Birth Space Birth Pools and Labor Support

Tonight I want to post about something you can invest in that is local, committed towards Social Justice and helping to reduce racial inequities right here in Victoria. Nesting doula collective is committed to providing low cost or free doula support to BIPOC families. A doula is the best labor drug you can ever invest in. Please, whatever you can contribute is everything! As an ambassador for this awesome local organization I urge you to contribute. My plan is to participate in a run and raise funds as well, but, for now, this holiday season I urge you to donate https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/11jIh7

Thank you Tahia Ahmed. The land is our first womb. Our bodies are made of earth and have an intimate relationship to land and all earth-beings. The land provides us with wisdom and medicine that we depend on for birth and sustaining life. Birth workers refer to water as nature’s epidural, we believe that breath can literally bring new life into the world. And the exchange between an inhale and an exhale is a sacred relationship of reciprocity between our bodies and the ear...th. Therefore, exploitation and destruction of lands and waters go hand-in-hand with a culture of disembodiment, loss of land-based healing knowledge, psycho-spiritual disconnection and trauma that can occur at the time of giving birth. Ultimately, birth justice activists and climate justice activists are fighting for the same thing - life. https://www.ckx.org//intersections-of-birth-work-climate-a

A great little piece on waterbirth by local doula Monique Bandet. I have one rental left for October and two for November! http://www.labouroflovedoulaservices.net//water-birth-a-jo

I cannot say enough about the expertise of Shea at https://coastallifestylesphoto.com I look back on my birth and postpartum photos with such joy, she captured them perfectly. She can also do " Day in the life" sessions with you, family sessions and the most beautiful birth moments. Consider her for your home or hospital birth and more! Oh and she rents birthpools, she's the best.

Thank you Tahia Ahmed. The land is our first womb. Our bodies are made of earth and have an intimate relationship to land and all earth-beings. The land provides us with wisdom and medicine that we depend on for birth and sustaining life. Birth workers refer to water as nature’s epidural, we believe that breath can literally bring new life into the world. And the exchange between an inhale and an exhale is a sacred relationship of reciprocity between our bodies and the ear...th. Therefore, exploitation and destruction of lands and waters go hand-in-hand with a culture of disembodiment, loss of land-based healing knowledge, psycho-spiritual disconnection and trauma that can occur at the time of giving birth. Ultimately, birth justice activists and climate justice activists are fighting for the same thing - life. https://www.ckx.org//intersections-of-birth-work-climate-a

Your daily chuckle https://www.newyorker.com//d/realistic-birth-announcements

This is an important fact for you weaning parents.

If someone has been struggling with untreated postpartum depression or anxiety, at 9-12 months postpartum, they are probably exhausted. That's several months of... sleep deprivation, low mood, intrusive thoughts, feeling like a bad parent, feeling isolated and trapped... with what feels like no end in sight. Those of us who are on the other side of it know it gets better. But at 9 to 12 months postpartum it might feel relentless, like there is no end, no hope. If you, or someone you love, is in crisis or at imminent risk of harming themselves, please call 911, your local crisis line (310-6789 here in BC), or the national suicide prevention hotline at 1-833-456-4566. If you aren't in crisis, but are struggling and would like emotional and mental health support from us, you can reach us by phone or text message at 604-255-7999. If that number is long distance for you, our toll-free line is 1-855-255-7999 (phone only). You deserve support. It can get better. It WILL get better. I promise And the world is better with you in it. Posted @withregram @diversitymidwives It's postpartum suicide awareness week. According to the World Health Organization suicide is the leading cause of death in birthing people. The highest risk of suicide occurs at 9-12 months postpartum. We can't prevent death by suicide if we don't talk about it. Having a new addition can affect your mental health in unexpected ways. If you feel like you need to talk please reach out for help. You can contact the Toronto Distress Centre at 416-408-HELP (4357), Crisis Services Canada at 1-833-456-4566 or via text at 45645. If you or someone you know is in crisis please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room. #suicideprevention #suicideawareness #postpartummooddisorders #postpartum #postpartumsuicide #maternalsuicide #perinatalmentalhealth #PMAD #youdeservesupport #youmatter

Well after 8 years of renting out Birthpools and kits I am passing on the torch to the lovely and ever capable and talented Shea Long Coastal Lifestyles Photography Shea is THE BEST birth photographer for Vancouver Island Families, trained Doula and now, Birthpool business owner. Featured here is a photo she herself took at the water birth of my second baby. It's only natural she now run the birth pools like a boss! I will still be renting TENS and teaching pre and postnatal yoga but as I move into my final year of Midwifery School it's time to hand the rentals to this spunky, awesome woman. You can reach her here for rentals https://coastallifestylesphoto.com/BIRTH-POOL-RENTALS/ Yours in water birthing love, SJ and Shea