Embrace Yoga & Wellness

We graduated from midwifery care! #bittersweet #6wks

Happy International Women’s Day!

Caption: SHE’s HERE!!! My baby girl was optimally positioned for birth, luckily, and my pelvis was a favorable birthing alignment and shape*, as we learned, so my baby was born soon after. Actually As my birth doula was letting my midwife into our apartment, my baby girl emerged in ONE final push, of maybe three all together. My husband watched, as I commentated I feel bag of waters I feel head OH MY GOSH, She’s here, she’s ALL HERE! as I pulled her up out of t...he water and on to my chest. Technically, I birthed unassisted, as my doula and midwife walked through the door. WOW! No one, myself very much included, would ever have guessed that she’d be born in one push, and so she surprised us all! Our baby Skylar was ready to be born!!! I was immediately thrilled. My husband, too, AFTER feeling the reassurance that we were both healthy. Our midwife dashed to us pool side to quickly assess that baby and Mom were both super. *Thank you acupuncture, massage, yoga, walking, osteopathy all the movement and body work I did, and a lucky dose of a birth-friendly pelvis. Mama: @lizalou04 @embraceyogawellness Doula: @birthphotographer Midwives: @westsidemidwives Birth day: Feb. 6, 2021 (6:10am); Homebirth (Vancouver, BC)

Caption: Faces, hands, and drinks pool side. Upon entry to my birth pool, I made subtle changes to adapt how I felt my surges without my beloved TENS machine. There wasn’t much time to go (~15min.), as it turned out, so fortunately I loved the feeling of the warm water and adapted quickly. My purring vocalization continued, and I melted into this warm liquid embrace. My hands flexed, relaxed, and explored. My husband remained close by my side. He wasn’t going to miss this!... (Note: In the photo where one hand is missing from the birth pool edge, I had reached down to see what I could feel for myself, inside myself. As my waters were still intact, I excitedly proclaimed, I can feel my bag of waters and then HER HEAD! Like, she’s right there! Her head was very very low, only a few inches inside my vagina. I had no vaginal exams to this point in my labor (a choice anyone has in their labor), and ended up having none in the end.) Mama: @lizalou04 @embraceyogawellness Doula: @birthphotographer Midwives: @westsidemidwives Birth day: Feb. 6, 2021 (6:10am); Homebirth (Vancouver, BC)

Caption: Birth pool kiss. As soon as my birth pool was ready, I. WAS. GETTING. IN. IT!!! My husband and I exchanged this epic kiss upon my entry :) Looking back, I think I knew our baby was coming very soon ~~ 17min. ~~ till birth (as it turned out). I had stopped wanting much of any physical touch to support me in my labor at this point, but this crossing of the birth pool threshold (my turn to enter MY birth pool after years of witnessing others as a professional birth... doula) was a moment I knew I wanted to feel the presence, love and strength of my birth partner, MY LIFE PARTNER, my Jonny. I gripped him tightly and held that 6sec. +/- kiss. Jon, the father of our child, was whisking me into my home stretch finish to the birth of our baby girl. Following this kiss, I sank to my knees in the warm water and cushy bottom of the birth pool, that was available to me. Mama: @lizalou04 @embraceyogawellness Doula: @birthphotographer Midwives: @westsidemidwives Birth day: Feb. 6, 2021 (6:10am); Homebirth (Vancouver, BC)

I am accepting birth bookings for babies expected September 2020, and beyond...! If you, or somebody you know, is expecting a child and seeking support through this life changing experience, please contact me. I'd be honored to support you through your pregnancy, birth & early postpartum journey. Warmly, Liza ... www.doulasofvancouver.ca www.embraceyogawellness.ca Photo credit: Kendal Blacker Birth & Photography Services

Recipe share Banana almond cake . Source: The Mama Natural book... @mamanatural See more

Surprise! KitsCC re-opens! - http://eepurl.com/hduV7T

Surprise! KitsCC re-opens! - https://mailchi.mp/86db0d7a5448/kitscc-fall2020

Hope everyone had a good Labour/Labor day yesterday! This is one of the few Summertime holidays that bridges both my countries Canada & USA . I know this also comes as a turbulent time for many, as you may be navigating back-to-school times. Wishing all of you stability and safety, as we embrace a new season upon us.

FREE intro Prenatal Yoga event happening this Wednesday (5-630pm). Outdoor park location. Register with Eventbrite.

I got news! And what is your biggest lesson-learned during Covid-19 ...so far? - https://mailchi.mp/c15bdd14aeec/happy-4678681

Nutritious breakfast over here! Loving the ripe peaches from the Okanagan (BC’s fruit & wine country). Reminds me of my South Carolina peaches from childhood. Yum! @vitaminandme @wellness_month #EatClean30 . Join the fun if you want to challenge yourself to eat more clean, and boost that immunity, this month of August!

Prenatal Yoga ever tried it? Next Wed. Aug. 26 (5-630pm) is your chance to try it for FREE outside with me! . This event is part of my doula group’s @doulasofvancouver Info Event series, where we offer a variety of topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Join us next week! .... More information can be found through DoV’s website (link @doulasofvancouver bio), or feel free to contact me directly DM or email. . * Registration is required via Eventbrite See more

Hi, I’m Liza! If you’re seeking birth doula support, I want to connect with you! Please reach out if you’re expecting September onward this Fall . If birth feels exciting and also overwhelming, call me! If your partner is amazing, and you also wonder how they’ll manage when you’re in labor, call me! .... You deserve to feel confident and fully supported through your birth journey. I can’t wait to connect! Liza xo See more

I’m a proud new affiliate to @belliesinc now! I learned about this product a little while ago from @vaginacoach and have wanted to help spread the word about it ever since! . If you are pregnant or in your postpartum time now, head over to my website (link in bio) to find the link to the awesome Bellies Inc. products today! . Contact me if you have any questions.

This made me giggle this Friday. Brought to you from ‘The Happiest Baby on the Block’ book.

I’m accepting birth clients expecting this Fall: SEPT. / OCT. / NOV. . If that’s YOU, or you’re curious about the support of a birth doula, let’s connect. Email or DM me

I got a NEW client testimonial on DoulaMatch this week! I love getting testimonials, of course and it helps me connect with great future birth clients too. Thank you!

Dang! Nothing beats a hand-written thank-you note EVER! And especially when it’s from a dreamy past birth client of yours and includes real printed photographs. WOW! Super duper! Thank you @desireepatterson_ !!! . And for any of you art fans, go follow Desiree and her work! You might quickly be surprised you’ve seen her work all about town xoxo

Sometimes births go quickly. They do! (sometimes) I missed my normal bedtime last night, and it was SOOO worth it! Baby born by 2am, and I was heading home by 5am, as this new birthday dawn was breaking. ... Oh, and mama birthed like a fierce warrior! #sostrong @ BC Women's Hospital See more

Are you a mother-to-be, waiting on your babe this rainy Vancouver day too? Some ideas for you... - rest, surrender, meditation - lingering showers/baths & more rest ... - Miles Circuit or Prenatal Yoga, if you have the desire for some action/movement for your body - talking to your baby asking them about what’s going on inside; inviting them to the world outside (telling them you’re ready) - questing for yourself IF there’s anything (physically, emotionally, spiritually) holding YOU back from being ready ...and if you discover something, try releasing it the best way you know how (ask for help in the release, if needed) - more rest / eat great food - reading a favorite book (non birth related), or watching a classically fun(ny) movie - doing something goofy and/or intimate as a couple savor these final days/weeks as a family of two - Saying My baby will come at the perfect time for them. My body and baby are working together. - more rest / eat great food - Calling your doula, as desired Good luck mamas! We, doulas, are here for you. Know that many other mamas-to-be are right there with you too. You can do this!!

Sometimes I wear many masks before a baby is born. Progression: Mask-less in car, mask-on + scrubs outside car, & new mask for OR visit (this baby arrived via belly birth in the end). ...and a very tree of life placenta for the bonus! . Remember, even if your baby arrives via unplanned belly-birth, you can make special requests for you! Like... having the sex of baby discovered by parents instead of the usual lift above the curtain; quiet in the room for baby to hear pa...rents voices (& cries) first; breastfeeding with the help of your midwife; and even a tour of your placenta. ...all right in the OR. . Let your birth be YOURS! ALL YOURS! @ BC Women's Hospital See more

Wardrobe change in the hospital parking lot... It’s birth time! . It’s now recommended we doulas wear fresh scrubs upon arrival to the hospital, plus mask , to help in the PPE effort against Covid-19.

Holy BLOOMING! #peony Same flower, different day. (Day 1 to Day 4) I do not lie.... How much can you bloom? ...if given the time :) See more

Write more. ...especially these days.

Great group for new parents, Mondays 1230-2pm. Host: The Childbearing Society Platform: Zoom