Bridge Birth Services

D:Delayed cord clamping When a baby is born, a large amount of blood is still in the placenta. As the birthing person’s blood flows into the placenta, blood will continue flowing to the baby through the umbilical vein. The majority of the placental blood transfusion occurs within the first minute after birth. Potential benefits of delayed cord clamping (studied in preterm newborns) include increased blood volume, less need for blood transfusions after birth, fewer brain ...bleeds, and decreased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis. Potential risks of delayed cord clamping include delaying resuscitation, and higher red blood cell concentration, which may lead to increased jaundice. Current evidence suggests clamping be delayed at least 30-60 seconds in term babies who are crying and have good muscle tone. The standard practice in Calgary hospitals at this time is 60 seconds of delayed cord clamping. Some mothers choose to delay cord clamping until the umbilical cord stops pulsating. With my son’s cord, it took 6 minutes! Did you delay cord clamping at your birth? Statistics from: Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation, American Society of Pediatrics, 2016 Photo by the talented @brittanyesther featuring @sancianicole (shared with written permission) #calgarybabies #delayedcordclamping #placenta #umbilicalcord #homebirth #midwives #doula #prenataleducation #prenatalclasses #laboranddelivery #obstetrician #preterm #preemies #2021babies #duein2021

C: Caesarean Section Also known as a C section, it is an operation where a baby is surgically removed from the pregnant person’s uterus. A C section can be done for various reasons, including emergencies where the baby or mother is in danger, situations where the baby is in a transverse or breech position, or situations in which a person has been in labour but the cervix does not dilate. Pregnant people who have had a C section before also have the choice to have a repea...t C section. C sections are often the number one fear or unwanted outcome of pregnant people; understandably so as the recovery is often more difficult than a vaginal delivery, and it is a major surgery. Some people just want to have a C section for a variety of reasons, and that’s ok too! Pregnant people should have as much control as possible over what happens to their bodies, and that includes an elective C section (with fully informed consent, of course). Within prenatal education with Bridge Birth Services, you’ll learn what a C section might be like as far as people who are in the operating room, what you might feel during the surgery, and the differences in what to expect in an emergency C section vs a non-urgent C section. You’ll also explore ways that you can still feel empowered if your birth doesn’t go as planned, and learn how to give yourself the best chance at a vaginal delivery, if that is what you want. Having a baby is physically and emotionally tough, and birthing people are powerful. How the baby exits does not change that! Another wonderful photo by @everylittlethingphotography #caesareansection #caesareanbirth #csection #bellybirth #calgarymoms #calgarybabies #duein2021 #2021babies #prenatalclasses #prenataleducation #csectionmoms #birth

I've been trying to think of a way that I can take action other than posting on social media in regards to what is going on in the world today. I'm hoping that this is a start. I will donate 50% of my proceeds in June to organizations fighting for black lives.... I will offer a 20% discount for classes starting in July for those who send me a receipt or tax credit document stating that they have donated to these organizations.

Why "Bridge?" Because there are so many gaps in the world of birth, and I think they need bridging! This post focuses on the gap created by those around us. ... One friend (or mom group, or instagram influencer) telling you the only "right" way to have your baby is to freebirth, and that going to the hospital and doing what your doctor says is unwomanly; that it is crumbling under the patriarchy. Someone else telling you the only "right" way is to go to the hospital as soon as possible, and to do whatever you are told because the doctors know best. YOU know yourself best, and maybe neither of those ways feels right for you. You have your own story, your own experiences playing into what feels ok for you. There are multitudes of options between what feels like two dominating extremes when it comes to childbirth. Together, we can build a bridge of knowledge between the two and find the place on it that feels like YOUR right way. I want to empower you to be the boss of your birth, however you decide to do it.

D:Delayed cord clamping When a baby is born, a large amount of blood is still in the placenta. As the birthing person’s blood flows into the placenta, blood will continue flowing to the baby through the umbilical vein. The majority of the placental blood transfusion occurs within the first minute after birth. Potential benefits of delayed cord clamping (studied in preterm newborns) include increased blood volume, less need for blood transfusions after birth, fewer brain ...bleeds, and decreased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis. Potential risks of delayed cord clamping include delaying resuscitation, and higher red blood cell concentration, which may lead to increased jaundice. Current evidence suggests clamping be delayed at least 30-60 seconds in term babies who are crying and have good muscle tone. The standard practice in Calgary hospitals at this time is 60 seconds of delayed cord clamping. Some mothers choose to delay cord clamping until the umbilical cord stops pulsating. With my son’s cord, it took 6 minutes! Did you delay cord clamping at your birth? Statistics from: Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation, American Society of Pediatrics, 2016 Photo by the talented @brittanyesther featuring @sancianicole (shared with written permission) #calgarybabies #delayedcordclamping #placenta #umbilicalcord #homebirth #midwives #doula #prenataleducation #prenatalclasses #laboranddelivery #obstetrician #preterm #preemies #2021babies #duein2021

I have been working on an ABCs of pregnancy and birth series on Instagram, and got to C before I figured out how to share my instagram posts to Facebook. I’m turning 33 next week but, technologically I may as well be 90. Anyway! If you’re interested in the A (Advocating for the birth you want) or B (Birthworkers) posts, check out my Instagram, or message me and I’ll send you the content.

C: Caesarean Section Also known as a C section, it is an operation where a baby is surgically removed from the pregnant person’s uterus. A C section can be done for various reasons, including emergencies where the baby or mother is in danger, situations where the baby is in a transverse or breech position, or situations in which a person has been in labour but the cervix does not dilate. Pregnant people who have had a C section before also have the choice to have a repea...t C section. C sections are often the number one fear or unwanted outcome of pregnant people; understandably so as the recovery is often more difficult than a vaginal delivery, and it is a major surgery. Some people just want to have a C section for a variety of reasons, and that’s ok too! Pregnant people should have as much control as possible over what happens to their bodies, and that includes an elective C section (with fully informed consent, of course). Within prenatal education with Bridge Birth Services, you’ll learn what a C section might be like as far as people who are in the operating room, what you might feel during the surgery, and the differences in what to expect in an emergency C section vs a non-urgent C section. You’ll also explore ways that you can still feel empowered if your birth doesn’t go as planned, and learn how to give yourself the best chance at a vaginal delivery, if that is what you want. Having a baby is physically and emotionally tough, and birthing people are powerful. How the baby exits does not change that! Another wonderful photo by @everylittlethingphotography #caesareansection #caesareanbirth #csection #bellybirth #calgarymoms #calgarybabies #duein2021 #2021babies #prenatalclasses #prenataleducation #csectionmoms #birth

I've been trying to think of a way that I can take action other than posting on social media in regards to what is going on in the world today. I'm hoping that this is a start. I will donate 50% of my proceeds in June to organizations fighting for black lives.... I will offer a 20% discount for classes starting in July for those who send me a receipt or tax credit document stating that they have donated to these organizations.

Why "Bridge?" Because there are so many gaps in the world of birth, and I think they need bridging! This post focuses on the gap created by those around us. ... One friend (or mom group, or instagram influencer) telling you the only "right" way to have your baby is to freebirth, and that going to the hospital and doing what your doctor says is unwomanly; that it is crumbling under the patriarchy. Someone else telling you the only "right" way is to go to the hospital as soon as possible, and to do whatever you are told because the doctors know best. YOU know yourself best, and maybe neither of those ways feels right for you. You have your own story, your own experiences playing into what feels ok for you. There are multitudes of options between what feels like two dominating extremes when it comes to childbirth. Together, we can build a bridge of knowledge between the two and find the place on it that feels like YOUR right way. I want to empower you to be the boss of your birth, however you decide to do it.

In my 8 years immersed in the world of birth as a doula and a Labour and Delivery nurse, I have always been passionate about helping people become mothers, their way. This Mother's Day, I am diving into another aspect of helping families prepare for and experience birth they way they want to. I'm proud to share my new business, Bridge Birth Services! I am taking my experience in the world of birth and channeling it into education, and am officially open to teach prenatal clas...ses. While it wasn't my original plan to offer virtual prenatal classes, that's how I'm launching today. Please consider sharing/liking my page. Please tell expecting friends who may be searching for help preparing for pregnancy and birth with classes customized to their particular situation and wishes, including classes for early pregnancy regarding choosing a provider and staying healthy. www.bridgebirthservices.ca IG: @bridgebirthservices FB: https://www.facebook.com/bridgebirthservicesyyc/