Birthing Mindfully Living Mindfully

01/22/2026

A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
In 13 years as a doula, I’ve never arrived too late whereby I missed the birth. Not so today .

The induction began at around 11 pm. Couple and I kept in touch closely. They mentioned that they felt very prepared to manage labor from our birth education sessions.

Husband called me at 4am. when the first cervical check minutes before, revealed 7cm and 0 station. I was out the door at 4:25. Arrived at the parking garage at 5:05. Arrived in the room at 5:15, and baby was wrapped up on Moms chest. My heart sunk and I was also filled with joy.

They were very happy to see me and very understanding saying “ you were the reason we were able to manage the way we did. Nothing to worry about “ They meant it.

Well, then Mom hemorrhaged. The placenta came out in several pieces and the modeife attempted to retrieve what remained . Then the attending OB had to check to see if all the pieces were out. The process is Not pleasant to ssy the least and this mom powered through with deep bresths, an incredibly supportive husband and her own brand of amazing strength.

Following this, Mom was violently sick and then utterly exhausted. It took several hours before she could comfortably sit up, let alone get up. Because of the circumstances, going to Postpartum was delayed several hours and very close monitoring ensued

I missed the actual birth but my support was actually needed much more in the hours following the birth

GRATEFUL THEYRE ALL DOING WELL
💜

01/21/2026

DID YOU KNOW ?

Know the questions you need to ask if your provider tells you you need to do something and you’re just not sure what to do

Birth Education Classes
Tailored to you & your partner
February March & April
Birthing Mindfully Living Mindfully
www.seenaelbaumbmlm.com

01/14/2026

The idea thst growth happens in the darkness is beautiful and quite powerful

Seeds need dark soil to germinate; caterpillars need the dark cocoon for metamorphosis; dark nights produce brightest stars – these illustrate that growth happens through difficult circumstances and conditions

Finding strength, courage, belief and trust that transformation can happen in difficult times, and using adversity as a catalyst for personal growth & development isn’t an easy task. It is though, a very possible one, edpecially with good supports.

This plant that loves warm weather, and it lives in a pot, close to a big sliding door all throughout winter. It is nature’s illustration of growth happening in less than ideal conditions. It’s slow and it happens

It can for you too

DROP BY
www.seenaelbaumbmlm.com
ACCEPTING NEW THERAPY CLIENTS FOR FEBRUARY- Individuals & Couples

01/13/2026

I arrived to a postpartum follow up visit and was so happy to be there.

The home was neat, calm and felt peaceful. We were happy to be together agan.

Right away, I was given a gift - these beautiful flowers. I was wowed. And so grateful

We sat and talked about a wide variety of things related to the labor experience - how empowered she felt, how supported she felt, how she couldn’t believe she really fell asleep between contraction intervals, and how she really liked her experience .

We explore aspects of breast feeding and sleeping l, nothnof which are going great and I shared some insights about what they might expect in the next few weeks

This couple is so grounded and present, and it was a huge privilege to be at their side through their hospital birth experience
Insee them a true role models & i told them
So!

Because she was unmedicated and completely untethered to wires and tubes, she could move around, and yes did we move!!

14 hrs of active labor and a little while longer birthing, during which time she liked being in the semi reclined position. She was open to exploring several other positions and chose to return to semi reclined. NO TEARS AND A BEAUTIFUL VERY ORGANIC BIRTH

01/13/2026

I enjoy a good strong herbal tea most mornings
The brand I prefer is STASH
The brand I LOVE is SEENA’s blend

In that cup was lemon, fresh turmeric, clove and honey
Nothing short of divine and delicious
Perhaps healing as well

Flu shot sucks but I did it
Anti viral meds are hard in the body but sometimes ya need them



DROP BY FOR A VISIT
www.seenaelbaumbmlm.com
I DO A LOT MORE THAN MAKE DELICIOUS TEA 😉

01/11/2026

HUMBLED & HAPPY ...... from a client turned friend. Like she says, we'll be in each other's lives always.

Seena is sunshine personified. She is innately warm, compassionate, and made me feel understood and cared for. I believe all of the education she gave my husband and I is the reason I felt so safe and supported during my birth and was able to birth without an epidural. We both knew about the various labor stages and all the intricacies, and knew my birth would unfold in its own unique way. Knowing this, as each “checkpoint” came (water broke, transition was accompanied by vomiting, pushing, crowning), I was able to name what was happening and knew it was normal. That understanding of my body and the empowerment that went with along with it meant the world. Seena also coached me leading up to and past my due date on how to let go of expectations, embrace a potential medically needed induction, and generally reframe my story as just that - MY STORY. “This is where I am right now. What is the next thing I could do right now?” is the type of mindfulness wisdom that Seena bestows on her clients when they need it most. I can not recommend her enough and know we’ll be connected for life.

TAKING NEW BIRTH EDUCATION & DOULA CLIENTS FOR 2026
March onwards
ACCEPTING NEW THERAPY CLIENTS FOR February onwards
www.seenaelbaumbmlm.com
DROP BY SOON

BIRTHING MINDFULLY LIVING MINDFULLY |Licensed Social Work Therapist | Birth Doula/Educator |Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs

01/07/2026

🔗 in my bio for more!

WHEN DID YOU LAST USE A BOUNDARY SUCCESSFULLY? SHARE YOUR WIN!

01/06/2026

SOME VALUABLE DETAILS IF YOU'RE APPROACHING LABOR
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01/03/2026

JUST THE OTHER DAY, I shared a story about a beautiful healthy labor & birth, and a precious healthy baby girl. Everything about the experience felt so good. It left mom, envigorated and exhausted, the Dad was thrilled and quiet, and it left me very tired, and with a full grateful tank.
TODAY, I share a story about a beautiful healthy labor, a strong, positive, empowered birth, and a precious baby who needs the NICU, and has some very serious concerns.
The emotional calm, the strength, the laughter, the empowered, positive space was full of confidence and trust. That bubble was burst so quickly when we learned that baby was unable to breathe on its own. The emotional devastation, the fear factor, the confusion.....were so large that it was almost paralyzing for the parents.
The care from each & every provider in the room was exceptional.
SOMETIMES, we dont know what happens or why. And that is just so darn hard to believe, to move through, to find a way to sit with it, without fear and a shattered heart. FInding one's hope, one's faith can be so tricky and trying.
I cant help but think about some of my therapy clients who think their lives are so horrible, and they dont have the pieces in place exactly the way they would like, and they're filled with bouts of resentment, jealousy and WHY ME?
I WOULD NEVER MINIMIZE A PERSON'S SADNESS OR FRUSTRATIONS; that said, to spend 9 months nurturing and nourishing your flesh and blood, and to radiate amazing strength to bring that life earthside, and then to watch that precious new life get carted off to the NICU.........devastation is the word that fits.
The prognosis is unknown, the care is outstanding and I remain hoepful that the outcome will be full of only blessings
I'm Seena Elbaum, founder of Birthing Mindfully Living Mindfully
I LOVE to paint pictures with words.
YOU can visit me here to learn more about what I do
www.seenaelbaumbmlm.com

01/01/2026

AN UNMEDICATED LABOR & BIRTH is not for everyone. FOR SOME it works great, and others, it has no appeal. EVERY PERSON has their own flavor. EVER LABOR has its own flavor. And the MIND in LABOR has so much power to offer.

After supporting the couple remotely for 12 hours of early labor, they decided to head to the hospital. They were confident and aware about how to manage early labor after three birth education sessions with me, and they used what they learned!!

They asked me to join them and I was ready. Honestly, it’s always a little hard to rise in the early morning hours while it’s still dark, but my adrenaline and a green tea get me going..

For 10 hours of active labor and 5 of birthing, WE DID IT ALL!!! I was mama’s pain medication. Comfort and coping from A to Z…… forward leaning poses, side lying positions, hands and knees on the bed, backwards on the toilet seat, standing and squatting, hands & knees on 2 folded blankets on the floor, counterpressure, rebozo on the hips…… we left no stone unturned.

That baby girl took her sweet time and once the midwife could feel baby’s position, she shared that she felt a funky positioning. This mama was one heck of a warrior and champion. And Dad’s support was quiet, attentive, gentle and so present. Doulas energy was steady, encouraging and right at mama’s side!

I’ve worked several times with the nurses and the midwife, and the energy in the room reflected TEAM, cooperation, kindness, respect and we’re here for you!

Only a few times did baby’s heart rate dip and fortunately, change of position and “let’s do this” spirit” remedied that. It’s always so striking to see the birthing person look as if she can barely keep her eyes open, can barely speak, needs so much support to move, and yet, seems to have unlimited power.

When babe finally emerged earthside, she came in a pool of mercomium. All the fluids were mercomium stained throughout most of active labor. Baby’s hands and arms qu**ky unwrapped from cradling her head, and the relief and joy filled the room and our hearts. She required lots of suctioning, but quickly turned pink with good cries

“success isn't the absence of struggle but overcoming it”

HI!! I’m Seena Elbaum, founder
Birthing Mindfully Living Mindfully
Perinatal, individual and couples therapist
Birth educator, birth doula

ACCEPTING NEW clients for 2026
www.seenaelbaumBMLM.com

12/31/2025

DID YOU KNOW…..

Strength training’s most-recognized benefit is that it builds muscle. But that’s far from all you get out of a weightlifting habit. Building strength, particularly in the legs, is linked to markedly improved brain function and protection against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s

Building power at the base of your body can spark benefits higher up.

12/28/2025

GRATEFUL IN IMMEASURABLE WAYS!!
Seena was such a calm and helpful presence during and before my birth. Having someone with extensive experience to bounce ideas off, to share my thoughts, questions and concerns with, and receive sensible perspective throughout the whole process, was increibly helpful. I was amazed how much I learned during the birth education that I was able to apply during labor & birthing. Having a doula who knew how to be an encouraging and objective advocate was really great! The shakes post birth were very very intense. Seena was so amazing at keeping me as calm and distracted as she could. I would’ve had a much harder time without her there cooling me down. I am so incredibly grateful that Seena made herself available when I needed the support, and she was so eager to share her extensive knowledge; I felt so much more confident. It’s a nerve wracking experience as a first timer and having her support was so helpful; especially without family living close by. Thank you! Thank you!





Birthing Mindfully Living Mindfully
Seena Elbaum, Founder
www.seenaelbaumbmlm.com
ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS FOR FEBRUARY 2026

BIRTHING MINDFULLY LIVING MINDFULLY |Licensed Social Work Therapist | Birth Doula/Educator |Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs