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?
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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