Village Doula Services

Yes!!! #normalizebreastfeeding

Imagine this, you’re walking along, minding your own business, perhaps you’re in your second trimester, maybe it’s a few weeks before the expected arrival of your little one, when all of a sudden- PAIN!!! Sharp, stabbing pain in your vagina and vulva. Like blinding, take your breath away, kind of pain. What on earth is going on?! You my friend are likely experiencing ‘lightning crotch’ (so aptly named). Unlike ‘Braxton Hicks’ contractions, this term very clearly describes th...e associated symptoms. Quite literally, lightning crotch is sudden, sharp, often described as stabbing, zapping or shocking type pain in the pelvis, vagina, vulva or rectum. If you aren’t familiar with the phenomenon it can be quite scary. Generally, there is little need to worry, besides of course managing the associated pain. Lightening crotch generally manifests in the last trimester, although it’s not uncommon in the second trimester as well. It is thought to be caused by the baby’s movements pinching nerves near the cervix causing discomfort. In the third trimester, these pains are also often associated with baby dropping in the pelvis and putting pressure on these same nerves. Some experience it quite frequently, while many others don’t experience it at all during their pregnancy. If you are currently experiencing lightning crotch you probably don’t care about the ‘why’ so much as how to make it stop. Changing positions can help shift baby and lift pressure on the affected nerve. A warm bath can relax muscles and tension, and help relieve pressure as well If your pain is quite frequent you may consider investing in a belly band to help support the added weight and pressure from baby on the cervix and surrounding nerves. *If you experience lightning crotch pains accompanied by fever or bleeding be sure to seek medical attention, this can be a sign of other issues. * #villagedoulaservices #lightningcrotch See more

Trying for a ‘Saturday Selfie’

Natural Birth what a loaded term. What the heck is a ‘natural birth’ anyways? Does it mean vaginal? No pain medication? No interventions? What is the benefit of a ‘natural birth’ anyways? Is there a prize? Bragging rights? It seems like everyone has an opinion when it comes to birthing babies and how it should be done. As a pregnant person, it can be overwhelming, not to mention frustrating, dodging everyone’s good intentioned ‘advice’. Consider this an initiation in the fin...Continue reading

One of the biggest lessons of motherhood for me is that I am not molding my children like clay, I am watering them like flowers, watching them grow into who they are destined to be.