What's better than getting to hang out with Abilene's most awesome expecting moms and dads to teach them about natural childbirth?  Hanging out with them after their babies arrive, of course! I'm late in posting this, but we have a fabulous class reunion a few weeks ago! All of these couples had amazing births. I also had the privileged to be the doula for all 3 of these couples! I hope we get together again in the future. In the meantime, I'll enjoy watching their babies grow up on Facebook <3

A new Birth Boot Camp recruit has arrived! So happy for this family and their new little birth! 

This will be a great evening for Abilene area women to learn about essential oils that will help you feel great during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery. We will also discuss how to safely use essential oils for your baby.
I will also have Birth Boot Camp and doula materials available for anyone interested in taking a look!

Click HERE to check out our event page on Facebook: 

January ended up being a super busy month for my students and clients! Before we could even finish up the series of birth classes, one of the couples had their baby! Two days after we wrapped with Class 10, another little one arrived! And the next day, ANOTHER! We are still awaiting the arrival of one more little bumpkin and I can't wait!!! Here are a few pics from all the excitement!

This little one arrived a lot earlier than we thought he would! He wasn't due until the beginning of February, and since mom went well past her guess date with baby #1 you can image how shocked we were when he decided he wanted a January birthday! 

This birth was so fun, especially since I got to see my doula mentor, Sarah Shaver! She is currently a student midwife and I'm so thankful that she and the other student midwives will be able to provide Abilene women with even more wonderful options for birth in our area!

It was also super fun, because this mommy is one of the coolest! All smiles between contractions - don't you love how positive she is??

I had so much fun being this couple's doula! They are great because they put up with my silly Aggie jokes (Red Raider fan over here!). Mom and Dad were such a great team and had a beautiful natural hospital birth. We were all so pleased with the wonderful support from the hospital staff.  

I just love the excitement in this photo. It pretty much sums up the reason I love my job. If you'd love to have an amazing birth experience, it starts with education and having a supportive birth team. If you're expecting, it's time to start preparing - yes, already! Click here for more information about Birth Boot Camp class dates and here for information about doula services. You CAN have an amazing birth! 

Here's what other Abilene Moms are saying about Birth Boot Camp natural childbirth classes:

"Abilene mamas and daddies! Hailie and Birth Boot Camp have been an invaluable resource in preparing for our Baby Bird's arrival. I absolutely recommend Hailie and their program, especially if you're hoping for a natural birth experience. But even if you're not, Birth Boot Camp is a super great way to prepare yourself with knowledge and learn to be your own advocate!" Madeline

"I can't recommend Birth Boot Camp highly enough!!! We did a great online class when I was pregnant with our first baby and now, awesomely, there is an option to take a live class in Abilene with a real life group of people going through the same thing you are at the same time. So encouraging and empowering!!! And a great opportunity to get to know your doula better before your birth, because TRUST me, you want to hire a doula!! Especially the fabulous and beautiful Hailie Wolfe!!" Emily
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Register for birth classes by March 11th and get $25 off for early registration!

"Take my big kids once I get home so I can bond with the baby! Everyone wants to see the tiny one, but the big guys need some lovin' too and I was soooo tired. I just wanted them to be able to go run and enjoy themselves, even if I wasn't up for it yet." Caitlyn
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"Take my big kids! When baby #2 was born, our nanny or my mom would come and pick up the big kid for the morning, feed him lunch, then return him at nap time. Best maternity leave ever." Jill Christianson, BBCI
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"Fooooooooooood. My mom stayed a week, filled my freezer, did so much laundry, dishes, meals, didn't mind my near nudity as I was learning to feed Henry. She was amazing." Jillian Blakeman, BBCI
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"Not just meals but easy snacks for late night feeds, especially ones that boost milk production if mom is nursing." Amie Campbell, Mother & Blogger
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"Someone dropped a cooler on my porch. Other people filled it." Amanda Devereux, BBCI, BBCD

"My mom paid for a house cleaner for the last few weeks of my pregnancy and for a few months pp. It was so helpful for my anxiety to have a clean house!" Melissa Meyer, BBCI
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"After my second baby, I didn't want any visitors, so my mom ordered pizza and had it delivered to our house." Elizabeth Baer, Midwife
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"For people to call or text and ask if they can come over instead of just showing up. I remember being so tired from all the visitors. I loved when someone would ask what time they could come instead of just showing up." Amber

I just started a new series last night, which means it's time to set the Spring 2016 Birth Class dates!
I teach Birth Boot Camp childbirth classes out of my home here in Abilene. We have a blast! Parents connect with other parents and you get all the information you need to help you to have an amazing birth. Join us!

When I'm pregnant, I have no filter. I end up talking like Napoleon Dynamite in many of my conversations and frequently have an "UGH!" coming out of my mouth. I can't be the only one, right?

Napoleon wouldn't take crap from people being nosy. I end up channeling Napoleon Dynamite during pregnancy, especially when people start being nosy. And I wouldn't mind if they were just genuinely curious. But, often they're not just curious. Their tone says they're asking because they think I'm stupid. Well, I think they are the stupid ones. 

I really start channeling Napoleon as my due date nears. 
"Have you had that baby yet?"
No. Idiot!

I also channel Rex Kwan Do from Napoleon Dynamite. Usually when people around me are making dumb pregnancy comments that warrant a round house kick to the face. 

Sometimes channeling Napoleon Dynamite is exceptionally fun. Like when I bust some sweet moves after a great visit with my amazing midwife. 

A great visit with the midwife should always be topped off with a special treat. I like to stop and grab an order of tots through the drive thru. I don't do it often, because nutrition is important and all... but also because I know someone will always want to share. 

It's not just me. I notice my doula clients channeling Napoleon Dynomite when planning their births. They almost always bring their own gown for labor and this is how they respond to puzzled questions about it... 

Have you ever gone past your due date? Yea, that's another prime time that women start channeling Napoleon Dynamite...

It doesn't seem to end at pregnancy. I always felt like I was channeling Napoleon when breastfeeding a newborn for the first time. 

Who do you channel during pregnancy? Do you think you're still yourself, or do you morph into someone else?

Leave your comments below! 

Over the weekend, I posted this meme that went sorta viral-ish in the birth community.

Dwight Schrute was my absolute favorite character from The Office! And since clients are often pregnant well past their due date, I thought this would be a fun way to give them some encouragement. Pretty quickly, the meme was shared all over by hundreds of birth professionals. All the Dwight love got me to thinking that we all need some more of his memes in our lives!
So, I've created this meme series - If Dwight Schrute Were a DOULA

(Please keep in mind that these are meant to be funny. These do not reflect normal or common beliefs among doulas or other birth professionsals. But, I'm pretty certain that if Dwight leaves Dunder Mifflen to be a  DOULA, these are the services you'd be getting from #DwightTheDoula.)

What other birthy, outlandish stuff do you think Dwight would have to say about being a doula?

Turns out #DwightTheDoula isn't the only sitcom celeb who's moved on to birth work. Jeff Foxworthy is now a childbirth educator. Go get some worthy birth advice from #JeffBirthworthy over on The Best Birth Class' blog! CLICK HERE!

At this point in pregnancy your due date is either days away or has come and gone and you're... well... still pregnant. You've done Google searches on "natural induction methods," "when will my baby be born", and many others trying to figure out just when labor will finally start. You remember that there is no crystal ball that will give you this information, so you are back to playing the waiting game.

This game is hard. You may be a weeping ball of emotions -  just READY to get this show on the road. But, the only thing to really do is be still and wait. Time passes slowly when we are forced to wait - especially in this day and age of instant gratification (hello skyrocketing induction rates). For this reason, I've come up with a list of Ten Ways to Pass the Time During the Labor Wait.

1. Prepare Freezer Meals
If you haven't already prepped some meals for the postpartum period, now is a great time to get a few done. You don't have to make a huge crazy day out of it - you can double your recipes a few nights in a row and freeze the extra dish. Or, attend a freezer meal workshop. Those are all the rage right now where I live and they make several in one night. 

2. Watch Breastfeeding: The Ultimate MRE
This awesome breastfeeding class is available in the Birth Boot Camp store and is the best way to prepare yourself with the knowledge necessary to ensure a great start to your breastfeeding journey. The class is approximately 3.5 hours in length and would be a great way to spend an afternoon. If you're a Birth Boot Camp student, it comes WITH your birth classes!

3. Go on a Date Night
Your world is about to change in a big way - and that includes the amount of time you get to spend connecting with your partner. Use this time to focus on each other. And like I said, you've already Googled natural induction methods - so a date night might lead to... that one induction method everyone's been telling you about.

4. Make a Belly Cast
Your belly is pretty close to the biggest it's ever going to get - and it's BEAUTIFUL! It holds your entire world right now. And one day very soon, that world will be in your arms. It's so much fun to lay your newborn next to their belly cast and think about the fact that they once LIVED in there. You don't have to spend a fortune either - Hobby Lobby has the supplies super cheap!

5. Get a Henna Tattoo
Henna is gaining popularity among pregnant moms! It is beautiful, temporary artwork that can be done anywhere on your body, but is especially amazing on a pregnant belly. What a fun way to celebrate the little growing in there! Invite your birth circle over for a get together to celebrate this baby's impending arrival. 

6. Take Naps
Naps. Lots and lots of naps. This is probably my favorite tip and the most important thing you can do at the tail end of pregnancy. Not only are they great time suckers, but making sure you stay rested is crucial in these last days. You don't want to be exhausted when labor starts. Napping can help ensure that you are fully charged for the big event.

8. Get a Chiropractic Adjustment
I'm a big believer in the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy. Not only can it help with common back pain associated with pregnancy, but it can also help ensure that baby is able to get into the correct position for birth. Did you know that chiropractic care is associated with quicker labors?

9. Pamper Yourself
Your feet are probably a bit swollen and achy. Schedule a pedicure and let someone massage your precious mama feet. Then, go get a prenatal massage to help soothe away the discomfort that comes with late pregnancy. Your body has served you well! It deserves to be spoiled!

10. Savor the Belly
I know, I know. You're tired of the belly. You've been tired of the belly for many days, if not weeks. While you aren't going to miss the belly being cumbersome and making your back ache, you are going to miss being able to keep the baby all to yourself in such a unique way. You won't miss the breathlessness from having a baby in your ribs, but you will miss the amazing kicks and rolls that you've been experiencing during this sacred time. Try to capture some movements on video. Pull out your Birth Boot Camp field manual and look at the Belly Mapping information. Talk to the little being within you. Savor that belly and connect with your baby while he's still on the inside.