Welcome to another Motherhood Chat Unfiltered! We're so thrilled to share with you from an important voice in the birthing process - a doula! Lori is sharing some input on her own journey and some helpful things to keep in mind in the process of brining your baby into this world.
Grab a coffee or tea and let's get to it!
Why did you pursue being a doula?
I have always been drawn to working with pregnant and new moms . When I took my doula training my teacher said, “There is a reason you are called to do this work, something happened to you that brought you here’. I had this "ah ha" moment that I knew this to be true but didn’t know anything about my moms pregnancy, birth or first few years of life. Around the same time I was doing a lot of deep healing work on myself and in one of the sessions ( hypnotherapy) I touched upon a limiting core belief that was running my life. My Theripist asked me where this came from and I had no idea so we went back and and boom I was in the womb. I had a panic attack and they took me out of the session and said I should talk with my mom about her pregnancy with me. She told me all about the emotionally difficult pregnancy, birth and post Partum depression she suffered. I had felt everything in the womb. I do believe that the work I am doing is my soul calling and had I not come into the world in the way in which I did I wouldn’t be doing the work I am doing now. Have made it my mission in life that all I get to work with I hope feel supported, educated and empowered.
How long have you been working as a doula?
I have been a doula for 20 years. I don’t just do the birth but work with my clients throughout the whole journey, pre pregnancy, during pregnancy, birth and beyond.
What is the most important postpartum care advice you would offer?
Carve out time and space to take the time to properly heal. Your body went through a major transition you need time to heal not only from the birth but the whole 9 months of pregnancy as well. Also to be gentle with yourself and not compare your journey to another as no two women, couples, children are the same.
How do you help moms overcome their birthing fears?
We talk about them and look at where they might be coming from. Is this your fear or was it projected upon you by your mother, friends, social media, internet, society? Also educating them on choices and the process of birth. Knowledge is power and helps to defuse the fear.
What breastfeeding advice would you offer to new moms?
Even if your baby laches great at first always do a session with a lactation specialist because when milk come in or you if you birth in hospital when you leave things can change. Also to make sure you check for a tongue tie as this is a huge reason for trouble latching correctly and often goes undetected.
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