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Events Erica Paulson Events Erica Paulson

Celebrating Birth as a Community Issue at the Cincinnati Museum Center’s Advancing Health Exhibit

This past weekend, we had the immense honor of being invited to the Cincinnati Museum Center to showcase our work at Nurture as part of the Advancing Health exhibit. This exhibit celebrates the groundbreaking contributions of Cincinnati leaders and innovators in healthcare, highlighting how our city has shaped medical advancements and improved public health. It was an absolute privilege to represent pregnancy, postpartum care, and the innovations we’re making in women’s health at Nurture—especially as the very first organization to spotlight childbirth in this powerful space.

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Prenatal Bonding (BA), Birth With Ease Erica Paulson Prenatal Bonding (BA), Birth With Ease Erica Paulson

Introducing Birth With Ease: A New Way to Prepare for Birth and Becoming a mom at Nurture

At Nurture, we believe that giving birth with ease is not just about the outcome of birth, but about the entire journey—before, during, and after labor. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our newest offering, Birth With Ease, a program designed to foster a deeper mind-body connection between a mother, her body, and her baby throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

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Prenatal Bonding (BA) Erica Paulson Prenatal Bonding (BA) Erica Paulson

Finding Strength in Connection: My Journey with Prenatal Bonding (BA) Training

Recently, I sat down with my own beautiful mamma to learn more about her experiences, my grandmother’s stories, and the birthing journeys of the women who came before us. What I learned illuminated new perspectives on my own pregnancies and how I gave birth to my children. It’s fascinating to see the connections that span generations, and this exploration has given me a deeper understanding of the bond between mother and child—a bond that begins long before birth.

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Cesarean Birth, Birth Plans Erica Paulson Cesarean Birth, Birth Plans Erica Paulson

Cesarean Birth Preferences: Crafting Your Ideal Birth Experience

Planning a cesarean birth often means navigating a range of decisions to ensure that your preferences are met and that you feel comfortable and informed throughout the process. Whether your cesarean is planned or becomes necessary during labor, having a clear set of preferences can help you communicate your wishes effectively with your healthcare team. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you outline your cesarean birth preferences.

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Doula, Labor Comfort Erica Paulson Doula, Labor Comfort Erica Paulson

Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week: Embracing Every Journey

As we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, it’s a perfect time to acknowledge and honor all forms of breastfeeding. Whether you’re directly nursing, pumping, bottle-feeding breast milk, or using a combination of these methods, your efforts are valuable and important. Breastfeeding is not just about providing nutrition; it’s a profound way to bond with and nurture your baby. I want to share my own journey to encourage and uplift you, no matter where you are in your breastfeeding story.

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Hypnobirthing Erica Paulson Hypnobirthing Erica Paulson

Birth Story Time!

In this post, we’re thrilled to share the inspiring birth story of one of our HypnoBirthing couples who took a class here at Nurture. Their journey is a testament to the power of preparation, relaxation, and trust in the birthing process. Through the ups and downs, they navigated their experience with grace and strength, and their story is sure to resonate with anyone preparing for childbirth. Join us as we delve into their beautiful and empowering journey to meet their baby.

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Doula, Labor Comfort Erica Paulson Doula, Labor Comfort Erica Paulson

The Benefits of Bone Broth During Labor: A Doula’s Perspective

As a doula, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact that proper hydration and nutrition can have during labor. One often overlooked but highly beneficial option for laboring mothers is bone broth. This nutrient-dense clear fluid is a game-changer, offering a fantastic alternative to the sugary drinks many people typically associate with labor, such as apple juice or Sprite. Let’s delve into why bone broth is an excellent choice for hydration during labor and explore the traditions and benefits of warm beverages for expectant mothers.

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“Your Cervix is Shy:” Understanding a Tilted Cervix

When discussing women's health, the term "shy cervix" might evoke images of a cervix playing hide-and-seek. While the concept is more metaphorical than literal, it helps us understand how anatomical variations, like a tilted cervix, can influence health and wellness. Let’s dive into what a tilted cervix is, its implications, and how understanding this can empower women in their health journeys.

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Say Goodbye to Swollen Feet During Pregnancy: Tips and a 🍋🥒 Soothing Recipe

Pregnancy brings with it a myriad of changes, including the dreaded swollen feet and ankles. While it's a common discomfort, there are several natural remedies and lifestyle adjustments you can make to ease the swelling and promote overall comfort during this special time.

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Doula, Childbirth, Respect, Love Erica Paulson Doula, Childbirth, Respect, Love Erica Paulson

Embracing Love Over Struggle: Redefining Change in Childbirth

In the past, we fought hard for our childbirth rights—things like VBAC options, doula support, upright birthing positions, breastfeeding in public, skin-to-skin and delayed cord clamping. While we made some progress, the broader paradigm around childbirth remained unchanged. It's time to shift from fighting to respect and love for birth. Here's why love, not conflict, will create sustainable change:

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Birth Story Time!

I asked one of our doula clients to share her amazing birth story (and VBAC victory) with you. This story starts with a first, cesarean birth experience that left a lot to be desired for Cori. It follows up with a TOLAC that became a VBAC that eventually became part of the saving grace that brought baby Simon into the world healthy, strong, and in the very best environment to care for his unexpected diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea— a condition that is often undetected until much later in a baby’s life but thanks to Cori’s amazing instincts and her supportive birth team (including her partner and doulas, nurses, and doctors) Cori’s amazing birth became the very best beginning for Simon and a very emotionally healing journey for her as a mother.

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Postpartum, Motherhood Journey, Pregnancy, Doula Erica Paulson Postpartum, Motherhood Journey, Pregnancy, Doula Erica Paulson

The Vital Role of Non-Clinical Care: Empowering Women and Honoring the Mind-Body Experience

Pregnancy is a profound journey, marked by physical changes, emotional shifts, and the anticipation of new life. While medical care is essential, there's a dimension of support that goes beyond clinical interventions – non-clinical care. In this post, we'll explore what non-clinical care entails, why it's crucial in pregnancy support, and how it humanizes healthcare by prioritizing the “whole-istic” well-being of women and their babies.

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Postpartum, Motherhood Journey, Pregnancy, Doula Erica Paulson Postpartum, Motherhood Journey, Pregnancy, Doula Erica Paulson

Empowering Birth Experiences: The Impact of Doula Support on Birth and Postpartum Outcomes

In the midst of winter's final embrace, we're excited to share some doula-approved tips to keep your spirits high and your energy soaring as you await the arrival of your little one or navigate your postpartum time. This post is all about weaving together the comforting hues of "pinks and blues" with mindful practices that align with the doula wisdom you deserve.

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Beat the Winter Blues with a Dose of 🩷 Pink and 🩵 Blue

In the midst of winter's final embrace, we're excited to share some doula-approved tips to keep your spirits high and your energy soaring as you await the arrival of your little one or navigate your postpartum time. This post is all about weaving together the comforting hues of "pinks and blues" with mindful practices that align with the doula wisdom you deserve.

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Pregnancy, Doula Tips Erica Paulson Pregnancy, Doula Tips Erica Paulson

Recipe

The most essential prenatal care is not provided by a midwife or a doctor. There is nothing more important for a healthy pregnancy than the simple yet profound daily choices that an expectant mother makes about her diet.

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Erica Paulson Erica Paulson

The Role of a Doula

The beautiful concept of a doula traces back to ancient times. Derived from ancient Greek, 'doula' translates to "a woman who serves." Throughout history, from small tribal communities to expansive ancient civilizations, doulas played a pivotal role. They were not just assisting in childbirth but also offering wisdom, comfort, and emotional succor to expecting mothers.

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Erica Paulson Erica Paulson

Celebrating Breastfeeding Mothers

To the mammas that breastfeed for any amount of time: 1 hour, 1 day or 3 years, this week is celebrating you, your selflessness and your strength. In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, we recognize YOU 👏🏼 What was your breastmilk/feeding journey like?

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Jaclyn Ross Jaclyn Ross

Pranayama

Prenatal yoga is a great way for expecting mothers to stay active and healthy during pregnancy. It can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and alleviate common pregnancy symptoms such as back pain and nausea. One of the key components of prenatal yoga is pranayama, also known as breathwork. Pranayama is the practice of controlling your breath to calm the mind and body. Practicing breathwork in prenatal yoga and has several benefits for mother and baby during pregnancy and labor.

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