I often encounter confusion regarding the word "doula". While supporting women as they transition to motherhood is an ancient tradition, "doula" is a relatively new (1993) profession. From search engines like Google to Microsoft Word "spellcheck", the word doula is not recognized by much electronic media. On the phone, I find myself regularly explaining it whenever I need to tell the person on the other end the name of my business. Even in person, MamaDoula can be a tough one in the "B-to-B" (that's "business-to-business" in business-speak) world. Staples had us listed as "MamaDusa" for the longest time in their Rewards Program. Recently on the phone with Vonage, we used up quite a few minutes distinguishing "Amamadala" from "MamaDoula".
Despite not quite penetrating the current cultural lexicon, doulas are plentiful in the Burlington area. Women and families have many choices when it comes to both labor support doulas as well as postpartum doulas. For labor support, there is Allison Hicks Doula Care, BirthJourneys, Genie LaDoula, and Meg Freeburn Doula, to name just a few. Some of these doulas also provide postpartum, or after the baby is born, care in the home. You can also work with a doula who is completing her training, often for a lower cost or no cost (contact us for details).
There are also postpartum doula services to help out after the birth of the baby. MamaDoula, of course, Motherload Doula Care, and Sweet Start Doula are three in Chittenden County. In addition, you can sometimes find free-lance doulas, especially around the Montpelier area.
Your choice of a doula or doula agency probably has more to do with your personality than a difference between what services each has to offer. It's important to feel a personal connection with your doula or agency. You are going to be working with them during a very vulnerable time in your life.
It's also nice to work with a doula who receives some sort of supervision or who is part of a group that consults on a regular basis with professionals in the community and with other doulas. At MamaDoula, I have a nursing & public health background and nurse-midwifery training. My experience in and knowledge about public health in Vermont, the healthcare system in general, and specific maternal-child health topics is definitely an asset to MamaDoula. and because of it, I can provide the doulas with excellent supervision, particularly regarding staying within their scope of practice. Because I have participated in well over 200 births myself and worked with hundreds of postpartum families, I am able to provide a high level of expertise to our staff and arrange relevant and timely training on topics such as breastfeeding support, emotional support for new moms, involving dad in care, birth art, postpartum planning, and normal newborn characteristics. Since all of the doulas have plenty of experience themselves as mothers, my role is really one of overseeing rather than teaching.
At MamaDoula, we also have the opportunity to consult with and refer to the professionals at Easternview Integrative Medicine. We consult regularly with other doulas and meet ourselves for updates and discussions of pertinent topics. In addition, all of our doulas have continuous online and phone support of experienced doula trainers.
To top it off, MamaDoula was founded in 2001 and has many years to develop methods that are most helpful to families as well as a reputation of quality and professionalism. We have been able to use our collective experience to pass on a great deal of wisdom to our families (only when they ask us, of course!) We are proud of our history of supporting Vermont families. We consider each family we work with an opportunity to make a difference in the life of that family and also in the life of this community.
Whichever doula you choose, just be sure to pass your experience on to your friends and family. Together, we can ensure a better beginning for new families by promoting the role of the doula. Working as a professional doula is really about bringing back a tradition of support that is fading away in our super-fast, electronic, long-distance society and, in so doing, making a difference in the lives of individuals and in the larger community. My hope is that many more families will begin to take advantage of what a doula has to offer as understanding of the word "doula" grows. As a recently-enlightened new grandmother (calling to purchase services for her daughter )commented to me the other day, "Who wouldn't take advantage of having a doula? I wish there was something like that when I had my baby!"
What is Parental Leave? How much leave can an employee take? Are all employers required to provide leave under the Parental Leave law? Can you take a Parental Leave when forming your family by adoption?
These are but a few of the questions you will want to have answered before becoming new parents. Getting paid, maintaining benefits, job security and returning to work are all subjects of importance to many Vermont families. While perhaps not the most soothing process, understanding the details of the Parental Leave law will ultimately decrease your stress and free up energy to focus on your new baby!
The Governor's Commission on Women along with the Vermont Human Rights Commission publishes a guide for the public that summarizes the issues related to parental and family leave and answers the above questions plus many more. Email us for a PDF of this essential guide.
Thinking about your brain is probably one of the last things you will do after your baby is born.
After all, you are undergoing a major life change--becoming a mother. And you are busy. Nevertheless, your brain may be calling you. And what might it be saying? Probably something like this: "NURSE!"
Without paying attention to your brain, all of the aspects of life that it influences-emotional, physical, and mental-will suffer from a loss of balance. Due to the special intersection between neurobiology, reproductive biology, genetics and hormones in the postpartum, paying attention to your brain is key for the new mom to survive and thrive!
At times like this, NURSE is what we at MamaDoula have found works wonders with new moms. Developed by research scientists and women's health practitioners, simply put, NURSE is a guide for recovering new moms and, more importantly, NURSE is effective!
If you do not have a postpartum doula from MamaDoula, consider posting these principles on your refrigerator or anywhere else that you might have a moment to remind yourself that you deserve to take good care of you!
N.U.R.S.E Nourishment: Of Mind, Body, and Soul! Food is the most obvious source of our energy. A healthy diet promotes physiological and psychological balance. But it's also important to keep the brain creatively active, even a tiny bit!Consider very simple activities that you enjoy and can engage in even if you are exhausted.Examples include: looking at a book with beautiful drawings, mindfully eating a piece of chocolate, stretching, feeling the sun on your face, smelling essential oils, snuggling in a fuzzy blanket, taking a warm herbal bath, using a hot pad or hot water bottle.
Understanding: Understanding and appreciating that the hormones that make birth possible can and do contribute to mood and anxiety disorders.(To find out exactly how, check out Women's Moods by Jeanne Driscoll.) And equally understanding that you can take steps to help your brain weather this sometimes turbulent hormone storm!
Rest and Relaxation: The brain needs sleep to rebalance and replenish. Newborns only sleep for 2 or 3 hours at a time and do not usually distinguish between night and daytime sleep cycles. This is why it's very important for new parents to know that periods of relaxation are equally as important for your brain as the elusive "good night's sleep" might be, and probably much easier to accomplish. Learning to relax is a form of treatment and aids in recovery for women who are experiencing mood swings, anxieties, and pain. Regular brief periods of mindful relaxation also contribute to the prevention of these issues. You may have learned relaxation techniques in childbirth education that you can continue to use in the postpartum.Consider a New Mom CD with positive messages that you can listen to each day to feed your brain positive messages. If you are having trouble with a fussy baby, be sure to get help (we have a free coaching program at MamaDoula and will teach you how to calm fussy babies and get them to sleep longer, too).
Spirituality: NURSE defines spirituality as a sense of self, balance, and connection with a higher power or being. Personal spirituality can be any experience that helps you to feel uplifted and joyful. Relationship, solitude, appreciation of nature, music, journaling, or other mindful practices nourish the soul.
Exercise: It's a daunting word for a new mom: the key questions being, "When?" and "How?"Plan a short walk as part of your day. It's essential. Baby will be happy in a sling or Ergo or stroller-or with your partner, doula, or friend.
For more information on the NURSE program and brain health, please read Women's Moods by Jeanne Watson Driscoll.
And while we at MamaDoula do not practice nursing, we can support YOU in practicing the NURSE program!
As more consumers become aware of medical alternatives to health and healing, physicians and other health professionals face the challenge of deciding what procedures, modalities, and therapies might be incorporated into their practice or recommended for patients to consider through alternative health practitioners. According to a recent survey by Jackson & Coker, a significant number of healthcare providers are using some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to enhance their own health and well-being, or they have introduced certain facets of alternative medicine into their patient care.
"Our concern in commissioning this survey was to assess the extent to which health professionals are drawn to non-conventional forms of medical treatment, either for themselves or their patients," mentions Sandra Garrett, president of Jackson & Coker. "As Eastern and Western medical approaches become more blended in the healthcare field, important decisions must be made as to what treatments are acceptable according to customary medical standards of care and also covered by medical insurers."
The vast majority of participants (76%) held a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, versus a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO). Sixty percent were males. The largest age category was 50-59 (33%). Forty-five percent of respondents have been practicing medicine from 15-40 years.
The health practitioners surveyed learned about complementary and alternative medicine through various means: formal medical training (13%), seminars on holistic medicine (21%), and self-teaching or interaction with colleagues (25%). The types of alternative modalities, therapies, and treatments with which health providers were most familiar included: herbal medicine, massage therapy and reflexology, yoga and meditation, chiropractic treatment, biofeedback, and acupuncture. Other approaches with which they were less familiar included: hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, Tai Chi, and Ayurvetic medicine. The last two are common to Eastern medical practice.
The survey queried respondents as to what heath measures they personally hope to achieve in using some form of CAM. The results were as follows:
Stress relief 19.0% Improve general health 15.6% Pain management 13.3% Improve mental alertness 11.4% Weight reduction / control 9.3% Reduce hypertension 8.2% Overcome insomnia 7.8% Lower cholesterol 5.9% Control diabetes 3.5%.
A key survey question asked, "To what extent do you use CAM approaches in your own medical practice?" The responses were as follows; 4% frequently, 44% occasionally, and 22% not at all.
Thirty percent of respondents indicated their intent to incorporate more CAM procedures into their medical practice, whereas 28% felt they might be included to do that and 31% replied 'probably not."
The reasons prompting healthcare providers to consider adopting more CAM procedures or techniques included their personal belief in CAM, growing patient requests, additional sources of revenue, and more favorable view by insurers.
On the matter of insurance reimbursement, a slight number (2%) had experienced significant problems with medical insurers in the past, 11% had encountered some difficulties, and 26% had experienced major problems in dealing with insurers.
The survey pointed out, interestingly, that only a small number of doctors (15%) believe that as complementary and alternative medicine becomes more acceptable within the healthcare field, more insurers will provide approved reimbursement. Sixty-two percent felt it was either "not too likely" or "probably unlikely" that insurance coverage will substantially increase in the foreseeable future.
Another key question was asked: "From your perspective, do physicians tend to draw a line between CAM procedures that are acceptable versus non-acceptable to Western-trained clinicians?" A few of their comments are noteworthy:
"I draw the line on anything that isn't proven scientifically. Unacceptable are those treatments that only target the practice's bottom line."
"Yes, only those that have stood up to the test of controlled studies are accepted."
"No. It seems to me to be driven almost entirely by personal preferences / exposure."
"Doctors are not properly trained in the use of alternative medicine and therefore are very reluctant to use them in their practice."
"I believe that most physicians are fixed in their mind set about 'scientific medicine' and 'alternative medicine," and it is difficult to change their mind set."
"Probably not. From my experience, physicians who discount CAM tend to lump all CAM modalities together regardless of their actual credibility (or lack thereof) and toss out proven methods such as acupuncture regardless of the results."
The survey commentary concluded with an interview by a board certified Internal Medicine doctor who incorporates certain aspects of complementary medicine into her medical practice.
Dr. Frenesa Hall, Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Mobile-Medicine.net, sees a trend in more healthcare providers being receptive to integrating certain CAM therapies into their patient care. Her remarks: "I see trends in this regard due to more publicity and public demand. Another reason is being able to incorporate and add cash (unrelated to insurance) revenue into the practice. Also, patients actually get better" when they are offered alternative options to improve their health.
During the nine months of pregnancy your body slowly grows through extraordinary physical and chemical changes.
Shortly after delivery, there is an immediate shift toward the non-pregnant state. For most new moms, physical changes during the early postpartum include frequent urination and perspiration, continued uterine contractions, production of lochia (vaginal discharge), and general soreness and fatigue from the hard work of labor. Many women also go through a period of "postpartum blues" as the hormone levels undergo rapid shifts and you adjust to life with your precious newborn.
Massage by a professional therapist trained in postpartum massage can help. Luckily, Chloe Ohme is located in Burlington, Vermont, and is not only a certified massage therapist with fifteen years of experience, but also a midwife. Her combined education and experience led her to specialize in pregnancy and postpartum massage.
According to Chloe,
Benefits of Massage for New Moms "Gentle abdominal massage stimulates your organs and helps them return to their pre-pregnancy state. Abdominal connective tissue massage helps the stretched skin and underlying tissues regain elasticity. General circulatory massage is applied to aid your body's efforts to remove built-up toxins. Therapeutic moderate and deep tissue massage provides structural rebalancing to the hips and low back as those tired and stretched muscles and joints accommodate post-pregnancy size and bring relief to exhausted and sore muscles that supported you throughout labor. Professional massage therapy by an experienced postpartum provider can also help minimize much of this discomfort, as well as promote relief of any fatigue or anxiety you may be feeling.
"New mothers commonly develop aching shoulders, necks and upper backs from all those hours holding, nursing and loving that newborn and sleeping (or not sleeping!) in unusual positions while nursing in bed.
"While you should always check with your obstetric care provider first, postpartum massage is usually safe immediately to 24-hours after the birth. Exactly when you schedule that massage depends on how you feel and your individual situation. Some women want it within the first week, and others want to wait a few weeks so they can adjust a bit more to the changes. Most new moms need to balance major schedule changes including breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, and childcare before they can schedule a massage.
"Whenever you are able to get your first postpartum massage, it will be well needed and deserved!
C-Section Delivery "If your delivery had complications or involved surgery (C-section delivery), I will modify the massage to ensure your comfort and safety. If your scar is healing well, you can receive a massage as early as one week post-partum.
Accomodations for Breastfeeding "While most women cannot wait to go face down on the massage table for their postpartum massages, we still sometimes need to make modifications. I provide clean towels for moms concerned about leaking milk. I also continue to use the pregnancy hole, with pads to support the belly while taking the weight off potentially tender or painful breasts.
For moms who are unable to find childcare or unable to leave their infant at home with a caregiver, I provide home visits. If you nurse in bed and the baby becomes hungry then you can lay on your side for the massage and nurse under the sheets during your session. This is not ideal, as it limits mom's ability to reap all the benefits of the massage, but it is definitely do-able. Many moms have their doula or other caregiver drive them to my studio for an appointment so that they can nurse right before the session. The doula can then take a stroll with the baby, returning at the end of the session so that baby may nurse again.
Schedule with Chloe "If you have any questions about postpartum massage, or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 802.734.3225."
At MamaDoula, we follow the wisdom of Dr. Harvey Karp when it comes to newborn sleep and calming. All of our doulas are trained in his Cuddle Cure for soothing a fussy baby as well as the theory of the Fourth Trimester. Let me explain.
Your newborn baby, age 0 to 3 months, has an ability to cry that is only one of her many brilliant and normal means of communicating. And your desire to comfort your new baby is a built-in survival mechanism for our species! However, that is also why when your new baby continuously and inconsolably cries, you become physically and emotionally exhausted.
Most newborns sleep up to 18 hours per day. However, all of that sleep is initially in short bursts lasting only 2-3 hours. Hence, the newborn sleep pattern is not particularly conducive to rest for an adult.
Twenty percent of babies will develop colic, a distressing and misunderstood condition that manifests itself as fussing & crying in a new baby older than 2 weeks and younger than 4 months, usually in the evening and after feeding. It is often the cause of sleep deprivation, loss of confidence, relationship strain, and even decreased time of breastfeeding in new parents. The combination of colic or excessive crying and parental exhaustion have also been correlated with an increased incidence of postpartum depression in new moms.
How is a parent to approach these daunting facts? Most parents-to-be choose to ignore the possibility of exhaustion, primarily because newn parents are offered few techniques to use to help their baby calm down and get to sleep.
But we are pleased to say that there is another choice!
In Dr. Harvey Karp's book, Happiest Baby on the Block, Dr. Karp, and pediatrician and child-development specialist, describes how to calm a crying baby, get her to sleep, and help her to sleep longer each night. He bases his findings on cross-cultural and scientific research and summarizes his theory as the "missing Fourth Trimester."
According to Dr. Karp, excessive crying and difficulty calming is based on the sensitivity of newborns to life outside of the womb. Therefore, mimicking a baby's original environment (the womb) plays a critical role in soothing a crying infant and helping her to sleep. Dr. Karp describes it as stimulation of the "calming reflex".
Dr. Karp cautions that his method is simple but must be done precisely. Be sure to learn the method only from a Certified Educator in your area.
MamaDoula now offers FREE CONSULATIONS on the Happiest Baby program. Please contact us to take advantage of this valuable service!
Bobbin: The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge is a Mama-owned, Kid friendly, socially responsible business located in the Old North End of Burlington, Vermont.
MamaDoula: Do you have any special goals for your business?:
Bobbin: One of our goals as a socially responsible business is that 90% of all the items for sale and in use at The Bobbin are recycled and vintage materials gathered from our local environment. We are committed to reusing and refashioning the surplus of clothing cluttering our lives.We are dedicated to teaching our community skill sets that will enable them to feel good about the clothes they put on their bodies.
MamaDoula: What was your inspiration for starting the Bobbin?
Bobbin: One of the main reasons we started our own business was our interest in creating more options for moms.No longer able to stay home and not wanting to put our kids in daycare, we agreed that starting our own business enabled us to continue to put our family first. We are committed to educating our community regarding the history of Womens work and Women's craft. MamaDoula: Any special groups for New Moms?
Bobbin: Our group Knit & Nurse was created to get moms and babies together for crafting and conversation.We also have equipped our Craft Lounge with toys to keep young ones happy so there parents can craft and shop!We feel that all ages should be welcomed to participate in community so we try to accommodate young and old.
MamaDoula: Great! What's the best way to find out more information?
Bobbin: Please feel free to stop in and craft with us or visit us on the web .
While there is no way to prepare for the overwhelming adjustments of becoming a new mother, there is a way to ensure that you are better able to cope with them. Anticipate that the first few weeks will be challenging, and arrange a support system for yourself. Rest is essential to your recovery.
You will need your meals cooked, your (increasing) laundry done, your groceries picked up, your children cared for, your house straightened up, and perhaps some advice on how to care for your baby, breastfeed, and recover from the birth.This can be arranged by visiting family, friends who take turns bringing meals, or by hiring a postpartum doula.
Rest, recovery, getting to know and taking care of a new baby are ideally the sole responsibilities of the new mother.In cultures around the world, this vulnerable state of postpartum is honored, and the mother's care is assured.In Holland, mothers receive live-in help for 8-10 days.In India, the mother is pampered for 21 days and her role as an exalted one is honored.Swedish mothers are given a year of maternity leave at full pay.Up until the 1960's women in our culture had 10 days of recovery in the hospital.While most women now wouldn't want to stay in the hospital that long, we have ignored the fact that the new mother needs to be cared for.Just because she is not in the hospital for 10 days, doesn't mean she can or should jump right back into her usual responsibilities. Being home in bed is just the place to be with your new baby.During your third trimester, arrange the support you need with household responsibilities so that you can enjoy this magical time!
