Cassie's Doula Services

31/07/2020

I say it all the time, but I'm just so proud to doula with the wonderful people I get to doula with. I think Cassie is a top notch doula, and her clients agree!
"Cassie helped us with the birth of our son! She was so helpful the entire pregnancy and got us some really great info as we were deciding between providers. I can’t imagine labor and delivery without her, she was able to provide really great counter pressure during my contractions and took pictures for us. She made it so my husband could focus entirely on emotional support and encouragement and we could both be in the moment and enjoy the time as a new family of 3!"- Alyssa
https://www.aligndoula.com/cassie

11/07/2020

I'm a big supporter of breastfeeding. I know how valuable breastmilk is. But I feel that value on a personal level today. I donated 250 ounces of my extra milk for the first time. Mother's Milk Alliance has freezer hosts all over Madison making it super convenient to donate! I would highly recommend sending them your extra milk if you have a stash or want to pump extra to bless some babies and their families with human milk. 💕

02/07/2020

18/03/2020

The virus has NOT been found in the breastmilk of COVID-19 positive mothers.
Please help if you can!

12/03/2020

We're still here for you! Take a look at this statement in support of doulas from AWHONN.

UPDATE: March 11, 2020 AWHONN’s Position on Doulas with Patients During COVID-19 AWHONN recognizes that doula services contribute to the woman’s preparation for and support during childbirth and opposes hospital policies that restrict the presence of a doula during a woman’s active labor. “D...

26/02/2020

REPOST ❤️ - and this week it’s my own haha!
I love making free content for you guys - you deserve access to reliable, evidence-informed knowledge. It absolutely warms my heart when something has connected with you. It makes it all worthwhile knowing I can help you.
It’s been two weeks since I posted this picture (hilariously without my watermark because I didn’t think many people would share it 😂). Guys. It’s been seen by over 2.3 million people on Facebook. That’s insane!!
The photo inspiration credit really goes to .ie - I simply gave it life through food ☺️ I’m so happy it has reached so many people.
Here’s to more content for you that I hope informs and empowers you through your breastfeeding journey!! ❤️❤️
Here’s the actual caption👇🏻
FEEDING ON DEMAND. Yep. I used cereal and blueberries to see the difference between expectations and reality of many breastfeeding moms.
📷 inspo .ie
Were you told your baby should breastfeed every 2-3 hours? I was. Did you know that only came from figuring out how often feeding was needed for a baby to feed 8-12 times in a 24 hour period...
So yes we APPROXIMATELY would like babies to feed AT LEAST 8-12 times, but the way it all plays out in a 24 hour period is very different for each baby.
Reality: babies feed like the blueberries. Lots of feedings. Some small. Some big. Some close together. Some far apart.
Babies do not feed like clockwork where every cereal (ahem.. feed) is spaced equally apart and the same size. You can relax if your otherwise healthy baby goes longer than 3 hours between a feed. You don’t need to think “you can’t still be hungry” and delay a feed if they are showing signs they want to feed earlier than 2 hours.
Listen to your baby. Trust your instincts. Let go of the cookie cutter “ideal” and develop your own relationship that works for you and your baby.
Do you feed on demand? What works for you and your baby?

26/01/2020

♥️♥️

21/01/2020

https://doulainmississippi.com/blog/staying-hydrated?fbclid=IwAR3JEzpJUlMnJF_K9er7X_ZMFzKydMlPtwCxBMokFC9UBA7fhm6mcCuWEQU

Staring at your water bottle and getting annoyed with it? Wish you could just magically hydrate without having to refill your bottle 5 times and run to the bathroom every hour or two? We feel you! Drinking enough water can be so darn hard even without pregnancy or postpartum seasons making it harder

28/12/2019

Interesting! I've observed this but never knew it may have meant something. Have you ever seen or heard of it?

By Mindy Cockeram, LCCE Today's blog post is a repost of one of the most popular posts ever shared on our blog. It is written by Mindy Cockeram, LCCE. Mindy explores the 'mystical' red/purple line that has been observed to provide information about cervical dilation without the need for a vaginal ex...

18/11/2019

"I’m four months postpartum.

Four months of breastfeeding one, sometimes two babies. Four months of feeling my core wobble and give way to backaches. Four months of watching this wrinkly pink baby fill out with rolls and soft, round cheeks. Four months of sheer exhaustion and middle of the night feedings. But I’m still so new, so raw.

My body is completely different than it was before babies, now twice over. I’m weaker in some places and stronger than I’ve ever been in others. I’ve pushed this body to the limit, to the place where it aches and screams for rest. I’ve nourished it some days and deprived it others. I’ve given it Lexapro to fight off the PPD that came for me again. I’ve heaved it heavily, sleepily out of bed for my crying babies. I’ve rocked it and bent it and contorted it to fit the shape of this new chapter of motherhood. But it’s still new. It’s postpartum. It’s healing. Slowly the pieces of me are coming back together in an entirely changed shape.

My belly button is caving in where I pierced it in youthful rebellion. The skin wrinkles like parchment paper where I try to button my mom jeans. My breasts inflate, engorge, deflate, sag, ache, spill, explode, leak, nourish, sustain life. My shoulders bend inward from the weight of love. My lips are often chapped from dehydration when I forget to pour myself water as I pour myself out to my babies. I’m not a martyr though, I’m a mother. I’m postpartum. I’m giving and giving and trying to find space for rest and self love and feeding myself and it’s impossibly hard and important and sacred work. I gave life from this scarred, ripped, creased, wrinkled, majestic and forever changed body and each day as my babies grow, so do I. Postpartum is hard and soft, painful and euphoric, lonely and full. Just like life, it’s dynamic. It’s okay to ache for your old life, former self, pre-baby body. It’s okay to feel a full spectrum of emotions about your new world. You can love your babies more than the stars in the sky and need a break.

Postpartum is such a tender time, be kind to yourself. It’s something I need to be reminded of, too."
📷: + Ariel Rose Photography

20/10/2019

01/10/2019

💕

I am so excited to share this beautiful en caul birth gallery with you all. Jessica and Alvin labored, connected through every contraction for 12 hours on the day of the full moon. Jessica gave birth to her sweet baby girl just as she imagined it. In a birth pool in her home surrounded by a birth team she carefully thought through to support her during pregnancy, birth and the important postpartum.
Jessica kept moving and went up and down two flights of stairs a few times while working through her contractions and getting her daughter moving down and ready to come earth side.

The moment of birth was so special coming out in the sac with an added magical touch being surrounded by fairy lights around the birth tub and Jessica dancing back and forth in the water to the low hum of labor land.

I must make note that Alvin was such an incredible support and I hope these images can serve an example to all the nervous fathers out there who don't know how they can help, that they are so important during birth.

From Jessica:
I’ve always dreamed of having a natural water birth in my home. Even as a child, I'd always been amazed by the beauty of birth. I was always amazed at how a woman's body could change so drastically during pregnancy - creating, nourishing and nurturing life. I'd always taken this seriously, probably a little more seriously than my peers as my husband would say. I've always known the importance of choosing a loving, caring and supportive partner; among other things. I remember telling my girlfriends in middle school, how whenever I had a baby, I wanted my baby in water and they would come out swimming, we all laughed. I mean, those aren't the exact logistics of water birth, but you get the point. On Aug 15, the night of a full moon; that dream came true for me. I was able to let go of myself and give in to the instinctual drift of my body and roar my sweet daughter earth side with my carefully picked birth team.

Images by Kate Carlton Photography (www.katecarltonphotography.com)

14/09/2019

❤️

The woman who created this wonderful graphic/meme is named Lara Rabb. She is the founder of Heavy Eyes Happy Hearts Sleep Consulting. Check out her work: https://www.heavyeyeshappyhearts.com/?fbclid=IwAR1ldrLuq3UbjZae4PaL2vl1u0TyMGw1sJdRoB4B9_migSeBZZ-yKAlvgvY

27/08/2019

https://birthfit.com/blog/2019/08/05/breastfeeding-tips/

As natural and primitive breastfeeding is, sometimes it doesn’t come easy. Here are some breastfeeding tips to help you thrive in your journey from day one.

21/08/2019

Probably grabbing a tissue would be ok. 😭

"A few nights ago the girls came and cuddled with me in bed. They had all fallen asleep, except Norah. She laid by me, rubbing my belly and asked, “Did you get these crinkles from me?” I told her that I got a couple of crinkles with all of my babies but that she gave me the most for sure.

She asked me if she would get some when she was a mommy. I told her maybe she would and maybe she wouldn’t. She sighed a long sigh and I asked her why she made that sound.
She looked up at me and said, “Well, it’s just that I hope I get the crinkles too. They’re so pretty”.

She continued rubbing my belly and as I combed my fingers through her hair, I couldn’t help but cry, feeling so grateful for the truth my 6-year-old spoke over me. So grateful for these little ladies and all of my pretty crinkles they gave me." 😍
📷:

10/08/2019

🥰🥰

06/08/2019

Check out a few postpartum must-haves this group recommends! And this cute family picture because, well...cute!

Hospital Bag must-haves and here’s why.

No joke, an adult diaper changed my life! I used the underwear. Does it apply to c-sections? Most definitely! No matter how you deliver, expect postpartum bleeding for weeks.
Hint: buy 2 packs. They’re so much better than the sexy mesh hospital panties with the huge pad that rides up your butt.

Pajamas will make you feel like a human again after taking that first postpartum shower. Bring a travel shampoo so you feel even better!

If you are a socks person, bring them but I don’t think they’re necessary. The hospital ones with the anti-slip bottom are great!

If you purchased a cord/tissue banking kit, bring it!

For the baby, bring 2 long sleeve onesies that have the covers for the hands (or just bring 2 onesies and mittens). Some come out with long nails and scratch their little faces. The hospital will provide the rest, and your family/friends can always go get you whatever else from home.

Don’t forget your wallet with your ID and insurance card!

If this is not your first child, it’s a great idea to have a “present from your new sister/brother” for the siblings.

25/07/2019

...some thoughts from this fellow doula that you might like to read. 😊

https://keendoulacare.com/2019/06/29/how-doulas-help-you-have-a-less-painful-birth/

We’ve all seen those doula stats. You know the ones. People who have a doula tend to have: Shorter labors Fewer requests for pain meds A better postpartum experience More birth satisfaction A…

19/06/2019

Here are a few ways to use hospital beds to help your baby progress during labor. What a great visual! Be encouraged and use the room in whatever way suits you...transform that bed ☺️

Photo credit:

19/02/2019

2/3 of families receiving donor milk from MMA, have babies less than one month old and most have a temporary need. Donating to MMA helps families find breastfeeding success! Consider donation today. Www.mothersmilkalliance.org

12/03/2018

My website is published! Take a look and feel free to share!
https://doulacassiep.wixsite.com/birth

Home

12/03/2018

18/01/2018

Some good "just-in-case" tips for the winter!

Although it doesn’t happen often, a pregnant person’s greatest fears is: “What if I go into labor during a snowstorm?”

01/01/2018

This is you, and I know what you see. You see a soft middle, a round belly. You see too wide hips and your favourite jeans that don't do up. You see messy hair and tired eyes.
This is you, and here's what I see. A woman who held the universe in her womb, told by society she should be ashamed of it. I see strength and power to hold that growing and changing body and I see a new woman has recently emerged, a Mother. I see a woman who will not bounce back or go back to what she once was. She is so different now in so many much more beautiful ways.
This is you, and I know what your baby sees. Your baby sees perfection, ecstasy, joy, life, peace, love. Your baby sees home. Your baby sees you.
Artwork by thoughts by me x

Find Chloe's artwork and page here!

https://www.facebook.com/artbychloetrayhurn/

Website here:

https://www.chloetrayhurn.com/

14/12/2017

My website will be published soon, and I am inviting YOU, my friends, to help me by liking my page as I begin growing my doula business. If you don't know what a doula is, I am happy to explain. Thank you very much!

P.S. I would love it if you'd invite your friends to like the page as well, especially those who live in Madison, WI.