*Information in the post is not meant to be medical advice. Please reach out to your provider for support managing HG* For some people, pregnancy can bring an extreme form of nausea and vomiting called hyperemesis gravidarum. Unlike typical morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe condition that can significantly impact physical and emotional well-being during pregnancy. What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum? Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition characterized by excessive nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. It goes beyond typical morning sickness, …
10 Questions to Ask Your Provider about Pregnancy, Birth, & Postpartum from BBS Senior Doula Kerry Reynolds
Kerry Reynolds is a Balanced Birth Support Senior Doula serving Metro DC & Greater Maryland. She has been a birth doula for over a decade with tons of experience supporting all kinds of births including home birth, medicated and non–medicated hospital, cesarean birth, twin deliveries, LGBTQ families and VBAC deliveries. Learn more about Kerry by visiting her Balanced Birth Support profile. Getting to know your doctor or midwife is an important part of preparing for birth & postpartum. It’s essential …
Staying Cool In The Summer Months While Pregnant
Pregnant during the summertime? If you’re anything like I was, you may be feeling extra.. ✨glowy.✨ With sweat. It’s hot. The hormonal rushes that surge throughout the pregnancy experience are enough to have you going to sit in dressing rooms in target to strip naked and cool down (surely that couldn’t have just been me?) but then you add SUMMER HEAT?! Glowing, alright. 😉 Here’s some ways to stay cool & comfortable in the summer; whether you’re in the first …
Alleviating Common Pregnancy Aches and Pains by Rebekah Mustaleski, CPM-TN
Rebekah Mustaleski is Compression Director with MotifMedical.com and a Certified Professional Midwife with Roots & Wings Midwifery in Knoxville, TN, where she promotes evidence-based maternity care for families seeking an out of hospital delivery. She is working to improve maternal outcomes during the childbearing year and to promote a sustainable business model for midwifery practices across the country. Rebekah is co-owner of Roots & Wings Midwifery, LLC as well as Treasurer for the Tennessee Midwives Association. If you look up …
5 Tips in 5 Minutes with Kerry Reynolds! Part 1: Preparing for Birth
Kerry Reynolds is a Balanced Birth Support Senior Doula working full-time supporting families throughout the DC Metro Area and Greater Maryland. She has been a practicing doula since January of 2009 has supported over 500 births including home birth, medicated and non–medicated hospital, cesarean birth, twin deliveries, LGBTQ families, and VBAC deliveries. Learn more about Kerry on the BBS website and contact her here. In Part 1 of Kerry’s new video blog series she explores how to communicate your birth preferences …
COVID-19 Letter from CEO, Elizabeth Oldham
Updated as of March 27th 2020 Important Update For Our Families Dear Doula Families, The evidence shows that doulas improve outcomes. We do so by helping you look at risks/benefits, weighing options and supporting you through the best decisions at any given moment. Doulas also support you through unknown circumstances and challenges along your birthing path (prenatally, during birth and postpartum). As you are aware, we are facing unprecedented times as COVID-19 sweeps through our nation. The biggest priority of …
Emergency Preparedness for Families with Babies & Toddlers
September is National Preparedness Month and during that month the United States Breastfeeding Committee provides information and resources related to feeding your infant and young child during an emergency. While it is obviously not September, the recent international disasters and emergencies have gotten me thinking about preparing my family in the event we are affected by an emergency or natural disaster. In US and most of the developed world we often take things like electricity, clean water, and access to …
Get To Know Dina Piccioni, Birth & Postpartum Doula
Dina is a passionate, dedicated birth and postpartum doula. She believes strongly in a mother’s instinct and decision making process. She is non-jugemental and opened minded, supporting a mother’s choices 100%. Read on to learn more about Dina! Where were you born? Toronto, Ontario Canada How long have you lived in the DMV? Since July 1999 Tell me about the moment you wanted to be a doula.I knew it after the birth of my granddaughter. That was the first time …
In Depth: Balanced Birth Supports 1-Day Comprehensive Childbirth Class
Our next 1-Day Comprehensive Childbirth Education Class takes place from 9am-5pm on May 24th at the Body in Balance Center in Alexandria, Virginia. In this full-day class you will learn all about the physiology of pregnancy and birth, comfort measures, breastfeeding, newborn care, and how to diminish fears surrounding pregnancy, birth, and early parenting! This class is taught by childbirth educator, birth & postpartum doula, Sara P.! This is a great class for any kind of birth- medicated, unmedicated, induction, …
