Blog

Multiples

Bringing Home Multiples

Becoming pregnant is awesome, but sometimes our bodies surprise us! We are capable of creating not just one baby but sometimes two, three, or even more at the same time! Having more than one baby can pose challenges you may not have considered. Lancaster Doulas LLC has worked with many sets of multiples and we have found a few things can make the transition easier. Here are some suggestions that our doulas have found to be the most helpful: Create...Read More

50 Shades : How Postpartum Depression Can Dominate Your Life

By: Callie Rineer     Mood swings, sadness, insomnia, irritability.  Combine these new mom emotions with engorged breasts and sleepless nights. It's enough to leave any mom struggling for a moment of pre-baby normalcy. But amongst all the highs and lows of being a new parent, how is a mom to know if what she is experiencing are typical "baby blues" or something more?   While the baby blues and postpartum depression have similar symptoms, baby blues tend to only...Read More

Christmas In Lancaster

Whether you are pregnant, have a newborn, a toddler, or older children Christmas is a special time of year. Lancaster Doulas has gathered all the best activities in Lancaster to keep your family busy this season and create memories that will last a lifetime! Dutch Wonderland / Winter Wonderland  Help Duke the Dragon celebrate Christmas in Lancaster ! Rides and entertainment are still open and the park is decorated with twinkling lights dancing to music. Select Saturdays (3-9pm), Sundays (3-8pm),...Read More

Life in the NICU

I want to thank Chrissy for sharing her NICU experience with us. Nothing can prepare you for having your child in the NICU. Those of you who have dealt with this; You are STRONG, You are COURAGEOUS, You are AMAZING. You would see it on tv. Or read it in a parenting magazine. But never do you think it will happen to you. The NICU experience. It was a normal day. My husband and I had gone out to eat with...Read More

Tricks For How To Eat Less Treats This Halloween

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. We have so much fun dressing up every year and visiting our neighbors. It is all my kids have been able to talk about for over a month. Many parents though don't want their kids snacking on the enormous amounts of candy that comes with the holiday. So how can you still enjoy the fun of Halloween without the candy fueled high that comes with it? Here are a few suggestions that can...Read More

Nipple Stimulation – A How To Guide

Disclaimer: Please do not try nipple stimulation before 40 weeks and without talking to your care provider first. Nipple stimulation is one of the most common ways for women to try and start labor or keep a good labor pattern going. Because it is easy to do, discrete, and does not require any extra equipment or monitoring it is a good choice for many. There is some debate on the best way to do nipple stimulation for the best results...Read More
birth plan

Birth Plan ( With Free Template )

Creating a birth plan with your partner is a great way to keep you on the same page with your wants and needs. It is also a great tool to help open a dialogue with your care provider. You can use this template as a jumping off point to create a more personalised plan, or you can use it as is. Lancaster Doulas makes it easy with our birth plan template. Just print it out, check the boxes of what you would...Read More

Surviving Bed Rest – Guest Blog

Alicia Adkins of Modern Family Doulas Shares Some Wisdom on Bedrest In Pregnancy   Surviving bed rest should earn you a merit badge! Not just for simply following the rules, but not injuring anyone along the way. Bed rest is not a vacation, regardless of how many people will tell you they wish they could sit around and watch Netflix all day. No matter how far along you are in the pregnancy, suddenly being told you have to limit all your activity...Read More

My House or Yours?

Last year I made the decision to only offer placenta encapsulation in our clients homes. It was a completely different direction then all the other placenta encapsulators that I knew in our area, but I knew that it was the best decision for me and for Lancaster Doulas. So what led me to change the standard? Safety: Our clients love seeing our top notch sanitation process. It puts their minds at ease knowing that all of our Postpartum Placenta Specialists carry their bloodborne pathogen certification, and PA...Read More

Summer Vacation

Yesterday morning I snuck into each of my kids room with the same anticipation and surprise that comes with Christmas morning. I crawled into each of their beds and laid my head down next to theirs. I whispered into each of their ears " wake up, I have a surprise for you". While they all clamored down stairs for breakfast I gathered them around me and exclaimed that we are going to the beach for the day! This in itself...Read More
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Back to School With A New Baby – Guest Blog

Guest Blogger Erin Stephens Shares How To Survive Back To School With a Newborn  So you had a baby over the summer. Congrats! Or maybe your baby was born before the summer began, but you’ve finally gotten into your groove during the summer months. You’ve just realized that the new school schedule with it’s pickups and drop offs and bus schedules and bedtimes and lunches that need to be packed is going to throw off your new routine and you...Read More

New PA Child Seat Law

Most of you have seen the advertisements for the new child safety seat law that took effect last week. What does that mean for you and your children? Lancaster Doulas breaks it down for you!   Gov. Tom Wolf signed  Senate Bill 1152 making Pennsylvania one of only four states in the US with such a law. The new law is aimed at making children safer while riding in the family vehicle. What kind of car seat should I use? Many parents...Read More