The DOC Privacy Pledge

In a digital age where "likes" on Instagram are coveted and scrolling through Facebook is a daily hobby, maintaining healthy boundaries with social media can be difficult. It's a conversation we bring up with all of our birth and postpartum doula clients as well as our childbirth education students. It's always a fun topic that gets people thinking. 

Have you thought about what you'd like to share on social media when it comes to pregnancy, birth, and beyond? Have you talked to your family about how and when they can share the news of your baby's birth, photos, etc.? Will you be sharing every milestone with friends & family as your baby grows?

Every family is unique in their approach to social media and we believe it's a relevant discussion to have prior to your birth to establish boundaries with those closest to you. And the beauty is, there is no right or wrong answer! It's all about what you and your partner are comfortable sharing about your journey and experience. Some of the families we work with want to talk about their births or share about the care we provide publicly. They talk about the glorious sleep thanks to their overnight doula or post pictures of the entire birth team. We, of course, love this. Other families choose to keep everything private and off social media entirely. We, of course, respect this. We trust that you know what is best for you and your family. 

This is the main reason why Doulas of Orange County maintains strict confidentiality for all of our clients. In order to honor all of your choices and the varying degrees of involvement with social media, we chose to establish a policy that fully supports your confidentiality and privacy. We strive to maintain the highest levels of professionalism in the doula industry and our discreet care is why many choose us over the rest. 

So, what does privacy, confidentiality, and discretion mean to us?

It means that we will not post pictures of you or your baby on our social media pages. We won't share vague details or snippets of information about your birth, your baby, or your family. We won't even tell someone that you are our client, if that is your desire. If a time arises where we'd like to share more information such as a picture from your birth, a testimonial quote, a parenting success story or anything else, we will always get your permission first. And we fully respect your right to say no. Each member of our team agrees to uphold this same level of privacy, whether they are your birth doula, postpartum doula, lactation counselor, or placenta specialist. 

We love sharing about our business via social media and engaging our clients and our community. It is an incredible tool that we choose to use with integrity. Our agency is built on supporting your choices and your best vision of pregnancy, birth and parenting. It is with this in mind that we leave it up to you to decide how you'd like to share about your experience with your doulas, your baby's birth and your journey as a whole. It is your story to tell, not ours. We celebrate with you when you want to share, and we understand when you want to keep things private.

The work we do is raw, real, and intimate. We are there for some of the most incredibly vulnerable moments of your life and it is an honor to be invited into this sacred space to support your family. You put your trust in us and that is not something we take lightly. We vow to uphold that trust with our heartfelt privacy pledge.  

Eating and Drinking During Labor:: Nourishing Snacks

We are often asked by our clients what they should eat and drink during labor, so we decided to provide you with our favorite round up and a free printable! Labor is (most often) a process covering the span of many hours, with your body constantly working towards the end goal of a healthy baby and mom. You will be walking, squatting, rocking and swaying as you move through your contractions. Your body temperature will increase as labor progresses and you will need nourishing food and restorative liquids to sustain you during early and active labor stages. When the body doesn't have proper nourishment, it can cause dehydration and ketosis, a metabolic state that makes your body utilize fat stores for energy when there aren't enough carbohydrates to pull from. Dehydration and Ketosis can lead to increased vomiting, nausea, headaches and sheer exhaustion. Not what you what during labor! 

Am I Allowed to Eat During Labor? 

The standards vary widely, so speak to your Doctor or Midwife about eating and drinking during labor and ask your hospital about their current policies. If you want to do more research, Rebecca Decker does a great analysis of the current studies available over at Evidence Based Birth.  If you just want the delicious snack ideas, then we've got you covered! 

What should I eat?

Nourishing Labor Snacks

• Broth / Miso Soup

• Yogurt - dairy or alternative

• Fruit - Bananas, Apples, Berries

• Protein and Granola Bars

• Energy Chews

• Salty Crackers

• String Cheese

• Toast, Bagel or English Muffin

• Peanut Butter Packets

• Honey or Agave Sticks

• Applesauce or Fruit Squeezers

• Natural Fruit Popsicles

• Scrambled or Boiled Egg

• Brown Rice or Plain Pasta

• Oatmeal

• Trail Mix

• Protein Muffins

• What should I drink during Labor?

Restorative Labor Drinks

• Coconut Water

• Electrolyte Water

• Hot/Cold Water

• Hot/Cold Tea (Nettle & Raspberry Leaf)

• Ice Chips

• Electrolyte/Emergen-C Powder

• Natural Calm Powder

You're all set to keep yourself hydrated and nourished during the amazing and long race of labor. Don't Forget about that post birth meal! You will be absolutely ravenous for a hearty meal after you give birth. Write down some ideas for food delivery near your birth location (hello door dash!) and pack a frozen meal in case you have your baby in the middle of the night.