Birth First Doulas Blog
Trauma Informed Care For Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum
The concept of Trauma Informed Care (TIC) is now being embraced by some health care providers and is the very foundation of doula care. TIC acknowledges the prevalence and impact of trauma on people's lives, understands the signs and symptoms of trauma, and attempts...
Using Carrot Benefits To Pay For Birth & Postpartum Doula Services
Wondering if your Carrot Fertility benefit can be used to pay for birth doula services and postpartum doula services in the Portland, Oregon area? The answer is resounding YES! Carrot is a workplace benefit offered by some employers to help families cover costs...
What Is Continuity Of Care & How Do Doulas Provide This Service
Continuity of care is a continuous caring relationship between a client and health care professional over time. For most people, continuity of care is valuable because it allows clients to build a relationship of trust and understanding with their provider. However,...
Doula Support For Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
Over the years, hundreds of clients have hired doulas in our community as part of their preparation for vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), and it’s some of the most rewarding work we do. These people usually arrive with a complex combination of determination and...
8 Pregnancy Affirmations
Pregnancy can be a wonderful and transformative experience, but it can also come with its fair share of challenges and uncertainties. As you navigate the ups and downs of pregnancy, it can be helpful to turn to affirmations as a way to ground and center yourself....
Pregnancy: Fact vs. Fiction
As a parent, there are a thousand things to worry about during pregnancy. However, there are many pregnancy myths that have been around for a long time, despite not being based on scientific evidence. Here are some common ones: Myth: You should eat for two during...
Tips From a Potty Training Expert
Today we are here with our resident potty training expert, Tallina Long. She is also a doula in our Birth First community! So, Tallina, what makes you a “potty training expert”? Well, once upon a time I was the lead teacher in a two’s classroom. All 20 kids were potty...
Fresh Babies Can Play!
Your baby wants to see your face. The contrast on your face: your eyebrows, the whites of your eyes, and your nostrils are fascinating! This is a great position for play- with your knees up, and baby on your thighs. The small dip between your knees guides baby’s head to stay in the middle, which helps to strengthen the deep stabilizing muscles in their neck.