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.
Read MoreSeptember 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreBeing a new parent is challenging because you are adjusting to caring for a newborn. If you choose to breastfeed or baby, you face additional difficulties. While breastfeeding is a huge adjustment for both you and your baby, it can be a rewarding experience if you remember to take care of yourself. Here are four tips from Birth and Beyond Doulas that can help you navigate breastfeeding successfully.
Read MorePostpartum Depression - I hear this term all the time as a perinatal health professional. In my experience, it is the most commonly discussed perinatal mood and anxiety disorder, however it is not the only one. May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month and whether you are expecting a baby or supporting someone who is, it’s important to fully understand all perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).
Read MorePlacenta 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”.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreWelcoming 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.
Read MoreSurveys indicate that nearly one in eight people have a disability. Thanks to the internet, there are more ways to find out how to take care of your child while you have a disability and discover all sorts of resources. If you’re expecting a little one soon, here are some tips from Birth & Beyond Doula Services on how to prepare.
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You learn all about what to expect during pregnancy, labor, and childbirth – but why does no one talk about the fourth trimester and the physical changes that happen during the immediate postpartum period? Whether you’ve had a vaginal birth or a cesarean birth, you will experience some degree of postpartum bleeding, also called lochia.
Read MoreHaving perineal pain during your postpartum period is common. Tenderness and soreness are the two main descriptor words I hear my postpartum doula clients use. Luckily, there are things that you can do at home to ease this tenderness and soreness as your body begins to recover and heal from birth.
Read MoreThere are so many options of where to give birth in the Triangle: NC Women’s Hospital in Chapel Hill (UNC), UNC/Rex Hospital in Raleigh, WakeMed in Cary, WakeMed on New Bern Avenue in Raleigh, WakeMed on Falls of Neuse Road in Raleigh, Women’s Birth and Wellness Center in Chapel Hill, Duke University Hospital in Durham, Duke Regional in Durham, etc.
If you are planning on taking your placenta home for placenta encapsulation, or for other reasons there are a few things to keep in mind. Placenta encapsulation and placenta consumption are not super common, so care providers and hospitals may try to sway you from taking it home. Policies vary depending on who you birth with and where you birth.
Here are 5 quick tips to remember when taking your placenta home from the hospital, especially if you plan to encapsulate it:
Read More“My care provider told me that I can’t consume my placenta.” A phrase I hear all too often. The reality is, placenta encapsulation and consumption isn’t standard practice and it never will be – so care providers are confused by it, and often want to discourage you from consuming your placenta.
I’d be a terrible placenta encapsulation specialist if I told you placenta consumption was for everyone and that there are absolutely no contraindications. I’d also be a liar, and that’s one thing I’m not! I’d like to note one thing: it is illegal in all 50 states to prevent a parent from bringing home their placenta. Now onto contraindications…
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We get it. Newborns are fantastic creatures. They’re sweet, snuggly, and they smell brand new. They don’t talk back, and they have the cutest facial expressions. It is completely understandable that you want to have all the baby snuggles you can when a family member or friend has a tiny human. Sorry to burst your bubble – buuuut, when a close person has a new baby, it’s not about you. Sure, have all the baby snuggles you want (with permission) …but, make sure to follow these 10 rules:
Read MoreWhat is a postpartum doula? A calming and easy to get comfortable with companion, your postpartum doula helps with infant and childcare, meal preparation, makes sure you’re getting enough rest, keeps up on light housekeeping, and even offers breastfeeding or bottle feeding advice if you want it. The list of tasks within her scope are very broad, kind of like a fantasy-best-friend-slash-dream-mother-in-law who comes to look after you and your family—minus all that friends and family opinions and judgment.
But there’s more…
Read MoreHere’s a topic that stinks. Poop. More specifically, the first poop after you give birth. You have questions and you don’t know who or how to ask. What’s that first bowel movement after birth really like? Will it feel like giving birth again? Will I need to be sedated? Can I be sedated? We have yet to meet a doctor or midwife who will sedate you for your first poop after birth, BTW, but we’ll keep looking. Many Raleigh moms dread the idea of going number two after vaginal birth and for good reason! Your entire bottom may feel raw and the thought of popping a stitch while sitting on the toilet isn’t exactly our idea of a good time either.
Read MoreChoosing 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?
Read MoreYou may have heard of Bengkunk Belly Binding, a Malaysian tradition of wrapping the abdominal area after childbirth. This traditional practice has mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical benefits that can assist with postpartum recovery and healing. This is a time-tested way to journey back towards your pre-baby body, while also making sure you are healing naturally and comfortably.
Read MoreWhether planned or emergent, recovering from abdominal surgery, like a cesarean section, is no joke (as you’ll find out the first time someone makes you laugh). It will be about 6 weeks before your incision heals but you’ll start feeling like your old self before that. Getting the rest and care you need will ensure your recovery is smooth. You will need extra support during this time.
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