 Rebozo class is coming!! Yeah, we are going to offer 2 levels on September 6th - we will do Level A and Level C - fun!! For now it is $65 a person - Want to get a discount? Please signup with a friend for $50 a person - tell us friend's name or pay for your friend's signup! Email us for enrollment info!
Update on Postpartum course got delayed so we are starting next Wed. September 1st. If interested in live birth class we will start that up in October (date to be announced). More on Rebozo class - The Level A is our simple and easy fun class to learn the basics - open to anyone who wants to learn rebozo (can be parents, doulas, midwives, etc.) Level C - prefer some experience but anyone can come - Level C will cover our postpartum bone closing ceremony, postpartum pushing, mini-rebozo massage for baby, and some licensure opportunity to teach locally (first come first serve for areas ). You need to do all levels in order to get the licensure agreement going. Want to register for rebozo class or get into postpartum? Email us now!!  We are busy this summer - we got a last minute fast-track doula class going this summer and it has been great - the students are wonderful! So, we are now going to offer a postpartum live class starting August 19th and going thru September (near end).
After that I may offer a live birth doula class again as I already have interest!! Phew!! So, if you are interested in either course use the contact form and drop us a line - we will most likely give you a call back if you leave a phone number! The postpartum doula class will run from August 19th-September! This class we will be going over our full 7 module class in 6 class sessions with possible make up session as needed! The class will be held on Thursday evenings. Pray for our successful first adventure of postpartum live class! So, we hope to do a birth live starting in October-November. After that I plan to take a holiday season break. However, I am able to offer shorter rebozo workshop over the holidays or breastfeeding class if anyone is interested in those during that time frame! I think the next class after that will probably be late January or February depending on interest as far as live classes go. I think we are on a roll! I enjoy teaching, so I hope if there's interest for live classes next year to let us know. Want to know for sure on dates, etc.? Please signup for our newsletter "Sacred Sisters News!" You should be able to signup on front page - if the drop down newsletter is not showing - then email us and we will add you to our Reachmail Newsletter! Thanks so much. God Bless! World Doula Week Special deals coming...and changes.... World doula week specials are coming up and if you want more information - please signup below for our special world doula week series Go here to signup: https://go.reachmail.net/SubscriptionForm/bf9fbacd-8757-4c02-8333-ace2003d6c4c
So, some changes are coming to Catholic Doula Program; we are getting a new "head" of correspondence and will be our student advisory board member. Announcement on who that will be soon. Julie is taking a break for a few months and will be basically handing over the reins to others on our board. In fact, we are forming a more official board for Catholic Doula Program. We may even be rebranding a bit - as that is a project that is still being considered; we are just announcing that we are planning a) an official board of Catholic Doula Program b) an official terms and conditions policy for the site and classes c) an official grievance and ethics policies d) more clarification on the pro-life doula pledge. .(like we have decided to allow supporting surrogacy pregnancies.) We are moving off Facebook platform and are using the Catholic Social media site and MeWe. Right now, we do not have a Catholic Doula group on MeWe yet. We will let you know when that happens. Facebook is becoming more anti-Catholic. So, that is one reason we have decided to discontinue a page up there. We may still consider a smaller group. We are actually looking for board members. Board members will be offered a referral page , so they can earn some $ back. So, if you want more information Contact us here. Thank you! Temptation prayer Welcome to the blog: Today we wanted to share with you a prayer against ANY temptation. This prayer information seems to be public domain. St. Anthony is a very great saint to pray to. We usually pray to him to find things. This prayer is also called sometimes "St. Anthony's Brief." I hope you like this information. Source is below. To pray any time of day, and defeat temptation: Popular tradition holds that St. Anthony taught a prayer to a poor woman who sought help against the temptations of the devil. The Franciscan Pope Sixtus V had the prayer — also called “the motto of St. Anthony” — engraved into the base of the obelisk erected in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. In the original Latin, the prayer says Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia! And translated, it reads: Behold, the Cross of the Lord! Begone, all evil powers! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, The Root of David, has conquered! Alleluia, Alleluia! This short prayer has the flavor of a small exorcism. We can use it too — both in Latin and in English — to be able to overcome all the temptations we face. Translated from the Italian. Source: https://www.catholicshare.com/this-is-the-powerful-exorcism-prayer-st-anthony-of-padua-taught-a-woman/#ixzz6o5UcSn00 Do you have the winter blues? We get out not enough in the winter time. Many of us esp. moms are stay at home and keep inside all day long. Or if you get out it is only to pickup your kids from school, etc.
So, you might become blue - or slightly depressed. Here are some tips to help you start feeling better: 1. Get some sun! Even if it is opening that window on a cold blustery day! 2. Take Vitamin D supplement - (ok I am not your doctor -just a suggestion). Vitamin D is kind of the day time melatonin - your body needs Vitamin D to keep your moods better! 3.Eat healing foods. If you are wanting to get eating and cooking - we now have a "sister" site at The Kitchen Doula Academy - fun nutritional classes and cooking section coming soon! Learn about the 7 foundations of nutrition and foods! The classes can be taken by mamas and doulas too. Check out that website here. 4. Remember to take time for self-care - turn off the Internet/Facebook and just sit and relax. Breathe in and out. Maybe even just leave Facebook. Just a time waster anyway! 5. Smile and laugh -that will help your blues. Watch a funny movie. My favorite funny movies are the Mr. Bean movies. They are just hilarious! So, find a fun movie and cuddle up with a loved one and have fun. 6. Take an online class! You can find all kinds of classes online to take - and not just ours. Perhaps you are not interested in being a doula, but want to learn about sewing. I am sure you can find that course somewhere! 7. Get good rest - now this is the time where you can take Melatonin for night time (as long as you are able to - some mamas need to check with doctor if pregnant or nursing). One more thing - we are opening up our childbirth classes online soon and will have a launch party soon! So, look for that and get a special deal! Launch party will be at SP3RN.com the Real Catholic Social Media site. For Catholics only! 3 easy ways to keep cool... Hi, Catholic Doula Fans and Friends,
Well, it seems like the heat is getting to me, but then being a Texan 90 and up is hot and 100 is just way too hot! So, what are 3 easy ways to keep cool? 1. Spray yourself with some cool water - get a spray bottle and add some water to it - if you like add a drop or two of lavender essential oils to help make you feel fresher! 2. Take a nice cold shower - yep, I said cold or make it lukewarm and then put on that cold at the end - it will feel great! 3. Spray your sheets lightly with some cool water (like above) - not too damp - but enough to feel good when you get into that bed at night! OK, so, hope that keeps you cool - so what else is cool right now? Our special business class - meet "live" with us for 4 times and discuss the "Doing Business the Doula way" book that I authored with Lisa Van Der Wilt - do the exercises in the book (virtual studies included) and get your business certificate. So, anyway, this business class is only $75.00 - such a great deal - most cost a lot more and if you are wanting to register - get over to this link and register today!! By the way the first 4 signups get the papercopy of the book for free!! After that I'll send out for free a pdf version! Thanks so much! (Picture is unsplash photo by Jonathan Borba). Pregnant during the pandemic - what's a catholic mom to do? Pregnancy during the Pandemic – What is a Catholic Mom to do?
By Julie Larsen I keep hearing stories in the news of moms not being able to give birth with their spouse present or a doula. If the hospital allows a mom to give birth with a spouse there – they have all kinds of protocols – may have to wear a mask, gloves, gown or whatever. Even stories of baby being taken away from mother after birth. What is a Catholic Mom to do? First of all, do not panic. Talk to your doctor and hospital before the due date. Clarify what they allow or not allow. Please insist on at least your spouse being there if at all possible, adding in another support person as well – doula or sister or family member. Ask questions! Second, be prepared for the hospital policies or consider other options for your birth. If you are pregnant right now and have time to consider home birth with a midwife and you are not super high-risk pregnancy – you really can consider this option. If you want to learn more about home birth options, I plan to put some links at the bottom of this article. If you are going ahead with hospital – ask what their policies are right now and if any of them may change before your baby is born. Ask to consider letting you have that “birth hour” with your baby – where you get to hold the baby skin to skin, breastfeed (if doing this), and no bath till after this hour is up. I do not think the hospital should stop this kind of thing – if you are not covid positive then there should not be an issue. Even if a mother or baby has covid – the baby will benefit from breastmilk. Insist on informed consent for any procedure done at the hospital. There is one thing they cannot do – force you to do anything you do not want. Find another hospital, do home birth, find a way that works for you. If we do not do this, then we are allowing the hospital to dictate the way birth happens. Remember you can always say “I do not consent” and they must listen! Third, no matter what your birth plan or wishes are – God is in control. Leaving the birth in His Hands is so important in this time of pandemic. Repeating positive affirmations to yourself and your baby will help you get through this. See link at bottom to grab some free affirmations I am offering to moms. Fourth – birth story share! Remember your story for you and your baby is a birth story worth sharing and remembering. No matter what policies are in place – get that story written down -share your story with others! Let other mamas know that you were empowered at your birth. That you can do this journey and so can other mamas! Fifth: This gift of life that you are giving a newborn baby is awesome. We thank you for choosing life in time of pandemic. Many mamas are scared even more on how to get ends to meet. If a mother is not sure reading this article how she can continue on her pregnancy journey, reach out to Christian or Catholic pregnancy help centers and see how they can help. There is also the Project Gabriel Angel that helps pregnant mothers as well. http://www.gabrielproject.org/ Sixth: Pray during your labor. Pray at home, pray at the hospital. Bring a Rosary and pray. Put on some light music if need to focus. Get that birth room the way you want it. Keep your strength in God and Mother Mary. One of my recent clients said – and Mary is going to be with me. I thought she was referring to a family member. And then she said, “No, Mother Mary!” I finally got it. I was like “Wow, the confidence you have in Mary is so special.” I even lack this confidence. I felt like this client understood a special devotion to Mary that perhaps I lack. I am glad that this client taught me something about relying on Jesus and Mary during pregnancy and labor. I learn something each time I help a new client as a doula! Final words, I am starting up a new podcast for mamas – pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, topics like this will be covered. Right now, I have a podcast site and name. The podcast name is Angelic Bellies – Life Bearing Mamas. View here: https://anchor.fm/juliana-larsen So, episodes will be coming soon – if there’s a way to subscribe please do so! Another idea – hire a virtual long-distance doula! I offer this service for a small fee compared to many other doulas. A lot of mamas are hiring doulas to be there “virtually” during labor and such. However, we also offer preparation time – work for the birth time. So, this for me is usually two sessions – but I can do more. I also offer childbirth classes online as well – so this helps if mama wants more information then I suggest signing up for the classes as well. If you want more info contact me here: Ave Maria Doula & Mother’s Knot Breastfeeding https://www.facebook.com/mothersknot/ I also do not mind referring you to someone in your area if you are looking for an in person doula or doula that is closer to you for online services. There is also this doula finder that might be helpful: http://findacatholicdoula.weebly.com So, Catholic moms here is your takeaway: 1.Be prepared for your birth – home, hospital, birth center. 2.Ask questions of your doctor or midwife. 3.Understand policies before arriving at the hospital. 4.Insist on at least husband/partner be at birth. 5.Let go and give it to God. 6.Pray! Give your pregnancy and labor to Mother Mary! 7.Grab some free affirmations here: https://doulacon.weebly.com/resources.html I’ll add them to this page on our Doula and Mama conference that we had this month. 8.Do not forget to subscribe here to Mother Marian newsletter: https://go.reachmail.net/SubscriptionForm/f03fafed-2d36-4294-a43f-ab0c012312a9/fullpage And I’ll send reminders about our podcast!! 9.Home birth resources – Free birth plan resource: https://homesweethomebirth.com/gift and this site: http://www.spiritualbirth.net/ 10.So, what do you want to know more about for your upcoming pregnancy and birth?  Do you hear what I hear? Do you see what I see? I am not believing what I hear or see in this trying time. Do we really believe all the news? The “virus” seems to me to be a very big pandemic and scare. However, one friend of mine pointed out if we did not have social media or TV “telling us” what to do. If we were maybe only with a radio, we probably would not be as scared. We probably wouldn’t be hoarding toilet paper and other necessity items like hand sanitizer, etc. I think some areas are sold out on pain medicines as well. Yes, it is okay to take precautions. Maybe, we should re- consider what we need to have on hand instead of what is panic buying. Schools are closing and sending hundreds of children home to “home school.” This may scare some parents since they are not sure how to homeschool - no worries we have some links below - but first let's go over the virtue of perseverance... Anyway, I wanted to write about perseverance in this trying time and I also plan to give a few links to parents who are stuck at home with children that normally go to regular school. I’ll give you some items they can find to do online. Also, I will give parents a couple of links that they might want to look over to educate them on their own health. So, first, perseverance – this is a type of virtue. Here’s a definition: “Perseverance is the will to see things through until the end in spite of fear, obstacles, discouragement, and opposition. With perseverance, we can accomplish great things.” Taken from: https://www.virtuesforlife.com/perseverance/ This sounds like a good virtue to meditate on right now. Second, we should do self-reflection right now. How are we doing in our spiritual life? What can we do to encourage a sense of peace in our life? Are we in the state of grace? Maybe, take the time to get to a confessional. If that’s not possible. Reciting an Act of Contrition with very sincere contrition and making penitential acts can help. (Note: If you are in mortal sin, do try to get to confession as soon as possible). One type of penance act could be helping your neighbor. Perhaps, the neighbor needs help picking up their yard, or getting some groceries. You may have an older neighbor that does not need to get out or exposed to this “virus” – help the neighbor out and offer to pick them up something at the store. Third, getting up each day and making a goal for yourself is important. Make a goal or two for each day. I know for me, making one goal is an accomplishment when I have children to attend to, meals to make, etc. Today’s goal was this blog post. Another day, might be my mom’s newsletter, etc. If you have more time on your hands, you may want to make 3 goals for the day and try to accomplish them. Fourth, now what do I do with the kids? You may be wondering this if you are a mother and are use to your kids being at a public or even private school. I found out that some companies are offering some free apps for children to use like Adventure Academy, ABC Mouse, etc. You will need to contact them about your school and closure in order to obtain a free code. Here is one link to some fun free apps: https://www.familyeducation.com/fun/21-free- educational-apps-kids Here is another resource: https://www.messforless.net/free-kids-learning-resources-for- school-closures/ Fifth idea – mothers and parents may want to learn more about health and healing. There’s a nice neat herbal class online that could help parents out some – though the focus has been on fertility herbs to postpartum herbs – Catholic Doula Program is offering in this herb class an extra module on how to make some homemade supplies for emergencies with the current March class. So, check out the Herbal course information here which is currently half off the normal price: http://www.catholicdoula.com/herbal-course.html Essential Oil resource: If you are seeking some fun essential oils – we recommend Simply Earth Box – they have essential oils in a subscription box and non-subscription boxes as well. www.simplyearth.com – I do have a “enrollment” code if you want to get that message me at avemariadoula@gmail.com I don’t mind if you signup without my code. I love Simply Earth Essential oils as they are all natural and they also give money towards other charitable organizations. I hope you all stay well. I think one thing that helps also is getting out in the sun and getting fresh air. Vitamin C and Vitamin D are recommended to stay healthy. Drink lemons and limes also can help as they have natural vitamins in them! I hope you will stay positive in this trying time. God Bless!  Worried about being sick...tips... First of all this virus can get someone sick - so be prepared.
Second, it is like a bad flu - but the incubation period can vary. I read on average 5 days. Mild symptoms can be serious for others (maybe not yourself so much if you are healthy). If you have mild symptoms of what might be this coronavirus - stay home. Don't go out and spread it around. (Mercola's website - symptoms:
Read up more at this link: https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/02/04/novel-coronavirus.aspx OK, we hope this article was helpful above. Now what to do to stay well? Sounds like from above article children are less likely to get this - so we should make sure our elderly are being cared for and make sure they are staying inside or away from crowds as much as possible. If you are like me- well middle age - then your immune system might be just "down" thinking about this stuff. Here's a few tips: 1. Don't panic - golly buying out toilet paper is kind of silly. 2. Don't panic again - stay calm stop reading all the news - anyone who has gloom and doom on my Facebook feed - I am putting down "unfollow" for the next 30 days. 3. Think positive thoughts - "I am well, I am fine, I am energetic, I am going to live through this." If you say this to yourself 10 times a day or more - you will get through this a lot better than gloom and doom thoughts. 4. Stock up on what's important to you - feel like you would not have to shop for the next 30 days - then go get groceries for the month - that seems like a reasonable idea if you like. 5. Buy items that make sense, hand sanitizer, wipes, diapers (if you have a baby), soaps, candles, batteries (golly might need that), etc. 6. Take vitamins -Vitamin C is good for any kind of health issue. Garlic supplements, sinus supplement, etc. 7. Take Elderberry syrup. I am going to be making my own soon! By the way I am hosting an herbal class online soon - and right now - I am going to offer anyone reading this post half off - instead of the $99 I was going to charge - it is now $49.95 for the class - Email catholicdoulaprogram@gmail.com and tell us 50-OFFHerb class - you can learn to make your own things in the course. I am going to extend enrollment out through March 20th - however if you sign up today - you get in today - I will be posting new videos in the classroom as part of the special event. This is a six module class over 6 weeks - but you can do it faster if you like. The class covers fertility herbs, pregnancy herbs, how to make herbal things, to postpartum herbs. Last but not least- 8. Just stay calm and pray. Prayers can help any disease go away - I truly believe this. One of my friend's had bacterial meningitis and our whole parish prayed for her healing - she won out and beat it. Thank God - He must have had other plans for this wonderful woman. I really believe in the power of prayer. So, ask God to bless your community and to keep it free from disease. 9. Also, I personally recommend - stop traveling outside USA. Also, boycott China made products - this is probably hard to do - but we should try to boycott as much of their junk as possible. They start these diseases and never get punished for it - we need to show China we don't rely on them! We should also write the President or Congress to stop travel . This would have spread less if travel had stopped - so all I can suggest is if you can not travel - then don't. I understand if someone has a job, work, etc. See if you can work from home some too. Anyway, let's just pray for our nation now - thanks! See our next post about an online conference!! Get in on early Tax season savings! Why wait for the government to get in on savings? Deals? Well, we have a deal for you.
Would you like to start learning about doula work right now? !! Imagine waking up tomorrow and starting your doula classes! Well.... I bet most of you can have a $50 bill available? Right! Great - put down $50 on a birth or postpartum course right now and don't pay anything for 30 days - you get the first module, fun trial classroom and learn about doula work! This also locks you into our special deal for the class saving around $100!! Wow!! This tax season special offer is from now thru March 7th - read more about it on our special sale page. New year and new course layouts!! Birth doula course is re-edited to give you the best links and information! Your doula class is getting an uplift! We also have a new PEACE project and Community project requirements - learn more right here!! Book list is here. Postpartum course - new and improved for 2020!! We wanted to make our postpartum classes even super special - so this year we are going all out to give you the SMART Mother Model and including the new book "The Mommy Plan" By Valarie Lynn - she's a great author! We also include our favorite book "The First Forty Days". The rest of the class is information from previous books - but you only need one more the breastfeeding book if taking St. Anne breastfeeding class!! We throw that in for minimum down or full paying students. Learn more about our postpartum course here! Looking for other classes? We are launching our new Childbirth Educator (previous Blessed Womb) under a new name "Take Charge of My Birth" information will be up here: http://birthschool.weebly.com A lactation counselor/educator combo class will be available soon as well - we are hoping for April or May - so stay tuned at same location above it will be "Take Charge of My Breastfeeding". We will have an option to add in a Catholic edition! We also only preach NFP for non-Catholic version. So, get in on our "secret" special sale savings of up to $100 or more - you get in on some extra book if you pay in full!! Signup here!! |
|
RSS Feed
Photos used under Creative Commons from Dimitris Graffin, C.P.Storm, monpetitchouphotography, quinn.anya, greendoula, *_*
