A Woman's Design Doula Group Minneapolis | St. Paul Doula & Childbirth Education Services
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Comforts For Birth: WARMTH

8/27/2015

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If I'm not feeling well, the first thing I do is change into yoga pants, and snuggle up in bed. I just LOVE being cozy, and for me- warmth is a big part of that. 

Many women find comfort in birth from warmth. There are other comfort measures that are naturally warming, such as massage, or the shower.  Some women have said that laboring in a deep tub of warm water is like a "liquid epidural". Tea can also be wonderful in labor, or a warm homemade bone broth soup-- giving you strength and energy for the hours that lie ahead. When you get to your birthing place, it's also important to know that many facilities offer warm blankets-- imagine, hot cozy blankets straight from the dryer. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it. 

Warmth in labor can be a powerful and effective comfort measure.

I think my FAVORITE warming comfort measure for birth is the rice sock. A lot of people have these at home already, but if you don't, they are easy and cheap to make. I highly recommend having a few that you can either swap out, or use in multiple areas. Perhaps you would like on on your back, between your inner thighs, or underneath your belly. Anywhere you are feeling tension and tightness.

To make your own rice sock:
1. Get a long tube sock. 
2. Fill with dried, uncooked rice, about 2/3 of the way full, so that you will still have room to tie it closed. You may also add dried fragrant herbs-- such a lavender or chamomile.
3. Tie a square knot at the top of the sock to keep the rice in. 
4. Microwave for about 1 minute. (Note: this is one of the only reasons I still use a microwave-- there is not another good way to heat rice socks that will hold heat for as long as they do when microwaved). CAUTION: This can be incredibly HOT. It's important to test out the heat by holding onto your own skin for 45 seconds or so. Laboring women can become easily burned and you would not want that to happen. Be sure to wrap in a small towel if it is too warm before placing in the desired area. 

This is by far my favorite tool for early labor and helping women get good rest. I hope you it will aid you in your birth journey, whatever that looks like for you.

This post was written by Hope Lien, a birth doula with A Woman's Design- Doula and Childbirth Services. Hope is certified as a Birth and Postpartum Doula through DONA International, certified as a Lactation Counselor through Healthy Children, and certified as a Breastfeeding Without Birthing instructor. 

She lives in the Minneapolis area with her husband and 15 month old daughter, who came to them through the miracle of adoption. She was able to offer her support as a doula to her daughter’s birth mother and helped catch her as she was born. She is very proud that she was able to induce lactation in order to nurse her daughter for over a year now
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Quality & Professionalism

8/17/2015

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One thing I have always enjoyed is the ability to go out and get my eyebrows waxed.  As someone who takes their appearance seriously, this is a service I have enjoyed over the years and I have always appreciated a job well done.

It wasn’t always like this.  A few years ago, when  my children were smaller and money was tighter, I found a small nail salon by my house that also did eyebrow waxing. I am usually really busy but I try to make time for my eyebrows. The salon was never busy when I popped in to get my eyebrows waxed and it became my eyebrow salon of choice the last two years. At my initial visit, I wasn't completely impressed with the appearance of the waxing area, but I’ll be darned if they didn’t get my eyebrows just right.

I made a regular visit not too long ago and realized I was not looking forward to it. In fact, I knew that it would be my last visit. Upon arrival someone yelled across the room asking me what I needed--common but this time it did not sit well with me. I'm a private person and have never liked yelling back at someone, and having to do so this time really irritated me. I was ushered back to the usual waxing area and my sense of uneasiness returned. Making matters worse, the customer service left a lot to be desired. I often times felt invisible as conversations were shot back in forth over me. It's as if I wasn’t there.  Of course my eyebrows were in great shape like they’d always been but my thinking about this salon had changed.  I used to think, “I shouldn’t complain. They were convenient and always did a great job.”

But this day I decided that I wanted something more. 

I wanted a better experience. To not be talked around but to be talked to. To not settle for what was the most convenient or what was the cheapest. I decided that I was worth it. I made the decision to be purposeful and to make plans for the level of service I wanted. If that meant saving up or giving up something else I would do it. If it meant letting go of one standing appointment to make room for this one I would.

Making this decision doesn’t I didn't value the lower cost services I'd received previously. It doesn’t mean I didn’t value the finished results. It didn’t mean I did not appreciate the convenience of being able to walk into the nail salon and have a service done.  

It does mean I value how my money is spent no matter how little it was. It means I value how being some place and working with someone makes me feel. I want those helping me to act professionally and to feel valued.  If I am going to have an experience whether it be something small like waxing eyebrows, or a life-changing event such as the birth of a child, I am willing to pay for that professionalism instead of sacrificing it on the altar of frugality.

How does this relate to doulas and childbirth?  

As in all service-based industries, there are a myriad of offerings and providers.  There are budget-friendly ways to welcome your little one into the world. You can also go all-out. You can select something in between. The question remains, what value do you place on professionalism?  

What do you look for when deciding who is going to walk through this life-changing experience with you (and your partner)? 

There are various levels of service, professionalism and quality that go along with a chosen service provider in ANY industry.  It should be a goal to any  client to ensure that as they do not necessarily take the first recommendation, first Google hit, or first budget-friendly quote they receive on any service provider offering.  Particularly when it comes to healthcare and medical-related services, relationships are paramount. 

That is why at A Woman’s Design, we encourage initial consultations and we do not pressure potential clientele into signing with us on the spot.  Nor do we discourage one from interviewing other potential service providers in our industry.  Our quality, experience, professionalism and knowledge base is among the best you will find when looking for a doula.  We understand that we are not for everybody...
"And That's OK"
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We encourage families to make sure that a proper relationship and the desired level of knowledge and professionalism is what you want to be for your childbirth experience.  Whether it is waxing eyebrows, being served a fine meal, or giving birth to your precious miracle, I have learned that I will gladly pay for the level of service I desire.  

We encourage you to do the same.
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    A Woman's Design

    A Woman's Design Doula & Childbirth Educators are here to walk along side you during such a precious time. Whether it is your first journey or tenth, empowering women and families with education and support to trust their inner wisdom and make wise choices in pregnancy, birth and early parenting is the heart of A Woman's Design. 

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Contact A Woman's Design:
info@awomansdesign.com
(612) 314-6378
Specializing In
Attachment Parenting | Babywearing | Birth Bootcamp | Bottle Feeding | Bradley Method | Breastfeeding | Cesareans Section (Family-Centered/Planned/Repeat) | Cloth Diapering | Epidural Birth | Home Birth | Hospital Birth | Hypnobabies | Induction | Lamaze | Multiples | Natural Birth | Spinning Babies |Vaginal birth Assisted by Medication | VBAC | Water Birth | Birth Doula | Postpartum Doula | Lactaction Support | Prenatal Education | Childbirth Education | Placenta Encapsulation |
Lamaze International, Childbirth International, DONA International
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Providing Professional Doula Services to Families in the Twin Cities, Minnesota

Minneapolis - St Paul
Anoka | Hennepin  | Carver | Chisago | Dakota | Ramsey | Washington    

​At the heart & soul of A Woman's Design is the belief that every mother has the inner wisdom to make the best choices for herself and her baby in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting. 
This is your story and we are your supporting cast. Birth. Your Way. 

Copyright © 2012-2015, Natalia Hals. All rights reserved. 
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