Until about a year ago, I had no idea what a doula was until my friend Kathleen told me she was going to interview a doula for her birth. The concept seemed so foreign to me at the time, but after hearing the benefits of what a doula would provide for her, I was intrigued. Did you know that doula’s or childbirth professionals/attendants have been around for centuries? I sure didn’t.

Now that I’m pregnant it has been my quest to gain more information on the birthing process. In that quest I have come across through my reading a new understanding of the birthing process, exercises, breathing techniques, positions, medication warnings as well as the benefits of having a birthing attendant as well as a doula. A doula is a childbirth professional who assists the mother before and during the labor process. I have also found that talking to moms that have already experienced childbirth to be very helpful (keep in mind that advice shouldn’t be taken too literally and should be researched on your own before taking their word for it. Everyone has different experiences with births and your birth will most likely differ from their). I love hearing what they went through as what they have learned from it all. The best advice that I’ve learned so far is to always ask the doctor if there are alternative treatments (saying no is not always the best) and to also bring the childbirth book that was most helpful and informative with you to the hospital and have certain pages tagged so you can quickly flip for a quick reference when doctors are wanting you to make important decisions on your birth such as a C-section or taking pain medictaion. Another comment I have been hearing more and more women wanting and looking for are doula’s for their births.

Doula’s sure seem to be becoming more and more popular and I can understand why now that I’ve read more about them as well as heard stories of women who have been assisted by one. Doula’s don’t come cheap though. If you are interested in finding a doula, you may want to check out an online website called San Diego Doula Services or check out the Birth Resource Network. They do a great job explaining what the benefits of hiring a doula are and may help you make that choice. As for me, my husband and I are still weighing the cost and the importance and comfort of having extra support while laboring. It’s sad, but it’s the truth. You can easily spend $600 or more on a doula, but as many women I know that have had the help of a doula, say it is well worth every penny and some.

A long time friend of mine, Crystal, invited me to attend a La Leche meeting last night. She told me how the group had benefited her greatly after the birth of her daughter and how she is now an active member. She also explained that the topic of the evening was breastfeeding. Since I am pretty much clueless as to what that completely entails other than it has something to do with my boob, food for my child and my baby, I agreed to go. I had never heard of the La Leche League previously, but because my friend encouragement me to attend and I am trying to absorb as much information as possible before my baby is born I figured it couldn’t hurt. Man, am I glad I went.

Here is a brief, yet thorough description of what the La Leche League is (also found on there website):

“La Leche League is a nonprofit nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing information, encouragement and support to women who wish to breastfeed their babies. Our meetings are led by volunteer mothers who have happily and successfully breastfed their own children and have subsequently been accredited by LLL International. The breastfeeding information presented by LLL Leaders has been approved by the LLL International Medical Advisory Board of physicians and professionals recognized as experts in their field.

LLL helps mothers by sharing information and by giving mother-to-mother support. As you turn to us for encouragement, we turn to you for your help. Your support is needed in continuing LLL services to mothers who need us. Would you like to become a member or send us a donation? We are a nonprofit organization. Your $40 annual membership includes the bimonthly magazine NEW BEGINNINGS, discounted Area Conference registration, and library privileges. Your membership or donation helps us to maintain our telephone message service, buy books for group libraries, provide handouts at our meetings and print and mail meeting notices.”

I was encouraged to see a diverse group of women attend last night. There were three pregnant women and all the others had children ranging from newborns to young children. The women were not shy about talking about their personal experiences with breastfeeding or any other topic and that made me feel at ease. They were also not shy about breastfeeding during our group discussion. To them it was completely normal and natural to breastfeed and they didn’t let it interfere with being in a social environment. As a mother to be, this was enlightening and helped me to see how natural breastfeeding, motherhood and birth really is. I look forward to connecting with these women through their monthly meetings, weekly play groups or just e-mailing and calling with random questions I come up with. That’s another thing…I loved that they offered me their contact information that night and said I could e-mail or call anytime with questions. They even said that when I’m in labor and have a question I can call and they would be happy to help me as best they could. I love that!

My husband actually found this item on Perpetual Kid. “Touch My Tummy Tattoos” (see picture above) are temporary tattoos that can be applied to a pregnant women’s tummy to say such things as “please don’t touch my tummy” or “feel here.” I personally wouldn’t want to put temporary tattoos all over my tummy, but I’m sure there are a lot of pregnant women in this world that would think this was the funniest and greatest thing ever and the website does say it’s a “baby shower best seller” so it must be great. I guess you could look at it as an inexpensive way to gain a laugh of two or at least a few funny and questionable faces once you lift your shirt to expose your tummy. What will they think of next?

My husband forwarded me a website yesterday by the name of Perpetual Kid. They have a ton of random gag gifts and novelty items to choose from. Most of them are something you would throw in your junk draw after a week, but some of them are actually memorable and funny…or maybe it’s just me. The Mini Safe Baby Handling Kit (see picture) for example got my attention because it reminded me of when our friends were given a kit like this and how we were cracked up reading the riduculous quotes and baby warnings that were written on each sticker. I’m not sure if this is the same kit or not, but it still made me smile and reminisce of our laughter fest awhile back.

Perpetual Kid explains their product to “Make new parenthood a blast! Included here are hilarious “do’s and don’ts” on caring for your bundle of joy, a small “Who’s gonna do it?” spinner to help parents negotiate childrearing duties, and other components that will keep moms and dads laughing during the sleepless nights.” Now don’t you just want to go out and buy it?

Who needs a blanket to cover up while breastfeeding now that nursing covers or “hooter hiders” are being made for women who want to breastfeed in public, but still be private.

About a year ago I saw a few of my close friends using “hooter hiders” and I was amazed at how simple and yet effective they were and I thought that if I ever had a child I would definitely want one. Now I am pregnant and still want one.

I know there are debates about whether or not to cover up in public, but for me, even though I consider breastfeeding to be completely natural and a beautiful thing, I am modest and want to be discrete. Some people have also stated that a nursing cover brings more attention to a nursing mother than not using one, but I’d rather have someone gawk at my cover than my exposed breast. I mean, really…men and even women can’t help but stare at something that is out of the norm. I personally don’t want that kind of attention.

Because I loved the idea of a nursing cover so much, I decided to make my own. They are relatively easy to put together and I found that sewing was a great way to relax. I’ve already made about six nursing covers and I may even start a little side project with my mom making them for friends and whoever else I run into that’s interested. The fun part is choosing the fabrics. There are so many fun colors, prints and textures…it can be hard to decide. I also like that so far each one has a different fabric so that they are all unique in there own way.

Below are pictures of a few nursing covers I’ve made so far. I’m not sure if this will turn into anything, but I’m having fun with it for the time being.

Check out our current selection in the Gallery