How to Create Compassionate Birth Affirmations

By Nikki Shaheed | Mar 18, 2018

In preparation for birth, many pregnant parents like to create affirmations written out on paper or strung up in a style inspired by prayer flags to keep them encouraged and…

Preparing Soulfully for Parenthood: Part 2

By Nikki Shaheed | Oct 19, 2017

There is no shortage of information on pregnancy, birth, baby feeding, and childrearing in books, online, and from anecdotal accounts. Sometimes appearing in public while pregnant or caring for child(ren)…

Preparing Soulfully for Parenthood: Part 1

By Nikki Shaheed | Oct 12, 2017

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)…

Four Ways to Know Your Provider is a Good Fit

By Nikki Shaheed | May 3, 2017

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…

Non-Inclusive Birth Preparation Causes Birth Trauma

By Nikki Shaheed | Apr 1, 2017

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,…

Older Siblings at the Birth – Seven Tips for Parents

By Nikki Shaheed | Dec 18, 2016

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…

Why Birthing from Within is Important for a VBAC

By Nikki Shaheed | Dec 11, 2016

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…

Rebozo – Tools of the Doula Trade

By Nikki Shaheed | Dec 9, 2016

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…

Hand Fan – Tools of the Doula Trade

By Nikki Shaheed | Dec 9, 2016

Why a hand fan? Labor is hard work! The uterus is a huge muscle that usually contracts for hours on end during labor and burn lots and lots of calories,…

“You’ll Never Sleep Again” – How to Give and Receive Parenting Wisdom in Mindfulness

By Nikki Shaheed | Dec 1, 2016

“Sleep now…you won’t sleep after the baby’s born.” Every expecting parent has heard some iteration of this…an implication that pregnancy is a death march toward the permanent ending of all…