Frequently Asked Questions
Placenta Encapsulation
Yes, it’s safe and we diligently follow OSHA guidelines and have completed a specialized bloodborne pathogens training for placenta services. We have safely prepared placenta products for families for over 15 years.
Here is an article from Oregon State University on the safety:
Yes! If you birth at a hospital, the staff will package it up for you to bring home. They will also have you sign a waiver that allows them to release the placenta from their facility. If your placenta needs to go to pathology for testing, please see if they can take a piece and not the entire placenta. We apologize but do not accept placentas that have been sent to the lab as we cannot be sure that preservative agents have not been used or that the placenta was kept refrigerated. It is important that the placenta be refrigerated or kept on ice until it is received by us for services.
It is safe to consume when prepared properly, which of course we do! We dehydrate at a temperature high enough to kill bacteria. The only service that we do not offer with Group-B strep is the smoothie because it is a raw product.
Yes! When we receive placentas that have meconium staining we go through an extra step to cleanse before dehydrating at a safe temperature to ensure any potential bacteria is killed.
Our goal is 48 hours! It depends on the volume of placentas we are processing, so sometimes it may take an extra day if we are really busy. We have also had them back to clients in as little 24 hours! The number of capsules varies from client to client based on the size of the placenta. An average range of capsules is 80-120.
Belly Binding
While it is traditionally worn every day for 40 days during the confinement period of women in the East, we see great results from women wearing it 6-8 hours each day for 2-3 weeks.
Each time you are “bound” it is custom for your body, not one size fits most. Your bind will start at the pubic bone and end on the top of your rib cage, just below your breast. Postpartum girdles that only bind the abdomen also push down on the pelvic floor muscles and organs, potentially causing or worsening pelvic, uterine, or bladder prolapse. Our belly bind gives your changing body a custom fit.
Yes! You will need to wait about 4 weeks to begin, allowing time for your incision to heal.
Postpartum Doula
First-time parents, parents of multiples, families with little/no local support, people at risk for experiencing postpartum depression & anxiety, new parents with limited experience with newborns and a multitude of other situations where having a postpartum professional would benefit the entire family.
Absolutely! We will make meals and generally take care of the family while you rest and recover from surgery and adjust to newborn life.
It can typically look like:
- Having a little chat with you upon arrival and answer any questions you might have
- Sending you off to bed zzzzz
- Keep a watchful eye on your little human
- Bring the baby to you for nursing when it’s time, or bottle feed baby if that’s the plan
- Let you fall back to sleep zzzz
- Post feeding handling any burping, diaper changing, re-swaddling, or settling back to sleep
- Working towards creating good sleep patterns and habits
- Doing this all while you continue sleeping with the confidence that your baby is in capable, loving hands
- Having a little chat and maybe you even getting a luxurious shower (not kidding!) before leaving baby in your well-rested hands!
Postpartum services are billed hourly. Our current rate is $45 per hour for one baby and $55 per hour for twins. We offer discounts for 100+ hours and have packages available.
Labor Doula Services
We are often asked if “My partner will feel left out?” Many think that a doula takes over the role of the partner. We understand that most partners know you better than we ever will and they bring that intimate knowledge to birth to support you in their own familiar style. Even if they aren’t sure exactly how to support you during labor they know your fears, preferences and desires. We view labor and birth as an opportunity to deepen your relationship and will do everything possible to make that happen. We will work with your partner by encouraging them, offering guidance and suggestions when needed, reminding them to practice self care, and more. We can’t count the times that partners who reluctantly agreed to adding a doula to the birth team declares that they will have a doula for every birth!
Nope! While you may need less physical support if you get an epidural there are emotional and informational ways your doula can support you. Your doula will still do things like massage and position changes to ensure that your labor continues to progress efficiently. They will also support you in the early phases of your labor and then help you choose the best time to get your epidural.
A doula can absolutely add value for a Cesarean birth! Many local hospitals will allow your partner and your doula into the operating room. In the event that your doula is unable to be present in the operating room she will meet you upon arrival at the hospital and be waiting for you in your room after baby is born. She will assist you with baby feeding, self care and help advocate your preferences with staff.
Labor nurses are trained to provide medically sound, knowledge based and extremely competent care in all possible scenarios of birth. They manage medications, physician orders, obstetrical complications as well as any additional healthcare concerns that a pregnant woman may be experiencing. In contrast, the role of the doula is to be 100% focused on the physical and emotional well being of the woman (and her partner) in labor. Our doulas do not work for the hospital or your doctor/midwife, they work exclusively for you. They are comfortable advocating your preferences and ensuring that you have all of the information to make any needed decisions. While both roles are very important, they are very different.
Hypnobirthing
Nope! It is a complete stand-alone and extremely comprehensive birth preparation course, so you don’t need to attend any other kind of class to prepare for your birth.
Absolutely! The education and techniques that you learn can be used to compliment both unmedicated as well as medicated births.
We recommend starting classes anytime after 20 weeks. Ideally you would be able to finish the five week series and still have at least a few weeks to practice the techniques.
Yes! Many people have had the most amazing births without partners providing support. If you need some additional support, consider hiring a professional Doula.
While it is completely possible for you to have a pain-free (or very manageable) birth, there is no guarantee.
When the main cause of pain ‘fear’ that constricts the birthing muscles is eliminated, birthing can be accomplished in a shorter period and much more comfortably. A relaxed body will produce more endorphins, nature’s own relaxants. Most will still experience sensations of tightening or pressure; but often describe their birth experience as working with their body through the sensations, and so avoid the excruciating pain that is often expected.
Birth Tub
Water should be maintained and monitored at a temperature that is comfortable, usually between 92-100 degrees Fahrenheit (32-38 degrees Celsius). Water temperature should not exceed 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) as it may lead to an increase in the core body temperature, which in turn may cause the baby’s heart rate to increase.
You can use the pool to find the most comfortable positions to labor and/or give birth. The depth of the pool removes some of the gravity and really allows your body to move more fluidly. Having a birth pool does not mean that you will need to or want to have a water birth. The benefits of labor in water alone are worth the investment!
Even you are planning to use an epidural, a labor tub may help you get further into your labor before getting your epidural. Epidurals are best used after dilating to 6 cm.
If you are planning an unmedicated birth, we recommend once you are in active labor, meaning when surges are around 3-5 minutes apart and the cervix is dilated to 5-6cm. Sometimes getting in the tub too early, may cause labor to weaken or stall. That being said, each person and labor is different so use your best judgement.
Research studies have demonstrated that water is an effective tool to assist irregular surges to become more consistent or to use water immersion instead of Pitocin for a stalled labor. This reaction is due to an increase in Oxytocin levels and a reduction of stress hormones.
It’s your birth, so it’s your choice! Some choose to be nude and others wear a bikini top.
Prenatal Yoga
We are ready when you are unless it is not recommended by your health care provider. Some even choose to attend while trying to conceive.
There are a LOT of changes that happen in your body during pregnancy. Your pelvis can expand in order to accommodate your growing baby and because soft tissues are more pliable, you may experience an increase in range of motion and flexibility. In addition, there is a natural separation of your front abdominal wall as your baby grows.
With all these changes to your body, prenatal yoga can help you navigate the process and prepare for birth in a positive way.
You don’t need any prior experience with yoga to begin a practice. Our instructor will lovingly support you as you explore this new practice.
Massage
Yes! The myth that you can’t has unfortunately continued to circulate due to lack of education. Now, more and more doctors, midwives, doulas and massage therapists are coming to understand and appreciate the therapeutic value (both physical and emotional) of regular massage during the early stages of pregnancy.
During the first trimester, we use a lighter, soothing pressure on all areas, and avoid work on the abdomen. Light, relaxing pressure is especially good for alleviating the stress and fatigue that most people experience during the first few months of pregnancy
Yes! The idea that gently massaging the feet and ankles may cause premature labor has no basis in fact. In fact, several recent medical studies have found that foot and ankle massage during all stages of pregnancy not only has no harmful effects, but is actually beneficial!
Foot massage is not only intensely relaxing, it helps to reduce the swelling and tenderness that so often develop in the feet in late pregnancy.
As long as you and your baby are healthy, and not experiencing any serious medical problems, you can have massage as often as you like, until you go into labor.
Mother Blessing
Every ceremony is personal but we recommend no more than 12 people. This seems to be the sweet spot where the ceremony is still small enough to be intimate. On the flip side, we have done blessings with as few as 3 people in attendance.
We are always happy to host mother blessings in our space or yours. We’ve done blessings on the beach, in hotel suites and a variety of other locations.
The blessing ceremony itself is about an hour. Many mothers will serve food/refreshments either before or after the ceremony.
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