I Should Get A Massage Doula!

The Massage Doula

 

First, you are probably asking, “what the heck is a doula?”. And second question up is, “what the heck does massage therapy have to do with that?”. Hopefully I will be able to answer both of those questions and explain to you what a Massage Doula is.

By Definition-

My doula, Jessica, massaging and utilizing
acupressure during contractions.

Doula: The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

Massage doula: A licensed or certified massage therapist who is also certified as a labor doula. She (or he) can perform massage therapy during the pregnancy, provide doula support during childbirth, and perform postpartum massage after the baby is born. She (or he) is often also a certified infant massage therapist/instructor and can teach new parents how to massage their babies.

More About A Massage Doula and What Can They Do For Me?

A doula is someone trained to assist a pregnant woman through the various states of childbirth by providing comfort, physical support, encouragement and emotional sustenance. In order to be termed a massage doula, a practitioner must be certified to practice general massage and must have also completed additional training in prenatal and postpartum massage, as well as labor and delivery doula practices. Specific requirements vary by state, but many programs are available throughout the country, both live and online, for becoming trained in doula massage.  

Although the practice of women assisting each other in labor is surely as old as humankind, the term "doula" has been in common usage only in recent times. In most countries, doulas are not required to be certified for their profession, although those who are designated massage doulas must be certified as massage therapists. Research, as well as anecdotal evidence, suggests that women who employ the services of massage doulas for prenatal or postpartum massage are more relaxed during labor and have an easier time adjusting to the changes of their postpartum bodies Doulas can assist births at home, birthing centers and most hospitals. Massage doulas might perform prenatal massages on their patients anywhere from the early or middle months of pregnancy right up through labor and delivery. Postpartum massage can take place very soon after labor or in the hours or days that follow the baby's birth. Both prenatal and postpartum massage can be beneficial for stress reduction, relaxation and mental tranquility in an expectant or new mother.

To summarize what a Certified Massage Doula can do for you:

·         Shorten length of labor
·         Reduce need for pain medications or epidurals Reduce the need for pitocin
·         Reduce the need for forceps & vacuum extraction
·         Reduce the need for C-sections
·         Dramatically increase your odds of a natural labor
·         Increase chance of successful breastfeeding
·         Most importantly improve the wellness of yourself and baby!

For more about Massage Doula services, click here, or contact your local, friendly Massage Doula (*ahem ahem* for some of you, that could be me J)

Resources: eHow.com, MassageDoula.com, dona.com

If you have any specific questions or topics you would like to read about, please share on my Facebook page or email me. Together we can “Relax your body, Refresh your mind, Rejuvenate your life!”

Are Essential Oils Safe For Childbirth?

Essential Oils and Childbirth ... Is it safe???

Random pic fact: This is my first pregnancy belly. :-)

Yes! A million times, yes! What essential oils (EO’s) and how to use them can be controversial, as with any natural, holistic, or homeopathic remedy/aid. As with any EO’s, do your homework, use what you know works for you, and use pure EO’s (see “Does Essential Oil Purity Really Matter” for information about this). Whether you chose to have a holistic birth, an natural birth, a fully medicated hospital birth, or whatever birth works best for you, there is a use for EO’s and your birth. They can aid in relieving anxiety to easing some pains and stressors. 

Some childbirth concerns and EO’s that may help include:

(*Indicates doTERRA blend)

Labor & Birth
**Note: some mommies may be scent sensitive during labor. Dilute if necessary.

Grounding Mom: Balance* – apply 2-3 drops to the bottom of each of mom’s feet (My fave!)

For the room: Serenity*, Citrus Bliss* – diffuse

Diffusing EO's during labor can help relax Mama
as well as ease the mood of everyone else

Anxiety: Lavender, Wild Orange, Serenity*

Back labor: Black Pepper, Peppermint, Deep Blue*

Labor pains: Basil, Black Pepper, Lavender, Clary Sage, Whisper*, Ylang Ylang,

Perineum massage/avoid or minimize tearing: Helichrysum  – 10 drops EO and 1TBSP of carrier oil (sweet almond oil is a good choice). Massage perineum with oil. **Continue massage with this on baby’s head as they are crowning to reduce bruising.  

Irregular or to increase effectiveness of contractions: Clary Sage, Solace* (now called Clary Calm) – apply neat to uterine reflex point (soft spot below medial side of ankle) with firm pressure in a circular motion.

Energy boost: Peppermint

Baby



Frankincense is a must! This super oil is amazing
and gentle enough for the newest of babies!

Premature: It is best to avoid use of EO’s on a premature baby’s skin because they are so sensitive.

Jaundice: Geranium and Lemon – Dilute 1drop of each in equal parts carrier oil (Fractionated Coconut Oil is a good choice). Apply to the bottoms of baby’s feet and cover with socks or booties.

Anointing: Frankincense – apply to crown and along spine

Umbilical cord: Frankincense, Myrrh – 1drop Myrrh on and around stump. Continue with Frankincense until stump falls off.

Circumcision healing: Frankincense and Lavender – Equal parts EO, dilute in fractionated coconut oil. Apply directly to area. (Ah ... circumcision ... another controversial topic. There's a lot of those, huh? Although I am not pro-circ, it is your child to make your own educated decisions for. Thus the reason I share this info, so that if you chose circumcise, you still have a natural option to ease his discomfort and aid in healing.)

Post-Partum



First seconds post-partum with my son.
Pure Mommy bliss! <3
Click here to read my birth story.

Bleeding: Clary Sage, Helichrysum, and Ylang Ylang – blend equal parts and apply to uterine reflex point (soft spot below medial side of ankles) to firm things back up

Vaginal & perineal pain/discomfort: Frankincense and Lavender – blend 15drops of each EO with fractionated coconut oil in 15mL glass bottle with finger pump sprayer. Spray/apply 3-4x/day.


Hemorrhoids: Cypress, Geranium, Clary Sage, Helichrysum – combine 2drops of each and witch hazel in glass bottle with finger pump sprayer. Apply each time you use the restroom.

Perineal healing: Cypress and Lavender – combine 2 drops of each with ½ tsp of Epsom salts. Add to warm sitz bath and soak 10-15min. Use 3x/day. (You could make up Cypress-Lavender bath salts in advance and just put a sprinkle in your sitz bath for ease and convenience)

Pain/cramping: Solace* (now called Clary Calm) – Applied/massaged over lower abdomen.

Depression: Lavender, Wild Orange, Bergamot, Geranium, Frankincense, Balance*, Serenity*, Citrus Bliss*, Elevation*, Solace*(now called Clary Calm)

If you have any specific questions or topics you would like to read about, please share on my Facebook page or email me. Together we can “Relax your body, Refresh your mind, Rejuvenate your life!”

**If you have not yet started your life with pure, therapeutic, high quality essential oils, contact me or visit www.mydoterra.com/MandevilleMassage to get started!

Holistic Health & Wellness: What is Holism and Why Should We Strive for It?

Holistic Health & Wellness: What is Holism and Why Should We Strive for It?  

I am sure that at some point you have heard the term “holistic health or wellness”. Well, what is it? Holism comes from alternative medicine (I will rarely use this term as I disagree with what it implies, but we will get into that another time).  Simply put, it is based on the idea that our natural systems and their properties should be treated as and viewed as a whole. In focusing on the whole person, the aim is to balance and care for all systems:

 

·         Physical

·         Mental

·         Spiritual

·         Emotional

·         Social

·         And more

 

Natural modalities are the most common sources of living a holistic lifestyle. And there are many types that you can choose to begin or further your life with holism and strive for true wellness. Some of these are Massage Therapy and bodywork, essential oils, importance of posture and Chiropractic, Yoga, real nutrition, and natural self & home care.

My journey with holistic wellness began back in 2003 during my first semester of Massage Therapy school. It was my Polarity instructor who really opened my eyes to the importance of holism and how important it is to truly care for ourselves and other as a whole. Over the years, I have continued to build upon my knowledge of holistic wellness and also my love for caring for people.

There is an abundance of reasons to seek out holistic wellness. Some of the benefits include, and certainly are not limited to:

·         Better overall well-being

·         A sense of accomplishment when you reach your wellness goals

·         Decreased illness and chronic disease

·         Amplified vitality

·         Greater knowledge of yourself

·         A more positive lifestyle

·         Increased motivation and energy

The path to true wellness, or optimum health, is not quick or simple, but it can be awakening, peaceful, and uplifting, amongst other positive experiences. So, why should someone chose holism? A holistic approach to wellness has an incredible amount of benefits. No matter what your current level of health and wellness is, there is always room for improvement!

 

 

If you have any specific questions or topics you would like to read about, please share on my Facebook page or email me. Together we can “Relax your body, Refresh your mind, Rejuvenate your life!”

**For a more detailed description about what holism is, the American Holistic Health Association is a great source: http://ahha.org/rosen.htm