Elevate Elation Doula Services

If you have iron deposits and stains from your well water, RUN DON’T WALK, to buy this Lysol toilet bowl cleaner. Ya’ll, our bathtubs and shower were STAINED ORANGE when we bought the house. We put in a whole house filtration and UV light system to help but I truly thought we were going to have to replace all of the tubs/showers if we wanted that clean look. I heard or read someone somewhere (probs cleanTok) say to try using the black label Lysol toilet bowl cleaner so I gave it a shot. These pictures speak for themselves. I am floored and oh so very giddy at the results!

My favorite fountain to see! Do you know it?

I spent some time here late last night helping a precious new family after an urgent c-section delivery. Did you know a birth doula can still be super beneficial and supportive in the event of a cesarean? Personally, in the event of a planned cesarean, I schedule a prenatal to review and plan for your birth and what to expect. On D-day, I bring a meal and spend 3-4 hours with you in postpartum helping with skin to skin and breastfeeding etc. I also offer an additional postpartum visit to make sure you’re settling in and beginning that healing and bonding journey with your new baby!

Remember, your birth is still a birth and it’s beautiful, hard work either way! 💖

💖 One of the perks of my job are the beautiful, sweet and thoughtful gifts of appreciation. They are never expected but are always welcome! I cherish these gifts and cards always. My clients are amazing! 🥲

I finally got around to posting Ryan’s birth story to the blog! PSA: it was such a fast induction (and I missed the first calls), I walked in 20 minutes AFTER she was born! 😩

“We got moved back to our labor and delivery room and I received my first dose of cytotec just before 9 pm and was checked on every hour (or sooner if the monitors were not positioned correctly, which happened anytime I moved.) Devin called shortly before I took that first dose (she was just leaving another long birth), and we decided that she would stay home that night and come to the hospital the next day, but if anything happened overnight, I’d give her a call. I started feeling contractions less than an hour after taking the first pill, but they weren’t intense and I could easily talk and sleep through them. I got the second dose of Cytotec around midnight. By that time I had stopped feeling contractions and they weren’t picking any up on the sensors either. Between checks, I’d been trying to sleep as much as I could and for the first two checks after the second dose, I was woken up by the nurse coming in to check and didn’t feel any contractions while she was there. Shortly after that second check, at 2:10 am, I woke up to my water breaking!”

https://www.elevateelationdoulaservices.com/birthstoriesblog/rhypa001i0rgzmtxlvhn64w7qizk2e

When you show up at 3:30am to support a birth client, you use the ER entrance!

My first experience (ironic as it’s the closest hospital to my home🤪) at UNC Johnston Health Clayton went off without a hitch. There could not have been a more beautiful birth- exactly the way these parents planned!

The room was HUGE, the staff and provider were both friendly and attentive and even better, they were fully supportive and respectful of this clients birth plan. Such a fantastic experience!

I got to use the smallest peanut ball I have ever seen. Small but mighty, it did the trick! 😁

This article from Beebe Healthcare does a great job outlining how useful a peanut ball can be throughout labor. All of my clients know just how important maternal fetal positioning is for a smoothly progressing labor!

“The peanut ball tool offers a more relaxed posture during labor—when compared to the standard birthing ball method—and has been shown to speed up the delivery process. In fact, recent studies suggest that the use of a peanut ball during labor shortened the first stage by ninety minutes and cut the second stage of delivery in half.
Each woman’s body is different, and comfort is key, so keep in mind that any of these positions may be modified depending on your flexibility and need.

Semi-reclined position: this is best used to help with dilation and descent. One leg is over the ball and one leg is to the side of the ball. Once in place, the peanut ball is then pushed up toward your hips.
Side-lying position: is used to help rotate a baby into a safer position for delivery. Here the peanut ball is used to lift the upper leg and open the pelvis. Sometimes the ball is placed where the leg can hook around the narrower part at the center. Your comfort level will ultimately indicate the proper placement for this position.“

✨Peep my ERDC rep 👀

This is what 22 hours at Rex, helping a beautiful mama bring her son into the world, looks like. Time for a well deserved nap, for both of us! 😴