Birth Boot Camp has created an incredible breastfeeding class to prepare you to have a successful breastfeeding journey. It includes tips for pumping, and troubleshooting for all sorts of circumstances such as mastitis, blebs, and the like! Click on the image below to join the class and watch from the comfort of your own home!

This is hard to write.

But it's true... Your mom is not a doula!

I think experience helps me write this, so let me share with you my story!

Lets start with your midwife is not your doula...

I was excited to be birthing at a birth center run by midwives, I thought that by having a birth attended by a midwife that I was setting myself up for an amazing natural birth experience. Little did I realize ALL the things a midwife does while a mom is laboring. Sure, she is supportive, sure, she is encouraging, but she didn't really have the time to do hip squeezes for hours straight. She was very busy charting and making sure that the wellness of mom and baby were not compromised. It was when I was transferring to the hospital for an epidural that I learned, my midwife is not a doula.

Ok, round two... Your mom is not a doula.

I was doing a lot of planning for my second birth - I thought the experience of my first gave me new perspective and understanding about how to approach my second birth better. I made plans to have my mom present as my physical support, while my husband was my emotional support. When I was told at 38 weeks I needed a c-section, I didn't know what to do. I didn't have anyone to bounce this new intervention off of, I didn't have a doula to help me know my options, and I hadn't taken a good childbirth class... it was just me, all alone, with fear being the loudest voice around me. So I ended up with a cesarean.

Onto round three...

Your mom, your sister, your bestie are not doulas.

Well, that is, unless they are a doula - then sure they can be, but unless they have training, then they really cannot fill the role of doula.

I was planning my third birth, a VBAC, but I could not afford a doula (what I didn't realize was that I could not NOT afford a doula). I had a plan though. I had read every book I could get my hands on. I had sat down with my mom and diligently rehearsed scenarios. We practiced comfort measures. I talked with my sister over the phone - she is midwife, but unfortunately wasn't local (and trust me, she tried to encourage me to get a doula). I ended up having my mom, my best friend, my cousin, and a few other women present to support me at this birth - my goal was a natural, vaginal birth - but even with all that support, I did not feel that any of them stepped into the role of doula. Comforter - YES! Encourager - YES! Prayer support - YES! But never did any of them remind me of my options when interventions were considered - in fact, you could often see their fears and concerns override them. When things got tough, they didn't know what to do. When I hit that point in labor when you want to give up and no longer know how to comfort yourself, no one knew how to help me press through. I am thankful though, I did have a vaginal birth and a successful VBAC, but I did get an epidural at 8cm.

But why should I expect my sister, mom, bestie to know how to help me? They were never trained in the role of a doula.

But a DOULA... she can be your doula!

Finally at my forth birth, I hired a doula (a little late in the game, but I am so glad I did). When I was faced with a unsupportive care provider, my doula reminded me of my options, and empowered me in my choices. When my care provider was saying I would need another cesarean, my doula helped me understand how my body hadn't failed me, she encouraged me to listen to my intuition, she sent me so many evidenced based articles so help me make informed and educated decisions. She encouraged me to try chiropractic care so that my pelvis would be in the best alignment possible for birth.  When I considered transferring to a home birth, she helped me find a midwife.  When my labor went on for multiple days, and my chiropractor was out of town on vacation, she helped me find a pregnancy friendly chiropractor. She came over 3 days in a row while my labor lingered on, she spoke with me on the 4th day when I cried that a baby hadn't come yet. Again, she reminded me of my options - like therapeutic rest, induction, and lots of at home remedies. She encouraged me to remember what my goal was and that I could do it. On the 5th day, when labor took a turn and I didn't know if I could do it, she testified of my strength and how far I had already come! She held my space, limiting visitors. She got me snacks, drinks, reminded me to go to the bathroom, had different essential oils that helped me in different ways at different times. When my labor would slow, she allowed me rest, and then we would try different positions, maneuvers, and my labor would kick back up. When my labor stalled for 6 hours at 8cm, and she heard the doctors talking at the nurses station that I would be getting another cesarean, she was aware that I was mentally arrested and helped me break through that zone.

She did all that and so much MORE...

Since we are at it...

Your Husband is not a doula!

At our first few births, my husband felt the pressure to help me be strong, to make sure everything was in order, to support me in more ways than he was prepared for or capable of.

But at our last birth with a doula, my husband was able to enjoy watching his baby come into the world, no stress on his shoulders, no sweat.  My mom was able to tickle scratch my back and know that I was safe and supported. My doula was exactly what I needed, but it was because she had the training, the awareness, this was something she was practiced in, had experience in. She was not emotionally entangled in my world, instead she was my rock, something I knew was unshakable and could hold me up. Even in the midst of everything, though she was present and highly needed, she gracious stood in the background, so my husband and I could have bonding moments, she gave my mom jobs to do that helped her support me, so she didn't feel left out of the birth support.

Being a doula takes work, takes practice, takes effort... it isn't something you just call your mom or sister or friend and hope they fill the role.

If you want your mom to be there, let her be there as your mom - she will comfort you in ways only she can.

Your husband... let him love you through this beautiful journey, but release him of the pressure to make sure this goes perfectly.

Your best friend... invite her into the most intimate of spaces, share in joy together, welcome her to witness you in your strongest hour.

And hire a doula.

I was so terrified of beginning this journey, of becoming a childbirth educator or a doula.  What if someone asked me a question and I didn’t know the answer?  How much research would it take to feel fully prepared? But fear is never the beginning of growth; or is it?

Nelson Mandela says it beautifully “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

When was the last time you dreamed big for yourself, dreamed a dream you didn’t think you could achieve?

Underneath your fears lie great opportunity. It’s time to allow yourself to go after your dream, to tear down the invisible barriers that you have built up in your mind that say you can’t, and tell yourself that you can! Find the courage to make life-changing decisions.

All that inspiration to say… Don’t allow your fear of not being an expert in the field of birth to stop you from beginning the journey. Birth Boot Camp will equip you and provide you with the tools to become an expert.

Birth Boot Camp...

1. Wants you to succeed!
   
2. Will give you to tools to be successful!
3. Will provide continued support throughout your birth career and journey.
   
4. Will provide continued training beyond your certification training.
5. Will provide mentoring.
6. Birth Boot Camp leadership are always happy to meet with you one on one for individualized mentoring and wisdom.
7. Has the best curriculum
   1. It is beautiful, eye catching!
   2. It is comprehensive; it has all the information your community needs!
   3. It is scripted, not because you HAVE to read it THEIR way, but to assist you and provide you with information at your fingertips.
      
8. Has the most positive, uplifting community of birth workers!
9. Birth Boot Camp will leave you feeling confident and ready to achieve your dreams of serving in the birth community!
   
   

Remember… you don’t have to be an expert to begin this journey, Birth Boot Camp will give to all the tools you need to become one!

So... Are you ready? Are you ready to make one of the greatest decisions ever? To begin this journey, follow the links below!

When a mom feels the urge to push, there are so many things running through her head… excitement that this journey is almost over, nervousness that now she has to push a baby out, relief that she can actively engage with her contraction.
 
In a hospital setting a lot of things begin to happen at the very same time. A nurse begins prepping all the doctors/midwifes tools. They help the care provider get dressed in a special gown. Depending on how fast you are pushing, they call the baby team in who then begins preparing their station, all while you are trying to navigate the pushing phase. The cacophony of voices can become a little distracting.
 
So here are some tips to navigate the pushing phase…

1. Find a position that works for you
 Don’t be afraid to try different positions. Many women, if left to their own ways, would choose position that is relatively upright… squatting, kneeling, leaning over a bed, hand and knees, even some standing positions can be great. Often women end up on their backs, and while a baby will still come out, it isn’t the most helpful position. Try side-lying instead of laying on your back if possible.
 
2. Wait for the swell 
If you can push spontaneously then wait for the swell and go with your body, push when you feel the urge. When the swells goes, let go of your pushing. Wasted energy is draining.
 
3. Push like you have to poop 
I know this sounds weird, but if you push in this way, then you have good form. And guess what, if you poop, then you are REALLY doing a good job! (Also, no one will draw attention to you pooping, in most cases you and your spouse will not even know it happened because doctors and nurses are amazingly discrete about it.)
 
4. Ask for supportive feedback 
Pushing is not the easiest task and there are lots of people in the room who have  different perspectives and may be able to give you helpful tips to either open your pelvis wider or release pent up tension in one part of your body to help you to direct it to another part.
 
5. When it burns, breathe lightly 
When you feel that “ring of fire” it is your bodies way of saying slow down, let me open gently. It is your body’s way of trying to prevent tearing. And guess what, It won’t last long, PROMISE!
 
6. Tune into one voice 
If you need coaching throughout your pushing phase, listen to the voice that resonates above all the others – the one voice that you understand. Tell them you are relying on their lead and they will be glad to help!
 
7. Ask for a mirror 
Sometimes being able to see what your body is doing can be helpful. When you see how one style of pushing had more progress than another style, it empowers you to keep at it!
 
8. Try a Birth Stool/Birth Bar 
Using gravity to your advantage will assist your pushing progress. ***Ask if these things are available before the pushing phase begins or else you may not remember them as an option.
 
I wish you the very best!

You are about to find out how strong you truly are!
 
If you would like more pushing practice, please check out my Birth Boot Camp class series!
 
If you don’t live in the Gadsden, Alabama area, I have online classes available.
 
And lastly, if you need the support of a doula, please message me and we can get together!