the doula spotlight

Posted in doula spotlight by ElaineMarie

hello good peoples,

this post is part of an ongoing series called the doula spotlight. my goal is to interview doulas around the country to highlight some of the good things birth workers are doing for our birthing mothers. each week we’ll be answering 3 different questions about doula life. i’m really excited to start this series and share the wisdom of these women with you.

the doula spotlight this week takes us back to Tampa, FL. Gaetane Joseph of Seeds of Mommy Soul submitted her interest after reading my very first doula spotlight post. Gaetane is a mother of 3 vivacious kids in Tampa. She started her journey in 2010 as a Doula and CLC after the home birth of her 2^nd child. Gaetane believes that every woman should have a positive birth experience and her goal is to make that obtainable.

1. How long have you been a doula and what lead you to pursue doulahood?

As a young girl I always had an interest in birth. In high school I decided to volunteer in my local hospital’s Labor and Delivery. During that time I witnessed 2 births and knew that my interest as a young girl would soon lead to my aspirations into my adulthood. I decided to train as a Doula in 2010 after a successful HBAC (home birth after cesarean) of my daughter. Since then it has been an honor to be a part of the many family’s lives as they embark into parenthood.

2. Having a doula is shown to reduce the amount of time a woman may spend in labor. Physical support is a contributing factor to this reduction. What physical support do you provide during labor?

Research has shown that investing in a Doula has reduced the amount of time a woman spends in labor. One of the contributing factors to reducing the time women spend in labor is the physical support we provide to her. As a Doula, we provide non-medical support. One of the techniques that I have used that has been successful is the use of counter pressure. Most may not fully grasp how useful this technique may be until they are in labor. I have received quite a few praises for knowing how much pressure to counteract with during a contraction. Some of the other physical support that I provide would be temple massage, shoulder relaxation techniques, and assisting mothers during labor to change positions often.

3. You are also a Certified Lactation Counselor {CLC}. Do you think having a doula benefits a mother with establishing a breastfeeding relationship? In your doula practice how do you help a mother prepare for breastfeeding if she’s planning to do so?

As a CLC, I have experience assisting mothers with initiating breastfeeding and addressing concerns that may arise. Because we are aware of the correlation between birth and establishing a breastfeeding relationship, a mother will benefit by investing in a Doula. Once a mother delivers her baby we assist her in initiating skin to skin immediately. Skin to skin not only helps newborns regulate their temperature but it also makes it easier for baby to latch on for the first time. As a CLC and Doula, I will assist a mother with more than just initially breastfeeding. During pregnancy, I educate mothers on topics such as the anatomy of breasts and the overall health benefits of breastfeeding for mother, baby, and family. Once mothers deliver, I help mothers by suggesting different holding techniques, observing and correcting an improper latch, and evaluating feeding: such as sucking and swallowing. For some mothers, breastfeeding may not be as smooth as they may have expected. As a CLC, I am here to provide education and support to mothers to ensure that she feels empowered to breastfeed.

I’d like to thank Gaetane for her participation with the doula spotlight. Gaetane is servicing Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, and Polk County in FL. Check out her website at www.seedsofmommysoul.net for services and to schedule your free consultation.

HEY YOU! are you a doula? would you like to contribute to the doula spotlight? send an info request to heymomjeanz {at} gmail {dot} com. thanks! Also, would you like a t-shirt? {smile & wink}

8Aug2013

please let this be the summer she remembers

Posted in advantageous adventures, Kiddie Hangouts by ElaineMarie

in some ways, the most important ways, this summer has been idyllic. i feel like i’ve been living in some northeastern novel on the required reading list for freshman lit. the weather has been perfect and we’ve spent the majority of our days out in the world and i keep thinking please let this be the summer she remembers.

i hope that when she’s older and going through the angsty periods that oftentimes result in the authorship of said northeastern novels that she’ll remember long summer days like these, exploring her world, being the master of the universe, splashing and swinging with best friends, telling older kids “technically, i can do whatever i want.” i hope she’ll remember these perfect days by the lake.

when i look back at this summer that has blown by, i’m really proud of all we’ve experienced. it may not be grand. it may not be faraway escapes or exotic new experiences but we’ve been taking in the world around us abundantly and yes, i am proud to provide that for my daughter.

7Aug2013

unschooling: blacklick woods

Posted in advantageous adventures, it's cool to school, kiddie-do by ElaineMarie

i’m determined to have our unschooling take us through as many of the columbus metro parks as possible this summer. we added blacklick woods to our list of faves this week. last week was pretty light on unschooling adventures. friends were in town so our lessons for that week were mostly about “hey when you’re besties fly in from the westies you drop everything and spend time with them” which i happen to believe is very good subject material.

so, monday brought us a really beautiful, perfect day for being out and about in the woods. our very first “lesson” was talking about how to read the map and determining our path. blacklick had a perfect length loop hike and a great nature center. darla decided we should visit the nature center before and after our hike. the center had all sorts of information on wildlife native to the woods & insect inspection stations. you can see we spent some time at the touchable objects station where D examined fossils, rock samples, horns and feathers.

the entirety of the hike took us about 25 mins. it would have been shorter but we stopped to make friends along the way, checked out fungi, frogs in the bogs, and even got to see a hawk on the hunt from extremely close up.

our visit ended by spending some time at the observation window which lines the entire back of the center. furry, feathery animals of all kinds come right up to the windows and eat undisturbed by the human folk. d got a real kick out of a momma racoon with her 3 kits and sang the pompoko theme song to them. personally, i favored the numerous chipmunks.

you know, this whole unschooling summer has felt kinda like girl scout camp to me. and that’s a pretty good feeling. i loved girl scout camp! i feel such a calling to this way of bringing up my daughter. i’m looking forward to seeing where else this path where take us.

thanks for checking out this unschooling outing of ours. good luck in your educational endeavors.

5Aug2013

weekending

Posted in familyness by ElaineMarie

a selection of pics from the clintonville farmer’s market. we chose a sunflower in remembrance of my cousin and the grand family time we were all having a year ago.

last pic is from the columbus flea. darla was so dang cute trying on hipster clothes.

we had beautiful weather here. hope you and yours had a wonderful weekend as well.

3Aug2013

fair friends

Posted in advantageous adventures, Kiddie Hangouts by ElaineMarie

we made it to the fair! i was worried that we weren’t going to make it this year. last year was so fairtastic {here, here, here, here and here} but this year we’ve been best in no show. see what i did there? thank goodness for $5 fair day. we had a pretty decent time and this year i finally felt secure enough to take darla on the sky tram. i’m not sure it was worth all the anxiety it caused me worrying that she was going to jump over the side but it sure is a beautiful way to take in the fairgrounds.

the kiddos milked a cow, did some rides, hustled adults for sugary treats…the usual.

sigh. our state fair is a great state fair.

2Aug2013

the doula spotlight

Posted in doula spotlight by ElaineMarie

hello good peoples,

this post is part of an ongoing series called the doula spotlight. my goal is to interview doulas around the country to highlight some of the good things birth workers are doing for our birthing mothers. each week we’ll be answering 3 different questions about doula life. i really love working on this series and i’m so happy to share the wisdom of these women with you.

Rina Crane kinda seems like a, excuse my language, badass. Rina is based in the Bronx as a doula, doula trainer and founder & program coordinator of a volunteer doula program called Bronx Doulas serving women that otherwise might not have access to doula care. I was connected to her by another awesome doula and based on her answers and bio I can say i’m so happy women like Rina are doing this important work. From hypnobirthing, to reiki, to lamaze, it seems that Rina’s studied it all.

I’m happy to give you the words & wisdom of Doula Rina:

1. How long have you been a doula and what brought you to down the doula path?

I’ve been working as a doula for five years and feel that I’ve always been a doula at heart. After my births, I felt that there was lots of information that wasn’t easily accessible by so many women in our culture. Most of us do all of the standard things without asking questions or knowing what our options are. I felt very strongly that I should help get information out there. I decided to train as a doula so that I could help one or two women every now and then. Apparently, I’ve had a slight departure from that initial goal.

2. I’ve experienced people with the preconception that doulas only help women during natural birth. How would you respond to that? Who can benefit from doula support?

First, everyone can benefit from doula support, that’s why we’ve always had doulas. In most cultures, women are supported in birth by members of their community who come together and share their experience, stories and comfort techniques. Whether it’s one person or a group, this is how humans have always birthed in most parts of the world. I’ve been hired by women who were planning to use pain medication or even have cesareans. They may hire me for the reassurance and comfort I might provide or for the information I can share.

Sometimes we think we are being given a choice, but without an understanding of the pros and cons, we are being cheated. If you have a negative side effect from a decision you made, but you knew that was possible, you’re still in control. If you didn’t know about the consequences, it can have long-term effects, physically and emotionally. Many doulas say that they empower women in their births. I disagree. Women have the power already. Sometimes, a little information or a little word of encouragement uncovers it for them, the power that was theirs to begin with. That was a circuitous route to say that doulas can be immensely helpful during births with planned or surprise interventions.

3. You are a doula trainer and run a volunteer doula program in the Bronx, {tres awesome!} can you give me 3 top concepts of the doula role you teach women pursuing this role with you.

I became a doula trainer in order to support my volunteer program (my next step is to convert it to a community-based non-profit in which the doulas get paid!), and have learned from my trainees which are the top concepts:

-It’s not your birth

When a prospective client asks what my birth philosophy is, I say it is to help them achieve what they want. As doulas, we need to put our own ideals aside. We help people get the information they need to make the decisions that are right for them. Sometimes, we may not agree or understand them, but we don’t have to.

-How will she remember this?

As a doula, it’s important to know that a woman will always remember how she was made to feel in labor. Sometimes ours is the lone voice of calm or encouragement in the birth room. It’s essential to keep this in mind. A birth that departs greatly from the plan can still be triumphant and fulfilling if the woman feels she has been treated with respect and care. For various reasons, sometimes the doula is the only person doing that, but unlike others on the scene, that’s her job.

-Take care of yourself.

Hopefully, it’s clear how this is important for your clients. You know, the whole idea of putting on your own oxygen mask first? Some things are obvious like eating well and urinating frequently and having reliable back up. Just as important, though, is having a network with whom you can debrief. Don’t take this work lightly. Attending a birth is exhilarating and exhausting, both physically and emotionally. You should have someone with whom you can share your joys and sorrows. You will experience both.

I’d like to thank Rina for sharing her thoughts and words on the doula spotlight. You can learn more about Rina’s services at DoulaRina.com and her service work on the Bronx Doulas facebook page or website.

HEY YOU! are you a doula? would you like to contribute to the doula spotlight? send an info request to heymomjeanz {at} gmail {dot} com. thanks! Also, would you like a t-shirt? {smile & wink}

2Aug2013

“my house felt chunky”

Posted in Momma Needs a minute... by ElaineMarie

the air felt smooth and warm. the smell of frankincense was heavy in the air. the house rang with the clear notes of the bell. i walked in a line with 4 women and 3 children exploring each corner in the house. my intention was clear in my mind. i asked, as we moved from room to room, that every good memory be sealed up in the hearts of all that had been there. i asked that any bad energy flow from the house and dissipate. i asked for peace and serenity within those walls for all that would come after.

this was my first experience with cleansing a house. please don’t confuse this with cleaning a house and get grossed out by that last sentence. this was a cleansing. it was entirely different.

the energy cleansing of our dear friends’ house was an amazing experience. i kept looking at our little ones, as they had their energy cleansed, and sent up little prayers to please let them remember this experience always. they were so tuned in and curious during parts of the ceremony and i hope it will make a lasting memory for each of them. so many memories are within those walls. many of them already forgotten by the kiddos.

i felt so fortunate and honored to be a part of such an occasion.

it is weird to have such an emotional connection to a house that was not even your own.

but then again, if you’re doing it right your home will feel like home to everyone who enters and these people definitely do it right.

i watched kiddos grow from babies to toddlers to kindergarteners in that house. there’s a magic there for me that cannot be described. and now our friends have moved on, really, officially. while they still owned the house it was easy to pretend that someday they would be back but it is permanent now. they have moved on and i am still here, stagnant.

when the ceremony began the house felt different. the consistency of the air felt patchy, fluctuating from cold to hot. meg summed it up post-cleansing: “my house felt chunky.” it was crazy to feel the transformation that took place with the energy inside the house. you may not believe, and that’s alright. you don’t have to.

i’m so thankful for the experience, the friendship, the memories, the ways people and life continue to expand my consciousness of the world around me. it’s sealed up in my heart now in a way that it wasn’t before.

thank you, friends.

1Aug2013

acrobatics

Posted in kiddie-do by ElaineMarie

we’re going through a serious acrobatics phase over here. even more than usual. i’m guessing she’s just grown again and can now reach some things she wasn’t able to before but, geez, every time i turn around she’s on top of something new.

i do, however, appreciate the certain dramatic flair she’s got going on while performing these climbing acts. better’n cable television, i tell ya.

30Jul2013

daily moment

Posted in daily moment by ElaineMarie

“mom! come look at this.”

there have been A LOT of acrobatics going on in our life these past few days. more on that later.

30Jul2013

unschooling: raspberry picking

Posted in advantageous adventures, it's cool to school, Kiddie Hangouts by ElaineMarie

we toned it down on the unschooling last week since we did so much the week before, not to mention the precipitation issue. the cooler temps did make for a very nice outing to picturesque mitchell’s berries. yes, those are sweatshirts on those boys. we went with our friends visiting from abu dabi. these unseasonably cool temps were quite a trip for them.

you could almost call this just an outing. i didn’t really try to do too much in-depth convo about the raspberry picking process since darla was having a good time with friends. the last thing kids want to do is listen to their parents when other kids are around. but the nice thing about unschooling is that i don’t have to stress if i didn’t impart every bit of knowledge possible along the way. they learned on their own from the experience. they will remember the thorns. they will remember discovering that the deep red, squishy berries are sweeter and juicier than the bright red, firm ones. they will remember the difference between the black raspberries and the red. hopefully they will remember the beautiful weather and forget the moments of tiredness and small squabbles. i know that’s how i’ll remember it.

our visit was at the very beginning of raspberry season so i’m hoping to make it back to mitchell’s again. it was a simply lovely set-up. plus, we gobbled up most of the berries fresh so my stores for preserves were greatly depleted by jam time.

thanks for checking in on our unschooling today.