Adjusting to life with a brand new baby can often times be tiring and trying for parents. Have you ever wondered what you can do to truly help a new parent after they have had a new baby? Read on to find some tips beyond the normal “bring food”. These tips are honestly what most new parents need… coming from a parent of 4! This is a guest blog from Balanced Birth Support. (please keep in mind that everyone has all different levels of comfort in their relationships… not all of these tips will apply to everyone!) This (fast moving) time is not about you: Yes, you may be excited and thrilled an ..read more

TheBecoming a parent is an incredible but there are aspects of postpartum and childbirth that often go unspoken, leaving new parents feeling unprepared. We’ll shed light on what nobody tells you! Never hesitate to reach out to friends and family for some support. If you find yourself needing or wanting professional postpartum support, it’s never to late to schedule a free consutlation call with our Postpartum Director here.  The “Afterbirth Glow” Myth: Contrary to popular belief, postpartum is not always a glamorous time filled with a radiant glow. You might find yourself rocking the “no ..read more

After giving birth, it is common for people to experience postpartum bleeding, also known as lochia. This bleeding occurs as the body sheds the uterine lining that supported the pregnancy. It is a natural part of the healing process and is essential for the body to recover after childbirth. Here’s why we bleed after having a baby and how long it typically lasts… Uterine Contractions and Healing: During pregnancy, the uterus expands to accommodate the growing baby. After delivery, the uterus begins to contract and shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size. These contractions help control bleeding ..read more

Updated March 27th 2020 Dear Doula Families, The evidence shows that doulas improve outcomes. We do so by helping you look at risks/benefits, weighing options and supporting you through the best decisions at any given moment. Doulas also support you through unknown circumstances and challenges along your birthing path (prenatally, during birth and postpartum). As you are aware, we are facing unprecedented times as COVID-19 sweeps through our nation. The biggest priority of Doulas of Northern Virginia is the safety of the families we work with, as well as the safety of our team and their famili ..read more

We all know how much emphasis goes into preparing for birth and your new baby. There’s everything from childbirth books and classes to registries and baby showers. While all of those are wonderful things to focus on, and we’re not suggesting you don’t, we want to make sure you’re aware of the nine items you’ll likely need to have before your baby arrives. Of course, anyone can pick up these things after your baby’s birth. But do you really want your partner to leave for an hour or two to go hunt for them? Do you really want your mother-in-law asking what size underwear you wear because sh ..read more

StoneSprings Hospital Center in Dulles VA has a reputation for being a family centered birthing location. They provide families with options like birthing tubs, aromatherapy, light therapy, showers and many other amazing tools for comfort and a calming experience. The hospital is home to many wonderful obstetricians and midwives (Loudoun Community Midwives) with delivery privileges in their birthing suites. The doulas of DONVA always enjoy working with the care providers and witnessing families have amazing experiences. We are thrilled to celebrate the continuous of great family care with the ..read more

Plants are an amazing way to brighten up any space, especially a nursery. They have air purifying qualities. It’s also so much fun to watch these plants grow along with your new little baby! We have gathered some of out favorites as well as where you can purchase! Spider Plant – Gorgeous plant that varies in size from small, medium, large. The rich green colors, sometimes with variegation make it a nice complement to any nursery colors.  (Purchase here) Snake Plant – Gorgeous deep green leaves shoot think and straight into the air. Good option to give any space depth. Wonderful for a flo ..read more

We’ve got them. Our mothers have them. The project manager you work with, the cashier at Trader Joe’s, and the attorney on the third floor have them. If they’re so normal, why are we so weird about using them ourselves? Breasts. And not just breasts – lactating breasts. ometimes when we’re visiting a client in her home during the first week after birth, she confides that she’s nervous about breastfeeding in public. Maybe the mom has already had to venture out to the pediatrician’s office and was faced with the task of feeding her newborn. Maybe she’s thinking of planning her first solo Target ..read more

If you’re pregnant in Loudoun County, you’ve likely heard of Loudoun Community Midwives. Their practice, which includes five delivering certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), has been serving the community for over a decade. Notorious for their intimate care provided to birthing women at Inova Loudoun through both The Birthing Inn and the Natural Birth Center, it came as quite a surprise when they announced late this summer that they would be moving to StoneSprings Hospital Center (SSHC). With the sudden change, there, naturally, also came a lot of questions.* Here’s the low-down on the big mov ..read more

Your child’s pediatrician is an important partner in his/her care, particularly in the first year of life. You may be visiting their office more frequently than you will in the future, so it’s worth taking time to choose someone you feel comfortable with. You can ask friends and neighbors for recommendations, do your own research, or both. Some pediatricians offer group meet-and-greets while others set up individual meetings or phone calls with expecting parents. While these aren’t meant to be interrogations or medical consultations, a good doctor will be willing and happy to answer your quest ..read more