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Mother Friendly Initiative, pt. 2
Houston, we have a problem. While many countries around the world are seeing a decrease in maternal mortality, we are seeing an alarming increase in the United States. The Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative seeks to improve the health of mothers and babies holistically. Baby Friendly and Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiatives can be confusing, and this causes the terms to be misused interchangeably. Here is a very simple explanation: Baby Friendly Policies that support breastfeeding and mother/baby bond (link here) Mother Friendly Policies that support the normalcy of birth, the empowerment of women during pregnancy and birth, a woman’s autonomy, doing no harm, and responsibility in each sphere of care. Mother…
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The Power of the Continuous Presence
The loss of continuous presence It goes without saying a huge part of the role of a doula is her ability to patiently abide in the presence of a laboring mom. The doula’s sympathetic presence alone unlocks a treasure chest of comfort and strength for a mother experiencing childbirth. But why is this so? What is the psychology behind the phenomenon of a continuous presence? Let’s look at history. From the beginning of time we see from art depictions and historical texts women attended by other women during birth – often a midwife along with female attendants – most likely the birthing woman’s friends. When birth moved into the hospitals…
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Baby Friendly – Mother Friendly
Baby Friendly? Mother Friendly? Have you heard of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative? Are these terms confusing? What do these terms actually mean for mothers and babies? What are their differences? Baby Friendly The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) desires to promote breastfeeding and the health of babies through evidence based practices for successful breastfeeding, and mother/baby bonding. It is an international program initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 1991. The program is voluntary and if a hospital pursues the designation, they can be awarded the coveted Baby Friendly Hospital status. Mother Friendly The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative…
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Dear Millennials, I see you.
*This post, prompted by events last weekend, has been brewing for a long time. Dear Millennials, I work with you as you build your families, doing the hardest work a woman could ever do – giving birth to a baby. I see you. I see you as you make decisions that are best for your baby. Mama, I see you. I see you learning all you can to give your baby holistic health. I see you during the morning sickness, the aches, the heavy days, and watch you give your baby what it needs before birth. I see you as you struggle to nourish your baby breastfeeding. I see you…
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Have I ever prevented a C-section?
How one C-section may have been prevented by choosing best plan, provider, place of birth, support team, doula, and childbirth preparation class.
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When is the best time to hire a doula?
Answering the question about when is the best time to hire a birth doula and the benefits of having a birth doula during each trimester.
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Honoring Midwives
Honoring midwives, explaining the midwifery model of care,the difference between direct entry and lay midwives , certified professional midwives, and nurse midwives.
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A Letter to My Pre-Mom Self
Life with new baby is beautiful, exhausting, and hard. Comforting post for the journey that is life with new baby.
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Precious Arrows Doula Services is moving!
Precious Arrows Doula Services has relocated to the Great Nashville area providing birth and postpartum doula services, and childbirth education classes.
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Birth Ball for Labor
Learn about using a birth ball to relief the aches of pregnancy, aid with movement and comfort during labor, and for exercise after birth.