A Journey Through Pregnancy and Loss

Content Warning: Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss mentioned in this content

 

For my first miscarriage, I didn’t even know I was pregnant until I was already miscarrying. I wasn’t even sure what the experience was until a year later, after my second miscarriage, a few questions of my ob confirmed my suspicions. When I got pregnant a few months after that first miscarriage, I was two years into trying to conceive our second child. A  matter of weeks before, I had received a diagnosis to explain our infertility, and a harsh statistical warning that, as a woman with PCOS, I had a fifty-fifty shot of carrying this baby to term. Fifty-fifty. That seemed like pretty lousy odds. I was offered no support, no information, no education about what to expect or what to look for in the event that my body miscarried. When an ultrasound at 15 weeks detected no heartbeat, my care provider was sympathetic, but simply sent me home. To wait. Again; no information, no support, no education about what to expect. I literally had no idea what was about to happen to me. I had a basic concept that a miscarriage meant lots of bleeding and no baby, but no real context or concrete expectation.

 

I went home. For ten more days, nothing happened other than occasional light spotting and mild cramping. I got no follow-up call from my care provider. I still had no idea what to expect. And then one morning, all hell broke loose. Soaking a pad every ten minutes for an hour, I was freaking out that I might bleed to death, alone at home with my five year old daughter. I called my husband home from work and he rushed me to the emergency room. We sat there for SIX HOURS, but never did see any care provider from my PCP group. The on-call doctor, obviously unconcerned, but still unwilling to explain ANYTHING to me, sent me for a multitude of tests, and finally an ultrasound. The moment that broke me was realizing that the ultrasound tech had no idea what was going on either, and hadn’t been told we were there for a miscarriage. She was obviously concerned about the scan, but refused to tell us anything, so we waited another hour for the on-call doc to come and tell us: “It looks like you are probably having a miscarriage.” No shit, Sherlock. The whole experience was wildly traumatic and it has taken years for me to be able to share some of the details (not included here)– even with my husband. Suffice to say, I was not aware that I ‘could’ claim the tiny body of my child, name her publicly, and have a burial ceremony. The shame I felt when I later realized this could have been an option is difficult to express.

 

Those first miscarriages occurred in 2005 and 2006. In the past fifteen years, not a lot has changed. A study of women who experienced miscarriage, conducted in Australia in 2019, set out to, “explore the psychological distress experienced by women as a result of miscarriage, as well as the perceived support provided by healthcare professionals.” The study found that “the levels of distress, grief, and loss associated with their miscarriages were significant”.  The developing analysis of the results of the study are also showing that partners’ experience of grief and loss is often undervalued by health providers and the broader society, as well as by the miscarrying partner– often because each are too plagued by their own grief to provide support for the other. The study shows a distinct need for change in societal norms surrounding several items. 1) the taboo around sharing pregnancy news “too early”. 2) the societal taboo of talking about miscarriage in general. 3) general societal lack of knowledge about how to respond to the grief of miscarriage. The personal stories shared in this article from Today’s Parent give a personal face to the statistics in this study.

 

Another study, with participants from emergency departments around the country, looked specifically at the impact of “…beliefs, attitudes, and practices regarding women and families experiencing miscarriage and barriers to care.” The study found that dehumanizing terminology, such as referring to a miscarried embryo as “a blighted ovum” increased distress and mental anguish for the patient. The results of the study showed that, “Availability and awareness of specific services by professionals and health system issues were identified as barriers to care.” Another problem revealed by this study: “Nurses who work in emergency departments … encounter women and families who miscarry the most often and are the least likely of all professionals to mobilize support and provide information to mothers.”

 

The one thing that has changed is that women like me, who’ve experienced the trauma of miscarriage and infant loss are starting to speak out. Those voices; on blogs, in Mommy Forums, on Infertility Facebook Pages, and in studies like these, are finally starting to have some impact. Slowly, societal norms are starting to shift and it’s becoming more acceptable to ask for and receive help and support in the midst of miscarriage. The voice of women all over the internet, advocating for themselves and their sisters is beginning to change public expectations.

 

Because of this slow, but steady shift, I was fortunate (if you can use such a word in this context) to have a very different experience in 2021. This time, better informed, more experienced, and more determined to advocate for ourselves, my husband and I went to a homebirth midwife at 10 weeks gestation. In the first interview I laid out the distinct possibility that this pregnancy would end in miscarriage. I needed to be sure that once contracted as my support person, she would be there no matter the circumstances. She assured me that she was willing to provide support for a miscarriage at home, just as readily as for an at-term home birth. Sadly, the tell-tale cramping and spotting began while I was at work on a Wednesday evening. The miscarriage was complete before the end of the day on Thursday. Because I knew what to expect, because I was prepared and had support from my husband and a midwife, I was able to catch the caul-wrapped embryo, and tiny placenta– just the size of my hand– and save the remains of our much-grieved little one for a backyard burial. 

 

While the ordeal of actual labor surges and parturition were much briefer this second time around, the postpartum period was much harder. Yes. Even after a miscarriage, there IS a postpartum period. And just like during the postpartum period after an at-term birth, you need support! Friends brought us meals and groceries, family members took our older kids to give us some privacy and peace. And best of all, our midwife provided us with the professional care required in the comfort of our own home; with no need to run to the emergency room and wait for hours to be seen.

 

I’m telling this story for two reasons. First, taking something tragic that has broken you, forming it into a story, and telling the world serves as an important part of healing and finding meaning in tragedy. Second, it has always been a priority of mine to use my experiences to advocate and educate. I want everyone woman facing the heartbreak of miscarriage or infant loss to have the support they need. You don’t have to walk this road alone. One in ten women will face the reality of losing a much-desired pregnancy, and they deserve the dignity of the same support given to women who carry their pregnancies to term. If you are facing the possibility of miscarriage, due to a hormonal or other diagnosis that increases your risk, please know that it is absolutely appropriate to find maternal care that is willing to provide you with the same support given to any pregnant or laboring woman. Miscarriage at any point past about the first week or two carries the possibility of being a very physically draining, as well as emotionally turbulent experience. This is trauma. It often is unavoidable, but you can, and should ask for help to get through it. Please don’t let the still lingering social mores and taboos surrounding honest acknowledgment of the trauma of miscarriage discourage you from acknowledging the depth of what you are facing, or experiencing. 

By: Guest Blogger Elisa Forshey 

 

Elisa Forshey is a freelance writer, former-doula/midwifery apprentice, and friend of the Birthing Community. She lives, writes, reads, and buys and sells books and toys in Southside Virginia. She blogs at theforsheyfour.blogspot.com

 

Studies Cited

Bellhouse, Clare, et al. “‘It’s Just One of Those Things People Don’t Seem to Talk about…” Women’s Experiences of Social Support Following Miscarriage: A Qualitative Study.” BMC Women’s Health, BioMed Central, 29 Oct. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6206670/.

Kristen Thompson October 11, 2018. “Why Is There Hardly Any Support for Moms after a Miscarriage?” Today’s Parent, 10 May 2019, https://www.todaysparent.com/getting-pregnant/infertility/why-is-there-hardly-any-support-for-moms-after-a-miscarriage/.

L;, Engel J;Rempel. “Health Professionals’ Practices and Attitudes about Miscarriage.” MCN. The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26658536/. 





Feeling Scared While Pregnant?: Tips for Releasing Birth-Related Fears So You Feel More Confident When Preparing for Motherhood

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Pregnancy and new motherhood can bring on many different fears in women. We may struggle with the uncertainty of when and how we will deliver. Maybe our greatest fear is if we’ll be able to be a good, loving mother once our baby is born. What’s important to keep in mind, no matter what your fears are, is that you’re not alone in this. Coping with so many unknowns is a completely normal part of the birthing and new motherhood experience — this is an overwhelming process, and it’s only natural to have fears about it!

The good news is that there are actionable ways to release our fears and cope with uncertainty. Connecting with your inner self and surrendering to what’s out of your control can cause beautiful, life-changing transformations in your birthing and mothering experience. Want to find out how we can work together to assuage your fears? Read below to learn more!

What are some common fears for new or expecting birthing people?

  • Fear of not knowing if you are in labor and what it will feel like. Your pregnant body brings many sensations, especially as labor nears. Sometimes it is hard to know whether it is a contraction or not; sometimes the sensations come and go and sometimes early labor lasts a long time. Your doula can help you understand where you are in labor and tease out what is labor and what is a “warm up.”  You can prepare for childbirth with classes so you are more informed on what to expect.
  • Fear that the pain will be unbearable. We’ve all heard horror stories about the birthing experience that may make us afraid of what’s to come. It’s common for women to have fears around tearing, the physical pain associated with pushing or cesarean deliveries, and more. Unfortunately, pain is a part of the birthing process, but it’s important to know you have tools and support around you to lessen pain in whatever way feels right for you. Perhaps this is breathing and movement techniques shared by your doula or some medical pain relief options—maybe even a combination of multiple tools.
  • Social pressure to birth in a certain way. Unfortunately, there are many preconceived ideas in our culture about what giving birth is “supposed” to look like. Women may feel concerned about if their preferred birthing experience is the “right” one. However, it’s important to keep in mind that no two women are alike, and neither are two birthing experiences. You have the right to choose the birthing experience that fits your needs — at the end of the day, it’s your body and your desires that matter!
  • Not trusting the body’s ability to give birth. Giving birth demands a lot of us, and it’s natural to wonder if our bodies are up to the task. The truth is that our bodies are much, much stronger than we give them credit for!
  • Fear of the birthing environment and/or the people in it. You might have concerns about the physical environment of your birthing experience, or the people taking care of you / witnessing the birth of your child. Speaking with a doula or other healthcare provider is a great way to talk through these fears, while allowing your support system to create the optimal conditions for your birthing experience. 
  • Fear of your birth ending a certain undesired way. Some people may get attached to a certain outcome. For instance, you may want to avoid a cesarean birth at all costs. If you hold onto that outcome too hard and fear it, it may end up stalling labor. I addressed this fear during a long induction that was stalled. After addressing the elephant in the room and an emotional release, the labor progressed quickly and ended vaginally. Focus on the journey and not the outcome, as you cannot control how your baby comes into this world.
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  • Fear of losing control during birth. This is a very common fear, which can manifest in a number of different ways. For example, some women are afraid about pooping while they give birth. This is a completely normal experience, one that doulas are trained to handle! We will assure it is cleaned up quickly and discreetly; and we’ll spray lavender to help maintain a peaceful environment. 
  • Fear of becoming a parent and not being ready. Many birthing people may wonder if they’re fully prepared for a life of parenthood, which can result in a build-up of anxiety and fear in the body. While motherhood comes with challenges, you are never in it alone — you have a support system of healthcare professionals, friends, and family surrounding you that will help you become a wonderful parent to your child. 
  • Fear of being exposed, vulnerable, or too loud in birth. You may worry that your pain will cause you to show a side of yourself that you’re not comfortable showing; perhaps you feel worried about coming across in a way that will make you and others uncomfortable. Everyone uses different vocal sounds to cope with the labor waves and they are all unique “labor songs.” There’s no one “right” or “normal” way to act during the birthing experience, and the truth is that your body is doing something incredible — people around you will most likely be in awe of your strength!
  • Fear that our birth experience will be like someone else’s hard birth experience. Unfortunately, everyone likes to tell you about horrific birth stories either they or someone they know have encountered. Please work with your boundaries during pregnancy to shut down any story before it becomes negative. This is true with family as well. If your own mother had a difficult and/or long birthing experience, you may fear that your own birthing experience will be similarly challenging. Just because a family member had a stressful birth doesn’t mean that your experience will be the same—you have tools at your disposal to make the delivery experience as smooth and peaceful as possible. 

Why is it important to alleviate fears before giving birth?

A build-up of fear can cause tension throughout the body, which may result in more pain when you give birth. In turn, the excess pain produces more fear, which can create a vicious cycle during the birthing process. Fear and anxiety also triggers adrenaline production, which may cause stalling the birth process. The attitude and peace of mind you bring into the birthing experience can make a significant difference in your pain level and the ease of delivery. 

How can we cope with our fear and uncertainty surrounding the birth experience and new motherhood?

At Holistic Family Doulas, we’re committed to helping birthing people uncover and rediscover their innate power in order to be the strongest, healthiest, and most positive versions of themselves. We completely understand that pregnancy, delivery, and new parenthood can be overwhelming, and we want to help support you in coping with your fears and concerns. Here are some of the ways we can work together to release your fears before you give birth:

  • Write down your fears. Sometimes acknowledging our fears is half the battle. By putting words to what we’re most afraid of, we can process our fears out in the open, ultimately opening the door for us to release them back to the universe. Your birth doula can help talk you through your concerns, imparting her wisdom from years of facilitating births. You can also develop a positive affirmation about your body’s strength as a way of flipping the script on the fear you’ve named. For example, if you’re afraid that your body won’t be able to start labor on its own, you might counter this with the affirmation: “I trust my body knows what it’s doing and that my baby will know when it’s ready to be born.” You may find it helpful to symbolically destroy these fears, either by burning them or tearing them up. This process of writing down our fears is known as “fear clearing,” and can be incredibly healing as we move through the pregnancy and birthing experience. 
  • Track how your fears evolve. It’s likely that your fears will shift over time, shedding light on how you’re processing your upcoming birth experience and new motherhood. By keeping tabs on which fears fall away, which linger, and any new fears that emerge, you have the opportunity to keep your doula up to date on how you’re doing emotionally and mentally. This alignment between you and your doula is a critical part of ensuring you have the support you need during your pregnancy, and also that your birthing experience is as positive as possible. 
  • Use healing practices like Reiki and meditation. Reiki is a form of energy healing that can help to decrease your fear and anxiety, bringing your body back into energetic alignment. Meditation encourages you to bring attention to your thoughts and body sensations, allowing you to both acknowledge and gently release tension you’re carrying. Your doula can use one or both of these practices to help balance your energy, release fears you’re holding onto, and loosen emotional blockages. Creating mental and emotional peace is crucial to the birthing process.  

No matter what your fears are about birthing and parenthood, we’re here to support you in alleviating your concerns, and helping you to find a state of inner peace. Do you have fears you’d like to release or concerns about being calm for the birthing process? Wondering how a doula can help you be less scared and feel more confident while giving birth? Feel free to reach out to us here to discuss how we might be able to help. 

Doulas and Postpartum Care: The health of the mother reflects the priorities and the health of the country.

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Three ways proper postpartum care with the support of doulas can build a nation of happier, healthier mothers.

The postpartum period of pregnancy also referred to as “the fourth trimester,” has been historically underlooked within the field of obstetrics in the United States. For many expecting mothers and those in their communities, the focus of preparing for a new birth focuses on the health of the pregnant woman only in regards to the coming bundle of joy. But the health and wellness of the mother after birth, especially in those critical first 40 days, is equally important to the health of the baby as it is to the mother. In order to have the emotional capacity to care for an infant, mothers should feel as physically and mentally fit as possible so that their infant receives the best possible care. Most developing countries have a healthcare infrastructure with resources to support this—unfortunately in the United States, this is not the case.

Maternal mortality rates in the US are generally higher than any other developing country, and each year the numbers get worse. This unsettling statistic is due in part to this country’s shortage of maternity care providers per woman: according to research by The Commonwealth Fund, the US and Canada rank on the low end with only three providers per 250 births. As a comparison, in Sweden there are plenty of childcare workers to choose from. Mothers-to-be are provided with free and subsidized prenatal care including group support, breathing lessons, and group therapy with other soon-to-be moms, and postpartum care is part of the national healthcare package. 

Why the disparity?

In a society as economically and socially developed as ours, how can this be so? If we begin to look critically, much can be attributed to our lack of country-wide health care, the lack of maternity coverage in private healthcare plans, and the grave disparity between expectant mother’s economic well-being in regards to race (postpartum complications and mortality are significantly higher in lower-income Latinx, Black, and Native American communities). There is also something to be said for the lack of post-pregnancy home visits made by OBGYNs, nurses, and midwives in the US: according to a study through the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation in 2017, all developed countries apart from the US ensure at least one postpartum house visit by a caregiver that is covered under national insurance. (Some US states provide this through Medicaid, but not all.) 

Why are postpartum visits so integral to the birth cycle?

Historically, postnatal visits are beneficial for both the mother and the baby. Having postpartum aid from a doula or a community health worker allows for:

  • A lower rate of postpartum depression in the mother
  • Easier time breastfeeding and ongoing lactation support
  • Proactive and preventative care that results in lower health care costs in the long run
  • Physical and emotional support for the mother, the mother’s partner, and the newborn

As a doula agency focused on ensuring support and continuity of care before, during, and after birth, we believe in guiding expectant mothers through pregnancy and into the postpartum period, healing them as they transition into this next beautiful—but demanding—stage in their lives.

Below are three ways in which we as a country can center our efforts in creating opportunities to “mother the mother” during the fourth trimester.

  • Community care: “It takes a village”

The common phrase “it takes a village” may have originated from the Kijita proverb Omwana ni wa bhone, which translates roughly to “regardless of a child’s biological parents, its upbringing belongs to the community.” In the US, a nuclear family may not be able to provide holistically for a mother and a newborn recovering from birth, simply due to lack of hands on deck. In the doula and CHW industry, our goal is to assemble a village prior to birth, so the new mother does not bear the burden of healing herself while adjusting to motherhood.

In China, the first forty days post-birth is called Zuo Yue Zi or “The Sitting Moon,” where the woman is encouraged to rest as much as possible. Family members surround her with help through cooking, cleaning, and ancillary newborn care. In Eastern societies this type of care is often readily available if multiple generations live under one roof. Our mission at Holistic Family Doulas is to promote this type of natural community care that the nuclear family may not be able to provide. In doing so, we offer a la carte postpartum services that include culturally sensitive emotional support, day services like meal prep, light cleaning, and childcare, and night services like feeding so the healing mother can sleep. 

We have also had the honor of being trained by midwives and health practitioners experienced in Eastern medicine that have turned us on to other healing practices such as belly binding, Reiki and Reflexology, vaginal steam, herbal baths and the importance of nourishing the mother with warming foods and teas.

Reflexology, which activates pressure points in the healing body, helps balance in the body in the form of massage. Reiki, an Eastern energy healing, is popular for decreasing pain, eliminating fatigue or nausea, and can allow you to fall asleep more easily. Postpartum belly binding keeps inflammation and bloating and bay, helping uterus tissue heal better. Here is more helpful information about these healing services, all of which our agency provides.

  • Healing and restoring the sacred pelvic floor

The pelvic floor, or the thirty muscles that attach your pelvis, sacrum, and hip bones, is the root of our sexual, urinary/bowel, and reproductive health— in less words, the pelvic floor is the root of life, and a root that is strong, healthy, and rehabilitated with care is one that will provide you with the resiliency to be the best mother you can be. 

Think of your pelvic floor as a small trampoline of muscle. The trauma that a mother’s pelvic floor goes through during birth is not negligible: pelvic muscles stretch and weaken to become loose and malleable for a baby to pass through, and after birth mothers will need to heal and care for the area to build up strength for it to restore. As doulas in the community, we have forged connections with skilled pelvic floor therapists and bodyworkers that help support the realignment of the uterus and the ligaments that have been stretched during the birthing process. 

Believe it or not, even women without complicated birthing experiences can suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction postpartum. Twenty percent of mothers who deliver vaginally and 16% of mothers who deliver via c-section suffer from postpartum incontinence. New mothers may suffer from leaking bowels, burning sensations, vaginal flatulence, and the increased risk of a bladder infection due to the aftermath of birth. And rather than prioritizing rest, Western culture has normalized dysfunction by telling moms they should simply wear pads while exercising.

Prolapse is another postpartum injury common in the first 40 days after giving birth, and occurs in the form of a cystocele (when the bladder prolapses into the vagina), or rectocele (when the rectum prolapses into the vagina). There are varying degrees of severity, and a plethora of natural treatments, for healing and rehabilitating a prolapse in the pelvic floor. Holistic physical therapy care along with our Mayan belly massages can help both healing scar tissue from a cesarean and restoring the pelvic floor. Holistic Family Doulas can show you how to administer a self massage as well as provide you with a handout to begin a self care practice at home.  

We also offer vaginal steams as relief for the entire pelvic floor, which are known to regulate menstruation and ease aches and cramps. We use castor oil packs, a cloth soaked in castor oil, which is placed on the skin above the liver and uterus to enhance circulation and promote healing, in our reflexology sessions. Castor oil packs are great for women experiencing reproductive health issues such as endometriosis, fibroids and cysts, PCOS, etc. 

We also can help you incorporate breathing exercises that help your body, mind, and spirit.

  • Newborn care support

Especially for first time mothers, shock can come in the form of one tiny swaddled baby whose survival still depends on your tired body’s ability to keep it alive. Postpartum mood disorders are exacerbated by feelings of emotional overwhelm and exhaustion, and the peace of mind that comes from an expert’s support is a gift to both the mother and the baby. A doula is able to tune into the mother’s needs while supporting her confidence to tap into her instinct, empowering mothers to care for their baby in ways that feel most natural to them exclusively.

For those mothers who choose to breastfeed, a doula can serve as both a coach and a technician to guide you towards the optimal way to nurse your baby with confidence by offering lactation services. Postpartum care can also take the form of newborn care and education, which includes but is not limited to learning how to navigate situations such as the first newborn bath and bottle, learning massages that help your infant to relieve gas, finding remedies and suggestions for colic that work for your baby, and comprehending and conquering your infant’s sleeping pattern.

The truth is, no amount of preparation can prepare mothers for the first forty days of motherhood. But having someone at your side coaching you towards that inner instinct all mothers have, someone whose role is to strengthen your own special connection to your baby, makes all the difference. Proper doula postpartum care should be a requirement for all new mothers, not a luxury.

Are you looking for a postpartum doula?

If you’re a new parent living in the Chicago area, we’d be honored to support you and your family as you transition to this new stage of life. Whether you’re pregnant and navigating your options for a natural birth, would like to become pregnant, or looking for that crucial support after the birth, Holistic Family Doulas is here to help. 

 

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Postpartum Healing

The proper postpartum recovery is essential to the mother and the family. In this day and age more than ever women are expected to do so much so quickly.

Women are increasingly seeing the need to take time for their healing. Holistic Family Doulas can help ease the transition after having a baby by offering the following services: Belly Binding, Postpartum Healing Ceremonies, and Reiki and Singing Bowl Meditations.

Belly Binding

Belly binding is an excellent practice to encourage healing during your postpartum. Benkung Belly Binding is a wrapping technique from Maylasia but many cultures use some form of belly binding. Belly binding provides increased physical support (it feels like a warm soft hug!) and helps in the recovery process. Benefits of binding include: providing postural support for the torso and organs as they return to pre-pregnancy position, supports and assists abdominal wall healing and diastatis recti recovery, supports spine and posture realignment, reduces water, fat and air in the tissue and cells, stabilizes loose ligaments and helps to relieve lower back aches and strains. Belly wrapping can start as early as 5 days postpartum for vaginal births and 4-6 weeks for a cesarean birth (after an incision has healed). Belly binding is recommended for at least 40 days from the start of the first wrap.

Wrapping sessions take place in the comfort of your home and include the following:

Wrap – made from premium muslin
Wrapping – We will wrap you and show you how to wrap yourself. We can teach a friend or partner how to help wrap for the next time.
Sealing paste – Apply a warm oil massage with warming spices to your lower belly, helping reduce swelling and facilitate healthy digestion and uterine involution.
Instructions – We will leave you with a video link and instructions so you can do this on your own

Wrap can be purchased separately or are included with purchase of a session. This service can be preformed in the comfort of your own home or at Kryssage Wellness in St. Charles

COST: $125

Postpartum Healing Ceremony

Ceremonies are celebrations to honor rites of passage and the significance of monumental changes during our life time.  As doulas we bring ceremony to honor the transition into Motherhood, bringing closure to pregnancy and birth and welcoming the new stage of life.

In today’s culture of high expectations for new mothers to adjust quickly to their new life, we forget to honor the major transformation that occurred. A new baby, a family, demands of the house, work and other commitments can be overwhelming and make the transition difficult.

Holistic Family Doulas will customize a beautiful postpartum ceremony for you.  We will tailor a package that will include your choice of:

  • Belly Binding-  A healing paste will be applied, then we will apply a complimentary beautiful wrap and teach you and your partner how to do it for the next 40 days.
  • Reiki can help with many emotional and physical issues that you might experience after pregnancy. The gentle and balancing energies from Reiki can’t do any harm but can be incredibly beneficial to you and your baby by calming anxieties which are often associated with becoming a new mother.
  • Telling of your birth story and honoring your postpartum journey. This will be followed with a guided family connection meditation, blessing or prayer that will help solidify the events that took place and move forward into postpartum healing journey
  • Herbal healing Yoni Steam – Yoni steaming, also known as vaginal steaming, is a traditional practice that encourages healing of the tissues by using herbs that have calming, anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerating properties.  We will provide you with the organic healing herbal blend and can set you up to do one during the visit or you can do it on your own time.
  • Herbal Bath Blend –  This blend, handmade with love, Himalayan bath salts and healing herbs can be used so you can enjoy a ceremonial bath that can include your baby.

COST:  Parts of this ceremony is included in the birth doula package.  As a stand-alone, this can cost anywhere from $125 to $195 depending on what products are needed.

Reiki

Having a reiki session during postpartum can be gentle but powerful healing experience.

Birth is an incredibly powerful moment in a woman’s life. It opens us to a whole new level of physical sensations and raw emotions. Receiving a Reiki session after the baby is born can help to heal any trauma that might have happened during birth, or balance the energies of a mother dealing with stress, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, low back pain, or any other issues that can arise after the birth of a child

Reiki can be performed in your home or ours in Warrenville or St. Charles. We also have space available in Naperville and St Charles.

COST: $95/session
$125 for a combination Reiki and Singing Bowl Session

Singing Bowl Meditation

Singing bowl meditation is an excellent self-care practice during pregnancy and postpartum. Vibrational therapy can help build the connection between your body and the universe. Music and sound are widely recognized in various cultures around the world as sources of healing and improving spiritual alignment. As you hold new life within you, singing bowls can help you resonate with your baby creating a beautiful, stronger bond through this experience. Pregnancy is an intimate journey impacting your whole body, emotions, and psyche. At times, you might find that your partner is feeling disconnected from the process. A singing bowl meditation is a great way to invite your partner to join you to resonate with you and your baby.

After you give birth the vibration of singing bowls and guided meditations can help you to reconnect with your body, to center yourself in this new stage of life and to move forward with a sense of peace.

Sessions take place in Warrenville.

COST:  $95/session
$125 combined with Reiki