Wonderfully Made Doula and Lactation Support

04/06/2026

Raw capsules.

Some of my sweet clients have request the raw method to process their capsules, meaning, we skip the steaming step and going straight into dehydrating after rinsing.
I do a quick disclosure and screening about the benefits and risks and make sure they are the right candidate for this method.
Raw capsules can have a more concentrated amount of hormones and other components that can benefit some mothers but can cause secondary effects on others. Without the steaming, we are able to preserve more nutrients but also some bacteria can survive and that’s why this is not the method for everybody, like GBS positive.

Reach out if you have any questions about this method💕

04/01/2026

Breastfed babies be using you like a cigarette break.

03/29/2026

Have you ever read about the benefits of skin-to-skin contact with your baby following birth?

An updated Cochran review from October 2025 states that "withholding skin-to-skin contact (when conducting research) would now be considered unethical, as there is enough evidence to show that the practice improves newborn health and survival."

- Mothers who have skin-to-skin contact with their babies in the first hour after birth are more likely to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of the baby’s life.

- The mother's skin acts as a thermal regulator and is more effective than the incubator or warmer.

- Improved glucose levels and cardiorespiratory stabilization

- Skin-to-skin increases oxytocin which supports bonding & helps the placenta separate

The emotional regulation that skin-to-skin brings is a beautiful tool that can be used long after birth.

Most infant assessments can take place while baby is snuggling you, so don't be afraid to fight for this valuable time with your new little one.

03/28/2026

(A common but not a real client):

I see a newborn, struggling to latch, to stay awake at the breast, prefers the bottle, lost over 10% of weight in the first 5 days. Milk supply is low, formula is being used to supplement. Mom is worried.

When I see the baby latch, there’s pain, baby is fussy at the breast, latching and unlatching. Not a suck-swallow pattern, uncomfortable and unsettle baby and prefers the bottle.

During the oral assessment I notice a weak sucking reflex, frenulums look normal but tongue lacks mobility, lip frenulum is normal in appearance but lip doesn’t move and blanches when stretch. Even though I am not the person to diagnose oral restrictions, I am trained to look for all the possible issues that are preventing the baby from breastfeeding. And I don’t do this lightly.

When parents go to the pediatrician the next days, is almost always that I hear back that the pediatrician said “no tongue ties” and just to keep supplementing.

The frustration is REAL, because I know that the mom’s breastfeeding goals are not being prioritized. Pediatricians do NOT have training in lactation or TOT’s. Unless they are IBCLC’s or have one in office. Or maybe they can mention to you what kind of training they have. But if the pediatrician says NO TIES….. is like a punch in the gut to the lactation person who actually saw your baby feed at the breast, who performed a weighted feed, who asked for a detailed record of feedings.. and who kept 24/7 lactation support via text.

I get it, we as parents don’t want to hear that there’s something wrong with our babies, but oral restrictions are not only an obstacle for breastfeeding, they become an issue for feeding solids, for speech, even to breath properly.. teeth, airways, ear tubes, tension.. the list goes on and on. Breastfeeding is just the first warning. And doctors are missing it.

03/27/2026

Odessa Birth & Wellness is at OC health fair!
Go see Misty not only for pregnancy related things but in general for women’s health! Midwives provide a lot of services. Ask her about birth control, Pap smears, iron infusions and more!

03/26/2026

Loss is not an easy path to walk by yourself. It makes me happy that big organizations take the time to organize this groups.

Medical Center Hospital is launching a free grief support group for families who have lost a child during pregnancy or infancy.

03/25/2026

An unexpected call to support a mama in labor allowed me to celebrate doula week doing what I love.

After 4 years of being a doula, some things have changed in the way I think about labor and birth and supporting a mom.

My birth philosophy hasn’t changed, I still believe birth is not a medical emergency. What has changed is the respect (not fear) that these 4 years have formed in me around birth.
I’ve supported homebirths, birth center and hospital births, and the one thing I can certainly tell you is that all of them have risks, not a single setting will spare you from risks.
Pregnancy, labor, birth and parenting are full of risks. The question is: What risks are you comfortable taking and which ones are you not?

I used to tip toe around the risk talk because the line between risks and fear monger is very thin.. but as a doula, is part of my duty to tell you the truth, specially as somebody who has seen it closely. I do have to admit that some people don’t like to hear it and I get ghosted when I talk with the truth.

Somebody asked me if I would teach and perform “Natural Pain management techniques” during her labor. I said I couldn’t do that because there’s no such thing as natural pain management. Labor hurts, labor is going to push your limits, physically and mentally. I can help you prepare for the pain, I can show you tools to train your mind, fill your toolbox to help you conquer the pain.. but I can’t take the pain away..only fentanyl can do that.

And I’m sorry if anybody has made you think labor can be painless, or a hip squeeze will fix it. It won’t. An epidural can make labor and birth painless, but would it make it better? Only for some.

My point is: you can only make the right decisions when you have all the information. Educate, learn, research until you are 100% sure about your provider, your place of birth, your decisions about baby, your personal health risks, pain management, induction etc.

Hire the doula, one that can tell you the truth. Birth is not all rainbows and unicorns, it is pretty amazing though. Actually, most amazing thing in the world. 10/10⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

03/24/2026

Another midwife in town! Yay!!!

Midland Women’s Clinic is thrilled to welcome Nicole Koppi, a certified nurse-midwife, to our team! Nicole is dedicated to empowering women throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with nearly a decade of experience in obstetrics. As a former high-risk labor and delivery nurse, she brings expertise and kindness to our clinic. Nicole loves supporting families in achieving their goals for a healthy birth. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, and cooking with her husband.

03/23/2026

Day 2

A doula doesn’t replace the partner’s role during birth.
There’s a misconception that doulas will replace the duty of the other parent during birth… that is not and shouldn’t be the case. Doulas fill the gaps, protect the space, support when needed, step back when necessary.

Doulas don’t replace nothing and nobody. They add support to the birth. Also nurses and midwives are not able to provide the role of the doula… contrary of a common believe.
One of my friends told me that her husband didn’t consider a doula necessary since the nurses were going to be there. Sadly, she was not respected and supported like she needed during birth. 😞

Doulas don’t replace and can’t be replaced.

03/22/2026

World Doula Week begins with World Doula Day on March 22nd and will go through March 28th annually.

Doulas help birth outcomes
Doulas are NOT a luxury, but a necessity!
Doula support reduces the incidence of c-sections
Increases new parents’ confidence in the care of their newborn
May shorten the length of labor
Reduces epidural and analgesic requests
Increases breastfeeding initiation and continuation
Increases mother’s satisfaction of birth experience
Can reduce the incidence of postpartum mood disorders.

Today show some love to your local doulas!