Author: doulasofutah
-
Pain Management in Labor
Pain management in labor looks different for every birthing person. Some people plan to use only non-medical comfort measures, others choose medical pain relief, and many find that a combination of both works best. There is no single “right” approach, only what feels supportive, safe, and empowering for you. Understanding your options ahead of time…
-
Swelling in Pregnancy
Swelling in pregnancy is incredibly common, especially in the feet, ankles, legs, and hands. As your body works overtime to support your growing baby, it naturally retains more fluid and increases blood volume. Add gravity, warmer weather, and long periods of standing or sitting, and swelling can feel unavoidable, particularly in the third trimester. In…
-
Safe Sleeping for Babies
Safe sleeping for babies is one of the most important, and sometimes stressful, topics new parents navigate. With so much information available, it can be hard to know what truly matters. Understanding the core principles of safe sleep can help reduce risks and give parents more confidence during those early weeks. At the foundation of…
-
Postpartum Belly Binding
Postpartum belly binding is a practice that has been used for generations across many cultures to support the body after birth. In recent years, it has gained renewed attention as more parents look for ways to feel supported, stable, and comfortable during postpartum recovery. Postpartum belly binding involves wrapping or wearing a supportive garment around…
-
Postpartum Nutrition
Postpartum nutrition matters more than most parents are ever told. After birth, your body is recovering from a major physical event while also adjusting to hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and, often, feeding a newborn. Whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, combo feeding, or formula feeding, what you eat in the postpartum period plays a huge role in…
-
Postpartum Birth Control Options
Choosing postpartum birth control options is an important part of planning for life after birth, whether you want to space pregnancies, avoid hormones, or simply give your body time to heal. The postpartum period is unique, and not all birth control methods are a perfect fit right away. Understanding your options can help you make…
-
The Transformative Benefits of Maternal Massage: A Guide Through Pregnancy, Each Trimester & Beyond
This blog post was written for Doulas of Utah by our friends at Maternal Massage and Skin. Pregnancy and postpartum recovery are profound journeys that bring incredible changes to the body, from shifting hormones and growing joints to the demands of labor and postpartum healing. Maternal massage is not just a luxury; it can be…
-
Partners Bonding with Their Babies
After our first baby was born, my husband bonded with her instantly. Like, immediately-in-love, totally smitten, confidently holding this tiny baby as if he’d done it a hundred times before. Due to some complications with the birth, I wasn’t quite conscious for the first couple of hours of my daughter’s life, so my husband was…
-
Pregnancy After Loss: How Doula Support Can Help
This blog post was written for Doulas of Utah by Share Parents of Utah. If you are pregnant after loss, you may already feel the weight of how different this journey is. Even when this baby is deeply wanted, excitement feels complicated. Appointments bring anxiety instead of reassurance. You struggle to trust your body, your…
-
Alternative Therapies for Pregnancy Discomforts: How Yoga & Massage Can Help
We all know that pregnancy can come with its fair share of aches, tension, and sleepless nights. Many parents want relief without relying solely on medication or waiting for discomfort to resolve on its own. That’s where alternative therapies for pregnancy discomforts can offer meaningful, gentle, and supportive solutions. Two of the most effective options?…