The Last Few Weeks of Pregnancy. . .

• Keep eating well and aim to drink at least 64 ounces of fluid  

 day  

  

• Taking extra vitamin C helps to strengthen tissues (especially  

good for amniotic sac and perineum); having some vitamin E  

on hand to take after the birth helps with healing.  

  

• Kegels  

  

• Baby positioning: check out spinningbabies.com; it is the best  

resource for what you can do physically to help baby find  

the optimal position for birth.  

  

• Emotional preparation: find some time to think, write, or  

talk about your fears. Fear can slow labor and increase pain  

perception, so it's best to work out any fears before labor  

begins.   

  

• Try to reduce other life stresses before the birth so you can  

focus on this huge transition.  

  

• Choose an "early labor project." If labor gets off to a  

seemingly slow start, it is helpful to have an easy craft to  

focus on as long as possible.  

   

• Set up your support network so you know who you can call if  

you need help in the first few weeks after coming home with  

baby.   

  

• Pamper yourself! 

BIrth Circle

A group was started in Wilmington about four years ago by a local doula, Carmen, who has since moved away, but the group carries on, hostd by the Cape Feat Area Doulas.The birth circle was inspired by the novel The Red Tent, which I wrote about in my last post. The book takes place in ancient times and tells how the women would gather together every new moon in the red tent to support each other through their cycle. When it was time for someone to birth a baby, she labored and birthed in the red tent, supported by her sisters or other women from the community. She would then stay in the red tent for one month, getting to know her baby, learning to nurse, and healing with the support of fellow women.

Today's modern birth circle is a sort of reincarnation of the aspect of red tent in which women support women through our childbearing. Today there is often a lot of fear surrounding pregnancy, birth and motherhood, but here is a place for us to gather to honor these traditions of life. We know that we are brave women and we respect the power of birth in all its forms. New mothers are encouraged to share your birth story in whatever way you choose. We practice listening during the story and hold any questions until the end. This is your time to be heard.

Besides being a great place for new mommies to process and talk about giving birth, the Birth Circle provides a gathering spot for pregnant women to meet local doulas and other moms, ask questions, and get insight into the birth process. 

In Wilmington, the Birth Circle meets the third Saturday of each month at 4pm, in the community room above Tidal Creek Coop, next door to the Yoga Center. All mothers welcome. No childcare is provided, but of course babies are welcome, too. 

Cape Fear Area Doulas

I finally prepared a bio for the Cape Fear Area Doulas website. You can read it below, and it should be on the website soon.

I believe every woman who desires a gentle birth deserves a doula. Our culture does not always make it easy to reach out for support, but this is changing. I have been trained through toLabor (formerly ALACE) to provide educational, emotional, and physical support to women and couples prenatally and in labor. I encourage women to be educated about available birth options so you can make the best choices for you. As your doula I will provide you with informative resources and support your choices. I will encourage you to trust your body and your baby as you grow in motherhood. 

I was raised in southeast North Carolina with a family of nurses and midwives. I began to foster my own nurturing mother spirit after birthing my daughter in 2003. When not attending births, I enjoy laughing with my family, creating art, practicing yoga and meditation, reading, and playing outside.

I have experience supporting birth in both the home and the hospital setting. If you desire an unmedicated birth I am happy to help you prepare for and achieve that. I chronicle my journey at www.happydoula.blogspot.com and can be reached at Nicole-Marshburn@hotmail.com or (910) 520-9456. 

Young couples, single moms, or same-sex couples welcome. 

Navelgazing Midwife Blog

http://navelgazingmidwife.squarespace.com/

I'm thrilled that I found this Midwife/ writer's awesome blog this morning! The video she posted today is also available on YouTube and is HILARIOUS. I read a few of her other posts, and her heart shines through the words she uses to explain her perspective. Great articles for doulas, midwives, mamas and daddies. I hope you enjoy it, too!


FEAR LESS
LIVE MORE

Sweet Dreams

I am typically an 8 to 9 hours of sleep per night type of person. There were several years of my life when I nodded in and out of consciousness all day and night, never really being asleep or awake. When I got over that and began to truly sleep, I fell in love with it. I began going to bed early and sleeping in late. I would growl if someone stirred me from my restful dream-state. Ah, it was nice!


So beginning the on-call lifestyle, I was a bit nervous about missing my lovely sleep — even wondering if I was capable of waking on-demand. Today, I am amazed at what the human body, and myself personally, can do with a cumulative 45-minutes of sleep! A Power circles around the event of birth, imbuing those within the sphere with a serene energy and the ability to focus while dancing the hushed waltz around life. It is about waking up, being present and engaged. It is prayer in action; the life force itself; the opposite of sleep.


Good night.