Care and Recovery After a Caesarean Birth. You have a brand-new baby — and you also just had surgery. Whether you knew you would have a caesarean birth or not, dealing with both at the same time can be rough. Here are some helpful tips to get your recovery and parenting journey off to a great start.      Keep on top of the pain medication! Expect the caesarean incision to hurt for a while. The medicine used in the epidural/spinal ease pain immediately after birth. After they wear off, you’ll be given oral anti-inflammatory medication or suppositories. There are options for thes ..read more

World Doula Week begins with World Doula Day on March 22nd and will continue until March 28th annually. March 22nd was chosen because it is the spring equinox, which represents the return of fertility in countless cultures. The purpose of World Doula Week (WDW) is to empower doulas all over the world to improve the physiological, social, emotional, and psychological health of women, newborns and families in birth and in the postpartum period. The World Doula Week events will take place all over the world during the same week, stating the benefits of the presence of doulas in birth and in the p ..read more

Making an Informed Decision about the Emsella Chair   Discover the transformative benefits of the Emsella Chair—a cutting-edge solution revolutionising pelvic health and overall well-being.   Key Benefits: 1. Pelvic Floor Strengthening: Utilises HIFEM® technology for targeted muscle contractions. 2. Non-Invasive Treatment: Experience pelvic floor strengthening without invasive procedures. 3. Scientifically Proven Results: Studies support effectiveness in enhancing pelvic health. 4. Quick Sessions: Convenient 30-minute sessions for busy schedules. 5. Enhanced Sexual Satisfaction: St ..read more

Packing your hospital bags for Labour & Postpartum can be daunting but don’t worry! I know there are lists a mile long online and it seems like you will have to remortgage to afford all the items, but the fact is you don’t have to spend a fortune. Keep it simple and try not to stress. You don‘t need to spend a fortune or pack the kitchen sink. Bring enough for 24 hours and your support network can bring you in anything you need after that. There is a shop in all the maternity hospitals to get the essentials like nappies. There is often a cafe to buy food and vending machines outside of ..read more

Pregnancy can be a beautiful and overwhelming experience for many women. The joy of growing a new life inside your body, feeling your baby's kicks, and preparing for their arrival can be incredibly rewarding. It can also be overwhelming especially when you're preparing for your first birth, as your body undergoes many changes, both physical and emotional. Despite the challenges, pregnancy remains a unique and awe-inspiring journey that brings with it a deep sense of purpose and love. Additionally, pregnancy and early parenting are crucial stages in a woman's life that require special attentio ..read more

Guest Blog from Vicky Kavanagh-Masterson, who offers doula support in Dublin and surrounding counties. What is Trauma? Everyone experiences trauma differently and it can manifest as a singular event, multiple events, or long-lasting repetitive events. Birth trauma is a widely known form of trauma that affects the experience of birth and postpartum. However, unresolved trauma/PTSD can also have a direct impact on the birth and postpartum experience. Trauma is defined as an incident that triggers a stress response, leading to physiological and emotional responses such as fight, flight, or freez ..read more

A Poem by Shelley Kavanagh Recently DoulaCare Ireland ran our 6th annual CPD Weekend. Every year since 2017 on the last weekend in January we organise a jam packed weekend of learning and development of doula skills and knowledge. Myself and Jen have always recognised the importance of continuing to advance our learning to enhance the support and professional service we offer to the clients we work with. So when we started DoulaCare we felt it was important that any doula offering support to clients would be committed to ongoing learning. As a result, we ask any doula offering services throug ..read more

First Time Mum, Home Birth turned Hospital Transfer I think the birthdays of our children usually encourage reflection and over the last few days, as I think back to my labour and the birth of my first child (as well as the birth of my mothering journey), there is so much about it that I can remember so clearly - even after all these years! I cannot believe it was back in 2006. Her birth was such an influence on my desire to support parents as a doula and childbirth educator. And ultimately my experiences on my first pregnancy have led me to where I am today. Doing a job that I love - supporti ..read more

With covid-19 still circulating, many virus and bugs and the related social distancing, many of us find ourselves at home with our babies and toddlers or young children, thrown out of our usual routine and into the deep end of parenting without the option to visit zoos, playgrounds or swimming pools. While it can seem daunting at first, this can actually be a great time to really tune into your child and make some great memories as a family. In the years to come, our smallies will most likely not remember any details about the virus, but about what happened in our homes during this time – so l ..read more

Unmedicated spontaneous VBAC My first daughter was born by (unplanned but not emergency) caesarean in early 2020 [in the NMH]. It was most likely the safest way for her to be born, but I never say I gave birth to her because it has never felt that way to me - I was not an active participant in the process (no judgement for those who feel differently!) The actual surgery itself was calm and straightforward, I feel that our preferences were generally respected and my daughter did well, even started breastfeeding in recovery. Unfortunately my experience - both how I was treated by staff and phy ..read more