Let the Doula Training Begin!

After much advice from hospital HR staff, nurses and a homebirth midwife, I have decided to add doula training into my crazy schedule. I have enrolled in a doula training program to help me gain relevant experience to the profession I dream to be a part of. I am excited to begin this chapter of my journey and anxious to start assisting women in having their best births. I have found that in the training I have already started, that there is much overlap in Doula care and Midwifery. This makes me even more excited. So here I am, training has begun. Now I just need to get some clients. I will initially be offering my services free-of-charge so that I may gain as much experience as possible, and because I believe there are women out there who want a doula but cannot afford one. I also hope that with my assistance some of these women can help bring the c-section rate down a few notches...it is far too high where I live (and in most other areas too!).

Here are some awesome reasons to hire a doula

1. Better overall experience for the expecting families
2. 60% reduction in use of epidurals and 30% reduction in use of narcotics
3. decreased use of forceps and vacuum extraction delivery
4. up to a 50% reduction in c-sections
5. 25% reduction in the length of labor (that alone should intrigue expecting mamas!)
6. Reduced levels of anxiety
7. Reduced instance of Postpartum Depression
8. Improved breastfeeding outcomes.

After reading all of those great statistics, I am wondering why I didn't have a doula with both of my pregnancies...

I put myself on a doula directory. Let the births begin :)

Healing Herbs for Postpartum Relief and Homeade Sitz Bath Herbs

Over the past week I have been researching herbs to develop remedies to assist with the postpartum healing process. If you have had a vaginal delivery, you know the swelling/burning/itching/pain (fill in the blank) that comes along with it. Some women have it rougher than others. Regardless, your girl parts may be feeling like they just survived a beating.

I have seen postpartum sitz bath packets in my local health food store, but they are extremely pricey. Two baths worth was $13. I purchased one set which I gave as a baby gift to a dear friend, but it got my mind going and I realized I could make my own! With a close family member nearing her due date, I decided I wanted to try making them. These are something I would like to have available to my patients in my future career as a midwife, and who better to try it out on than someone I love who I am close enough to that she will tell me if it works for her or not.

Herbs for a homeade herbal sitz bath. I just picked and chose the herbs and remedies I wanted to include in my sitz bath tea bags. Not to mention, it is not easy to find all of them locally, and I wanted all of mine to be organic.

Comfrey Root - Speeds the healing process. Sooths damaged skin and wounds. Relieves pain and itching. (This herb is a must for the sitz bath, in my opinion)

Lavender - May help prevent infection, offers a soothing scent that can aid in relaxation for a new mom

Sea salt - Helps prevent infection, and assists sore, stretched skin

Marshmallow Root - Reduces inflammation and swelling of skin, also has antimicrobial properties

Yarrow - Antibacterial properties and acts as an astringent

Uva Ursi - Antibacterial properties to prevent infection

Goldenseal - Antibacterial properties to prevent infection

Rosemary - Antiseptic properties

Calendula flowers - Asists with healing and has properties to prevent infection


Do you have a sitz bath recipe you swear by?