Embrace Postpartum Care

01/31/2023

01/02/2023

STUNNING! ❤️

05/08/2022

To all my doula mommies, parents beyond the binary, and babies. Today is your day. ❤️

The official music video for Brandi Carlile's 'The Mother' from the album "By The Way, I Forgive You" available now. http://elektrar.ec/BrandiCarlileBTWIFYCo...

03/30/2022

Can we stop asking parents if their newborn is sleeping through the night?
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Newborns CAN'T sleep through the night. They aren't developmentally able to sleep for stretches longer than 2-3 hours. Newborns wake to meet critical biological needs like hunger (teeny tummies, y'all), temp and respiratory regulation, and, yes, sometimes comfort (which is a legitimate need).
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Babies shouldn't be expected to sleep through the night until 3-6 months of age and a weight of 12-13 pounds. That doesn't mean that they will. Every baby develops at their own pace and will sleep through the night when THEY are ready (developmentally and emotionally).
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So let me fix that question: How can I help you get some rest?
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If you're a sleepy parent, give me a shout! I'd love to help.

03/09/2022

Check out this new offering from Lauren Stuart. Remote coaching is great for those early days when leaving the house can feel close to impossible!

02/27/2022

I love this photo my client snagged during our session earlier today because it so perfectly encapsulates what postpartum doulas do. While I’m in the background taking care of household essentials, mom and dad are collecting sweet little moments like this one.
Postpartum doulas create space for mom and dad to enjoy these precious early days.

Shared with permission. ❤️

02/01/2022

Peep that? He said EMBRACE the mistakes; you and Baby are on a journey together. ❤️

01/25/2022

| Breastfeeding Tip Tuesday - Replacement Pump Parts |

If you notice a drop in your pump output, a good first step is replacing the silicon pieces of your pump!

01/24/2022

Great labor/birth prep coming up this Saturday!

Are you coming to learn from and at on January 29th?

Don’t forget to wear clothes you can move in, have your birthing partner tag along, and bring a couple of pillows to practice those labor positions with.

“Doula, Ashley Helton, and Perinatal Trainer, Lauren Stuart, are leading an interactive, education course on movement in order to:

-stay comfortable in pregnancy
-engage baby and activate labor
-progress through stations
-cope with contractions
-confidently birth in any position
-thrive early postpartum”

01/22/2022

When the nights are are late and the mornings early, I'm here.
✨Introducing Daybreak Doula availability!
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What's a Daybreak Doula?
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I arrive in the early morning hours, take baby off your hands, and start in on the household chores, while you have a sleep-in.
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Think:
😴Sleeping in
🚿Showering
☕️Having a cup of joe and a muffin - prepared by yours truly.
🧘‍♀️Exercising or meditating
All while care for baby and lend a hand with laundry, dishes, meal prep, bottles, snacks, etc.
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Because a person well-cared for can care well for others. ❤
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01/15/2022

Visiting a postpartum friend or family member? Remember the only appropriate time to give is advice is when you're asked for it. Save the advice, and shower on the encouragement.
Becoming a parent is hard, and chances are, behind closed doors that parent is questioning their skills, terrified they're doing something "wrong." And NEWSFLASH: They've likely researched every baby-related topic under the sun. Unsolicited (and sometimes outdated advice) may send an anxious parent into a tailspin, especially a parent struggling with PPD/PPA.
A simple,"You're doing a great job," is all that's needed.

01/09/2022

It always brightens my day to hear that a client has gathered their postpartum tribe BEFORE baby arrives. This client already has a relationship with a LC should the need arise!
✨ROCKSTAR✨
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We put so much planning and thought into the birth process - I get it, birth is a BIG DEAL - but postpartum is often neglected.
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One thing I emphasize to my clients is the importance of planning for what comes after. In fact, an in-home Postpartum Planning Session before baby comes is part of my onboarding process.
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A big part of those sessions is planning your postpartum tribe:
1) Checking in with any anxieties you may have about postpartum.
2) Reflecting on your needs to alleviate said anxieties.
3) Gathering trusted resources and/or people to meet those needs - including me. THIS IS YOUR TRIBE!
4) Last but not least, communicating your needs to your tribe.
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P.S.
Knoxville has some pretty amazing IBCLCs and LCs in the area:and.honey
martinez.ibclc
…to name a few.
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01/07/2022

Happy 2nd birthday to the boy who started me on this journey.
One truth I know: I’m learning and growing right alongside you.
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12/02/2021

Babywearing is a powerful and liberating tool for parents with a new baby. With so many carriers on the market - some with hefty price tags -, making the right selection can be overwhelming.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on a carrier 👇
Not all carriers are safe for newborns. Some have weight requirements or need a special insert to for newborn safety and are better suited for when baby has greater head/neck control.
If you plan to wear your baby from Day 1, a wrap style carrier may be your jam.
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Ergonomics are HUGE! Think about what best suits your body, it’s center of gravity, and weight distribution. While ring slings are beautiful, if you suffer from neck, shoulder, or back pain, you may be better served by a carrier with shoulder and hip bands.
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If you prefer simplicity, maybe a carrier with buckle fasteners is more your speed.
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Helpful tips, try it out before investing! 👇
Borrow from friends, family, or neighbors.
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There are many, many baby gear rental services. Google’s your friend!
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If you have a postpartum doula - hi, that’s me, 👋- use theirs during a session to see if it works for you.
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Peep 👀 that return policy before buying!

11/30/2021

Postpartum doulas are for older siblings too!
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TESTIMONIAL CONTINUED:
“During one of our sessions, my daughter had a big outburst as I was in the middle of a feeding with my newborn. Without missing a beat, Tessa got down on her level, gave her a big hug, and explained to her that it’s always okay to ask for attention when she needs it. Tessa then switched gears to play with her, and we discussed making time in our next session for special mommy/daughter time.
I felt secure in knowing that my older daughter was being loved on while I was getting my footing as a mother of two.”
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11/23/2021

Let’s talk babywearing!
A good baby carrier/wrap is one of the most powerful and liberating tools a new parent can have in their kit. In fact, my wrap goes with me to every client session.
Here’s why👇
- Being carried closely and snugly to the body mimics the womb experience for baby. Baby hears parent’s heartbeat, smells parent’s unique smell and/or breastmilk, and feels the rhythm of the parent’s movements- truly one of the best soothing techniques for a fussy baby!
-Wearing baby allows for parent to move freely and hands-free. Think going to the bathroom, laundry, cooking with the comfort of knowing baby is safe and sound.
- Keeping baby as close to lactating parent’s skin as possible does wonders for milk supply!
-Wearing your baby provides a practical but sweet little bonding moment for baby and parent.
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What are your favorite carriers or wraps? Drop ‘em below! 👇
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11/17/2021

We have a milk bank!

11/16/2021

NEWSFLASH: postpartum doulas aren’t just for birthing parents, we’re for partners too. By nurturing the birthing parent, caring for the baby, and pitching in on household maintenance, we take the pressure off partners, allowing them the space to center themselves as well.
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11/15/2021

✨Coming January 2022✨
THE EMBRACED PARENT PRIMER
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This is not your average newborn care class, folks. The Embraced Parent Primer is a hands-on guide for stepping into parenthood PREPARED 📖, ALIGNED 🧘‍♂️, and EMPOWERED 💪.
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This private, in-home session led by yours truly will cover all the basics of caring for a newborn AND yourself - mind, body, and spirit.
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Because when you take care of yourself, you take care of your baby.
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11/12/2021

The greatest gift you can give a new parent is the gift of feeling seen, heard, and connected. ❤️

"I’ll meet you where you are."
During perinatal mental health week
we're reflecting on this beautiful phrase and powerful image from Emma of This Mama Doodles

Because new motherhood is a shock.
It's relentless.
It's painful.
It stretches your heart and makes you question who you are.
And it's lonely - the kind of loneliness you didn't know existed until you're awake rocking a baby at 3am or going on yet another long pram walk.

Never underestimate the power of showing up for your new mum friends.

Whether it’s having wine (or tea!) on the couch while they cry from sheer, pure exhaustion or simply checking in regularly, holding them from afar, letting them know that you're there.

It's telling them if they want to, need to, they can call and sob down the phone - and that you'll hold space for them while they do.
It's saying, "I'll meet you where you are."
Wherever that may be x


https://www.cope.org.au

10/22/2021

Knoxville Peoples! Gennisi Birth Services now has a charitable branch providing FREE - you heard that right, FREE! - and reduced-fee doula services!

Everyone deserves to have a doula !

10/05/2021

E M B R A C E ⠀
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🌟 Letting go of the pressure to "get back to your old self" as fast as possible and stepping into the transitional space between birth and parenthood - your sacred journey. ⠀
🌟Journeying inward to examine the deep, dark caverns of the soul to discover strength, power, courage, and ability you never knew you had. ⠀
🌟 Reemerging as a newer, truer, empowered version of yourself: The parent. ⠀
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Your transition into parenthood deserves contemplation, celebration, support, and specialized care to EMBRACE the "new you" with ease and grace. I got you, guys. 💪⠀
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09/07/2021

NICU Awareness Month:

I consider us lucky to have only spent a total of seven days in the NICU, but they were some of the hardest days of my life as a parent. Living feeding to feeding, separated from my baby, and wondering all the things:

- Why?
- Will he be okay?
- What do all of these medical terms even mean?
- Is there something more seriously wrong?
- Did I do something in pregnancy, labor, birth to cause this?
- Are we doing all we can to get him well?
- Can I handle this?
- What if something goes wrong once we get home?

Knowing that some of our unit mates would be there for weeks or months was heartbreaking. The fortitude needed for their journeys was and is still beyond my comprehension.

September is . I share our short experience to share what I know to be true:

-NICU parents, it’s okay to not be okay. This is beyond hard. People want to help. Let them.

-NICU nurses are love incarnate. They provide support beyond their job duties each and everyday. Show them some love however you can.

-If you have a NICU family in your life, know that they need help. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. Listen, encourage, and food, food and more food.
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08/20/2021

08/12/2021

This is doula work.
Sometimes my work looks different than the role they define in training.
With my most recent client family, I made meals, tidied up, cared for older siblings, and did laundry - lots and lots of laundry. Some teaching moments may have happened here and there, but mostly, I helped manage the day-to-day hustle.
In a culture where individualism is exalted, where people have spread further and further apart from their family units, and parental leave is not always an option, sometimes my work looks less like teacher and more like the role our traditional support systems would provide.
And I'm okay with that because IT'S NEEDED! Parents, what did you need in those early days with baby?

Postpartum doulas fill in the lapse of care after birth, providing help, support, and guidance. Get the support you need to thrive in the tender months after birth.

08/05/2021

On 🤱🍼❤️
To all the parents out there on their feeding journey - whether it's breast, chest, SNS, syringe, bottle, pumping, finger, bottle, formula - we see you, support you, and celebrate your hard work in nourishing your baby.
Here's to trusting and supporting parents to make the best decisions for themselves and their babies!

07/16/2021

Y’ALL! My website is live!! 💃🕺
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I’ve labored so hard on Embrace’s virtual home and feel like one proud mama to be able share it with you.
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Now, expecting parents have a place to feel me out, view my services, and contact me to chat.
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Special thanks to Second Mile Marketing's photog skills!
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Check it out! Link in bio, baby!
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07/01/2021

Thanks to Second Mile Marketing for bringing life to my website and social!

06/28/2021

Let's talk about the process! What happens when you decide to hire me as your postpartum doula?
1. No-brainer, here - contact me by DM or on my landing page at embracepostpartum.com. Full website coming soon!
2. We'll then have a quick 20-minute video call to go over your needs, my practice, pricing, and to just see if we vibe!
3. Sometime before baby arrives, we'll meet for a 90-minute postpartum planning session. Here we map out the logistics of life with baby, make a care plan tailored to your needs, learn the odds and ends of your home, and schedule out your in-home doula sessions.
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After that, you’ll receive weekly check-ins from yours truly, digital access to my postpartum and newborn guides, and 24/7 text access to me.

Is baby already here? 🤱 Not to worry! In most cases, we can speed this process up and get you cared for ASAP!
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Ready to start? Hit that message button! ⬇️