Meet The Doula Night

The dictionary defines DOULA as "A woman who assists another woman during labor and provides support to her, the infant, and the family after childbirth."  For any family who has actually had the opportunity to experience childbirth with a doula, it can mean so much more.  In 1993, according to Klaus, Kendall & Klaus, laboring with a trained birth doula resulted in:

• 50% reduction in the cesarean rate
• 25% shorter labor
• 60% reduction in epidural requests
• 40% reduction in oxytocin use
• 30% reduction in analgesia use
• 40% reduction in forceps delivery

With a success rate like that, it's amazing that doulas only attend about 1% of all births in the United States.  As if that isn't enough, there are also POSTPARTUM doulas.  According to Debra Pascali-Bonaro, some of the benefits of having a postpartum doula assist the family are:

Increases success of breastfeeding

Facilitates parent-infant bonding

Decreases incidence of postpartum depression

Encourages appropriate well-baby and mother care

Increases parents' confidence in their parenting skills

If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more about doulas in Rhode Island.  Come to Meet the Doula Night hosted by DoRI (Doulas of Rhode Island) on:

Monday, February 28, 2010
Rochambeau Library
708 Hope St. Providence
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm


Be sure to RSVP here.  Hope to see you there.

Perfectly Pineapple

Yes, pineapples.  Pineapples will help us to continue with the theme of welcoming you to our blog and Abby to our ranks.  In some cultures, the pineapple is associated with the notion of welcome.  According to Beverly Pack (via mindspring.com), "to the Carib, the pineapple symbolized hospitality, and the Spaniards soon learned they were welcome if a pineapple was placed by the entrance to a village. This symbolism spread to Europe, then to Colonial North America, where it became the custom to carve the shape of a pineapple into the columns at the entrance of a plantation.  During early Colonial days in the United States, families would set a fresh pineapple in the center of the table as a colorful centerpiece of the festive meal, especially when visitors joined them in celebration. This symbolized the utmost in welcome and hospitality to the visitor, and the fruit would be served as a special desert after the meal. Often when the visitor spent the night, he was given the bedroom which had the pineapples carved on the bedposts or headboard--even if the bedroom belonged to the head of the household. The pineapple has been a universal symbol of hospitality and welcome for many centuries all over the world."  So, in honor of the pineapple, and hence the spirit of welcome, we've attached a link to a great craft project for you and the kiddos thanks to Squidoo.com. Click here to find details on how to make a Pineapple Magnet with Felt.  Don't forget to become our friend on Facebook and click the "like" button under the status with the welcome mat.  This will ensure your participation in our drawing for a free February Facial with Abby Armitage.

Welcome

Velkommen.  Bienvenue.  Willkommen.  Cead mile failte.  Benvenuto.  Bienvenido.  Welcome. 

No matter the language, the word for welcome exudes an air of peace and camaraderie.  One definition of the word says "receive with pleasure and hospitality into one's company or home".  And THAT my friends is exactly what we would like to do.  We would like to welcome you to our blog.  What better way to kick off a new blog than to welcome a new member to our team?  That's right, Abby Armitage has joined our ranks.  Before coming to us, Abby attended Empire Beauty School of Warwick, RI.  She currently holds a Rhode Island license in Esthetics.  Abby understands how hard it can be to care for yourself when you have a family to care for and how little time you have to pamper yourself.  This understanding is what motivates Abby to provide top quality skin care services to all of her clients.  Let's all give Abby a warm heartfelt welcome.  What better way to welcome a new member to our team than to give something away?  Become our friend on Facebook by clicking the "LIKE" button, Kim McNiece will then ask you to friend us.   Upon accepting the invitation, leave a welcoming comment on our page for Abby.  Each person who does so will be entered to win a free fabulous February Facial with Abby!  The drawing will take place on Thursday February 10th so don't delay.  We will Facebook message the winner as soon as they are chosen so they can make the most of this welcome gift. And don't forget to tell your family and friends about us, so we can welcome them into the Blessed Beginnings family as well.~ Be Blessed.