27Mar 2019 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

8 Pregnancy Must-Haves

Congratulations! You’re PREGNANT! It may take a while for the reality to set in after seeing that little pink plus, but once you realize what’s coming you begin to wonder “WHAT DO I NEED TO GET?!” Suddenly you find yourself gravitating towards the baby section of every department store you enter. Magically, your social media is filled with ads for baby products. Your mail becomes regularly flooded with coupons and magazines. Everywhere you look the world seems to be reminding you that babies need a lot of STUFF. So you turn to the people you trust; your friends and family. The moment you ask, you start to wish you hadn’t. You never realized until now that EVERY little thing is up for debate. Huggies versus Pampers… Mam versus Nuk…Tommee Tippee…

03Feb 2019 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

How The Difference in Pregnancy Providers Can Impact Your Life

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There's a big difference between Midwifery care & Obstetrical care. I'd like to give you the same story with two very different outcomes. And though this may seem like a blanket statement or like a biased opinion, I can assure you that this example is the reality for MANY women. This isn't exaggerating or dramatic. It has become the norm in our culture and it is SAD. I can confidently share this from personal experience and the experience as a Doula & student Midwife, working in the birth world since 2015. Of course there are exceptions to everything; every experience, every pregnancy, every birth, is unique. **This isn't to encourage women not to seek out professional help or the help of pharmaceutical medications in the event there's a mood…

10Jan 2019 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

Safely Detoxing From Toxic Menstrual Products

Advice, Information

Millions of people absorb high levels of toxins every month thanks to lax manufacturing standards of menstrual products like tampons and pads. These products are loaded with highly absorbable industrial contaminants — the body takes in more toxins through the vaginal mucous membranes than through ingestion. Manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients used in tampons and sanitary napkins. However, the main material cotton is a crop notorious for genetic engineering and heavy use of pesticides. Feminine hygiene products also contain synthetic fragrances, bleaches, foams, gels, anti-bacterial agents, and surfactants. Although the FDA offers recommendations, there are no regulations manufacturers are required to follow regarding the use of toxic chemicals in these products. Why toxins in tampons are more dangerous Lack of regulation and oversight means anything goes in…

22May 2018 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

Our Response to ACOG’S Proposed “Solution” to the Maternal Mortality Rate

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I've been chewing on this for 2 days now... And I am appalled by the ACOG's belief that this is a "solution." What's wrong with it you might be thinking? "ACOG is a nonprofit organization of women's health care physicians advocating highest standards of practice, continuing member education and public awareness of women's health" ... . To me, this sounds like the keywords are: 'advocating highest standards of practice'.... SUGGESTING THAT CONDOMS ( which most people won't use, including some religious beliefs ) AND TOTAL PREGNANCY PREVENTION (which is very unrealistic) is their answer for addressing the obscene rise in maternal/infant mortality rates in the U.S. This is a "high standard of care"??! . This organization is supposed to be educating, supporting, presenting best evidence & paving the way…

19Apr 2018 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

Should You Invite Your Mother and/or Mother-In-Law to your Birth?

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Okay, I know, no one likes to be should on. So I won't should on you. But I will share my personal experiences as a Doula in several different birth environments, of what affects a Mother or other spectator, may have on the birthing experience when they're present. **DISCLAIMER** For those of you who want/need/desire your mother(s), parents, friends, relatives, all the people, at your birth. This isn't for you. Maybe because you love feeling that extra support & YOU WANT them all there, this post won't apply. I acknowledge that this is what someone women want & that's awesome! This is for those on the fence or feel pressured. First off I want to start by saying this: If you have ever thought to yourself or aloud with…

12Jan 2018 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

Prenatal Yoga

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YOGA IN PREGNANCY During pregnancy, you might not be completely motivated to keep up your regular exercise regime. Yoga is a great way to take some time for yourself while also keeping in shape & strengthening your body to prepare for your upcoming marathon birth. Practicing yoga can be life-changing, and even if you've never stepped on the mat before after you hear about the benefits of prenatal yoga, you may want to reconsider! Calming effects- The breathing techniques used in yoga can be very calming and grounding. By focusing on your breath throughout your practice, you become able to control your breathing, which will be extremely helpful during labor. You're also sending more oxygen to your sweet babe, which is obviously beneficial! Not only that, but your body is actually…

04Dec 2017 by Full Circle Doulas 1 Comment

The Birth of Our Surprise Baby, Finley Janice

Birth Story, Doula, Home Birth, Midwife, Stories

In February of 2017 our Family got a HUGE surprise. A little baby conceived with an IUD, weeks before a scheduled vasectomy, and days after a car accident. We called her our "wild card", our lucky baby, our loved little life-curveball, our tenacious girl. It's no surprise that her birth followed suit. She came fast and furious, in her own shocking Finley fashion, and left us all in awe of her persistent nature. The last week of October, days prior to Finley's birth I had a really intense massage/energy work with Mindy, one of the students at Mermaid Birth. During this session she suggested that Jeff and I take a moment to tell Finley she was welcome and wanted. She said she was sensing some fear and hesitation from Fin. This made…

21Nov 2017 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

Birth Matters

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It's a very special day today, it is my son's 5th birthday. It might not be a big deal to others, but as moms, we know what a big deal it is for us and for them. Because it's more than just a child's birthday, it's the day a woman gives birth and experiences a sacred and life-altering event. On this day 5 years ago, I stepped over the threshold of womanhood to motherhood at exactly 10:47 p.m. No one warned me about what an intricate experience it would be, though maybe no one can really explain this sort of thing. Pregnancy begins like a labyrinth and you don't really understand the depths of the middle... How do you tell someone that their world is about to get flipped upside…

20Oct 2017 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

Feeling Relaxed and Confident When Your Baby Doesn’t Sleep

Advice, Baby Sleep, Information, Postpartum

Sleep in your home doesn't have to be the "worst" part of parenting. It doesn't have to be the ONE thing that is talked about or questioned the most in parenthood, next to our traumatic birth stories. Our society is literally, though not maliciously, defining whether we have a "good baby", based on how, where and when they sleep. First, babies aren't inherently evil. Ok, maybe sometimes it feels like it? But if we are being honest, they are actually just trying to thrive! Babies instinctually know what they need to survive & thrive and that's pretty damn amazing if we think about it! They are the most helpless baby animal born on this planet. They don't just fall from the womb, jump up and prepare to run off if…

06Sep 2017 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

The Solution to Morning Sickness in Pregnancy

Advice, Home Birth, Hospital Birth, Information

Chances are, you are here because someone had mercy on you and shared this blog, after you posted in every possible mom group, asking how they dealt with everyone’s favorite typical side effect of pregnancy…. Morning sickness. Funny thing is (I know, there’s nothing funny about puking your guts out or all-day nausea). We talk about it as if it is a rite of passage in pregnancy, like it’s perfectly normal. Hell, even the Duchess of Cambridge Kate has been all over the news about it. Though it is quite common, I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s “normal”. I really wonder what other cultures in other countries would have to say about it? -That’s research for another day…. At the risk of sounding “preachy”… the thing is, our SAD (Standard American…