't feel like work, that's a very good thing.

05/04/2022

Up early to work on a customized resource packet for my birth client. Over 2 dozen pages of encouragement, education, and research to support her from pregnancy to postpartum. Educating, equipping, and empowering every step of the way.