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 …
Hey Maryland! Balanced Birth Support wants YOU to work with us supporting families in Greater Maryland!
Balanced Birth Support is a group of well respected birth and postpartum doulas, lactation consultants, sleep specialists, and childbirth educators. We have been serving families in the DC metro area for over a decade and have expanded to include Boston, North Carolina, New York, and New Hampshire. Most recently we have begun serving families in Greater Maryland including Montgomery & Frederick Counties, Baltimore, Annapolis, and surrounding areas, and the Eastern Shore! We are looking for birth and postpartum doulas of …
In The NICU: Caring for Yourself and Your Premature Baby
Its never easy when your baby has an extended stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Even if you have advanced notice that its a possibility, you can never fully prepare yourself for the wide range of emotions, bone- aching exhaustion, fear, and the eventual excitement when you bring your baby home. However, there are ways that you can empower yourself and your family for a NICU stay, whether you know it might happen, or if it comes as a …
It’s Black Breastfeeding Week! Resources for Black Breastfeeding Families
Every August is National Breastfeeding Month in the United States. For the past 7 years, the last week of the month is Black Breastfeeding Week, celebrating Black breastfeeding families, as well as highlighting the challenges and barriers to breastfeeding that these families face. Visit Black Breastfeeding Week to learn more about the founders, Kimberly Seals Allers, Kiddada Green, Anayah Sangodele-Ayoka , find local events, and tons of other resources for Black breastfeeding families and those who support them. There are many …
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, …
Breastfeeding Resources & Where To Find Local Support
If you are planning to breastfeed, it’s important to have good, solid resources available to you both before and after the baby is born. Breastfeeding is natural, but it doesn’t always come naturally and support is essential if you want to achieve your goals, no matter what those goals are. I’ve listed several go-to resources below; check them out before you go into labor so you know what to expect in breastfeeding from the moment your baby is born. Books*Links …
My 5 Favorite Meals To Bring To A Family With A New Baby
When I had my babies, one of the absolute best and most wonderful things our friends and family did for us was provide us with food. Their generosity was so appreciated and we didn’t have to worry about going grocery shopping, cooking or even cleaning up. Because I know how helpful this was for us, I LOVE bringing food to my friends and family with new babies. As an added bonus, I get to meet the new little one! I’ve …
How To Alleviate Common Pregnancy Complaints (Without Medication)
There are many unpleasant side effects that occur during pregnancy or are aggravated by being pregnant. Constipation, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, morning sickness, heartburn and indigestion, are normal and common ailments that have over the counter remdemies that are safe for pregnancy, but many woman would prefer for a more natural approach. Many ailments can be lessened or alleviated completely by reliving stress, getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, being active, and drinking enough water. If you are suffering from a cold, …
Typical Newborn Screenings and Procedures: What, How, When
Whether you give birth in a hospital, birth center, or at home, there are many different newborn screenings, shots, and other procedures that will be offered to you or at least discussed with your care providers sometime prior to giving birth. Some tests are used to determine how well your baby is adjusting to the world outside your womb or screen for potential health problems; others are preventative against immediate or future health problems. Depending on where you live, some …