You Are Not A Failure - The Lifesaving Support of A Doula for a Breastfeeding Mother

“I have an important, deeply emotional story to share with you tonight. Only one month postpartum, Lucy's weight had rapidly declined. Suddenly, this little one's story was not so positive. Despite seeing the pediatrician regularly, she was still failing to return to her birth weight of 6lb 8oz. It became obvious then, that something was wrong.“

Education, Birth StoriesMary DukeMay 18, 2018Jordan Talley, Lucy, Amanda Woolen CLC, Breastfeeding, Kentucky, hospital birth, Lactation, Failure to Thrive, Failure to Gain, weight loss, doulaComment

The Gifts Pregnant Women and Their Partners REALLY Want

“One thing I’d like you to get from this post is that it is ok to be brave and break tradition. Practical gifts will make birth and postpartum a positive experience for the whole family."

UncategorizedMary DukeDecember 22, 2017birth, bowling green, breastfeeding, childbirth, clc, doula, downtown, education, expectant parent, gift guide, gifts, ibclc, lamaze, list, mom-to-be, moms, my sunshine birth service, network, postpartum, pregnancy, the spot, wbko

Mary's Birth Story

"My husband was very supportive, educated and calm when it came to birth and I was confident in my ability to birth my baby. Yet, my story doesn’t lack in traumatic moments. My desire to prevent such outcomes for other mothers was the motivation to share my birth story for it also inspired me to start My Sunshine Birth Services."

Birth StoriesMary DukeOctober 22, 2017Birth Story, Carrie Vrska Photography, Mary Duke, Marley Ann Brown, #babydukebrown, midwife, Home Birth, hospital birth, doula, Medical InterventionComment

Obstetric Violence: How it Made Me a Better Doula & Educator

"Suddenly, my birth experience went from beautiful to traumatic. It was fast; only lasting 4 minutes from the time the on-call doctor arrived, to the time my baby was born via instrument delivery. It was however 4 minutes of my life I’ll never forget. I searched for someone to reassure me I'd be ok, and there I found my Doula. Somehow, her support was still there even amongst the chaos."