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…

17Aug 2017 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

4 Ways To Use Your Birth Ball To Improve Your Pregnancy

Advice, Doula, Information

A birthing ball can be so helpful because it relieves pelvic pressure and it encourages optimal fetal positioning! Many hear about using your ball towards the end of pregnancy to help encourage and progress labor but there are SO many other ways to use to your ball during pregnancy! Your ball is a great tool to help you during all stages of pregnancy not just the very end! 1. Using your ball as a chair during pregnancy. Most couches and office chairs are no friend to your body but they are especially problematic when it comes to fetal positioning! Slouching down and leaning back, like we often do, can encourage baby to position it's self in a less than favorable position. Swap out that…

12Jul 2017 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

Using Nettles During Pregnancy

Advice, Doula

Hey, guys! So I am not a big video poster, in fact, this may be one of my firsts! I find myself awkward on video so this may be my only lol!! I made this video on nettles a few months back and am FINALLY posting it! During pregnancy we really want our nutrition to be at it's best and getting our nutrition in a food based, easily absorbed way (instead of piling on the mountains of synthetic supplements) is always appreciated by the body! Here are some of the great benefits of nettles! There are many many other nutritional benefits to this wonderful herb and maybe I will dive deeper into it with you all at another time but for now, here are 3 good reasons that you should be using nettles in…

02May 2017 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

Free Postpartum Printables!!!

Advice, Doula, Home Birth, Hospital Birth, Postpartum

Everyone loves to visit a new baby but not everyone knows proper postpartum/newborn etiquette. These free printables serve as a gentle reminder to guests of what to do and what NOT to do while visiting a new mother and baby! We have also included a free printable to hang on your door when mom and baby need some MUCH needed guest-free rest time (or when you need an excuse for visitors to come at another time lol). Remember, to properly care for baby and give your full heart into this mom gig you must also care for yourself! You can,t pour from an empty cup, mommas!! Cherish and protect that "babymoon" time!! "Mom and Baby are Resting" Free PDF Postpartum Visitors Free PDF!

30Mar 2017 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

How I Achieved My Empowering Hospital Birth Experience

Advice, Birth Story, Doula, Hospital Birth, Midwife, Musing, Stories

I am normally an out-of-hospital birthing momma that has a preference for birthing at home but in 2016 while being a surrogate for my lovely friends we decided that, for this particular birth, hospital was the route we wanted! Once you have birthed outside of the hospital and experience the freedom to listen to your own body instead of following "hospital policy" it's hard to go back to thinking about birthing the way I once did in a hospital setting. So we made the decision that we wouldn't. We wouldn't settle for the drive-through-window experience that is often birth in the US. I stayed upright and moved as my body wished, I ate and my nurses happily spoiled me with food,…

24Jan 2017 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

Birth Story #8 – Baby Oliver’s Home Birth

Birth Story, Doula, Home Birth, Midwife, Stories

8:46 am. I was getting breakfast ready for my toddler and I when contractions started. They were coming every (5 or 10) minutes and lasting approximately 30 seconds each. My husband had already left for work. It was the only Saturday he was required to work and we had joked before he left that today would probably be "the day". I was 2 days past my due date. 10am. I texted my husband to let him know I had been having contractions for over an hour now. He asked me if I wanted him to head back home from his work (45 minutes away) but I suggested we should wait and I would keep him updated. He reminded me to message…

02Jan 2017 by Full Circle Doulas 4 Comments

Birth Story #2

Birth Story, Doula, Hospital Birth, Stories

While we were eating dinner on Monday 6pm 8/3 my water broke, small gush and a little pink so I called my midwife to see what I should do. She suggested I come in to make sure it's my water, etc. We got our things ready and my sister in law came to get the boys! At 730pm we arrived at the birthing center, I was 2cm dilated and we confirmed that it was my water that had broken. 9pm contractions picked up and we're 6 min. apart. We watched a funny movie, and hung out, resting when we were able to. At 4am contractions pretty much stopped. 6am 8/4 contractions started again but weren't consistent. Legally there is a 24 hr time frame that the birthing center could keep…

01Jan 2017 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

Birth Story #1

Birth Story, Doula, Hospital Birth, Stories

While I was pregnant my husband, Judd, had suggested I look into having an unmedicated birth. I was never something I had considered before and wasn't sure how I felt about it but thought "What the heck". I read a few books and thought, if I can do it cool, if not oh well. Four days before my due date I started to get regular contractions. It was a Wednesday and I was supposed to be working. Contractions were far apart and not painful so I decided to go in and get my last day done. I cleaned out my desk and did some busy work to keep my mind occupied. I went home like regular at 5:00 and was surprised…

14Nov 2016 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

Common myths about Doula care

Advice, Doula, Musing

If a Doula were a drug, it would be unethical not use it. -John H. Kennell MD Here's A small list of common myths surrounding Doulas and the support they provide: Myth: Doulas "Deliver" babies. Fact: The only things Doulas "Deliver" is: unconditional support, passion, strength, love and knowledge. *We leave catching babies to Midwives, Obstetricians, Doctors and the parents! Myth: Doulas Control your birth experience. Fact: Doulas assist mothers and families in taking control of their own experience. Bridging the gap between the expectant parents & their care providers. Advocating for better birth practices, providing the mother and her partner with important resources, knowledge and the skills needed to achieve their desired birth. While Improving birth Outcomes. Doulas will not force their idealized version of a "perfect" birth on…

13Jan 2016 by Full Circle Doulas No Comments

My Calling

Advice, Doula, Musing

This started as a homework assignment. After reading through it again a couple of months later, I decided it was blog material too. It is my personal thoughts and feelings on what lead me to where I am now. I decided to tweak it a little and then to share it with all of my readers. A little glimpse inside what it means to be a Doula, to me. I hope you enjoy! I have always been the “sensitive” type; the friend with a shoulder to lean on & a listening ear. The loyal one, the advocate for the underdog & the kind of person that feels deeply. Growing up & just until recently I thought of these traits to be overwhelming & negative. As if they were a flaw…