I’ve compiled this quick list of five important things you can do to prepare yourself for a great birth. In my years of experience as a doula and childbirth educator, these are the things that I have seen make the biggest difference in getting the birth you want. Find the Right Care Provider and Birth Location for You In my work as a doula and childbirth educator, I feel that this is one of the most important decisions you will make about your upcoming birth. You want to be sure to have a care provider that is comfortable supporting you in the type of birth you’d like to have. Be sure that you talk with your provider about your wishes and make sure that you are on the same page with them. If you find that your current care provider is not supportive of the birth you want, it is never too late to change and find a new provider. I also encourage you to tour your birth location and continue to ask questions so you can be sure you're in the right place for you. Eat Well and Exercise Most people know that your nutrition and exercise are very important during pregnancy. You are growing a little human being and they need the nutrients to grow and develop. Be sure you talk with your care provider about your nutrition and what they recommend. Be sure to get lots of veggies and greens, fruits, protein, iron rich foods, and whole grains. You can also download your own copy of this awesome pregnancy nutrition e-book! Exercise is another important factor in a healthy practice. Prenatal yoga, walking, stretching, swimming, are all examples of exercise that are great during pregnancy. It is not recommended to start any strenuous exercise routine if that is not something you’re already doing. Be sure to do your kegels too! When you take a Birth Boot Camp class you will also learn lots more about your nutrition and exercise during pregnancy! See a chiropractor Chiropractic care can help you have an easier, more comfortable pregnancy and birth. Be sure that you find a Webster certified chiropractor in your area, as they have received specific training to work with pregnant women. Seeing a Webster certified chiropractor during your pregnancy can help your baby to be in the optimal position for birth, which can also help you to have a faster, less painful birth. Hire a Doula Doulas offer physical, emotional, and informational support to women during their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. Studies have shown that women who hire doulas are more likely to have a vaginal birth without pain medication, are less likely to need interventions such as vacuum or forceps, are less likely to have a cesarean section, and are over all more satisfied with their birth experience. Doulas are not just for natural births. As a doula I’ve worked with clients birthing in hospitals, birth centers, and at home births. I support my clients whether they choose to have an unmedicated or medicated birth. I’ve served clients having a planned cesarean as well. Doulas support women in every kind of birth! Take a Childbirth Class Taking a comprehensive childbirth class like Birth Boot Camp, gives you and your partner the opportunity to spend one on one time together to focus on your upcoming birth. As an instructor, I want the couples in my class to learn about ALL of their options and all about what they can expect so that they can make an informed decision about the birth they want to have. You will leave class confident in yourself and your partner to handle whatever type of birth you have. This testimonial comes from a past client and now good friend. Every couple I work with is very special to me and I am honored when I receive these special notes.....
"Hollie was not only a great Birth Boot Camp instructor but also an amazing doula! From very early on I could tell Hollie was meant to be our doula. She always made us feel so welcome, never so much as smirked at our silly questions and was a wealth of knowledge on all things birth! When we decided to have a natural hospital birth Hollie was right on board with our plan. She stuck it out with me the entire 22 hours (and then some) and along with my husband we made the best team! I was so grateful for not only her vast knowledge of child birth, but also all the 'birth bag' she brought along with her. It was full of essential oils, heating packs and snacks! Hollie is knowledgable, supportive, comforting and most importantly a good friend." - Emily "My wife and I loved having Hollie as our doula! She came super prepared with all of the little things that needed and she a real wealth of knowledge. Having Hollie at out birth freed me up to really just be in the moment with my wife and new daughter!" - Keith The most common reason I hear for women not hiring a doula or taking a good childbirth class is the cost. To me, it is 100% worth it. In some cases having a doula may even save you some cash. Studies have shown that doulas can prevent the occurrence of unwanted or unnecessary medical procedures that are expensive. Doulas also help create wonderful birth memories. Totally worth the money! I always hope that money isn't the final deciding factor for women when choosing a doula or class. Here's a list of things you can do to earn and save some extra money so that you can hire the doula of your choice and take an awesome Birth Boot Camp class!
Please share any other ideas you have. I'd love to add more. I always encourage women to contact me if money is a concern for them. I'm willing to discuss each individual situation. I, as well as many doulas, are willing to create payment plans or barter for services. I have known doulas that have bartered for photography, essential oils, and a large handmade quilt. There are also many doulas that are training and will serve for free or charge a reduced fee to just cover their cost for gas and childcare. Where there's a will, there's a way. Have you heard the awesome news? I will begin teaching Birth Boot Camp classes starting this July in Grapevine,TX. I can't wait to get started! The past few months I have been focused on studying and training to become a certified instructor and now that I've completed my certification, I am so excited to teach my first class. Not sure what Birth Boot Camp is? Let me catch you up to speed. Birth Boot Camp has been voted the #1 Childbirth Class by the Fort Worth Child Magazine. It is a comprehensive 10 week course that teaches couples everything they need to know to have the experience of a lifetime. Check out the syllabus for each class here. You'll learn why one may want to have a natural birth, nutrition and exercise during pregnancy, choosing your care provider, tips for dads and birth partners, medical interventions, relaxation, postpartum, newborn care, and breastfeeding- and that is just the beginning! Couples receive a great "Field Guide" to support and continue their learning throughout the course as well as a wonderful DVD "Breastfeeding: The Ultimate M.R.E." The statistics since Birth Boot Camp started a little more than a year ago are astounding. You can check out the specifics here. Couples are having amazing births. Another awesome perk is that Birth Boot Camp offers online classes to couples that can not attend live classes because of schedule conflicts or if there isn't an instructor in their area. I always recommend a live class first, but for some people that just won't work and these online classes are great. They are taught by the founder of Birth Boot Camp, Donna Ryan. Couples that attend live classes that may miss a class or two will also be given access to the online classes ` Classes will begin in Grapevine on July 12th. Contact me if you'd like more information or to register. With Birth Boot Camp you can have an AMAZING birth too! |
HollieWife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. A passionate birth doula and childbirth educator. Archives
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