Sage Mama

11/19/2025

10/30/2025

What if I don’t need an advocate?

09/30/2025

What felt right for them might not feel right for you and that’s absolutely okay.

12/02/2021

Next Breastfeeding Class is January 19th, 2022!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Class is virtual and open to all zip codes but will be taking place from 6-9pm EST via zoom. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In class we'll discuss the first hour after birth, what to look for in a good latch, how to know if your baby is getting enough milk, common pitfalls and what to do about the and pumping and going back to work.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Class is $125 per couple, ask about a discount if you're working with A Brighter Birth Doula. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Email sagemamarva @ gmail to register⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Photo Credit:

09/10/2020

🌿 Doula Support during Active Labor 🌿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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While I support clients through phone calls and texts though pregnancy and early labor, doula support during active labor is more hands on.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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At some point the intensity of each contraction takes all your focus and makes you get up and move. There's no way to sleep through these contractions, rest is a thing of the past, and now our focus shifts from resting and relaxing through early labor to leaning into it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Doulas and partners are always a team, but that really solidifies in active labor. As you transition into active labor, doula support looks like assurance, affirmation, and recommendations for different positions as well as ways partners can help with pain relief. As active labor intensifies, your doula will join you in your home to provide hands on pain relief, massage, encouragement, position changes, and to help decide when to move to the hospital. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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photo by: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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[Image of laboring woman's torso, face hidden behind her arm as she leans forward into the chest of a male support person while a female support person stands behind her with her hands on the laboring woman's hips]

09/07/2020

🌿 Doula Support in Early Labor🌿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Typically I don’t join clients until they are in active labor, but we are in touch regularly during early labor.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Having a calm, cozy, intimate time with your partner in a comfortable and familiar environment is the best way to facilitate a strong, effective labor. Rest is key in this phase and I don’t want to intervene on this time with your partner.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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In early labor a doula can help you by normalizing and affirming what is happening, help keep things in perspective, remind you to rest and provide relaxation techniques, suggest comfortable resting positions. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Your doula can help your partner by providing encouragement as well as soothing and pain relieving techniques so partners can feel confident in their support. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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[Image: laboring woman in the kitchen wearing a sports bra and pajama bottoms supporting herself with her hands against the refrigerator, partner stand behind her kissing her on her shoulders]

09/03/2020

🌿 Doula Support during Pregnancy 🌿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We have 2 official prenatal appointments during your pregnancy, but your doula is a continual resource. You can ask your doula for advice on which pump to choose, what questions you should be asking your provider, if *this* is normal, if *that* is normal, book recommendations, local resources -(birth classes/chiropractor/yoga classes/etc...), how to ease back pain, and for general emotional support ("I'm 41 weeks!! WHY am I still pregnant?!") and how to plan for postpartum.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Having a doula is not just day-of labor support (although that's a big part of it) having personalized support during pregnancy just a text away. Booking your doula as early as possible allows you to take full advantage of all doulas have to offer.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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[Image: woman with long hair and open lace top holding her pregnant belly]⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📷

09/01/2020

🌿 Virtual Breastfeeding Class 🌿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
When should you start pumping?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
How do I know if my baby is getting enough?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
What does a good latch look like?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Should I use a hot compress or a cold compress?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
How can I avoid chapped nipples?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Will I even be able to breastfeed?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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A Brighter Breastfeeding Experience is a virtual class developed with all the practical feeding related questions new parents face. From the first latch to going back to work this class has you covered and you'll always be able to reach out for more support after baby is born.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Next class: September 16, 2020⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
From 6pm - 9pm via Zoom⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
$125 per couple⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
To register email SageMamaRVA@gmail

08/04/2020

Happy
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Breastfeeding is a natural process but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy one. There’s a learning curve just like there is for learning any new thing. Education and support are vital in a sustainable breastfeeding relationship which is why World Breastfeeding Week is so important. Not to shame parents who didn’t/couldn’t. But to cheer on and educate parents who are working so hard to sustain their babies in this way.

If you’re expecting, we offer virtual breastfeeding classes once a month which covers baby’s first feed to going back to work. DM for details.

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07/30/2020

Thoughts?

07/19/2020

If you have been curious about having a doula at your birth, join us for a virtual birth chat!

📣 Let's Talk Birth📣
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We're still being respectful of social distancing but we miss chatting with expecting parents, so let's get together virtually! We want to use this meet-up as a way to fill the void of our regular Meet the Doulas event, but also as a way to answer any questions you all may have about birth in RVA currently!
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Covid-19 is still impacting the prenatal and birth experience so we'd love to give you our first-hand account of what we've been experiencing at facilities in Richmond.
As well, if you've been considering bringing a doula onto your birth team this is a perfect first step to ask all your questions and get to know the ABB team!
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Monday, July 20
7:30-8:30pm
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This meeting is free and all are welcome!
If you'd like to join send us a DM and we'll send you the meeting code- and tag anyone you know that's expecting and could benefit from this info!
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Knowledge is power💥.
Support is critical💛.