To say that her birth rocked our world, well, is an understatement. When your baby arrives early or spends time in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (known as the NICU) , whether it's for weeks or if they stay just a few hours; it's overwhelming.

You feel like you're living in a dreamland, and it's hard to stay present and in the moment, let alone to think of things that might make the time a little more bearable. So, here are just a few ideas to help during this time of stress ...

Yes, of course everyone should hire a doula but for some populations (and abuse survivors are included in this group) hiring a doula should be a non-negotiable part of their birth and postpartum plans. As a trauma-informed health educator, I train healthcare professionals to better understand how past abuse affects later health and wellness. Despite wide evidence to support the lasting impact, the general public -including survivors and healthcare professionals who work with survivors- are generally unaware of exactly how abuse can manifest itself later in life, and especially so at vulnerable times like pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Doulas, however, are one of the birth-y folks with whom I speak most often who have especially strong instinct about the needs of their clients, a skill which works in their favor when their client might be an abuse survivor. Here’s why ...

You might notice that New Parent Hangout isn’t advertised as a "breastfeeding group". That's an intentional choice. And, it's because Hangout is an extension of everything we do here at Emerald Doulas including one of our most guiding principles: non-judgmental care. 

Breastfeeding can be hard on partners. I see it every day as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. It can be hard to feel out of the loop or out of control during the early days of bringing home a newborn. Cheering on your partner is so important, but sometimes doesn’t feel like enough. 

Here are some of our favorite tips to help you feel the most helpful to your partner and baby during this important time ...

This is not another “top 10 things you need to know about parenting” blog post.  If you want answers to logistical questions such as diapering, getting babies to sleep, etc., then I invite you to jump into an ocean of information online.  Good luck!  Instead, I focus on the emotional side of things, on how my sense of what this world is changed when I became a parent, and some of the issues that have come up for me throughout the process.

 “We’re pregnant!”  “We’re having a baby!”

Rarely does someone expect to develop a postpartum mood disorder, and often people are unprepared for how it affects their breastfeeding goals. Likewise, new parents are often ill-equipped for how their breastfeeding goals might impact their mental health. 

This is where things can get tricky...

One in 7 women will suffer from a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, making it the most common complication of childbirth. Chances are that if you know a new mother, you likely know someone who is experiencing a PMAD right now. A struggling family often needs help… but, it can sometimes be hard for ask directly for that help. And, it's sometimes challenging to know exactly how you can provide support in a way that they need. So, what can you do? Emerald Doula, Carrie Banks, offers up a few of her top ideas ...

Trigger Warning: The following blog post is a very personal account of a mother's experience with a Perinatal Mood Disorder, written by Emerald Doula Carrie Banks. This post may be triggering for some, and includes descriptions of her physical and emotional symptoms, as well as her path to recovery. If you are currently experiencing a PMAD, please reach out for support either by contacting us for resources and help, or by contacting your care provider. 

When I  became a doula, I began collecting various recipes I came across on the internet.  Many moms were hesitant to make these cookies themselves because of the (seemingly) weird and (often) expensive ingredients.  The baker in me, however, was up for the challenge. Plus, I always wanted to complete a Lactation Cookie Throwdown. 

Thankfully, our most recent New Moms Group provided the perfect opportunity to do just that!

It took a few months into motherhood before I figured out why I felt so depleted all of the time.  That cooing, lovely baby of mine… she was attached at my hip (literally!) all. day. long. Suddenly, my days were spent in the company of someone else, and this someone demanded my full attention all of the time. It was draining me! I was “touched out” and “talked out” by a human who couldn’t even talk yet! What kind of mother needs time away from her own baby?!

Introverted mothers do. And as it turns out, most of us do.

As a doula, I see this a lot with new mothers, who are also introverts. They sometimes feel guilty when they ask to spend a little time by themselves, or ask their partners or family to take over for a bit.

You may not have known this, but today, March 2, is IBCLC Day! International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) play a critical role for supporting new families in reaching their breastfeeding goals. IBCLCs study and train very hard to become certified, and as a result, they have specialized knowledge about human milk production, breast anatomy and physiology and all things infant feeding (in all it's many forms).

At Emerald Doulas we are proud to offer in-office prenatal consults with Victoria Facelli, our board certified lactation consultant. If you like to plan ahead, this is a great way to get your breastfeeding journey off to a great, solid start.

So, in honor of IBCLC Day, here is Victoria's list of reasons why you should check-in with a lactation consultant before you have your baby.