Belly Bloom Birth Services

The power of touch.

It's World Breastfeeding Week!

I love this article. Finding your mama tribe or 'buddy bench' can be hard but once you do it can make all the difference in your motherhood journey. There is so much to be said about finding those special connections. Stay tuned for news about Belly Bloom's Mama Tribe and our start up date this fall.

Baby's first bath! Little ones deserve so much care & respect during such a new experience and although this video is in French I hope that the compassion, gentleness & genuine care this nurse shows little Sonia comes through. What a beautiful example of what a first bath should look like. #babysfirstbath

It's World Breastfeeding Week!

I love this article. Finding your mama tribe or buddy bench can be hard but once you do it can make all the difference in your motherhood journey. There is so much to be said about finding those special connections. Stay tuned for news about Belly Blooms Mama Tribe and our start up date this fall.

The power of touch.

Babys first bath! Little ones deserve so much care & respect during such a new experience and although this video is in French I hope that the compassion, gentleness & genuine care this nurse shows little Sonia comes through. What a beautiful example of what a first bath should look like. #babysfirstbath

Wonderful opportunity to learn a little more for new & expecting families!

Its World Breastfeeding Week!

A different understanding of childbirth pain & an old but new again perspective. Positive birth. Powerful.

TACKLING CONTRACTIONS! Learning ways to RELAX in response to contractions & pain, getting comfortable with various coping strategies and having rock solid support are powerful things. Labour is much like a marathon, starting out easy and getting harder as it goes on. All mothers get to a point when they question if they can keep going. And they can, one contraction at a time. While having a plan, knowing your options and having the ability to adjust the sails if things get stormy are all vital preparations, its the positive mindset, unconditional support and strong mental stamina that often gets the job done. Doulas can help with that. #yesyoucan #bellybloombirth #familycenteredsupport #wholeheartedsupport #yycdoula

What a beautiful image

Oh that first meal after baby arrives is a dream! Many mamas wont eat once they get into active labour, although it is a really good idea to try to get calories in somehow. Birth is incredibly physical and requires a lot of energy (one reason why bone broth rocks). Once babe is here & everything starts to calm down mom usually realizes quite quickly that she is absolutely STARVING!!!! I couldnt get a sandwich in me fast enough and it was the best sandwich I ever had ... both times. What did you eat after birth? Or what do you hope to? #bestmealever #youearneditmama #refuelafterbirth #bonebrothrocks #doulatips #keepitsimple #bellybloombirth #wholeheartedsupport #familycenteredsupport #yycdoula

A wonderful opportunity with a wonderful woman!

A mothers body and what its capable of blows my mind...every time. In awe always.

Happy Dads Day!

Where does the time go?

That last month, the homestretch can be so tough. Thinking of all the mamas playing the waiting game right now and sending you encouraging thoughts as you sit in anticipation.

Why would anyone want to labour in a bathroom? Well theres a lot of really good reasons actually and using a bathroom as a labour room has great benefits. 1) Its PRIVATE, which helps your body relax and your labour hormones do what they are meant to. 2) The toilet is an awesome place to labour. Not only are you upright and in great position to crouch or lean through contractions but on the john we all mentally let go and those muscles we tend to want to clench up let go too. 3) Theres water everywhere! Hydrotherapy from a shower or tub can give a great deal of relief through the tough stuff. #labourtips #doulatips #keepitsimple #bellybloombirth #wholeheartedsupport #familycenteredsupport #yycdoula #birthdoula #postpartumdoula #okotoksdoula

Were having a Ticket Giveaway!

Yes! This is AMAZING and full of SO much truth.

One familys beautiful birth story and one that is close to home, captured by Shelby Story Photography in Central Alberta.

For many women a TENS machine can decrease pain and increase their overall satisfaction of their birthing experience. Its always in my birth bag forsure! Have you used one in birth or do you intend to? #increaseendorphins #naturalpainmanagement #bellybloombirth #wholeheartedsupport #familycenteredsupport #yycdoula

There is a whole lot of evidence suggesting that newborn babies do not actually need a bath after all but many care providers and hospitals still consider the bath an important part of care. Here is some great information on the benefits of holding off. #informedchoice #informedconsent #thenewbornbath #bellybloombirth #wholeheartedsupport #familycenteredsupport #yycdoula

Once I had my babies I definitely became more conscious of my menstrual cycle and all the ways in which it impacted my life, my hormones and my health. An important aspect of that has always been how menstrual products impact womens health and here is some eye opening information on how some of the most well known brands can actually be doing more harm than good and also some great alternatives. #womenshealth #takeownership #bellybloombirth #wholeheartedsupport #familycenteredsupport #yycdoula

For anyone interested in infant massage

The new World Health Organization guidelines released this year set to raise awareness on the importance of care providers creating a respectful environment for families to birth in and how even the language used can shift a families perspective of their experience. While I have seen countless times care providers who have embraced this approach to care long before the guidelines rolled out, unfortunately guidelines do not always result in consistent application and human nat...ure if often one resistant to change. I have seen the other side too. This in one more reason why doulas are such an asset to birthing families. In addition to communicating what options are available to birthing families and encouraging them to be educated about preferences, a doula knows what quality care looks and feels like and has the language available for birthing families to use in their advocacy. #wholeheartedsupport #familycenteredsupport #bellybloombirth #yycdoula See more

Drink more water! Staying hydrated is so important in pregnancy, especially in those last few weeks as you never know when your labour will begin. Drinking plenty of water and other healthful liquids such as safe-for-pregnancy herbal teas & broths works towards optimal health for the big day. Your uterus near the end of pregnancy is the largest muscle in your body and has a lot of work to to so keeping your body well hydrated is a really simple way to prepare. Hydration is also crucial in postpartum as your body makes milk and heals itself. #drinkmorewater #labourtips #postpartumtips #keepitsimple #bellybloombirth #wholeheartedsupport #familycenteredsupport #yycdoula #okotoksdoula

Doula Chat! Your birth is important and the way you birth is important too. Maybe not so much whether you have your baby in a hospital versus at home or whether you had an epidural versus laboured without pain medication but that you had the opportunity to make those decisions about your care and those choices were respected. Would you agree? I long for the day when I see all women supported in birth from a place of care and kindness. Thank goodness for obstetrics and for the days they have saved but even more so, thank goodness for all the mothers who have trusted themselves, their bodies & their babies. #mamasintuition #mamasvoice #wholeheartedsupport #familycenteredsupport #bellybloombirth #yycdoula #birthdoula

Belly Bloom is so honoured to be a part of the Darling Details Market in Calgary on June 9th! An incredible opportunity here to grab one of the limited coupon books including entry to the market (theres only 25!). Its the sweetest market all geared to new parents and babies with all local vendors. Stay tuned as we will have tickets to give away soon.

Happy Mothers Day! Wishing every mama a day of rest, relaxation and so much LOVE! #happymothersday #thinkingofthosewhohavelostamama #selfcare #selflove #bellybloombirth #yycdoula #wholeheartedsupport #familycenteredsupport

Mothers lovingly supported by their mothers in birth . Beautiful.

Honouring every mother who has lost a baby & every woman who yearns for one, this mothers day. This time of year can be so HARD. Know that you are seen and so loved and that you are not alone. Sending so much love your way.