Does Experience Matter?

How many births have you been to? This is a question we get from almost every new client we interview with. There seems to be a premium put on the amount of births a doula has attended. As a doula with over 12 years of experience and almost 400 births I can tell you: It doesn't matter. Each birth we attend is a unique and beautiful event. Even after all these years I find myself shaking my head afterwards and...Read More

The Reverse Cinderella

Baby focused instead of Parent focused There is so much attention with a new baby coming. It is easy to feel like Cinderella. You are pampered at baby showers. There are regular classes and checkups to attend. Everyone is asking how you feel during pregnancy and inquiring about your plans for birth. During the postpartum phase, visitors are often focused on meeting and holding the new baby. Neglecting that the new parents may have needs. Lack of support After birth,...Read More

Newborn Sleep

A brand new baby will sleep much of the time, waking every few hours for feedings. Many new parents have a lot of questions about how long and how often a newborn should sleep. Because newborns have such a small stomach they should be waking to be fed every 2-3 hours. How often your baby eats depends on what their nutritional needs are and what they are being fed. It is best to talk to your provider to see if...Read More
Fear of Childbirth

Fear of Giving Birth….. Again

Childbirth can be a really scary thing. Most of that fear comes from the lack of control and fear of the unknown; how will it feel? What if I don't know I am in labor? What if we don't get to the hospital in time? These are very real and very valid fears. But what if you HAVE given birth before and it was not the experiance you were looking for? As your pregnancy progresses and you get closer to...Read More

Why does my period make me poop?

[caption id="attachment_3051" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Copyright : Vadim Guzhva[/caption] We have all been there. Your expecting your period any day now and all off a sudden there is a mad dash for the bathroom. Diarrhea and periods are synonymous for most women. So why do so many women find themselves up shit creek (pun intended) when their period comes a knocking? First lets take a look at what happens before your period. After you ovulate, your body starts making Progesterone. It...Read More

When should your child stop seeing you naked?

Turns out this is a tough question to answer. I spoke with Nancy Brooks M.S., PsyD (can) who works with children and teens here in Lancaster. As you can imagine, there is no "right" answer for every family. When is it no longer OK for your child to see you naked? It depends on how you want your child to view nudity.  Some people believe that as soon as children can spot differences in males and females that they should be...Read More

Fear of Giving Birth

There are few things in this world that scare us as much as childbirth. If this is your first child, many of those fears tend to come from fear of the unknown. Childbirth is such an unpredictable experience and each birth is as unique as a snowflake. In our highly scheduled and controlled world it can be scary to let go and let nature take its course. Today we are going to talk about some of the biggest fears many pregnant...Read More

Pumping Iron: Getting more when your Iron is low

Iron: What is it and why is it so important? Iron is an important mineral that your body uses to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the substance in red blood cells that  is responsible for transporting oxygen through your body. When you get pregnant your blood supply increases causing you to need about twice the amount of iron you would need when not pregnant. About 20% of women will develop an iron deficiency known as anemia. The risks of anemia can...Read More

World’s Greatest

Written by: Brielle Rainney Owner of Southern Pacific Doulas A friend of mine was on facebook showing off her recent purchases. Amongst the lovely flowing dress, and cozy pjs, was a shirt that said “World’s Okayest Mom”. This women is one of the best mothers I know. I know ‘okay-est mom’ is a thing, but this woman owning that shirt is a tragedy. It would be so much more accurate if she had bought a “World’s best mom for my...Read More
Healthy food, quick and easy summer dinner

5 Quick and Healthy Summer Meals

Green Bean and Cherry Tomato Salad Two of summers best ingredients come together to make one amazingly healthy salad. Enjoy as a side or add grilled shrimp or chicken and make it the star of the show! [caption id="attachment_2379" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Green Bean and Tomato Salad[/caption] Ingredients: 2 lbs of Green Beans 2 Pints (1 lb) of Cherry Tomatoes 2 Teasp0ns of Salt 1 Teaspoon of Pepper 2 Teaspoons of Lemon Zest (or lime for a bit more tang) 1/2...Read More

What is a Postpartum Doula anyway?

The 4th trimester is described as the first three months after your baby is born. Some even call it a babymoon! Your postpartum doula wants to help you adjust and enjoy this new period of motherhood. They are here to support you by helping you create a peaceful and nurturing postpartum. Baby Care - Not only can your postpartum doula answer all of your baby care questions, but they can help you understand your babies cues and nuances. They can care for...Read More

Your Pelvic Floor : What You Need To Know

Approximately 1 in 3 women in the US suffer from pelvic floor issues at some point during their lifetime. Pregnancy and childbirth can strain and weaken the pelvic floor muscles leading to leaked urine when you sneeze or cough, or even sexual dysfunction. We spoke with Dr. Deb McKim, PT, DPT, MTC; a physical therapist at Western Berks Physical Therapy who specializes in pelvic floor health. What is your pelvic floor? For those of you who don’t know, the pelvic floor...Read More