Abundant Joy Doula Services, LLC

07/09/2024

Immediately after birth vs. 10 minutes later. It's not 'cord blood' it's the baby's blood. When you ask for delayed cord clamping/cutting, make sure to ask your provider to instead of watching the clock.

12/08/2024

Honestly, you won’t.

Actually the premise of there being 2 types of breastmilk available to your baby is a bit misleading and confusing, and makes it seem one type is more valuable than another.

NOT TRUE!

What does change as the feed progresses is the concentration of fat in the milk but it doesn’t suddenly switch; it’s gradual as the feed goes on.

ALL your milk is perfectly designed for your baby and just what is needed for growing a healthy human.

We know an emptier breast makes milk faster, and milk with a higher fat content too, as the fat tends to stick to the inside of the ducts and comes out last as the baby feeds (a bit like a yummy creamy pudding)

So if it’s been a while since your baby’s last feed and your breast feels full, there will be more lower fat, higher sugar milk for the baby initially, but this is beautifully thirst quenching (just what you need if you haven’t had a drink for a while)

Following your baby’s lead, letting them decide when to finish the feed on one side (keep an eye on their swallowing!) and offering the other (sometimes they may take it, other times not) will mean your body knows what your baby will need and when, and then make it to order.

As long as all is well with feeding, we don’t really need to worry at all about the type or quantity of milk your baby is getting at the breast.

If you’re finding yourself frantically googling, or if you’re feeling worried or anxious about how feeding is going please ask for help. IBCLCs are skilled and educated to the highest standard in all things infant feeding. 💕

***s

07/08/2024

30/07/2024

Medical Monday with Nurse Kellie:

Through a partnership between The Midland Department of Public Health, MyMichigan Health, and Memorial Presbyterian Church, the Newborn Parenting Support Group is back. Beginning August 29, 2024, they will be meeting in the Parlor at Memorial Presbyterian Church, Midland, Michigan from 1:00p – 2:30p. The group is meant for any expectant parents and parents/caregivers with an infant up to 12 months of age. This includes individuals who are first time or experienced parents and caregivers. There does not need to be an affiliation of the church. Everyone is welcome.

The group is facilitated by experienced childbirth educators and will cover a variety of topics, focusing on the needs and interests of the group. Time for questions and discussions is always included.

So, bring your infant if you can and come learn from and connect with other folks who are raising and caring for upcoming generations.

24/07/2024

Labor of Love has seen the hurt and confusion that is surrounding the loss of Midland’s only hospital based Midwife group.

We have seen firsthand the positive impact our local midwives have had in many of our client’s birth journeys.

What can we do?

We have been informed that one way we can try and get “Full Scope” Midwives to become a part of MyMichigan Hospital is to write letters to the hospital indicating the desire to have “Full Scope” Midwives. (Full scope means that your midwife gets to serve you through prenatal and birth.)

Who can write a letter?

Anyone previously having had a midwife and the care you received, those currently seeing the midwives, professionals that have benefited from advancing the care of their patients or anyone that finds the full scope midwifery care beneficial.

Currently MyMichigan has midwives, but they currently are not able to be full scope, only able to assist families with triage care.

Labor of Love works alongside OBGYN offices and Midwives and we feel BOTH are important to offer our community. Write your letters and help give moms in our community a choice on how and with who they want to birth with.

Send letters to:
Dr. David Jordahl
4000 Wellness Dr
Midland, MI 48670

18/07/2024

Very Interesting!

18/07/2024

It is common for your baby to be breech at 18-21 weeks when you have your anatomy scan. Baby is still pretty small & flipping all around!

07/07/2024

Another great resource for our community!

No matter how long ago you gave birth, you are welcome at our postnatal yoga classes! Classes are tailor-made with postpartum bodies in mind as we strengthen and relax our pelvic floors, strengthen our backs, and open our chests and shoulders. Join us!

More info here: https://www.centercitystudiomidland.com/prenatal-yoga

07/07/2024

A great resource right in our area!

07/07/2024

I've been thinking, studying, writing and teaching about the evidence relating to pregnancy and birth for about thirty years.

And a big part of my work has been about pulling apart some of the terms, concepts and assumptions that underpin the ideas we have today.

One of my current concerns, for example, is that women who have membrane sweeping are often not counted in hospital induction statistics.

Yet membrane sweeping is an attempt to induce labour, and I think it would be helpful to include those figures.

I see terms misused in papers in medical journals and hospital audits, too.

Researchers sometimes classify labour as having a spontaneous onset when induction methods (for instance medicines or devices put on, near or into the cervix to try to make it open) are clearly being used.

I am hearing from a number of colleagues about a growing number of women who are opting for elective, pre-labour caesarean in order to avoid pharmaceutical induction.

But pre-labour caesarean is also a means of induction.

And then we have the induction methods that women and families are trying outside of the medical system.

No shade on anyone's decisions, by the way.

I absolutely understand why women opt for these forms of induction.

Lots of my colleagues offer holistic methods of induction.

I'm just pointing out that these approaches are also forms of induction.

Looking at what's happening in all of these areas can tell us more about the current induction crisis.

I have written about all of this and more in my blog post today.

It's called Let's be clear: labour onset is either spontaneous OR induced.

You can read it at https://www.sarawickham.com/riffing-ranting-and-raving/labour-onset/

I hope you'll find it useful.

07/07/2024

Good to know!

Want some resources for expectant parents? Check out this flyer about the importance of buckling up while pregnant: https://bit.ly/3EzGNzt

National Safety Council National CPS Certification NHTSA Safe Kids Worldwide

01/07/2024

Check out this Real Estate Flyer designed by Cathy Breternitz.

01/07/2024

Did you know that vehicle seat belts are made for adults and will not fit children correctly until they are approximately 4’9” tall? Incorrectly fitting seat belts can increase injury risk during a crash. This is why it is important to keep children in booster seats until they are 4’9” and can maintain their position for the duration of their trip.

National Safety Council National CPS Certification NHTSA Safe Kids Worldwide

24/06/2024

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Dalila. She is a therapist at Partners in Change. she has a heart for those who may be struggling with perinatal anxiety, postpartum depression, infant loss, etc.

24/06/2024

Sharing is caring! Right???

Some great things to remember about brain development in your little one from our friends at All About Kids Too, Inc ♥️

(Shared from: All About Kids Too, Inc.)

19/06/2024

Join us for GREAT LAKES BAY MOMS CAFE at the Bay City Town Center in on Thursdays at 10 AM.

Questions: Email Amy at [email protected]

12/06/2024

Yes!

Why everyone should know about delayed cord clamping!

At the time of birth, your baby only has about 66% of their blood supply. 1-5 minutes later, the umbilical cord is finished pulsing and they have nearly 100% of their blood supply.

Your baby's blood is full of:
Oxygen
Iron
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Stem cells
Clamping the cord right away means your baby only gets part of their blood supply.

Why does this matter?
The first minute after the baby is born is called the Golden Minute. The amount of oxygen your baby gets in this minute is important for their long term health.
● 1 out of 10 babies around the world get sub-optimal oxygen in this first minute.
● Worldwide this is the #1 cause of loss of health in childhood.
Leaving the cord alone, until it stops pulsing, gives your baby lots of oxygen rich blood.

Your baby's blood also has lots of iron.
☆ Iron helps your baby produce red blood cells.
☆ Iron helps bring oxygen to your baby's brain and other organs.
Iron deficiency anemia occurs when a person does not have sufficient iron to produce enough red blood cells. Iron deficiency anemia is a BIG public health problem.

People with iron deficiency anemia can experience:
♡ Exhaustion
♡ Poor memory
♡ Poor gross motor development
♡ Lower immunity

Low iron also affects intelligence.
○ Worldwide 2 billion people have lost intelligence to iron deficiency.
○ The World Health Organization estimates that if this one thing were fixed in a third world country, their productivity would increase by 20%.
○ In America, kids ages 0-5 have lost approximately 9 BILLION IQ points due to iron deficiency.
○ This ends up equaling about 100 billion dollars in lost earnings for these kids during the course of their lives.
Allowing the cord to finish pulsing gives your baby enough iron to last them for months. It also nearly eliminates iron deficiency.

In addition to oxygen and iron, your baby's blood is packed full of red blood cells, white blood cells and stem cells. Babies who get these things right after birth experience lifelong benefits.

12/06/2024

Looking for things to do with your littles?!

Save the date: POPSICLES IN THE PARK at Vets Park Playground in on June 24, 10 AM.

12/06/2024

Remember safe cosleeping rules 👍🏼

04/06/2024

I had the pleasure of talking with an “older” first time momma today! She had sooo many questions! Just because you are older doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have more risk!

One important key is to take care of yourself. Do your best to get 80-100 grams of protein a day. Eat leafy greens, veggies and fruit.

Limit your simple carbs and sugar!

Take a good prenatal vitamin! One from whole food. Most vitamins are made with synthetic vitamins which your body won’t absorb!

Be mindful, focus on the present, the positive and the process!