The StreetLite Company

We understand now more then ever how much knowledge is power. The more information we have, the more educated we are, the more we can advocate for ourselves. Learn, prepare, and feel confident. #motherhood #pelvicfloor #lactation #laboranddelivery

Some birth stories will stay with you. This picture was taken right before the huddle. It’s when the patient is going into the OR and the Dr. and nurses do a group huddle to make sure we all understand our roles and what’s about to happen. Head nurse checks off a list, Dr. Gives last instructions. My instructions were like this: we’re in hour 30 of labor. baby isn’t stable, mom is beginning to become unstable and we need the baby out NOW. You have minutes to coach her in p...ushing or were cutting. We’re doing this in the OR in case it all goes sideways. Minutes later we begin. Mom has fought so incredibly hard. Hours of labor, waves of pain, unimaginable fear as we watch baby’s heart dip with each contraction. Dr.s and nurses working side by side with us, on our team. Baby’s head is sunny side up, cord tight around the neck. We work together, encourage, support. To see this mother dig deep and find her last remaining energy to birth her baby and bring her child into this world. She succeeds beyond our wildest hopes. Mazel tov, it’s a healthy and beautiful baby boy. *shared with permission See more

I want to talk about this a bit more based on many of the comments that came in. As you might remember, I mentioned being on call for the next few weeks as backup for my doula partner. I was in a prenatal meeting with my own client due in a month when I received the phone call that this mama was in labor and I was needed for the birth. I was given the basic details and had a brief conversation with mom (who wasn’t local so heading to her house..not an option) and we made arra...ngements to meet up as labor escalated. By 2am contractions were augmented and we headed into the hospital where I met her for the first time. Right away I could see an anterior tilt to her pelvis and based on the fact that she was having back labor it was clear baby’s positioning was not exactly optimal. Very often using inversions doulas can correct that and we tried EVERYTHING but: after 3 hours of pushing, baby’s forehead was wedged tight against the pelvic brim and we couldn’t get its head to engage. This beautiful 22 year old was headed for a second section. Had I met this client earlier: I would have encouraged her to work with a PT or PPCES to try and correct some of her obvious issues so as to hopefully avoid a section. Practice pushing and diaphragmatic breathing might have also helped. Ultimately though: while it was NOT how I wanted it to end, Bh the option is there for times like this, we have a healthy mother and child. #doula #doulasupport #csection #pelvicfloor #childbirth #childbirtheducation See more

BE STILL NO LONGER! We stand as one nation, one people under one gd. We stand with Israel and we stand united as PROUD JEWS. We will not cower and we will not hide. #israel #bluefriday #proudjew #jewishpride #jewishpride Shabbat shalom #shabbatshalom

Congrats! We have a baby. At the 6 week post birth checkup, you’re Dr. Or midwife has cleared you to resume all physical activities. Here’s is the thing: massive amounts of healing takes place in weeks 1-9/10. Just by design, that is how the body has been created. We can support that healing process by beginning core/ pelvic floor rehab. Essentially- diaphragmatic breathing and pelvic floor strengthening. Walking and gentle yoga are wonderful ways to help heal and are baby... getting out is extremely beneficial for them as well. Waiting around till week 6 has allowed issues that needed to be addressed stay or worsen. However, with no guidance or assessment- simply diving back into routine just because you hit 6 weeks is EXACTLY WHY WE SEE ISSUES! The body is simply not always healed enough and should not be pushed. Learn how to do it in the way you’re body needs it! @thestreetlitecompany #pelvicfloorexercises #corerestore #pregnancy #birth See more

It was a freezing cold day here in New York. Anyone who had to be outside- got themselves inside as fast as possible. Except for husbands and doulas who were there to support laboring mothers. We were left standing outside. Not in a waiting room but in 22 degrees for over an hour in a half. This is our reality right now. This is what we’re up against. The health care system is in COVID-19 panic. The hospital which for expecting parents should be a place of blessing and of ne...w life, a place of safety and security, is no longer that. One of the most experienced doulas in CH knew I was on duty and reached out. She had been out in the cold the night before. She reminded me to see the end game. Support this couple in which ever way I can possibly do that. Find ways. Come up with new ways. Just be there, and make up for lost time when they finally let us in. I’ll be doing just that. May we see better days soon, but more importantly- may we welcome healthy babies in blessed hours. #doulalife #doulasupport #doulalove #birth #corona #pregnancy #birthsupport See more

So much of my training was focused on the medical standpoint. On being able to understand the medical jargon and help mom be able to understand it. This next chapter of my education will be solely focused on mom. On the body that is responsible for it all. Our goal is to have a healthy baby. That goal never changes. BUT: the body responsible for doing it has every right to come out on the other end as healthy as possible. Did you know that the JAW is directly connected to the... PELVIC FLOOR? That screaming during pushing will reduce the effectiveness of the push? Did you know that the mothers body has every natural instinctive response and that even if she was unconscious her body would give birth all on its own? We need to respect that. Give her a chance and protect her while she does it. We also need to make sure her body is given the right amount of time. Babies are not delivered, WOMEN ARE BIRTHING THEM! See more

Join us tomorrow as we remember to be thankful for health and the ability to move and feel strong. See you at barre! #thanksgiving #turkey #turkeyday #zoombarre #barreworkout #thankful

At 1:25am a Dula wrote on our chat that a woman with positive covid -19 was about to enter the birthing room absolutely alone. Her husband was extremely sick as well and couldn’t go with her. The Dula was asking if one of us could go be there with her so that she wouldn’t go through this alone. THIS. This is why I chose now to jump into a field in which hospitals are making it so hard for us to assist and support our mothers. To give birth with not one familiar face in the ro...om...no one there to hold your hand... The fears rushed into my head as soon as I saw the post though. Would I be allowed in? Am I experienced enough to handle this one? I have antibodies right now, shouldn’t I jump in? Being that I only saw the call for help hours later, I wasn’t fast enough to help this mother. But I got to experience that range of emotions, that instinct to go and help because I can. It makes me sure I chose the right path. It’s in my blood, actually. #dula #dulalife #birth #covid_19 #hospitallife See more

There is much I can’t remember about a million days that I was sure I could never forget. But the way I was treated during birth is burned into my brain. Even if one can’t remember the exact words, or the sequence of events , the emotions felt stay with you. Every woman deserves to walk away from birth feeling cared for and respected. Surround yourself with those who will ensure that. #dula #birthpain #birth #support

Women NOW KNOW ITS NORMAL AND DO SPEAK and do ask and are aware that this is normal and that makes things so so much better. @thestreetlitecompany #dula #birth #pregnancy #postpartumbody #fitpregnancy #personaltrainer

My passion is women’s health. My goal is and always has been to rebuild, give strength, protect and guide all those who come my way. STREETLITE is and will always be a concept that is fluid, changing and adaptable. Stay with me on this winding journey, let’s see where we go. Delivery room is calling! @thestreetlitecompany #doula #doulalife #personaltrainer #fitnessmotivation #bossbabe #coronatime #changeisgood