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Do Doulas Take Photos?

9/30/2019

With the release of the new iPhone 11 the camera is all the rage! I know, I just got one for that very reason (and there was a killer deal I couldn’t resist). But it’s true, the iPhone 11 camera is crazy cool!

So, the questions begin…

Will my doula take photos during my labor?

Do I need to hire a birth photographer during my labor as well?

It makes total sense.

A picture can say 1,000 words.

And when it comes to those special times in the life of a family such as birth, photos can mean everything!

In my experience as a Bellingham and Skagit Valley birth doula, the answer is… kinda.

I do my very best. But I say that with a huge caveat. I am your doula first. That means in a labor I am most focused on supporting you and your birth team. I want to see you well supported and your partner or other support people sustained. I am going to make sure you are coping with contractions well, that your partner is fed, that your mental game is strong and that your partner is not passing out from feeling overwhelmed by the birth process.

Then, if all that leaves space for a couple simple photos I am all about that. Although you will need to specify that you’d like photos and what you do want and do not want them to be involved.

How modest are you and what are your most important photos you would like? Sometimes I’ll leave clients with 50+ photos on their iphone and other times I don’t get more than 1 or two photos.

If you desire high quality birth photos, we highly recommend hiring a local birth photographer. There are several in our area that will be able to provide you with intentional pictures, much better than the exciting capabilities of the iPhone 11 can do.

In the end, our goal is to serve Bellingham and Skagit families through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum experience.

So if birth photography is not your top priority and you're okay with a few iPhone photos of your labor and delivery as time allows, hire your North Cascade doula team and we will do our very best to capture some photos for you.

Contact us today to learn more!

Preparing Your Toddler For a New Baby

9/19/2019

Introducing the idea of a new sibling to a child is a delicate task. Often times parents worry about when to do this and what to say. Here are a few things to consider when thinking through how to prepare your child for this transition.

1. Consider your child's age

The older the child is, the more information they can handle and the more time they may need to process the information. The opposite is also true.

Younger children need more simple language, less details and less time waiting in anticipation. If you’ve ever been on a road trip with young children, you’ve probably heard “Are we there yet?!”

Think of pregnancy in a similar way.

2. Give your child a concrete way to help them understand waiting

Something like, “Your little brother or sister will be here when we start seeing pumpkins at the grocery store” or “When we start wearing our warm clothes.”

Making something like a paper chain that they can remove a link on may also be a good option. The trick is that sometimes we can’t anticipate when the baby will make their arrival so adding in the caveat that the baby gets to surprise us is essential.

3. Books and shows are great resources

If you have a young child, there are several books that talk about pregnancy and the changes they can expect to experience with a newborn in the house.

Daniel Tiger Season 2 Episodes 1-4 address his little sister’s impact on his life and how that makes him feel. This provides a great conversation starter for young children (think toddlers up to around age 4 or so).

There are several books that debunk pregnancy, birth and having a new sibling in child-specific language.

My personal favorite book suggestions are: “I’m a Big Sister” or “I’m a big brother” by Joanna Cole, and “My New Baby” or “Waiting for Baby” by Rachel Fuller.

4. Provide an open invitation for conversation

Children often process information in waves. You may think that they comprehend something and then they surprise you in the grocery store with all their burning questions.

Try to engage in conversation and answer their questions as they come up as simply as possible. Think of it as sort of grazing rather than one big long lecture conversation.

Allowing them to take the lead and initiate conversation can be helpful for their processing.

5. Get out the baby gear well before the baby arrives

This may trigger more questions from your child and most likely prompt them to process further the changes that are going to take place.

If you’re going to use a crib, have your child “help” in an age appropriate way. For a very young child, you could have them bring you a measuring tape or box (regardless of if that actually gets anything relevant done).

For an older child, they may be able to turn a screw for you or hold a piece while you secure it. Not only is this time aiding the child in processing, it is also providing you both with quality time together.

6. Prep special activities to use when the baby requires all of you

Small bins that are only for pre-determined times can make a normally challenging time something to look forward to.

Some examples of activities to use for these times are legos, a special art project, I-Spy books, Polly Pocket toys or basically anything you wouldn’t want a baby to get into.

Make sure these activities are something the child can do without much help. Times when this may come in handy are during feedings, while you’re calming a crying baby or putting the baby down for a nap.

7. Plan for special 1 on 1 time with your older child

It is normal for your older child to feel jealous. Their world likely has been turned upside down from the arrival of a new baby. They now have one more person to split their parent(s) attention with and that is a tough reality.

Carve out time specifically for your older child. You may be surprised at how much that will do for both you and your child.

8. Prepare a small (or not so small) gift for your older child.

I am not sure I have ever met a child who does not like a gift.

When your older child meets your baby, you can tell them that the baby wanted them to have this gift. That distraction can be a welcomed ice breaker when the moment comes as it can be a shock for your older child.

We hope these tips are helpful!

Let us know how you prepared your older child to meet their new sibling! We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Can My Husband Be My Doula?

9/9/2019

Simply put, no.

Even if he is a trained doula, it really blurs the lines. He is your husband. Maybe he is a trained doula. He can’t effectively be both your husband and your doula simultaneously for you.

One of the mainstays of the doula role is to offer unbiased, non-judgmental support.

I 100% agree that a husband or partner is able to offer non-judgmental support, but what about unbiased support?

After all, they are your partner! They have huge bias! And don’t get me wrong, that is NOT a bad thing, it just makes them your partner and NOT your doula.

Ok cool, so my partner can’t be my doula but I’m good. He is super supportive and knows what I need.

So why should I hire a doula?

Emotional support for your entire birth team.

The doula will help everyone involved in your birth story process through the emotion of it all. After all, birth is incredibly emotional.

It only makes sense that the people you invite into your birth are people who care deeply about you. They are emotionally invested in you!

Your doula also cares about you but has a unique way of separating your experience from their experience, thus she is able to provide adequate emotional support.

A doula is not your mother, sister, best friend or husband.

Your doula is a safe person to be mad at if you need to let it out. She won't take it personally. She is a barrier of protection who will not get offended. She will take it rather than your husband.

Newborn's don't care if you are tired.

Yes, doulas (especially North Cascade Doulas) can give you a great hip squeeze, just like your partner can but in reality, physical support goes a lot farther than the hip squeeze.

Think about your friend. The one who had the 30 hour labor.

She was exhausted, her partner was exhausted, her mother was in the lobby asleep by the time she hit active labor. And the thing that they all got at the end was a newborn who didn’t care how exhausted they all were. That baby needed to be fed, changed and held. LOTS.

When your friend hired her doula, her partner was able to take a power nap as she and the doula walked a few laps around the place to help labor progression.

Your friend was never alone.

He had energy left to give and she was able to rest and recover from giving birth.

Your doula will make sure everyone is physically and emotionally sustained through labor and birth.

Your doula will never replace the role of your husband.

Her goal is to encourage the unique bonding that encourages labor progression between the two of you.

If you are looking for a doula in Bellingham or a doula in Skagit Valley, contact North Cascade Doulas today!

We would love to talk with you and learn how we can offer you customized doula support to fit exactly what your growing family is looking for.

Do I Need A Doula For My C-Section

8/26/2019

We get this question a lot. The short answer? YES!

Here's why

I found out my baby was breech and either needed to turn or I would have a cesarean section. I chose to move forward for the cesarean section and hired a doula.

Prior to my delivery date, my doula helped me process my feelings around my upcoming birth. We talked through my options before, during and after my surgery. I felt calm in her presence.

I woke up bright and early and made my way to the hospital where I met my doula. She greeted us with a warm smile. I was able to release all my emotion and process through more thoughts with her.

We ended up getting pushed back a couple hours and she helped distract me and process with me as my mind would race randomly.

It was time for surgery and I went back with my partner. My doula waited in the hallway patiently. Knowing she was right there gave me so much peace.

She met us in the PACU right after surgery (which went so well) to help me process my experience and to establish nursing.

I was still pretty groggy but these things were so important to me.
My doula came to our house for the postpartum visit and it was such a relief! I could finally talk to someone who was there.

I didn’t have to explain every detail of the day to her. She already knew those. I was able to process through more of what happened and our questions about my recovery and all things newborn. People always say that they don’t come with a manual, but I think doulas actually are like newborn manuals! They’re such a huge help!

All in all, I was grateful for my doula. My c-section went as well as it could have. Many would call it text book. My doula helped me recognize that although I delivered via cesarean, I had options. I had a unique birth story.

She helped me process through the rollercoaster of emotions I experienced. She slowed things down for me and allowed both myself and my partner to be present in the moment through the whole process.

Regardless of how the birth goes, the doula is there to make sure that you feel like you had some control and peace when looking back on your birth experience.

You are still giving birth and if there’s one thing we know about birth, it’s that we don’t know what’s going to happen.

C-Sections are no easy matter. (If you don’t believe me, read this post). They involve waiting, emotions, decisions and several medical professionals. When we combine all of those things we often get frustrated and overwhelmed. Doulas are here to ease that.

So how will my doula help?

When you are planning a c-section birth and hire us for doula services, we will meet you where you are at. We attune to your needs right then and there. We adapt to the changing circumstances and serve you.

We identify places in which you have a choice and help you walk away from your birth story with confidence and the knowledge that you made the right decisions for you and your family. We support you.

Whether you are giving birth via cesarean in Skagit or Bellingham, we know how to navigate the unknowns with you. We are here to provide you with unparalleled doula care regardless of how you birth your baby.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about our Bellingham doula services or our Skagit doula services.

Because in the end, you are still giving birth! You will still come away from this experience with your own unique birth story. We want you to be able to look back at that story and smile.

Pregnancy Symptoms Game

8/19/2019

Have you ever wondered if you're the only one experiencing a certain pregnancy symptom?

In this video, Kristina and Savannah go back and forth to see who can recall the most pregnancy symptoms. If you think of any that we missed, let us know in the comments!

Pregnancy is hard!

If you're looking for a doula in Bellingham or the surrounding areas, we are here to help! We serve all of our birth doula clients with strategies to combat these symptoms and more.

You don't have to do this alone!

C-Section Induced Mom Guilt

8/12/2019

“Mom guilt. Consolation prize. Not a natural birth. Easy way out.”

These are all phrases I have heard women say when “C-section” is brought up.

What the actual heck?!?!

Do we, as a society not realize exactly all that goes into a surgical birth? Because I truly believe that if we step back and look at all that goes into a c-section (and all that comes out too) we would have more respect for the process and the women who give birth this way.

Allow me to shed some light on the often unforeseen realities of this surgery.

It actually IS a major surgery. MAJOR. They literally take your uterus out of your body. But then it’s life changing! You get a baby at the end!

I dont know of any other major surgery where they basically give you a prize.

The recovery is no-joke. Things that many take for granted such as carrying my older child, driving and walking up stairs are out of the question for the immediate recovery period. It makes for a good excuse to take it easy!

And if you forget to slow down, your body will tell you but heads up! You probably won't like it.

Your arms will be stretched out to the sides and possibly strapped down for the surgery. Laying down on the operating table totally exposed with your arms stretched out. It is a weird feeling.

You may get extremely nauseous or vomit. This is completely normal and completely awful.

For the record, puking while having to lay on your back sucks. The anesthesiologist typically is right next to your head through the whole procedure and usually pretty on top of helping you through that with suction and a vomit bag.

They are your new best friend.

You will notice pressure and tugging as they are performing the surgery. The anestheia doesn’t numb you from feeling pressure and during this surgery, there is a whole lot of it!!! It can be extremely uncomfortable.

Let me rephrase that… It can actually HURT!

Some area hospitals have the option for a clear drape so you can watch the procedure. If this is your thing and you can handle that at least.

If you have a support person in the OR with you and pick the clear drape, make sure they’re able to handle that as well. They will see much more than you will and I promise that your medical team doesn't want your support person suddenly becoming a patient right alongside you.

An alternative to this is to ask your medical team to drop the drape when the baby is delivered. This may be a good “happy medium” for everyone.

Your baby will be born relatively quickly (5-10 min) but the repair takes much longer (30-45 min). They seem shocked that the baby is out so quickly and then wonder what is taking so long when they are still in surgery for the repair.

In an urgent or emergent cesarean, they deliver the baby VERY quickly and general anesthesia may be used.

The OR is often very COLD. It’s a sterile environment and everyone but you is covered in sterile gowns and hair nets and gloves and basically a ton of layers.

Everyone but you.

So, as the patient on the operating table, naked, you may feel cold. You may even shake. Hang in there! If you took a birth class and practiced any coping tools for contractions, this is a great time to put those to the test!

Think long, slow breaths, visualizations, scents (if your local hospital allows this) or music.

Coughing, vomiting, laughing sneezing etc. can feel like your insides are trying to come out after the procedure. Things like holding a pillow over the incision can help mitigate this. It will get better!!!

Bowel movements are something that you may have taken for granted prior to surgery. Many women experience constipation post surgery as their bowels had to be heavily manipulated in order to get the baby out.

Most likely, your provider will prescribe something to help with this. My advice? Listen to your provider! The last thing you want is to be constipated.

You will still have postpartum bleeding just like you do after a vaginal birth. I wish the surgery could totally spare women from this but it unfortunately doesn’t. You still deal with the dreaded month long (sometimes more, sometimes less) postpartum period.

So, to everyone who thinks a C-section is the easy way out, think again!

These women who have gone through a C-section are warriors! This means of giving birth is still tough and intense and a big deal!

Let’s stop mom-shaming around the means in which we all give birth already!

You with me?!

Survival Tips For Newborns

7/29/2019

If only babies came with a manual. Am I right?!

For real though. Couldn’t we get a little more help with this whole newborn parenting gig? It can be overwhelming leaving the confines of that birth center with all those knowledgeable medical professionals and head into the great unknown on our own home!

Should I wake her up? Is she breathing? How do I know how long to let her sleep?

Is she crying because she’s hungry again or is she tired? Should I swaddle her or take her on a car ride?

Why is she STILL crying?!

The early days are trying. Sleep deprivation while getting to know an entirely new human that is 100% reliant on you for EVERYTHING can be so brutal! So, we’ve come up with a list of 10 things that may help you navigate this time.

The Crying

Newborns cry. A lot. It can be stressful but it’s important to remember that crying is their only form of communication until they are able to smile and coo around the 4-6 week mark. Keep it all in perspective. This time is fleeting and the last thing that new parents need is for their adult relationships to suffer.

Remind your partner (if applicable) that they are still you’re first priority. It’s so easy to get caught up in the constant needs of your new baby and forget about your other relationships. Reminding each other how you feel can make all the difference.

The Food

Feeding can be such a challenge, regardless of how you do it. What works for you and your baby is not going to be the right choice for everyone else. Try to keep in mind that you are this baby’s parent for a reason and take your needs into consideration and reach out for help! We have awesome lactation consultants in Whatcom County and Skagit County who are ready and willing to help you!

Whether you choose to exclusively breastfeed, bottle feed with breast milk, bottle feed with formula or another mode of feeding, find the support you need to help your feeding time be as relaxed as possible. Set up stations with snacks and water bottles around the house.

Often times, as soon as you sit down you will realize what you need. If there are stations already set up, chances are that it is within reaching distance.

The Endless "To-Do" List

Sleep when the baby sleeps. Do dishes when the baby does dishes. Am I right?! Sleep is so challenging for most new parents and simplifying it to saying “Sleep when the baby sleeps” is such a joke.

There are endless tasks that would stare me in the face as soon as my baby fell asleep and ignoring those things just simply wasn’t an option. What worked for my family won’t work for others but may help. We made a list of our top priorities.

One list included tasks that had to get done EACH DAY. Then a list of the things that had to get done ONCE A WEEK and so forth. This put it all in perspective for us and I was able to relax a bit more and actually recover from giving birth!

The Sleepless Nights

It is normal for your newborn to sleep (nearly) all day and party all night. Remember those parties your baby would throw during pregnancy right as you finally found that comfortable spot in bed? When you were pregnant, they were rocked to sleep as you went about your day and then woke as you settled down in the evening.

Newborns have to adjust to a new normal. Well, lots of new normals but this is a big one. This can be very frustrating for tired parents but it will shift eventually.

The Diaper

When changing a newborn’s diaper, bicycle kicks are your friend. If you’ve ever been around a newborn, you may have noticed that as soon as they got that fresh diaper on, they pooped immediately.

Rather than taking that dirty diaper off right away, expose the baby to some fresh air then cover them back up and do some leg pumps or gentle tummy rubs and wait a minute or two. This may save you a few diapers.

Set up changing stations around the house. Having some diapers and wipes easily accessible makes diaper changes a little less of a task. Remember, changing pads are not 100% necessary 100% of the time. An old hand towel or changing pad liner can become a great barrier between the baby and the surface you are changing them on.

The Car

“My baby hates the car and everyone talked about how they are supposed to fall asleep in the car.” I’ll just say it, if this is you, I am so sorry. I had two babies who HATED the car. They would cry so hard that they would be dripping with sweat once we got to our destination.

Some tricks I learned were rolling down the window (when weather allowed), dressing them in cool clothing so they didn’t get too warm, and driving on those road bumps. I am sure we got several people thinking we were crazy, but this helped!

The First Bath

Sponge baths will be just fine until the umbilical cord stump falls off (which is quite a smelly process by the way) as it is important not to get it wet. A wet washcloth with a small amount of baby-friendly soap will do the trick. Then follow up with a good lotion as newborn skin can be quite dry.

Don’t forget to get in all those sneaky folds as that is the prime location for breast milk or formula to get stuck and will get stinky real fast. Some of those locations include the groin folds, under the chin, the armpits and behind the ears.

When the time comes to do the first bath, make sure the water is warm but not too hot. Test the temperature on your inner wrist. If it is too warm for you, it is way too warm for your baby.

Try laying a warm, wet hand towel or washcloth over your baby’s exposed body. This will help them stay warm and enjoy their bath time.

The Swaddle

Learn a good swaddle technique. Babies are super restricted for space during pregnancy. Swaddling them reminds them of this.

For those Houdini babies, try a swaddle technique that tucks their arms in a pocket before wrapping them up. There are many different ways to do it, and each baby is going to need something slightly different.

They may hate it as your are wrapping them up, but soon enough, they will give in and probably fall asleep. Good luck! P.s. We teach a great swaddle technique in our birth class!

At North Cascade Doulas, we love this stuff!

We exist to support local families as they navigate the unforeseen joys and challenges that come with bringing a baby home.

As birth doulas in Bellingham and the surrounding areas, we aim to see our clients supported through the ups and downs. If you have questions, we have answers! We will walk alongside you through your unique pregnancy, birth and postpartum story.

Contact us today to learn more about birth doula services in Skagit Valley and Whatcom County or local childbirth classes. We would be overjoyed to get to know your desires for this season and how you desire to be supported.

Surviving The Heat While Pregnant: 10 tips

7/22/2019

First off, yesterday was National Ice Cream Day. I hope you knew that. I didn't until today and you can absolutely bet that our family will be celebrating a day late!

It makes sense that this is a holiday in July.

It's stinkin' hot!!! Who doesn't want a big scoop on a hot summer day?! Especially if you're growing another human! If that's you, hang in there and get a double scoop. One for the baby and one for you right?!

Summer pregnancies It can make for a pretty miserable season depending on where you’re located.

In Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, Mount Vernon and Burlington, we tend to get a few weeks of fairly intense heat.

Here are some ways to beat the heat while pregnant.

This may be obvious but yet few actually do it. STAY HYDRATED. This is impossible to do if you’re not actively drinking. During pregnancy your body needs more water anyway. Add high temperatures to that and it’s a recipe for dehydration. Purchase some new fun water bottles and keep them full and everywhere. Stock each room in your house with one, keep one ready to go in your purse and in the stroller. Make drinking water or an electrolyte drink such as a sports drink, coconut water or juice mindless and it will be much easier to keep up with.
If you have access to a pool, take advantage of it! Not only will that help you cool down, but swimming has huge benefits in other ways during pregnancy. Swimming can ease back pain, offer a gentle form of exercise and give your body a break from the extra weight you are carrying.
If you don’t have access to a large pool, try purchasing a kiddie pool like this one and place it outside in the shade. Even a small amount of water can offer huge relief. Grab one of those water bottles you have ready to go, a good book or a podcast and relax!
Keep a mister close by. This could be as simple as filling a squirt bottle with water and spraying your body throughout the day. If you are able to get in front of a fan right after, bonus! You’ll be surprised how well this simple measure helps you cool down.
Grab some ice cream! As if we really need an excuse to eat this deliciousness, let me give you one! It fills the need for a sweet and cool treat! Try one of the local Edaleen Dairy stores located in Bellingham, Lynden, Blaine, Ferndale or Sumas. Their ice cream is worth it's weight in gold!
Limit outdoor exercise to the early mornings or evening hours. Exercise during the peak heat hours of the day will make it harder to recover from the heat.
Get out of your house if you don’t have air conditioning. Even if your car doesn’t have A/C, driving with the windows down, feeling the breeze can offer relief. Then once you make it to the coffee shop, mall, grocery store or that pedicure you’ve been neglecting you can relax in their cool space. Just don’t forget the sunscreen! The last thing you need is a sunburn on top of the heat!
Put a bowl of ice or ice pack in front of a large fan to mimic air conditioning in your home. This will send the warm air onto the ice and cool it, sending cool air into your home.
Try placing a chilled washcloth on the back of your neck or forehead. You can prep these by dipping washcloths in water and laying them out in the fridge or freezer depending on how cold you’re wanting them to be.
Open up your house during the late evening hours with fans blowing out and then turn the fans to blow in during the early morning hours. Keeping air circulating in the house will help tremendously! Turning on the vent fans in your bathroom and kitchen will also help pull the hot air out and the cool air in.

Good luck! If all else fails, those portable A/C units or window units can make a world of difference!

15 Things No One Tells You About Pregnancy

7/15/2019

If you’ve shared your pregnancy news, most likely you’ve been told congratulations more than you can count quickly followed by either some pregnancy and birth horror stories or advice.

People love giving advice and we all learn this oh so quickly during pregnancy, birth and parenting.

Hang tight!

I’d love to say it will soon stop but this is only the beginning. The hope is that you’ll get used to it or learn some slightly snarky responses ;)

We don’t want to add to the mounds and mounds of advice so we thought we would share some more helpful information…

15 pregnancy symptoms that no one told you:

Charlie horses: No one likes these. If you experience this horrific pain in your calves, try standing on the leg that is causing problems. If standing isn’t an option, try pointing (or forcing) your toes toward your knee.
Swelling: Extreme swelling can be a red flag so we advise our labor doula clients to have a conversation with their provider if they notice swelling in the hands, feet and face especially. Some degree of swelling is normal with pregnancy. This comes as a result of increased fluid retention in the body and increased blood volume.
Varicose veins: During pregnancy the woman’s blood volume will increase dramatically, resulting in more pressure on the veins. This can cause varicose veins. To find relief from this try changing positions, avoid crossing legs while sitting, and elevate the legs when possible.
Hair retention & nail growth: Pregnancy hair. It is thick and luscious. During pregnancy, the hair life cycle pauses and typically there is significantly less hair loss. Sometimes women don’t notice a change and that’s okay. Nail growth will also speed up. Both these things are due to hormonal changes in the body and hopefully are a good thing… until it all falls out around 4 months postpartum. We will talk about that another time.
Itchy skin: As your skin stretches it may itch. Itching may also be caused by the hormonal changes in your body. Try to avoid hot baths or showers as this will dry out your skin, making the itching worse. If you notice severe itching, especially on your palms, tell your care provider. Oatmeal baths and remoisturizing with lotion may help.
Fuzzy hair all over the belly: This is linked to the hormonal changes that cause greater hair retention resulting in thicker locks. The “fuzz” on the belly should go away shortly after the baby is born.
Linea Nigra from navel down to pubic area: This dark line extending from the belly button to the pubic bone may appear during pregnancy as two major hormones in pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone will also affect skin pigmentation. This could also impact the coloration in the areolas, nipples, birthmarks, freckles etc.
Your abdominal muscles may separate: This may seem obvious as the baby is doing everything possible to fit in a small space, but catches many expecting women off guard. It does not happen to every pregnant person and the degree of separation varies. If you notice a dip in the center of your lower abdomen after the baby is born, extending from your belly button, ask your provider to check for this. We have some awesome physical therapists in Bellingham who can help with this common postpartum issue.
Constant trips to the bathroom: It may feel like you go pee every 5 minutes or just always feel the need to pee. Many women experience this most noticeably during the first and third trimesters. During the first trimester it is mainly due to hormonal changes. During the third trimester, the weight of the baby is directly pressing on your bladder, limiting its capacity and stimulating the stretch receptors that tell your brain that you need to empty your bladder.
Your ribs or other areas may feel bruised: This will be most prominent during late pregnancy when the baby is pressed for space as they grow to their birth size. Many babies will settle into one favorite position and continually press on the same parts of the maternal body, causing bruises or sore spots that are hard to find relief for.
Areola and nipple changes: The areolas (the area surrounding the nipple) and the nipples will change during pregnancy, especially as the third trimester approaches. The nipples and areolas will become darker in color and often larger as your hormone production signals your body to prepare for breastfeeding.
Light spotting after sex: Your cervix is very sensitive and may bleed when disrupted by things such as sex. Make sure to talk to your provider if you notice this and take note of the amount of blood.
Pregnant “glow” may resemble acne: There is actual evidence that the pregnant “glow” is actually a biological thing! Hormones once again are the culprit here as they lead to an increase in oil production and blood volume. The acne should decrease after the first trimester as this is when these hormones are working their hardest.
You have a built in furnace: This is partially due to the increase blood volume. Your body is working hard to grow another human! Your blood vessels become slightly larger and move closer to the skin, resulting in feeling warm. Hang in there!
Nosebleeds: As your blood volume increases there is more pressure on your blood vessels and they are more likely to break, resulting in a nosebleed. Minor nosebleeds are usually nothing to worry about but if you experience them frequently or if they will not stop, make sure to seek medical attention.

If you’re pregnant and have not experienced some or all of these things, you’ve been warned now!

In our birth class we cover these pregnancy symptoms and ways to ease the discomfort associated with them.

Skagit Valley! We have been listening and are now teaching our birth class in Mount Vernon! Check out our services page for our upcoming class schedule.

The hope is that you don’t deal with all of these issues, but if you do and have a way that you have worked around it, let us know your trick in the comments! We’re always looking for new ways to help our clients deal with the struggles and discomforts of pregnancy.

Placenta Encapsulation in Bellingham

7/8/2019

Thinking about placenta encapsulation? North Cascade Doulas does a few things uniquely when it comes to encapsulation and we want everyone to know it! Let us break this down for you.

Safety first.

One quote I love comes from my friend Kristyn Blocher at Doulas Northwest who says, “You only have one placenta, do you want the cheapest or do you want the safest?” I can’t echo this enough.

Safe placenta encapsulation at North Cascade Doulas is no laughing matter. We take it seriously. All of our Postpartum Placenta Specialists are trained in Blood Borne Pathogens, and follow WHO guidelines, OSHA protocol and encapsulate while adhering to their standards.

In-home ONLY

In-home encapsulation guarantees you that you will receive your own placenta. Some encapsulators take your placenta from you and encapsulate it wherever they decide. Many trusting women believe this is being done in a lab sort of setting when in reality, most times the placenta is stored in their family fridge and then encapsulated in their home kitchen. Some even encapsulate multiple placentas at one time. North Cascade Doulas only encapsulates in the clients home. This greatly increases the safety for you as the client as your placenta stays with your own microbiome 100% of the time and never leaves your sight.

Spotless kitchen

Over the course of the two-day encapsulation process, when you encapsulate your placenta through North Cascade Doulas, your kitchen will be cleaned and sanitized 4 times! This means that you have one less thing to stress about cleaning as you cuddle your newborn baby. We have your kitchen covered!

Access to a postpartum doula

Our Postpartum Placenta Specialists are also trained Postpartum Doulas. Combine this with the fact that we only do in-home encapsulation and this means that you have access to a Postpartum Doula as she is working! This has been a huge draw for our clients, as often they have at least a few questions they have been wanting to ask someone since giving birth.

All your questions answered

You will be provided with a transport kit complete with a fool-proof guide on all the things you need to know surrounding placenta encapsulation. No need to stress over what to do and what to get for your placenta encapsulation. You will have it delivered to you before your baby is born. You even get to keep our branded cooler tote!

More questions surrounding placenta encapsulation?

Send us a message or leave a comment down below. We’d love to hear from you!

If you are pregnant in Skagit County or in the Bellingham, WA area and looking for someone to encapsulate your placenta, contact us today!

Our current fee for our placenta encapsulation process is $300. You will receive a postpartum doula in your home while she is working, your fully cooked and ground placenta in your choice of vegetarian capsules, gelatin capsules or strawberry capsules, a comprehensive guide on common ways the placenta is ingested, an abundance of information surrounding encapsulation, and a stress-free transport kit.

DISCLAIMER

***This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information presented is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. North Cascade Doulas are not medical providers.***

Kristina McMurtrey

Author, Kristina McMurtrey, is a passionate doula who aims to see families supported regardless of their unique way of navigating pregnancy, birth and parenting.

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info@northcascadedoulas.com
360.788.5533

North Cascade Doulas provides care for families looking for Labor Doulas, Placenta Encapsulation and Childbirth Education Classes. We support all parenting philosophies and birth plans.
We specialize in :
(natural) unmedicated birth / (surgical) cesarean birth / epidural birth / induction / planned induction / planned cesarean / VBAC / TOLAC / waterbirth / multiples / breastfeeding / bottle feeding / formula feeding / NICU / PPD / PPMD / bed rest / high risk / low risk / advanced maternal age / miscarriage / IVF / and more.

Areas we Serve:
We serve Whatcom and Skagit Counties and the neighborhoods of Alger / Anacortes / Bellingham / Big Lake / Birch Bay / Blaine / Bow / Burlington / Clear Lake / Custer / Everson / Ferndale / Glen Haven / La Conner / Laurel / Lynden / Mount Vernon / Sedro Woolley / Sudden Valley