I know that an induction may not be the first choice of many expecting moms. The idea of inducting labor can bring up many questions and worry. I want to …
Why We Don’t Use Back up Doulas
As you likely know, labor and delivery are unpredictable. Nobody can tell you when labor will start or how long it will last. Our clients, for both birth and postpartum …
What is Curb Walking?
Your due date is almost here. Yay! You must be so excited to meet your little one. You may be ready to not be pregnant any more and you’re Googling …
What I Wish I Knew Before Getting My Epidural
So, you are considering getting an epidural when you’re in labor. Awesome! Our doulas are experienced in supporting women choosing an epidural (in addition to supporting “unmedicated” deliveries). We think …
What Color is Amniotic Fluid?
Have you ever stopped to think about your amniotic fluid? What is it composed of? Does it have a smell? What color is amniotic fluid? While the purpose of this …
Curb Walking to Induce Labor
Maybe you heard about curb walking from a friend or saw it as part of the Miles Circuit. But can you really use curb walking to induce labor? The honest …
When Should I Go To The Hospital?
When should I go to the hospital? I have good news and bad news. The good news: there’s no wrong or right time to go to the hospital. The bad …
Tips for Choosing a Birth Doula in Putnam County NY
Choosing a Birth Doula in Putnam County NY If you’re reading this blog, you’re likely either pregnant or preparing to become pregnant. Meaning one of the biggest days of your …
Choosing a Birth Doula in Dutchess County NY
The birth of your child is one of the most important days in your life. Having a supportive birth team is an important factor in having a positive birth experience. …
You Might Poop When Pushing. But It’s Not a Big Deal.
It’s no secret that we all poop. Not trying to be gross. We take in food and must eliminate the waste. This is a biologically normal process. In fact, if …
Remember Your Nurses!
When preparing for the birth of your child you make choices about your medical care (OB or Midwife?) and which hospital to deliver at, if you want a doula supporting …
Your Doula Does Not (and Cannot) Have a VBAC “Success” Rate
When speaking with prospective clients, our doulas may be asked, “What is your VBAC success rate,” or, “How often do your clients get epidurals?” We understand these questions. You want …
W is for Water
Have you heard of hydrotherapy? It’s basically a fancy name for an aspect of alternative medicine involving the use of water for pain relief. In today’s blog we will only …
V is for Vernix
When we think of new babies, we tend to think of perfectly pink, clean bundles of love. So it may be surprising when your baby is born with white goo all over …
S is for Sex
We’ve all heard it (and some of us may have tried it): sex induces labor. So we did some research, looked at the facts, and found that this may be true, …
O is for Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a hormone that plays a role in regulating: social interaction, sexual reproduction, maternal-child boding, labor, and milk production. They hypothalamus produces this hormone. Physical affection causes an increase …
I is for Induction
“Induction” is any of a number of artificial methods, both medical and non-medical, for bringing on the start of labor. According to the CDC the induction rate in the United …
G is for Group B Strep
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a bacteria that is indigenous to the gastrointestinal tract and vagina. GBS colonization occurs in roughly 25% of healthy adult. A positive culture (done via …
Oh, Baby! Take Your Shirt Off! | Skin-to-Skin
By now I’m sure you’ve seen the picture of “The Rock” skin-to-skin with his new daughter Tiana. It’s sweet, beautiful, and beneficial. You’ve likely heard about and researched the benefits …
No, Facebook, I Don’t Want to Check-In at the Hospital!
One thing you won’t see Blissful Birthing’s doulas doing is posting on Facebook when we are on our way to support a client or “checking in” when we arrive or …
Five Things You Don’t Have to Do (Just Because You’re Hiring a Doula)
Doulas are non-medical birth professionals who provide physical, emotional, and educational support before, during, and after the birth of a baby. A doula will support your decisions because you are the …
5 Natural Ways to Induce Labor
Time always seems to pass more slowly when we’re waiting for something. The last month of pregnancy is no exception. Many women are anxious to meet their new babies and …
