Author: Hillary

Little Ants & a Giveaway!!

As a doula, I get asked all the time about places to shop while preparing for the arrival of a new baby, and the first place I always like to send clients is Little Ants! Not only is the owner Katie Field an amazingly knowledgeable person about breastfeeding and baby wearing, but she also has some really awesome products that you can’t find anywhere else in the tri-state. I love to support local businesses whenever possible, and Katie makes it easy with all kinds of great products and excellent customer service professionals who know what they are talking about because they have actually used the products.

Are you thinking about baby wearing but worried about which carrier might work best for you?

Go to Little Ants and they will help you try on different carrier to find which one works for you, your baby, and your budget. You can even rent them for a trip, and if you decide to purchase it later, they will apply your rental payment toward your purchase. How cool is that??

Curious about cloth diapering, but don’t know where to start?

Little Ants has you and your baby’s butt covered! Can we mention that Katie also owns and operates the Happy Heiny cloth diaper company?? She might be magic you guys!

From the Owner:

I was born and raised in Chicago and moved to Evansville via Urbana, IL in 2008.  I began Little Ants in 2000 six months after my oldest was born.  As I began raising my first child, I gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of mother baby togetherness.  The store grew out of that love.  I longed to create a work environment that allowed moms to work alongside their children all while emphasizing items that were made with just wages and dignity of the worker in mind.

Katie & 2 of her adorable kids!
  • What is your favorite thing about your job? 

I really love being able to help families in their journey through parenthood.  From the early days of helping finding the perfect baby carrier to later days of finding the perfect toy that inspires the child to learn and grow while preserving their creativity and maintaining interest through the childs growth.  I also love seeing how much my children have learned by being a part of this business from day 1. 

  • What do you wish people knew about your business? 

The importance of play in childhood is a major emphasis of our store.  I wish more people appreciated how developmentally important play is, how important open ended toys are to creativity, and how much further money stretches when you buy quality toys made to be played with for years.  That being a small local boutique doesn’t mean you pay premium prices, it means you get premium service at the same price as elsewhere.  We are here to serve our customers.

  • What is the most stressful thing about your job? 

The struggle to stay afloat.  In the day and age of tablets for two year olds and internet purchases for moms, it can be tough to keep paying the bills. 

  • What is your favorite thing about living in the tri-state area?

I love how welcome children are in Evansville.  It was the first thing that struck me when I moved here and I still appreciate it today.  This is becoming less true throughout many areas of country.  I love how many places my kids are treated with respect.

  • Where can people find you if they want to learn more about Little Ants?

Our address is 2820 Lincoln Ave Evansville, IN 47714 or online at www.littleants.com

Check out: #antfamilybusiness

I don’t do twitter but have both instagram (@LittleAntsInc) and facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LittleAntsInc/)

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!

Want to win a super cool basket of stuff from Little Ants??

Here’s what you could win:

Sweet Baby Callum (only 7 days old) & his boppy are not included in the giveaway, but everything else in this picture is!!!

Here’s what you can win: S’well bottle, the cuddliest pig ever from The Manhattan Toy Company, a hand-dyed swaddling blanket made from bamboo by the Austin tie-dye company, Earth Mama Angel Baby Pregnancy Pampering Kit, Sweet tooth baby teether shaped like an ice cream cone, and a beautiful chewable necklace…

And the BIG thing that will probably get most of you excited is a:

TULA FREE TO GROW!!!!

Thank you so much Ellen for allowing me to come take pictures of you only 1 week postpartum!!! You are so beautiful & such a wonderful advocate for birth, babywearing, and breastfeeding in our community!
You can read more about the TULA Free to Grow here at this link.

The Tula Free to Grow is an amazing carrier that is fully adjustable, ergonomic, and  has variable width and height settings to customize its fit to your growing baby. This innovative, no fuss design does not require an infant insert and can be used beginning at 7lbs, and it is soo very cool that I almost wish I was going to have another baby!!

This carrier is so versatile that she could have used it for her newborn OR her 2 year old OR her 4 year old!! The 6 year old might be a little big for it though.
(BTW: Ellen IS actually magical in case you were wondering!)

3 Steps to enter to win:


1. Like Doula Group of Evansville and Little Ants, Inc on Facebook
2. Like Little Ants, Inc and Doula Group of Evansville on Instagram. 3. Comment on this post with which item in the basket you are most excited to win!

I’ll put all the names in a bowl and have a live drawing on Sunday March 3rd on the Doula Group of Evansville Instagram page, so be on the lookout for the announcement. Don’t worry though, I will contact you via messenger if you win too. I promise I don’t need this stuff and am really excited to give it away!!

Rules:

-Basket full of stuff must be picked up in person by the winner, so you should probably be fairly local to the Evansville area or at least willing to drive here to Little Ants to pick it up from me. If you aren’t local, you can still shop at their online store!

-Must be 18 to enter & a Facebook user, as winner will be notified via Facebook.

-This giveaway is in no way sponsored by, associated with, or run by Facebook or Instagram or any other entity other than Little Ants & Doula Group of Evansville

-DEADLINE to enter is Saturday March 2nd by noon!

Can we also mention that starting tomorrow there is a SALE at Little Ants????

Seriously, go check out these deals!!

I am SOOO excited to give away this basket of hand-picked stuff! Special thanks also goes out to Chrystal Mehringer who helped me pick out all these lovely things that we both agreed we would want if we were expecting. She’s just one of the super knowledgeable staff members are Little Ants, and a friend of mine too.

Bella Terra Organic Spa & Shoppe

I absolutely LOVE to make connections with other like-minded business owners here in the tri-state area, and Japhia just happens to also have previously worked as a doula and labor and delivery nurse in addition to her current role as the program chair for the healthcare specialist and therapeutic massage program at Ivy Tech here in Evansville. Did I mention that she is also a single mom to a gaggle of good looking kids? Japhia lights up the room with her vivacious personality and gentle spirit, and I always feel renewed every time we get to spend time together.

Japhia Burrell
RN, MSN, CMT

First, here is a bit about Japhia’s business: Bella Terra is a boutique organic spa located in Evansville, IN. They offer massage therapy, facial treatments, pedicures/manicures, body scrubs/wraps, and more. Their massage therapists are trained and skilled in techniques ranging from relaxing spa treatments, to prenatal massage, to deep tissue for persistent back, neck, and hip pain. They choose to use only all natural and organic products for their spa services and strive to maintain a practice that is health-conscious, green, and environmentally friendly.

I wanted to know more, so here are the questions I asked Japhia (in bold) and her answers underneath:

1.       What is your favorite thing about your job?

I love that I get to work with people who have become such good friends. Also, coming from being a Registered Nurse for 10 years to working as a massage therapist, it’s an entirely different vibe. I love being able to help people feel better while working in a beautiful, relaxing environment. I also really enjoy when I see my repeat clients month after month. We get to form a relationship and it makes being at work feel like I’m not working at all. It’s especially fun with my prenatal clients, because I get to see their bellies grow and then I love seeing pictures after the baby is here! In general, being a massage therapist is very rewarding. I feel like I get to make a difference in people’s lives, without the stresses I had in my previous career. Although it’s very true that being a business owner has plenty of stresses of its own.   

2.       What do you wish people knew about your business?

I wish people knew that we are the only spa in town that is committed to using only natural and organic products. Also, that our nail polish is seriously the best I have ever used! We get asked sometimes if we do gel nails, but we avoid anything like that. We don’t even use regular nail polish. Studies have shown that metabolites of harmful chemicals such as triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), which is used in many nail polishes, have been found in women’s bodies within hours of painting their nails. We use a nail polish brand that is free of chemicals like TPHP, toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP. Plus, it’s actually awesome polish. It’s extremely durable, hardly has any smell at all, and comes in a ton of colors.

            Other than that, I wish people knew that massage therapy is not a one-and-done type thing. People come in for a massage when they’re hurting the most, and then they don’t come back for another year. Massage is like starting an exercise regimen or taking a vitamin; you wouldn’t do it just once and expect big results. Although getting a massage once or twice a year is better than not at all, the benefits really start to show when you receive it regularly. We recommend every 4-6 weeks for maintenance. If you have a chronic issue that’s causing dysfunction or discomfort, it may take a few sessions before you see a lasting change. Conditions caused by repetitive movement or poor posture didn’t occur overnight and they can’t be cured overnight. Your body has to heal and relearn better movement and posture patterns. Massage can definitely help with that, and regular sessions will help keep you feeling your best. That’s why we offer a discount for clients that book monthly.

3.       What is the most stressful thing about your job?

Honestly, managing other people. If I worked for someone else I wouldn’t have that problem, but I’ve always wanted to own my own business. Taking care of the scheduling, making sure everyone is happy, running the payroll, and really, just delegating anything can be stressful for me. I’m working on that though. Doing all of the administrative stuff, marketing, finances, etc. takes up a lot of time and is really my least favorite part.

4.       What is your favorite thing about living in the tri-state area?

I like how close we are to everything. We are only a 2.5-3 hour drive from about 4 or 5 major cities. I love going to see live music, and even though a lot of my favorite bands don’t necessarily come through Evansville, I can make a day trip pretty much anywhere they stop in the Midwest. I’m from Chicago, and I’ve lived in smaller towns, but I feel like here we have the best of both worlds. We have a small town vibe, with some city amenities.

5.       Where can people find you if they want to learn more about your services?

People can go to our website, www.thebellaterraspa.com, email us at info@thebellaterraspa.com, or call us at 812-598-2835. We’re also on Instagram, @bellaterraspa and Facebook, @thebellaterraspa. Thanks!

All birth doula clients of Doula Group of Evansville will receive a free 30-minute prenatal massage, while these coupons last!

Not everyone loves massage or even likes being touched, but there are so very many benefits to massage for those of us who it helps relax and be more in tune with our bodies. Being in tune with your body and its needs is extremely beneficial especially when preparing for birth!

When was the last time you got a massage?

Coping with Labor Naturally

Photo by Ryan Franco on Unsplash

There are all kinds of reasons that people choose to learn about how to cope with labor naturally, and all different ways to do it. Some people would like to have a natural labor, but are worried about how you will cope with contractions. Some people want to learn some comfort techniques for labor that don’t involve medication.  Others are just curious what this whole natural birth thing is about. There are people who have been told they can’t have an epidural for sometimes medical reasons.  Other people’s goals include prolonging getting an epidural until active labor and are looking for ways to help you get through until then. Maybe you have done this before and are just looking for a refresher or for techniques to add to your repertoire. If any of these things sound at all like you, I have the class for you!

Doula Group of Evansville Presents: Coping with Labor Naturally

Saturday February 9th, 2019 from 9am-Noon

Innovation Point 318 Main St. Evansville, IN 47708

Cost will be $30 per pair.

This class is ideal to take during your third trimester, but is helpful no matter how many weeks you are into your pregnancy. Whether you are birthing in the hospital or at home, this class will teach you the essentials of what you will need to manage labor one contraction at a time. I’m bringing all the props I have for you to try out and letting out a few of my doula secrets for comfort in labor. The class will also include a booklet full of reminders and even more tips, so you aren’t required to try to memorize everything on the spot or recreate the magic of being in the room with other pregnant couples on the big day.

This 3 hour class will start with an overview of what to expect in labor and delivery. We will practice different comfort techniques and discuss strategies for coping with labor and delivery naturally. I’m going to talk about all different kinds of ways that might help you including: relaxation, massage, movement, positions, tools, and much more. We might even have a little bit of fun too. Don’t worry, there will absolutely be snacks too. You don’t want to miss this essential class!

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please contact me and I will get you on the list. I promise it will be worth your time and money if this is something you want to know more about for your labor and delivery. I also hold a very strict ZERO judgement zone, so you shouldn’t be afraid to ask ANY questions that you might have. This will be a great way to bond with your partner or friend who is planning to be there for your labor and delivery, so do be sure to bring them along to the class. Of course as always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me in all the usual ways, and I will get back to you ASAP. I can’t wait to see all of you fabulous students next month!

Doula Realities

Photo by Jovis Aloor on Unsplash

Many people dream of helping families as a doula, and I get all kinds of people reaching out to me about what it is actually like to be a doula full-time. I am hosting a DONA approved birth doula training here in Evansville at the very end of February (that you can sign up for here), so these messages are most definitely more frequent right now. I absolutely LOVE my job and wouldn’t want to do anything else, but this is most definitely not the right fit for everyone. I want people to know what they are getting into, and some of the harsher realities of doula life.

Being a birth doula is tough. Yes, it is really rewarding and sometimes exciting and beautiful, but the reality of it can be really hard. Being on call can be rough, especially needing childcare at any moment (if you have kids) and having to drop your life to go help someone else. All of your plans end in, “as long as I’m not at a birth” and you have to plan your time out so carefully if you want to leave town, not to mention have a really great back-up doula to cover your clients just in case someone goes into labor unexpectedly. Not planning your calendar in advance or paying attention to when potential clients are due before they hire you means that you could be on call for 6 months straight, and that is NOT easy or fun.

Being on call can be one of the hardest parts of the job; I’ve even heard doulas say that they would attend births for free but really want to be paid for the trouble of being on call for possibly 4 weeks straight. Being on-call means that I have a client who is within their due window (38-42 weeks pregnant), and that I can’t do some things like leave town or drink alcohol. When I am on-call I have to have my doula bag ready. I have my doula clothes in a neat pile waiting for the call to come join my clients. I can’t go to bed without making sure my phone is turned up and ready, and I can’t be far from my phone at all ever really. It is impossible to predict when someone will go into labor, believe me that if I could, I would be a VERY rich person. If you want a completely predictable work schedule, then you should not be a birth doula.

I think the biggest mistake people make is treating doula work like it isn’t a job. It is a definite job and if you want to be successful at it, you have got to work at it like any good business owner! This means networking, marketing, accounting, legal paperwork, records, etc. If you want to do doula work as a hobby and aren’t looking to own a business, that is ok too. About half the people who take the birth doula training don’t even really want to run their own business or be a professional doula. Whether you are running your own doula business or just helping friends, if you are calling yourself a doula, you have GOT to be professional.  That means working within the doula scope of practice and not causing a ruckus at the hospital because of unprofessional behavior. Your professional behavior reflects on all doulas, especially at the local level. I know that Robin will be covering all of this in the training here, so come learn!

I do not tell you all of the above to scare you, rather because I want everyone considering becoming a doula to really understand what they are getting into for their future. A great doula is an organized planner who is resourceful and empathetic with a good support system. Take a look in the mirror and really contemplate if this is the right path for you. If none of the above things have scared you away from wanting to do doula work, then you should definitely sign up for the upcoming training in Evansville. This is only the 2nd time Evansville has ever had a doula training located here, and we probably won’t have another one until 2020! Being a doula is one of the most rewarding and amazing jobs I could have ever dreamed of doing, and I sincerely love it with all my heart. I also sincerely believe that this area needs more doulas! Could that be you?

10 Doula & Life Lessons from 2018

Photo by Nick Scheerbart on Unsplash

As a doula, I get to see all kinds of new beginnings, and the New Year brings all kind of reflection on those beginnings and the ones to come too. I keep statistics for my business about how many births I attended and other things, but I feel like I’m far too Midwestern in my bones to brag about how many families I helped last year. The only number I did actually get excited about was when I got to attend my 100th birth as a doula this year. That was really special, and is a pretty big marker for doula experience. I have learned so very much in all these births, and I’m planning to keep writing about all these amazing beginnings that I get to be a part of as a doula. For now, I want to start the year by reflecting on some lessons that I learned in 2018, in no particular order other than how they come to settle on my mind.

  1. You don’t always know what the most important part about your birth experience is to you until you are in the moment. Planning is great, but so is being flexible and listening to yourself about what your top priorities are for your birth. These can be informed by your experiences, your knowledge, and yes, your gut too!
  2. Every birth is different and every baby is different. Just because this is your 2nd or 3rd (or more) baby, does NOT mean that your delivery will be the same as before or that your baby is going to be the same as your others. It doesn’t even mean that you will deliver around the same time.
  3. The quiet laborers always surprise me. Making noise is not how everyone communicates, so pay attention to other communication styles too!
  4. Clear communication is IMPERATIVE, as is the tone and mode of delivery. This works quite well for all parts of my life actually
  5. Sometimes partners need just as much support as the one having the baby. Special shout-out to the partner that had me hug him multiple times in the hospital room because it comforted him. You sir, are great at asking for what you need, and I hope you teach your daughter to do the same!
  6. Nitrous can be REALLY a great tool for labor, especially if you are properly informed about what to expect with it. 35% of our clients in 2018 found Nitrous to be helpful during their labor and delivery! I am sooo happy to have this option at both Evansville hospitals now!
  7. Location and what is going on there can make a HUGE difference for labor and delivery! I attended births at 6 different locations this past year, and each of them had their benefits and drawbacks. The right location for you, is where you will feel supported and safe.
  8. There is no one right answer for everyone in labor and delivery, and it is my job to fit the mold that is required for each individual client in the moment that it is happening. I will continue to make ZERO judgements about choices that clients make for their own labor and delivery for this exact reason!
  9. I wish more people knew about postpartum doula help, for anyone recovering from a cesarean birth especially. I have seen the difference it can make physically, mentally, and emotionally. Recovery from birth is much easier with a village to help you, and postpartum doulas are an excellent supplemental help for when your village can’t be there OR if you would prefer to not ask your mother-in-law to please do the dishes in the sink instead of just sitting there holding the new baby.
  10. Respect is hard to earn and disappears easily. This applies to so many situations this past year that I encountered as a doula, and also to life in general. I know that I will continue to try to be deserving of the respect of all those I work with professionally and all those I meet personally too!  

I love this time of year for new beginnings, and 2019 plans are looking really exciting for me professionally and personally right now. I am going to teach a 3 hour class about how to cope with labor naturally on February 9th, 2019. Email me if you are interested in joining the class! I am hosting a birth doula training with the fabulous Robin Elise Weiss 2/28/19-3/2/19 to hopefully expand the doula population in Evansville. I am presenting at the Evidence Based Birth Conference in September, so that will be a great time for networking and learning more to benefit my practice as a doula and childbirth educator. The 2019 calendar is already getting booked up with doula clients too, so do be sure to contact me early if you’d like me to be your doula. 2019 is going to be full of possibilities and connections, and I can’t wait!!!

What lessons did you learn in 2018 that you will take forward with you into 2019?

Upcoming Class: Coping with Labor Naturally

Would you like to have a natural labor, but are worried about how you will cope with contractions? Would you like to learn some comfort techniques for labor that don’t involve medication? Are you curious what this whole natural birth thing is about? Have you been told you can’t have an epidural for any reason? Is your goal to prolong getting an epidural until active labor and you are looking for ways to help you get through until then? Have you done this before and are just looking for a refresher or for techniques to add to your repertoire? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, this is the class for you! This class is ideal to take during your third trimester,but is helpful no matter how many weeks you are. Whether you are birthing in the hospital or at home, this class will teach you the essentials of what you will need to manage labor one contraction at a time. This 3 hour class will start with an overview of what to expect in labor and delivery. We will practice different comfort techniques and discuss strategies for coping with labor and delivery naturally. Topics to be covered include: relaxation,massage, movement, positions, tools, and much more. You don’t want to miss this essential class!       

You can check out the event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/782455672100786/

Email doulagroupofevansville@gmail.com to reserve your spot for February 9th 9am-noon at Innovation Pointe. 

Cost is $30/couple

About the instructor: Hillary Melchiors is a DONA certified birth doula and Lamaze certified childbirth educator who has been practicing in Evansville for more than four years. She has attended over 100 births as a doula, and loves to share her knowledge and skills with expecting families.

As Your Doula

I work for you.  I will give you all kinds of information about your birth options.  I will talk to you about your goals for your birth.  I will do research about anything I do not know, and come back to you with all the evidence I can find.  I will be there for you if you need to ask any questions during your pregnancy.  I will be almost as excited about your impending labor as you are.  I will wait anxiously by the phone for the call that might come in the middle of the night to come and join you while you are in labor.  I will come to your house, if you want to keep laboring at home or are birthing there.  I will follow you to the hospital or meet you as you arrive. I will hold your hand and tell you that everything is going normally, if it is.  I will decode any medical-speak you don’t understand and make sure that you are making informed decisions about your care.  I will squeeze your hips and try all my tricks to help you stay as comfortable as possible during your labor. I will call the nurse to give you your bolus of fluids for your epidural if that is what you want.  I’ll suggest position changes and help you move into them.  I will make you go to the bathroom every hour during labor. I will be there with you the entire time.  I will help guide you through the entire process, and I will love every minute of it.

I want for you to have the birth that you want to have.  I don’t care if you get an epidural; I still have ways that I can help you. If you don’t want an epidural, I know how to get you there too.  I want you to leave your birth feeling fulfilled.  I want you to feel like you accomplished something, because having a baby is a MAJOR accomplishment no matter how it happens.  I want you to feel like you were supported in every decision you made along the way, and that you had all the information to make each one.   I want for you to be happy with your birth, exactly how it happened, no matter if it was to plan or not.  I want so much for you to completely exhilarated and excited about your birth, so much so that you can’t wait to tell the story to anyone that will listen.

I believe that birth is amazing.  There is nothing more exciting than getting to watch a new baby come earth-side.  Getting to be a part of that process is what makes the job of a doula so rewarding.  I believe in this work and its value.  I believe that this job makes a difference not only in the lives of the women we serve, but also in all those that we touch through our service: the nurses and other hospital staff, the physicians, the midwives, the family members, and the friends. I believe that one birth at a time, I am making a difference in the way that birth is viewed and approached.  Most of all, I believe that this work is my passion.

Doulas make a difference.  Doulas everywhere want to change birth one mother at a time. Doulas are evidence-based.

4 Differences between a Doula & a Labor and Delivery Nurse

A great nurse is an integral part of your birthing team! Labor and delivery nurses are mostly very passionate about their jobs helping bring babies into the world as well.  An amazing nurse can make a huge difference to your experience too.  Many people mistakenly believe that because they will have a nurse, they don’t need a doula as well.  As this great graphic from Lamaze illustrates, a nurse cannot give you constant support.

Continuous labor support has been shown to have measurable benefits for birthing parents, and that is the kind of support that a doula provides. Of course there are obvious differences such as education, but there are plenty of other ways that doulas and nurses differ. Here is our list of differences between doulas and labor and delivery nurses:

1. Luck of the draw vs. picking them out yourself 

99% of births in the United States take place in a hospital, which means that 99% of births are attended by at least one labor and delivery nurse (typically more than 1).  We have worked with some amazingly supportive nurses, and some not so supportive ones as well.  Which nurse is available when you walk in the hospital is one of the determining factors in who will provide nursing care for you during your labor and delivery, which means that who your nurse will be is partially determined by the luck of the draw.

By contrast, doulas attend around 3% of births nationally.  If you would like to hire a doula to attend your birth, the process starts during your pregnancy.  You may interview as many doulas as you would like to find one that you click with and trust to help you on the big day. You get to choose!

2. Works for the hospital vs. works for you 

Who they work for is a fundamental difference between a nurse and a doula.  Nurses work for the hospital, and as such, are constrained by hospital policy and procedures.  Doulas work for their clients.  This is not to say that doulas are not bound by a code of ethics and scope of practice, rather to emphasize that a doula’s responsibility is to their clients. Period. We do not answer to the hospital, as they are not our employer.

3. Medical Support vs. Physical & Emotional Support 

Good nurses are fantastic at juggling the mountain of things that they have to do during a labor and delivery.  Doulas get to focus just on you.  Nurses are great at suggesting medical support (and sometimes more), for during your labor and delivery; while a doula will offer physical and emotional support.  What does that look like? While a nurse might suggest IV pain medication for early labor pain, a doula will massage you and talk to you about your wishes for how to proceed. A nurse will check your blood pressure and cervix, while a doula will help you move into position changes and monitor you for emotional signposts to see where you are at in labor.  Of course there are plenty of nurses that help with position changes, but they don’t always have time to do hip squeezes or counter pressure for hours because of their medical obligations.

4. Explains routine procedures vs. helps you avoid unnecessary routine procedures 

Nurses will tell you all about any routine procedures that are going to take place in the hospital, which is part of the informed consent process. A doula will help you ask questions about those procedures so that you can make an informed decision about them. Also, a doula might talk to you about other options that are available to you in the hospital that are outside of routine procedures. A great example is electronic fetal monitoring.  Hospitals typically like to have continuous electronic fetal monitoring, while evidence has shown that intermittent monitoring is perfectly safe in most cases. Continuous monitoring leads to a higher risk in cesarean section and restricts movement.  A nurse might not be able to suggest intermittent monitoring, but a doula can suggest that you ask for it.

In conclusion, let me say that we LOVE so many labor and delivery nurses, and many of them love us right back.  The best birth team is a team that works TOGETHER, and we LOVE working with fantastic nurses.  We understand the constraints of their job, and many of them understand that we really do make their job easier on occasion. Doulas and nurses have distinct roles on the birth team, each one of us contributing differently and importantly to the process.  It is not fair to expect your nurse to be able to give you all of the support you need for labor and delivery, just the same as it is not fair to ask a doula to perform medical tasks there.  Both roles contribute to better birthing experiences for families inside of the hospital!

What other differences do you see between nurses and doulas?