Delissa Owen - Birth Doula

12/05/2025

🌿 Walking the Labor-inth 🌿

If you've ever taken my class, you know about labyrinths. This tool has been used for hundreds of years in a variety of cultures around the world, usually as a ceremonial ritual or symbolic rite of passage. We use labyrinths as a way to connect with your inner experience of childbirth. Just like walking a labyrinth, birth asks us to move inward—step by step—through twists, turns, and moments of uncertainty, always leading toward the center: the birth of the baby and the parent.

This activity helps parents connect body, mind, and breath, encouraging reflection, mindfulness, and trust in the process. It’s a hands-on, engaging way for learners to experience that while the path may look complex, there is always a way through.

Curious how this may deepen your own birth preparation? Join one of my group classes or schedule a private class. Go to: www.delissathedoula.com/classes to learn more.

12/02/2025

This transformative class goes beyond the basics of childbirth preparation—it focuses on building *real pain coping skills* and *resiliency* for whatever your birth journey holds.

In this class, you’ll learn to embrace the pain, fear, and uncertainty that can come with childbirth, and turn them into sources of strength and empowerment. Through hands-on techniques, mindfulness practices, and insightful discussions, you’ll gain the mental and emotional tools needed to navigate labor with confidence.

**What you’ll gain from this class:**
✨ Effective pain coping strategies for a variety of birth scenarios
✨ A deeper sense of trust in your body’s abilities
✨ Confidence in your resilience, no matter what challenges arise
✨ Support in building a strong, informed mindset for the birth experience

Whether you’re planning a home birth, hospital birth, or anything in between, this class will leave you feeling empowered and ready for whatever comes your way. 💖

*Ready to transform your birth experience? Find more information at my website here: www.delissathedoula.com/classes or contact me with any questions!*

In-person childbirth classes and workshops in Soldotna, AK. For hospital births, homebirths, or birth center births. Partner classes available. Individual workshops throughout the year.

11/27/2025

11/22/2025

Going out of state and will have minimal cell service. I'll get back to you when I get home!

May you find gratitude in the midst of whatever your week holds ❤

11/17/2025

Effacement: Errr, what's that?

Did you know that during labor your cervix doesn't just dilate? During pregnancy, your cervix is long, firm and closed off with the mucus plug. This is a protective measure for your baby, keeping the uterus safe from pathogens. But as your cervix dilates, it needs to soften and thin out. That is called "effacement".

You might hear your provider say something like "2 and 70%" during a cervical check. This means that your cervix is 2cm dilated and 70% effaced (meaning, it has thinned out quite a bit but not all the way).

Why is this important? Early labor can be very long and it may be discouraging if you have a cervical exam during this time only to learn you're at a 2 or 3. Yet, there is a lot of work happening still! Your body has to break apart the collagen in your cervix so that it can be more elastic and flexible while it continues to dilate. For first time birthers, this process usually begins just before or during labor and tends to take longer. If your body has labored before, this can begin before labor and often goes a bit faster.

So, if you hear that lower number than you were hoping for, know that your work is not in vain and progress is still happening! Not everything is about dilation 😉

11/15/2025

🌟 GIVEAWAY CLOSED🌟

I’m so excited to announce my partnership with Black River Fitness , and we’re celebrating with a special giveaway just for YOU! The winner will receive The Foundations Package from Kenai Core Fitness, and Black River Fitness will cover your admission for our 1:1 training sessions!

Here’s how to enter:
1️⃣ Follow +
2️⃣ Share this post to your story and tag us both
3️⃣ Tag a woman who inspires you in the comments below and tell us why she deserves to win!

✨ Giveaway ends 11/14/25
✨ Winner announced 11/15/25 on the page

Let's lift each other up, one strong woman at a time! 🤍

11/13/2025

💛 Happy World Kindness Day! 💛

How are you choosing kindness today? In what small way can you spread joy and show compassion on this day?

Kindness is the simple yet powerful act of showing empathy, care, and consideration for others. It's not about grand gestures, but about the small, thoughtful things that make people feel valued and understood. Kindness is being present for someone, offering a comforting word or touch, or just listening without judgment. It’s the ability to give without expecting anything in return, knowing that your actions, no matter how small, can make a positive impact in someone’s life.

Let’s spread a little extra kindness today, in birth and beyond. 🌸

11/12/2025

Have you heard the warning that the placenta acts as the filter for baby so it collects heavy metals? Well let’s look at that a little…

A study from 2018 investigates the practice of placentophagy, specifically looking at how dehydration and steaming affect human placental tissue. The research showed that when placental tissue is processed using these methods, the levels of heavy metals were WELL below food safety guidelines (did you know that garlic has 10x more lead than the avg placenta??), ensuring that it remains a safe choice for consumption. Additionally, bacteria levels were found to be significantly reduced by the process, even after 6 months, further supporting the practice’s safety when prepared properly.

This research sheds light on the potential benefits of placental consumption while ensuring safety and quality.

Another study done in 2005 looked into heavy metal content in the placentas of people who smoked during pregnancy. There was a higher level of cadmium and zinc in these placentas, yet the amount still remains relatively low. Other studies point to the possible connection between living in a highly polluted environment (we’re talking coal mines here) and the retention of heavy metal in the placenta. These metals accumulated on the mother’s side, giving some evidence to supply the idea that heavy metals collect in the placent, though still at very low levels.

And yet, in all, what does this tell us? Like with everything, you need to do what is right for you! If you are exposed to high levels of toxins/heavy metals, this may impact whether or not you personally choose to encapsulate. For the average non-smoking individual, the concern of heavy metal exposure is no more than many other fruits and vegetables we consume.

Interested in the actual studies and numbers? Follow the link in my bio to get access to resources.

11/11/2025

Thank you to those who have served us by serving our country.

As someone whose main job is to support another's freedom to choose and use their voice, I am ever grateful for this freedom myself. Thank you to those who give their lives to uphold this ❤

11/08/2025

🌸 The Difference a Doula Makes 🌸

If you’re pregnant and thinking about your upcoming birth, I want you to know this: You deserve to feel supported, heard, and empowered every step of the way.

As your doula, my job is to be by your side through the journey—not just in the delivery room, but throughout your pregnancy, your birth, and even after baby arrives. I’m there to help you feel calm, confident, and in charge of your birth experience.

Here’s how I make a difference:
✨ Emotional Support: I'm there for you—whether you need a hand to hold, a reassuring word, or a quiet moment to breathe.
✨ Comfort Measures: From breathing techniques to positioning tips and soothing touch, I’ve got you covered with natural ways to ease pain and tension.
✨ Advocacy & Empowerment: I’ll help you understand your options, support your choice, and help amplify your voice in the birth room.
✨ Partner Support: I’m here to make sure your partner feels involved, confident, and supported, too.

I’ve seen firsthand how having knowledgeable and present support people can transform the birth experience. It’s not just about a smoother labor—it's about feeling safe, supported, and at peace with your own story.

Your birth story is yours. And my role is to help you walk through your experience with resiliency and confidence. 💕

Let’s chat if you’re ready to learn more about how I can support your journey. ✨

11/05/2025

Group childbirth classes are back on the menu! 😁 I took a short break from them this fall, but planning on holding them quarterly throughout the coming year.

So, if you are hoping to attend one of my group classes and are due between Feb and April, this is the class for you!

Due after April? Look for my next group offering in March!

Register for classes by going to www.delissathedoula.com/classes or following the link in my bio.

11/04/2025

Studies show that postpartum fatigue is common for mothers after birth and that this symptom can lead to other cognitive and behavioral issues as well (anxiety, depression, increased stress). Fatigue is a predictive variable in determining future symptoms of postpartum depression. So…knowing this, what can you do?

Having a postpartum plan (much like a birth plan!) is so important in creating a space for healing, recovery, and support after birth. This is why we always leave room in my classes to discuss postpartum. Sleep, nutrition, and support are all vital!

Getting enough whole foods rich in essential proteins, minerals, vitamins, and especially iron is essential to providing what your body needs during thus period. As far as iron goes, we know that even in nonanemic women iron plays a crucial role in alleviating fatigue. Studies have seen that iron supplementation postpartum can massively improve these symptoms of fatigue and help with cognitive and behavioral functioning, decreasing the risks of postpartum mood disorders. Along with many trace minerals, placenta capsules can be a good source of iron, contained 24% of the RDA, but should not be relied upon to complete fulfill your body’s need for iron. High quality meat, seafood, and leafy greens are all rich in iron as well.