While doulas have been growing in popularity for their work related to childbirth and the early postpartum period, their value in all areas of reproductive health is just beginning to percolate in the public eye. Traditionally, the people who attended the births in their communities provided support during ALL areas of reproductive health. Preconception, fertility, […]
Adrienne and Dennis had a beautiful Hypnobabies home birth; the first of two births I attended on my birthday this year (you can read about the other birth here). I received the following testimonial from them today, and burst into tears reading their kind words and remembering how amazing they were to spend time with […]
While doulas have been growing in popularity for their work related to childbirth and the early postpartum period, their value in all areas of reproductive health is just beginning to percolate in the public eye. Traditionally, the people who attended the births in their communities provided support during ALL areas of reproductive health. Preconception, fertility, […]
I’m an anomaly in the birth-professional world in that some of my favourite births to attend are those of first-time mothers. It’s quite typical of anyone who attends births for a living to prefer what we call “multips”: women who’ve given birth at least once before. It’s commonly accepted that multips birth more quickly and easily than […]
I don’t blog too much about cesareans, as most of my focus is on educating women on how to maximize their chances of having a healthy vaginal birth and there is only so much time in the day! However, one of my favourite topics is the importance of delayed cord clamping. Normally when I speak about […]
In Canada, one of the tests offered to women prenatally by doctors and registered midwives is a swab for Group B Strep (GBS). If the swab is positive, the woman will be offered antibiotics during her labour. When it comes to GBS during pregnancy, you have choices in: whether or not to test for it prenatally […]
A nice graphic from Sam Talbot, designer, activist & former doula. Do you think it makes sense that only 60% of Canadian babies are born vaginally without surgical or instrumental assistance? Read more → Women birthing with medical care providers such as doctors and registered midwives often have vaginal exams performed every 2-4 hours during a woman’s […]
Anemia is one of the things many women are screened for prenatally. The diagnosis of the disease is controversial. Here’s some food for thought: Excerpt from Guidelines on Anemia in Pregnancy from the US Department of Health and Human Services: “The following conclusion is based on good and consistent scientific evidence (Level A):Iron supplementation decreases […]
While doulas have been growing in popularity for their work related to childbirth and the early postpartum period, their value in all areas of reproductive health is just beginning to percolate in the public eye. Traditionally, the people who attended the births in their communities provided support during ALL areas of reproductive health. Preconception, fertility, […]
We’re keeping the birth story train going here, after receiving so much response to giving women a place to share! Women often say the thing that helped them feel the most prepared for birth was reading other women’s stories. This really epitomizes the Birth Takes a Village theme… women sharing their stories in the community […]
I just found a good video I had stored away in my “to read / watch” files. My friend’s 2 year old sun cuddled up and watched it with me; at the end he said “well, that was very interesting!”… although perhaps he just likes the moving images on a screen, I like to think […]
Despite what is known about the risk of routinely inducing the birth process simply for being pregnancy past 41 weeks, it is common practice in North America. Routine induction just for being past your “due date” of 40 weeks is not safe, necessary, or mandatory. Depending on who your medical provider is, induction may be […]
If you find yourself going from 0-100 in an instant and then feeling guilt about your anger as a parent, my sister Jen (a therapist at The Essence of You Counselling) says you aren’t alone! Jen Reddish is a counselor who works primarily with people in the pregnancy and postpartum periods, and she says postpartum […]
Phone 604-700-4115 to arrange a last-minute doula Sometimes people don’t realize they want more support until their birth has already started. It’s definitely ideal to book a doula in advance to benefit from building a relationship with her and the education she provides in her prenatal visits with you. I always find I can make […]
