Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

toilet

“I used to laugh at hemorrhoids, and talk of them in funBut that all ended yesterday, when I developed oneMy disposition is no longer sunnyAnd I think I walk a little funnyIt burns, it itches, it needs attentionBut you dare not scratch, what you dare not mentionHoping to stave off a doctors appointmentI bought me…

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Massive Melons: How to relieve engorgement

watermelon

First comes baby. Then comes a handful of days in which you wonder if your milk will ever come in. And *BAM* Rock hard boobs. Concrete ta-tas. Massive melons. Your breasts swell up like balloons and your nipples practically disappear into the masses. Hellooooo, milk supply! Out of nowhere, your chest will require its own…

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Are Membrane Sweeps Necessary?

woman holding push broom

My doctor offered to sweep my membranes yesterday. Does it need to be cleaned up there?” (Yes- real question.) You may have heard it before- sweeping or stripping of membranes. Let’s break down what it really is… including the fact that a broom is not included. The Goal of Stripping Membranes: To release hormones that…

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Welcoming A Rainbow

family holding hands field

“A rainbow baby is a child born after a miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or infant loss.” Written by Jamie Yeaney All photos by Erica Martin Photography A positive pregnancy test will change your whole world in an instant. As my husband and I were celebrating our one year marriage anniversary in Fiji, we found out we were…

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What Not To Say: Gender Reveal Etiquette

cupcakes at gender reveal party

‘He or She? What will it be?’ ‘Boy or girl? Come be the first to know!’ ‘Bowties or Bows!  No one knows!’ Gender Reveal Parties have become a fun way to announce more information about the new baby before birth- And just a good reason to have another party. Let us help you with some…

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You Need A Doula (as much as you need a new pair of boots)

woman in boots in the fall

I have a little story for you. I appreciate shoes. I have some glittery turquoise Toms that make my heart happy with a pair of jeans. I have black flats that go with everything. I recently added a pair of beautiful shimmery green Keens mary janes (that I coveted in a delivery room- but that’s another…

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Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?

fussy baby

Let’s Talk About Milk. If there is one thing I hear consistently from mothers while they are pregnant (and quite often after they have had their baby), it’s this question: “How do I know if I’m making enough milk??” As a birth worker, I strive to ease as many fears as possible with simple, yet empowering information…

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Cesarean Birth in Salem Oregon

newborn baby at cesarean birth

*All pictures in this post are used with permission and were taken on one of our doula’s phones by a nurse during a cesarean. This post does contain some images of a cesarean birth. What if…? What if labor doesn’t go as planned and the decision to deliver by cesarean is made? As we talk…

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Helping Your Baby Sleep

awake baby at night

“But I can’t just let my baby cry!” It’s a common misconception that sleep training means putting your baby into a crib and allowing him to cry to sleep. Cry It Out (CIO) methods are a type of sleep training, but not all sleep training methods involve extended periods of crying. This news comes as…

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New Moms: This is urgent!

mom kissing baby

Dear New Moms, We need to talk. It’s a necessary and urgent conversation. If this is the only thing you read today. If you never read this blog again. If you’re a guy and can’t figure out why your wife sent this link to you. Whatever the circumstances- I’m begging you to take 5 minutes…

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