....That's What Doulas Are Made Of.

When Cathy & I first met, we quickly realized that we shared some very similar qualities as doulas.  All doulas are different.  We all have different values, personalities & qualities that helps us to serve our clients.  Let me tell you a little bit about what the doulas at A Joyful Journey are made of.

• Flexible- I'm not talking yoga moves here.  We have to have flexible schedules for our clients.  Which means we're willing to be woken up in the middle of the night, or drop whatever we're doing in the middle of the day, to get to our clients when they need us.  It typically takes us around an hour to get to our clients.

• Balanced- Although we provide 24/7 on-call service to our clients starting at 37 weeks gestation, we can divide our on-call time, so that we can still tend to our families & have time off.  Doula work can be extremely stressful when you don't have a good support team.  There is an exceptionally high burnout rate for doulas, with the average career for a doula lasting about 3-5 years.  We understand the importance of balancing our careers & personal life.

• Professional- As professional doulas, we strive to act in a professional manner, not only with our clients, but with all members of their support team.  We do not overstep our boundaries by doing or saying things that are out of our scope of practice.  Aside from our initial doula training, we continue to further our education to better benefit the families that we serve.  This month alone, Cathy will be training to become a placenta specialist with Placenta Prep and I'll be training to become a bereavement doula with Stillbirthday.

• Non-Judgmental- Cathy & I believe in birth.  We absolutely believe in a woman's ability to birth her baby!  We also trust that our clients will make the decisions that are best for her & her baby.  We do not judge if a mom decides to do the opposite of what her birth plan says, or if she yells, screams or swears, or if she requests an epidural at the onset of labor, etc.  We offer evidence based information and non-judgmental support.  We respect your choices.

• Personality- Although our personality types are pretty different, we share some great characteristics.  We are both caring, thoughtful, calming & have a great sense of humor.  But most importantly, we are passionate about our career and the families the we have the honor of serving!  We absolutely love what we do!

So, tell us what your doula is made of!  If you've just begun your search, tell us what you're looking for in a doula!

Written By: Andrea Myers

What Will My Body Do Next? Fun Bodily Fluids in the 3rd Trimester.

Aaahh discharge.  That lovely, snotty, mucuousy, stuff that we find mid cycle, and increases during pregnancy.  It's one of those magical things that happen during pregnancy that women only talk about in hushed tones with other women.

It can be a precursor to an infection so if it has a smell, burns, or is any other color than milky or clear,check with your provider.  In fact, if you have any qualms about your discharge, it's always better to ask your ob/gyn or midwife to ease your worries.

What exactly is discharge?  Medically speaking:  It is a combo of old cells and normal bacteria flora from the vagina and the walls of the vagina.

What is means for you: stocking up on panty liners, and having lots of natural lubrication for a roll in the hay.  But in all honesty, it aids in getting your body ready for labor and changes as your hormones fluctuate.  It also helps to flush out bacteria which is a win-win for you and baby.

Discharge is just another one of the wonderful processes that happen to make women...women.  Don't be afraid to talk about it.  While it might be cumbersome, it is natural.  So the next time you're changing your liner because it looks like your vagina sneezed clear snot, give yourself a pat on the back.  Your body is working well and know that millions of other women are going through it with you.  Wipe on Ladies!!

Summer Babies

As we are getting into the warmer months, my mind has been on my beautiful clients who are due to give birth soon.  I know the discomfort that comes with being in the third trimester during Summer.  I have two summer babies.  My second daughter was born a month early in mid July and my third daughter was born June 11, 2014.  (Happy 1st Birthday to my littlest angel, Isla Rose!)

 If I could have picked my due dates, they would have been in Spring.  Summer babies have benefits and drawbacks.

Why I Dislike Summer Birthdays:

Pregnant women are normally warmer in general.  Throw in summer's sizzling temps and you've got one hot lady!  And I don't just mean sexy.

Bathing suits.  All maternity bathing suits are $80+ No way would I buy that for a couple months.

Worrying about a newborn getting overly heated and sunblock.  All sunblock says on the packaging not to smear on babies unless they are 6 months.  So what are we supposed to do if we want to take our precious new angels outside?  I slathered mine up with a natural sunblock because I was too afraid putting long sleeve shirts/pants would cause them to be overheated.

Postpartum bleeding.  Enough said.  No swimming for this mama for two summers.


Benefits to Summer Birthdays:

Beautiful weather for your child's birthday party...every year.  I don't have to worry about a zillion people cooped up in my house because we can be in the pool or under an outdoor tent.  Plus serving BBQ to people is generally cheaper.

Lots of summer parties to show off your new little one.  I loved showing off my new one in those adorable sun dresses with the matching hats.  Bonus: I love going to parties and cuddling those new little ones since mine are getting bigger.

People giving you a pass on making an appetizer/dessert for those summer soiree's.  Maybe not in everyone's family but in mine, they never made me cook or do the after cleaning.  I got to put my freshly pedicured, swollen feet up and talk to my hearts content.

Summer always seems to pass so quickly, it can make those last few weeks of pregnancy go by swifly.



Thinking of all you hot (temperature), beautiful women who are in the home stretch of pregnancy.  I'd be happy to share a non-alcoholic margarita with you this summer and let you put your feet up.  You're almost there!

www.ajoyfuljourney.org
Written By: Cathryn Smith

Dilation is Just A Number

Most people know that when it comes to giving birth vaginally, a woman’s cervix must go from 0 cm to 10 cm, before she can deliver her baby. Okay, so it's not just a number, it does play a pretty important role. Personally, though, I think that expecting parents can focus a little too much on the number and often times don’t realize the many other ways that labor is progressing.

For example, during the birth of my 4th daughter, I was in very active labor (if not transition) when my midwife suggested that she check the dilation of my cervix.  I consented & after checking me, she told me I was 5 cm.  Being very vulnerable & definitely in transition, I thought there was no way!  I had to be close to done!  After walking from the bathroom to the bed and a few really tough contractions, I was complete & began involuntarily pushing.  I went from 5 cm to baby in my arms in about 15 minutes!

That being said, aside from contractions & cervical dilation, there are other factors that can show us progress in labor.

1.Position of Cervix- A cervix moving from posterior (near the back, hard to reach) to anterior (near the front of the vagina, easy to reach) is considered a sign of progress.

2.Effacement- The cervix starts out long & firm, but as labor progresses, the cervix shortens &  thins.

3.Baby’s Station- The caregiver finds the ischial spines & estimates the distance between the spines and the baby’s head.  If the head is above the spines, it’s considered a negative station.  If it’s below, it’s considered a positive station.

4.Checking for Position
Anterior fontanel- The diamond shaped fontanel located near the front of baby's head is presented.
Posterior fontanel- The triangle shaped fontanel located towards the back of the baby's head is  presented.

As you can see, there are quite a few factors to look at when determining progress in labor.  Cervical dilation is just one of them.  Try not to get stuck on the number.

Written by: Andrea Myers

 Disclaimer: As doulas, we DO NOT perform clinical tasks i.e. check the cervix.  We leave that to the medical professionals.  We are just familiar with how the cervix works.

Babies in Crochet Make My Uterus Say Hey

I have to admit, I really have no urge to watch any sports on tv. Baseball...eh.  Basketball...maybe.  Football...yuck.  Soccer or Golf...No Way.  Even in "real life" sports don't really grab me.  However, I do enjoy hockey.  Maybe it's because I'm not sweatin my butt off but comfortably snuggled up to my adorable husband.

  Anyways, the Chicago Blackhawks won yesterday.  I wish I could say I stayed up late last night like so many of my other friends to watch the win, but I didn't.  In fact, the only reason I know they won is because EVERYONE was posting about it on Facebook this morning.

Along with these posts were pictures of their adorable kiddos wearing Blackhawks apparel.  I don't know what it is about little ones in sports paraphernalia, but it is just too cute for words.  Especially the crocheted items for newborns.  I can't get enough.  Every time I see one of my clients taking their sweet newborns for photographs with adorable crocheted items, my uterus hurts. Sports crocheted items included.

I know, I know.  I get the pleasure of seeing newborns all the time.  I am so incredibly lucky.  I'll never get sick of seeing a new life welcomed into the world, holding them, and feeling their soft skin.  My heart is always ready to welcome a new little one; my brain is another story.  But my uterus just screams out, yes have one more when I see these little darlings in crocheted hockey items.

So to all my clients, friends, and family with little ones, feel free to send me your sweeties adorable pics and GO HAWKS!!

BTW, image was taken from my amazing friend Carrie who owns Little Punky Designs.

12 Things Every Woman Thinks During Labor

12 Things Every Woman Thinks During Labor
Written by: Cathy Smith

1.   I can't wait to meet this baby!

Those first few contractions can be exhilarating and/or scary.  Reality sets in that this day, you will finally meet your sweet baby.

2. These contractions aren't so bad.

What's the big fuss about labor right?!  It's not that intense.  I myself succumbed to this thought and want to slap myself in the face later on for even thinking that labor would be a walk in the park the second, third, etc...time around.

3.  Whoa!  These contractions are getting intense.

Refer to #2 with why I always want to slap myself in the face.  What was I thinking? That labor would be a walk in the park?  Rest assured to  know these surges are doing some good work when you can no longer talk or walk through them.

4.   I can do this.

You will go back and forth in your mind about what you can tolerate.  I can do this, is a wonderfully empowered place to be.  It is such a basic but powerful thought.

5.   I can't do this.

We have all been there.  At some point in your labor, this thought will pass through your mind.  It's usually at the transitional time or a recurring thought during very long labors.  It brings you to a place of ultimate vulnerability.  Letting your mind go and succumbing to your body is an arduous process.

6.   F$*^ or OMG!!!!

This potty mouth thought usually occurs right before the strongest urge of your life occurs.  Words really can't convey the all consuming feeling your body feels.


7.   It burns!/Get it out!

I have to laugh at this one.  Not only do most women who give birth vaginally think this thought, but most speak either expression right as the head is crowning.  Or refer to #6.  It can be described as the ring of fire.  What you feel at this moment in your life will be etched into your memory forever.  It is you in your very most primal state.  I remember the pain but think about it lovingly.  For it was at this moment, that my children were in between worlds.


8.   No Thoughts...Just the largest sense of relief.

You have just birthed your baby.  In a few microseconds, your thought will be, let me see/hold my baby.  Your heart is about to melt.  But right now there is an amazing sense that you've completed your task.


9.Oh my goodness I just had a baby!

Sweet relief.  Childbirth is over.  Hallelujah!


10. Let me see/Hold my baby.

Those first moments of seeing your newborn and holding that sweet, warm, wet babe will be the most precious moments of your life.  Even as I write this and remember my own little angels births, I can't help but shed tears at the miracle of this first connection.


11. This baby is beautiful!

Yes mama.  Your child is the most beautiful creature on this Earth.  Pure and perfect.  You created one darn lookin kid.  You should be proud.


12. I did it!

You actually did it.  You rocked your birth!  Whether it was natural birth with hypnobirthing, or used every drug in the arsenal, you just birthed a baby!  You are a part of the most amazing club on Earth...the Mommy Club.  We are woman, hear us roar.  Give yourself a pat on the back, enjoy that beautiful child, and know that you can do anything!

Healing From Birth Trauma

"Even if our birth story was never told to us, our bodies remember.  We know our family history.  Even if 'forgotten', we know it somewhere deep inside.  Birth Therapy shows that the emotions and attitudes of an adult’s life are present in our birth experience.  This becomes what we have taken on as our life’s healing."  I read this the other day, while looking for ideas to help me to support mothers who need to heal from their birth experiences.  Reading that really struck a cord with me because my own birth was very traumatic, so it's no wonder that I have such a big heart for birth work.  It's not just a job, it's a passion. 

As a doula, I try to support a family as best as I can, to have the birth that they are hoping for.  But I know that it's not always possible.  Some times we don't get the beautiful experiences that we're hoping for and we feel disappointed.  Sometimes we have an experience that is completely opposite of what we wanted and we are traumatized by what happened.  So what can I do, to help a family to begin to heal from their birth trauma?  Search for ways to support these families through their healing.

I don't know if any of you follow January Harshe & her Birth Without Fear Blog, but if not, you should check it out.  So much awesomeness. Anyways, she recently posted on her Facebook page, a picture of her tub all set up for a healing postpartum bath after her most recent birth.  

  Then, I started googling 'healing from a traumatic birth' & 'affirmations for healing birth trauma'.  I came across this blog: https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/birth-reclaiming-ceremony/ and decided this would be such an amazing service to offer & why have I never heard of this until now?

Digging a little deeper, I found ideas for birth trauma healing workshops.  These will be in a small group setting and won't be as personal as a birth reclaiming ceremony in a clients home, but they will still work towards the same purpose. Healing & bonding with their child.

Cathy & I are excited to announce that we are now offering personalized birth reclaiming ceremonies and will be offering birth healing workshops in the near future! We've got a beautiful space in Minooka where we have been offering childbirth education, as well as breastfeeding and postpartum support.  We really are looking for more ways to support families in our community and are excited to expand our services.  If any of you have any suggestions, we would be glad to hear them! 

Love & Warmth,

Andrea