Liz Foster - Birth Doula & Placenta Encapsulator
  • Welcome
  • My Story
    • About Me
    • My Philosophy
    • Testimonials & Photos
    • Q&A
  • Services
    • Birth >
      • Labor Doula
      • Virtual Doula
      • Sibling Doula
    • Denver Placenta Encapsulation
    • Service Upgrades
  • RESOURCES
    • Blog
    • Local Practitioners
    • Local Birthing Centers
    • Recommended Products
    • Recommended Books/Podcasts
  • Connect
  • Welcome
  • My Story
    • About Me
    • My Philosophy
    • Testimonials & Photos
    • Q&A
  • Services
    • Birth >
      • Labor Doula
      • Virtual Doula
      • Sibling Doula
    • Denver Placenta Encapsulation
    • Service Upgrades
  • RESOURCES
    • Blog
    • Local Practitioners
    • Local Birthing Centers
    • Recommended Products
    • Recommended Books/Podcasts
  • Connect

LOVE   IN   MOTION



​BLOG

How To Find the Perfect Doula For You!

11/6/2018

2 Comments

 
Picture
While woman-to-woman maternity support has been around ever since women have been having babies (well, technically, Eve was on her own), doulas are relatively new. In fact, the first US professional organization for doulas (DONA, or Doulas of North America; now called DONA International) only started in 1992. This leaves many women wondering, "If I have a labor support partner and a nurse during labor, do I really need doula?" The answer: Maybe.

The point of having a doula is to provide encouragement and support to new moms throughout pregnancy and birth; postpartum doulas even help with breastfeeding, housework, and cooking. Her role is to promote healing and bonding with the new baby — basically, whatever you need! Sounds nice, right?
Research seems to think so, too. Studies indicate that when doulas are involved in the labor process, women have fewer C-sections and report greater satisfaction with their birth experiences.

Doulas understand labor and birth from both the physiologic and emotional angles, and they know how hospitals work. They're gifted at helping women overcome really challenging contractions and labor transitions. They understand medical language and routine procedures, but they also know how to help mothers work around interventions that don't fall into their birth plans. And when those plans need to change quickly, the really great doulas know how to shift gears and continue providing top-notch support.

Sadly, there are also some challenging doulas. A few have strict personal agendas and confrontational approaches. They start arguments with medical staff over minor issues like taking mom's blood pressure. There are even doulas who have told their clients that under no circumstances would they allow them to have an epidural or C-section.

Plus, reimbursement from insurance providers is unusual. What happens to women who can't afford doulas? They receive support from their labor nurses, midwife or doctor, their partners and the people they've chosen to provide labor support. For many women, that's all they need and they report feeling well cared for.

Side note: There are doulas that are getting started in their career and can offer free services in order to get certified or more experience.

Still, more often than not, doulas are a real asset to the birth experience. Here's how to find the perfect one for you:
​
1.) Check their credentials.
While DONA International offers certification programs, certifications aren't required to work as a doula. But a certification shows that your doula has passed a test that demonstrates her knowledge and competency. Before deciding on a doula, ask her where she studied, and if she received a certification.
2.) Ask for references.
See whom she has worked with in the past, and actually call them.
3.) Search wisely
Visit doulamatch.net to instantly find doulas, along with their availability, education, certifications, and testimonials. Also check out: BirthTube's Doula Directory and the DONA Doula Directory.
4.) Interview potential doulas — in person!
You're going to be spending a whole lot of time with this person, so you need to make sure your goals are the same, and that your personalities are compatible. If you don't fall in love with the doula you interview, find one that fits your desires and needs.

Have some fun and take the Birth Quiz to get a FREE Labor Cheat Sheet!

Picture
2 Comments

Natural Induction Methods

9/4/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
I know far too well the feeling of helplessness at the end of pregnancy. You feel like a beached whale, a ticking time bomb, and people are constantly asking you if the baby has arrived...

The following are easy and gentle measures to urge baby to send your body the proper hormones to begin labor. Keep in mind that these are GENTLE METHODS and are not intended to be used without consulting a doctor or midwife.

Self-help Techniques
  • Walking 20 minutes per day: Let gravity do the work!
  • Try Curb Walking (stepping one foot up on the curb and keeping the other foot on the street, walk up and down like this down one block, turn around and walk the other way with the other foot going up on the curb).
  • Supported Squats: open a door, hold onto both door knobs a sit your bottom down as low as is comfortable to get back up into a standing position. Aim for about 50 squats per day.
  • Any weekly exercises or positions from Spinning Babies are extremely helpful in getting baby engaged and in the optimal fetal position (OFP). Check out 
  • Intercourse AND orgasm: Let someone else do the work! His big "O" contains the same hormonal cocktail as what you would typically receive in a medical induction (called Prostaglandin or the medical Cervidil/Cytotec).
  • Nipple stimulation: Surprisingly, this is a wonderful way to increase oxytocin, the love hormone that gets labor going!
  • Stairs: This is a wonderful way to create asymetry in the pelvis to encourage baby to engage. 
  • Castor oil: Drinking this does not taste good but can help upset the stomach enough to induce contractions. I would recommend other induction measures before this!
  • Chiropractic/Acupressure/Acupuncture/Massage: By aligning your meridians, it may be enough to nudge that baby out! Plus self-care induces relaxation, a labor starter! I recommend seeing Cecily Yousaf at Fertile Grounds for acupuncture sessions. She guarantees you won't make to your 3rd session! Give them a call: (303) 248-3481
    • Grab your FREE Foot Massage for Labor HERE!! It's seriously a marriage saver!
  • Labor cookies: See my first blog post!
  • RELAX...no, seriously! Sometimes the anticipation of labor can be the exact reason why you're NOT going into labor. A stressed mindset sends fear hormones into your system, telling your body that it's not ready to have a baby yet. So, here is my prescription:
    • Do this every day leading up to labor: Take a soothing walking meditation, go home and dim the lights, eat some food, take a bubble bath, watch a funny show, do a 10-minute breath exercise, and get as much rest as possible.
    • If you're still feeling stressed, reach out to a trusted person and/or your Doula!!

Complementary Medicine Methods
  • Herbal tea and tinctures: Red raspberry tea
  • Homeopathic remedies: Putting a couple capsules of Evening Primrose oil up your hoohah will soften the cervix and allow it to ripen. It worked for me! Other remedies are: Pulsatilla 200C, Caullophyllum 200C and Cimicifuga 200C.
  • Foods: Dates, pineapple, spicy food...many moms swear by these!

Medical Non-drug Methods of Induction
  • Balloon dilators: Not highly recommended but can help if you are already in the hospital and labor is not active.
  • Stripping (or sweeping) the membranes: This is uncomfortable but can help ease things along before you are in labor.
  • Artificial rupture of membranes (AROM): Possibilities of cord prolapse (not common) with this method but it can definitely get labor moving along.

To be completely honest: acupuncture and sex are truly the ONLY studied, tried and true methods that actually move the marker from a natural standpoint, but EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT.

Do you know of any other methods not mentioned here? Would love to hear from you!

While you're waiting for that new baby bundle,
snag yourself a FREE Labor Cheat Sheet
so you and partner have an easy reference for anything that could arise in labor!

Here's to keeping your LOVE IN MOTION!!
0 Comments

Pre- and Early Labor Signals

7/20/2018

1 Comment

 
Picture
  • Initiation of labor, progression and signals of labor
Parents face two common challenges during late pregnancy.
1) Impatience to end the pregnancy due to discomfort, fatigue and eagerness to hold their baby
2) The possibility of a long, discouraging pre-labor phase.

These challenges make parents more accepting of induction or vulnerable to the belief that there is something wrong. Parents need to understand that labor normally begins only when all of the following occur:
• The fetus is ready to thrive outside the uterus (breathing, suckling, maintaining body temperature, and more).
• The placenta has reached the point where it can no longer sustain the pregnancy.
• The uterus is ready to contract, open and expel the baby.
• The mother is ready to nourish and nurture her baby.

If parents understand that fetal maturity is essential in initiating the chain of events leading to labor, they may be more patient with the discomforts of late pregnancy, and less willing or anxious to induce labor without a medical reason.

Natural induction methods are a viable options to assist and allow for the above criteria to be met and for labor to commence. However, they are not meant to coax the baby out but rather to encourage the process along. I will blog about natural induction methods coming up but for now, please see one delicious way by checking out my Labor Cookies Recipe.

The ways to progress to a vaginal birth
Progress before and during labor and birth occurs in many ways, not simply cervical dilation and descent, which is what most people focus on. Labor unfolds gradually, which begin weeks before labor and involve the cervix. The cervix moves forward, ripens, effaces and then dilates. When parents understand that a long pre- or early labor is accomplishing necessary progress – preparing the cervix to dilate – they are less likely to become anxious or discouraged that nothing seems to be happening. The other steps involve the fetus: the fetal head repositions during labor by flexing, rotating, and moulding to fit into the pelvis; and lastly, the fetus descends and is born.

Possible signs of labor
  • Nesting urge
  • Soft bowel movements
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Backache that causes restlessness
These may or may not continue to the clearer signs of labor and may be associated with early cervical changes.

Pre-labor signs
The most important of these is the first one:
  • Continuing ‘non-progressing’ contractions (that is, over time, the pattern remains the same; they do not become longer, stronger or closer together)
  • Possible leaking of fluid from the vagina
  • Possible ‘show’ – bloody mucus discharge from the vagina
With these signs, the cervix is probably not dilating significantly, but is likely to be ripening and effacing.

​Positive signs of labor
The most important of these is the first one:
  • Continuing, progressing contractions, i.e. contractions that become longer, stronger, and closer together (or at least two of those signs). These progressing contractions cause cervical dilation, which is the clinical definition of labor.
  • Spontaneous rupture of the membranes (SRM), especially with a gush of fluid. This happens before or at the onset of labor in about 8% of women at term. It most often happens late in labor. SRM is only a positive sign of labor in conjunction with continuing progressing contractions.

Positive Notes
Staying positive amidst pre- and early labor is important in the process of delivering your baby. Women progress in many different ways and your journey is your own pathway to forge for you and your baby. The hard work put into the process is well worth it. Just knowing the signs above can and will help in understanding when it is a good time to bring in your birth team, call your midwife, go to the hospital (or stay at home), and move forward in a positive and healthy manner.

Stayed tuned for more progression through labor and delivery, as well as some natural induction methods!
1 Comment

7 Best Tips To Let GO in Childbirth (and Life in general)

1/23/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture

​

We all know that childbirth can be a lot of things. Women experience it in a variety of ways. Ideally, we would all love to embrace the journey and come out on the other end triumphant and empowered by the thrill we just experienced. But just HOW does one power through the intensity of labor, with the grace of a gazelle and the strength of a lion??

Here are 7 tips to help you discover ways of surrendering to the tidal waves of labor and birth.

1.) Address anxiety
Everyone knows that anxiety can render someone in an emotionally catatonic state. During pregnancy, it can dramatically escalate. So find ways to understand where your anxiety derives and how to keep it at bay, even if it's just for the time being until you have a baby. There are many great resources out there for you to explore: counseling, support groups, Byron Katie YouTube talks, meditation, visualization, etc. Remember, anxiety is fear about the future and depression is fear about the past. The happy medium is right in the present moment. That's where you will find your answers within, in stillness.

2.) Root into affirmations and truth
Hypnobirthing is a common birthing method that includes birth affirmations. Customize them to make them yours. Write them on note cards and recite them every day until the big day.  And then you can tape them around your laboring room for inspiration when you need it most. This will enhance the truth you find and know inside. Rooting into something positive and encouraging can be just what your mind, heart, and body needs to come out of labor and birth in a joyous way.

3.) Address fear
Oftentimes fear plays a big part in childbirth. What we must understand is that even though fear will never go away, we do have a choice of how much of it will play out in our lives. It will always be a battle to our dying day of choosing love or fear.
Have you ever had a conversation with fear? I do this exercise with clients who have a lot of anxiety. I will ask them to write a letter to fear and it helps in those stressful times. A letter may go something like this:
Dear fear,
I know that we have had a long relationship with each other. Thank you for being there to keep me safe at times. I have appreciated your comments, whether they were true or not, and you have served a purpose in my life. However, during this special time in my life, you don't get to run the show. You may stay outside of my space for the time being and look from afar but you are NOT allowed to be part of this labor and birth. This is a joyous part of my life and I am looking forward to all of the love and surrendering I will be doing. You will not be needed at this time.

4.) Examine thoughts
Thoughts play tricky mind games on us. Fear lets us think many crazy things. Believe it or not, but those thoughts are NOT YOU. You are not your thoughts! We create suffering when we attach to our thoughts as if they were truth. But you get to decide what is truth because you have a beautiful choice with every thought.
When thoughts of failure come in, know that this is coming from a part of you that wants to sabotage your efforts. Think of them like voices from a bad little angel on your shoulder. Tell him "thank you for your comment", flick him off and start listening to the "good angel". Call her the Holy Spirit, intuition, your conscience, whatever she is to you. Any thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure of heart, and trustworthy are the ones to follow. TRUST that they will lead you where you need to go in labor.
This, my dearest, is mindfulness. And remember, practice makes perfect.
The voice you listen to most will win!!

5.) Address intimacy/vulnerability
Let's face it, birth is probably the most vulnerable time you will ever have in your life. Your body and heart are displayed out there for all to see. If you struggle with intimacy and vulnerability, as most of us do, I urge you to check out Brene Brown on YouTube or through her books. They contain an oasis of knowledge and truth for you to discover. I would love to expound upon vulnerability in a later blog because it deserves its own space. It is a wellspring to healing and extraordinary breakthroughs!

6.) Root into what creates peace
Prepare for birth by creating a spa-like atmosphere that works for you. What would you want on a relaxing spa day? Foot massage? Soft smells? Calm music? A beautiful scenery? The goal of a childbirth laced in letting go will consist of all of these and more. Seek out ways to make your ideal spa day possible for your baby's birth day. Your baby will thank you (eventually)!!

7.) Repear steps 1-6 until STILL
Having peace about your journey into motherhood is quite a feat in and of itself. Nobody is perfect and many times we will never fully get the experience we desire. But I love what Bobby Unser said, "Success is where preparation and opportunity meet."

​I would LOVE to hear your thoughts about this blog post!! Shoot me a comment and let's start a conversation!!
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author's Philosophy


    I am a doula. I love labor, I love birth! But most of all, I love witnessing the beautiful transformation of women becoming mothers. My job is to facilitate that transition easily and with JOY!!

    ​My greatest goal is to ensure that you and your family feel safe and secure with me by your side, ushering you into a brand new heroic journey that is motherhood. It is my highest honor to serve women in one of the most splendid moments of their lives!

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    February 2021
    October 2020
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017

    Categories

    All
    3 R's
    Birth
    Childbirth
    Delivery
    Doula
    Labor
    Mama Oasis
    Mindfulness
    Music
    Partner
    Postpartum
    Pregnancy
    Relaxation
    Rhythm
    Single Parenting
    Tools

    RSS Feed

Serving the
​Denver Metro Area
& Virtually

Browse Testimonials
HERE

What Clients Are Saying

LOVE IN MOTION LLC
Liz Foster CD(DONA), HCHD

Let's Connect

love in motion llc logo birth postpartum doula, childbirth educator, birth life coach
‪720-593-0014‬
Need some help? Let's chat...
SCHEDULE A CALL
Photo used under Creative Commons from Mathieu Carbou