Introducing Mary Rose Burke- Birth Doula

We are thrilled to have Mary Rose Burke as a birth doula here at Northern Virginia Birth Services. Please join us in welcoming her to our team!

What brought you to your profession as a doula (labor and/or postpartum)?

I first thought about becoming a birth doula when my oldest child was a baby, after the trans-formative experience of giving birth and becoming a mother myself. I read so much about pregnancy and birth during my first pregnancy, and I became fascinated with all of it. Over the last 11+ years, I've had 3 more babies, and now that they're all getting a little older and more independent, I'm so excited to bring this dream to fruition. I completed birth doula trainings with DONA in 2013 and with ProDoula in 2016. I am pursuing certification as a birth doula with ProDoula.

What is your favorite part of supporting families?

In this day and age, and especially in the DC metro area, the pace of life is so fast, and we are all so busy. I want to provide my clients with a safe space where they can feel unhurried, comfortable, and most of all, heard and understood. I want the families I work with to know that I am there for them, with unwavering support and nurturing care, as they prepare for and transition to life with their new baby.

When did you become a mother?

In September of 2004, at the age of 29.

Where are you from or where were you born?

I'm a Northern Virginia native - born and raised!

What are some of your dreams and visions for your profession?

I am thrilled to be pursuing certification as a birth doula. In the near future I plan to also certify as a childbirth educator, lactation counselor, and placenta specialist.

Do you volunteer anywhere and what do you do?

I do a lot of volunteering at my church - with the children's and women's ministries, and other general church programs. I also volunteer at my kids' school - in the classroom and at PTA events.

What is your greatest joy in mothering?

As a Mom, I love those moments of one-on-one connection with each of my children, when time seems to stand still, and we just enjoy each other's presence. I also love seeing the unique personalities of each of my kids develop and grow over time - they are each so different, and I'm so thankful I get to be their Mom!

What is the hardest thing about motherhood for you now?

Things can get a little (okay, a lot!) wild and crazy in our house, with four active kids, and a frisky Beagle thrown into the mix as well. My kids generally get along, and I know they love each other immensely, but when there are sibling squabbles, I have a hard time not feeling overwhelmed and stressed out - I don't enjoy conflict! But I'm working on staying calm in those heated moments.

What would be your best advice for a new mom?

It's okay not to have all the answers. None of us have all the answers. Just know in your heart that you were specifically chosen to be this baby's Mom. Your baby doesn't need you to be perfect; we all make mistakes. As long as you are always learning and growing, that's what matters. Trust your instincts, never be ashamed to ask for help, and give yourself a lot of grace - every day is a new day and a fresh start. I think these are good reminders for all Moms - I still have to remind myself of them pretty often!

What is something you always stand by? ( a verse, statement, slogan, etc)

"Love isn't a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now." --Fred Rogers

The Healing of Bone Broth

Paleo and Prehistoric Bone Broth

A few days after I delivered my firstborn, my mother in law kindly prodded me as to when she could prepare some chicken soup for me. In my husband’s culture “Sopa de Gaunita” or hen soup as it is translated is given to honor and nourish a new mother after her delivery. I told my mother in law I would be happy to have the soup whenever she had the time to prepare it. I will never ever forger her response. “Okay good! Just give me some time because I have to catch the hen.” Suddenly my feeling of being a “culturally knowable” woman fell away. HA! In my Anglo Saxon upbringing I had never heard of such a thing. Growing up, chicken soup came from a can or was made with premade stock, so talk about a little culture shock.

I felt guilty that this poor hen would get butchered for my sole benefit. So after weighing my conscious I asked my dear husband to kindly thank his mother but refuse the soup. Bad move. Not only was I unable to reap the benefits of this amazing form of nourishment but I also had unintentionally disrespected my mother in law by refusing something that is a very special form of showing respect and honor to a new mother. Very often in my husband’s culture it is the new mom’s mother who makes this soup for her. So this was indeed an act of many symbolic meanings.       

This experience was a huge lesson for me. We can dig in our heels and deny it till the sun goes down but no matter how easy or difficult it is to admit, there’s a wealth of wisdom that our mothers have passed down to us. When she told us that chicken soup was the best medicine for most of our ailments you better believe that she was not far off. On a side note upon the arrival of my second born I did receive a most delicious and unctuous bowl of “Sopa de gaunita” and I have no regrets whatsoever!  

History of Bone Broth

Bone broth has been named a “prehistori paleo drink” by many, and its increasing reputation and popularity has filtered into the social consciousness of the birth world of late. In almost every culture some form of bone broth has been traditionally used to nourish our postpartum mothers. If you look, evolutionary, the chicken soup that was indoctrinated into our American culture has roots that date back to our own hereditary lineages. The sad fact is that the evolution of bone broth has been diminished to what we pour out of a can of Campbell’s.

So what is bone broth? And why is it significantly beneficial more than soups, stocks, or simple broths? The differences between these three are very small, minuscule even to some, but very important when it comes to understanding and reaping the benefits for your postpartum body.

·         Broth is typically made with meat and a small amount of bone. The ratio of meat to bone is much higher. The cooking process for broth is around 45 minutes to 2 hours, the consistency of the broth in thin and watery and the flavor is very light. This broth has a good source of protein.

·         Stock is made with the ratios of broth only reversed. This means that there is more bone and very little meat. Think of the sinews or muscular tissue that clings to the bones. Usually the bones are roasted before they cook in the stock for 3-4 hours. This broth has a good source of gelatin.

·         Bone broth like stock, bone broth contains more bone than meat. Vinegar is often used before cooking to draw out the minerals and infused them into the broth. Bone broth is cooked the longest with a minimum of 24 hours. This broth is rich in gelatin, protein, and minerals which is what makes it the trifecta of both stock and broth.  

Bone Broth Benefits

After labor your body is at its most vulnerable. It needs the time and resources to properly heal and recover from the incredible journey of pregnancy and birth.

·         Cartilage –strengthens the structure of your bones and supports joints and tendons

·          Bone Marrow – the myeloid and lymphoid stem cells found in the bone marrow help the formation and function of white and red blood cells

·         Glycine & Proline - Are amino acids that play a crucial role in: healing wounds and soft tissue, having healthy connective tissue, effective detoxification by the liver, and the production of plasma

·         Minerials  

o   Calcium & Magnesium: allow muscle contraction and relaxation (which is needed for your organs to return to their original size and position) assists in clotting and tissue repair, and supports normal nerve functioning and endocrine balance.

o   Phosphorus: generates energy and regulates intercellular pressure which prevents weakness and fatigue.

o    Potassium: supports electrolyte functioning and assists with muscle contraction and relaxation.

Enjoy this recipe of bone broth and to download and print for your recipe box, click the button below! Enjoy!

Bone Broth Recipe

Ingredients:

1 package of ox tails (2-5 lbs.)

 1 tablespoon of vinegar

Chopped vegetables (carrots, onion, garlic, etc.)  (of your choice)

Salt

Directions: Place your ox tails in a slow cooker and cover them with enough water to cover the bones. Only let the water come 1 inch above the bones so the broth with be concentrated. Add your vinegar to the slow cooker and let it sit for 1 hour. After one hour turn your slow cooker on low and add the vegetables. Cook for 24 hours and then strain the contents of the broth and season with salt. Store in refrigerator or freezer and enjoy!    

Introducing Liz Adams-Medina

What brought you to your profession as a doula?

"I was born in one of the poorest countries in the world (Nepal) and I have lived most of my life very aware of the privileges that came with living in the U.S. but when I gave birth prematurely to my first born I needed more than just the saving graces of a hospital setting. I needed a companion to help instill my confidence, support me and my husband, and remind me of my strength. My birth mother passed away after bringing me into the world and I have always felt a need to have birth respected as the significant experience that it meant to me."

What is your favorite part of supporting families?

"Witnessing them gain their confidence and providing them with care and knowledge that allows them to feel supported and see for themselves that they are both irreplaceable and invaluable in their child's life. You really are the best parent for your child! "

When did you become a mother?

"Two weeks before my 21st Birthday."

What is your greatest joy in mothering your children?

"Witnessing my children's joy and watching them develop as loving and compassionate beings."

What is the hardest thing for you in motherhood now?

"Balancing my expectations with reality. Sometimes you can't do it all, but letting go of what's not in your attainable scope of control is one of the most personally liberating and rewarding truths I have learned as a parent. By nature parenthood is a sacrificial act, who knows that some of the things that you sacrifice would actually be essential to your personal development!"

What is your best advice for a new mom?

"It's okay to have mixed feelings about motherhood. Whether it's your first or your fifth, you've never done this dance before so give yourself some time to acclimate."

What is something you always stand by?

"Never forget what you have lost but always remember what you have been given."

We are so excited to have Liz on our team as she supports and nurtures growing families. Thank you Liz for your compassionate care!

Introducing Cortney Thomas - Postpartum Doula

What brought you here to your profession as a postpartum doula?

"Since becoming a mother myself, I have had a strong desire to support moms right after they have their babies.  This stems from my own personal experiences with the delicacy of the postpartum time period.  For several women, the postpartum period can be a time of uncertainty, insecurity, high emotion, and adjusting to a new normal. This often leaves new moms in a place of vulnerability and even loneliness, and they need help.  Before becoming a postpartum doula I began to explore ways to fulfill my desire to support moms during the postpartum period.  I wasn’t having much luck until one day a friend from my childhood shared on social media that she was starting a business as a postpartum doula.  I was immediately intrigued and contacted her to find out more.  Once she told me all that a postpartum doula provides, I knew I had found my niche, the “job” that was perfect for me and my gifting."

What is your favorite part of supporting families?

"As a postpartum doula, I see myself as a coach for my clients.  I love being there to train, educate and support them so they can be the best in their role.  I love seeing families flourishing after getting the specific support they needed.  Watching new moms feel relaxed, empowered, and content in their role of mother is pure gold to me. "

What are some of your dreams and visions for your profession?

"As I stated previously, I see my job as a postpartum doula as a coach or a shepherd for my clients; guiding them through the beginning stages of caring for the newest member of their family.  Besides working with families privately, I hope to take my love of coaching families to mothers in challenging situations, specifically moms who are in crisis pregnancy situations or teen moms. I believe being a mom is a learned skill and no matter your background or financial situation any woman can be a wonderful mom. Most of us just need someone to come along side of us and coach us through. "

Where are you from?

"I am a born and raised New England girl.  I was born in Londonderry, NH which is a small town in the southern part of the state.  I lived in the same house until I left for college.  After college, my husband and I lived on the South Shore of Massachusetts for seven years before moving to Northern Virginia."

What would be your best advice for a new mom?

·        " Remember to ask for help and know it is okay to not be able to do everything."

·         "Take life a little at a time. Bringing a new life into your world is overwhelming and the days will feel long.  I encourage moms to focus on the present and take it one day at a time, one hour at a time, or even ten minutes at a time!"

·         "Try to remember, especially in the hard moments, you are the perfect mother for this new little one. I don’t believe in 'wrong fits' when it comes to mothers and their babies.  In the midst of trying to figure out everything, new moms can feel inadequate and unsure, but the truth is they are more than enough for their baby just as they are."  

The Northern Virginia Birth Services team is overjoyed that Cortney has joined us and she is already an amazing  support for all our mothers. Welcome Cortney - so glad to have you here with us!