Waves of Love Doula & Birth Services

01/30/2022

Hi everyone - I am both blessed and sad to announce that I am FULLY BOOKED through June 2022. I will not be able to take any more doula or lactation families and may or may not be able to answer inquiries as quickly as I normally have.

However, fear not! Here are some other great local resources to utilize:

Doula: Jerrica Lou (Jerrica Lou Photography, LLC) and Rebecca Wanosik (CookieZ)

Homebirth Midwives: Birth Works Midwifery, Robin Massey CPM, Dawn Finney CPM, Birthroot Midwifery, Kim Collins Midwife, Violet Stephens of https://olivetreemidwifery.com/

Lactation: Another Certified Lactation Consultant is available within Phelps Health L&D in Rolla (573) 458-7397.

01/23/2022

OSU conducted the largest study of water births to date and found they were associated with better overall outcomes than non-water births.

Water births had a lower risk of several maternal and neonatal outcomes, including postpartum hemorrhage and hospitalization soon after delivery, and no increase in neonatal death.

👀👀👀👀

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Oregon State University researchers have conducted the largest study of water births to date and found they were associated with better overall outcomes than non-water births. Water births had a lower risk of several maternal and neonatal outcomes, including postpartum hemorrhage...

01/17/2022

It IS hard.
But you don't have to do it alone. ❤

01/12/2022

I love this! Families need more of this ❤

01/07/2022

So much, this! 💪
There is no "right" way to birth your baby.

Thanks for the reminder .podcast ❤

01/02/2022

IT IS LIVE!!

The Tricare Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration project has been released! I am cautiously optimistic and am looking forward to continuing to be a trailblazer for military families!

**Until I am fully added to the Tricare network to submit claims on your behalf, if you wish to utilize this program, payment will still be required up front, as per the norm, and I will provide you an itemized receipt that you can submit for reimbursement.**

12/31/2021

Something I've been asked about a lot lately, so here's some important info for future boy parents.

**I know this is a hot, widely debated issue. I will not tolerate aggressive, demeaning language or bullying.**

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-and-ethics-on-circumcision/

12/28/2021

BIG NEWS!

Have to share some OUTSTANDING progress on policies to support families across the military as the 2022 NDAA has been signed into law!!

☑️Increases parental leave to 12 weeks for ALL service members (primary & secondary caregivers) for the birth, adoption, or long term foster care placement of a child. And the birth parent also gets 6 weeks of convalescent leave!! So for mothers who give birth in the military, this will be 6 weeks convalescent leave + 12 weeks caregiver leave, totaling 18 weeks. (Effective date: 1 year after law enactment)

☑️Creates a new category of bereavement leave for military personnel that would permit service members to take up to 2 weeks of leave in connection with the death of a spouse or child. (Effective date: 180 days after law enactment)

☑️Establishes a Basic Needs Allowance to ensure that all servicemembers can meet the basic needs of their families.

☑️Directs the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments and Superintendents of the military academies, to develop policy that includes the option to preserve parental guardianship rights of cadets & midshipmen so it provides a path to be a parent & continue military service & doesn’t put parents in positions where their only choices are abortion, resignation from the Academy, or termination of parental rights.

☑️Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a pilot program providing direct hire authority to hire military spouses stationed at a duty station outside of the United States to a term position within the DOD.

So encouraged the progress being made. Brick by brick!

12/27/2021

In comparing doulas to nurses:
In hospital language,
a doula is a 1:1 patient advocate.

The doula gets to do the things the nurse envisioned doing when beginning the rigorous, expensive journey of medical school.

There shouldn't be a comparison: you have the right to the informed consent, to include a doula, for birth in any trimester & any outcome.

In comparing doulas to midwives:
In nonmedical terms,
midwives catch, doulas coach.

The midwife philosophy is that
birth is normal
& so the midwife is hands-off,
actively watching.

The doula philosphy is that
birth is normal
& so the doula is arms' length away,
offering intentional touch.

There shouldn't be a comparison: you have the right to the informed consent, to include a doula, for birth in any trimester & any outcome.

In comparing doulas to nonrelated roles:
A doula is like a golf caddy,
if golf were a marathon.

A doula is like a wedding planner
& maid of honor, combined
but in scrub pants, not fine satin.

A doula knows about birth plans & childbirth,
and things you wouldn't think
relate to birth:
resurfaced childhood trauma
couples and conflicts
and so much more.
So, so, so much more.

A doula is like a parturition au pair.

A doula is like a professional friend.

A doula is a Jill of many trades,
a cornucopia of skilled care.

A doula, really, is incomparible.

- Heidi Faith

12/13/2021

THIS!!

This is SO much more common than people realize (especially in military families or those who aren't close to good support system). It is a major focus for me as both a doula and a lactation consultant because I had these thoughts, and more. I felt this to my core. My husband and I BOTH did and I still don't think either of us truly realize just how deep in we each were at one point. It has nothing to do with how good of a parent you are and it 100% can affect both partners, but may manifest differently.

We are suvivors. We sought help for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety and it saved us.
Literally.

If you're struggling (this time of year can be especially hard) I have resources. I can help.

You are NOT alone and you ARE enough.
❤

12/12/2021

Birth Positions- Special Christmas Lesson 🎄

Repost from .delivery.suite delivery suite elf demonstrating some fantastic birthing positions 😍

12/07/2021

I might have laughed wayyyy too hard at this!

But really though...I absolutely do NOT ever share your information with anyone else unless you specifically direct me to. Medical information is protected by law and I work hard to ensure that your trust in me as part of you care team is well placed. All information that you share with me is kept in a secure location that only I have access to and I never discuss our visits with anyone.

Thank you for trusting me!