I don’t believe in fear mongering as a form of public health messaging, so here are some helpful considerations if you’re pregnant or nursing and concerned about potential impacts of COVID-19. ⁣
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If you are having a hospital birth soon, it could be helpful to check with them to see how COVID-19 protocols may affect your birthing experience (number of visitors, entrance locations, etc.)

I know, there’s a lot going on and things are changing daily but one thing is for certain—you gone get this support! Now more than ever it’s critical to educate yourself, tap into your intuition, and know how to advocate for the best birth experience possible. ⁣
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Many hospitals are restricting visitors and #saferathome protocols may limit in-home prenatal sessions, so I’ll be offering some of my services virtually:⁣

• Virtual birth goal setting;

• Prenatal education sessions (including comfort measures and positions)⁣;

• Labor and birth support; and

• Postpartum support sessions
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Last week, I missed my first birth and I was devastated. ⁣
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I’m naturally an empath and think of myself as a really good problem solver but this was just the perfect storm that I couldn’t make work. ⁣
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Enter the guilt. I felt so bad for not being able to be there (even though we’d already discussed contingency plans since I knew I was traveling close to baby’s due date) and I could feel myself going into a space where I was trying to force something that just wasn’t meant to happen. ⁣
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Then I remembered that, like I tell my mamas, the body already knows what to do. I’m grateful for my friend, sister and fellow doula @vanyacamille and the supportive relationship that we have built over the past few months (thanks @thelola_women!) because there was no hesitation when I asked her to step in to support my laboring mama. Little did she know, she was supporting me as well ✨ ⁣
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There are many times where I think I can do it all alone. Because I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T. Then life happens and I’m humbly reminded otherwise. Doula work can be exhausting and emotional, but building community makes it so so sweet.

One of the most common questions that I get is “can I have sex while I’m pregnant?”. The answer is YES—have all the consensual sex your heart desires! (UNLESS you have been diagnosed as a high risk pregnancy and your physician has instructed you to refrain. In which case, explore other safer methods of pleasure!) .
Sex during pregnancy is great for a number of reasons:

• it’s a great bonding tool for you + partner

• it’s a great way to feel sexy and grow confidence in your changing body

• nipple stimulation encourages labor and strengthens contractions

• orgasms release adrenaline which can reduce stress during pregnancy and labor

• the hormone that starts contractions is oxytocin, which is the hormone that is released during orgasms

• if partner is male, semen contains natural prostaglandins that help to soften the cervix, causing it to open

Positions can be tricky as baby + belly grows so be sure to get creative with which ones make you the most comfortable. Laying on your side or on all fours tends to be preferable—use lots of pillows! And don’t trip, your growing baby is protected in the womb and surrounded by shock absorbing amniotic fluid 😉