LaborKit.com Blog : laborkit.com

Just for Doulas, Midwives, Birth Trainers and Prenatal Instructors

Theresa — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:10:00 GMT

We just updated our Certified Trainer Partnership Program (CTPP). It's free to register and we have tens of thousands of views per month from expectant mothers. Here are some of the highlights.

By being part of the CTPP you can help your clients and your business:

1.) Discounted Prices - Your clients will receive discounted prices when purchasing LaborKits at LaborKit.com

2.) Starter Kit - We’ll send you a trainer Starter Kit at a greatly reduced price (includes a LaborKit of your choice to show clients and informational brochures)

3.) Business Site Listing - (view sample of your free website) You will recieve a free site listing at LaborKit.com that includes your overview, credentials, contact information etc.

4.) Giving Back - a portion of your clients purchases will be donated to charity

5.) Free Registration - registration is completely free and you’re under no obligation

Please visit http://www.laborkit.com/trainers to register and for more information or view our online CTPP Brochure.

Wow, Babycenter Members are talking about LaborKit!

Theresa — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 19:18:00 GMT

A sudden jump in traffic had us wondering what was happening out in cyberspace to cause so many visitors to hit our site in a matter of 48 hours. Well, the December 2009 Birth Club was generating all the buzz. "duckduckgoose" posted a thread about how practical and helpful our LaborKit was and the forum caused a flurry of traffic on our site.

Check it out. BabyCenter's Pre-packed Hospital Bag to Order. COOL for FTM's.

What a nice surprise to have such honest and positive feedback from total strangers. Most moms agree that the LaborKit is a lifesaver and timesaver. Discussion included why you need a peri-bottle and mesh underwear (also see our blog about mesh underwear); recommendation to check our free hospital bag checklist and printable birth plan some insight as well as confirmation from one mom that recent cutbacks at hospitals mean less for new moms. Good luck to all who are part of the December Birth Club. I really appreciated reading your comments.

What do I need for Labor?

Theresa — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 19:32:00 GMT

This is a question just about every new mom asks her friends, Dr. or midwife. The answer varies depending on where you give birth (hospital, home, birthing center etc) and possibly your insurance coverage or individual hospitals with varying policies. Some hospitals are cutting back and ask that women bring just about everything including diapers and your own feminine pads. Other more "trendy" birth centers may provide you with organic lotions, music and (honestly) and Egyptian cotton robe.

So what are you to do? The best advice we can give (and why we created the LaborKit) is to bring the items that will make you most comfortable during and after labor. For example, the pads provided by a hospital are often bulky and way too long for comfort. If you have a preferred brand, take those. We know from talking to many moms that lip balm is a necessity so we include natural lip balm. Also, many moms are looking to healthier options or organic products which hospitals will not provide. If you prefer natural products, from moisturizer to lip balm or cloth diapers, pack those too.

Some items that are very helpful are a notebook and pen for notes from the doctor, monitoring baby's feedings and notes of those who may have sent flowers or gifts that you want to thank later.

Our LaborKits all include a reusable icepack which can help with engorgement or comfort after an episiotomy. We also include Lansinoh Lanolin and Gerber Nursing Pads for breastfeeding moms. This is really helpful in the first few days when you are more tender and possibly sore and cracked. Lansinoh Lanolin is the only topical nipple cream endorsed in the US by La Leche League International.

Different women will recommend different things. We recommend packing the items that help the birth experience feel a little more like home and a little less like a hospital. And take snacks -- no woman who just endured labor and delivery should also have to endure rehydrated mashed potatoes and mushy meat type meals.

Feel free to print out our free, printable hospital bag checklist or take all the guesswork out and purchase a ready-to-go LaborKit.

Good luck.

Bellies and Babies July Newsletter

Theresa — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:50:00 GMT

We covered some of the most viewed topics on our network with this newsletter. C-Section Recovery, GBS Awareness, Gifts that Moms and babies will love and a fabulous feature on Let's Go Strolling -- Create your own leutonia stroller!

Check out the entire newsletter here. If you would like to subscribe to get these delivered to your inbox, subscribe to Bellies and Babies through LaborKit.com (part of HealthyBabyNetwork.com).

Enjoy and let us know what you think.

LaborKit.com makes donations to help new moms and babies in need

Theresa — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:49:00 GMT

Thank you to everyone who purchased a LaborKit in 2008. We are happy to be able to make donations ($2 for every LaborKit sold) to help new moms, babies and children in need. Please learn more about these programs by visiting the sites below.

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation seeks to prevent pediatric HIV infection and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs.

Calgary Health Region's Best Beginning Program
Best Beginning is a Calgary Health Region program for pregnant teens and pregnant women living on a low income. Best Beginning is a free, voluntary, and confidential service. Best Beginning staff work with pregnant women and their families to have the healthiest baby possible.

Spring Shopping for Baby? Win a $200 Gift Card

Theresa — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:14:00 GMT

Our newsletter is now called Bellies and Babies and the February issue was just sent to subscribers but you can view it here. Only subscribers are entered to win a $200 Gift Card for The Children's Place. The random draw will be on March 30th. If you would like to enter you can subscribe to our newsletter at https://secure.laborkit.com/newsletters/signup.aspx or visit www.babyshowergifts.net and click on the image "subscribe to win great giveaways". We have partnered with several sites to be able to offer this and many more great gifts.

Join for your chance to win and to receive the Bellies and Babies Newsletter filled with information, product recommendations, services and tools for pregnancy, articles about life with a new baby and parenting. Good Luck!!

Do you really need a birthplan?

Theresa — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 23:48:00 GMT

A birthplan is a great tool to work through with your partner or coach so that you both are making informed decisions about the birth YOU want. I had a filled out a standard (but very meaningful to me) birthplan and hoped to have the birth experience I planned for. It didn't work out that way. It was a difficult delivery with complications that ended up being a birth so far from the natural one I had hoped for. Although my birthplan was available to my doctors and nurses, it was no longer a point of reference when birth became more of a medical emergency.

I still believe a birthplan is necessary although I have since talked to nurses that think of birthplans as a "nice idea" for first-time moms but that rarely take them too seriously. I think it’s quite different when you are working with midwifes and doulas who may have a more holistic approach then some in the medical profession and tend to take your wishes and preferences more seriously.

Filling out a birthplan gives you an opportunity to think about pain management, potential medical interventions, breastfeeding and recovery. It will help you think about different scenarios and make tough decisions that you may have a very hard time doing while actually in labor. For example, some hospitals have their own protocol for babies after delivery so you will want to let them know if you want to watch the birth with a mirror, hold the baby immediately after birth or begin breastfeeding right away. Specify what you want and let everyone on the birth team know.

Prior to admittance to the hospital, discuss your plan with your doctor or midwife. Provide your doctor and the hospital with a copy of your plan and also pack a copy in your hospital bag.

All LaborKits come with a comprehensive birthplan for you to fill out as well as a Share The Joy Contact list and a Hospital Checklist. Be prepared for the big day!

Winner of LaborKit has 11 children... and counting!

Theresa — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:39:00 GMT

Congratulations to our recent winner of a Deluxe LaborKit. Tammy won her LaborKit through SwankyMoms.com's weekly newsletter Giveaway. Although she is already mother of 11, she was very excited to win. To find out more about great giveaways and LaborKit news, sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Doulas are rising in popularity, but what are they?

Theresa — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:44:00 GMT

The Today Show aired a segment today called "Expecting Parents: What is a doula?" and I was so surprised that people still don't know what a doula is.

A doula is a person that offers support for mom and dad during birth and the postpartum period. They are present for labor and birth and some will support a family when adjusting to life with a new baby. They are there for physical and emotional support. DONA describes a doula as "a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

Also, according to DONA, "Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeeding more easily."

The greatest benefit to mom is the ongoing support that she will receive even during a hospital birth. Usually people associate Doulas with homebirths but this isn't so. With chronic nursing shortages, moms just don't get the support that they might like during a stressful, often unknown, physically challenging time. Doulas can help women have the birth experience they want and can work with your obstetrician and nurse to support your choices. Doulas aren't doctors and may have little, if any, medical training -- their role is to assist in labor and delivery to comfort and encourage mom.

If you are interested in hiring a doula, learn more at www.dona.org

If you are a doula, we offer our FREE Certified Trainer Partnership Program designed specifically for certified trainers to help their clients and their business. If you're doula, midwife, prenatal instructor etc. consider becoming a partner to receive all the benefits including; discounts, business listing (with all credentials, contact info and summary of services you provide), and a starter kit. View our brochure for more information or register for free. We want to help moms have the best birth experience possible.