an experienced doula shares her resource list for birthing families.
meet experienced doula, anna whetsel rucker, with the roanoke doula collective. she is a natural teacher with a lifelong love of learning. i can hear her passion when she shares her knowledge of childbirth with her birthing families and, her skill set is great!
anna is a mom to three awesome boys: an artist, a football player, and a computer wizard. her house was the one where all the kids came and still come to hang out and eat. to all of those visiting kids, she is known as “moma ree”. she is also a well-loved grandma given the name “nannie” by her eleven grandkids, 7 boys and 4 girls.
i am a postpartum doula asking other doulas how they prepared for their 4th trimester. being a doula myself, i love hearing how they prepared for their own births. i love your list, anna, for postpartum support. i read some new ideas today and it made me so happy! your resource list for families after birth is awesome too.
anna, as an educated doula, what are some things you did for postpartum planning to prepare for the arrival of your babies?
i made sure i had everything for the baby! i bought a breast pump, breast pads, storage bags for breast milk, lanolin cream for sore nipples. i had lots of pads, made padsicles (2nd & 3rd birth), with 3rd birth started going to la leche league in blacksburg, va before the birth and after the baby came.
what was the best thing you did for yourself as a new mom/experienced doula?
i handed the baby over to dad or mamaw whenever possible, so i could go shower and i thoroughly enjoyed that long hot shower!
as a trained doula, what advice would you share with pregnant moms about preparing for the time after baby comes?
set up your postpartum support system plan of care now before baby comes. here’s what i suggest:
*make a list of people to help with baby for your showers, self care, and any extra sleep that you can get;
*arrange for help around the house with food prep, cleaning, shopping, and laundry.
*have someone, another adult, there at the house with you, to talk to. communication and connection with family and friends are so important now, even if some of it is on the phone or virtual, etc…
*as a new mom, get your resources for postpartum support ahead of time.
here are the postpartum resources she recommends:
hum (huddle up moms),
lll international (la leche league in your area),
ibclc lactation consultant,
pelvic floor physical therapist,
chiropractic for mom and baby,
any mom groups of interest on fb for support!
support is so imperative for the postpartum time!
if there was a wish list for postpartum support from an expert, what would you include?
*herbs for the bath,
*a baby swing and
*a postpartum doula-because every new birthing parent deserves the amazing support of a doula.
connect with anna (540)-320-5660 birthwithmomaree@gmail.com
here is a link to my resource page for postpartum families.
for further reading on the roanoke doula collective and how they prepared and planned for their 4th trimester, check out this interview with colleen.
photo credit: beth farnsworth
