Katie Nelson

With the holidays coming up quickly, pregnant folks might notice an increase in one topic being brought up at their appointments. Induction. Now, yes this is a fairly normal topic of conversation, but you may notice more pressure to choose to induce early (or seemingly not be given a choice at all). Here’s the deal; healthcare workers are humans too. They also want to be at home having Christmas dinner with their partner and children or maybe they’re looking forward to a... few days off. Hospitals may be slightly more understaffed than usual due to vacation timing and people are eager to get home to their families. If you look at a chart of common birth dates, you’ll notice a steep increase in births in the week before Christmas, followed by almost no births between December 23-27 and another increase before the New Year. So, while your provider may have plans for dinner on the 24th, please remember that that’s none of your responsibility. Your baby doesn’t know your provider’s schedule. This isn’t to say that inductions are all bad, in fact, some may opt for the induction so they can enjoy their holiday plans with a newborn. But for those who want to avoid unnecessary intervention, here are some red flags or key phrases to watch for: Using the holidays as a bartering tool (ex. you wouldn’t want to go into labour on Christmas Eve) Warning you about their schedule in advance (ex. If you want me there it will have to be before this date) Suggesting an induction with no medical indication (ex. big baby) So, if this is something you want to avoid, here are some next steps: Ask point-blank is there a medical reason for me to be induced? Ask how much time you have to decide (if there is no medical emergency, you should always have time to think) Ask about the risks and benefits of induction vs continuing the pregnancy (watch out for scare tactics though) Remember that no matter what your provider’s schedule looks like, you are always allowed to birth on your own timeline. ID: A mug of hot chocolate sits on a wooden table. The mug is shown from a birds-eye view with a blue Santa design on the side. See more

You know the memes about your one cousin who never shows up to family events? I’m that cousin. And this year it was a little easier to fill that role. Every year I have to come up with my excuse for why I can’t make it to dinner, or why I have to leave early. World's worst cold, didn’t sleep well, a friend in need, the list goes on. The reality is that I can’t handle many events because of the way my brain and body function. Pain flares, loud rooms, putting on a fake sm...ile, and explaining why I’m not working/in school/doing whatever’s expected for my age. I’m unfortunately familiar with all of the above and so are your disabled family members. Why did I never use my actual health issues as my excuse? They seemed less acceptable and often needed explaining, especially if I was feeling fine the day before. I learned early on that it’s much easier to leave because you need to study for an exam, but you can’t just say your heart rate is too high and not expect questions. We can’t entirely blame internalized ableism for this either, after all, a lot of what we internalize has been learned from somewhere. Ableism is questioning your relative who just can’t get out of bed for the family reunion, but not questioning the same when someone else has the flu. Ableism is saying they do this every year instead of asking how can we make our event more accessible to them. The holiday season is absolute torture for some of us, the expectation of sticking to a high-demand schedule, having to be in crowded places, the increase in toxic positivity, and the ever-haunting but it’s Christmas (enter guilt-tripping face on a relative of your choosing). So, this one goes out to all those who are feeling a little extra relieved this year. And no, you don’t have to stay up until midnight on New Year’s. ID: a light blue background reads Festive Ableism in white text. See more

Someone asked me a while ago how we can remain inclusive while honouring and celebrating the feminine experience that is birth. I simply said; we can’t. Individually, you can feel however you want to feel about birth. Maybe you felt like a feminine goddess or however you want to describe it, and that’s wonderful. For you. You see, the thing about inclusive language is that it doesn’t revolve around our own experiences (cishet folks, talking to you). Your feelings ab...out your birth experience don’t apply to every pregnant person, it’s that simple. You’re free to tell your birth story using any adjectives you see fit, but we cannot project those on to the stories of other birthing people. Men give birth. Women give birth. Non-binary folks give birth. Genderqueer folks give birth. People of all genders (and people with no gender at all) give birth. So why would we only use one, very limiting, adjective to describe it? Birth is also: Joyful Traumatic Powerful Incredible Terrifying Magical Affirming and so much more. What’s your favourite word to describe birth? ID: A pale orange background reads birth is not an inherently feminine experience in white text. See more

Hospital policies are not the law. You have to give birth on your back. We don’t allow eating during labour.... This test/ultrasound/medication is mandatory. You have to have a vaginal exam before xyz. While hospital employees may tell you these are the rules, the truth is there are no rules when it comes to your body. Healthcare policies like these are primarily put in place to protect the employees and the establishment, not the patients. They’re based on how the powers that be want your birth to unfold to avoid liability. Hospital policies are not the law. Your consent or refusal will always trump their preferences. BUT here’s where some of us birth workers lose focus; We have to recognize that speaking up for ourselves or questioning policies is a matter of immense privilege. Racism within the medical system is a major factor in health outcomes and white birth workers must keep this in mind. BIPOC birthing folks may end up at greater risk of harm by being perceived as a combative patient or making a decision against medical advice. As we know, perinatal mortality rates are more than four times higher for Black birthing folks and Canadian hospitals tend to unnecessarily involve Family Services with Indigenous families as well. Being non-compliant with the routine means potentially more work for hospital staff and putting them outside of their comfort zone. While neither of those things is your responsibility as a birthing person, know that there may be backlash whenever we decide to birth outside of whatever is considered the standard. Every birthing person is within their rights to refuse tests, push in a different position or eat when they’re hungry; but that doesn’t mean it always goes over smoothly. Have you refused a standard test before? Or birthed in a way that was not the hospital’s routine? What was your experience like? ID: Katie laughs as she tosses an apple in the air at the orchard. She is wearing jeans, a black turtleneck and a dark green suede jacket overtop. See more

If you’ve been following my stories lately you’ll know that I’m in the middle of a medication change, and it sucks. I’ve chosen to document that process publicly because I haven’t seen anyone else talk about it and I think it’s necessary, especially considering how many messages I got from folks in the same boat or who have had similar experiences. I realized recently that while I’ve been known to ‘overshare’, ‘oversharing’ is kind of a social construct. Shutting down conv...ersations is just a reflection of our discomfort with certain subjects and I try to avoid calling them taboo because nothing really should be. I’ve gotten questions from family members and friends, wondering why I talk about the things that I do so publicly (it isn’t limited to Instagram, anyone who has ever had dinner with me can attest to that). And if I’m being honest, I started talking about my story because I was so frustrated by going through it alone. I knew based on statistics and anecdotal conversations that I wasn’t the only one in my shoes, but if nobody was willing to talk about it, it would continue to feel like I was. I told the world about my endometriosis diagnosis on March 15th, 2019 - 6 weeks post-surgery. I had just hit 400 followers and I sat on that blog post draft for longer than I’d like to admit. I wasn’t necessarily ashamed, I just didn’t know how to start the conversation, but I knew I had to. Shortly after I introduced the topic, I shared a photo of what my abdomen looks like during a flare, to this day that remains my most viewed post of all time. This is why I do this. The messages of I didn’t know anyone else went through this roll in every single time I share on these topics. Topics that I didn’t think I’d ever be speaking out on. ‘Oversharing’ is how we learn what’s truly going on behind the scenes. ‘Oversharing’ is how we start chipping away at layers of societal stigma and shame. ‘Oversharing’ is healthy in the right spaces. Consider this your sign. Go ahead, ‘overshare’ a little. Your story is important. ID: Katie wears sunglasses and looks into the distance as a row of apple trees cast shadows across her face. See more

The first law restricting abortion was created in 1803, in Britain, and the USA followed suit by rolling out their restrictions into the late 1800s. These initial laws were created under the guise of protecting pregnant folks, as procedures were carried out with few safety guidelines, minimal hygiene practices, and often had high mortality rates, but this is also reflective of nearly all other medical practices at the time. Why then was abortion the only procedure being restr...icted? At this time, male physicians saw female practitioners as a threat to their power, and given that midwives and local wise-women were the primary resources for attending births and managing pregnancy care (along with providing terminations), the medical establishment sided with the anti-abortion efforts to eliminate midwifery as an option for care. Read more in my latest blog post below: https://www.spectrumdoula.com//what-happens-when-we-restri

If you had told me 5 years ago that I’d be talking about my vagina on the internet, I’d have never believed it. There’s such a stigma attached to pelvic health in general, but y’all know how much I love breaking a stigma. Like most people, I thought pelvic floors were only something you worried about post-pregnancy or with aging. Sure, I’d heard of pelvic organ prolapse, kegels and how everyone should do them (which I quickly learned was not true), but I didn’t know much m...ore than that. As many of you will know, the next step in managing my Endo is another surgery, and that isn’t a process I’m prepared to start quite yet, so I started looking into alternatives for pain management. I’m no stranger to internal exams at this point, but I had never considered going to a physiotherapist because I didn’t understand how it all worked. I thought every appointment would be internal work, which is about as close to hell as you can get for someone with pelvic pain, so I stayed away. Much like finding a therapist, finding a physiotherapist is a personal journey. Appointments are strangely intimate, the most work gets done when you’re able to be vulnerable and honest and you’re often sharing things you might feel embarrassed about. Honestly, it feels a lot like going to therapy; getting things off your chest you’ve been suffering through, finding hope and having someone understand medical trauma. Finding the right physiotherapist was a game-changer. I was assured that I never had to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with. I felt safe discussing things I’d been keeping to myself. I felt heard, knowing that many of her patients are going through similar things. I felt validated by having a professional confirm that something was wrong. If you’ve ever dealt with pelvic organ prolapse, diastasis, pelvic pain, leaking or if you’re pregnant, postpartum or have had gender confirmation surgery, I cannot recommend pelvic floor physio enough. Here are some lovely folks I recommend: @jaclynseebachpt @krystyna.holland @themamasphysio @abodyinmotionrehab See more

Some of the worst symptoms I get don’t even happen during my period. My period arriving is often a relief, knowing the worst of it will soon be over. After all, how can it be just a bad period when the whole definition of Endo is that it exists outside the uterus? When I’m up until 4am struggling to take a full deep breath, that’s not just a bad period. ... When the stabbing ovary pain hits during ovulation, that’s not just a bad period. When the full body inflammation keeps me in bed all day, that’s not just a bad period. Endo affects us every single day. I had to explain this to my doctors multiple times, every day means every day. Not every day of my period. Every day of my life. Endo is 24/7, 365. We are not exaggerating when we say this disease is debilitating. Intense cramping Pain during or after sex Bleeding during or after sex Pain with bowel movements Pain with urination Excessive bleeding Sporadic bleeding Infertility Fatigue Diarrhea Constipation Bloating Nausea Vomiting Chest pain Kidney pain Shoulder pain Back pain Pelvic pain Pelvic floor dysfunction Pain with pelvic exams Pain during ovulation Treatment options include: Pain medication Hormone therapy Contraceptives Surgeries Medically induced menopause Holistic therapies (chiro, massage, acupuncture, naturopathy) *All of the above are bandaids. There is no cure for Endo. Many of us will be forever stuck in the cycle of paying out of pocket just to get enough relief to function.* This is Endo. Does that sound like just a bad period to you? See more

If you don’t make time for your wellness, you’ll be forced to make time for your illness. Man, stuff like this annoys me. I’m incapable of wellness. (But also define wellness, you know?)... There is no exercising, no meal prepping; I’m lucky if I take my meds on time. As for illness, that’s 24/7. I know this phrase probably refers to things like the common cold or seasonal flu, but can we stop stigmatizing illness? Sure, wellness as a concept is great (very here for mental health destigmatization), but right now it’s an industry. And an inaccessible and unattainable one at that. Wellness often looks like small bodies, able bodies and white bodies. Wellness often looks like the latest expensive products, exercise programs and diet plans. (Cue the DMs about why they’re actually affordable if I prioritize my health, yikes) Wellness often looks like a different world from my own, and many of yours too. I’m unwell. I’m ill. I’m disabled. I’m whatever the opposite is of what you’re preaching. I’d LOVE it if the world was forced to make time for my illness. I’d LOVE it if my doctors could stop asking if I’m getting plenty of exercise at every appointment. I’d LOVE it if we stopped demonizing being unwell. This industry reminds me of those posters in elementary school. You know, the one with the token disabled person with the phrase what’s your excuse written underneath. Instead of expecting us to rise to these imaginary and inaccessible standards, why can’t we make the idea of wellness more inclusive? I’ll be closer to wellness when my medications are covered. I’ll be closer to wellness when I can access the healthcare I need. I’ll be closer to wellness when y’all decide that disabled folks are deserving of joining the club. See more

This work is no joke. As doulas, and specifically in full-spectrum work, it isn’t all cuddling babies and happy moments. I know for me, that’s a very small fraction of what I do. We need each other. ... Doulas have an incredibly high burnout rate which many people don’t expect. We bear witness to some of the darkest moments in our clients' lives. We see violence everywhere and have little ability to prevent or stop it. Violence in homes. Violence in healthcare systems. Violence against our clients. Violence against ourselves. When I tell people what I do, they often say oh that must be fun. Sometimes it is, but most of the time it’s draining. Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do and have the supports in place to continue doing so. But I don’t think a lot of people going into this work know what they’re up against. Nothing gets my heart rate going like an email from someone desperately seeking an abortion provider with none in their area. I’ve cried in many a hospital parking lot after witnessing something I wish I could have stepped between. My heart sinks every time I see the hospital number show up on my phone. I know I’m the deciding factor in whether this family gets some of the most important photos they’ll ever own. It pains me to have conversations with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ clients about how to protect themselves from their own healthcare providers. We need each other. This work is so heavy. Find your people. Debrief with them. Get a therapist. Talk about what you’re experiencing. Vicarious trauma is real y’all. I always say I wish we lived in a world where my job wasn’t necessary. And until that happens, we just can’t do this alone. ID: White text on a pale blue background reads Doulas need Doulas. See more

It’s HERE! This has been a long time coming my new website is LIVE! That means new blog posts, newsletters and (eventually) new online content is all headed your way!... Y’all know how picky I am about branding and details, and Laura absolutely nailed it. Nova Mae Design is incredible to work with, especially for those who like to be hands on with the design process! This was a much needed first step towards launching Spectrum Doula Services to the next level. I’m so excited to show you what’s to come! I’m at a loss for words right now as I have too many plans in the works, so go check it out and let me know what you think! www.spectrumdoula.com/links/

I could go on about how amazing the postpartum golden hour is and why it’s so important, but when we hold one birth option up on a pedestal, we often leave people feeling guilty. What happens if you aren’t the first person to feed your baby? What happens if you can’t do skin to skin?... What happens if your baby needs medical attention? What happens if you miss that golden hour? We hype up these birth ideals (and don’t get me wrong, there are absolutely benefits and reasons why we encourage it), but that leaves no room for alternatives. You are still a good parent if you missed out on the golden hour. You can and will bond with your baby even if you don’t do skin to skin right away. Your baby can still bond just fine if they needed some help before being held by you. Feeding your baby is still part of the bonding process, even if you weren’t the first to do so. There is no one right way to birth. There is no one right way to parent. There is no one right way to bond with your baby. And while we’re on the topic, if you feel like you’re just not bonding with your baby, that may be an early sign of postpartum mental health issues. And that’s okay, there is help available and it’s good to catch it early! Be sure to communicate these feelings with someone you trust, having a third party involved can be helpful as we don’t often notice changes in our own behaviours right away. Bonding isn’t always immediate, it isn’t always a magical, sparks fly moment, but it will happen in time. Cuddle your baby, read them a book and sing them a lullaby. You’re on this journey together. See more

Hey, it’s me! Your friendly, neighbourhood full-spectrum doula. Whenever I see some unsettling behaviour rising in the birth community, I like to put out a little reminder: This page is a safe space for LGBTQ+ folks. ... This page is a safe space for BIPOC folks. This page is a safe space for disabled folks. This page is a safe space for sex workers. This page is a safe space for those who are or have been incarcerated. This page is a safe space for those living with addiction. This page is a safe space for those experiencing homelessness. This page supports all pregnancy options and outcomes. This page is a safe space for all, except those who find enjoyment in preaching homophobia, transphobia, misogyny or any other form of hatred that we’ve seen recently. Yes, I’m always open for discussions. Yes, my DMs are confidential. Yes, I provide support for ALL reproductive experiences. No, I will not agree to disagree when it comes to human rights. No, I will not stay silent when these issues arise. I didn’t name my business Spectrum just because it sounded cool. YOU are safe and welcomed here. (Also acknowledging that everyone’s definition of safety is different. This space is intended to be safe based on continued efforts in intersectional awareness, education on best practices, open minds, hearts and harm reduction; but it may not feel safe to you and I respect that too.) ID: Katie wears her hair in a low bun, paired with a blue and white striped, collared shirt and a simple, silver necklace. She proudly holds a rainbow flag on the left side of the photo. See more

Are you looking for somewhere to get contraceptive counselling, an IUD insertion, abortion care and/or reproductive care? The COVID-19 Women's Initiative has c...reated an interactive Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (SRHS) Map that "can be used to find sexual and reproductive health services that are operating through the pandemic, and are located close to you. Some of these services include contraception and emergency IUD insertion, STI screening and treatment, abortion services, and pap testing." This map covers multiple Canadian cities, including London, GTA/Hamilton, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Edmonton. Check out the map at this link: https://covidwi.com/sexual-and-reproductive-health-service/ Images captured from COVID-19 Women's Initiative website (see above for link)

I had a moment this week where I was waiting for an appointment and my right arm and leg went numb. This isn’t out of the ordinary for me but I started to panic. How would I explain that I can’t get up if my name gets called right now? How long will I be stuck on this chair before my limbs decide to wake up?... How long will they wait for me before getting frustrated or asking questions? I started running through my script options in my head. I could say I’ll be there in a minute, but who does that? I could say I need some help getting around, but I don’t want to inconvenience anyone. I realized a few days later that I was still thinking about it. Although my limbs decided to function again before my name was called, I was still worried about this happening again in the future. I still felt that anxiety even days later. Internalized ableism is such a struggle for me. As someone who wasn’t born with my symptoms, I grew up with an able body for the most part. I know what my body used to be capable of and it’s hard to let that go. I’m still stuck in the mindset of what I should be able to do, rather than accepting what I’m actually able to do at any given moment. Being that my disabilities are invisible, I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m just being lazy or wasting their time when I need to just sit for a while before getting up. To an outsider, I look perfectly normal. I know I need to unpack that shame, there’s nothing wrong with needing accommodations. It’s strange to know that I’d be receptive to a stranger telling me the very script I was writing in my head, but I assume that others wouldn’t understand if it was coming from me. I really have no lesson or point here like I usually do, but I want to write these things down to remember where I’m at in my journey. I’ve seen a ton of posts lately about learning to stop apologizing for being disabled, so hopefully, this will resonate with others too. I’ve learned to be unapologetic in other areas of my life, but I know this will be a lifelong journey. ID: White text on a light orange background reads Internalized Ableism. See more

Contrary to what some folks would like us to believe, abortion isn’t all that accessible; even for us in Canada. So what options do we actually have? What are some things to watch out for? First thing’s first: watch their language. Pregnancy Resource Centre and Crisis Pregnancy Centre are the top two phrases that come to mind. They are most often run by or affiliated with a religious group of some kind and while these centres may be helpful for some, they are often very... anti-choice and use different strategies to manipulate pregnant folks into continuing their pregnancy. Look for disclaimers on their websites, some will say that they do not provide abortion referrals or services, while others may mention their views more subtly. Look at what they’re emphasizing; is their content focused on the joys of parenthood or the miracle of adoption? Another thing to watch for is emotional manipulation. Are they focusing on exaggerated risks (cancer claims, infertility, post-abortion trauma/stress)? Are they using a birth control failure to convince you that contraception isn’t reliable? Here are some top tips to evaluate if you’re dealing with a CPC (from @healthywomenwi via @austinwomenshealth ) * They are not willing to give you any information about their services over the phone or require that you visit them in person. A center that is not upfront about their services is probably hiding something. * The center’s website or printed materials don’t mention any licensed medical staff. * They tell pregnant people that they are either too early or too late for an abortion. * They require visitors to read or listen to religious materials The link in my bio will have a list of all current abortion providers in Canada. If your local clinic is not listed, it is more than likely a CPC. This list includes information about gestation limits and what types of abortion they provide, as well as support services (including yours truly). My DMs are always open and confidential for those wanting support or help finding resources. SWIPE TO LEARN MORE @ Stratford, Ontario See more

09/24/2020 ******** FULL FOR NOW! ******** CALL FOR DONATIONS: New/Unused, Knitted and Crocheted (or any new fabric material) Baby Hats and Blankets #gratitude Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance

I didn’t know my surgery wasn’t the gold standard. I wasn’t necessarily lied to, but it wasn’t fully explained. Without doing my own research and connecting with others online, I would not have known the difference between excision and ablation surgery. My surgeon explained that she would treat any endometriosis lesions she found, except if it was on my bowels, bladder, ureter or anything more complicated. ... She explained that if that were the case once they found the endo, I would need to be referred to a specialist. That made sense to me, I figured it was simply because it involved a different organ system that wasn’t within the OB/GYN scope. What she didn’t explain was that the specialists use a different surgical technique entirely and that this gold standard technique was not limited to more complicated organs. I was told that it was normal to need my surgery repeated every few years. I wasn’t told why. Now, of course, many people also need multiple excisions, but excisions are much more involved which means a longer-lasting and more successful outcome. The surgery I had was a laparoscopic ablation. This means that the endometriosis they found was burned off at the surface. This can provide some temporary relief and may be all that is needed for some folks, but it doesn’t actually solve the issue at all. It’s quite literally a superficial solution. I wasn’t told about excision. Excision is the technique used by specialists which involves actually removing the endometriosis by cutting it out along with some surrounding tissue. This is done to prevent the cells from regrowing in the same location as they often do when they are simply burned off during an ablation. I wasn’t told I had better options, let alone told I had options at all. I hesitate to call it gatekeeping but I know that’s what it comes down to. I didn’t know I could ask to be referred to the specialist right away, without doing this sort of ‘trial’ surgery. This is why I talk about these things. The system decided that it wasn’t important for me to have the best care available. We deserve better. Did you know? Did they tell you that you had options? See more

Unsolicited advice is insulting. YES I know that it almost always comes from a place of good intention and wanting to help. YES I know most of the people offering said advice know nothing about my conditions, through no fault of their own. YES I’m always looking for new treatment options BUT if I wanted advice, I’d ask for it. ... It’s insulting for you to assume that I don’t know enough about my own body and diagnosis. It’s insulting for you to assume that I haven’t done my own research. It’s insulting for you to assume that I’m just not trying hard enough. Yoga won’t remove the adhesions on my internal organs. Essential oils won’t regulate my heart rate. Avoiding gluten won’t change my genetics. For many of us, there are no cures. Literally, nothing exists right now that could get rid of my diagnoses. So to hear that these easy fixes are what I’ve been missing, especially from an able-bodied person, is downright insulting. I’m all for alternative therapies and trying everything you’re comfortable with, but where I draw the line is suggesting that I know what’s best for other people. Why is it that when we’re ill, we’re suddenly treated like we know nothing about our own bodies (when in reality we’re the ones teaching doctors)? If this message sounds harsh to you, I ask that you reflect on why you might feel that way. Were you trying to fix me? I’m not broken. Were you trying to shut down a conversation? Sometimes we just need to be heard. Did it work for your uncle’s friend’s cousin? I’m not that person. Does my being sick feel uncomfortable for you? Me too, sit with it for a while. And to my disabled and/or chronically ill friends; what’s the wildest piece of unsolicited advice you’ve received? See more

Were you pregnant in Canada in the last 10 years? The RESPCCT Study seeks to explore how people experience care during pregnancy and childbirth across Canada, e...specially among people with various identities, circumstances and backgrounds. www.respcct.ca Questions were developed with a diverse group of people who had recent pregnancy experiences. Information gathered in the surveys will be used to improve childbearing care for all types of communities.