It Takes a Village: Doula Support For The Whole Family

The birth of a baby is a team effort. 

From your delivery team to your partner, a good support system involves a mix of important people. Whether it's your labor doula or postpartum, a doula supports your whole family as another link to the emotional and physical care you need to deliver and heal.

Your doula and your partner are a team within the team, offering multi faceted support that is comfortable and familiar. 

Doulas don't replace the role of your partner through this incredible journey. Instead, they seek to empower your partner where they need it and support them too. 

Go Team!

Teamwork makes the dream work and teaming up with a doula helps your partner feel more equipped to comfort you through labor or those first few days home with baby. Comfort measures are more effective because your partner is participating alongside your doula, their touch connecting with your body on a chemical level to boost stress-reducing hormones and promoting a more comfortable labor experience. When working together, both parents can feel engaged with the entire process and never left in the dark about what to expect along the way.

A Doula's Role

Doulas don't replace. It's our jobs to give your whole family specialized comfort through the stresses of labor and postpartum and leaving the space that parents need for their own experience. It's our role as a doula to stay comfortably present and respectfully separate from each parent's birthing experience. Pushy comfort or judgement is never an element of a doula's birth or postpartum session. You can be certain your parenting styles are being supported and partners can feel that they are being included and connected with the laboring mother all along the way. 

First and foremost our job is to provide the education and encouragement that a birthing couple needs to feel confident, aware and in control of this important moment of their lives. This education leaves them feeling equipped to handle the tasks ahead and certain that they will succeed. A partner can assure a mother, a doula assures the couple. 

Partner's Role

As the person who has the closest intimate connection with a laboring woman or postpartum mother, a partner's role is extremely valuable. You can provide comfort that waves relief like no other and in times of stress you are the rock to lean on. As this advocate for your growing family, you can help make decisions on birth plans and develop the birth and parenting experience that makes this moment special for both parents. A partner helps bridge communication and the connection between the laboring family and their doula to keep the birth and postpartum space calm, aware and respected. 

It really does take a team!

Whether you're introducing a brand new baby into the world or settling in at home as a new family, a strong support team makes a world of difference. Working in tandem, your partner and doula can be the strong support system you need to feel confident and in control of your birth and postpartum experience.

Grandparent University: Taking Parenting Out of Retirement

What's more exciting than becoming a new parent? 

Becoming a grandparent of course!

In most cases, grandparents-to-be are just as nervous to welcome a new baby into the family as the parents are and they want everything to be just right for the big day. Some grandparents wish to be more involved than others and since it's been a while since they delivered their last baby, standards in the birth world have probably made some changes since. 

Whether they'll admit it right away or not, grandparents are usually hard at work preparing for the arrival of their new grandchild and we have some resources just for them. 

Arm your parents with your birth plan and parenting preferences and we'll do all the work getting them up to speed with the modern resources, research and trends they need to know.

Grandparent Prep

Our Grandparent Prep course fills in all the blanks and helps your parents feel confident as they anxiously await their exciting new chapter as grandparents. Aside from learning about all the new trends, gadgets and standards, expectant grandparents will learn how to offer postpartum support and accommodate the needs of the parents to be. 

The prep class helps grandparents learn feeding support techniques, baby care basics and even up to date baby safety precautions like car seats and SIDS prevention. Baby care changes dramatically with each generation and preparation courses help your parents understand these changes and feel up to speed with their role and expectations for birth and postpartum. 

Private Classes

If your parents prefer a more one-on-one experience, our educators offer the grandparent curriculum as a private session by request. At home, your parents feel comfortable being in their own space and can even get some helpful tips about baby-proofing their home. Private classes allow expectant grandparents to ask questions freely and discuss any concerns without judgement. Private courses can also be helpful when accommodating a busy schedule for you or your parents. If you're the mom to be and planning on attending, you can be comfortable in your own space and don't have to worry about getting out to attend a group session. This can be particularly convenient for late stage pregnancies that have been prescribed bed rest.

Family can be a powerful tool for healing, comfort and reassurance. 

Whether you're just breaking the big news or counting down to the big day, it's important to empower your parents to help them feel involved and up to date as they navigate this new chapter. Communication is key and with our Grandparent Prep course, your parents can be up to date and refreshed on all things modern baby and leaving them ready to respect your birth and postpartum decisions. 

Mother's Day Inspiration

It's almost Mother's Day!

Whether you're a mom yourself or have a certain lady in mind to celebrate this Mother's Day, you might be looking for a little inspiration to make the holiday extra special. 

Family time together is always on the agenda for Mother's Day, but why not think outside the box or plan a whole weekend of fun and memories for mom to enjoy?

We've got some great ideas for Mother's Day this spring if you're lucky enough to find yourself in beautiful Maine for the weekend. 

Mother's Day Gala 

If you're trying to decide on what event to choose for Mother's Day, the Augusta Elks Scholarship Committee's Mother's Day Gala has plenty to see and do from 11:00 to 2:00. Your admission includes a light lunch, a fashion show and more. Browse different local vendors and even enjoy raffles and door prizes during your visit. It's a cute way to do something a little different and interact with some of the businesses in our community. 

Brunch With a Bang

What Mother's Day would be complete without a hearty brunch to fuel the day's activity with plenty of dishes your mom doesn't have to wash. Rí Rá Portland is celebrating mom with an all day brunch extravaganza from 9am to 10pm. Here you can expect to find curried coconut fried shrimp, lobster club sliders, bacon and feta stuffed salmon, lobster benedict, chicken pappardelle and roasted pork tenderloin and more. You can also access their regular specialties all day long, making Rí Rá one of the stops you won't want to miss on your Mother's Day list.

Brunch and a Show

Sometimes brunch goes better with some good tunes. Brunch at the Thirsty Pig this year has an indie/folk performance from Clara Hathaway to enjoy with your Mother's Day breakfast. Relaxed and mellow, mom can enjoy a mimosa or artfully crafted cocktail with a collection of breakfast favorites. Seating is limited so make your reservations as soon as you can!

Mother's Day 5K 

If your mom is craving some time in the good outdoors or loves to be active, the annual Maine Track Club's Mother's Day 5k Road Race is the place to be. Proceeds from the race go towards Maine breast cancer patients and research, making this not only a fun day but a great cause for other women in our community that are battling with breast cancer. Start your day with a run and head over to refuel at one of the local brunch spots with all your family and friends. 

On Mother's Day, there's no shortage of activities around Portland. 

There's plenty to do in the Portland area as the seasons change and Mother's Day is a big start to the beautiful summer sunshine. Show your mom a little extra appreciation this weekend and treat her to some adventures around Portland and all the sweet memories to follow. 

Placenta Encapsulation: You Want Me to Eat What?!

Postpartum recovery isn't always an easy road, luckily there's options available to make the transition easier. 

Placenta encapsulation offers mothers control of their postpartum experience, with a long list of physical and emotional benefits. Although encapsulation seems to be a new concept in the modern birth world, placenta benefits for recovery is anything but a new discovery.

In various countries around the world, placenta is a ceremonial part of the childbirth experience and consumed by the mother to balance her body after birth. 

Benefits of Placenta Encapsulation

Although research supporting it's benefits has only begun to emerge, many of the postpartum placenta benefits are attributed to the experiences of the families that have used their capsules as a powerful resource for recovery. During the first few weeks, your body is slowly making it's recovery and the vitamins, minerals and hormones present in your capsules can help guide your body to a shorter recovery time frame. 

Umbilical Cord heart memento

Emotional Support

Some of the most notable benefits of encapsulation is it's ability to increase your body's oxytocin levels to help you bond with your baby. Along with oxytocin, your body makes more CRH to help banish stress and make your postpartum transition home easier. 

With the added emotional support of your encapsulation routine, it dramatically reduces the risks of postpartum depression and anxiety. Mothers who encapsulate often feel more confident throughout their postpartum journey and second time mothers that may have experienced PPD with their first child are often encouraged to encapsulate as a holistic alternative to medications and other chemical interventions. 

Placenta tinctures and capsules can help restore the emotional balance that many women need to feel more secure and empowered as they heal and begin their chapter as a new mom.

Placenta Encapsulation for Breastfeeding 

Encapsulation can also provide some amazing physical support for your postpartum body too.

Alongside an improved bonding experience between mom and baby, placenta encapsulation can also help women meet their breastfeeding goals. Some women experience more comfortable breastfeeding and increases in milk production in the first few weeks postpartum. Your placenta is also a powerhouse of nutrients and can provide some of the minerals lost during birth and as you breastfeed like iron levels in the blood.

The Maine Doulas postpartum placenta specialists are raising the bar for placenta encapsulation.

Safety and quality are at the forefront of our placenta encapsulation services, with our specialists trained and certified regularly to provide the best care for your family. If you or a loved one is interested in placenta encapsulation or are looking for more information about it's benefits or process, our trained postpartum specialists are there to consult with you and walk you through this incredible resource for your postpartum recovery.

Planning Your Preferences

As your due date approaches, there's tons of decisions to make. 

Preferences for your baby's birth and how to organize these into your birth plan is a big first step. Although the terms birth plan and birth preferences are often used interchangeably, they're very different steps of the planning process. 

It's equally as important for parents to know what to expect from their birth experience and for their birth team to be in tune with the expectations of the family.

Identifying your preferences can help you feel more empowered through your pregnancy and banish insecurities and anxieties before the big day. 

Birth Preferences

Aside from the basics like who, what, where, your birth preferences also outline factors that make you feel more comfortable. Pain management options are an important preference to consider and other comfort measures through your labor transitions. Think about some of the things that might help you relax and feel more focused on the task at hand. 

Your preferences can reflect your parenting styles, religious traditions, or even holistic alternatives. It's important to stay on the same page as your care provider or midwife to understand more about what techniques are safest for you and your baby.

When you identify your labor and delivery preferences, you'll know exactly what to expect long before you have a single contraction.

Birth Plan

Think of your birth plan as an itinerary for your birth. After communicating with your hospital or birth center staff and providers, your birth preferences are organized on an easy to follow plan that helps you keep a document that keeps everyone on the same page on the big day.  While this plan is important, it's also important to remember that flexibility is key. Birth can be unpredictable and when you have different options lined up, there's always a plan B if you change your mind along the way or your doctor makes a medical recommendation. 

There's no need to overthink your plan and it's actually better to keep things simple and easy for everyone to follow. When your birth plan is strong, short and sweet you can be sure that you have all the information you need about what options are available to you and your family. 

Outlining your preferences in an organized birth plan gives parents the peace of mind they need to feel in control.

Preparing for birth doesn't have to be stressful.

Your labor doula can help you organize your preferences in one place, keeping you feeling empowered and confident as you embark on this incredible new chapter.

Postpartum Pelvic Floor: What's Normal?

A mother's postpartum recovery can be a long road of uncertainties. 

With all the different phases of your body's transition back to it's pre-baby state, it's easy to think your recovery isn't going according to plan. Some of these recovery stages you expect and others might have you asking your postpartum doula team is this is "normal" or not. 

Truth is, everyone's birth and postpartum journey is different. 

One of these journeys is the recovery of all the pelvic floor muscles and tissues that did all the hard work bringing your new baby into the world. We wanted to offer new parents some peace of mind when it comes to pelvic floor recovery so they can feel confident that they're on track with the healing process and when they should get a second opinion from their doctor. 

How does birth affect your pelvic floor?

Pregnancy or vaginal birth can sometimes cause the muscles in your pelvic floor to become weak. Even if you delivered your baby cesarean, your pelvic floor may have become stretched or even overstretched. This stretching can make it more difficult to activate these muscles or control some of the functions that rely on muscle strength in this area. 

Pelvic Floor Sensation After Birth

What's a normal pelvic floor feeling, anyway?

Many women experience soreness, bruising, numbness or discomfort in various areas of their pelvic floor. In the first few days to weeks postpartum, this area tends to feel heavy or sometimes swollen when you overexert your body. When the pelvic floor is weaker it becomes more common to have bladder leaks, or even some bowel discomfort.  

In normal cases, these symptoms tend to go away within the first six weeks postpartum. If you're approaching the six week point and your pelvic floor symptoms are still severe it could suggest that you should seek out a medical opinion. 

Unusual Pelvic Floor Symptoms and Complicatons

When daily pain or discomfort persists after six weeks it could raise a red flag for medical intervention. Pelvic floor injuries affect many women and can cause very real physical and emotional discomfort when misdiagnosed or keep the concerns to themselves. 

Urinary or bowel incontinence is a big concern for women who might have damaged their pelvic floor during pregnancy or birth. This can be embarrassing and can keep women from enjoying activities they once enjoyed like running, hiking or sports. Painful sex for an extended period of time is also cause for concern. When the discomfort continues while you're intimate with your partner, it might be a sign that your pelvic floor muscles have become prolapsed, exceptionally weak or damaged more severely. 

Discuss these problems with your doctor at the first sign of persistent pain, discomfort or symptoms that aren't improving over time.  

Don't get nervous if you feel uncomfortable in those first few weeks postpartum, it's normal for pelvic floor muscles to need the opportunity to recover and restrengthen.

You know your body better than anyone and should never feel too nervous to voice your concerns to your postpartum team and your care provider.