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.

PostpartumBriana SmithAugust 30, 2021postpartum doula, postpartum ritual, postpartum intimacy, sex after baby, the fourth trimester, parenting, birth recovery, postpartum recovery

Postpartum Bleeding: What’s Normal vs What’s Not

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.

Postpartum, Childbirth, Placenta EncapsulationBriana SmithJanuary 27, 2020postpartum doula, postpartum doula in raleigh, postpartum, postpartum recovery, postpartum bleeding, postpartum hemmorhage, cesarean birth, cesarean recovery, vaginal birth, childbirth, placenta encapsulation in raleigh, placenta, placenta encapsulation

What You Need to Know About Postpartum Sitz Baths

Having 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.

Postpartum, ChildbirthBriana SmithJanuary 20, 2020postpartum doula, postpartum doula in raleigh, postpartum, postpartum recovery, postpartum healing, postpartum ritual, sitz bath, herbal bath, postpartum sitz bath, postpartum herbal bath, homebirth, childbirth, home birth, childbirth tips, perineal pain, certified nurse midwife

Taking Your Placenta Home from Raleigh Area Hospitals

There 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:

Placenta Encapsulation, Postpartum, ChildbirthBriana SmithJanuary 13, 2020placenta services, placenta services in raleigh, placenta encapsulation, placenta encapsulation in raleigh, placenta tincture, placenta print, raleigh area hospitals, postpartum doula, postpartum recovery, postpartum healing

When is Placenta Encapsulation Contraindicated?

“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…

Childbirth, Placenta Encapsulation, PostpartumBriana SmithJanuary 6, 2020postpartum doula, postpartum recovery, postpartum doula in raleigh, placenta services, placenta services in raleigh, placenta burial, placenta broth, placenta print, placenta art, placenta art in raleigh, placenta tincture, placenta encapsulation, placenta encapsulation in raleigh

10 Rules for Visiting a Newborn

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:

PostpartumBriana SmithDecember 30, 2019newborn care in raleigh, postpartum doula, postpartum doula in raleigh, postpartum recovery, postpartum, the fourth trimester

5 Ways To Make Your First Postpartum Poop Easier

Here’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.

Postpartum, ChildbirthBriana SmithDecember 9, 2019postpartum doula, postpartum doula in raleigh, postpartum, postpartum recovery, doula support in raleigh, overnight doula support in raleigh

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?

Postpartum, Placenta Encapsulation, Belly Binding, ChildbirthBriana SmithNovember 9, 2019postpartum, postpartum doula, postpartum recovery, postpartum doula in raleigh, parenting, parenting philosophy, newborn care in raleigh, liability insurance, pelvic floor physical therapist, PMAD, placenta encapsulation in raleigh, overnight doula support in raleigh, doula support in raleigh

Benefits of Postpartum Belly Binding

You 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.

Postpartum, Belly BindingBriana SmithOctober 30, 2019postpartum recovery, belly binding, bengkunk belly binding, belly binding in raleigh, postpartum doula, postpartum doula in raleigh

Best C-Section Recovery Tips

Whether 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.

Postpartum, ChildbirthBriana SmithOctober 26, 2019childbirth, postpartum recovery, postpartum doula, postpartum doula in raleigh, birth doula, birth doula in raleigh, overnight doula support in raleigh, newborn care specialist, cesarean recovery, c-section, c-section recovery, childbirth tips

8 Ways You Can Honor Your Placenta

Your placenta. An incredible organ that has nourished your baby and sustained your pregnancy for many months. The filter, barrier, and connection between mother and child. Oxygen was delivered, hormones were produced, and nourishment was given. But once your baby is born, the placenta’s work will be complete, or will it?

5 Things I Know About Placenta Encapsulation

Postpartum, Placenta EncapsulationBriana SmithOctober 15, 2019Birth and Beyond, Inc.placenta encapsulation in raleigh, placenta encapsulation, postpartum recovery, postpartum doula, postpartum doula in raleigh, placenta art in raleigh, placenta print, placenta tincture, placenta services, placenta services in raleigh