Research and resources for perinatal professionals.
March 28, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
Discussions about the role of birth and postpartum doulas happen early on in my childbirth classes, when we talk about what makes for a satisfying birth experience. There is often confusion about what a doula does compared to a midwife. People also worry about the role of the partner or other family member when a doula is present. Some parents who are planning to have an epidural or even a planned cesarean question the need for professional doula support. This CBE activity helps clarify the unique role of the doula.
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March 23, 2022 | by: Crystal Gurney
Helpers and healers of all kinds - physicians, midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, therapists, lactation consultants, support group leaders, and more - have had the huge task of supporting others through anunfolding, constantly changing pandemic. Other world events, including the war in Ukraine, and racist actions causing harm and violence targeted at people of color, have deeply affected us all. We are working with people who are looking to us for care and information through their complicated emotions and collective trauma while we are simultaneously experiencing that same trauma and processing our own complicated emotions. If you are someone who supports others, how are you supporting yourself? If you hold space for others, where are you being held?
November 11, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett is a health psychologist and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and the Owner and Editor-in-Chief of Praeclarus Press, a small press specializing in women's health. Praeclarus Press has made some fun posters and infographics on the topics of lactation, doulas, and parenting/lifestyle at no cost to anyone who would like to download them.
November 02, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
In the United States, the Department of Defense just announced new benefits for military families. Effective January 1, 2022, military personnel and their dependents in the United States and the District of Columbia covered under many TRICARE insurance plans will be eligible to receive care from certified birth doulas, certified lactation consultants and certified lactation counselors. These benefits will be provided as part of the benefits package under TRICARE, an assortment of health care plans available to people in the military. Overseas families will have these benefits made available to them on January 1, 2025.
May 18, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
Many important perinatal topics are recognized during the month of May. It is a busy month in that regard as some topics have a day designated for them, others take place over a week and still others continue for the entire month. We cover many of these recognition periods here on the blog, In regards to birth and postpartum doulas, the period of time that doulas are “recognized” can be a bit confusing. In fact, some individuals and organizations recognize and honor doulas on March 22. Alternately, a full week beginning March 22 is celebrated. The entire month of May has often been called “International Doula Month” and now, I have just become aware that in the United States, the Senate just passed a resolution recognizing the Week of May 9th as “National Doula Week.”
March 23, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
The world just passed the one year anniversary of the declaration of the COVID-19 global pandemic, and vaccinations are being rolled out in many countries with varying degrees of access and participation. In the meantime, birthing parents continue to welcome their babies, and many families have done so with a doula by the side. This week is also World Doula Week. Birth doulas support the family with emotional, physical and informational support during labor and birth, with prenatal and postpartum visits on either side. There are also postpartum doulas who support families after the baby is born.
I wanted to share my experiences as a birth doula throughout this pandemic, and how this pandemic has impacted birth doula support. I want to acknowledge that I live in Seattle, WA, USA and this part of the country is very “doula friendly” and we have many, many doulas here. Doulas practicing elsewhere in the world, may have different experiences than mine.
June 11, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
Connecting the Dots wants you to know about The Grand Challenge. The Grand Challenge was founded in 2012 by Jennie Joseph, the late Claudia Booker and Vicki Penwell. The goal of the program "is to connect Birth Workers who desire to work in maternity care fields in America with programs of education and individuals that can offer help." They are "matching scholars to scholarships to reduce birth disparities."
March 26, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Every country in the world, on all the continents, with the exception of Antartica, is facing the COVID-19 pandemic and all that entails. Each government is acting independently to take action to protect their citizens. And in the meantime, the babies will keep coming. The World Health Organization has published some clear and concise infographics that effectively illustrates best practice that all perinatal facilities and providers should be following.
July 23, 2018 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Lamaze International has a multitude of resources for doulas to share with their birth and postpartum clients who are looking for evidenced-based information from a respected source. Check out all that Lamaze has to offer you and your clients.
May 01, 2018 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
May is International Doula Month. A doula is a professional who provides emotional, physical and informational support to families during the childbearing year.
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