Portland Doula Association

Hey, all! ☀️

As we get closer to unveiling our revamped website, we appreciate your patience while we add some finishing touches.

In the near future, we hope to be an integral resource for doulas, expecting parents, THWs, and community members alike.

Whether that’s keeping up to date with doula socials -or- finding birth support in your area... we got you covered.

Keep your eyes peeled! 👀

As always, we are so happy to see you here.
Thanks for all your support!

-Portland Doula Association

Fellow community members!
We would love to hear from you. ✨
Comment below with some of those burning questions.
Care to know more about what PDA has been cooking up?
Want to know how get involved?
New to Birthwork and have questions about THW applications, mentorship, or childbirth education?

We’ve got you covered!
⬇️Hit that comment box ⬇️

Happy Monday! 💪💪💪

👅 Register here...docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19lO-irxb6sUGjcLNHcbx-aSEP0tFaja00aiUmM35wGc/edit?usp=drivesdk

☠️⚠️☠️⚠️☠️⚠️☠️⚠️

Tampons as a source of exposure to metal(loid)s

"...Tampons may contain metals from agricultural or manufacturing processes, which could be absorbed by the vagina’s highly absorptive tissue, resulting in systemic exposure. To our knowledge, no previous studies have measured metals in tampons.
..
"... Tampon use is a potential source of metal exposure. We detected all 16 metals in at least one sampled tampon, including some toxic metals like lead that has no “safe” exposure level. Future research is needed to replicate our findings and determine whether metals can leach out of tampons and cross the vaginal epithelium into systemic circulation"

Jenni A. Shearston, et. al., Received 10 April 2024, Revised 18 June 2024, Accepted 21 June 2024, Available online 22 June 2024, Version of Record 3 July 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.108849

We are thrilled to announce we have some fresh faces joining the board.

No one has more heart for birth work than those who are active members of the doula community.

Keep an eye out for upcoming events. Getting everyone together to inspire, connect, and learn is what we are all about!

Maternal mental health advocates, researchers, academics, clinicians, and people with lived experiences are committed to improving the mental health support for women during and after pregnancy throughout the world.

As many as 1 in 5 new mothers and 1 in 10 new dads experience some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder in many countries. Over 75% of women do not get diagnosed and do not receive adequate treatment and support.

Together with the World Health Assembly and the UN community we can unmask the stigma and make maternal mental health care available to all.

Call on the UN to recognize World Maternal Mental Health Day

Letter to the World Health Organisation and the World Health Assembly.

Since 2016, over 90 international organisations and groups of individuals have been coming together on the first Wednesday of May to raise awareness of maternal mental health issues.

As many as 1 in 5 new mothers experience some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder in many countries. These illnesses frequently go unnoticed and untreated, often with tragic and long-term consequences to mothers, children, and fathers alike. Women of every culture, age, income level, and race can develop perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth.

Together we advocate for access to mental health services for all perinatal women. We encourage women to speak out and seek treatment. By increasing awareness, we aim to unmask the stigma surrounding maternal mental health issues that prevent women from accessing mental health services during or after pregnancy.

Join us by permanently recognizing World Maternal Mental Health Day on the official UN calendar on every first Wednesday of May - a date that is close to Mother’s Day and Mental Health Week in many countries.

-American College of Nurse Midwives

Hey all! Do any doulas here speak Farsi? We have a midwife from Adventist asking! Let me know?

YOGA! - https://mailchi.mp/2b31cf845731/yoga-15371510 Reminder that we're hosting a yoga session at Taborspace in the Copeland Commons room at 5:30 tonight! $8 donation but no one will be turned away for lack of funds!

YOGA! - https://mailchi.mp/5b8d58ed0c56/yoga Join us for Yoga For Birthworkers at Taborspace on Oct. 19th from 5:30PM-7PM.

The New Era - https://mailchi.mp/629afecb5db2/the-new-era Some announcements about the direction we are taking PDA moving forward! Take a peek and look for some opportunities to engage together, but also, to join the board! Elections are happening in November!