A Doula’s Role in Birth

A doula is a “woman who serves” and a popular role in the birth industry these days.  What does a doula do?  This topic is covered in a variety of ways all over the web, but I want to cover a very important topic that seems to get lost in the mix of attended births, especially hospital births.   Although there are a few male doulas here and there, a doula typically is a woman and “serves” other women during the perinatal stages, commonly, birth. 

There are a variety of areas a doula can specialize in including antenatal doulas (who serve during pregnancy), labor doulas (rather self-explanatory), and postpartum doulas (who support during postpartum and many also provide placenta encapsulation services).  Their role, first and foremost, is SUPPORT for the mother.  We’re going to discuss that specifically in this post.

Because a mother may often require emotional and physical encouragement and/or assistance, the labor doula’s top priority is providing this type of support. 

Doulas (as adapted from DONA.org):

• Reduce fear and anxiety
• Reduce requests for pain relief
• Increase chance of spontaneous vaginal delivery
• Shorten labors
• Reduce complications
• Reduce pitocin usage
• Reduce need for interventions and cesarean delivery
• Increase use of a birth plan
• Increase positive feelings about childbirth experience
• Enable couples to feel more secure & cared for
• Increase success in adapting to new family dynamics
• Increase breastfeeding success
• Decrease risk of postpartum depression
• Increase bonding and sensitivity
• Create more self-confidence in parenting

Contrary to what many believe, advocacy is not her primary role.  And, although she may provide this type of support in some sense, she cannot change policy.  This is why parents need to understand why hiring a doula for the right reasons is so essential to a positive experience.  Let’s get a few things straight, first:

1. Get Educated
2. Make choices that SUPPORT YOUR birth philosophy and understand how those choices affect your ability to birth biologically.
3. AFTER you’ve made those choices THEN hire a doula for support and maybe advocacy if you don’t have the option of a birth philosophy-supported experience.

You really should not make birth choices that require you to use a birth guide or doula to have your wishes met.  In most locations, finding a provider to support your birth philosophy is very possible.  In many cases, yes, you likely need to be open to a home birth, but, I haven’t quite understood how parents feel safe fighting for a birth guide in a hospital rather than being thoroughly supported by a home birth anyway.  In a hospital, chances are, your L&D nurse is the one caring for you and conveying details to your provider.  A home birth midwife is typically far more experienced than an L&D nurse (especially in regards to natural birth).  Not to mention, they are right there with you and can do things to help you or transfer if needed, whereas most births in the hospital require waiting for the care provider to show up to determine risks and emergencies….hmm… something to think about.

The birth team works best when everyone supports each other and negativity is thrown out of the mix.  Negativity increases stress, which increases pain, which decreases oxygen, which triggers maternal and/or fetal distress…  See where I’m going here?  You should not choose a birth environment or care provider believing you (or dad, or your doula) can change the way they practice.  Do you have rights?  Of course.  But, so do they (and you also have to consider all those consent forms you may have signed).  And, they also have a bit more power than you might like to believe.  Better to reduce the tension and just have a great birth, don’t ya think?

Along those same lines, don’t hire your doula and forego the perinatal education because you believe your doula can educate you along the way.  Many doulas do offer childbirth education, often even private classes, BUT this is PRIOR to the birth.  A doula can absolutely provide you with on the spot pros/cons/education…etc., when necessary (which shouldn’t be needed in the average birth situation that was created through choices supporting your birth philosophy) but this should NOT be relied upon!  When you’re in the moment of birth, you don’t want to switch on that logical part of your brain to get some last-minute education.  You need to stay in that primal-brain birth mode to work with your contractions, listen to your instincts, and progress your labor.  Additionally, if you haven’t been educated, you have likely not developed a birth philosophy and therefore don’t really know what all your options are or what you want (and may not be selecting choices catering to what you would have wanted had you been educated…etc…etc.)  All of this tends to end up in a “had I known…” scenario or “wish I would have…” situation.  Doesn’t cater to the positive birth experience that could occur.

A doula is best used when physically and emotionally supporting the mother.  This can come in the form of physical touch, pressure, supporting positions, suggesting bathroom breaks, creating privacy, calming breathing, making noises, and what have you.  Telling mom “you’re doing great,” “one contraction at a time,” and remembering specifics like relaxation triggers, positive words (wave, sensation…etc. vs. contraction, pain…etc.).  She is with the woman throughout her labor rather than doing paperwork and tending to another birth.  She is also suggesting supportive techniques to the birth partner, giving the birth partner breaks, and allowing the birth partner to participate as much as they can (and prefer) to be involved.  If she has to spend her time fighting over policies and routines, telling someone she doesn’t want to labor on her back, and preventing a provider from doing things like episiotomy and early cord clamping, then her skills are not being efficiently utilized, and the mother is not being fully supported…nor using her instincts.

This is no different in a home birth.  You should not select a provider in any location where a doula needs to be your advocate.  And, because this perspective of a doula is so prominent, many midwives get offened that doulas are hired for home births.  Likewise, many mothers are not hiring doulas because they really don’t “get” how valuable they can be at home.  For the most part, a midwife offers continuous support.  However, they are often doing more clinical things that a doula doesn’t provide…. and if they’re doing clinical things, then the mother may be lacking some support that she needs.  If the mother feels like she doesn’t want to birth alone (i.e. unassisted) then she needs to select the team that best supports her.  If the midwife needs to document part of the birth, check heart tones, check blood pressure (or one of those crazy vaginal exams)…etc., the mother may want that doula-support that she isn’t getting during those times.  Not to mention the births that may require a little more clinical care than others, difficult labors, or births that need transferred.  If there is an emergency, the midwife will be focusing on health of the mother and baby.  Even when there isn’t an emergency, the midwife is watching over the mother and focusing on the health – a perspective that isn’t the same as just supporting.

Bottom line, select a birth environment that SUPPORTS you.

Babywearing

Babywearing provides an easy way to integrate baby into your life by offering options to keep the little one close to your heart where they’re comfortable, skin-to-skin to regulate temperature, easy nursing access, and flexibility so you can be hands free for cooking, cleaning, shopping, eating, and many other tasks new mothers may find difficult while adjusting to life with a new baby.

Babywearing is a beneficial type of kangaroo care that keeps babies close, stimulates physical, emotional, and mental development and helps babies, particularly preemies, where studies show they gain weight and are healthier than those who are not worn.

Many moms are getting into the trend of high quality carriers to ensure their child’s safety, but aren’t quite sure which one to buy.  There are a variety of carriers to choose from; finding your style only takes a little bit of research.  It is best if you can try a few before buying them, but here is a breakdown of the basic styles:

Wrap

A wrap is super soft and flexible with a lot of versatility.  There are adjustable types as well as pre-wrapped styles offering something for everyone.  These wraps distribute the weight very well, and have no points that compress the body creating extreme comfort at almost every stage of wearing.

The adjustable types consist of a very long piece of fabric that allows multiple wrapping methods and easily grow with the baby from birth (even preemies).  The pre-wrapped are easier to get the hang of, and have much less fabric, but only fit the baby well at one stage, and may not go between care givers easily because of body shape differences. 

Wraps are often the best for the newborn stages, but are not recommended for back-carrying because of safety. 

Sling

A sling style carrier seems less intimidating than a wrap and is worn over one shoulder and across the body.  These may be a pouch-type of just fabric, or may have a clasp, like a ring, to adjust and tighten to fid the child.  They often require some support of the care giver with an extra hand, but are super fast to get on and off.  Be cautious of low-grade slings that don’t allow the baby’s head and neck to extend or their back to be fully supported.  These may not be great for extended wear because the weight isn’t distributed, but make short shopping trips much easier, and safer, than carrying the baby in the car seat. 

Soft Structured Carrier

These carriers are typically the easiest and support the baby well – especially as the baby gets older and into toddlerhood.  These carriers are often preferred by the dads.  They usually have a large panel of fabric, some adorned with pouches and hoods, and are tied or buckled to stay secure.  These adjustable carriers are excellent for extended wear like hiking, and many are useable from newborn through about 45lbs (though many need a newborn insert for those smaller stages).  Be sure to avoid the “crotch-dangling” carriers that support the baby by the groin rather than separating the legs as they would naturally go when holding your child.  This is especially important for a newborn as it is easy to dislocate the legs/hips and prevent proper physical development.

Once you’ve found the style (or often styles) you prefer, there are just a few basic safety guidelines (which may seem a little too logical, but they need to be pointed out) you’ll want to think about when you wear your baby:

• Use your carrier according to the manufacturer’s instructions including baby’s height and weight and inspect for defects before wearing.
• Practice with a doll to get comfortable with your carrier.
• Be sure baby can breathe – their chin should not fold against their chest & fabric should not cover their face.
• Be careful of your activity using the same activity precautions as you would while pregnant.
• Do not wear your baby while driving or riding in a vehicle or sleeping.
• Be sure baby’s exposed areas are protected from outside elements.
• Be cautious of what baby can reach, and what can touch your baby especially while cooking or if baby is worn on your back.
• Be sure anyone carrying your baby can assess risk, knows how to use your carrier, and understands babywearing safety.
• Position your baby close enough to kiss & in a way that mimics how you would naturally hold them with just your arms.  Baby’s back should be straight & the head and neck well supp­­orted.

So, those are the basics.  My personal favorites are the Moby or Boba Wrap and the Boba Soft Structure Carrier, and if I were going to pick just one, I would pick a wrap like the Moby or Boba Wrap (formerly known as the SleepWrap).  I recommend parents attend a babywearing workshop, or get together with a group of babywearing moms and try on a few styles.

Postpartum Privacy

A few words regarding the recovery period from birth and those who want to visit the family and meet the new baby.  This is what a mother and father may be feeling postpartum, so please, when a loved one has a baby – don’t expect to visit them soon after birth, and if you do – always call first (at a reasonable hour). 

When I was going through postpartum with my first baby, I was very lucky, in many ways, to be so far from friends and family that visits needed to be scheduled.  No one knew when the baby would arrive, and they could only come and visit after we gave them a call and told them the baby had made an entrance into the world.  And even then, we had a six hour time frame of arrival.  We didn’t have anyone with us during the birth, except our midwife and her assistant, and then we were on our own at home with poopy diapers, spit up, figuring out nursing positions – and crying about it, walking around in mesh panties with a chux pad following, and changing nursing pads.

I don’t know how you feel when you’re on your period – but it isn’t always the most glorious feeling in the world.  And, when you have approximately 6 weeks of bleeding after birth, plus figuring out how to be a mother and learning how to breastfeed – entertaining guests, or even simply having guests present who just want to see your baby, can be a little overwhelming.  You’re totally unsure of yourself, you wonder if you’ve got blood on your pants, you’re not well rested, and cleaning the house is the last thing on your mind.

Whether you birthed out of the home or in your own bed, you typically have a few days of being in a sort of fog from birth.  The midwives, doula, or nursing staff have helped cleaned up a bit and gotten you off to a good start with parenting, but, then a few days pass, and you’re finally in that “this is real” stage of postpartum.  It is kind of like the active to transition stage of labor – where it is totally doable, but probably no longer exciting (for a little while).  You have work to do, and people visiting you can get a little aggravating.  Family and friends are anxious to meet the new baby and hear all the details, and you’re just becoming exhausted.

But that’s not it – that doesn’t quite explain the clear picture of a postpartum mom and dad after a normal birth (with no complications, might I add).  Do some parents pick right up where they left off feeling as if there is no “recovery” needed?  Absolutely.  But postpartum recovery for most moms involves a recovery of emotions, of routine changes, and getting used to new responsibilities.

First and foremost, birth experience will have the biggest affect on postpartum.  Mom may have had a wonderful empowering birth experience – but in all reality, unfortunately, that isn’t how most birth experiences go.  The more educated parents are, the better choices they make for birth.  And the better the choices are, the higher likelihood of a pleasant birth experience is for them.  However, what if things don’t go as expected?  Well, if mom experienced a medicated birth, an assisted birth (i.e. vacuum extraction…etc.), or a cesarean, she’ll be dealing with more emotions and more recovery than even the small yet significant changes that we’ll discuss here.  So just remember that you don’t know what parents are thinking or feeling (or exactly what they experienced) – and that this postpartum period isn’t just another time to meet the baby.  It is a time of a lot of physical and emotional changes that help make Mom, Dad, and baby who they will become over the next year.  This is their time – their time for a babymoon.  So, just as you would respect their honeymoon, this period involves a much more tremendous amount of respect.

Mom is having “afterpains.”  Her uterus is involuting (shrinking to its normal pre-pregnancy size).  This is kind of like period cramps and often stronger in moms who’ve been pregnant before.  When mom nurses, these afterpains are often stronger because the oxytocin release during a “let down” (when the milk flows faster and stronger) increases the strength of these mini-contractions.  Not unbearable, but a little annoying to deal with when you’ve got guests.  During all of this, she also has a discharge called lochia, which is like a really heavy period, and it lasts approximately 6 weeks, getting lighter as the weeks continue.  Sometimes she passes small clots within the discharge.  She has to wear large pads that fill up quickly, and you almost feel like you have a huge overnight diaper between your legs.  In fact, many postpartum moms wear depends because they’re more comfortable and easier to deal with.  She’s likely a little embarrassed by it, and probably wonders if you can see anything bulging.  Not to mention being afraid of bleeding all over herself and her furniture while guests are playing with the baby.  Some moms carry a chux pad (like a big waterproof gauze pad) around to sit on for just this reason– and this isn’t very pleasant to see.  And, if there is only one bathroom in the house, she probably doesn’t want to worry about changing the trash bag just to accommodate guests.  She’s probably gotten used to walking around half naked – maybe in a sports bra and mesh panties – during this time because she feels like she’ll bleed all over her clothes, or simply just doesn’t want to worry about a shirt while breastfeeding – so, now she’s a little uncomfortable that she has to make herself presentable – that’s the least of her focus right now.

Physically, she may feel very odd.  If she’s had any vaginal tears, which are none of your business, she probably feels like she needs to waddle through the house.  Urinating and having a bowel movement may be uncomfortable – and she probably doesn’t want to worry about putting up (or explaining) her peri bottle (which is used to help alleviate discomforts while using the bathroom).  Using the bathroom, even just urinating, can take a bit of time.  She may have trouble walking to the bathroom, and the discomfort during her bathroom break would be much more comfortable if there weren’t guests nearby.  If there are no tears, she still may feel a little tender, and just a little odd walking around.  Her organs have been pushed up rather close to her chest for the past few months, and are now finding their way back to their pre-pregnancy location.  Her lung capacity is increased because of the additional room – making breathing feel very awkward –  and she may very well feel like her organs are going to drop through her body because they’ve been supported by a uterus and baby for quite some time now.  She may feel out of breath and as if she needs to hold up her stomach and walk hunched over for the next few weeks.  She doesn’t want to do this in front of many people – it is discouraging to think about what others are thinking – or very uncomfortable to make it appear as though she doesn’t need to do it.  She probably feels awkward and self-conscious about her skin and stomach as it changes during postpartum – and may or may not ever look like pre-pregnancy again - especially if she received comments during pregnancy about her size and shape. 

Emotionally, Mom and Dad can be a plethora of things.  They may feel energetic the first few days after birth, and then totally exhausted the next.  Mom may feel cheery, or she may just want to cry.  They may have had a rough night and need the extra rest, and your plans for visiting may need to be postponed.  Dad is still in that protective mode from birth, and his hormones are adjusting to parenthood in a very similar fashion to mom’s.  Mom’s hormones are changing, and leveling off, and she is adjusting to a new type of lifestyle.  They don’t want to hear all the things that you did that worked, or that were differently from them.  Mom and dad need to figure this out together because this baby is different than your babies, their older babies, or any other babies – and that is perfectly fine.  All the advice, books, and guidance in the world really can’t make up for in-the-moment learning about parenting – and they don’t want to feel judged in any sort of way.  They are tired – but hopefully eating well.  Nutrition is vital to emotional and physical health.  If you are the in-laws, you may likely be increasing a little more stress in your son-in-law or daughter-in-law.  We likely feel more judged by our in-laws than our own family, and we’re even less likely to speak up about it – so please be courteous with your thoughts during this time.  Positive conversations about what you remember going through will likely make a postpartum mom or dad feel better about their decisions – but they don’t need advice - they just need time to figure it out without someone looking over their shoulder.

Mom’s milk is probably maturing at this time.  Her breasts are likely much larger than normal – in a veiny and bulging sort of way – not a plump and luscious manner, and she probably feels self conscious.  None of her clothes fit quite right at this point.  She may be engorged and trying to get the baby to latch on to her breast well.  She doesn’t want you watching, and she probably keeps wondering if she has milk pouring down her shirt.  And, if she is formula feeding – she has these same feelings because her breasts go through the same changes.  Nursing with visitors around has nothing to do with being comfortable “nursing in public” although this is also a factor for many moms.  This is a learning period for her and the baby.  Even if she has breastfed before – this is a new baby with a new personality and the same need to learn how to breastfeed as any other baby.  She would likely rather take her shirt off, with baby skin to skin, let the milk drip from the other side, and just figure out how to comfortably latch her baby on without someone watching.  Even worrying that she has guests in the living room waiting on her and the baby’s return is exhausting.  She just wants to take the time needed to get the hang of breastfeeding.  She may need to remove the baby from the breast, latch on, and repeat this 10 times before the baby is latched comfortably enough so that she can enjoy breastfeeding and feed her baby.  And, newborn baby’s nurse about once an hour, for quite a while; this is normal.  She doesn’t want to hear that her milk is not satisfying her baby, that she would feel better if she just used a bottle, or that what she is doing is uncomfortable for you.  Her baby’s stomach is just very tiny (about the size of a marble to a ping pong ball) and breastmilk digests very easily.  Imagine how often you would eat if your food was a laxative and your stomach was that small.  If baby is fussy, she likely needs to nurse, so just take it as your cue to leave. 

So, as a loving friend or family of someone with a new baby, what can you consider during postpartum visits? 

• You’ll have plenty of time to meet the baby.  This is mom and dad’s time (and the sibling’s time) to get to know their new family member.  This is a time of adjustment and needs to be respected.
• If you are going to visit a postpartum family, be prepared with some kind of help – like a home cooked meal, healthy snacks, or some toilet paper, bread, or milk.  If you want to help by cooking or cleaning while you’re at the postpartum house, please arrange this prior to your visit.  If you come and just start picking things up, doing dishes, or saying “can I clean your house for you?” – it may very well be seen as an insult.  Cleaning is the last thing on their mind, but they definitely don’t want to feel like their guests are concerned about a messy house.  Although these things are much appreciated, if mom and dad aren’t ready for the longer visit it would take to do these things, then they aren’t always helpful.  Know that their house will be messy.  And certainly don’t drop by without notice because it can elicit a lot of anxiety on someone if they are personally concerned about a messy house with guests in it.  They’re adjusting to a new baby in the house, they don’t need the added stress.
• Don’t wait for them to tell you they’re ready for a nap or want to feed the baby alone - or it is time for you to go.  Get real.  When does anyone ever say “OK, time for you to go now, we want our privacy.”  Most humans just don’t interact in that manner.  They feel like they’re being rude, even though it is their home.  They appreciate your help and love that you want to be near them, but they really just want their privacy and time to get to know their baby.  Plan to stay a very short time.  This is your responsibility.  Have the courtesy to excuse yourself.  If they want you to stay longer, they’ll let you know.
• Baby wants to be with mommy.  Mommy may love a break and love for you to hold the new little one.  However, personally, I am one of those people who don’t like to pass my baby around.  I will ask you if you want to hold the baby, when I’m ready.  I would rather you not ask me, and certainly do not just go up and grab my baby.  Know that babies can be over-stimulated very easily – so keep your cuddling sessions limited unless you’re making my baby very happy by rocking it to sleep.
• If you’re a friend or family member that doesn’t have children – you have absolutely no idea what these new parents are experiencing.  It doesn’t matter if you grew up babysitting, if you had younger siblings in your family, or if you even lived with someone while they had a new baby.  When you have your own baby and are the one making all the decisions – you will know how different every child is, and how much responsibility you now have, and how emotional this time can be for each individual.  Don’t make judgments based on something you’ve not been through.
• When you want to assume that the parents are doing something wrong because the child is not reacting in some sort of way that you approve of - it is probably time for you to leave.  Let these parents figure it out.  It is better to instinctively parent from the heart – and respecting that each parent will make different choices is very important.  It is OK if it is not what you would choose for your own child.  And it is OK for this generation – or any – to read parenting books.  We live in a very different culture now, and it is always a great thing to continue learning.
• Donate some money to hire a postpartum doula.  Don’t be offended when they want their postpartum doula there longer than you.  A postpartum doula already understands all of these needs of a postpartum family, and has a very objective approach.  Mom probably feels very comfortable that she is receiving breastfeeding help from the postpartum doula, that the doula is helping older siblings to be integrated within the family, and that she doesn’t have to worry one bit about her doula judging the way her house looks.  The doula is used to seeing moms with pads and chux pads, holding up their stomachs, and milk soaked shirts.  This is second nature to the doula, and this kind of care makes mom and dad feel much more comfortable.  It does not mean they don’t appreciate your love and care.

And new moms, don’t let this discourage you by any means.  Some moms love the visitors and love the help – and it all depends on your personal birth experience, your personality, and the type of help you’re recieving.  Postpartum is a wonderful time for most parents, when properly supported.  It is a time that is best spent babymooning, not entertaining.  Even if you love the visitors – you do need to rest and take this time to spend bonding with your baby.  It is often the first-time moms that don’t grasp how important it is to tell their friends and family to limit their visits (if at all).  Your friends and family do not need to be a big part of your birth experience or your postpartum.  This is YOUR time.  This is YOUR family.  Speak up and avoid unnecessary stress.  It is such a short time and you’ll appreciate the privacy.  Check out this post for an example Do Not Disturb door sign and a letter to family and friends if you don’t know where to start with communicating your postpartum wishes.

 

What did you experience with your postpartum visits that you wish your friends and family would have better understood?  Send me a note and I’ll update the list!

 

Postpartum Planning

Family and friends often want to be a big part of the postpartum period to get to know the newest little one.  In many other cultures, family and friends in the community are a large part of the postpartum period to allow mom to get to know her baby and rest after birth.  In the American culture, a lot of friends and family have be accustomed to wanting to visit with the new baby, playing, holding, and feeding.  This cultural difference can make a big difference in the postpartum period for families.  It is very important that postpartum help is of a positive manner and mom is not spending her time entertaining guests or dealing with a fussy baby from overstimulation.  A postpartum doula (especially after a cesarean birth) is an extremely valuable addition to your postpartum birth team.  As I am planning for my 1st postpartum experience around friends and family (they were 6 hrs away for my first birth), I am laying out our plans for a relaxing babymoon.  I want to share my approach and hopefully give you an insight into how you can communicate with your friends and family for your postpartum babymoon.

Dear Family & Friends,

We wanted to send a quick note to everyone so you know what our plans are for the postpartum period with our newest little one arriving in the fall.  We are preparing for our 2^nd home birth with some wonderful midwives and are really looking forward to the event, and the precious time after the birth to be spent with our immediate family.

We know how excited everyone will be to hear of our news; however, please understand that this is a very private event for us and we will share our experience as soon as we’re rested and ready.  We will not have anyone attending our birth, nor visiting for the first few weeks after the birth except our midwives and doula who will also be checking on us during the postpartum period.

This is a very precious and special time that is important for us to have integrating our newest little one within our family.  Our little one will be adjusting to the new environment, learning to breastfeed, and napping and will want to be near mommy as much as possible.

There are many ways you can help in those days which include ways to allow us to spend time with our baby, and get as much rest as possible.  Some of those specific things include:

• Cooking healthy meals that we may freeze & reheat prior to birth and/or enjoy fresh postpartum.  You can see our meal registry at http://mealbaby.com/viewregistry/551025 if you would like to help with this.
• Occasionally watching Bell so she can get a break from the new changes, get out and enjoy the weather more, and to help everyone rest.  We’ll let you know when this would be helpful.
• Picking up items at the grocery store if we need them and can’t get out.
• Avoid mowing the grass around our house so as not to disturb our many nap times.  If you would like to help with mowing – please talk with James about times that would be beneficial – otherwise, James can mow when we know everyone is up and alert.  Our rest is very very important to us for the happiness and well-being of our family.

We will post a reminder on our door when our baby arrives – and will list items that we would like for you to pick-up/drop-off so that you can help us as much as possible.  Please remember to not knock on our door, as this tends to wake all of us up when we’re sleeping, and again – our rest is very important to us.  Please feel welcome to e-mail or leave a message on our phone; however, please understand that we will be turning the ringers off on our phones – and will return messages when we feel rested.  Please do not disturb the midwives and doula while they’re here, they are very busy.

Thank you so much for understanding how important our “babymoon” is for our new family.  We appreciate all the love and assistance everyone has and look forward to letting you meet our newest addition after a little time of growing and adjusting.

 

Love to All!
James, Danielle, Isabella, & Baby #2

 

Additionally, attached below is a .pdf of our Do Not Disturb sign we plan on hanging on our doors.  This is great for unexpected guests (which is everything from family and friends to post office workers…etc.) and those that may have forgotten your postpartum babymoon plan.  Laminating is great for weatherproofing and so you can fill in the blanks with a dry erase marker.

 Babymoon Do Not Disturb Sign