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The Power of You, a birth story

7/28/2015

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Picture
PictureYour strength was wondrous!
I watched your body unfold. Slowly at first, then picking up more and more speed and strength. Like a freight train just pulling out of the station. Picking up more and more strength, being propelled forward with such force that was unstoppable.

I watched your grace. Taking the steps of your labor in stride, trusting your body, and yielding to its wisdom.

I watched your love between you and your husband. How he held your hand and rubbed your back from the moment I first walked in, to the final push which brought your baby into this world. Your love for him, and his for you, was an inspiration and an honor to be in the presence of.


When I first met you at home, there was classic rock playing, and the mood was joyful and light. During contractions, you would tune into yourself, focusing on your breathing, and allowing yourself to be fully present and yielding to the sensations of your body and baby working together. You tried out multiple positions-sitting, lying down, and standing leaning against your love.

Your contractions were regular, strong but not overwhelming, and it was peaceful.

All of a sudden, that changed. The contractions started to be much more drawn out, lasting a lot longer, with barely a break in between. Your sounds changed, but despite the challenge, you stayed relaxed and present. Your baby and body were getting ready!

You felt a 'pop' as your water broke, and the contractions kept coming on stronger and stronger. Your love, so wise, looked at me and said we should go to the hospital. The freight train of your labor was not going to be stopped. Your sounds started to change again before you made it to the car. Your baby must have been so low, so ready, and putting so much pressure on you. Your response to this pressure was the most natural and right thing in the world to do. We could all audibly hear the first almost undetectable sounds of your body making you push. Your baby was on the edge of being inside you and looking into your eyes. It wouldn't be long now.

The car ride was a wild one. As I followed you to the hospital, I wished and prayed that we would make it on time. But I had a smile on my face as I drove-I knew that if your baby was ready to be born, she would be, and there was nothing we could do to stop it. Your body was like a perfect symphony, all the pieces working perfectly in sync.

When we finally arrived at the hospital, it was a relief. You were still pushing, letting the wisdom of your body tell you when and how much. Your love parked the car, while your doulas helped you integrate what you were feeling. What bliss!

The inevitable silly paperwork and questions at the front desk of the hospital had to be dealt with. You were even able to answer some of the questions in between urges. You were amazing!

Once you were finally back in your room, everything was set. It was then that you finally let the urge to push overtake you fully. Giving it every single ounce that you had, you pushed your daughter out into the world with all the strength of the ocean, the grace of the moon, and the love of a mother.


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Back to the Beginning

7/20/2015

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A founding Chico Doula Circle member comes back!

amber doula chico doula
Back in 2011, a group of six doulas  sat around a coffee table dreaming up ways to help more families have amazing births. They came up with a whole different type of doula care. Doulas working collectively was something that hadn't been done in Chico before, but they went for it!

 Hence, the Chico Doula Circle was formed. Now, Chico Doula Circle is Chico's oldest and longest running doula group. Over the years, members have come and gone for various reasons. Currently, Kim Humble and Sorrell Bobrink (both founding members!) comprise the Circle.

Kim and Sorrell are very happy to announce that yet another founding doula is coming back into the Chico Doula Circle. Amber Dayney was one of those original six doulas who helped come up with the Chico Doula Circle, and she is thrilled to be  doing doula work again with Circle clients.


Amber's experience with birth, breastfeeding, and the postpartum time is extensive. She is a Certified Birth Doula through DONA, International as well as a DONA-trained Professional Postpartum Doula. She has trained with Ina May Gaskin (author of Spiritual Midwifery), and has attended over 40 births. Amber has also completed training in breastfeeding education and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She believes that there is no "right way" to have a baby, and strives to make sure the families whom she serves feel 100% supported as they make their exciting journey to parenthood.

Amber is currently in the nursing program at CSU Chico, where she plans to go on to work as a Labor and Delivery nurse. In the meantime, she will be on-call for some Chico Doula Circle clients. Although she won't be part of the regular on-call calendar, she will serve as back-up for Kim and Sorrell if there are multiple mamas in labor, or other emergencies. No matter which of the Chico Doula Circle doulas attend your birth, you will be in good hands!


What happy families say about Amber:


"Amber is incredible! My stress levels went from a ten to a one as soon as Amber entered the room. I truly would have been lost without Amber explaining every detail when I felt confused or worried. Her patience is remarkable and her soothing and calm persona melted the rooms presence. Amber doula is a must have in your birthing experience!"


"Thank you for helping me to find an inner strength I didn't know I had. [You] were a vital part of my drug free birth. I truly could not have done it without you."


"Hands down, one of our best decisions surrounding our birth. We would not have been able to experience labor at home without your guidance. Minimum hospital time was amazing and you were critical to achieving that. We BOTH needed and received support and felt like there was someone looking out for our desires. Amber's calm presence and steady guidance were a huge help. Our experience would not have been as great without her. "



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Past workshop and guest speakers

7/7/2015

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This past Thursday we had Emma Honan come to speak about massage, relaxation and the benefits of both during pregnancy and labor. We even tried out on each other, and then she demonstrated (on a willing pregnant momma ;-) ) some techniques. Always such a great and much appreciated topic for our moms with their swollen and sore hands and feet!

We doulas love the topic as well. Massage is not something that always has a place in a woman's labor, but when it does, it can be magical. 

Thank you so much Emma!
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