Posts by Nikki Shaheed
Preparing Soulfully for Parenthood: Part 1
There are many hilarious lists about how to prepare to be a parent, including, “If you plan on driving while being a parent, borrow three orangutans (ask for strong-willed ones) from your local zoo. Put them in rear-facing car seats. Keep your eyes on the road,” (Bunmi Laditan) and, “Ask your partner to shout out…
Read MoreFour Ways to Know Your Provider is a Good Fit
Pregnancy and birth are full of choices to make from what color to paint the baby’s room, to baby names, to where give birth, to what kind of car seat to buy. Here are a few simple tips to help demystify the process of choosing a care provider for your birth. 1) They deliver in…
Read MoreNon-Inclusive Birth Preparation Causes Birth Trauma
Many people believe that medical interventions cause birth trauma. More often than not, that is incorrect. What causes trauma is expectations…expectations about the pain, how a birthing parent is supported, how they respond to the intensity of labor, and about their labor environment. It’s a seductive thought to think that we can simply release expectations…
Read MoreOlder Siblings at the Birth – Seven Tips for Parents
For older siblings the birth of a new sibling can be a very exciting time! As your belly swells and the due month draws near, you may start to wonder how you can include your older child(ren) in the birth without overwhelming them. Below are a few tips to prepare the whole family for the…
Read MoreWhy Birthing from Within is Important for a VBAC
How to Find Healing and Move Forward As a VBAC mom and a doula who has attended many VBACs (vaginal births after cesarean) and CBACs (cesarean births after cesarean), I have a unique perspective about what parents needs when they are seeking a vaginal birth after giving birth by cesarean. For many parents seeking a…
Read MoreRebozo – Tools of the Doula Trade
Oh, the magical rebozo. A doula’s aid; an extension of a birth partner’s arms; support, balance, and relief for a birthing parent; and a beautiful symbol of Mexican culture. Entire trainings and certifications have been dedicated to this simple piece of cloth that make a difference in so many ways during pregnancy, labor, postpartum, and…
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