I often get asked “why would I need a doula? I have a supportive partner.” My response is, “You don’t need a doula, but do you know what a doula does?”

Okay I’m clearly passionate about baby positioning, I just feel like OBs and your provider should tell you what you can do to make your labor smoother besides just that “oh yes your good to go he is head down”. You can birth your baby in pretty much any position, some just take longer than others.

The holiday season is a stressful time; especially for new moms. You are being pulled in a million different directions to different family and friend events. Everyone wants to experience the holiday with the baby and often it is at the expense of the parents. I’m here to tell you, it doesn’t need to be stressful.

Some days I feel so touched out and it drives me crazy. But most days I love it, I love the bond and the time we get to spend together. I love that I can bring him comfort. I do not see us stopping anytime soon, but who knows.

Labor is not the time to be a people pleaser. It is not your job to please those around you, you do not just need to agree because your doctor recommends something. Remember that your doctor or midwife works for you. So technically the roles should be reversed; they should be trying to please you.

We as doulas often hear people say they need pain medication during labor because they have a “low pain tolerance”. Labor has very little to do with tolerance and so much more to do with mindset. If right now you start changing your mindset around pain and labor I can almost guarantee you will be able to give birth with no pain medications!