The nourishment every postpartum mother needs.
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As a doula, I take great care in providing mothers the support they need throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the fourth trimester. The fourth trimester is what many refer to as postpartum, the first few months after giving birth. 

During the fourth trimester, you are going through many changes; adjusting to breastfeeding, sleepless nights, body changes, lifestyle changes, and new responsibilities. Although it is a precious time, the feelings of overwhelm are natural and expected.

While navigating the first few months of motherhood, remember that taking care of yourself is foundational to being the best mom you can be for your baby. 

Nourishing your body should be a top priority during the fourth trimester.

Throughout the nine months of pregnancy, your body is the sole source of nutrients for another human, followed by giving birth. Giving birth involves blood loss, tearing, possible surgical wounds, soreness, and more. After all of this, your body has a tremendous amount of recovering to do. Without proper nourishment, you can quickly experience postpartum depletion. 

Proper nourishment during the fourth trimester
 
Prenatal vitamin
Continuing your prenatal vitamin during the fourth trimester can help to fill in any nutritional gaps.
 
Warming foods
Warming foods can help to restore proper digestion. Soups, stews, bone broths, teas, and warm drinks are ideal while you're recovering.
 
Tip - Prepare soups and stews ahead of time to keep in your freezer for those early postpartum days.
 
Protein
Protein aids in the rebuilding of tissue, digestion, and keeping you energized. Sipping bone broth or adding collagen to your morning oats is a great way to add extra protein to your diet.
 
Vitamin C
Vitamin C promotes healing and supports a strong immune system. Bell peppers, brussels sprouts, and citrus fruits are excellent sources of vitamin C. 

Iron
A large amount of blood is lost during delivery, leading to lower iron levels. Inadequate iron levels can result in fatigue, depressive symptoms, and brain fog. Red meat, turkey, beans, lentils, tofu, dark leafy greens, and whole grains are high in iron.
 
 
As with many parts of motherhood, the postpartum season can be both exciting and frightening. Planning ahead and ensuring you have the support you need can help you navigate this new phase of life with more joy and ease. 

Our Menstrual Cycle is the gateway to our Metaphysical (Sacred) Womb, which is a matrix upon which our reality is built. The Sacred Womb is our center of Empowerment as Women.

Sacred Womb Massage encourages a displaced uterus to its optimal position. Regulates menstrual cycle. Alleviates painful menstruation and ovulation. Increases circulation and promotes blood flow to the uterus.

A Fertility focused Womb Massage Is a deeply nourishing, powerful yet gentle blend of modalities, that when combined, bring harmony and balance to the Reproductive, Sacral and Digestive areas. Particular healing techniques from the Womb Massage have been woven to support fertility and release trauma and emotion stored in the body. It is a non-invasive, unique therapy that re-awakens and re-connects women to their bodies, especially their womb space and their natural cycles.

Fertility is enhanced by each of these parts of the body being nurtured. Using a variety of gentle techniques on the abdomen, womb and lower back, healing energy is brought to the body with the intent to cleanse, heal and restore.

A Fertility focused womb massage may help to boost your fertility naturally helping the body to become balanced, decrease stress and increase circulation, all of which assist with conceiving.

 The techniques used help to reduce the effects of fertility issues on the body and to support the menstrual cycle and reproductive system. It increases relaxation and blood circulation whilst decreasing stress. This particular massage can be used in conjunction with other forms of fertility treatment or can be used on its own.

Other benefits of this massage:

• Increases blood flow to the ovaries
• Eliminates bloating and water retention in the reproductive system
• Aids digestion
• Helps to heal cycle related challenges and menstrual pain
• Increases circulation to the uterus and cervix
• Maintains hormone balance
• Helps the body to rid itself of old stagnant blood and tissues and brings fresh blood to the uterus
• Connection to self and womb space
• Heightened libido
• Improves discomfort in the abdominal region
• Opportunity to call in the soul of the baby​

What's your experience? Leave it in the comments!

Just about everybody has dreams. They often occur during REM sleep (rapid eye movement), the deepest stage of sleep.

During dreams, you may see images and feel emotions, and some dreams can even trigger ideas. Some people remember their dreams after waking up, whereas others can have multiple dreams, yet are unable to recall a single one in the morning.

Dreaming is a normal, healthy part of sleep. But during pregnancy, you may notice a difference in the frequency and types of dreams you have. It’s not uncommon to remember more of your dreams, experience more vivid dreams, and even struggle with nightmares.

​One cause is due to an increase in the hormone production. You'll find during pregnancy that your hormones may impact your emotions and your anxiety. They will also impact the way your brain processes information and emotions, possibly resulting in more vivid and frequent dreams while pregnant.

Staying active during your postpartum period, can be as simple as walking with your doula!

-Walking helps prevent blood clots in your legs!
-Promote bowel movement and helps with constipation/gas!
-Promotes blood /oxygen flow!
-Release endorphins  to help elevate mood!

Support and Wellness are key during the healing process.
How much sun did you get today?

Hire a doula!

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Most women, steaming is done in the privacy of their home. It is advised to steam at least once per month for cleansing. Some women steam after intercourse as a form of self care and cleanse. Women should not steam while menstruating or with the use of a IUD. Women should also avoid steaming while pregnant.

Postpartum is the perfect time to enjoy womb care and vaginal healing. After giving birth, the womb and the vagina are sore and in need of serious healing. A Sitz bath with vaginal herbs can be used immediately after birth. ​Vaginal steaming can be done as soon as mom has stopped bleeding and is feeling well enough to do so.

Vaginal steams are also great for menopause. During menopause, women experience dryness and soreness to the vagina. Steaming restores moisture and aids in blood flow. All women can benefit from womb care.​
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What is Reiki?
In Reiki a holistic approach is taken; meaning the Mind/Emotions, Body  and Spirit/Soul are all interconnected and what happens to one of them  affects the rest of them.
 
Reiki is a Japanese technique used for stress reduction and promotes  relaxation and aids in the overall healing process. Reiki comes from two Japanese words.
​The first is Rei meaning Spirit/God/Source/Universal  Wisdom; and the second is Ki meaning Universal Life Force Energy (also  known as Qi/Chi, Prana, Ka, Huna, etc.). This loosely translates in  English as being Divinely Guided Life Force Energy.
 
Health comes from the free flowing state of our Universal Life Force  Energy and when our Life Force Energy becomes blocked, stuck, stagnant  or trapped we begin manifesting dis-ease. Imagine a dam holding the  water back; the water or your Life Force Energy becomes clogged,  stagnant and unable to move forward in its intended path. Reiki works to  remove the dam so your Life Force Energy can begin flowing again in its  natural rhythm and harmony, which promotes balance, peace and  relaxation.
 
Our Universal Life Force Energy is effected by our thoughts and  feelings, the environment in which we live, the people in our lives, the  traumas we've endured, etc. When we have to many negative thoughts,  hang around to many negative people, engage in negative behaviors/habits  our Life Force Energy is effected negatively and that's when the  illnesses start occurring. When we think positive thoughts, hang around  uplifting and inspiring people and engage in healthy habits or energy  naturally flows and we are happy and healthy.
 
While Reiki is spiritual in nature it is not a religion. There is no  dogma and it does not require you to believe a certain thing in order to  benefit from all its wonderful healing properties. The Divine  Intelligence within Reiki will not allow for it to be used to harm  others; it only heals.

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Postpartum Reiki
Postpartum Reiki provides an gentle yet comforting touch allowing the birthing person to reconnect with self and their bodies after birth of their baby.
Reiki helps stimulate the body's own natural healing  process bringing back balance and alignment.

Reiki is relaxing and calming. it can reduce stress and promote sleep.
Reiki energy healing can be used to ease postpartum depression and anxiety, also promoting physical and emotional healing from a traumatic experience/ birth.