Innate Birth & Postpartum Doula

Welcome to the world Clementine On Sunday last weekend Sydney messaged me to tell me she was in labour having an established pattern of contractions. She spent her day labouring at home. Soon enough, we made our way to the birth center (@ottawabirthcentre) where she was evaluated and was told she was not progressed enough to be admitted the birth center. Thankfully, they had a lovely temporary room (not a birthing suite) where she could stay and rest for a while. This w...as great seeing as she lived 45 mins away. Sydney, her partner Jordan, and I, retreated to the room. We closed all the lights, found the most comfortable position for Sydney where she could rest between contractions, and turned on some birthing affirmations with gentle music. Jordan and I alternated providing massage and counter pressure, whispering words of encouragement, love and support as she flowed through the waves of contractions. Within an hour, big changes started to happen. Sydney entered labour-land like a powerhouse where she moved instinctively with every round of contraction. In no time, her water broke, and she was well on her way to greeting her baby! It’s AMAZING what a safe, dark space, surrounded by love and support can do for someone in labour. This is a trick I love giving my clients when things aren’t progressing enough. Retreat, find a safe space, get that natural oxytocin flowing, and watch the magic happen! CONGRATULATIONS Sunday & Jordan on your beautifully precious Clementine! @sydneyblairrr @innatedoula

Baby Wearing If you haven’t tried baby wearing because you think it’s daunting or any of the other 5 reasons listed above; I challenge you to give it a shot! Baby wearing has sooo many benefits! My favourite benefit of them all is the closeness it provides. Talk about oxytocin boost !!! This is great for your mental health, binding with baby & milk production if you’re breastfeeding. It’s also amazing for baby to develop a healthy, trusting and loving bond with you. Stay tu...rned next week for à how to video for baby wearing! If you’re in Ottawa / Gatineau, I highly recommend checking out @milkfacelactation boutique to get fitted for a carrier that’ll suit your needs and work with your body type. They also have really amazing tips and tricks like how to use your baby carrier WHILE BREASTFEEDING

Such a beautiful testimonial thank you Stephanie Fortier for your kind words of support in celebration of World Doula weeks https://www.instagram.com/p/CM-TZ0_lrmm/

First breath Two weeks ago I got to witness this sweet baby girl’s birth & first breath at a beautiful home birth alongside midwives Sarah @sarah.abk & Angela. Tomorrow I get to take her newborn photos and I’m just so excited !!! @innatedoula

NATURAL COMFORT MEASURES pt.1 . . The TENS machine: .... - What is a TENS?: It is a non-pharmaceutical means for pain management. TENS works by sending electrical nerve stimulation through the electrodes strategically placed beside the spine below the bra line & at the base of the sacrum. These mild electrical pulses are sent through the skin to the person’s spinal cord & brain. . How does it work?: The electrodes will cause a buzzing or tingling sensation where the pads are placed. The intensity is controllable at all times by the birth giver. It doesn't take away the sensation of contractions, but in theory it interrupts the pain signals caused by contractions that your brain is receiving, which reduces your awareness of it. This produces endorphins that allow you to cope better. . 2 ways it can help: 1 Gate control theory; is exactly how it sounds.. Picture there is a gate in your brain that only lets so much sensory information come through. Using the TENS machine is like sending an overload of stimuli to the brain which can ultimately reduce the perceived sensations caused by labor contractions. 2 It gives the birth giver a sens of CONTROL. Birth is unpredictable and sometimes just giving the birth giver something to control during contractions allows them to feel in power & distracted from the intensity of contractions. . Fun facts: Studies have shown that starting to use a TENS machine in early labour has better outcome for pain management than if you waited to start it later in the labour process. Using a TENS postpones or delays the use of medications for pain relief. Is SAFE for both you & baby! . . The majority of my clients LOVE using a TENS machine and quickly relate to it as their BFF during labour I offer the use of my obstetrical TENS machine to my clients and also provide rental TENS machines to non-clients. . . . Have you ever used a TENS in labour ? What was your experience ?! . . . @annawongyoga @innatedoula See more

Instead of this, try this ! . . 1) Commenting on a pregnant person’s size is just as inappropriate as telling someone they’re fat or skinny. Just don’t do it. Comment on how beautiful or radiant they look. That’s sure to make them feel a little better even if they don’t feel that way. .... 2) Why is it appropriate to ask about an unborn baby’s gender versus their sex? Who knows. Let’s change the culture and start asking about how pregnancy has been, leaving it up to the birthing person to disclose whatever information they may wish to share. . 3) If someone looks like they’re struggling, see how you can make them feel a little better. Pregnancy can be really uncomfortable or even challenging for some. Acts of kindness won’t go unnoticed. . 4) Wanna talk about how a pregnant person’s lack of sleep is nothing compared to dealing with a newborn? Just don’t. No one needs that negativity. Instead, offer to help once baby is here so parents can have a nap or a stretch of sleep at night. . 5) Parents may have picked a name. But not many parents want to hear your opinion about the name they like. So instead of risking someone having something negative to say about the name they like, just respect their privacy & be patient for the day you get introduced to the baby or they share the name willingly. . . . Comment below your most hated/most loved pregnancy comments or questions! See more

Understanding and Healing Birth Trauma with Christiane Laflèche

Join us on Thursday December 10th from 10am to 11am for a live presentation on "Understanding and Healing Birth Trauma" with Christiane Laflèche, MSW, RSW in Collaboration with Women's Mental Health at The Royal Ottawa

Caught in action Do you know that I also provide photography as an additional service to my doula offerings. I offer prenatal photos in which I also provide maternity photoshoot dress options, birthing photos, as well as newborn lifestyle photoshoots! ... Shoot me me DM to book a session! . Throwback to last week when @dariasanchez caught me snapping photos of her man @jangsoju and little baby Jun See more

F A L S E ! ... The composition of breastmilk stays pretty constant with minimal changes affected by maternal diet. In fact, even a mother with inadequate food intake such as during a famine will have the same breastmilk composition as another mother eating regularly. Nutrition received by breastfed babies is not dependant on the status of maternal metabolism unlike when the baby is in utero dependant on the placenta. . This means that your breastmilk will indeed provide the same nutrients to your child even if you consider your diet to be unhealthy. In fact, breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life provides all the nutrients and water an infant needs to grow and develop. . . . If you’re in need of help & support in your breastfeeding journey be sure to reach out to your local lactation consultant group. They’re full of amazing tips and resources! See more

The warm weather is back this week (15 degrees & up ) so I’ve opened up a few spots for maternity photos! Fun news, is also have 4 brand new maternity dresses to get tried out for these photos! Shoot me a private message to book your session! $200 for 30 edited high resolution photos 4 possible dress options provided Hair & Make-up also provided for additional cost... ** these images are mine

HAD A BABY IN 2020 ? Help compile data with this VERY SHORT SURVEY to provide to healthcare workers and authorities to better support and advocate for women’s rights during pregnancy and birth. Let’s speak up about the impacts that covid restrictions has had on you and hope that change can happen in order to better support you and upcoming mothers. PLEASE SHARE! ... https://docs.google.com//1FAIpQLSewT_SIi9vJw-7MO/viewform

My first client review has me in tears

Happy 1 month to sweet baby Madeleine . . Welcome to your first 30 days Maddie! @annawongyoga & @matthewmchan it’s been amazing to see you transform into your new role as parents .... . @innatedoula See more

Just in case you needed a reminder

Father-Daughter love Ending the week with this adorable photo of @fatty77kg & his precious little girl My Linh ! Your welcome ! . .... . @innatedoula See more