Yoga Birth Method - Use Yoga During Labor

Are you starting to wonder how that baby inside of you is going to come out?  Interested in exploring natural childbirth and learning ways to manage labor pain naturally?  Check out my Yoga Birth Method workshops and learn to use the power of yoga breathing and poses to work with your body to manage the pain of labor and to help labor progress faster.

The Yoga Birth Method workshop is designed for pregnant women and their labor support partners.  At this workshop, you will learn a very specific sequence of breathing techniques and yoga postures that are adapted to the physical and emotional changes of the different stages of labor.  This will enable you to manage contractions from a calm, meditative and controlled perspective.

The Yoga Birth Method is for women who are interested in educating themselves about natural childbirth and empowering themselves during their own baby's birth.

This is a hands-on workshop where you will learn how to work with your body and connect to your baby during birth to take you out of the experience of pain and connect you to the experience of giving birth.


Benefits of the Yoga Birth Method:

• Faster labor progression as the yoga poses encourage the baby's movement into the birth canal
• Learn to remain focused and in control of your birth experience in a positive manner
• A deep mother-baby connection as they work together during labor
• Birth partners learn specific techniques to physically and emotionally assist the woman during labor

Click here to find an upcoming Yoga Birth Method workshop in Dover, NH!  Or contact Darcy directly to schedule a private, in-home Yoga Birth Method class for you and your partner. 

The Yoga Birth Method is a great compliment to Birthing From Within, Hypnobirth, Bradley or Lamaze class.  It is also a great fit for hospital births, home births and birth center births.

Darcy Sauers is a certified Yoga Birth Method instructor and a Prenatal Yoga teacher.  She is also a DONA certified Postpartum Doula and Certified Lactation Counselor.  Darcy teaches prenatal yoga classes and Yoga Birth Method workshops and private sessions in the Seacoast area of New Hampshire.  She is the owner of Dover Doula and a member of Great Bay Doulas.  Darcy lives in Dover, NH with her husband and three children.  For more information on  her upcoming classes and workshops, please visit www.doverdoula.com.  She can be reached at 603-988-5945 or darcy@doverdoula.com. 

Choosing to Breastfeed

Despite what friends and family may have told you, breastfeeding can be easy and painless.  The key to success is to ask for help and support early and often.  And, women in New Hampshire today are very fortunate to have a number of great breastfeeding resources available.  There is a large network of qualified lactation professionals who are committed to helping moms have a positive, painless breastfeeding experience.

Breastfeeding Benefits for Mom:

There are many proven health benefits for women who choose to breastfeed!  Women who do not breastfeed are at a greater risk of breast cancer.   Your breast cancer risk is reduced by 7% for each birth and at an additional rate of 4.3% per month that you continue breastfeeding.[1]

Research has also found that women who do not breastfeed are at a greater risk for developing ovarian cancer and Type 2 Diabetes.  Breastfeeding for 18 months or more was associated with a significant decrease in ovarian cancer risk (compared to not breastfeeding).  For each month of breastfeeding the relative risk was decreased by 2%.[3]     

Increasing the duration of breastfeeding is also associated with a decreased risk of Type 2 Diabetes.  For each additional year of lactation, women had a decrease in the risk of Type 2 Diabetes of 14-15%.[4]

If you are pregnant and want to breastfeed, set yourself up for success.  Ask yourself:

1.      Does my birth place encourage Skin to Skin for one hour immediately after delivery for a non-medicated birth and Skin to Skin for two hours after a medicated birth?

2.      Does my birth place have Lactation Counselors on staff?

3.      Does the pediatrician I have chosen have Lactation Counselors on staff?

4.      Which of my friends who have breastfed successfully would be able to offer me non-judgemental support?

5.      What breastfeeding support groups are available in my area? 

6.      Who are the private Certified Lactation Counselors in my area?

7.      Who are the certified Postpartum Doulas in my area?

Keep this list of answers handy for when your baby arrives.  And, do not hesitate to reach out with all questions and for any help you may need.

One of the most important things you can do to establish a successful breastfeeding relationship is to have continuous Skin to Skin contact with your baby immediately after birth.  Skin to Skin should last for one hour if you’ve had a natural, un-medicated birth.  If you had any medications during labor, Skin to Skin should be for a continuous two hour period to give the baby a little more time.   When babies are allowed to have this quiet time on their moms, they are able to latch successfully and start breastfeeding at their own pace. 

And remember, if it hurts, ask for help!  Take advantage of the many available resources around you.

Click here for a list of Breastfeeding Groups in the Seacoast area!

Darcy Sauers is a certified postpartum doula¸ lactation counselor and the owner of Dover Doula (www.doverdoula.com) in the Seacoast area.  She is passionately committed to helping new moms find the support, resources and information that they need.  Please do not hesitate to contact Darcy with any questions at darcy@doverdoula.com or 603-988-5945.  For more information on breastfeeding, the postpartum period and local resources and events for new moms, follow her on Facebook

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1                     Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer   PubMed

2                     Danforth et al.  PubMed                  

3                     Schwarz et al.  University of Pittsburgh

               

Breastfeeding help in Seacoast, NH area

Do you need a little help with breastfeeding?  New moms in the Seacoast, NH area are lucky to have many ways to get help.  Besides hiring a lactation consultant to come to your home, there are lots of great options in the Seacoast area where you can not only get together with other moms and babies, but also have your questions answered by lactation counselors.

Breastfeeding Support Groups

Wentworth Douglass Hospital in Dover, NH

New Parent Support Group
Come and meet other new parents and discuss topics of concern to you. Facilitated by lactation consultants and child life specialists. Held every Monday, EXCEPT for holidays, 1:30-3pm.  No registration necessary for this class.

Portsmouth Regional Hospital

Our Breast Feeding Support Group meets every Wednesday from 10:00 am to 12 noon in the Maternity Family Room at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.

Exeter Hospital

The group meets every Tuesday from 11:00am - 12:30 noon. This group provides the added support needed for the changing needs of a growing baby. This is also a time to foster mother to mother support and assistance. A lactation consultant is available during this time.

Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH

Frisbie’s Mom and Baby Group held on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.— 11:30 a.m.

Seacoast Area La Leche League

http://seacoastnhlll.org/

On the first Wednesday of each month, we have an morning meeting at the The First Baptist Church in Exeter, NH. The meeting starts at 10:30am and usually runs until 11:30am with a half hour informal period afterwards. The First Baptist Church is located at 2 Spring Street in Exeter at the corner of Spring and Front. For more information or parking details, contact Traci (603) 397-5235 LLLTRACI@GMAIL.COM.

 On the first Wednesday of each month, we have an evening meeting at the Coastal Family Birth Retreat in Stratham, NH. The meeting starts at 6:30pm and usually runs until 7:30pm with a half hour informal period afterwards. Coastal Family Birth Retreat is located at 13 Frying Pan Lane in Stratham. For more information, contact Traci (603) 397-5235. *Welcomes fathers, partners and husbands to join us.

 On the second Thursday of each month, we have a morning meeting in the nursery of the First Parish Church in Dover, NH. The meeting starts at 10:30am and usually runs until 11:30am with a half hour informal period afterwards. The First Parish Church is located on the corner of Central Ave and Silver Street in Dover. For more information, contact Colleen at (603) 294-4352.

Of course, you also have the option of hiring a Lactation Counselor to come to your home for some private, one on one help!

Darcy Sauers is a certified postpartum doula, certified lactation counselor and the owner of Dover Doula (www.doverdoula.com) in the Seacoast, NH area.  She is passionately committed to helping new moms find the support, resources and information that they need.  Please do not hesitate to contact Darcy with any questions at darcy@doverdoula.com or 603-988-5945.  For more information on breastfeeding, the postpartum period and local resources and events for new moms, follow her on Facebook.

Where to go with your baby in Dover, NH

So, you have a new baby and you've finally mastered getting him in and out of the carseat.  You know what to pack in your diaper bag and you are comfortable with feeding him in public.  Great! 

But...where do you go? 

Getting out of the house is not only a multi-hour project, it is also vitally important to your mental health.  One of the best ways to beat the baby blues is to leave your house with the baby and spend some time with other adults.  The perfect scenario is a Mommy & Me group or class, places where you can hang out and not have to leave if your baby gets hungry or starts to cry. 

These groups also give you a chance to connect with other local moms who have babies the same age as yours and perhaps develop friendships.  Below you will find a list, but be sure to "like" me on Facebook for the most updated info on local classess and resources. 

Here's a day-by-day guide to getting out of the house with your baby in the Dover, NH area: 


MONDAYS:

9:30 - 10:30 am  NOGGIN FACTORY, Dover NH

New Baby Play Group
This is an open and free Play Group for wee ones ages birth to 12 months and their caregivers. New Baby Play Group is mostly participant driven, though we will occasionally schedule special guests to present information about popular topics. Special sessions will be announced on Facebook. We recommend that you bring a blanket for baby.
http://www.nogginfactorytoys.com/

Also - check out the Noggin Factory's private nursing and changing room - open every day! 

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10:30 - 12:00 PM   TWICE THE FUN in Dover, NH

http://www.twicethefunnh.com/

Busy Babies class on Mondays 10:30 – 12 Noon – for babies 18 months and under

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12:00 - 1:00 pm Peace Baby Yoga at ChildLight Yoga in Dover

In this special class, you will learn yoga and infant massage for baby, as well as some restorative yoga and affirmations for you.  For more info and to register:  http://www.childlightyoga.com/


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1:30 pm - 3:00 pm  New Parent Support Group at Wentworth Douglass Hospital

Come and meet other new parents and discuss topics of concern to you. Facilitated by lactation consultants and child life specialists. Held every Monday, EXCEPT for holidays, 1:30-3pm.  No registration necessary for this class.  They even have a scale for weighing your baby! TUESDAYS: 10:30 - 11:30 am Baby Signs Class at Seacoast Birth Matters in Kittery, ME  “Sign, See & Play” with Heather Mladek http://www.seacoastbirthmatters.org/ class starts on 3/13 WEDNESDAYS: 9:30 - 11:30 am at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH Frisbie’s Mom and Baby Group held on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.— 11:30 a.m. ************ CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF NH in Dover First Friends Playgroup Wednesdays,March 7 - April 11 (no playgroup 4/18 & 4:25) 9:30 - 11:00 am The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is offering a new weekly program for its very youngest visitors. The First Friends Playgroup for children ages 6 months – two years will be offered on Wednesday mornings. Parents and children are invited to come to the museum from 9:30 – 11 am to meet and play together on the second floor of the museum. This area features the Primary Place exhibit area designed especially for babies and toddlers, as well as other engaging exhibits. This informal program is included in the museum’s regular admission price and is free for museum members. The non-member price of admission at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is $9 for adults and children, and $8 for adults age 65+. Children under age one are always admitted at no charge. THURSDAYS: 10:00 - 11:00 am Mom & Baby Yoga at ChildLight Yoga in Dover Interested in a gentle and safe way to begin to restore your body to its pre-pregnancy state, but don't want to leave your baby?  Here's the perfect class for you!  For more info and to register:  http://www.childlightyoga.com/ **************

1:00 - 2:30 pm  Hatchlings Group at SEACOAST BIRTH MATTERS in Kittery, ME

http://www.seacoastbirthmatters.org/

Hatchlings:  Babies 0-4 months

Get support, resources & stay connected with other parents as you navigate the parenting waters. Honest, open & non-judgmental discussions about “newborn” parenting are held weekly. 




Am I missing something?  Please let me know at darcy @ doverdoula.com.
http://www.doverdoula.com/













Darcy Sauers is a certified postpartum doula, lactation counselor and the owner of Dover Doula (www.doverdoula.com) in the Seacoast area.  She is passionately committed to helping new moms find the support, resources and information that they need.  Please do not hesitate to contact Darcy with any questions at darcy@doverdoula.com or 603-988-5945.  For more information on breastfeeding, the postpartum period and local resources and events for new moms, follow her on Facebook

The Three S's for Moms

Many of you may be familiar with the 5 S's for babies from the Happiest Baby on the Block book (shushing, swaddling, sucking, swinging and side/stomach positioning).  They are great and do provide a lot of calming to a baby.

However, as a postpartum doula, I am also very interested in having a calm Mom!  So, I would like to take this opportunity to present my Three S's for moms.  These three S's will help a new mom stay calm, avoid postpartum blues and mood disorders and most of all enjoy her baby.  A happy and relaxed mom can take better care of her baby.  And also - YOU DESERVE IT!

Dover Doula's Three S's:

1.  Sleep - There is nothing, absolutely nothing, like the sleep deprivation that comes along with a newborn.  So, go lay down in your bed EVERY SINGLE CHANCE YOU GET!  This means:  napping when the baby naps, napping when your partner gets home from work, napping when a friend comes to visit (they only want to hold the baby anyway), napping on the couch when your baby is safely snuggled on your chest, napping when your doula comes, napping all the time! 

Not only are you exhausted from all the nighttime feedings, but your body needs to recover and heal from birth (particularly if you've had a cesarean birth).  The only time your body can heal is when it is relaxed and resting.  Also, if you are breastfeeding, you need to be getting enough sleep so that your body can produce milk.  Breastfeeding burns a lot of calories/energy!

So, after you read #2 and #3 - close your laptop and go lay down!

2.  Sustenance - nourish yourself so that you can sustain life - your own and your baby's.  Drink plenty of water to help withe healing process, cleansing process and the production of milk.  Eat yummy, warm, healthy food.  Change your morning routine to having your partner cook you a nice big breakfast before leaving for work.  Eating lots of healthy meals and snacks throughout the day helps keep your blood sugar steady and your head clear. 

Breathe!  Throughout the day, notice your posture and try to sit up straight, allowing your lungs to fill to capacity as you inhale.  As you exhale, feel your navel pulling in toward your spine and imagine that you are exhaling all the stale air up and out from the bottom of your lungs.  Taking some moments to take some nice deep breaths can rejuvenate and relax you.


3.  Self-care - New moms (hey - all moms!) need to put a lot of focus on self-care.  The postpartum time period is a sacred time.  Nurture yourself.  Be sure you are resting when the baby rests, eating healthy meals and snacks, drinking plenty of water.  Yes, it would be fantastic if you could sneek away for a massage or a pedicure, but let's get real here.  Self-care can also be as simple as ensuring you have a moment to brush your teeth, taking the time to take a nice, long, hot shower.  Massaging your skin with a gentle oil.  Enjoying a nice, long snuggle on the couch with your yummy baby.  Self-care means postponing the thank you note writing while you and your baby go back to bed after the first early morning feeding. 

This is hard, because your "mother bear" instincts are kicking in full force with a rush of natural hormones and it is completely normal and common to put the baby first.  New moms tend to push their own basic needs to the back burner as they focus on their baby, but as any good flight attendant worth their salty peanuts will tell you, you need to put your own oxygen mask on first, before you can help your baby.

Take care of yourself.  Put yourself first - ahead of the laundry, the thank you notes, the unpacking, and the dishes.  Step over that laundry basket and go for a walk outside for some fresh air and sunshine.  Close the door on the unfinished nursery, light a candle and take a nice long soak in the tub. 

You, and your baby, are worth it.

The Witching Hour

You've had a long day of feeding, burping, wearing spit up, singing nursery rhymes, feeding, burping, bouncing, walking, feeding, burping, etc.  It's 5:00 pm and you are just waiting for your sweetie pie to walk through that door. 

And then it starts.  The fussing and the crying.  Maybe even some screaming.  It's the Witching Hour.

Before you know it, your sweetie pie has called to say he'll be late and you and the baby are both sobbing.  And that's usually when you also realize you haven't even brushed your teeth yet.  Never mind had a shower.

Does the so-called Witching Hour exist?  It sure does!  Is there anything you can do to help your baby avoid The Witching Hour?  There sure is!

The Witching Hour is simply your baby's reaction to a long day of stimulation.   Remember, this baby just spent nine months in your womb.  Being here on the "outside" is like Disneyworld to him or her, even if you never left the first floor of your house. 

When my clients ask about the Witching Hour, I always tell them that babies are like computers.  And sometimes you just have to re-boot.

When I say "re-boot", what I really mean is try to recreate the womb.  Allow your baby to relax in a womb-like setting to counteract the stimulation from the day and let you both relax.

Steps for recreating the womb:

1.  Dim the lights
2.  Turn off the tv, music and the ringer on your phone
3.  Swaddle the baby up
4.  Depending on the level of fussiness either sit down and snuggle the baby, holding him or her really close to you with his ear resting right next to your mouth.  Whisper and/or sing softly to your baby.  Or, if the baby is really worked up, start to bounce/pace/swing your baby while "shushing" in his or her ear.

These steps will help the baby to feel safe and make it easier for him/her to calm down.

Tips for avoiding the Witching Hour:

1.  Allow your baby to sleep as much as s/he can during the day.  Babies need LOTS of sleep.  This helps them avoid that over-tired, over-stimulated state.
2.  Keep your daily activities to a minimum.  Both you and the baby need to rest and take it easy.
3.  Watch your baby's cues.  If s/he is slowing down and not really focusing on anything, give him or her a break.  The baby is probably ready for a nap.
4.  Limit visitors.  I know it's hard because you want to show your baby off and the whole world wants to come see him/her.  But long days of visitors can wear both you and the baby out.

Two VERY important things to keep in mind while dealing with the Witching Hour.

1.  When your baby is upset, s/he learns that you will be there to comfort him or her.  This is an important thing for them to learn - that they can trust you.
2.  This is normal.  Find solace in the fact that thousand of other new parents are pacing the halls of their own homes across the globe at this very moment.

When the baby does eventually calm down, reheat that lasagna your neighbor brought over and then call a friend or a postpartum doula to come over the next day and help you get a break.

Darcy Sauers is a certified postpartum doula¸ lactation counselor and the owner of Dover Doula (www.doverdoula.com) in the Seacoast area.  She is passionately committed to helping new moms find the support, resources and information that they need.  Please do not hesitate to contact Darcy with any questions at darcy@doverdoula.com or 603-988-5945.  For more information on breastfeeding, the postpartum period and local resources and events for new moms, follow her on Facebook

Do you love babies?

Whenever I tell someone that I am a postpartum doula, nine out of ten times they say, "Oh I love babies, I would love to do that!"  And a couple times a month I receive a call from someone who is thinking of becoming a postpartum doula because they "love babies". 

However, for me and other postpartum doulas, it is NOT about the babies.  It's about the new mom. 

Postpartum doulas "mother the mother" and nurture them to help ease their transition into motherhood.  Holding the baby is just a bonus!  Postpartum doulas do a lot of listening to help new moms process their birth story (positive or negative) and the tremendous range of emotions that they experience in those first few postpartum weeks. 

A big part of what I do is also teaching these new moms to remember to nurture themselves.  The baby does not always have to come first.  Moms need to take the time to eat healthy meals, drink plenty of water, take a shower, take a walk, take a nap. 

A common question I hear is "What's the difference between a baby nurse and a postpartum doula?"  I love to watch peoples' reaction as I answer, "A baby nurse takes care of the baby.  A postpartum doula takes care of the whole family."