Fighting Fatigue: A Guide to Self-Care for Parents of Special Needs Children

Fatigue is a common challenge among parents of special needs children. Raising a child with a disability can be both physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting, leading to a profound sense of tiredness that no amount of sleep can resolve. What’s more, the immense love these parents have for their children often drives them to put their own needs on the back burner. However, parents must remember that they, too, need care and nourishment to sustain their role as effective caregivers. In this article from Birth and Beyond, we’ll help you assess your level of personal fatigue and create a self-care plan to rejuvenate your well-being.

You Are Not Too Fat To Give Birth

For those of us who have been stigmatized by the medical system for our weight, it can be really embarrassing to go to a regular obstetrical provider once you find out you are pregnant. Some providers assume you already have health complications and some will be vocal about the pregnancy complications “you will have since your BMI is higher.” Some providers will tell you that you need a c-section at your first appointment because they assume you aren’t able to push your baby out vaginally.

Starting an At-Home Business as an Expecting Parent

A soon-to-be stay-at-home parent is an influential figure in their own home, and they have the potential to make money for the family (if parenting isn’t enough!) If you’re interested in starting your own home business, this information from Birth and Beyond Doula Services will help you get started.

How To Be Ready If Your Baby Has A Fever

If you’re a parent, one of the scariest things you can face is your baby having a fever. It can be difficult to know what to do and how to best take care of them, particularly if it’s your first time as a parent. In this blog post, we’ll look at how to be best prepared for when your baby has a fever and talk about the best approaches for managing their temperature and getting them comfortable and back to health.

What To Avoid While Pregnant

There’s so much information out there on what to avoid while pregnant. This guest blog from The Birth Injury Center is super helpful in determining what is safe and what isn’t. Register for our virtual Early Pregnancy Planning Class on January 7th from 10am-11:30am to learn more!

Pregnancy After Loss: What You Need To Know

October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month. There are so many topics we could discuss in relationship to this, but the one I want to touch on that no one appears to talk about is pregnancy after loss. The grief and pain associated with the loss of a pregnancy, infant, or child is unimaginable and unfortunately still taboo to talk about.

Surviving The NICU: A Birth Story

September is NICU Awareness Month. Surviving the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is no easy task, but it is possible. I’m Briana, the owner of Birth and Beyond and I am here to tell you my NICU survival story. I planned a homebirth in late 2021 for my February 2022 estimated due date. I ate all the good foods, I exercised, I chose a good provider, and I remained stress free in the middle of a global pandemic.

Can Being a Mompreneur Work For You?

In a fast-paced world full of challenges it’s important to encourage an attitude of self-care while your kids are still young. Cultivating this mindset means modeling the right behaviors and suggesting activities that can calm the mind - here are some tips from Birth and Beyond Doulas to get you started.

No Kidding: Promoting Self-Care for Young Children

In a fast-paced world full of challenges it’s important to encourage an attitude of self-care while your kids are still young. Cultivating this mindset means modeling the right behaviors and suggesting activities that can calm the mind - here are some tips from Birth and Beyond Doulas to get you started.

The 411 on Postpartum Belly Binding

Placenta Encapsulation, Mother Blessings, Postpartum Belly Binding? There are so many birth-related traditions that have been performed throughout the years that are known to help with postpartum recovery. You may have seen my blog a few years ago on Postpartum Belly Binding, but because it is such a popular topic, I figured I’d revisit it this month. If you are currently pregnant, or recently had a baby, you’ve probably heard the phrase “bouncing back”. While I am not an advocate for focusing on “getting your body back, I understand your desire to feel like yourself again. Social media and celebrities often set the bar for when you should be back at your pre-pregnancy weight and shape. But, they never remember to reiterate that your body took 40ish weeks to get to where it is, in addition to doing a pretty amazing thing (growing a human), so give yourself some grace on “getting your body back”.

Dude, Hire a Doula!

This is pretty much my strongest recommendation in my whole book. No “maybe think about…”, no “you should consider…,” no “be open to…”. Simply put, just do it. Trust me on this one. But wait, what’s a Doula, and why should I hire one? First things first, a Doula is a trained birth professional who is an expert in all the non-medical aspects of pregnancy and childbirth. They are experienced in childbirth education, physical comfort measures, emotional support, and many other things that can make the birthing experience easier for everybody. They are a combination of your wingman from heaven and Mama’s super awesome best friend. In a word, they are simply amazing.

Intimacy in the Fourth Trimester: How New Parents Keep the Romance Alive

Welcoming a child is among the most joyous times in a couple's relationship. It's also one of the hardest. Many young couples are struggling to adapt to parenthood. Having a baby comes with a lot of new responsibilities and routines, not to mention hormonal swings and sleepless nights. It's normal for couples to put the baby first during this initial phase. However, when the relationship takes a back seat for too long, connection gives way to conflict, hurt feelings, and lost emotional intimacy.

All About Chiropractic Care in Pregnancy

As a birth doula, one of the main things I recommend to my clients is to find a chiropractor. I’ll be honest…when I was young, I thought chiropractors were quacks. I got into a really terrible car accident at 16 years old, and I went through all the traditional methods of fixing my back, hip, and knee. While the more traditional treatments provided some temporary relief, it wasn’t until I saw a chiropractor that I felt back to normal again...permanently. But, enough about me … chiropractic care in pregnancy is a must!

Apps That Every New Parents Needs to Download

Becoming a parent these days isn’t much easier than it was fifty years ago, but we do have more advantages when it comes to resources and help. In addition to the indispensable assistance from your partner, family, friends, and postpartum doula, there are several apps on the market now that can help you feed, clothe, diaper, and diagnose your baby with the push of a button, saving you time and money as well as a lot of worry. From keeping track of how many wet diapers your baby has to making sure everyone stays fed, there are tons of apps out there that you can utilize for your whole family’s postpartum needs. Here are some of the best ones to try, plus tips on how to make the most of them.

How to Choose a Postpartum Doula

Choosing a Raleigh postpartum professional to support your family through the early weeks of transitioning into parenthood can be a daunting task. Google searches, friendly recommendations, phone calls, and interviews. But how will you know which postpartum doula is the right postpartum doula?