Chelsea Bootsman Doula.Photo.Film

If you're supportive of the role that doulas play, in perinatal health care, then please share!! #accessfordoulas Alberta Health Services

"Failure to progress" is the number one reason for cesarean section, but before you feel like your body failed you, consider that there may have been more at pl...ay than was explained to you. Did you hit active labour? Perhaps your body just needed more time to get there. Early labour can last days, so some birthers. Or it can start and stop multiple times, before finding a real rhythm. Ways to progress early labour could be; Bringing balance to your body Increasing oxytocin production Resting your body, in active resting positions, that will maintain optimal fetal positioning Working through fears surrounding labour Were you in active labour or perhaps past transition, and stopped progressing? This is often a sign that baby is stuck in the outlet of the pelvis, which would require some different maneuvers to try to widen the outlet of the pelvis, to either correct baby's position, or to give baby some more room. Whatever it was that stopped your progression of labour, just remember one thing: your body did not fail you. Oftentimes, we just need a bit more help to get through and that help may not be available to us at the time, so we resort to next best thing - medical interventions.

The Red Deer Doula Association magazine is out! Go download your copy!!

GIVEAWAY!! Let's ring in the New Year with something sweet! . Are you due in 2021 or know someone who is? You could win, or help someone win this little bundle, which includes;... A birth journal A private prenatal body prep workshop with me 50% off of my birth photography services (which includes on call time starting at 38 weeks, full birth and immediate postpartum coverage from 4-24+ hours of my time, and edited digital image gallery of 100+ images). . This giveaway is open to those who plan on giving birth within Central Alberta/Red Deer area. All you have to do to enter, is comment on my Instagram or Facebook post, with your expected due date. If you haven't yet announced that you're pregnant, you can simply message or dm me with your expected due date. . I will be drawing a winner on Monday, Jan. 4th! . *Current hospital protocals must be considered before entering, keeping in mind that having an extra support person is on a case by case basis. Homebirths may differ, but you would need to consult your midwife. *Basic doula services can be added on for an extra $100. See more

I get my rants from my mama! If you've ever asked me about solutions for morning sickness, my response is almost always to up your magnesium! Did any of you take magnesium for pregnancy nausea?

I'm currently reading Dr. Jack Newmans Guide To Breastfeeding, and its blowing my mind. Now I have so many questions running through my head... . Have any of you ever had a doctor or paediatrician suggest you supplement feeding with formula? Did that doctor or paediatrician also suggest ways to increase your milk supply, that wasnt a prescription? ... Did that doctor or paediatrician have any education on breastfeeding? . Would you ever go see a therapist who had no education? So why would you trust the opinions from health care professionals who don't have training on infant feeding beyond literature from artificial milk companies? . If you are pregnant, or postpartum, the next time you visit your family doctor, ob, or paediatrician, ask them about their knowledge with breastfeeding. . I'm going to be honest for a second. After I had my babies, I never took then for their checkups, because I knew they were small and I didnt have an abundance of milk, but I didn't want to be told I should supplement their feeding. This should not happen. We should not be afraid to take our babies for checkups. *My kids are all perfectly healthy today, and were perfectly healthy as babies. See more

Black and white photographs have a way of portraying so much emotion and just grabbing at the heartstrings, taking you to a place of empathy, joy, strength, sorrow.. These are my favorite black and white images of 2020.

Reviews are so hard to ask for, but I'm going to do it anyways If you've been a doula and/or photo/video client of mine, I would LOVE if you could leave me a Google or Facebook review! Thank you so very much

Last week, I got the amazing opportunity to attend my 60th birth, on my 6 year doula anniversary. I cant say it's been an easy journey, but it's been so filling, and I'm incredibly blessed to work with amazing clients who trust me in their intimate space! So cheers to 60! . This is Sam and myself, just looking like total bad asses, while I milk her. ... Sam and her husband George are the type of people who make you feel so uplifted and important, like you're part of the family, and I'm so grateful to have supported them through both of their birthing journeys . *Dont mind the photo quality, it was a nice and dark birthing space, and I left my flash on my other camera.* See more