Birth Buddies Doula Services

From my sister-

“A client of mine is getting ready to have her baby boy and she is still in need of some major necessities like a crib, car seat, stroller, changing table, etc etc. please let me know if you or someone you know may have these gently used items and are willing to donate. Thank you!”

Progress!

KanCare expanding coverage to include doula services starting July 1 Kansas Medicaid will expand to include doulas and KanCare will recognize them as non-physician providers starting July 1 with an aim of helping to improve maternal outcomes.

One way a doula can help when you have an epidural and cannot move out of the one position is acting as your limbs for you!

While you lay there the baby is still making its way through the birth canal, movement is so important for labor, whether that is physically moving yourself around a room or changing position, the baby needs your hips to move so he/she can maneuver his/her way through the canal, so if you decide to have an epidural a doula can use a “lever” approach by either moving each leg up and down simultaneously or propping one leg at a time under a pillow or peanut ball and alternating every so often!

You may remember your doctor/nurse saying things like “failure to progress” or “stalled labor”..etc well likely all you needed was to take a break mentally and/or movement in your hips!

Kirsten, my belly is the size of a planet, I’m uncomfortable all the time, it’s affecting my sleep, my daily life..what can I do?

Everything, you can do everything

Just like any other scenario- you have to take medicine or a warm bath/shower, apply hot or cold compress, go for a walk, you do these things until something eases of takes away the pain

Apply this to pregnancy- different positions(hands and knees, squatting, sitting backwards on a chair, dangle one leg off couch), warm relaxing bath, massage, yoga, dancing(shake your hips out)

Try something I don’t have listed, yes pregnancy has “restrictions” but they are actually more like modifications, do what works for you!

Kirsten…how do you do it? How do you stay so calm when a baby is fussy and nothing will calm them?

The answer is in the question, when you are calm they will match your energy, they can feel your energy, your tense demeanor tells them they aren’t safe in their caregivers arms and they will continue to fuss until that safe feeling returns

Next time you find yourself in this situation…take a couple breathes and talk to them in a soothing voice, reassure them that in your arms they are safe

Some new faces on the page so I thought I would reintroduce myself!

Birth Buddies is set up for the baby expo!!

Happening today and tomorrow!

Do you ever find yourself feeling nauseous or experiencing morning sickness at not the more opportune times?

Alcohol wipes!!

-you don’t even need to unfold it, just open the package, you or someone just needs to hold the wipe in front of your nose, slowly inhale for a couple of breaths and that should lessen the urge and/or completely eliminate it!

Is your belly/back getting some natural tattoos during your pregnancy??

No one likes them but most deal with them…

STRETCH MARKS!!

If you have found what works for you to help and even eliminate them? AMAZING!!(feel free to comment and share!)

This product below is something I have had mothers SWEAR BY

UDDER BUTTER!!! 🐄🐐

Manhattan mommas- locally A & H Farms has goat udder butter for sale at their store on site, I am still on the look out for local cow udder butter so I will update once I find some!

Anyone else that is interested in the product but isn’t local- Amazon carries a couple different brands and if I were you I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to your community to see if anyone local sells!

Postpartum visit- a service that I offer that you may be surprised to find out is not just to pop in and see how you and your new family are doing I can also

-watch baby while you nap
-do laundry
-do dishes
-supervise an activity with the bigger kids while you have quiet time with your newborn

This visit is to help you!!

If you are constantly feeling overwhelmed at a certain time of day (ex: baby is up every night from 2-4am and you are feeling overwhelmed) that can absolutely be considered a postpartum visit and I can be called to assist!

It is so important to remember that it’s not just baby that needs the postpartum care and attention!