The Full Spectrum Handbook

Hello All, I'm so excited to be able to say that my handbook for full spectrum doulas is available for download!!  This has been a true labor of love and I'm proud to say it's done.  The decision to write a handbook for doulas who want to support people during abortion, miscarriage and stillbirth.  Below is a link directly to the website where it's available to be purchased for a low price.
The Full Spectrum Doula: A Handbook

Updates....and more updates

Hello everyone out there in the blogoshere! I know it's been over 2 months since I posted but I have truly been busy.  I'm in the process of finally writing a handbook for full spectrum doulas.  I've always wanted to  write something for full spectrum doulas and people who want to provide support for anyone experiencing abortion, miscarriage or stillbirth.  Currently I'm in the editing phase and depending on how long that takes the handbook could be available online as an ebook within two weeks.

I also ordered business cards specifically for my full spectrum business. It was exciting to finally have a physical card to pass out. The hardest part about being a full spectrum doula is marketing. How do I market and where do I market at are some of the questions that I've had to ask myself as well as my other doula sisters.  I decided to get really creative and leave them on the city buses and trains. I also left some at the Greyhound station and at coffee shops.  I've also written a letter of introduction to local clinics and medical providers who may have patients that might possibly need support during a miscarriage or pregnancy termination.

Honestly, it's been rough to maintain a positive attitude in regards to marketing the full spectrum side of my business. There are so many ways to market yourself as a birth or postpartum doula but relatively no ways to truly market the full spectrum business. I've just been taking to social media and remaining vocal about reproductive justice and rights.  Hopefully soon I can volunteer more at our local abortion clinic to get experience providing support.  The biggest marketing strategies are word of month and building healthy relationships with the community in general.

Don't lose the faith!!

I will be the first to admit that I've felt like giving up on my dreams to be a birth worker.  There's been financial difficulties and marketing difficulties. I've even had some self doubt whether I could make a living as a full spectrum/postpartum doula.  Switching careers after 10 plus years of one field to the next has been difficult. Some days I truly lose my faith then I see an article or hear about one of my doula sisters making changes within her community and I get a renewed sense of joy. My goals that I'm working towards become real and I realize that I can't quit or give up.

Some days I really wish that I could just travel around the country and support women and families. i want to just immerse myself in my work and devote my time to helping as many people as possible.  Birth work and supportive services are so necessary for women and families. I wish every women could have a doula during labor and afterward. I wish that insurance companies paid for these supportive services for the poor and low income women who would benefit from it the most.

Recently, I ordered my business cards to market the full spectrum aspect.  When they finally came I was so overjoyed and proud.  I proudly took a picture and posted on my social media pages. I realize it won't be an overnight thing and it will take time to get clients and to get people talking about abortion, miscarriage and stillbirth/fetal loss. It's a tough touchy subject for both. I sincerely hope I can create a positive conversation and reduce some stigma.

Here is a picture of my new business cards. What do you guys think? If you know anyone in Northeastern Ohio that needs my services, please contact me.

Full Spectrum Support?

Did you or someone you know need extra support during your abortion or miscarriage experience? Here is a survey that will give me an idea about how much support is needed during and after. My goal as a doula, primarily as a full spectrum doula is how I can support my clients.  I hope to find out what types of support is  really needed.  Your participation is greatly needed and appreciated.    Take Survey here.

Mothering the new mother gifts/Alternative Baby Shower Gifts

I absolutely LOVE going to baby showers and being around women and expectant mamas. It makes me happy to see the camaraderie and the love and support for the new baby or babies but what about Mama?  What does she get in all of this besides a healthy baby? We so often forget that the mother has needs as well.  So what better way to show your support and love than to give her a gift or gifts to show that you care about her as well as the new bundle of joy.  This is especially good if the baby has a ton of clothes, baby items and all the big "necessary" items already.  So to support mom and help her be able to take care of and support her new baby, let's give her a gift or two to show how much we love and appreciate her too.

So to show that continued support for the family here are a few gift ideas and alternative baby shower gifts:

1. Relaxation tapes
2. A selection of herbal teas
3. Casseroles or other cooked meals
4. Nursing gowns or nursing bras
5. Natural body lotions
6. Sleep bonuses( two hours of time from a friend who comes to watch the baby while you sleep)
7. A blank mom's journal
8. A gift certificate or a contribution towards a "doula fund" or a breastfeeding class for you.
9. An hour or two of help with your house and laundry or shopping.
10. A massage

These are all excellent ideas to help a friend or new mom. And of course there is always the idea of hiring a postpartum doula who will assist in the majority of these things as well. 

Sharing my experience with the world

Recently I had the opportunity to share my abortion experiences with the world.  I shared my experience on The abortion diary podcast, with Dr. Melissa Madera. I don't remember exactly how I found out about the podcast but it was most likely doing a search online for something related to abortion or reproductive rights.
i shared my story to end the stigma and shame surrounding the procedure. And even though I haven't physically supported a woman during a procedure or after I have helped family and friends before but providing a listening ear and reassuring them that their choice is their choice. As a full spectrum doula I realize to be totally transparent sharing my story with people I may come in contact with is an important positive thing. So I post my story here today to end that stigma and silence that millions of woman may have.

Here's the link to my story and any of the other stories on The abortion diary podcast.

Lying-in

"Lying -in" is the period of time when the mother and new baby are allowed to rest and bond with each other after birth.   In some South American countries it is called la quarentina, which is the forty day time period  when the mother is treated like a queen.
Generally, women were fed healthy bone broths, soups and stews to assist them  regain their strength and help with maintaining their milk supply if breastfeeding.  In the book,"Mothering the Mother" specifically explains several traditions from around the world regarding the lying-in period. Most notably from:

• Uganda
• Columbia
• Jamaica
• Korea
• Lebanon
• Myanmar
• Guatemala
• Greece

In today's modern society, women and families need postpartum doula care because the traditions of the lying -in after the postpartum period has changed over the last hundred years. Previously your mother, mother-in-law, aunts or female cousins assisted after childbirth,but now most women and families get no help or support after the third day postpartum. And that's where postpartum doulas step in!! We take over and let you have a lying in period whether it be a week or forty full days with your new baby.   If you want to learn more or schedule my postpartum doula services please contact me at ujimadoulaservices@gmail.com