What is a doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and immediately after birth. She provides continuous, uninterrupted emotional support and physical comfort measures throughout labor and delivery. She can also help the family get the information they need to make informed decisions.
A doula is a trained professional who provides physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and immediately after birth. She provides continuous, uninterrupted emotional support and physical comfort measures throughout labor and delivery. She can also help the family get the information they need to make informed decisions.
Why hire a doula?
There have been many studies demonstrating the benefits of hiring a doula. Research has found that a doula's presence at a birth may result in:
- shorter labor, with lower incidence of complications
- decrease in negative feelings about one's birth experience
- decrease in the need for Pitocin and other medical interventions, such as vacuum or forceps extraction
- decrease in mother's requests for pain medications and/or epidurals
- lower incidence of Cesareans
There have been many studies demonstrating the benefits of hiring a doula. Research has found that a doula's presence at a birth may result in:
- shorter labor, with lower incidence of complications
- decrease in negative feelings about one's birth experience
- decrease in the need for Pitocin and other medical interventions, such as vacuum or forceps extraction
- decrease in mother's requests for pain medications and/or epidurals
- lower incidence of Cesareans
Will a doula make my partner or family feel unnecessary?
Absolutely not! A doula is there to provide support to both the mother and her partner. Her intent is to help and encourage the partner to be as involved in the labor and birth as is comfortable to them. She works to compliment and support the partner's experience, NOT act as a replacement.
Absolutely not! A doula is there to provide support to both the mother and her partner. Her intent is to help and encourage the partner to be as involved in the labor and birth as is comfortable to them. She works to compliment and support the partner's experience, NOT act as a replacement.
What if you are unable to make it to my birth?
The chances of this happening are very slim, however, if I am unable to make it to your birth due to an emergency, I will have a back-up doula on call that will be able to fill in during my absence. This ensures that you are never left without the support you need.
The chances of this happening are very slim, however, if I am unable to make it to your birth due to an emergency, I will have a back-up doula on call that will be able to fill in during my absence. This ensures that you are never left without the support you need.
What is vaginal steaming (aka pelvic or yoni steaming)?
Vaginal steaming is a traditional self-care practice, in which someone sits or kneels over a pot of warm herbal water, gently exposing the entire pelvic region to the rising steam. It has been used therapeutically, throughout history and all over the world, for routine postpartum care and treatment of many gynecological problems. Some issues that vaginal steaming may address include cramping, painful periods, stagnant blood, short or long menstrual cycles, fibroids, cysts, hot flashes, night sweats, active infections, vaginal dryness, pelvic organ prolapse and infertility.
Postpartum benefits include a faster, easier recovery period, reduced risk of prolapse, disinfecting of tears or birth injuries, tighter skin (which supports the organs returning to their normal locations & functions), a shortened postpartum bleeding phase, heightened sexual pleasure and post-pregnancy weight loss. According to many case studies, vaginal steaming appears to improve symptoms in at least 90% of all gynecological problems and shows great potential as an alternative treatment to invasive medical procedures.
Vaginal steaming is a traditional self-care practice, in which someone sits or kneels over a pot of warm herbal water, gently exposing the entire pelvic region to the rising steam. It has been used therapeutically, throughout history and all over the world, for routine postpartum care and treatment of many gynecological problems. Some issues that vaginal steaming may address include cramping, painful periods, stagnant blood, short or long menstrual cycles, fibroids, cysts, hot flashes, night sweats, active infections, vaginal dryness, pelvic organ prolapse and infertility.
Postpartum benefits include a faster, easier recovery period, reduced risk of prolapse, disinfecting of tears or birth injuries, tighter skin (which supports the organs returning to their normal locations & functions), a shortened postpartum bleeding phase, heightened sexual pleasure and post-pregnancy weight loss. According to many case studies, vaginal steaming appears to improve symptoms in at least 90% of all gynecological problems and shows great potential as an alternative treatment to invasive medical procedures.
How does a vaginal steaming consultation work?
Step 1: Client contacts me to schedule an appointment (phone/video/in-person), and fills out an online intake form.
Step 2: We meet at the scheduled appointment time and discuss the information entered on the intake form.
Step 3: I send you a steam plan with recommended herbs, setup and steam schedule, specifically tailored to your needs.
Step 4: I supply the herbs (and sauna, if requested), and will be available through text/phone/email for support during the entire process.
Expected Length of Time to See Benefits
Clients should plan to dedicate three to six months of steam therapy to balance menstrual cycle issues or concerns.
Step 1: Client contacts me to schedule an appointment (phone/video/in-person), and fills out an online intake form.
Step 2: We meet at the scheduled appointment time and discuss the information entered on the intake form.
Step 3: I send you a steam plan with recommended herbs, setup and steam schedule, specifically tailored to your needs.
Step 4: I supply the herbs (and sauna, if requested), and will be available through text/phone/email for support during the entire process.
Expected Length of Time to See Benefits
Clients should plan to dedicate three to six months of steam therapy to balance menstrual cycle issues or concerns.
Is it safe to steam during pregnancy and/or labor?
After 38 weeks of pregnancy (or full term), steaming is a safe, gentle and effective way to help prepare the pelvic region for birth. Steaming at the end of pregnancy has been shown to:
- reduce the incidence of tearing, by increasing lubrication & circulation in the vaginal canal and pelvic floor
- shorten labor time
- provide pain relief from common pregnancy discomforts (tension & pain in hips, swelling, etc).
- release of muscle & ligament tension, creating more space and better alignment of baby within pelvis
- promote relaxation and improve sleep
- alleviate breast soreness
Steaming may also be used during labor, in order to provide pain relief, help kickstart a stalled labor or assist the cervix to dilate.
After 38 weeks of pregnancy (or full term), steaming is a safe, gentle and effective way to help prepare the pelvic region for birth. Steaming at the end of pregnancy has been shown to:
- reduce the incidence of tearing, by increasing lubrication & circulation in the vaginal canal and pelvic floor
- shorten labor time
- provide pain relief from common pregnancy discomforts (tension & pain in hips, swelling, etc).
- release of muscle & ligament tension, creating more space and better alignment of baby within pelvis
- promote relaxation and improve sleep
- alleviate breast soreness
Steaming may also be used during labor, in order to provide pain relief, help kickstart a stalled labor or assist the cervix to dilate.
Is there any research or evidence to support the benefits of vaginal steaming?
Yes! Here are a few resources:
1) Click here for a link to the Fourth Trimester Vaginal Steam Study
2) Peristeam Hydrotherapy Institute's Pelvic Steam Testimonial Database (case studies and personal accounts from pelvic steam users worldwide):
Yes! Here are a few resources:
1) Click here for a link to the Fourth Trimester Vaginal Steam Study
2) Peristeam Hydrotherapy Institute's Pelvic Steam Testimonial Database (case studies and personal accounts from pelvic steam users worldwide):