Mother’s Day

As I type this out, I am holding a sad sick toddler and listening to my other two children coughing in the next room. It’s hard for a mama to catch a break!

Amazingly and thankfully I was able to get out for pedicures yesterday with my sister and was reminded again how vital it is to take care of yourself. What a treat yesterday was! The best part is that I came home two hours later, refreshed and ready to jump back in caring for sick littles.

As a doula I often remind mamas to make sure they are putting on their “oxygen mask” first, just like they instruct you to do on an airline flight. The reasoning is that if you aren’t taking care of yourself you will not be in the best position to be caring for your child. It really does go against our first instinct, doesn’t it?

I think as mothers the hardest thing to remember to do is to care for ourselves! Mother’s Day is a great reminder to do just that. We let our children and family pamper and love us, with cards, flowers, breakfast in bed.

But what about the rest of the year?
We need to remember that it is not only okay but important to put ourselves as a priority.

How can we do that?

•Basics like getting adequate sleep, food, water, and a clean shirt (can I get an amen? Clean shirts are hard to come by! Or maybe mine have just been overcome by snot the last week, ha!). Many days I find that I have neglected these areas!

•How about our minds? A night out with adult conversation, reading a good book (that is not about parenting!), beautiful poetry, meaningful lyrics in a great song, learning a new skill, etc.

•Spiritually too. Reading your Bible, worship songs, or whatever fills your soul up. Being out in nature and just soaking in the sun can make my spirit rejoice. It doesn’t have to be religious, but I strongly believe that no matter your faith, we are spiritual beings and so it is important not to forget about this aspect!

What are some ways that you have been neglecting yourself? How can you remedy that so you can be the best mama you can be?

~*~*~*~*~

Everyone here at Doulas Etc are wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day! No matter where this day finds you, we wish you joy and sweet memories.

To the mamas who are unable to hold their sweet babies or their own mother’s hand, our hearts and thoughts are with you today.

Much love to you all!

International Doula Month

Well, here we are- May! I cannot believe that April flew by so quickly and May seems to be in just of a rush. Well, let’s slow down just one minute! It is International Doulas Month and we certainly don’t want to pass that by We would like to post a little bit this month more than usual on posts for our fellow doulas. We’ll kick things off by reposting this oldie from August 12, 2010: Being On Call

After taking a little time off I am extremely excited that I will be “on call” starting tomorrow.  The on call aspect of the job is one that people ask me about a lot.  They are curious how I manage it, especially with three young children at home.  It has certainly been an adjustment over the last couple years (and not just for me but my family as well) but I have learned from others and picked up a few things on my own along the way that has made it a lot easier.  For those of you who are curious or you other doulas out there- here’s what I got:

Eat well. Of course I should be eating well anyway but when I’m on call I try to be extra conscious of this.  Every meal counts- that could be my last one for a while

Drink Lots of Water. This kind of goes along with eating well.  Attending a birth takes a lot of energy (sometimes emotional as well as physical) and I really need to be well hydrated.  I also make sure to bring water with me to a birth.

GO TO SLEEP! No, I shouldn’t stay up until 1:30am to watch scary movies with my husband because the one night I do I’ll get a phone call at 2am.

Plan ahead. I know who I will call to watch the kids at different times and days of the week and I make sure to talk to them ahead of time to give them a heads up.  There are also logistical things to plan ahead for. How will Matt get the car seats to pick up the kids if I’m the one that dropped them off? Which vehicle do I need to take? etc.

Be Prepared. Even though I was never a boy scout I have tried to take a page out of their handbook and strive to “Be Prepared” at all times.  This means keeping my phone charged and my bag packed.  I also need to have all of my client’s information (copy of birth plan, directions to house, etc.) organized and in a handy place.

Say thank you- a lot. The only way that I am able to do this is because of the amazing support I have from family and friends.  First, there is my incredible husband who has had to be woken up at three in the morning by an unfamiliar male voice asking “Is Jessica there?”  He is my biggest encourager and champion and a constant reminder of God’s provision and love.  My mom has also had to deal with strange phone calls… from me asking her to log into my e-mail and get me a phone number or address because I was still learning that whole “Be Prepared” thing and my brother Pete has received an early morning house call from me and then watched the boys for an entire day while I attended a birth. There are also the fabulous women in my life who are willing to take my kids at a moments notice.  Being able to leave my children with people that I not only know will take excellent care of them but who also love them means the world to me.  So to all of you who have supported me on this amazing journey- thank you!  I love you all <3

I am sure there are some other great tips out there and I would love to hear them- whether from other doulas or anyone else that has ever had to be “on call”.

Community Event: Mother’s Day screening of Birth Story in Champaign

If you missed this event last week in Normal, IL, or if you just live closer to the Champaign area, you won’t want to miss this screening of Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin and the Farm Midwives. It’s showing twice at the amazing Art Theater on Mother’s Day weekend. What better way to celebrate motherhood than to learn more about the pioneering modern midwife, Ina May?

Sat, May 11 at 11:30am

Sun, May 12 at 11:30am

Doors will open at 10:30. You can come early and bid on silent auction items to benefit the Coalition for Illinois Midwives.  Auction items include gift certificates to two of our local chiropractors, a baby wrap, photography services, a basket from a doulas etc., and more. The Coalition for Illinois Midwives will use proceeds for funding their lobbying efforts for CPM licensure.There will also be a discussion after the event with local birth professionals and home birth activists. Come out and have some fun and learn more about home birth midwifery!

ICAN of Central IL Fundraiser

I was beyond flattered when asked to help make up the panel of birth professionals for a discussion/Q&A following the movie screening of “Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin & The Farm Midwives” as a Fundraiser of our local chapter of ICAN. Of course, I had to say yes- no second thoughts there. Why was this such an easy decision for me? Because I love ICAN- Really, really love them! It isn’t just the organization that I love, or the ideas and principles- I love my local chapter of ICAN! I love the women that make up this exceptional group, the support they offer, and the valuable resource they are to our community.

I will be joining local midwives Jolene Hamann,  Brande Ruskusky, and Bernice Keitzer; obgyn Dr. Santiago; and L&D Nurse Jenni Collins on the panel which will be moderated/emceed by local doula and ICAN secretary Sarah Haberstich.

Will you please come out and support this amazing organization that has given and continues to give so much to our community?

ICAN of Central Illinois Fundraising Event! BIRTH STORY: Ina May Gaskin and The Farm Midwives MOVIE SCREENING
MONDAY APRIL 22nd
6pm – 10pm
Normal Theater
209 North St.
Normal, IL 61761

From the Facebook event page, “In honor of Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM), ICAN of Central Illinois, along with our fantastic sponsors OB-Gyn Care and Healthy Living Family Chiropractic, are proud to bring this movie screening to our community!! The doors will open at 6:00pm, movie will start at 6:30pm and run approx 93 minutes, followed by a birth professionals discussion panel/Q&A from approx 8-10pm. This is fundraising event for ICAN of Central IL. There is no ticket price, but a $10 donation at the door is suggested. “

Check out the movie trailer: *This is a movie about birth and there is nudity

The Great Cloth Diaper Change and Natural Baby Fair

I promised I would be back with more info on the local events Doulas Etc. will be participating in the next week and here I am

The Great Cloth Diaper Change and Natural Baby Fair 
SATURDAY APRIL 20th
10am – 1pm
Normal First UMC
211 N. School St.
Normal, IL 61761

This Saturday we have the chance to join with thousands all over the globe in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record© for most cloth diapers changed at one time. I remember as a kid reading through a book of World Records complete with pictures of people with extremely long nails or vast collections of bottle caps. Well, here is a fun way to be part of a new record while still keeping that manicure appointment ;)

In all seriousness though- this should be a great time! The change itself will be at 11am but you will have time before and after to check out the many vendors at the fair. There is going to be so many great local resources for families all in one place, I hope you will be able to make it! We will have a table with information on our services and will be available to answer any questions you may have about doula services, our childbirth classes, labor and birth- or just to say “hi”!

Just to list some of the other vendors: Mom-Made, MamaNosh Lactation Cookies, PinStripes and PolkaDots, Once Upon a Sling, Healthy Living Family Chiropractic, La Leche League, Bradley Method Birth Instructors, Main Street Yoga, Young Living Essential Oils, and more!

There are going to be raffles, coupons, giveaways and you do not have to participate in the diaper change in order to attend the baby fair. So, even if you are expecting and don’t have a little one to change (yet), be sure to make it out for some great information and a chance to win some fun giveaways.

Community Events in BloNo

I always notice a change in me this time of year. Through fall and winter I have a strong urge to just bunker down in my house with some hearty stew, a big piece of crusty bread, and some dear friends. Maybe it is the shorter days and cold weather or maybe it has something to do with my secret wish that humans were hibernators. Whatever it is, it starts to go away about now. As the weather warms up and the grass turns into a brilliant green (after just one good rain storm- crazy!) I no longer want to be cooped up at home and start looking for excuses to be out and about.

Thankfully, we live in a vibrant community that offers plenty of opportunities to get out and this next week in particular has some exciting events specific to pregnancy/birth/parenting. Here is just a small glimpse of what Doulas Etc. will be up to the next week and we would love to see you at both of these events! We will be sure to give out more info about each this week but feel free to leave a comment here or contact with any questions.

The Great Cloth Diaper Change and Natural Baby Fair 
SATURDAY APRIL 20th
10am – 1pm
Normal First UMC
211 N. School St.
Normal, IL 61761

This is going to be a fun event where we join with care givers all over in an attempt to break the world record that was set last year on the most simultaneous reusable cloth diaper changes. If you would like to be part of the Guinness World Record bring your baby and a reusable cloth diaper to the event and join the other participants in changing baby’s diaper at 11am (don’t have a reusable diaper? Check out www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com ). Before and after the actual diaper change you will be able to browse the baby fair which will have great information for new and expecting parents (You don’t have to participate in the diaper change in order to attend the fair). Please be sure to stop by our table to say hi and to enter our giveaway for a basket filled with pregnancy/labor/postpartum goodies.

ICAN of Central Illinois Fundraising Event! BIRTH STORY: Ina May Gaskin and The Farm Midwives MOVIE SCREENING
MONDAY APRIL 22nd
6pm – 10pm
Normal Theater
209 North St.
Normal, IL 61761

In honor of Cesarean Awareness Month, ICAN of Central Illinois is bringing a special movie screening of “Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin & the Farm Midwives” to The Normal Theater. The doors will open at 6:00pm with the movie starting at 6:30pm. After the movie (which runs approx 93 minutes) there will be a birth professionals discussion panel / Q&A from about 8pm-10pm. There is no ticket price, but a $10 donation at the door is suggested. ICAN of Central Illinois is a great asset to our community- you’re money is going to a great cause!

Danville-area childbirth class in April

I wanted to let our east central Illinois mommas know about a new childbirth education class being provided in Danville this spring. Check out my (other) website for more details if you are expecting, wanting a great class to get ready for birth, and live in my corner of the state. If you live in another area, keep your ears open for news of other doulas etc. childbirth classes coming up!