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Welcome to Catholic doula! Well, I finally decided to write a blog again! I bought myself a harp!! Yeah!! I know that is kind of an unusual instrument! I have played harp in the past, and I decided I wanted to play again. I got this beautiful 34-string harp from Dan Speer at Sherwed Fox Harps (previously Argent Fox). So, how can I incorporate harp with doula work? I am actually working on a death doula certification and I may decide to play harp for dying, ill, or at funerals. I could possibly see playing the harp for babies as well! So, it is definitely something I could consider working with families and playing music for them. Do you play an instrument? Do you think there's a way you can incorporate an instrument into your doula business? Think about it!! Ok, talking about business, we are offering a free doula business webinar masterclass on Saturday October 5th at 2 pm central - grab your seat before they get filled. I am also giving away a couple of books when you come to it!! Go here to signup for our doula business masterclass! Updates to website coming and curriculum and other fast-track classes: So, we have decided to take a break from most of our fast-track zoom classes for the rest of the year as the timing of them has not worked out and we will continue with self-paced options for now. Our Magnificat Holistic Woman's Health class will be the only major class that will meet live and that one is a monthly meeting! We will still host rebozo workshops. I think we will be rolling out a new way of doing fast-track in near future - with pre-recorded class content and hosting a weekly mentoring call or something like that for a certain frame of time. To be announced! Postpartum doula course is getting a facelift with new addition of a nutritional postpartum section. I am working on final touches of "Cocooned Care: A SMART doula's blueprint for new families" which is the title of our new manual for the course. I am still considering who to print with options - I may just do lulu press as I want this manual to be for students only. Or I may find a local printer! Students can always opt-in to print themselves too. See our Postpartum course page for more information! Final piece of news: I have had to redo our student policies. All students as of 9/28/2024 who enroll will only have 3 days to view our terms and conditions and sign our student contract/agreement form - please see full policies page here. Anyone who enrolled previous will be under their terms that they signed up with. If someone signs up and does not read the policies, they are still under the policies whether they have read them or not. We prefer that current students read them as well. Thank you. Any questions about our policies please email [email protected] - once a student agrees to policies then they will be allowed to have their digital files and classroom information sent to them. Thank you.
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 Introduction
The rebozo, a versatile shawl with deep cultural roots in Mexico, is gaining popularity in modern doula practices. This blog post aims to educate expectant parents and doulas on the benefits and uses of the rebozo during pregnancy and labor. As the birth community increasingly looks to traditional methods for holistic care, understanding the rebozo's role can enrich the birth experience for many families. The Cultural Significance of the Rebozo For centuries, the Mexican rebozo has been worn by women throughout their pregnancies and the postpartum period. These handwoven fabrics were originally made with spun wool or cotton. Today, rebozos are brightly colored, intricately woven shawls made of interwoven silk and linen. Their uses vary, from carrying new babies in a sling-like fashion to being worn as a garment to protect from the sun. An authentic rebozo is hand-made in Mexico and is usually 5-7 feet long. In some Mexican families, they are passed along from woman to woman as an heirloom through multiple generations. The rebozo is an iconic symbol of Hispanic femininity and motherhood, and a reminder of the rich history of this community. Register for our special rebozo classes! Rebozo As Story... The rebozo is not just a piece of fabric; it carries stories, traditions, and the spirit of the women who use it. Each rebozo is unique, often reflecting the personal and regional identities of its weaver. The art of weaving rebozos is a cherished skill passed down through generations, preserving the cultural heritage and craftsmanship of Mexican communities. In the context of pregnancy and childbirth, the rebozo symbolizes the support and care that women have provided each other for centuries, embodying a sense of continuity and connection to the past. What is a Rebozo? Traditionally, rebozos are used to carry goods, protect from the sun, or as a decorative garb. During pregnancy and labor, the shawl can be used to hold the weight of the lower abdomen, provide counter pressure to the hips and pelvis, or siphon warmth when heavy bursts of hormones cause the chills. The versatility of the rebozo extends to various aspects of daily life. In addition to its practical uses, it serves as a symbol of identity and cultural pride. Women wear rebozos during important ceremonies and festivals, highlighting their significance in Mexican culture. The rebozo’s multifunctionality makes it an indispensable tool for women, offering both practical benefits and emotional comfort. Go to our Rebozo Page! The Rebozo in Pregnancy The rebozo can bring comfort and support through varying stages of pregnancy. Techniques like "rebozo sifting" help alleviate back pain and promote relaxation. The gentle rocking motion created by the rebozo can also help in repositioning the baby and reducing tension in the mother's body. Additionally, the rebozo can support the pregnant belly, reducing strain on the back and helping to distribute weight more evenly, which can be especially beneficial in the later stages of pregnancy. Moms are more than welcome to take our courses (go here for info). Expectant mothers often experience discomfort and strain as their bodies adjust to the growing baby. The rebozo can be used to create a hammock-like support for the belly, relieving pressure on the back and hips. This support can improve posture and reduce common pregnancy-related aches and pains. Moreover, the soothing, rhythmic movements facilitated by the rebozo can help expectant mothers relax, promoting a sense of calm and well-being. The Rebozo in Labor In labor, the rebozo offers multiple benefits. Techniques such as rebozo sifting and hip squeezing can aid in pain relief and help with optimal baby positioning. Many mothers have found these techniques to be a source of comfort and support during the challenging moments of labor. The rebozo can also be used to apply gentle pressure to various parts of the body, which can help to ease contractions and provide a soothing sensation during labor. Labor can be an intense and demanding experience. The rebozo’s versatility allows it to be used in various positions to support the laboring mother. For instance, the rebozo can be wrapped around the mother's hips, allowing the doula or partner to apply counterpressure during contractions. This technique can significantly reduce pain and discomfort, providing much-needed relief. Additionally, the rebozo can be used to help the mother change positions easily, promoting movement and flexibility, which are beneficial for labor progression. The Role of the Doula Doulas trained in rebozo techniques can offer valuable support to mothers. Proper training ensures that these techniques are used safely and effectively. Doulas can incorporate the rebozo into their practice to help manage pain, facilitate better baby positioning, and provide emotional support. Training in rebozo techniques typically includes understanding the cultural significance of the rebozo, learning various rebozo techniques, and practicing these techniques to ensure they are performed correctly and safely. A doula’s role is to provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the birthing mother. The rebozo enhances this support by offering additional tools and techniques that can be customized to the mother’s needs. Doulas who are proficient in rebozo techniques can create a more personalized and effective birthing experience, addressing the unique challenges and preferences of each mother. This expertise also allows doulas to educate and empower mothers, giving them confidence and reassurance during pregnancy and labor. Doulas if you are reading this - register here for our upcoming online workshop. What is Rebozo Sifting? Sometimes, babies have a mind of their own and won't be settled in the optimum position for labor (head down, facing toward your back). A doula or midwife (consult your medical team) may perform “rebozo sifting” to gently reposition your baby. While on your hands and knees, your doula will wrap the rebozo around your belly; this may be on an incline, like a birth ball or couch. Using jiggling and swaying movements, your doula will “sift” your body from side to side. During this activity, make sure you’re comfortable and hydrated! Use pillows to prop yourself up and relieve some pressure. Rebozo sifting, also known as "manteada," is particularly useful for helping babies move into a more favorable position for birth. The gentle, rhythmic motion created by the rebozo can encourage the baby to adjust their position, potentially making labor smoother and more efficient. This technique can also be beneficial for relieving tension in the mother’s body, promoting relaxation, and reducing stress. It’s important to perform rebozo sifting under the guidance of a trained professional to ensure safety and effectiveness. Using the Rebozo Postpartum While recovering from delivery, whether vaginally or via C-section, the rebozo may be used as a belly band/wrap to help the uterus contract. This contraction of the uterus is important in the production of oxytocin, a chemical that helps you bond with your baby and tells your breasts to produce milk. The rebozo, with guidance from baby-wearing professionals, can also be used as a baby carrier. Baby-wearing is a great way to bond with an infant, create a sleep and feeding schedule, and regulate hormones after delivery. The rebozo's versatility extends beyond childbirth, offering comfort and support during the postpartum period and facilitating close contact between mother and baby. Postpartum recovery is a crucial time for new mothers. Using the rebozo as a belly wrap can help support the abdominal muscles and aid in the healing process. This support can also alleviate discomfort and improve mobility, making it easier for new mothers to care for their babies. Additionally, using the rebozo for baby-wearing fosters a close physical connection, promoting bonding and emotional well-being. Baby-wearing can also help regulate the baby’s body temperature, heart rate, and breathing, contributing to their overall health and development. The Growing Popularity of Rebozos in the Doula Community The rebozo is becoming an essential tool in the doula community. Its versatility and effectiveness in providing comfort and support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum have made it a popular choice among doulas. The increasing interest in traditional and holistic practices in childbirth has also contributed to the rebozo's rising popularity. Doulas and midwives are recognizing the value of incorporating the rebozo into their practice to enhance the birth experience for their clients. As more doulas become trained in rebozo techniques, they are sharing their positive experiences and success stories with their clients and colleagues. This growing body of evidence supports the rebozo’s effectiveness in improving birth outcomes and maternal satisfaction. The rebozo’s integration into modern doula practice represents a blending of traditional wisdom with contemporary care, offering a holistic approach to childbirth that respects and honors cultural heritage. Our Rebozo Courses (Page is here) Julie Arreguin-Larsen comes from a Hispanic family with rich, deep-rooted ties to traditional medicine and practices. After completing her training with Gena Kirby and Polly Perez, she created the Royal Rebozo Way to help pass down the rebozo practice to other birth workers and doulas. Her book, The Rebozo Revealed, extensively covers the history of the rebozos, its uses throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, and its utilization as alternative pain management during labor. The Growing Popularity of Rebozos in the Doula Community The rebozo is becoming an essential tool in the doula community. Its versatility and effectiveness in providing comfort and support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum have made it a popular choice among doulas. The increasing interest in traditional and holistic practices in childbirth has also contributed to the rebozo's rising popularity. Doulas and midwives are recognizing the value of incorporating the rebozo into their practice to enhance the birth experience for their clients. Our Rebozo Courses (Rebozo page is here). Julie Arreguin-Larsen comes from a Hispanic family with rich, deep-rooted ties to traditional medicine and practices. After completing her training with Gena Kirby and Polly Perez, she created the Royal Rebozo Way to help pass down the rebozo practice to other birth workers and doulas. Her book, The Rebozo Revealed, extensively covers the history of the rebozos, its uses throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, and its utilization as alternative pain management during labor. In fact you may add on copy of this book (digital) if you register for all 4 levels below) - Register page! Outline of Our Course Through our course, you may choose to complete level based milestones as you build experience using the rebozo with your clients: Level A/B Workshop is usually sold together - but has 2 modules. Level A: - You will be sent a workbook to fill out as you complete the course. This book will be sent back to us to be graded. - We ask you to do a skill with a friend or another pregnant mother. - If you are doing a self-paced option, then we do want a few pictures of you doing skills – you can choose at least 3 things to take pictures of to turn in. - Once you finish your quizzes, skills, turn in pictures (self-pace), then we will - email you a certificate of completion and continuing education hours as well. Level B: - Advanced Rebozo Section A: (8 Skills) - Take a Break! (Skills sheet example again) - Birth Ball Beginner Section B: (A few skills) There are two sections for the birth ball. - Video Review - Quiz for Level B Are you curious about the price? Well, we usually retail this at $150 or $99 early bird - but wait - we are offering a discount for all 4 classes at $125 w/digital book - click here to register now! Level C/D is usually sold together as one module combined. Level C: - A friend to help take pictures of skills you do. (We only require around 3-4 pictures for Level C). - A friend or partner to practice techniques on (or do them on yourself). - The workbook we will send separately with quizzes inside of it to finish and instructions on submitting your projects. Level D: - You will do a rolling baby's technique with a real baby, or you can practice on a doll if you prefer. - Practice wearing your baby or someone else’s baby for a short time frame (20 minutes or something like that). - Work with a mother immediate postpartum for example covering her and baby in rebozo after a birth or at her home. Giving her baby some rebozo wearing time or other things that might be related to the baby. - Evaluation sheets and such are in the workbook area. - Make sure you take pictures of everything – we need at least 2-3 pictures for this section to count towards your final certification. Retail price of Level C/D is usually $150 and sometimes discounted to $89 - but wait we are offering a deep discount for new students and summer... keep reading... (Register here now!) What is Included in the Certification? Each Level of our Certification Level A-D is meant for you to: - have more knowledge on the use of the rebozo, - feel more confident using it on yourself, - be able to use it on your mama clients (if you are a doula), - be able to use the techniques on yourself or loved ones! - This current certification does not include teaching or teaching licensure to other doulas or birth workers of any kind. Please contact me about a teaching license and coaching. How to Sign-up: Ready to enhance your doula practice and provide exceptional support to expectant mothers? Sign-up for our comprehensive rebozo courses and join a community dedicated to holistic birth practices. Through August 15th, we are offering an exclusive special all levels discount - summer sale! You may enroll with our digital book "The Rebozo Revealed" for $125 or without book for $99.00 - this is a once in a lifetime special - we will not be offering it again for all level classes! Normally, we charge $99 for Level A/B combo! So, this is a great offer! Register here now for with book offer! This special offer allows you to access our rich and constantly updated stream of information, resources, and support at a reduced rate. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from seasoned experts in the field and incorporate valuable rebozo techniques into your practice. By enrolling today, you'll gain: - Lifetime Access to Course Materials: Our in-depth modules cover everything from the history and cultural significance of the rebozo to detailed instructions on various techniques for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care. - Interactive Learning Environment: Engage with instructors and fellow students in our Google Classroom, where you can ask questions, share experiences, and receive personalized feedback. - Regular Updates and New Content: Stay current with the latest developments in rebozo use and doula practices. Our course materials are regularly updated to include new techniques, research findings, and practical tips. - Certification and Continuing Education Credits: Upon completing the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion. Our courses are also eligible for continuing education credits, helping you maintain your professional credentials. - Exclusive Community Membership: Join a supportive network of doulas and birth workers who share your commitment to holistic and culturally sensitive birth practices. Benefit from ongoing support, collaboration, and shared learning opportunities. Signing up is easy! Go to this link below if you want the full course and our book "The Rebozo Revealed" included for only $125 (digital version): https://www.catholicdoula.com/store/p113/Rebozo_Workshop_-_All_Levels-Special_Deal_-Recorded-Only.html#/ Go here to register for our $99 special all access pass: https://www.catholicdoula.com/store/p277/Special_Financial_Aid_Rebozo_Class_Signup_for_all_4_Levels.html#/ Go to this link below if you want the full course and our book "The Rebozo Revealed" included for only $125 (digital version): https://www.catholicdoula.com/store/p113/Rebozo_Workshop_-_All_Levels-Special_Deal_-Recorded-Only.html#/ You’ll receive immediate access to our course materials and can start your learning journey right away. Invest in your professional growth and the well-being of the mothers you support. Enroll today and become part of a tradition that honors the wisdom of generations past while meeting the needs of today's expectant parents. Don't wait—this special offer ends on August 15th. Sign up now and take the first step towards mastering the art of the rebozo! Again register here w/book option: https://www.catholicdoula.com/store/p113/Rebozo_Workshop_-_All_Levels-Special_Deal_-Recorded-Only.html#/ So, you want to become a doula? Here's how to get started... by Madeline Jones guest blogger...7/24/2024
 So, You Want to Be a Birth Doula? Here’s How to Get Started:
Delving into the world of birth work can be daunting. Between receiving training, attending births, and networking in your community, the process is lengthy and often overwhelming. Navigating the doula-sphere alone leads many students to frustration, especially in today’s complicated social environments and complex healthcare landscape. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The Catholic Doula Training is designed to ease the tension of finding mentors, Christ-centered teachings, and connecting with like-minded doulas. Our approach helps students in discovering their strengths, identifying their ideal clients, and setting up successful birth work businesses. What is a Doula? “Doula” is a Greek translation of the Aramaic word “doulos.” Within Jewish communities and the early Jesus-movements following the resurrection, this term referred to “servants of the Lord.” Mary, the mother of Jesus, was the first recorded doula. She supported her cousin, Elizabeth, throughout her pregnancy and the postpartum period, thereafter. Mary provided Elizabeth with physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort, enabling Elizabeth to have a wholesome and wholistic birthing experience. Modern doulas emerged in the 1970’s, being born out of a counter-culture in America that emphasized a mistrust in big pharma and modern medicine. Although doulas agree on the necessity of medical care, birth should not be handled as a pathology, but rather a natural and beautiful process that is life-affirming to mothers and babies. Doulas provide physical, emotional and spiritual care to birthing mothers. By endowing mothers with confidence, our clients are less likely to require interventions, encouraging natural, spontaneous births. Benefits of Doula Training Although some doulas forgo training, we highly encourage it within our program to train and certify. This allows all of our students to be equipped with the latest medical literature, birthing practices, and trends in healthcare. Our program improves efficiency in emotional, physical, and spiritual support, encouraging more doulas to be present in the labor space. Our advocacy and presence lowers interventions such as epidurals and c-sections, enabling a relaxing birthing environment for mother, babies and families. Benefits of Our Course The Catholic Doula Training stands out for several reasons: - Comprehensive Education: Our curriculum covers everything from conception, to the basics of childbirth, to advanced doula techniques, ensuring that you are well-prepared for any birthing situation. - Christ-Centered Approach: We integrate faith-based teachings, encouraging you to provide spiritual support that aligns with your values and those of your clients. - Mentorship and Community: You won’t be alone in this journey. Our program connects you with experienced mentors and a community of like minded students, doulas, instructors and allied health professionals. - Practical Experiences: Through our virtual meet-ups and lectures, you will receive guidance and feedback in real time, allowing you to apply what you learned in real life settings. - Business Training: We help you identify your strengths, find your ideal clients, and build a successful business- the doula way. What Your Training Includes: Our integrative course includes: - Comfort in Birth Method 3rd Edition by Julie Larsen: This book is included in your cost, and contains vital information on doula support. Throughout the course, the Comfort in Birth Method will be used for assignments, lectures, and practical experience. We sometimes include a rebozo - please check with the link you click on when enrolling. A rebozo is a Mexican shawl and tool we use during labor and birth. - A Google Classroom Enrollment Link: We provide a virtual classroom platform for students around the country to interact, complete assignments, and reach our instructors. This enables real-time feedback, a continuously updating stream of content, and easily accessible course materials. - Alternative Pain Management: The Catholic Doula Training includes lectures on alternative pain management measures, ensuring that you are able to provide optimum care to your clients before, during and after labor. These measures include rebozo movements, aromatherapy and herbs, different birthing positions, hydrotherapy (such as birthing pools and showers), and birth affirmations. - Love Languages: We discuss how the love languages of your clients may be integrated into their birth plans, allowing for maximum comfort during their labors. - Interview Training: We offer practical training for doulas, including interview preparation. This is a crucial step in the business process, as it is often the first opportunity for potential clients to meet you. Our program ensures you feel confident in advocating for your services and securing new clients. - Website Creation- Creating a website is a requirement for the course. We will provide you with resources and guidance as you pick the perfect name for your business, formulate your unique services, and create materials for your clients. - Client Logging: Our program ensures that you are able to competently keep logs of birthing experiences and appointments, easing client communication. Certification Requirements of the Super Fast Track: 1. Completion of five case studies 2. Final exam 3. Resource list containing 10-20 references and links 4. Two client interviews 5. Create 5 client hand-outs (choose from assignments in modules) 6. Special Spirituality of Labor assignment 7. Skills checklist, including comfort and rebozo (or choose skills from modules) 8. Make a birth plan for a mother Then you’re finished! Enroll here if you are ready! Labor Day Weekend Schedule Since this is the Super Fast Track, the classes will run quickly, over the span of a weekend. These include: - Thursday Evening August 29th: Orientation/Welcome and Module One - Friday August 31st: First day of class, running from 1:00 to 5:00 pm - September 1st: Second day of class, running from noon to 5:00 pm - September 2nd: Enjoy Labor Day with your family! I will be available on Sept. 2nd for one office hour over zoom (time to be decided). Choosing to become a doula is a significant and rewarding choice. The Catholic Doula Training is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring you are well-prepared to provide exceptional care and support to mothers and families. For a limited time, you can join our program at a discounted rate. If you apply by Labor Day weekend, your fees will be significantly decreased via our online store front. Join us and become part of a community dedicated to compassionate, faith-based birth work. Enroll at this link right here! Our Early bird special of $497 regular or $599 bonus St. Gemma Package ends August 14th. Fast-Track enroll page! All prices will go up $100 after early bird ends. Thank you. The extra bonus $599 includes mentoring sessions and a doula circle that meets up seasonally.  This is Anne and she's a nurse and wants to become both a birth doula and postpartum doula. Right now, we are hoping to raise funds by Labor Day, so she can take our Labor Day weekend birth doula training program (actually August 30th-31st because Labor day is early)!
We need your help!! She is seeking $300 in donations to get started on her birth doula program. Since Anne has a kind of "deadline" all our fundraising is going to go towards Anne first and we will come back to our other student wannabe later. You may read more about Anne and her desires to help other mothers on this page! If you can help Anne out and want to make a donation to her fund of $25-$50-$75-$100 or the full $300 - please go to this donation link (go here) and you can choose your donation. $1 is automatically added for processing. We can send you a receipt for your taxes - just note - we are not a non-profit program yet - we would like to be - but it costs a lot to start one up. Anyway, we hope you can help Anne out!! Next, we are doing a fundraiser EVENT - our Rebozo Workshop set for July 5th and July 6th will be our first fundraiser event to help out Anne. So, if you signup for our Rebozo Workshop - half the proceeds will be going towards this fund for her. We are charging $150 for this event as it is all our workshops together! So, let's get a few people into this event and we could probably raise the funds over one weekend for Anne! If we can get 4 people to signup for our Rebozo Workshop - we will have enough funds for Anne's enrollment - Wow - let's make this happen!! Go here to read about the Rebozo workshop (or continue reading below). So, what does all levels of rebozo workshop mean? I will be offering Level A - basic rebozo, Level B - advanced rebozo and super birth ball information; Level C is our pushing to postpartum information - with learning bone closing ceremony and Level D is our baby rebozo information - on wrapping your baby up! The workshop is open to parents and doulas - so if you know a couple who are about to have a baby - invite them to this workshop!! Dads are more than welcome to come to this one. We want men involved in pregnancy and dads are important (by the way - Happy Father's Day!) OK, Thank you! All for today's news, Julie  Christina who is seeking funds to become a doula!! HI, I am a little late on this - since the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was last Friday - it came earlier this year because of our early Easter! So, happy belated feast day! If you want to read about the promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - go here to read about them!
In honor of Feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus - we are offering 15% off our doula classes. I am going to put up a sales/event page as I think I need to start having something specific on events and sale that we offer each month. The 15% off doula class sale also includes postpartum doula fast-track class that we plan to meet July 5th and 6th (tentatively) - so instead of higher amount you can still get that class for $471!! Next order of business, we have two women who want to join our doula classes, but they do not have the funds to pay for the course - so we are setting up a fundraiser pages for them soon but we will have donation area set up now! You can read what Christina has to say about herself below - and if you want to donate today - follow the donate button and it will take you to a checkout page where you can choose how you would like to help Christina. I'll do a post about Anne next time. Christina writes: "A little about me... I was raised in a strong Christian home. My dad was a pastor. I'm a Catholic convert as of 2013. I've been married for 24 years and have been pregnant 10 times. We have 5 girls and 5 boys. Our first was 5 weeks premature, our 4th was stillborn at 27 weeks after I was sick with mononucleosis for 2 months, I've had 2 home births (1 unplanned), 2 born after 40 weeks, 2 inductions (1 of those with IV pain medication) and an epidural with our stillborn daughter. All of my other labors and deliveries were without pain medication. The unplanned home birth was almost totally pain free using a hypno-birthing method of relaxation. I have experienced prodromal labor, 1 pregnancy with gestational diabetes and 1 with group B strep. I've had 3 births which were considered high risk due to my age. I've had one delivery with meconium-stained amniotic fluid. I have experience with massage therapy (I'm not licensed though), acupressure, aromatherapy, and other natural birthing methods. I've breastfed each of my babies, had one with difficulties latching due to being premature, another with tongue-tie, and another who needed to use a nipple shield for a few weeks because he couldn't keep a good latch. I've also had experience with those who have emotional/mental health issues and those with autistic sensory issues. I've assisted one friend at her birth and translated for her. I'm fluent in Spanish. English is my native language though. I'm also currently learning German." So, if you want to donate towards Christina's doula classes - we are raising minimum of $325 to include her book and course fee. I am donating a discount off the course - so instead of $555 - I am offering a discount to $300 - plus the $25 for book fee. If you want to donate an amount of $25, $50, $100, or full amount of $300 to Christina's funds, Fundraising page. Please note: you can uncheck the donation you do not want to do; there will be an automatic $1 added for processing fee. Thank you. All funds will be "held" till we raise enough for her classes. Once we have done so, we will invite her to start work on her course! If you are a business and want to donate, we will be offering business' that donate a spot on the front page of our website for a week or a month - depending on donation amount. Higher amount gives you a longer time to be featured on front page and in our newsletter and blog as a thank you. We also may do one social media thank you post as well. So, please consider donating as a business to help doulas to be! OK, thank you! We will put up another blog post about Anne next time. God Bless, Julie  Why hire a Catholic doula?First of all what's a doula? A doula is a servant - a person who mothers the mother. A doula is a professional trained woman who helps another woman during her pregnancy, birth and postpartum (plus bereavement) time frame.
Who's the first doula? Our Lady was the first doula - or at least that is what I believe. She rushed to St. Elizabeth's side after the announcement from the angel Gabriel. Mary visited Elizabeth only during her pregnancy. It is believed she went home before the birth of St. John. It may have been the custom of the time as she had not birthed a baby yet or there could have been other reasons. Anyway, after Mary left, St. John's birth came soon after. The custom was for the Father to name the child. St. Zachariah was mute and dumb - so he wrote down the name "His name is John." After that his lips were opened and he could speak again and he praised God! His family was dumfounded as well! John would be the forerunner of Mary's son Jesus Christ. Now, back to our main ideas - why hire a Catholic doula? Why is this so important? 1. A Catholic doula will respect you and your family. 2. A Catholic doula can pray with you and be a spiritual aspect that is missing. 3. A Catholic doula can inform you of procedures that might be dangerous to your baby's health - like Amniocentesis. 4. A Catholic doula can inform you of other things and be there as a pro-life person to lean on during trials. 5. If you receive a terminal or weird diagnosis - a Catholic doula can help you sift from fact or fiction. For instance a Down syndrome child does NOT need to be aborted - these are God's angels (as I call them) - these children can live longer lives now than in the past and modern technology can repair any heart issues, etc. 6. If a terminal diagnosis is true, you can help prepare the family for loss as a bereavement doula in a Catholic way. 7. A Catholic doula is just there for you in any spiritual, physical and comfort way for your family. Quoting from Agpae birth services page: "Catholic birth doulas, while holding true to the fundamental responsibilities of traditional doulas, go a step further. They bring a strong spiritual element into their work, aligning their support with the tenets and traditions of the Catholic faith. This might involve offering prayers, faith-based encouragement, and religious rituals, creating an environment that respects and nurtures the spiritual wellbeing of the expectant mother alongside her physical and emotional needs." 1 (see bottom of article) Benefits of Hiring a Catholic Birth Doula 1. Spiritual aspects - imagine being able to pray with your doula during your birthing journey! 2. Emotional support - a Catholic doula can help you so much better emotionally than a non-Catholic doula. 3. Physical support - just being able to focus on that physical needs - does include some spiritual side of things like offering up our sufferings through Jesus and Mary. 4. Postnatal care - this time after birth is so vulernable for a mother - well the mother has needs that are mix well if someone is senstive and caring like a Catholic doula. 5. Relationship - you may enjoy having this one-on-one relationship with a Catholic doula. Another quote from Agpae: "Doulas and Secular/Modern Doulas 4.1 PHILOSOPHY AND APPROACH 4.1.1 Modern/New-Age Doulas Modern or New-Age doulas generally embrace a holistic approach to birth support, focusing on the mind, body, and spirit. They often employ a variety of methods, such as meditation, visualization, and holistic health practices. However, while they may acknowledge a spiritual component, their practices may not be tied to specific religious beliefs or doctrines, and may not align with the religious needs of women from specific faith backgrounds. 4.1.2 Catholic/Christian Doulas Contrasting with this, Catholic/Christian doulas incorporate their faith directly into their philosophy and approach. They provide services that uphold and align with the religious values, practices, and beliefs of their clients. This faith-centered approach can create a deeply meaningful birth experience for Catholic women, providing a source of comfort, reassurance, and strength that is grounded in their spiritual beliefs. 4.2 METHODS AND TECHNIQUES Both Catholic/Christian doulas and secular/modern doulas utilize a range of techniques to support mothers before, during, and after childbirth. However, the methods employed by Catholic/Christian doulas often have a distinct spiritual component. They may include prayer, sacraments, or biblical teachings in their support strategies. This can provide a unique, faith-centered birth experience, promoting spiritual growth and resilience alongside physical well-being." (2) Another thing to be aware of is that there is an underground abortion movement in states like Texas and Florida. These states have supposedly "abortion doulas" - blech - anyway, these women do not honor life and want to extinguish it. We want to help mothers in ALL USA states obtain Catholic and Christian doulas. So, what can we do is make sure there are doulas in every state that are Catholic to help mothers. Also, the news in these states wants to make it sound like we are not saving babies wit new stricter laws against abortion. I think we ARE saving babies - there are less abortions and mothers just need to be informed more about various health issues - such as gestational diabetes which can be controlled with help from doctors. If we have Catholic doulas informing women, then this will help our goal of spreading the truth! My mission is to gift some Women who have been wanting to become a doula a partial scholarship to train with CATHOLIC Doula program www.catholicdoula.com I want to offer as many partial scholarships as I can - if you want to become a part of this - ask for Julie and email me at [email protected] and request the St. Gemma partial scholarship application. Or email me a short essay why you want to become a doula. We are offering the partial scholarships based from our regular pricing of $555 down to $325 - this includes the book "Comfort in Birth Method" as our training tool. *Note: I just got a request from a mother who's interested in training but she needs a FULL scholarship- so I am hoping to raise $300 for this one mother to become a doula, if you want to donate towards this cause, please message [email protected] - thank you. If you are from Maryland, California, or Arizona please let me know. I am offering special information for those states. God Bless, Julie Larsen If you are seeking a doula - go to https://findacatholicdoula.weebly.com or message me at [email protected] We also have Life Doulas group at https://lifedoulas.weebly.com - Thank you. Sources: 1: https://agapebirth.com/hiring-a-catholic-birth-doula-to-attend-your-birth/ 2. Same source as above. Welcome to our new newsletter name - we have decided to name it after Our Lady - Stella Maris Gazette. You will receive this once a week in your inbox if you signup for our newsletters.
We hope to put more "newsy" information in the Gazette. We will include a link to our blog here. If I don't have time to make a blog post then I may link to someone else's post or something like that. Surprises - I would love to make some fun connections between music and doulas - so we will see what kind of fun surprises I include in the newsletter. Events - I plan to make an event list or page to put information in our news or link to a page for events. We like to keep you update about events. Events can be free webinars to paid events like our rebozo online zoom classes and more. Freebie items in our newsletters - when we can provide this - we will have them. For May we are participating in a spring bundle and you will obtain access to our mini-rebozo class usually $47 now for free! How to access will be announced next week. Rebozo information - our next live zoom class will be on May 11th, 2024 and it will be our postpartum bone closing class - you can register here - you get $20 automatically off for May! https://www.catholicdoula.com/rebozo.html#/ *********** Mama Tip of the Week. It is OK to cry as a new mother. God is with you in this journey. Do you need some extra help? You may want to read my book "A Catholic Postpartum" - get your copy here. ************ New Mom Class: Are you lonely being a new mother? Would you like to untangle motherhood? This is a mom's group with a twist, Heather and you will be exploring the reasons why isolation, overwhelm, and mom guilt are so common and what we can do about it while developing self-care and community building practices that nourish our souls. This virtual group is designed to be accessible even to moms of newborns but is open to moms of all ages. If this resonates with you and you are willing to help Heather Magill iron out the wrinkles in her first group session starting May 13th, she is offering a special rate of $97 if you sign up by the 12th (Mother's Day)! Future sessions will start at $197 so don't miss out! You can learn more about Heather Magill and the course content here https://infantconcierge.podia.com/untangling-motherhood be sure to use coupon code JULIE at checkout to get the special rate for this session only. (If for some reason that code does not work please use MOTHERDAY instead and tell her Julie sent you.)  The 8th of April was a big day for two reasons this week, first of all it was the Annunciation of Mary transferred to this particular day as it is not celebrated on Holy Week in the Latin Tridentine Calendar. Second, everyone was watching the total solar eclipse going through America.
My thoughts on the eclipse, yes this was a nice event to get outside and enjoy nature and do some science. However, how many are giving God glory during this time? I doubt if you will hear it in the news media. Team sun or team moon or earth is all they talked about. God gave us this wonderful event to enjoy "in the heavens there will be signs and wonders" as the Bible says! I also was thinking - perhaps there was an eclipse the day of Good Friday when Christ died? The way the Bible and movies portray the hour of Christ's death as an earthquake and darkness happening. Could this darkness been from a solar eclipse? I wouldn't know for sure - but it sounds like a true possibility! We should give God thanks for this beautiful day that we were able to observe whether you got to see a total eclipse in Texas, Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, New York or Maine... or like us where we just got a partial - it was a fun event! Now, let me turn to our Marian theme - Mary is the beautiful Mother of God. The moon is considered HER Lamp and the Sun is sometimes considered to represent Jesus. So, Mary overshadowing the Sun!! This shows to me that we get our graces through Mary and praying to her for help! She is the Mediatrix of all graces! Also, it was the Feast of the Annunciation on April 8th - she is the first doula accepting God's fiat and going straight to visit her cousin Elizabeth immediately after this Annunciation of God to her soul. You can read this article from Koala Mom blog if you want to know more on how a doula can help your Catholic pregnancy: https://thekoalamom.com/2019/10/catholic-doula-support-pregnancy/ In this blog post, I also wanted to announce a new childbirth class training program - we are offering a new course titled "Gratia Plena Childbirth classes". We have decided to redo our name of the course and will be featuring more information soon on this class. We are in tester mode and we are offering partial scholarships or one full scholarship (to a lucky mom) for testing the class. Deadline for applications is April 15th and then I'll decide on a few tester students for this course. The partial scholarship students can choose a give from your heart amount to test the course. Start will probably be mid-May-June for the first class around 4-6 zoom meetings - I will decide on amount later. Let me know if you have any questions. If you want to apply go to the childbirth class page or email [email protected] - I will not accept applications after April 15th. Thanks.  Dear Friends of Catholic Doula Program,
We are hosting our 10th Anniversary sale from March 17-23 and mini conference! I'll be doing probably at least 2 of Facebook lives in our www.facebook.com/groups/FreeDoulaCourse(Become a Catholic Doula group). I am also going to pre-record some fun things for doulas and mamas to watch as part of the mini-conference! The conference is "give from your heart" towards our scholarship fund - so you will be able to signup with one of our 3 -tiers for this mini-conference. $15, $35, or $55 donation. If you are not on Facebook for Lent, then we will also have at least one live webinar during that Anniversary week, that you can come to as well! We will also be hosting a sale on our classes - that week only will have special DAILY event sale- if you miss that day - it goes away!! Bookmark this week - ANY class maybe on special on a particular day. So, if you have been wanting to grab up a fertility class or breastfeeding class for less - this is your chance!! Be on our mailing list to get best dibs. We are now using mailerlite as it seems we get more opens that way. We will still use reachmail and our new email [email protected] for some newsy emails too. Remember to "whitelist" above or check your spam or other folders for past newsletters from us and whitelist them. Thank you. I will announce more soon on the upcoming Anniversary sale week and what we will be doing for the conference week. I hope you can attend. The conference will be mostly pre-recorded content - so, you enroll and you get private access to a special place to access the mini-conference content. We may set it up at Thinkific or something like that - the link will be given to "pay with your heart" conference members only. We appreciate you supporting our scholarship fund. If you want to give more than the highest level - please let us know! The conference will have content pertains to both mamas and doulas! Thank you. God Bless!!! Go to our contact page to be added to our mailing list!  Reason #1: If you have wanted to work with women and herbs, then this class gives you knowledge of herbs, we study 2 herbal books and our manual for this class.
Reason #2: If you have wanted to work with women and aromatherapy, then this class gives you knowledge also of aromatherapy and how to use it for fertility to postpartum. We have one aroma book we use for this class plus our manual. Read more about our class here! Reason #3: If you have wanted to work with women from fertility to postpartum (includes pregnancy), then this is the class for you! Note: We also offer a $100 discount for co-enrollment in this course and our fertility doula course. Our class mostly focuses on herbs and aroma for fertility -if you want the charting and all that other jazz - you need to co-enroll in our fertility doula class too! What do I study? You study 5 books and 2 more books for reviews. Your studies include: 2 Herbal Books (one woman herbal), one postpartum book, one aroma book, one business book, one nutrition and one pregnancy book - the last 2 you can have choices of what to read. We know this seems like a lot - but your studies are over a few months with a break for summertime!! Join our FREE webinar about this class on Tuesday Evening next week on the 13th of February (this is updated date). If you want to get the free webinar go to the Holistic Woman's Health page to register or our contact page. Thank you. Bonus Reasons: If you enroll in our Magnificat Holistic Woman's Health Course by March 31, 2024, you receive $100 extra off our pilot pricing. Message me for full pricing or come to the free webinar! Get into our free webinar we are hosting on February 13, 2024 - go to our page to register! Thank you!  1. The fields are very similar - no surprise here - becoming a childbirth educator can give you more knowledge as a doula and you can potentially make more money too. Imagine offering a doula and childbirth educator combo package!
2. Flexible hours - As a childbirth educator, you are NOT "on call" and you can choose the days or evenings you want to teach a class or even an online class. I prefer to teach online! I have parent classes listed on our Catholic Doula site. 3. Your "prenatals" as a doula should not be a childbirth class series; so if the couple you are working with has little or no knowledge than they will enjoy the fuller CBE series once you have training. We have the Magnificat childbirth educator training - click here for info! 4. Your clients can overlap - pretty much already mentioned this above - offering a package deal can help clients choose you over a childbirth class at the hospital! Plus, you can show your clients neat and new fun techniques that they may not get at a hospital class. 5. So, do you want to enroll as a Magnificat Childbirth Educator? Go here to signup! We maybe doing a special deal thru February on this class check the page!  A bereavement doula helps with death and dying, and our specific program is meant for miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. A bereavement doula is someone who helps women with miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. I recently became a bereavement doula for a special couple. I started out as a childbirth educator teacher for this couple (I'll give them fake names for this article) name Marion and Michael B. They were the sweetest couple it seemed when we met online. We only had one class and Marion went into labor like the very next day and had her baby! I was excited for them. The baby was a preemie, so their baby boy stayed in the hospital for some time - I think it was a good month to 6 weeks. Anyway, he finally got to go home and they baptized him on a Marian feast day. Well, this little baby died of unknown causes within a week of his baptism day. I was broken-hearted. I reached out and offered any thing I could as a bereavement doula. We talked for a bit and answered any questions they had about their loss.
Why become a bereavement doula? To help couples have someone to lean on during a trial of their life and know that there is hope. To just be there and hold space for bereavement. We also can be information centers. One question they asked me right away - How to stop the breastmilk flow.... however, some mamas decide to continue pumping milk for a time to donate the milk to a milk bank to help other babies. I think this is the best gift you can give. However, if the couple is not interested in this option - then I give them resources on how to stop breastmilk naturally. Anyway, this is a good example of what a bereavement doula can do and help with. We also can help with funeral arrangements and making sure the couple gets fed - start up a meal train can be helpful during a time of loss. For Valentine's month, I am offering a $100 discount on our bereavement doula course with print book option, please read more about our class here: Bereavement updated to register. This discount is good thru February 29, 2024.  Here's our tentative calendar for the coming year! If you are wanting to plan a vacation time - then look at our schedule, so you can take that vacation and still doula train!!
Dates For Fast-track classes for 2024 tentative: Magnificat Woman's Health Class - full name is Magnificat Holistic Woman's Perinatology Practitioner Course - Starts in February 2024-Sept/Oct. 2024 (meets monthly) - recordings will be available for all enrollees - so one can join at anytime this spring! We highly recommend early so you can save $$$ - special pricing! Virtual Skills weekend free for first 3 students! Birth Doula Training Class: Early Bird Feb. 15th - class starts March 2nd - April 2024 Postpartum Doula Class - April 2024 - Early Bird by Holy week Birth Doula - May 2024 - Early Bird in April 2024 (see combo below) Teen Explore Classes - June and July Birth and postpartum combo class over the summer starts with May continues with June-July for postpartum doula - one can enroll for just birth doula May-June or postpartum June-July if so desired! If you want both - plan on a late vacation! Or better yet - take our class with you on VACATION - why not sit on the beach and watch our live class sessions? Why not sit on a mountain top and still get our recorded class too! You can do this class ON Vacation if so desired!! August/September Birth Doula class - Back to school can mean back to school for you too - drop your kid off at school and then hit the doula books too! Time to study even if you homeschool!! October/November Postpartum doula: Join our fall postpartum doula training - fit into your schedule time to learn about postpartum! Magnificat Woman's Health Class may start up again another class for fall as well. Nov-December Christmas Specials - for self-paced and Winter 2025 Birth doula fast-track will be hosted! We are creating our new Magnificat Woman's Coaching Program and I finally decided on the perfect name Magnificat Holistic Woman's Perinatology Practitioner Program or MHWPP or HWPP for short! We are very excited about this program. This program will encompass learning about herbs, aromatherapy, alternative therapies (healing arts) and more in our holistic course. Our focus for woman's health will be 3 areas: fertility, pregnancy and postpartum. We will mostly be focusing on herbs for the fertility part and nutrition. If someone wants to have the know how about cycles and such then the student should take our Magnificat Fertility Doula course - we will give a discount to any student who wants to co-enroll in both courses together. We will have some required book reading of 6 books or so - yes, it seems like a lot - but don't worry you have plenty of time to read through the books. You will have a type of quiz over each book too. If you want a free brochure about our program please message us at [email protected] or use our contact form! Thank you. We will eventually have the brochure in the birth shop area too.
We found a way to continue doing newsletters - we now have a new domain [email protected]. So, look for a new issue later this week about our new program too. Our new Magnificat Woman's Coaching program will launch soon - we hope to launch it in early February and guess what - we are offering PARTIAL scholarships for the first pilot class - so if you are interested in this - please stay tuned. Or contact us! See next post about our Rebozo Workshop on January 25th!  Who knows who started this, but I just found out this week that newsletter programs are changing and some kind of new law about spam is making us re-think the way newsletters are sent out. Anyway the point is that newsletters are now requiring new authentication stuff plus "domain name" email accounts to send most of the emails through to your inbox. Unfortunately, I have not been using a "domain name" email - such as catholicdouladomain.com for my emails. I may still get one! However, I am probably going to be sending out less emails starting Feb. 1st till I can figure all this "programing" my email newsletters to you. In fact, I may just say forget about it. I thought, why not just post a blog once a month online instead? So, for now, I am asking you to come here every Monday to get a new update of what we have to offer to you as a mother, parent, or doula! I'll be updating information about our courses and offerings on this blog.
I am also going to be creating a special homeschool website as well as I am branching out into making a homeschool curriculum this year! Information will be posted later on that part. For now, we just wanted to inform you of this newsletters are becoming harder to put out and I may just blog instead and IG and FB more as well. If you are not following us on Instagram we are @catholicdoula13 up there! Our Facebook Page is Pro-Life Doula Association and Catholic Doula. If I figure out the tech stuff, then I'll probably put out a newsletter still, I will let you know! I will have another post about our January 25th Rebozo workshop! See you in the next post. Thank you. We got festive and decided to make our own version of the 12 Days of Christmas below! Plus items in our Birth shop are on sale that are related to the song!On the first day of Christmas my doula gave to me…. A baby in a rebozo. (Go to birth shop to get a rebozo!)
On the second day of Christmas my doula gave to me… Two Sidney Christmas Stories and a baby in a rebozo. Get your Sidney Stories on PDF here! On the third day of Christmas my doula gave to me…. Three Doula Courses (for one price), Two Sidney Christmas Stories, and a baby in a rebozo. Want our special doula course deal - go here! On the fourth day of Christmas my doula gave to me…. Four Gift Cards, Three Doula Courses, Two Sidney Christmas Stories, and a baby in a Rebozo. Gift Cards are on sale for 40% off plus you can get our doula journal and other items discounted - go to the birth shop! On the Fifth day of Christmas my doula gave to me… FIVE RING SLINGs, Four Gift Cards, Three Doula Courses, Two Sidney Christmas Stories, and a baby in a Rebozo. (Rebozo link) On Sixth day of Christmas my doula gave to me… Six childbirth classes, FIVE RING SLINGs, Four Gift Cards, Three Doula Courses, Two Sidney Christmas Stories, and a baby in a Rebozo. (Childbirth class link) On the Seventh day of Christmas my doula gave to me… Seven Sleep Consultants, six childbirth classes, FIVE RING SLINGs, Four Gift Cards, Three Doula Courses, Two Sidney Christmas Stories, and a baby in a Rebozo. On the Eighth day of Christmas my doula gave to me… Eight Breastfeeding Classes, Seven Sleep Consultants, six childbirth classes, FIVE RING SLINGs, Four Gift Cards, Three Doula Courses, Two Sidney Christmas Stories, and a baby in a Rebozo. (Breastfeeding course) On the Ninth day of Christmas my doula gave to me… Nine Fruits of Fertility, Eight Breastfeeding Classes, Seven Sleep Consultants, six childbirth classes, FIVE RING SLINGs, Four Gift Cards, Three Doula Courses, Two Sidney Christmas Stories, and a baby in a Rebozo. (Fertility doula class) On the Tenth day of Christmas my doula gave to me… 10 Affirmation Cards, Nine Fruits of Fertility, Eight Breastfeeding Classes, Seven Sleep Consultants, six childbirth classes, FIVE RING SLINGs, Four Gift Cards, Three Doula Courses, Two Sidney Christmas Stories, and a baby in a Rebozo. (Affirmations) On the Eleventh Day of Christmas my doula gave to me… Eleven Dad Boot Camp Classes, 10 Affirmation Cards, Nine Fruits of Fertility, Eight Breastfeeding Classes, Seven Sleep Consultants, six childbirth classes, FIVE RING SLINGs, Four Gift Cards, Three Doula Courses, Two Sidney Christmas Stories, and a baby in a Rebozo. (Childbirth Class) On the Twelfth Day of Christmas my doula gave to me… Twelve Holistic Herbal Classes, Eleven Dad Boot Camp Classes, 10 Affirmation Cards, Nine Fruits of Fertility (classes), Eight Breastfeeding Classes, Seven Sleep Consultants, six childbirth classes, FIVE RING SLINGs, Four Gift Cards, Three Doula Courses (for one price), Two Sidney (Christmas) Stories, and a baby in a Rebozo! Lacta-Herbalist course enrollment!  O' Antiphons start this week as a preparation for Christmas. So, I thought I would offer a reflective blog on this with a doula twist :)
December 17th O SapientiaLATIN: O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodidisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviter disponensque omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae. English: O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: come, and teach us the way of prudence. Prudence is a virtue. Father Rickaby aptly renders it as “right reason applied to practice”. Its function is to point out which course of action is to be taken in any round of concrete circumstances. As mothers we need prudence in making decisions about everyday life to pregnancy and birth. If you are currently pregnant, you maybe asking - who will be my provider? Where will I give birth? Will I do a natural birth this time? Will I have an epidural? Doulas: We can guide mothers to helping them make right decisions. If they ask us for an opinion - remember to back it up with evidence. Say, "the evidence shows homebirth is safe" and then give an example for instance. This way you are gently giving the mother still the option to take this information or not in an evidence way! OK, on to the next O'Antiphon... December 18th: "O Adonai" LATIN: O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento. ENGLISH: O Lord and Ruler the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: come, and redeem us with outstretched arms. Mamas - sometimes you just want to burn something or at least feel angry? Yep, we have had those days where everything seems to fall apart. Turn to God the Ruler and ask him for some extra help! That's all you have to do is turn to Him in prayer! Doulas: Do you ever feel frustrated about birth or postpartum? This is also your turn to turn to God the Ruler and ask for help too! December 19th: O Radix Jesse... LATIN: O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, iam noli tardare. ENGLISH: O Root of Jesse, that stands for an ensign of the people, before whom the kings keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: come, to deliver us, and tarry not. Mamas: Preparing for Christ's birth can be hectic and are we about to "deliver" a baby soon? (If pregnant mama here) - Prepare for your baby's birth by contemplating Jesus' birth too! Doulas: Feeling prepared for helping mamas can be daunting - do not get burned out. Take time for self-care or take on less clients if you are feeling overwhelmed. December 20th: O Clavis David LATIN: O clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel: qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris. ENGLISH: O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: come, and lead forth the captive who sits in the shadows from his prison. Mamas: Have you asked God for the key to a happy and better birth experience? One of those keys is letting go of fears and even letting go of being in control. Letting HIM take over your upcoming labor and delivery experience - you won't regret giving him whatever outcome to be. You may be surprised at how easy your birth will become! Doulas: We also need to yield to God in labor and birth. We should yield to the experience. Do not try to control things - give it all to God and He will take over the experience the best way and best outcome! December 21st: O Oriens... LATIN: O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol iustitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris et umbra mortis. ENGLISH: O dawn of the east, brightness of light eternal, and sun of justice: come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Mamas: This passage suggests we look to the East and the Star of Christ coming at Epiphany (Christmas). How have we prepared our hearts for Christmas this year? Are we focusing on the secular or are we preparing for spiritual side of things? If not, let's take time this week to go to confession and confess things. Doulas: Ditto for above! December 22nd: O Rex Gentium LATIN: O Rex gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti. ENGLISH: O King of the gentiles and their desired One, the cornerstone that makes both one: come, and deliver man, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth. O come, Desire of nations, bind. In one the hearts of all mankind; Bid Thou our sad divisions cease; And be Thyself our King of peace. Mamas: Wow, this one really is breaking us down to dust... reminds me - have you swept your house lately? Maybe this passage is reminding us to keep our house and hearts clean for Jesus' birth. Is there something you need to do spiritually or physically this week to prepare for Jesus. Take time to do it! Doulas: This reminds us to be humble as doulas - do not go out and be boastful of your accomplishments too much. It is ok to market your services - but also give free content to your mamas as well. December 23rd: O Emmanuel LATIN: O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos Domine Deus noster. ENGLISH: O Emmanuel, God with us, our King and lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: come to save us, O Lord our God. Mamas - Jesus is almost here. Are we ready for HIM? Take time today to pray a Rosary or read something spiritual to keep HIS love in our hearts. If you are pregnant and expecting a baby, count all the blessings of this season and ask Jesus to help you deliver your baby safely! Doulas - Jesus is almost here - are you ready for HIM? Also, take time to pray a Rosary or say a prayer for any of your mama clients! December 24th is Christmas Eve! This year it is on a Sunday. So, are you wanting to know what fulfills your obligation for Sunday. *You can go to Evening Mass on Saturday! You can go to Sunday morning Mass or a noon Mass. I don't think there are any late Masses this weekend. Any Evening Masses will probably be anticipation for Christmas or Midnight Mass! So, since Christmas is also a Holy day - you will need to go to a second Mass the next day (if going on Sunday or even going to Midnight Mass). Check your Sunday bulletin for anything about when your Mass schedules will be! By the way, if you want a last minute Gift Card to our Birth shop - we are offering a 40% off on our gift cards - this means you can save money on a future item. Note: Gift cards that are on sale are not good on full doula courses, but will be good for mini classes, books and things like that. Thank you. Please note the Sale for gift cards is good from today through December 24th. Thank you. :)  September 28th | Mary Undoer of Knots • German Nobleman Wolfgang Langenmantel and his wife, Sophie, had marital problems and were on the brink of a divorce. Wolfgang was very distraught, and went to Jesuit priest Fr. Jakob Rem for counseling. • The two prayed together to the Blessed Virgin Mary for Wolfgang’s marriage each time they met. • While meeting for the last time on Sept. 28th, 1615, Wolfgang provided Fr. Rem with his wedding ribbon, which was used during his wedding ceremony to tie the couple together as a symbol of unity. • Fr. Rem then took the ribbon, lifted it up next to an image of Our Lady of the Snows, and asked Mary if she would “untie the knots” of Wolfgang’s marriage. The ribbon then loosened, completely untied, and became extremely white. • Even though precise details were not given, Wolfgang and Sophie reconciled after this happened. • (This is the primary story behind the painting, but referring to Mary as an untier of knots goes back to St. Irenaeus, in the second century. • St. Irenaeus said, “The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by the obedience of Mary; what the virgin Eve bound by her unbelief, the Virgin Mary loosened by her faith.”) • #OurLady #BlessedMother #MaryUndoerofKnots #ourladyundoerofknots #undoerofknots #catholic #catholicsaints #feastday   We are hosting another postpartum doula zoom class training starting in October. We will be meeting evenings on Mondays. We are welcoming both adults and teens to this class!
Adult information page is here: https://www.catholicdoula.com/fast-track-postpartum-doula.html#/ Teen information page is here: www.catholicdoula.com/teen-postpartum-doula.html#/ What do postpartum doulas do? Well, we can do a lot to help parents who are new or even "seasoned". A mother after birth is more vulnerable and she needs an extra pair of helping hands. As postpartum doulas, we offer great things such as: *Light housework - dishes/laundry for mom and baby *Helping mom with nutritional needs/cooking/or warming up frozen meals. *Taking care of baby overnights (when mom wants more sleep - you can still bring baby to her if she wants to breastfeed - or she may pump her milk and you can give a bottle). *Helping her learn how to care for baby (if she's a new mother/first time mom). *Helping mother with any other tasks that come up! *Helping keeping the mother warm and baby warm! *Helping with herbs and tinctures too! Our course covers the SMART Mother Model: S- Support and Sleep! Mothers need their sleep - we give tips on how to help them plus support too! M - M for Mothering the Mother - this module focus on how to help the mother the best way possible after birth. A - Activities for baby - teaching baby care and why does the baby look like that after birth? Plus, other things related to baby reflexes, etc.! R - Rest/Rejuvenation - helping mother through any baby blues to depression - we cover it! T - Time for Teas/Tinctures and Time for Dad! Also, we put it all Together what you have learned. Make a postpartum plan for your mother! Are you ready to enroll? Get $100 off if you signup early by October 2nd! (Though we may extend that if you ask). Register link for pay in full is here: St. Anne Fast-track Postpartum Doula Course w/PDF Manual - 5-6 week option Payment plan link $155 down is here: Fast-track Postpartum - Down Payment for the fall course For fast-track payment plans are usually expected every other week, but I can give special circumstance and do a monthly payment - please email me at [email protected] for more info! If you have any other questions please also email above. Teens get special pricing deal. Thank you! DO YOU KNOW THE PATRON SAINTS FOR All 50 STATES OF AMERICA? by George Ryan As Catholics, we pray for the intercession of the saints and angels in Heaven, so that they may pray for us on our behalf. We know that saints and angels are able to intercede for us because John sees in the Book of the Revelation that the saints in Heaven offer up to God the prayers of those on Earth. We pray to saints of a certain patronage to ask for their special intercession. Patron saints can be venerated as the Heavenly advocate and special intercessor for many things, even states. If you want to ask for the special intercession on behalf of your state, do you know who to pray to? “When he took it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones.” – Revelation 5:8 The list of each state and their patron saints are below: ▪︎Alabama – Our Lady of the Gulf ▪︎Alaska – Our Lady of the Kodiak and the Islands ▪︎Arizona – Our Lady of the Highways ▪︎Arkansas – Our Lady of the Holy Souls ▪︎California – Our Lady of the Refuge; Our Lady of the Wayside ▪︎Colorado – Saint Francis of Assisi; Immaculate Mary ▪︎Connecticut – Notre Dame of Easton ▪︎Delaware – Our Lady of Mercy ▪︎Florida – Our Lady of La Leche ▪︎Georgia – Immaculate Heart of Mary ▪︎Hawaii – Mary, Star of the Sea; Our Lady, Queen of Peace ▪︎Idaho – Our Lady of Limerick ▪︎Illinois – Our Lady of the Universe ▪︎Indiana – Our Lady of Providence ▪︎Iowa – Mary of Nazareth ▪︎Kansas – Mary, Queen of Angels ▪︎Kentucky – Mother of God ▪︎Louisiana – Our Lady of Prompt Succor ▪︎Maine – Our Lady of Peace ▪︎Maryland – Our Lady of the Assumption ▪︎Massachusetts – Our Lady of the Incarnation ▪︎Michigan – Our Lady, Gate of Heaven ▪︎Minnesota – Our Lady, Mother of the Church ▪︎Mississippi – Our Lady of the Sorrows ▪︎Missouri – Our Lady of Calvary ▪︎Montana – Our Lady of the Pines ▪︎Nebraska – Our Lady of the Presentation ▪︎Nevada – Our Lady of Las Vegas ▪︎New Hampshire – Our Lady of Perpetual Help ▪︎New Jersey – Our Lady of Fatima ▪︎New Mexico – Our Lady of Guadalupe ▪︎New York – Our Lady, Help of Christians ▪︎North Carolina – Our Lady of the Holy Rosary ▪︎North Dakota – Mary, Queen of Peace ▪︎Ohio – Our Lady of Consolation ▪︎Oklahoma – Our Lady, Queen of all Saints ▪︎Oregon – Our Lady of the Woods ▪︎Pennsylvania – Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal ▪︎Rhode Island – Our Lady of Mount Carmel ▪︎South Carolina – Mary the Virgin Mother ▪︎South Dakota – Our Lady of the Prairie ▪︎Tennessee – Our Lady of Lourdes ▪︎Texas – Our Lady of the Annunication ▪︎Utah – Our Lady of the Snows ▪︎Vermont – Our Lady of Grace ▪︎Virginia – Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles ▪︎Washington – Our Lady of Good Help ▪︎West Virginia – Our Lady of Victory ▪︎Wisconsin – Our Lady of the Americas ▪︎Wyoming – Our Lady of the Valley
 Our Lady of the Woods Shrine  Our Lady of the Wayside! |
AuthorJuliana Larsen is the author of the Catholic Doula Blog. Archives
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