HypnoDoula Certification

I completed my training to become a Certified Hypnosis Doula with Lauralyn Curtis from HypnoBirthing Utah this weekend, and loved every minute of it! Who's ready for a professional massage therapist trained in prenatal, labor support and postpartum massage, and trained in HypnoBirthing to be your doula? You get professional massages included in your package, including an out-call postpartum massage, where I come to your home and massage those aching nursing muscles, and teach you infant massage! Who doesn't want to be professionally massaged all through your labor?

But seriously, this work is amazing. I have had the privilege of attending all kinds of births, home, hospital, natural, epidural and cesarean section. I'm grateful for the experience in assisting in all births, and supporting the mother in any choice she makes, I have such a passion for what I do, and feel humbled by those who choose to include me in their birth story. Thank you to all my past, present and future clients! 

Q96 EmpowerPlus and how it has changed my life

Because I work with many pregnant women, I thought I should share my story of my experience in finding this amazing supplement that has changed my life. I have suffered with depression and anxiety for 4 years, and since starting this product, I no longer take any medication, and feel like myself again. Because it is a micronutrient supplement, (it is made of vitamins, minerals and amino acids) it is safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and therefore is a saving grace for perinatal and postpartum depression and mood disorders.

I suffered immensely with these during my pregnancies, and searched and searched for something that could help me without harming my baby. It was devastating to resort to synthetic antidepressants and hope beyong hope that they wouldn't harm my baby. I wish so much I would have found this then. I made a promise that if I ever found something, that I would share it with the world. Well, that is what I'm doing now. Here is a link to my full story and more information on the wonderful life saving product. Let me know if you have any questions.

Dreading going past your due date? Schedule a due date labor stimulation massage!

Are you stressed about your due date, and having it come and go with no baby yet? Stressing over your due date is so disheartening. Right about week 38 is when pregnant mommas have had enough! Nothing is comfortable anymore; walking, sleeping, sitting, just moving is so exhausting. 

So instead of stressing about that day, how about scheduling a massage? It turns that day into a guaranteed relaxing and rewarding day to celebrate you coming so far. The worst that could happen is you get a relaxing massage and continue being pregnant for a few more weeks, OR the massage relaxes your body and lowers stress hormones and releases feel-good hormones into the bloodstream that jump start your labor! Acupressure has also been shown to significantly impact the body’s ability to go into labor. Certain essential oils can help stimulate uterine activity as well. I use doTERRA essential oils, and have had much success. I use all of these in a Due-Date Labor Stimulation Massage.

With all of this, your due date will turn into a wonderful day to look forward to, regardless of the outcome! Let me help you celebrate your 40 week mark by pampering you and easing your aching, beautiful body! (Baby will love it too!)

Benefits of Labor Massage and Hiring a Labor Massage Therapist HypnoDoula

On a physiological level, our bodies change so drastically so quickly as we go through the process of bringing a baby into this world, that it is no wonder we are met with a variety of aches and pains, and that our bodies can feel foreign to us. Our ligaments, joints, muscles and skin are all being pulled and stretched and strained, and we experience an imbalance between them all. It is important to help the body transition, and relax, and strengthen what is weak and tired so that we can relieve the pain caused from the imbalance. 

Touch is very powerful. The right touch can be the ultimate healer, more powerful than any drug. It can be the difference between life and death.Truthfully, we cannot live without touch. No drug can substitute it. I see dramatic, real life changes in my client's quality of life every day, and they are healthier inside and out. It only makes sense to use massage during the most physically challenging and changing thing we will ever go through.

Some benefits of pregnancy and labor massage include:

• Helps control blood pressure
• Helps relieve nausea, constipation and indigestion
• Helps reduce swelling and edema and increases circulation
• Increases flow of nutrients to the placenta
• Relieves leg pains and cramps
• Opens chest for deeper breath and supports learning deep breathing
• Strengthens the immune system
• Directly affects the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and its consequences for mother and baby
• Alleviates anxiety and depression
• Strengthens muscles in preparation for labor and delivery
• Allows for deeper breathing and a better night’s sleep
• Maintains body posture and balance
• Reduce labor time, labor pain, and even technical intervention
• Counterpressures can almost completely relieve pain from contractions
• Reaching a state of hypnosis keeps your whole body and mind relaxed and significantly reduces any pain or discomfort
• Shortens hospital stay
• Reduces postpartum depression

A laboring woman's back in particular can get extremely sore, and a good rub can make a world of difference. The back pain can be more intense than the contractions - this has been named 'back labor', and occurs in 25% of births. Usually the back pain is caused by baby being in the 'occput posterior position', in which baby's back is pushing against mom's spine. If your back is sore during childbirth, make sure you speak up, don't grin and bear it! It may mean you're experiencing 'back labor' and you need to change position onto your hands and knees to ease pressure on your spine, and receive a good back rub". - (http://naturalmamanz.blogspot.com)

Massage can also decrease labor time by keeping the body relaxed and therefore allowing the cervix to open without tension. Using the shoulder press and counterpressures creates a grounding feeling and an opposing force that counteracts the pressure from the surges. Also, using light-touch massage to create goosebumps confuses the nervous system and provides temporary relief and releases oxytocin, the body's natural pain reliever. Focusing on the head, neck, back and arms using a sweeping motion with your fingers will create this effect. There are also acupressure points that, when held, can decrease pain. This is only released when a woman feels relaxed and safe, and so therefore having a calm, quiet and relaxing atmosphere are integral to achieving this wonderful natural drug. 

When you hire me as your Professional Massage HypnoDoula, I am on call from 38 weeks on. I will be there during your labor as soon as you feel you need me, regardless of the hour. You can hire me to come for 3, 6 or 24+ hour packages. Any unused hours roll over into postpartum massage hours that you can use as soon as you'd like. Hiring me in addition to or separate from your main doula will only help you have more of the support necessary to keep you relaxed and calm through your labor and delivery. I work hand in hand with doulas, but can also stand alone to support you through massage. 

I am a mother of two boys and one girl, and took Lauralyn’s hypnobirthing class and had a 
wonderful birth utilizing those techniques. I am also a Certified HypnoDoula and have attended many different kinds of births, from home to hospital, natural to epidural and even C - section. I believe in empowering women with the knowledge of all the many options available to the pregnant mother. I believe that touch is vital to healing, and is incredibly powerful in aiding relaxation and alleviating pain and discomfort.

Father's Day Special!

Now it's daddy's turn!! This Father's Day, let's give a gift that EVERY daddy deserves for all their hard work!! From now until June 15th, buy a gift certificate for dad's only for 20% regular price. Buy a 60 minute massage for only $40, or get the most bang for your buck by spoiling her with a 90 minute massage for only $64! That is a screaming deal. He will love it, and love you for giving it, I promise! 

Mother's Day Special!!!

This Mother's Day, let's give a gift that EVERY mother needs! Relaxation, an escape, a chance to do something for her, instead of everyone else! From now until May 11th, buy a gift certificate for mom's only for 20% regular price. Buy a 60 minute massage for only $40, or get the most bang for your buck by spoiling her with a 90 minute massage for only $64! That is a screaming deal. She will love it, and love you for giving it, I promise!