At Belly Vue Center, we love connecting expecting parents with resources that enhance their pregnancy journey. That’s why we’re excited to introduce The Nurture Network of Delmarva, a local doula service dedicated to providing compassionate support, education, and guidance for families.
In today’s guest blog, Jenny shares how doula care can help expecting and new parents feel empowered, prepared, and supported every step of the way. Whether you're planning for birth, postpartum recovery, or simply looking for extra encouragement, The Nurture Network of Delmarva is here to help!
Read the full post below and discover how a doula can make a difference in your journey to parenthood!
Hello, I'm Jenny Mumford, a passionate Jesus-loving artist and birth nerd with an unexpected background in Engineering! Who would've thought that a degree in engineering would lead me down the path of birth support? But as I've learned, when you follow God, the journey often leads to surprising and beautiful destinations. After stepping away from construction field jobs and diving into the service industry, I discovered a deep-seated passion to serve my community, particularly during the sacred times of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. My own experiences with childbirth opened my eyes to a new calling, leading me to take another leap of faith into founding my own doula business.
Mission: We aim to empower families by providing comprehensive resources and vital information throughout the journey of pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. We are committed to supporting individuals with education, guidance, and community connections to foster a positive and informed experience. By offering tailored support and resources in prenatal care, birth planning, postpartum recovery, and parenting, we strive to enhance health, well-being, and confidence for every family, ensuring they are equipped to thrive during these transformative stages of life.
Vision: We envision a world where every family experiences a joyful and empowered journey through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. We aspire to create a community where comprehensive support and education are universally accessible, fostering a culture of health, resilience, and connection. By championing holistic care and informed choices, we aim to inspire a future where every individual feels confident, supported, and celebrated as they navigate the profound stages of parenthood and beyond.
Faith and Prayer in My Doula Practice:
Faith is at the core of everything I do. I believe that prayer isn't just a ritual; it's a powerful tool that guides, comforts, and strengthens both me and the families I support. Through prayer, I seek wisdom and peace for each birth, fostering an environment where mothers feel not only physically but spiritually supported. This spiritual dimension adds a profound layer of empowerment, helping mothers to feel confident and blessed in their birthing journey.
With my passion for serving families during the sacred times of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and my commitment to integrating faith into every aspect of my practice, I am excited to introduce The Nurture Network of Delmarva. This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to empower families with comprehensive resources and support, ensuring they are well-informed and confident as they navigate these transformative life stages. Our vision is not just about individual support but about building a community where every family feels celebrated and supported.
This leads us to the heart of what we're discussing today: Empowering You with Resources for Informed Decisions on Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond.
Informed consent is not merely a legal formality but a fundamental aspect of empowering care. It's about giving you the knowledge and autonomy to make choices that resonate with your values and personal intuition. This approach is crucial in creating a birth experience that respects your wishes and prepares you for the journey ahead. Whether you're considering hiring a doula, pondering how late is too late to seek this support, or exploring why a doula might be beneficial even with a robust support system, remember that the journey of parenthood is unique, and the support should match that uniqueness. Let's delve into how we can empower you with the right resources, information, and community support to make these informed decisions, fostering a legacy of care that is thoughtful, patient-centered, and deeply connected to the community we are building here in Delmarva.
How Late is Too Late to Hire a Doula?
The truth is, it’s never too late to hire a doula! While many expectant parents bring a doula on board around the midpoint of pregnancy, you can reach out as early as when you first learn about your pregnancy or even during the postpartum period. A doula is there to support YOUR choices and meet YOUR needs throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
I firmly believe that postpartum support should extend up to two years or even four to five years in some cases. Why? Because it can take that long for your body to fully recover, regulate hormones, and restore essential minerals. Moreover, the different developmental stages of each child affect each mom differently, and mothers may need additional support to navigate these changes. Mothers often need support well past the initial six weeks postpartum.
Here are some key facts about doula support:
Early Support: You can hire a doula as soon as you find out you’re pregnant, ensuring early and continuous support throughout your journey (Hodnett et al., 2013).
Flexible Timing: Doulas can be a valuable asset at any stage, whether you’re still pregnant, in labor, or navigating the postpartum period (Gagnon & Sandall, 2007).
Extended Postpartum Care: Research shows that postpartum support can significantly aid in recovery, offering emotional and practical help up to two years after birth, and for some, this support might be needed for upwards of four or five years depending on the child's developmental stages (Declercq et al., 2009).
Tailored Assistance: Doulas are there to honor your choices and adapt to your unique needs, whether it's preparing for birth, managing labor, or adjusting to life with a new baby whose developmental stages might require extended support (Klaus et al., 2013).
Personal Experience: From my own journey, I wish I had support beyond the first few months. Additional postpartum care can make a world of difference in your recovery and overall well-being, especially as your child grows and new challenges emerge.
Why Hire a Doula Even With a Great Support System?
Here’s why a doula can be a game-changer, even if you have a solid support network:
Professional Expertise: Doulas provide specialized knowledge on labor techniques, pain management, and emotional support. Studies show that continuous labor support from doulas can reduce the need for pain relief and interventions (Hodnett et al., 2013).
Continuous Support: Enjoy uninterrupted assistance throughout labor and delivery. Continuous support has been linked to shorter labors and reduced cesarean rates (Gould, 2015).
Objective Perspective: Navigate medical decisions with a neutral, unbiased view. Doulas help clarify options and ensure your choices are respected (Klaus et al., 2002).
Enhanced Comfort: Benefit from physical comfort measures like massage and relaxation techniques. Evidence suggests these methods can reduce labor pain and anxiety (Cochrane Database, 2017).
Stress Reduction: Experience reduced stress and anxiety with professional reassurance. Doulas contribute to a more positive birth experience by reducing stress (Bohren et al., 2017).
Advocacy: Ensure your birth plan and preferences are clearly communicated and respected. Doulas advocate for your needs, helping to navigate hospital policies and medical decisions (Gaskin, 2013).
Postpartum Support: Receive help with infant care, breastfeeding, and household tasks. Postpartum doulas support recovery and breastfeeding, which can enhance overall well-being (Cox et al., 2017).
Resource Connection: Access additional resources like lactation consultants and parenting classes. Doulas often have extensive networks for further support (Hodnett et al., 2013).
Educational Support: Gain evidence-based information to make informed decisions. Doulas provide up-to-date, reliable information on childbirth and newborn care (Cochrane Database, 2017).
Family Dynamics: Let your doula handle logistics so your family can focus on emotional support. Doulas manage family dynamics to ensure a smoother experience (Gaskin, 2013).
Emotional Reassurance: Feel secure with an experienced professional by your side. Emotional support from a doula can enhance confidence and comfort during labor (Bohren et al., 2017).
Personalized Care: Enjoy care tailored to your unique needs and preferences. Doulas provide individualized support aligned with your birth plan (Hodnett et al., 2013).
Building a Community of Birth Professionals, Care Providers, Advocates, and Educators
Building a strong community and networking with local businesses, birth professionals, care providers, advocates, and educators is vital for fostering unity and enhancing support systems in our region. By coming together, we create a network that enriches the resources available to families, ensuring they have access to the best evidence-based information and support.
Organizing resources across Delmarva under one cohesive platform, The Nurture Network of Delmarva, will serve as a comprehensive hub for all things related to pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and beyond. This central resource will not only streamline access to vital information but also strengthen connections among professionals and families, promoting a collaborative environment where everyone benefits from shared knowledge and mutual support. By uniting our efforts, we build a stronger, more informed community that can better support and nurture families throughout their journey.
All in all, informed consent is essential for empowering individuals during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, ensuring they make informed choices and trust their instincts. Creating a strong network of local professionals and consolidating resources into a central hub, like The Nurture Network of Delmarva, enhances support and access to reliable information, fostering a collaborative community that better supports families.
What resources, information, and services would you like The Nurture Network of Delmarva to offer to best support our community?
If you’re looking for a more empowered and supported journey through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, don’t hesitate to reach out. Businesses are also encouraged to reach out to collaborate and help strengthen our village.
Leave a comment, shoot me an email, and get connected with me. Let's make a positive impact together!
How to contact Jenny!
Facebook: The Nurture Network of Delmarva
Instagram: BirthNerdJenny
Email: birthnerdjenny@gmail.com
Website will be available soon!
Sources:
Declercq, E. R., Sakala, C., Corry, M. P., Applebaum, S., & Herrlich, A. (2009). Listening to Mothers II: Report of the Second National U.S. Survey of Women’s Childbearing Experiences. Journal of Perinatal Education, 18(1), 31-41.
Gagnon, A. J., & Sandall, J. (2007). Midwife-led versus other models of care for childbearing women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2007(4), CD004667. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub2
Hodnett, E. D., Gates, S., Hofmeyr, G. J., & Sakala, C. (2013). Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013(7), CD003766.
Klaus, M. H., Kennell, J. H., & Klaus, P. H. (2013). Bonding: Building the Foundations of Secure Attachments. Elsevier.
Bohren, M. A., Hofmeyr, G. J., Sakala, C., Fukuzawa, R. K., & Cuthbert, A. (2017).
Continuous support for women during childbirth. *Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews*, (7). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. (2017). Pain management for women in labor. *Cochrane Library*. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000490.pub3
Cox, J. L., Holden, J. M., & Sagovsky, R. (2017). Detection of postnatal depression.
*British Journal of Psychiatry*, 150(6), 782-786. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.150.6.782
Gaskin, I. M. (2013). *The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions*. Da Capo Lifelong Books.
Gould, A. (2015). The effect of continuous labor support on labor outcomes. *Journal of
Perinatal Education*, 24(4), 283-291. https://doi.org/10.1891/1058-1243.24.4.283
Hodnett, E. D., Gates, S., Hofmeyr, G. J., & Sakala, C. (2013). Continuous support for women during childbirth. *Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews*, (7).
Klaus, M. H., Kennell, J. H., & Klaus, P. H. (2002). *Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth*. Addison-Wesley.