Affirmations for Pregnancy & Postpartum During COVID-19

April 13, 2020 Emerald Doulas, LLC

With all that’s going on in the world during the recent pandemic crisis, it’s understandable if new parents feel overwhelmed, untethered, or uncertain. The earliest days home with a newborn are already a time of vulnerability and growth. Allow yourself the time and space to feel all the feelings you need to have during these days.

As doulas, we find it helpful to anchor ourselves in the Present with the help of mantras, or positive affirmations, in times of stress. This week, we’d like to offer ten phrases you might try repeating to yourself (or with your baby) the next time the tidal wave of emotion takes a turn towards you.

Read This, Not That: Our Top 5 Book Recommendations for New Parents

September 17, 2019 Emerald Doulas, LLC

As birth doulas we often tell clients they don’t have to become pregnancy and childbirth experts; and yet, it’s hard for those of us who are research lovers to resist the urge to purchase even one pregnancy book. There are so many “new” new-things that comes with pregnancy and childbirth, it’s natural to be curious and to see out information. But then, you stare at the shelf at the library or the bookstore and ... BOOM.!

So. Many. Books. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the options on the shelf and by recommendations from well-intentioned friends.

Do you want the encyclopedia of pregnancy and childbirth, or are you more interested in a more broad approach to this new phase of life?

Here are FIVE book recommendations about pregnancy that we think are actually* worth a read …*

Eating Dates for Labor: Our Best Recipe Suggestions

February 4, 2019 Emerald Doulas, LLC

This week’s blog post comes from Emerald Doula, and resident foodie, Vanessa. Vanessa is, in addition to being an incredible doula, an amazing home chef. She can make nearly any meal Instagram ready (and her InstaStories back up that claim!). Today, she’s sharing some of her favorite recipe links to help pregnant people consume the fabled “6 Dates A Day” for a possibly easier birth …

Birth Doulas: Support for Birthing People AND Their Partners

December 17, 2018 Emerald Doulas, LLC

*Photograph by Kallyn Boerner, Heart in Hands NC*

Most often as birth doulas, we’ll talk about and share ways in which we support the birthing person during pregnancy and birth. That’s fair, though, right? Birthing people are doing a good portion of the work, and will need that support as they move through the process.

But did you know? Birth doulas also provide a lot of support specifically for partners, too!

How? Find out more …

Five Ways That Transform A Hospital Room Into A Birth Cave

December 5, 2017 Emerald Doulas, LLC

You may or may not know this, but doulas are particularly gifted at transforming ordinary, boring spaces into cozy, personalized nooks. This talent truly shines when a birth doula works their magic in a birthing space, turning a standardized (read: sterile and cold) hospital room into a magical birth cave. Today, they’re sharing their secrets on how you too can personalize your hospital room, to really create the safe, settled space in which you will welcome your baby...

{5 Things} You Should Do If You’re Planning An Induction

March 1, 2017 Emerald Doulas, LLC

Sometimes babies need a little encouragement to come Earthside. Whether that’s because they’ve overstayed their welcome (Hello, 42 weekers), or because medically, your baby is safer on the outside than in, or because it’s your choice; inductions are often a reality of the birth world.

If you’re facing an induction soon, here are Five Things you should consider doing to make the experience a little less stressful...

All In Good Time: When Should I Hire A Doula?

February 20, 2017 Emerald Doulas, LLC

For most things in life, timing is everything, they say. When it comes to hiring a birth doula, we’d have to agree… well, sort of.

It may surprise you to hear that there is no “perfect time” to hire a birth doula. That said, of course, you’ll get more out of the relationship with your birth doula team, by researching and finding you perfect match sooner rather than later.

But don’t worry, we’ve got your back, if you wait until the last minute too!

Not Your Mama's Childbirth Class

January 26, 2017 Emerald Doulas, LLC

It’s easy to feel in this day and age, with ALL the information available at your fingertips, that one should be able to glean and digest all that we need to know via books, the Internet, and friends. We’re all so busy, it’s tempting just to take the two-hour online class, or read the usual suggested book or two. While there are lots of great books out there and you can learn a lot from our friend Google, the experience leaves a lot to be desired.

In-person childbirth education offers so. much. more...

World Prematurity Day: What it means for my family ...

November 17, 2016 Emerald Doulas, LLC

November is National Prematurity Awareness Month. In fact today, Nov. 17, is World Prematurity Day. Not that families who experience a baby’s early arrival aren’t aware of prematurity. Because we are. All day. Every day.

This is a fact that I know intimately.

It’s that walk, that awareness, of where your child began life that never leaves your mind. It’s an awareness that seeps into your bones, and becomes engrained with your DNA.

As I sit here today, writing these words, retelling our story, six and a half years out from her birth day, I have tears in my eyes and a knot in my throat. That’s because knowing where our daughter started life and where she is now, it breaks my heart and heals it all at the same time.

5 Things (To Eat in Durham on a Pre-Baby Date Night)

February 25, 2016 Emerald Doulas, LLC

Sure, there will be date nights after a baby is born, but let's be honest here. The days of going out to eat at 10 p.m. will be few and far between.

So as you're preparing to cherish those last few spontaneous morsels, here are our suggestions for a few (kid-unfriendly) Durham-centric restaurants. These are so good, the memories will last you for a few months, or at least until Grandma comes to visit and you get your first post-baby Date Night away (but that's another post for another day).

5 Things (To Do With Your Newborn In Durham)

February 11, 2016 Emerald Doulas, LLC

Ah, winter. For some it evokes visions of hot cocoa, warm fires, snuggling inside with your loved ones. For new parents, winter can feel like The Doldrums, as they look at life on the outside with wonder, awe... and desperation.

"I gotta get out of this house! But what do I DO with a newborn in the cold weather?"

Well thankfully dear readers, you're in (or around) the Bull City, one of the most family-friendly cities, and we've got some suggestions for you on today's 5 Things list.

So. Many. Books. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the options on the shelf and by recommendations from well-intentioned friends.

Here are FIVE book recommendations about pregnancy that we think are *actually* worth a read …

But did you know? Birth doulas also provide a lot of support specifically for partners, too!

How? Find out more …

For most things in life, timing is everything, they say. When it comes to hiring a birth doula, we’d have to agree… well, sort of.

Here are FIVE book recommendations about pregnancy that we think are actually* worth a read …*