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Ramblings & Musings

What does a doula do?

8/27/2019

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We're often asked what it means to be a doula. It's such a wildly varying experience every day, it's hard to put into words. But, we've tried to express what life is like for us over here at AthensBorn.

We hold hands and rub shoulders.
We whisper in ears and cheer loudly for milestones.
We teach and we learn.
We give back to our community.
We’re activists, we listen, we support, we protest, we vote.
We’re small business owners. We work from home, from coffee shops, in waiting rooms, our cars, wherever we find the minutes.  
We miss special occasions.
We leave our homes in the quiet of night.
We witness birth in awe. Every time.
We marvel at the strength of people.
We celebrate with our clients.
We grieve with them, too.
We make mistakes. We hate that. But, we’re learning to forgive ourselves.
We’re nerds. We love science and research and learning new things.
We talk loudly about placentas in public places. Oops.
We laugh together. Really hard. Like shushed in the library kind of hard.
We still get excited every time we're hired.
We meet the very best people and feel so grateful for it.


We know how lucky we are to be living this doula life. Thank you to our AthensBorn Families for making it possible!
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What to ask your potential doula...

6/26/2017

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We've heard it so many times when sitting down to chat with potential clients. 

"Umm...we're not really sure what to ask." 

Many people first hear about doulas from their midwives or from friends who've had a great experience with a doula during a previous birth. But, they don't always understand what a doula does or what they should ask during an interview to help them figure out which doula is the best fit. In fact, we've heard this same sentiment from so many people that we actually made a list to help them out.

Here are our most frequently asked questions and some suggestions of our own. Of course, these aren't the only questions you can ask and you should always ask anything you like. More personalized questions based on your individual needs, wishes, and personalities are great! Take a look at our list to get started and let us know if you have any additions!

Do you have availability for my due date?

Where do you work/what area do you cover?

What's your guiding philosophy for supporting women in labor and birth?

What training or experience do you have?

Why did you become a doula?

Can you provide references from past clients?

What is your birth fee and what does that cover?

How many clients do you take per month?

How do you feel about the use of pain medication during labor?

How do you work with and involve partners?

Do you offer other birth-related services? (breastfeeding support, postpartum care, placenta encapsulation, etc)

Remember, these are just a starting point. Always feel free to ask anything that's on your mind!

Take care,
​Kate & Becca
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What's the deal with placentas?

5/15/2017

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Photo by Megan Brown Photography
I remember the first time I heard about women eating their placentas. I was watching Pregnant in Heels on Bravo and the host made a placenta smoothie for one of her clients. I thought it was totally gross. Why on earth would anyone want to do that?? Well, now I feel like I need to apologize to that mom for judging her, because there are some pretty compelling reasons to consume your placenta.

I have two kids who are equally amazing, but their entrances into this world could not have been more different. My son's birth was traumatic and I had a very difficult time coping afterwards. I wasn't eating. I was barely able to take care of myself and my son. Everything was overwhelming. Fortunately with the love and support of my family I got through that time. When I became pregnant a second time, I knew I wanted things to be different. Honestly, I was terrified that I would go through postpartum depression again.
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Here's where my placenta came in. Now...I am a doula and have a few hippie tendencies, but I am all for evidence-based practices and medicine. I was fairly skeptical about the whole placenta pill thing, to be honest. I really appreciated how up front Becca (who was my doula for my daughter's birth) was about the lack of proper research that existed on placentophagy. She told me what women had reported about their own experiences and left it for me to decide what to do.

I decided to take the pills...because if it helped me avoid feeling like I did after my son was born, it would be worth it. Becca encapsulated my placenta and a few days after I gave birth I received around 200 pills. They weren't gross at all. It was just like taking any other supplement in a capsule. As soon as I got the pills I started taking them every day.

So what's the verdict? Personally, I believe that they helped me a great deal. The first few weeks postpartum were nothing like what I had gone through before. I actually felt pretty amazing. I wasn't weepy. I didn't have the anxiety that plagued me after my son was born. I could function and I could bond with my new baby. It took me by surprise how easy it was.


I can't say whether it was a placebo effect or not. It really doesn't matter to me, to be honest. Either way it was effective and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Truthfully, I would be willing do much more difficult things than having my placenta encapsulated if it meant avoiding postpartum depression. It was completely worth it and I would encourage any pregnant woman to give it a try. Talk to Becca, because she won't steer you wrong!
​
Take care,
Sarah Weaver
sarahisadoula.com


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Legacy... and the New Year

1/1/2017

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Happy New Year, loyal AthensBorn readers!

​To kick off our exciting year, let’s jump right in with a Birthday Party!
AthensBorn Birth Services - Birthday Party Invitation

Yes, our beloved doula business is turning one, and we want to celebrate with you! We’re inviting our former and current clients, our fellow doulas in town who’ve been so influential in the building of our business, our friends, family, and anyone else who has supported us in our journey. Please come hang out with us at The Natural Baby, on the day we deemed our Birthday - January 11.

There is one primary reason that January 11 became our birthday: that was the day we officially settled on the name of our business, AthensBorn. We went through countless business names, some were pretty good, some were plain-old terrible (I think my favorite reject name was “Save the Empire Birth Services”). We just couldn’t settle on the perfect name that fit our personalities, our business style, and didn’t make us feel totally cheesy. When we finally came to AthensBorn, it felt like we had come home to ourselves. We said it out loud. We tested it on our hapless, unsuspecting family members. We wrote it down, typed it out, obsessed over it, and finally we deleted all of our other potential business names - on January 11, 2016.

Another day that makes this particular day feel special to me is that it’s my mother’s birthday - my strong, sensitive, hard-working mother turns 60 the day AthensBorn turns 1. My mother gave birth to my twin sister and me… precipitously… without medication…. both of us breech. She breastfed us and lost countless hours of sleep over the years of our youth, and probably still does. My mother attended the births of both of my children, and was the person who said “Yes, you can do this. You are doing it.” I’ll never forget her strength over those long hours of my labors… and all the years of my life. So part of why I love the idea of celebrating the birth of AthensBorn on January 11 is because my life and motherhood are so firmly tied up in my mother, and loving and serving our clients is a small, precious way that I can honor her.

So I want to dedicate our first birthday to our mothers - mine and Kate’s. Kate lost her mother many years ago, and I know she still misses her with every fiber of her being. Do our mothers ever truly leave us? Our mothers live in us. They shape us, they grow us, they love us. They teach us to love and make us into the people we become. Our mothers have shaped us and, in turn, have shaped AthensBorn. We have poured our lives into it and over the last year have learned so much about love and service to others. Our mothers' legacies are a very real and present thing at AthensBorn.

So here’s to the mothers of AthensBorn. Thank you for your legacy, and for helping bring us to this place. Friends, please come celebrate our first birthday on January 11, so that we can thank you for everything you’ve done to bring us here, too <3

Love,
Becca
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The unBossy Doulas

11/16/2016

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Hi, loyal readers! Here’s a topic that all three of you can get on board with - we will NOT tell you what to do in pregnancy or in birth. Of all the things Kate and I are (Funny? Smart? Maybe. A little weird, definitely), we’re certainly not bossy (though our spouses and kids may beg to differ. Good thing they don’t read our blog!) Particularly to our clients.
No one likes being bossed around, especially in a vulnerable situation such as pregnancy and birth. So I wanted to tell you a little about the AthensBorn ‘birth philosophy’ … get ready, this is big.
We will NOT boss you around. We will NOT tell you what to do. We don’t make decisions for our clients, we don’t tell them what’s best for them, we don’t even give out our personal opinions if we can avoid it. We want each client to own their decisions, from which pediatrician to choose to where they give birth to what they wear while in labor. We offer helpful tips, we share our experience and what we’ve learned, and we try to stay on top of evidence-based information so we can share that too. But, we will not decide what each client should do!
“Why???” you ask. WHY?
Because it’s not OUR birth! It’s not our baby, it’s not our body, and we don’t get to make the decisions that affect those things. We support parents in the way they need, in the way that’s right for them. We don’t draw a lot of lines in the sand, because it’s not our job to police your choices.
Another thing I want to point out - other doulas may practice differently, and it’s not our job to police them, either! There’s a doula out there for every couple who wants one, and each couple deserves to find one who fits in with their own philosophy and needs. We just wanted you to know how we practice.
And, you know what? You don’t even have to believe me just because I wrote this. You’re welcome to contact us and see what we’re all about. Or not. It’s your choice <3

Love,
Becca
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Give the gift of a doula...

8/9/2016

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Dear Friends and Family Members of Pregnant People,

Hello, and welcome to the AthensBorn blog! This post is for you, by virtue of whoever it is you know who is currently expecting a child. Did you know that it’s possible to gift someone a doula? Yes, it’s true! You can purchase our services as a gift!

“….but why, Becca, why would I do that??? And how, and what services? Tell me more!” you say? Well, let me tell you!​
​
First, let’s start with which services you can gift: ALL THE SERVICES!
Gift ALL THE SERVICES!
From prenatal services to birth to placenta and postpartum services, we do it all, and it can all be given as a gift to a pregnant woman. 

Why gift a Mother Blessing....
Because this is a beautiful way to honor a woman as she prepares for birth and motherhood. It’s not a baby shower… it’s a feminine, powerful, spiritual, and personal ushering into motherhood by an expectant mother’s own closest female friends and family. 

Why gift a birth doula….
Because people benefit from having doulas by their side in labor. A woman with a doula feels supported and informed, which helps her have a more satisfying birth experience… regardless of the outcome of her birth. 

Why gift placenta services…
Because placenta encapsulation is a great way to help a woman ease her transition from birth to having a newborn. Taking placenta pills can help ease her fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and give her back some of the nutrients she lost during birth.

Why gift a postpartum doula...
Because we don’t have the village around us - parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins - that generations past had to help care for a newborn and a mama recovering from birth. It’s less common in our society for a family to be surrounded by available, helping hands than it ever has been, but there’s more pressure to strive for “perfection” than ever, and that’s hard on a postpartum mama. A postpartum doula can help bring some of that back into the early postpartum days.

Visit our website​ for more information about how to make a gift of our services (electronic or on paper) for someone you know. 

Whether you want to contribute a small amount toward a family’s services or purchase the whole shebang; whether it’s a surprise or something you’ve discussed with the parents, please consider this as an alternative to the traditional gifts. A family never forgets their pregnancy, birth, and early postpartum days - help them to cherish these moments by gifting them doula services to help them navigate resources, information, and options. We can answer any questions you have and even set up a consultation with you and/or the parents before you make your final choice. 

Happy Gifting!
Becca
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Do I need a doula and a midwife?

3/29/2016

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This is a question that comes up a lot for women who are experiencing their first pregnancy or for women who've previously given birth without a doula. Many women wonder if they really need a doula when they're already under the care of a midwife. Sometimes parents aren't sure of the distinction between the two roles, or they mistakenly think that one can be a substitute for the other. 

Basically, it comes down to this...midwives and doulas make a great team. Can you have a great birth without a doula present? Of course you can. And, many women do. But, that doesn't mean there aren't many benefits to adding another skilled, educated, compassionate member to your birth team. Remember, your doula provides non-stop, emotional and physical support for *only* you and your partner during your birth.

This article offers some great points on why having both a midwife and a doula as members of your team can help your birth be an empowering, beautiful experience.

http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1039849/do-i-need-a-doula-and-a-midwife

If you're still not sure, try the following....

#1- Ask your midwife if she thinks a doula is beneficial to a woman in labor. Most midwives are happy to have a supportive, skilled doula in the room. The more support for their clients, the better!

#2- Ask someone who had both a doula and a midwife at their birth how they felt about their experience. We promise you'll be hard-pressed to find a woman who had a doula and felt like she didn't benefit from her skills and presence. 

Take care,
​Kate
​
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Interviewing Doulas- The More, The Merrier

3/9/2016

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Every interview we have with a potential client is different, because every person has their own individual thoughts, concerns, and questions to bring to the table. A table that usually has a combination of coffee and dessert on it, by the way. That’s how we roll. But, some things are the same...we all share a little about ourselves, Becca and I let couples know what services we offer, we go over our scope of practice. And, we pretty much always end our meeting the same way...with heart-felt congratulations to the expecting family and encouragement to interview at least one other doula before making their decision. Many people seem surprised that we would suggest the latter. So, we thought the subject warranted a post on this fine blog of ours.

Why do we encourage women to interview multiple doulas? I don’t feel like it’s a big secret, but let it be known...not all doulas are the same. I know, crazy. Here’s a brief list of some qualities that we at AthensBorn feel are important in a doula. She (or he, it happens) should be...

  • Compassionate
  • Educated
  • Experienced
  • Open-minded
  • Professional

And, guess what? There are quite a few talented doulas who meet these qualifications, right here in Athens! We’re a very lucky community that way. So, when you interview a couple of these lovely doulas and you find they’re on pretty equal ground, what tips the scale in favor of one over another? The vibe. You know the one. It says “this person gets me.” You feel a connection or a gut instinct. And, there’s your answer! Truly professional doulas are not going to be offended by this because we realize it’s beyond our control. We simply cannot be the very best personality match for every couple, because we're all individuals. You’re choosing a person who will be present for one of the most intimate experiences of your life. Choose someone who is qualified and professional, but also choose someone who gets you. Because you deserve that.

We want every woman to have a beautiful, powerful experience when she gives birth and every partner to feel supported and confident. That means having the best possible match for a doula. So meet with a few and mull it over a bit. You’ll likely feel much more confident in your choice. And, if there’s one thing we love for a woman to bring into her birth, it’s confidence.

Take care,
Kate

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Doulas Aren't Just For Hippie Births!

3/4/2016

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Doulas attend ALL kinds of birth. You don't have to be a certain kind of woman planning a certain kind of birth to get the support you deserve!

http://thestir.cafemom.com/pregnancy/115924/doulas_arent_just_for_hippie
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The Road to Doula-ville...

2/10/2016

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Ah, my first blog post. The one that’s supposed to introduce me to people. What to cover first? Some things you may have already guessed, if we’ve ever met in person...middle child (obvious), Taurus (also obvious). I live just outside of Athens, GA with my supportive, fun-loving husband, our two awesome kiddos, a dog, a couple of cats, and an assortment of chickens who are mostly named after characters from my favorite podcasts (don't worry, I'm planning a completely separate, in-depth blog post about that). I love to read, I’m a bit of a science nerd, and I have what sometimes feels like an undeserved excess of totally hilarious, amazing friends and family members to share this life with. But, probably a question more pertinent to this particular blog would be, how did I become interested in doula work?

My path to becoming a doula was a winding one, but once I arrived and understood what the work really meant, I can’t say that I was surprised to find myself here. Before I moved to Athens, my heart belonged to parks and recreation. Yes, that's a real job. It was my first love, and I spent over 11 years completely smitten with my career and my colleagues. I was particularly drawn to working with teens and young adults, from middle school up through college. At first, I couldn’t have identified what it was that I loved about working with this age group, I just knew it was pure awesome and I was hooked. After years of experience and self-reflection, the things that meant the most to me became more obvious.

I love the beauty of a human being moving through a life transition. The bravery, the vulnerability, the resilience, the sadness, the discovery...and, ultimately the joy and triumph of coming out the other side a stronger, more confident version of oneself.

What’s not to love about that?

So...not really a shocker that I’m drawn to birth and postpartum work. Some people may have trouble seeing the parallels between my former career and my present one, but I don’t. I’m still allowed the privilege of giving support and bearing witness to someone’s very personal journey. I still work in a community of providers who support one another at every turn, who feel called to serve others, and who sometimes make me laugh so hard my sides hurt. And, I still have a job that makes me feel like I’m a part of something bigger than myself.

You often hear doulas say that doing this job is an honor. That’s not hyperbole and they’re not just handing you the company line. We are invited to share in some of our clients’ most intimate moments and at the end of it all...there is a brand new person in the room WHO WASN’T THERE BEFORE. It never gets old. It’s completely amazing. Every. Single. Time.

So hire a doula, have a better birth, and when she heads out the door afterward and says “Thank you. It was an honor to be here.”...know that she means it.

Best wishes,
Kate
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Photo credit: EarlyGirl Photography
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    Kate & ​Becca

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Telephone

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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • KIND WORDS
    • FAQ
  • SERVICES
    • LABOR DOULA SERVICES
    • PLACENTA ENCAPSULATION
    • BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT
    • POSTPARTUM SUPPORT
    • GIFT CERTIFICATES
  • BLOG
  • CLIENTS
    • Online Forms
    • Additional Services
    • Resources
    • FAQs & Info
    • Community Connections
    • Insurance Reimbursement
  • CONTACT
  • Events & Happenings