Under Vital Statistics Canada, births where there were not any registered medical professionals in attendance at a birth are called “unattended” births. Other names for “unattended” or “unassisted” births are free-birth or medically-unattended birth. Logistics to consider when planning a medically unassisted birth in BC: Birth supplies, including supplies for clamping and cutting (or burning) the […]
There are many herbs and essential oils that are commonly recommended for childbirth. I always encourage my clients to treat any herbal or plant preparations as medicine. I typically do not recommend using herbs for inducing birth, and encourage people to avoid thinking that herbal inductions are “natural inductions”. Herbal medicines can be powerful, and […]
Many people assume that OBs are the best trained professionals in birth. Depending on your circumstance, working with an OB may be the right choice for you. But if you are making plans for your upcoming birth, here’s a quick list of questions to think about. Don’t make assumptions; the answers may surprise you: Did […]
Someone asked me today (like almost everyday): “How often do you see complications arise in home births?” I gave them the same answer I always give:”Rarely. I see complications happen WAY more frequently in hospitals. And the odd time a complication does arise, in my experience, they are handled in a MUCH more smooth and […]
I wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, but “thank you” doesn’t feel like strong enough words. It was so amazing to have you present at our birth and I can’t imagine how differently things would have felt if you weren’t there. When becoming pregnant, although I deeply respect and suggest […]
Birth Takes a Village with Jessica Austin and crew Childbirth Services in Vancouver, BC To contact us, Meena will be happy to get back to you at: [email protected] (email) | 604-537-5278 (phone or text) Please be advised that due to the nature of birth work, we are occasionally away from our home offices for several […]
Jessica Austin at a birth Photo: Megan Taylor Photography As a birth doula and informed choice activist, I believe women’s rights to choices about their births are of utmost importance. I strive to promote a gentle and informed birth culture through my birth work, educational blog and childbirth education classes, as well as by participating in local […]
Birth Takes a Village offers a variety of childbirth services in Vancouver, BC and surrounding area. All services are designed to help you have a gentle and informed birth experience. Birth Doula Services Popular post: What does a birth doula really do? Providing you with information, support, education, and physical and emotional comfort during childbirth. Women […]
Inviting me to your birth isn’t the only way to consult with me! You can also book private consultations with me to prepare for your birth. Personalized consultations are available as individual sessions or as prenatal packages. These sessions can be booked IN-PERSON or ONLINE. Individual Consultations: Book one-off consultations with me if you have […]
*Due to the COVID outbreak and restrictions on group gatherings, our classes for 2020 have been put on hold. We are currently offering PRIVATE ONLINE sessions. ONLINE CLASS INVESTMENT: $325 per household for six 2 hour sessions or variation thereof. Email [email protected] to schedule your private, online sessions until we are able to run in […]
This poem isn’t supposed to be about me. I’m not supposed to be announcing a pregnancy and cancer at the same time. Gary and I are supposed to be lying in bed at night talking about baby names, not analyzing research on chemotherapy treatments in pregnancy. I’m supposed to get a nice, private pregnancy where […]
I haven’t been publicly updating folks often about my pregnancy and coinciding breast cancer, and it is for a variety of reasons (previous post here if you haven’t read it). One is, I keep wanting to go back and tell the whole story from the beginning. I have lots to share, have learned so much, and chronologically seems […]
Photo: Kristie Robin, kristierobin.com I breathe a sigh of relief today as I sit drain-tube-free, surgery complete, and finally on what feels like a “break” from treatments from now until after birth. Still bandaged up and sore but feeling a version of finished-for-now… the relief I think everyone expected me to feel after my final […]
She’s here! For those of you who haven’t heard, Kaedra Margaret Kaur Rooprai joined us January 9th, after a fast and furious and unexpected labour at 35 weeks plus 4 days. Birth story to come, but suffice to say that birth was as wild, powerful, incredible, and strong as I had thought it would be, […]
