Oulala Doula - Holistic Birth Keeper

Full Moon Ritual

Release what no longer serves you.

Set up a sacred space by lighting soothing candles or incense.
Meditate for 5-10 minutes.
Write a list of all your negative feelings, concerns or fears you wish to let go of.
With a willingness to release, burn the list and drop it into a bowl of water.
Take a salt bath while you contemplate the new positive mindset you are going to adopt.

Homemade "Labor-Aid" Recipe

For keeping hydrated. Make it ahead of time, perhaps in early labor. For a homebirth, keep a pitcher in the fridge. For hospital birth, consider storing it in a large water bottle and bringing it with you.

1/3 cup or 80 ml of fresh organic lemon
1/3 cup or 80 ml of organic honey
1/4 tsp or a pinch of salt
1/4 tsp or a pinch of baking soda
1 or 2 calcium magnesium tablets, crushed

Combine all the ingredients and add 4 cups of water or 1 liter.

Postpartum Healing Box

While you are getting everything ready for baby, do not omit Mommy. Yes, you! The purpose here is simple. It is for you to spend some time gathering some items you will need after birth for yourself and put in a pretty box. See, easy, right?
This Healing Box can be whatever you want it to be. As silly as it sound, the more care, time, intention and creativity you put in the "birth" of this box the more it will help you. It will make you feel more prepared, less apprehensive for the postpartum period.

For your powerful bottom:

Iced pads and/or ice packs (buy or make your own)
Pads or disposable underwear
Stool softener or fruits like prunes
Cleaning bottle
Pain relief spray or perineal balm
Stiz herbal bath

For your nourishing breasts:

Reusable nursing pads
Nipple balm
Breast feeding bras
Breast pump
Booby tubes
Lactation helpers like tea or cookies

For the rest of your beautiful body:

Comfortable robe
Scar balm if birth by cesarean
Pain relief
Healthy snacks
Recovery belly wrap
Favorite magazines, latest trendy novel or audio books or movies

And for your overwhelming emotions, do not forget :

To breath
To medidate
To ask for help
To find your tribe
To find support groups and/or specialist
Lots of skin to skin wiht baby to let that oxcytocin kick in

Add some little self-love notes and/or compliments from your partner and/or encouragement from others moms to your healing Box. As you go through your box after birth, you will find these lovely notes and they would be exactly what you need at that moment.

Note: This is a non-exhaustive list of recommendations on items you may want to have available to you after childbirth. Ask your care provider or midwife before taking any type of medication or herbs.