Reflections from Conference

Last week, I was in Minneapolis, MN for the 2023 DONA Summit. Here are some of my takeaways.

For Parents, For Professionals, Life as a Doula, My StoryJoyce DykemaOctober 27, 2023about me, doula life, Doula Joyce, doulas, emotions, experience, favorite things, information, self care, professional doula work, learning, thankful

What I Would (and Would Not) Do Differently

A client recently asked me what I would have done differently if I could go back and prepare for my first baby’s birth again. Here are the three things I would do differently, and five things that I would not change if I could go back.

Lochia

Lochia is the postpartum bleeding and discharge. What can you expect for the normal amount, color, and timeline of postpartum lochia?

My favorite things: Golf balls

Here is my latest in a series of all of my favorite things! This will include my favorites for supporting people in childbirth, doula life and recovery, small business owner hacks, books and resources, and more, but today is all about golf balls! Golf balls and other massage tools help to provide firmer pressure and can help the support team to use their energy more efficiently, so they can provide the massage and counterpressure for longer periods of time.

For Parents, For Professionals, Resource Reviews, My Favorite ThingsJoyce DykemaMarch 9, 2020doula life, Doula Joyce, professional doula work, parents, comfort measures, favorite things

My favorite things: The Birth Partner

Here is my latest in a series of all of my favorite things! This will include my favorites for supporting people in childbirth, doula life and recovery, small business owner hacks, books and resources, and more, but today is all about The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin! This excellent book has been one of my favorite items since my own first pregnancy.

For Parents, For Professionals, Resource Reviews, My Favorite ThingsJoyce DykemaMarch 2, 2020doula life, Doula Joyce, professional doula work, parents, comfort measures, favorite things

My favorite things: Swim rings

Next up in my series of all of my favorite things! This will include my favorites for supporting people in childbirth, doula life and recovery, small business owner hacks, books and resources, and more, but today is all about swim rings! I have used these childhood water toys as both a mom and a birth doula. Read more about what I use this for, and why it is one of my favorite things.

For Parents, For Professionals, Resource Reviews, My Favorite ThingsJoyce DykemaFebruary 24, 2020doula life, Doula Joyce, professional doula work, parents, comfort measures, favorite things

My favorite things: My Shining Year

Here is the latest in a series of all of my favorite things! This will include my favorites for supporting people in childbirth, doula life and recovery, small business owner hacks, books and resources, and more, but today is all about the My Shining Year Business Goals Workbook by Leonie Dawson! The workbooks take you through your previous business year finances, services, systems, and more, helps you to quickly identify areas where you need to make changes, and then helps you lay out your goals for the year ahead.

For Parents, For Professionals, Resource Reviews, My Favorite ThingsJoyce DykemaFebruary 17, 2020doula life, Doula Joyce, professional doula work, parents, comfort measures, favorite things

My favorite things: Rice socks

Here is the latest in a series of all of my favorite things! This will include my favorites for supporting people in childbirth, doula life and recovery, small business owner hacks, books and resources, and more, but today is all about rice-filled socks! These DIY microwaveable heating packs are simple and a great comfort tool. Read more about what I use this for, and why it is one of my favorite things.

For Parents, For Professionals, Resource Reviews, My Favorite ThingsJoyce DykemaFebruary 10, 2020doula life, Doula Joyce, professional doula work, parents, comfort measures, favorite things

My favorite things: Hot water bottles

Here is the first in a series of all of my favorite things! This will include my favorites for supporting people in childbirth, doula life and recovery, small business owner hacks, books and resources, and more, but today is all about hot water bottles! This old-fashioned first-aid kit item has quickly become one of my favorite items in my doula bag. Read more about what I use this for, and why it is one of my favorite things.

For Parents, For Professionals, Resource Reviews, My Favorite ThingsJoyce DykemaFebruary 3, 2020doula life, Doula Joyce, professional doula work, parents, comfort measures, favorite things

What to do when during a birth

How to pay for doula services

You want to hire a doula? Great! So how do you pay for one? I’ve listed several ideas and options for you to consider.

For ParentsJoyce DykemaApril 24, 2019parents, birth doula, childbirth education, doulas, Doula Joyce, professional doula work, pregnancy, options, parenting, support, doula life, experience, expectations

The First Hundred

I am so pleased to announce, I have provided doula support at the births of 100 babies since my doula training in 2009! Come read more, and geek out with me as I dig into my doula practice’s birth statistics!

How I doula a Cesarean birth

How I approach doula support for Cesarean births.

Book Review - The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin

My review of The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin, PT.

For Parents, For Professionals, Resource ReviewsJoyce DykemaMarch 27, 2019book review, doula life, childbirth education, Doula Joyce

My post-birth recovery ritual

What I do to recover after doula-ing a birth.

Life as a Doula, My Story, For ProfessionalsJoyce DykemaMarch 6, 2019doula life, Doula Joyce, birth, birth doula, self care, recovery

Looking Back

As we near the end of January, I’m dreaming and planning for the year ahead. However, in order to plan where I want to go, I also need to look back at where I have come from.

Life as a Doula, My StoryJoyce DykemaJanuary 29, 20192019, doula life, Doula Joyce, doulas, EBB Instructor, about me, birth doula, childbirth education, emotions, expectations, thankful, professional doula work, learning, experience

Benefits of hiring a seasoned doula

Previously, I wrote about some of the benefits you may experience by choosing a new doula in your community. What are the benefits of hiring a more experienced doula?

For ParentsJoyce DykemaMay 8, 2018parents, childbirth, doula life, doulas, Doula Joyce, birth doula, experience, expectations, professional doula work, mothers, women, options, pregnancy, support

Benefits of hiring a new doula

Families searching for a birth doula often have a choice of seasoned doulas and new doulas in their area. What are some benefits of hiring a newer doula?

For ParentsJoyce DykemaMay 1, 2018birth doula, doulas, doula life, professional doula work, information, pregnancy, experience

Reblog: Not Any Woman Can

Doula work is more than passion for birth, even more than just passion to support women.

Life as a Doula, For ProfessionalsJoyce DykemaFebruary 26, 2018birth doula, professional doula work, doula life