there's No place like Home
As everything in our culture continues to get faster and faster, birth and babies remind us that slow is okay. In fact, slow is necessary.* Pregnancy takes time. Labor and birth take time. Your first moments and years with your baby are full of slow, lovely experiences. We want to help make home feel like a haven. Not just a place you sleep and store stuff, but a place where your most precious people feel safe, and memories are made.
Our labor and postpartum doulas are skilled in bringing calm to a time that can feel chaotic.
Home is the setting for the story of your family. Your life together will weave itself into that place and spring from its hard wood floors and carpets. Just like you do, giving your child a safe resting place to sooth wounds and ease fears, the home you build together starts the process of healthy attachment, building trust, and (safe) boundary testing. And why is that important?
These are the elements that build confidence.
*Healthy relationships don't just happen.
Our labor and postpartum doulas are skilled in bringing calm to a time that can feel chaotic.
Home is the setting for the story of your family. Your life together will weave itself into that place and spring from its hard wood floors and carpets. Just like you do, giving your child a safe resting place to sooth wounds and ease fears, the home you build together starts the process of healthy attachment, building trust, and (safe) boundary testing. And why is that important?
These are the elements that build confidence.
*Healthy relationships don't just happen.
Birth: Parents
Why are you a parent?
Have you ever considered yourself a courage building confidence machine to help your child thrive in the world? No? Well...think on that for a minute. You aren't just having a baby. You are becoming a parent. We understand that is scary. We understand you don't know details. We'll meet you where you're at and help grow your confidence for what comes next. Parenthood is heart-bruising work. Quickly understanding there is no perfect safe spot, but striving to prepare this small person for what the world is and will be. So, why are you a parent?
Parents are a child's first teacher. A child will watch, mimic, and grow into the examples we set. We can give calculated tastes of danger, and reassure with hugs and smiles. We can teach our children to trust, showing no matter how far they go, they can always come back. We teach trust from the first game of peek-a-boo, and reiterate it over and over for the rest of our shared time. It's important to show our imperfections to our children, so they see that one's worth is not dependent on what they do. They will learn to walk and talk, and they will learn to love, because you showed them how to first. Congratulations on becoming a parent! A huge job, but one you don't have to do alone! |
Labor Doula Support
Belief is the foundation of so many relationships, including the one you enter into with your doula.
We believe you are capable of incredible things. Giving birth is one of many! As our culture moves farther away from close knit communities and literal villages of support, doula support is a radical element of energy and knowledge rooted in the belief that your experience and mindful participation in your birth is healthy and worthwhile. ( And we're scientifically proven to make a positive impact.*) We are happy to support families planning to deliver in Chicago's hospitals and birth centers. We value the relationship you've built with your medical providers, and do all we can to increase communication, satisfaction, and community with the people you have selected to participate in your birth. One of the skills doulas bring to a birth room is the ability to protect nuance. The hospital staff get to see babies be born everyday! And that expertise is part of the reason you are there. But this is YOUR baby. A unique individual who deserves to be seen and treated as carefully and mindfully as possible. Your doula sees you, and they see the reality of the hospital setting. Being able to balance the needs of both means your needs are never overlooked while also taking advantage of delivering in a place that can be ready at a moment's notice if any emergency arises. We look forward to supporting your birth and your goals of how you wish to meet your child. *Cochran report for doula support *Evidence for doula support |
Postpartum Support
What does it mean to be a "protector of nuance?"
Partially, it's knowing what is normal and what next steps are possible for a family building a home. It's interpreting information thats dispersed to the masses, and translating it to the specific lives of individuals. It's seeing the big picture, and detailed daily moments, and recognizing the value of each. The points where we can make parenting advice personal is where we thrive. We're talking, walking, professionals who engage in interactions with empathy and practicality. There are many people who can notice your struggles. What we do is listen, hear, and act. We are a community. We provide connection. It works because of trust - in yourself, and in us. |
Placenta Encapsulation
We are currently offering placenta encapsulation services only to families who are labor support clients. If you are interested in this service alone, we are happy to work with a trusted encapsulator, and trainer, Deb Pocica of Birth Before and After.
Birth Preparation and parenting Classes
There are many, many ways to prepare for your birth. Different methods offer the ability to focus on elements you and your partner may find a priority. We are happy to recommend group classes in and around the Chicago area if you are looking for a series, or opportunity to meet and connect with other pregnant people.
For our part, we understand that group classes may not be the best option for your family, and so we offer private childbirth classes in your home. Founder, Labor & Postpartum Doula, Placenta Encapsulator, and Doula Trainer Ariel Swift, can come to you and provide personalized instruction anywhere from 3-9 hours. For more information about topic selections and scheduling, please use the contact form.
For our part, we understand that group classes may not be the best option for your family, and so we offer private childbirth classes in your home. Founder, Labor & Postpartum Doula, Placenta Encapsulator, and Doula Trainer Ariel Swift, can come to you and provide personalized instruction anywhere from 3-9 hours. For more information about topic selections and scheduling, please use the contact form.
Other ways we can help
Doula care is about support, however it is needed for a new family. If you are traveling to Chicago, or have a special request, please don't hesitate! Other reasons we have been hired for care include:
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