Blue Heron Midwives
30 Dupont St E # 105 N2J 2G9 Waterloo, ON, Canada

Email Fran if you need the Zoom link!([email protected]) Posted @withregram @balancingfrombirthtobaby We are so excited to co-host New Baby Time with @blueheronmidwives, This weekly Wednesday program features a different presenter sharing new parent advice and more. If you have used either of our services then you are welcome to join us on Zoom. WEDNESDAY THIS WEEK Join Nicole from Better Bedtime. Better Bedtime is a full-service sleep consulting organization ...based in Waterloo Region. Services range from one-on-one programs for infants, children and adults to corporate sessions for the workplace. During our presentation, we will discuss safe and healthy sleep for babies. Specifically, we will dive into nap strategies, room sharing and overcoming sleep challenges. Click on this picture in our smart bio to learn more. #newborn #baby #babycare #sleeplikeababy #babyboy #babygirl #newparents #newmom #newdad #newbaby #babysleep #firsttimemom #firsttimedad #infant #momlife #babylove #babies #beautifulbaby #babywearing #newmommy #kwmoms #kwawesome #wrawesome #kwdads #midwives #midwife #midwifery #zoom #virtualhangout See more

Posted @withregram @dm_midwives IMPORTANT There is emerging evidence suggesting that Vitamin D could reduce COVID-related infections. While there is usually a small amount of Vitamin D in prenatal vitamins, it is recommended that anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding supplement with 2000 IU of Vitamin D per day. This is especially important during the upcoming winter months! (Vit D has always been recommended in pregnancy and has many other benefits, including binding with Calcium to form strong bones for baby). *Please note, the dosing for babies is different. It is recommended that exclusively breastfed babies get 400 IU of Vitamin D per day. D drops are an easy way to incorporate these supplements into your day

Posted @withregram @burlingtonmidwives We remember.

Posted @withregram @pandemicpregnancyguide Baby acne, also known as neonatal acne, is very common - affecting 1 in 5 children. Baby acne appears in the first few weeks of life and can last several months.It looks like red, inflamed bumps and pimples and may be found on the cheeks, forehead, and temples, as well as the chest and back. While it may be understandably concerning for caregivers, baby acne does not cause any harm or pain to your baby and does not require any tr...eatment. It will resolve on its own within a few weeks to months. However, if you are concerned and suspect it may be something else and/or your child is displaying any other symptoms, check in with your care provider. Swipe through this post to read more about baby acne and other common mimickers. If you feel comfortable, share your own experiences with baby acne in the comments below! Content references: https://www.todaysparent.com/baby/baby-health/baby-acne/ Photo references: https://www.babycenter.com/101_visual-guide-to-childrens-ra http://www.atlasdermatologico.com.br/disease.jsf?diseaseId=5 #PandemicPregnancy #PushingThroughThePandemic #duedateduringthepandemic #pregnancy #parenting #maternity #birth #newborn #postpartum #breastfeeding #maternalheath #primarycare #obstetrics #COVID19 #coronavirus #babyacne #acne #dermatology Disclaimer: The general information provided on this account is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or care, nor is it intended to be a substitute therefore. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider in your jurisdiction to discuss any questions that you believe may be relevant to you or to someone else. See more

October was another busy month for Blue Heron Midwives! We had 20 babies born with 14 boys and 6 girls. There were 16 born @grhospitalkw and 4 born at home. We really enjoyed seeing all your photos of little ones dressed up for Halloween!! Here’s baby Ezra born at home in April with the help of midwives Ann and Kaitlin. Thanks to momma Kiersten for sharing your little bunny with us #midwife #blueheronmidwives #blueheronbaby #hospitalbirth #homebirth #birth #alldressedup #fall #fallbabies #newborn #welcomelittleones #kwawesome

NEWBORN REFLEXES Here is Midwife Kaitlin doing a newborn exam for a baby born at home. During every newborn exam we check for normal reflexes. Why do we check for reflexes? Appropriate newborn reflexes are an indication of a normally developing neurotically system. These reflexes are present at birth. Some reflexes are more or less pronounced when a baby is born premature. Many of these reflexes change or disappear in a typically developing infant as they grow. If we discove...r an abnormal reflex, it helps us identify injuries or problems early so we can get treatment or support as soon as possible. This baby is demonstrating the MORO REFLEX where they quickly spread their arms. The Moro reflex is a normal response to the sensation of loss of support for newborns. Other newborn reflexes include: - SUCKING REFLEX: sucking movements in response to touching a baby’s lips - ROOTING REFLEX: opening the mouth and turning their head in response to stroking of the cheek - PALMER GRASP REFLEX: closing of the fingers to grasp in response to touching the palm of the hand - BABINSKI REFLEX: curling of the toes in response to pressure on the sole of the foot Have you noticed any of these reflexes in your newborn?? #newborn #newbornreflexes #midwife #blueheronmidwives #homebirth #newbornexam #kwawesome #blueheronbaby #development References: Tappero, EP. Physical assessment of the newborn. 6th ed. 2019. 174-178.

Come join us for ZOOM New Baby Time again tomorrow! Email Fran at [email protected] if you haven’t received the link already! . . **Please note - We are now starting at 9:30!!! .... . #newbabytime #newborn #postpartum #support #cometogether #allarewelcome See more

Breastfeeding Buddies: We are excited to announce that our virtual Latch and Learn series has been a huge success, so we decided to design a second series called Beyond the Basics! These FREE virtual workshops are aimed at families with babies older than 3 months , but any parents can attend. https://www.breastfeedingbuddies.com//ab/baby-me-drop-in/.

Though we haven’t been able to have in-person group programs for quite sometime now (thanks Covid), these cuties had a lovely socially-distanced park hang-out!! The July/August Connecting Pregnancy group with babies earth side! . . What’s Connecting Pregnancy (CP)? .... CP is a prenatal group program run by Blue Heron Midwives. Right now it is held on Zoom where BHM clients due around the same time get together to do a FREE prenatal class and get to know one another. We have some excellent prenatal educators from @balancingfrombirthtobaby that do a lot of the teaching!! We look forward to being able to offer our group programs again in-person, but for now we savour these kinds of photos. . . CP is one way that we try to encourage support of new parents as they go through the journey of welcoming a new little one into their family. It’s so important to have a support network to help you out! . Who helped you out in the first few weeks after having a baby? . #connectingpregnancy #newbabytime #newborn #support #kwawesome #parkhangouts #socialdistancing #wemissyou #blueheronbaby #blueheronbabies See more

A guide to understanding prenatal screening in Ontario: https://prenatalscreeningontario.ca//PrenatalScreeningBroc

Check out this workshop by Breastfeeding Buddies!! Posted @withregram @breastfeedingbuddies Feeling alone with a crying baby can make any parent overwhelmed; especially when breastfeeding isn’t working. Learning to understand your babies crying as a type of communication takes time and patience. Join us (even if your baby is crying) to talk about this and ask breastfeeding questions! Register online to save your spot! #newmom #newparent #chestfeeding #breastfeeding #bodyfeeding #cryingbaby #copingskills #copingstrategies #lactationsupport #breastfeedingsupport

How cute is this??!? Grandma got the porch fall-ready to welcome home a new little #blueheronbaby born last week!! Big or small, how did you celebrate your new little one’s arrival?? (Comment below) #midwife #blueheronmidwives #wecomebabygirl #brandnew #welcomehome #fallvibes #grandmasdecor #fallbaby #kwawesome #kitchener #waterloo

Did you know?? . Midwives in Ontario are required to show competence in managing emergency situations! We regularly practice responding to rare but serious situations like unexpected breech (bum first) birth, surprise twins, abnormal fetal heart rate, newborn resuscitation and postpartum hemorrhage to name a few. . .... Even in a pandemic, we need to know how to respond quickly and safely! We practice these skills to be prepared in both hospital and out of hospital settings. . . 1 - small group of Midwives practicing skills drills . 2 - feeling the position of a surprise 2nd twin . 3 & 4 - delivery of a breech (bum first) baby . 5 - plastic twins delivered safely . . . #emergencyskills #midwife #midwifelife #practicepracticepractice #hospitalbirth #homebirth @ontariomidwives See more

Nailed it!! Posted @withregram @emily.the.mom.next.door Last year around this time I was pregnant with my second, had an active toddler running around, and was completely exhausted. What we did for fall/Halloween: Last minute amazon costumes I had actual spiderwebs as my only porch decor... Visited zero orchards/pumpkin patches. That’s what I needed that year to survive and enjoy the holiday. Still a good mom. This year I’m not pregnant and feeling better, so this year our fall has looked like: We went to an orchard I have mum’s on my porch because they bring joy I have zero idea what Halloween will look like for us, not sure if we will even do costumes...and haven’t done a single craft. ...This is what works for us and brings the least amount of stress for us this year. Still a good mom. So this post is to remind you, as we enter into this season of pandemic holidays, that your happiness and enjoyment of the holidays matters...whatever that may look like for you and your family this year. Because you matter, and this year has been hard. Focus on what activities and ways you ARE celebrating instead of those you aren’t. You don’t have to do it all to have happy kids. Sharing your still a good mom posts in stories again this Monday! I’m hoping we can come together as a community these holidays and build each other up so we all navigate through this together. Because no matter how you are celebrating it’s good to know you’re not in this alone. #stillagoodmom #SAGM #thegoodmommovement See more

Thought we would share a couple more photos of miss Alaya with big sister Addelyn!! . . I want to thank you all for my wonderful prenatal and postnatal care I received. Everyone helped to make it an enjoyable experience, given I happened during a pandemic. .... . Thanks for choosing us to be your midwives Christina! . . #birth #midwife #bigsister #littlesister #wewillmissyou #kwawesome #comebacktovisit See more

As we continue to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic here are a few reminders regarding travel, guests and family coming from outside Canada: - AVOID all non-essential travel out of the country for yourself and your household - If returning from outside Canada, you MUST quarantine for 14 days regardless of whether or not you have symptoms... - if you have guests or family coming from another country they MUST quarantine for 14 days in a separate residence from you regardless of symptoms - before quarantine be prepared with enough food and supplies to stay in your residence with NO contact with others for the duration of the 14 days Please help keep everyone safe by following these rules! . To learn more, see the Government of Canada link > https://www.canada.ca//2/latest-travel-health-advice.html Talk to your midwife if you have questions about current travel and guest accommodations due to Covid-19. #pandemiclife #midwife #staysafe #stayhealthy #travel #quarantine #quarantinelife #selfisolation #stopthespread

August came and went and Blue Heron Midwives welcomes 14 new little ones!! We had 3 born at home and 11 born at Grand River Hospital in August. . . Thanks to Christina for sharing your photos of baby Alaya with us! .... . #midwife #newborn #birth #newbornphotography #homebirth #hospitalbirth @grhospitalkw See more

Posted @withregram @stjacobsmidwives October 15 is pregnancy and infant loss awareness day. Each year thousands of families across Canada mourn the loss of their babies. We honour the families that are grieving the loss of their babies too early, born still, or carried but never met. Break the silence about pregnancy and infant loss in hopes to reduce isolation that families may feel through their journey. ... See below for resources for families, and professionals: Family resources: https://pailnetwork.sunnybrook.ca/support-for-families-menu/ Resources for professionals: https://pailnetwork.sunnybrook.ca/healthcare-professionals/

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month! . . Do you know about self breast exams? They are part of screening yourself that may increase early detection of breast cancer. Between regular medical exams, check for changes to your breasts and nipples at least once per month. The diagram highlights changes that you should talk to your midwife or family physician about. .... . #breastcancerawareness #checkyourself #checkyourlemons #midwife #breastcancer #breasthealth See more

Welcome Jessica! We are happy to announce that Jessica Kaut has joined our practice. Jessica was a student at Blue Heron back in 2016-2017. We are excited to have her back.

Posted @withregram @_happyasamother None of my clients ever come to my office saying "I know for sure I'm struggling with postpartum depression" In fact, most are resistant to the idea. I'm not depressed. ... I couldn't possibly be depressed. I've never struggled with my mental health. My life is good. I have no reason to be down. I don't have it as bad a my mom friend. Everything in my life is good, I shouldn't complain. No on in my family has struggled with mental health. And you know what, you're right. Your life may be good. You may not have struggled before. Others experiences may be different than yours. But, that doesn't change the fact that pregnancy and postpartum literally change your brain. Sleep deprivation changes your brain. Your reproductive hormones influence your neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain. The relationship between our hormones and brain health are very complex and not fully understood. But they are very closely linked and have an impact on one another. If you find yourself saying the statements above, you may be struggling with a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. It's not your fault. You can get treatment via therapy and or medication and feel like yourself again. Don't wait for a moment when you think you know for sure it is ppd. I was a mental health professional and when I was in it, I never said oh this for sure feels like ppd. No. I was also saying the statements above. Head to @postpartumsupportinternational to find their directory of mental health providers. You can call or text them for support. Don't wait. You can feel like yourself again #mentalhealthawareness #ppd #ppmooddisorders #newborn #newmotherhood #postpartum #postpartumjourney #birth #yourenotalone

Check out our website (blueheronmidwives.com) for the latest updates on our Covid-19 policy. Information regarding clinic visits, home visits and hospital protocols are included. As always, talk to a midwife if you have any questions! . . #blueheronmidwives #covid19 #staysafe #kwawesome #birth #pregnancy #postpartum #virtualcare #masks #newbaby #homebirth #hospitalbirth

Starting this week on Wednesday September 2 our New Baby Time program will start the Zoom at 9:30am instead of 9:00am.

Posted @withregram @nestedmag Happy Black Breastfeeding Week! Why does that matter, you ask? Because breastfeeding in the Black community has been significantly underrepresented for decades. Here’s some interesting facts: According to the CDC, only 63% of Black mothers have breastfed compared to 75% of white mothers. On average, Black mothers only breastfeed for 6.5 weeks before resorting to other feeding methods. ... Black infant mortality rates are twice as high compared to white babies. Increasing breastfeeding awareness and support in the Black community can reduce infant mortality rates in Black babies by nearly 50% per the CDC. Breastfeeding doesn’t just decrease infant mortality rates, but it also helps prevent other health problems and diseases, including upper respiratory infections, asthma, ear infections, Type II Diabetes, childhood obesity, and even lessens the risk of SIDS. There is a significant lack of diversity in lactation education and resources, contributing to Black mothers feeling under-supported and often times resulting in early weaning. If you’re an expecting or new Black mama seeking resources to help you along your journey, here are a few places to start! @milkymamallc @blackmomsbreastfeed @blkbfingweek @bmbfa If you’re a Black breastfeeding mama, raise your hand! Comment below and tell us about your journey! Love it? Hate it? Any tips or tricks to share with other breastfeeding mamas? Helpful resources? We want to hear it all! And happy #blackbreastfeedingweek to YOU! : @j_wattsphotography #nestedmag #blackmomsbreastfeed

Let’s talk about NEWBORN WEIGHT LOSS. What’s normal? Why do babies lose weight? . . In the first few days after birth most babies lose an average of 5-7% of their birth weight. Why? Babies are learning to feed and start off taking in a small volume of food. Their stomachs need time to grow and stretch to accommodate larger volumes. Babies also lose some weight by getting rid of any extra fluid that can be on board at the end of pregnancy and they start emptying their bowels a...nd bladder. . . BUT - Babies are born with extra brown fat a very cool adaptation! Brown fat is a type of fat that helps keep them warm and is used for energy before the milk comes in. So, fear not - weight loss is expected! . . Newborn weight monitoring is one of the reasons why we offer home visits in the first week after birth. . . Featured here is Ellen, our senior midwifery students, weighing a newborn at a home visit. . . #midwife #homevisit #midwifelife #studentmidwife #weightloss #normal #brownfat #kwawesome #birth See more

Don’t forget to join us for Virtual New Baby Time Wednesday morning!!! . . Email Fran for the link! .... . #cometogether #newbaby #sticktogether #supporteachother #birth #midwife See more

Posted @withregram @breastfeeding.dietitian HOW TO HAND EXPRESS YOUR BREASTMILK. A handy (heh pun intended!) skill for all breastfeeding mothers. It can boost your confidence and comfort with your milk-making abilities and helps to stimulate your supply. . . Have your fingers placed away from your nipple more near where your milk-making sacs are (those grapes - don’t know what I’m talking about? Head a ways back on my for my grapes post). This can be about an inch back fr...om your areola, but depending on the size of your areola it could be different for you! . . Then get expressing! 1Press back INTO breast. 2Then compress. . . You don’t need to rub your fingers along your skin towards your nipple either. This just hurts. The purpose of hand expression is to move the milk out of the sacs and towards the nipple by just compressing the sacs. . . Other tips: Massage your breasts before you start to loosen the milk from the milk-making sacs, so it can more easily be moved out. Start in the C-hold position for ease, but move around to get at different milk making sacs! You may not get milk right away, and may take a few compresses - with each compress the milk moves closer towards the nipple. If you are hand expressing colostrum (when it is very small volumes and thicker and stickier milk), there will sometimes be just drops at a time! That’s normal and okay! If you are hand expressing antenatally (at the end of your pregnancy), you may not be able to express any at first - this has no weight to your milk production! Milk is there and just takes time and practice to hand express some. . . Do you hand express? What was your experience? Let me know in the comments! . . #breastfeedingmama #feedingondemand #thebreastfeedingdietitian #supportisbest #informedisbest #breastfeedingsupport #breastfeedinghelp #momlife #sahmomlife #newmomlife #newmom #37weekspregnant #38weekspregnant #handexpression #colostrum #newbaby #increasingsupply See more

Posted @withregram @pregnancysecrets "LUNGING in labor! SUCH a great tool to help get baby into the right position. Let’s remember that your baby is navigating through your pelvis, which is movable and changes its diameters to help the baby fit. Theyalso have to twist and turn and tuck to make their way down and out! Check out my little video about how the baby rotates through the pelvis on my feed. How do they move? YOU HELP THEM! Follow us @pregnancysecrets for... more One of my mottos and you hear me say all the time is Trust your Instinctsif you listen to your body, certain things will feel better than others. DO them! A lunge is a great way to mobilize and open one side of the pelvis to encourage the baby in that direction. I’m not talking lunge like an exercise lunge where you’re walking and bringing one knee to the ground (no one’s trying to wear you out more than laboring itself). I’m talking taking one leg and propping it up on a stool or stair or chair or something off the ground, turning your body away from your knee and rocking back and forth. Which side should you lunge? Do the side that feels best! One side will likely feel awful and the other tolerable, do the tolerable side! That’s your body telling you what it needs, no need to torture yourself! If both sides work, rotate sides! If you gotta get a leg up on the railing, do it! (Love this example ) That instinct is everything! You’re helping your pelvis and the baby and it might even help you cope! Did you lunge in labor? Which side felt better or worse?" : @pushlovedoula #preggo #pregnant #pregnancysecrets #newborn #midwife #birth #labour #fetalposition #movethatbaby See more

Posted @withregram @kwmomsclub Who’s excited for tomorrow’s @wombtowalkingbabyshow? We are and so is this cute baby! All day long on our Facebook page tomorrow we’ll be featuring some local business and resources to help you navigate your new parenting and pregnancy journey. There will be 20+ door prizes when you participate! Don’t worry you have ALL DAY to take part on our Facebook page as we know as new parents you are busy. We will be giving away 200+ swag bags at Water...loo Park West Gazebo(enter from Westmount Road only) and you’ll have a chance to chat with a few of our sponsors if you’d like! Rest assured we are physically distancing and have sanitizer available for your to use when needed. What are you most excited about? Tell us below! #wombtowalkingbabyshow #babyshow #babyexpo

Posted @withregram @ashblythephotography Have you ever noticed how flexible babies are? Sometimes it’s a little freaky to see just how much they bend! Babies are born with 300 bones in their body, where as adults only have 206. Instead, babies have a larger amount of cartilage which is way more flexible. Eventually that cartilage hardens into bone, and some bones fuse together. But until that happens, that cartilage and their softer bones keep their bodies safer. Rather tha...n break like an adults bones, a baby or child’s bone is more likely to bend. They also heal faster! . . #birth #newborn #flexible #funfact #midwife #photography #birthphotography See more