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The Smart Doula| Virtual Doula Blog
Welcome to my Blog page!
You can find all my musings on virtual doula support, my own birth experience and other pregnancy, birth and postpartum topics
thesmartdoula
Dec 30, 20245 min read
Nourishing and delicious pregnancy mocktails by trimester
Why drink pregnancy safe mocktails? Well there are a few reasons! You enjoy a cocktail when not pregnant and you don't want to miss out...
31 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Dec 3, 20249 min read
Should Ultrasound Scans Hurt? What to expect from your 12-week scan in Leeds.
Ultrasound scans or pregnancy scans have become a rite of passage when you are pregnant! From that 12-week scan where you see your baby...
41 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Nov 23, 20249 min read
My almost Waterbirth in Leeds Lotus Midwifery Unit- Learning from my mistakes from my first birth to have an empowering second birth!
My First Birth was nearly in the Leeds Lotus Midwifery Unit You can't write about one without the other! My first birth was a classic...
42 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Nov 19, 20246 min read
Ditch the ice packs - Ways you can use heat in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! Can I have a hot bath during pregnancy and other topics?
Discover the surprising benefits of using heat in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! From easing aches to reducing labor pain
31 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Nov 12, 20245 min read
Curious about Boosting Oxytocin in Labour? Check Out These 5 DIY Items to Make Right Now!
5 things you can do right now to set yourself up for an empowering birth experience
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thesmartdoula
Oct 29, 20246 min read
How a hypnobirthing course helped sabotage my first birth - and why I now choose to offer it as a service!
My first experience of hypnobirthing When I was pregnant the first time around I honestly felt like I could not be doing more to prepare...
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thesmartdoula
Oct 15, 20249 min read
Do I have to have Vaginal Exams?
A Brief History of Vaginal Exams, Why They Started Being Used, the Evidence Behind them, and Your Rights
14 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Oct 8, 20244 min read
Using Positive Affirmations: Pregnancy to Birth.
In the journey of pregnancy and childbirth, positive affirmations can play a powerful role in shaping your mindset, fostering positivity,...
15 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Sep 24, 20247 min read
Since when was 'Natural Birth' a dirty word? And what even is 'Normal Birth'
What is 'Normal Birth' Normal can be defined as ' the usual, typical, or expected state or condition'. In 2023 31% of births in the UK...
14 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Sep 17, 20245 min read
The Role of Hormones in labour, and how you can support them!
Discover the unsung heroes and the villain-to-hero story arc of the hormones of labour. Empower yourself to positively influence your birthi
26 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Sep 10, 20246 min read
Essential Oils for Pregnancy Nausea
Three essential oils that you might not know can help you in your pregnancy, birth and postpartum
76 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Sep 3, 20246 min read
Hospital Bag Essentials
Packing your hospital bag or getting together your items for a homebirth is exciting but can feel overwhelming! There are so many...
38 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Aug 20, 20247 min read
How to write the perfect birth plan
unlock-the-secrets-to-an-empowered-birth-how-a-virtual-doula-can-help-you-design-the-perfect-birth Why do I need a birth plan at all? The...
87 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Aug 13, 20246 min read
This Virtual Doula's cascade of intervention.
What is the cascade of interventions? In most simple terms the cascade of intervention is that one thing, increases the likelihood of...
32 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Jul 30, 20247 min read
What happens if your placenta doesn't come out (retained placenta)?
Full disclosure this isn't my placenta, I didn't get a picture of mine, I regret it to this day! I think if I had a picture to look back...
54 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Jul 23, 20246 min read
What is prodromal labour?
How long does labor last - what does Google say? The most important thing to remember is that most of the stats online are calculated...
26 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Jul 17, 20246 min read
Should I use a contraction timer?
How will I know when I am in Labour? Did you know only around 60% of women go into labour spontaneously? The number is probably less than...
23 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Jul 6, 20244 min read
Using Gas and Air at Leeds General Infirmary
Who can use Gas and Air? Gas and Air is available in most hospitals and birth centers! You can use gas and air whilst you are giving...
17 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Jun 25, 20243 min read
Are Doulas (and Virtual Doulas) Dangerous?
Are Doulas Dangerous - We already have the answer to this question! What does the evidence say? A Cochrane review (A professional body...
19 views0 comments
thesmartdoula
Jun 1, 20244 min read
Coping with contractions without medication.
Coping with contractions and the Fear-Pain-Tension cycle In most other points in our life pain is telling us that something is wrong and...
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