Essay Contest In honor of World Doula Week, we are excited to announce an essay contest celebrating the vital role doulas play in the birthing and postpartum journey. This year’s theme, "Leading with the Heart," aligns with our mission at [Your Doula Agency Name], where we prioritize compassion, empathy, and unwavering support for families. This contest invites you to reflect on how we shape the care we provide through heart-centered leadership. Leading with the Heart Being a doula means offering not just physical care, but emotional and mental support—being present, listening, and honoring e ..read more

Myths vs Facts By: Ollie Knight What is POCD? Postpartum OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is similar to OCD that occurs at other times, although there are a few distinctions. Postpartum OCD begins after childbirth, and tends to have a more rapid onset. It also focuses on the infant as well as parenthood as a whole. Parents who already have OCD are at an increased risk of developing POCD. Like the name suggests, OCD consists of obsessions: excessive intrusive thoughts, which then leads to compulsions: repetitive behaviors, that can be both physical and mental. The compulsions are meant to s ..read more

The Role of a Doula in Supporting Partners Many partners can feel helpless during labor, unsure of how to assist in managing pain or supporting you through the process. One way to prepare is by having your doula lead a comfort measures workshop during a prenatal session. This allows both you and your partner to feel better equipped and ready for the big day. The primary way your doula supports your partner is by being there for you consistently. This allows your partner the freedom to step out of the room to take a breath of fresh air, grab a cup of coffee, check their email, or even respond t ..read more

1. Start the Conversation Early Depending on their age and understanding, you can start discussing what it means to have a new sibling. For toddlers and preschoolers, simple conversations like “The baby is growing in my belly and will be here soon!” can be simple enough. As they get older, you can dive deeper into what it means to be an older sibling, and what responsibilities or changes that might bring. If you’re not ready for friends and family to know about the new addition yet, be wary that not all little ones are the best at keeping secrets! Tip: Use books or stories that feature older s ..read more

It’s not too late to find the perfect gift for the special people in your life this holiday season! If you’re unsure what to get the new parents or parents-to-be on your list, we’ve put together a thoughtful gift guide to help you pick something they’ll truly appreciate. For the expectant parent in your life, we highly recommend: Traditional Medicinals Pregnancy Comfort Collection. As their website explains, “Crafted with a blend of herbs that support a healthy pregnancy and prepare the body for childbirth, our teas offer a soothing, nurturing experience for moms-to-be.” To make this gif ..read more

During pregnancy, an important decision that parents should consider is whether to bank their baby's cord blood. Despite its significant potential, many parents remain unaware of this option. Cord blood banking is more than just a genetic safeguard—it could be crucial for your family's health in the future. Cord Blood Banking: A Key Health Resource Cord blood banking involves preserving the stem cells found in your baby’s umbilical cord. These stem cells have immense potential for future medical treatments and serve as a unique form of health insurance. The umbilical cord contains hematopoiet ..read more

By Carrie Scott, NCS Becoming a parent is uniquely challenging in our busy, modern world. Often lacking the family and community supports that humans relied on for millennia, and facing complex pressures and stressors, new parents can struggle through this significant phase of life. As a newborn care specialist and aspiring postpartum doula, I believe that quality postpartum support can change that by giving new parents the care, support, and guidance they need. A positive postpartum and newborn care experience is one that leaves new parents feeling cared for, healthy, and confident in their ..read more

Our 2024 word of the year is Experience. Doulas of Capitol Hill is committed to supporting our clients to have an excellent experience, to building our community through sharing inclusive and anti-racist affiliate businesses and organizations, and growing our professional skills so that each doula feels confident to have a thriving and sustainable career as a birth-worker through our monthly Town Halls.  This year, we are contributing to the Doula Community and to the professional growth of doulas in two ways: First: We are offering a sign on bonus for those we hire at our In Person Hi ..read more

By Emily Griffin, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C Disrupted sleep, feeding challenges, an unending to-do list, complicated relationships with our own parents and extended family, so many decisions to make every day- big and small, and the inherent stress of trying to keep this little human alive and thriving… It’s no wonder that so many couples report that the most stressful time in their relationship or marriage happens during the infant and toddler years.  When we are sleep deprived, we are less patient, foggy brained, easier to overwhelm, less likely to be able to listen intently, and more likely ..read more

Introduction Hello! I'm Alli, one of the proud owners of JoyLet, a baby gear rental service that serves the greater DMV area, Baltimore and everywhere in between. We’re on a mission to make early parenthood easier by and less stressful by offering top-of-the-line baby gear and toys at a fraction of the cost. Parents love renting because they can use and swap all the gear they need without cluttering up their homes.  The Birth of JoyLet JoyLet was born from a desire to approach parenthood mindfully - to avoid the overwhelm caused by all the physical stuff that comes along with having a ba ..read more