You may have heard of a "destination wedding", where the couple travels to a different locale for the ceremony of their dreams. Maybe they exchanged vows on a tropical island, or in a different country, some exotic place, or just in a different part of the country.
How about bringing your child into the world in a similar way? Is there a place you've been, a memory you have, or an event that took place in your life that holds special significance and lovely feelings for you? How would you like to bring some of those most fond sensations into the experience of welcoming your child into the world?
Last minute travel, especially while you are in labor, isn't a realistic option, but by using your creativity--and a few items I can provide--we can draw from your most special memories, so that you can experience some of those favorite sensations during your labor and the unforgettable meeting of your new child.
The comfort techniques provided by a professional doula can eliminate your need for medical pain relief.
If you are planning a highly medicalized birth (planned Cesarean birth), you can still benefit from the comfort of any of these packages. I can come over to your home before the birth and provide these comfort measures.
If you are anticipating the possibility of using an epidural during labor, many of these comfort items can be tailored to still provide soothing comfort during your birth experience.
The principle of Destination Birth is not hypnosis. The full spectrum of experiences of labor serve to protect both the mother and child. The principle of Destination Birth is to experience pleasing sensations so as to increase oxytocin and allow the laboring mother to relax and better work with her labor, and allow for a more intimate and personal welcoming of the baby that reflects the mother's feelings and experiences.
Here are a few "Destination Birth" packages:
Romance
Items: husband's cologne, flower petals, wedding photos, soft blanket on birth bed, fresh strawberries and cheese cubes, sparkling juice, and more...
Beach
Items: sand bucket, ocean sounds, foot bath, bathing suit, coconut aromatherapy, misting spray, lemon water, and more...
Seasons (Fall, Winter)
Items: fireplace images and sounds DVD, cinnamon or pine aromatherapy, apple cider, warm robe, warm soft blanket on birth bed, and more...
Celebrating Someone (who cannot be present at the birth)
Maybe it's a grandparent who is the baby's namesake, or your husband (deployment, serious injury, etc.), or even an older sibling.
Items: music or sounds that the person most enjoys, photos of the person (include one to tape inside the hospital bassinet), items that person most enjoys, aromatherapy (the person's favorite smells or cologne), recording or letter from that person, item of clothing or blanket from that person to wrap the baby in, eat their favorite food as the first meal after the baby is born (you have the added benefit of sharing this special meal with your baby, too, as it makes its way into your breastmilk), and more...
Religious Ceremony
Newborn Dedication, Newborn Baptism, New Parent Communion
Consult your Pastor or Women's Pastor for assistance.
Baby
Items: hydrotherapy with rubber duckies and baby bath products, your own baby blankets (one to lay on scale and two for swaddling), baby outfit for before first bath (will get soiled), lullabies, and more...
This Destination Birth can be especially meaningful for stillbirths.
Play Time
Items: finger paint, crayons, play doh, fruit slushie or push-pops, and more...
Luxury
Items: skin treatment (body scrub and moisturizing massage), warmed slip-sole socks, refreshing cucumber water, and more...
Flowers
Items: floral aromatherapy, fresh flowers, petals on bed, and more...
"Destination Birth" packages are optional, and do not replace standard "birth kit" items
(they are in addition to them).
