Lake Maiden Doula Services

I want to share with you something I wrote to some woman friends of mine, out of context of birth. But I always seem to bring birth into non-birth conversations, so I'm sharing it here, too: - If a mama was in labour and she said "I'm struggling, get me the epidural", I would never judge her. I could never look at her as she may expect, or society may expect or suggest, and say "she's a quitter", because... she isn't. She is doing exactly, EXACTLY what she needs to do in that... moment. May she have regrets later, if what she wanted was a drug-free labour? Maybe. Maybe not. I hope not. But I will help her to realise that she has flexible needs. They are not always the same, every day. She needs to do what she CAN do, and remove all judgment. What she needs is support, to know that there is no "right" or "wrong" way to do things. There is not just one way. And, there are SO MANY FORKS in our roads, ones we never anticipate. The important thing is that we remove judgment and shame from the equation. We have fat, we are not fat. We have stress, we are not crazy people. We have busy schedules, we are not bad friends or parents or lovers or whatever we could attach that to. We have a lot of pressure on us in society, and it's not okay. We are pack animals, and the norm, as a species, is that we are all tightly woven together, singing throaty love songs to one another in moments of straying, that we are hugging, accepting, and having our babies on our bosom as long as we can carry them. Judgement and pain is not normal, it is just common. Acceptance and love and surrender and stillness and breath is normal. And we deserve it, and deserve to ask for help getting it. - Thanks for reading. Please share with whomever you feel may challenge this, I invite them to a loving conversation.

Sleep consultation now growing, and available in French through Strong Beginnings! Amazing!!

"B.C. midwives can’t afford to provide the care that families need. Right now, B.C. midwives are the second lowest paid in their profession across the country. Second. Lowest. Paid. The result? If the fundamental inequities of the broken status quo remain unaddressed, one in three B.C. midwives say they will be forced to leave B.C. to make it in the profession or change careers. We’re in this situation because successive B.C. governments have failed to invest in midwifery." R...ead the full article here: https://www.bcmidwives.com//News_Anno/support_bc_midwives

See, THIS is why I love making elephant paintings for nurseries!! Oh my heart!! (I read somewhere that elephants see us the way we see puppies. I don't know if that's true, but I hope it's true.)

Sort of off topic, but: Did you know I'm also an ARTIST? When I'm not helping mamas and papas, I'm painting sometimes for mamas and papas (and anyone!) who is looking to dress up their nursery with something special! https://www.lakemaidendoula.com/nursery-art So I've just added that Nursery Art page to my website for your browsing enjoyment! (It also links you to my artist website if you want to see more of my other art.)... Reach out with ANY questions you have about a custom piece of original art! <3 These guys are too cute!!

One of the questions I get asked the most is "when should I call my doula?" The answer is - when you're in labour! But how do you know you're really in labour? This article from Romper has some wonderful tips, including some info submitted by yours truly! :) Have a quick peek!

Wakings are feedings, and feedings are GOOD! :D <3

The fatherhoods I have the honour of witnessing. Man oh man.

Grateful that Interior Health allows doulas into labour and delivery at KGH. Hoping for more positive changes ASAP, everywhere.

Let’s take a moment to congratulate all the midwives and community health workers who worked in the Midwives Save Lives Project and promoted breastfeeding in co...mmunities and discussion with other midwives about the promotion of breastfeeding in health facilities. At the end of the project, all the countries in which the project was implemented saw an increase of the rate of the initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth: - Benin: +51.8% - Democratic Republic of the Congo: +47.3% - Tanzania: +61.1% - Ethiopia: +19.3% The numbers doubled in DRC and Benin and tripled in Tanzania! Great work to all the partners The Midwives Save Lives Project (2016-2020) contributed to the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity through strengthening the availability, access, acceptability and quality of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services delivered through midwives in four target countries: Benin, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia and Tanzania. The project was funded by the Government of Canada and led by Cuso International. Its implementing partners were CAM in collaboration with local partners including midwives’ associations and local NGOs in each of the four countries. Cuso International Tanzania Midwives Association - TAMA Societe Congolaise De La Pratique Sage-Femme Ethiopian Midwives Association #BBW2020 #Breastfeeding #MaternalHealth #NewbornHealth

Client love! <3 I love getting to know the amazing people I get to support, so I can learn their needs and goals. Forever in love with birth work. xoxo #testimonials

Pelvic health! Meet Mel!

Having a doula is a HUGE help for partners, too! I like to call it "having a tripod of care"; there's always someone there beside you, no matter what. . . #clienttestimonial #kelownadoula #birthdoula

Alright, so.... I received THE MOST appropriate birth doula gift today. Gonna get my espresso machine fixed ASAP, (or maybe I'll just pick up a bottle of tequila?) (Maybe both?) (Yeah, both.)

Hi birthing families! <3 If you're due this fall or winter, please feel free to reach out about how I might help you reach your goals, I have some spots open! I welcome all questions and curiosities. :) My services and packages are listed on my website for your convenience: https://www.lakemaidendoula.com/

Two things that birthing families should receive fully covered by public healthcare: Pelvic floor physiotherapy, and personal baristas.

This stone may not be rare, but it is precious to me. A gift I gave myself after completing my doula certification. The ring was custom designed locally by @durottodesigns in Kelowna. This pear shape cut... I see the home of a baby coming earthside. I see a happy tear. A tear of vulnerability. An arrow pointing forward- an arrow that is pulled, before its tension is released and it propels forward into the sky. Mesmerizing lines, like looking into the layers of another world.... Like witnessing the power of a woman in labour. This sacred stone. I am so grateful for the work I get to do as a birth doula, for the families with whom I connect, these families who trust me to join their journey and their story. Thank you. PS. Pardon the painted fingers, I'm working on a painting (as usual!)

Now is as good as a time as any to tell you I am also an artist, and I also write poems and things. This is a quote-poem I wrote tonight, after a beautiful text from an old friend. Just some fatherhood thoughts I thought were pure art. Fatherhood is a gorgeous art, isn't it? PS. Don't mind the spacing errors with my typewriter. My typing is as beautifully imperfect as parenthood.

A wonderful visual!

Mamas, you are working hard. Even when your kids love you to bits, and in the moments things feel "easy"... they're never easy, you're just feeling organized, and riding a wave of love that you built from scratch. You are love. A toast to you. Sincerely, the pouty handful.

Breathe slowly, and intentionally, especially when it is challenging to do so. Choose your visualisations. Breathe into them.

I will never get tired of this joke.

I have struggled so much lately with failure. - I am so grateful to have a healthy family, a husband that is still employed and a business that is thriving. But..., I feel that it comes with a cost. - I feel like I am failing my children. - Homeschooling is F’ing hard, I want so badly to be good at teaching but I get frustrated easily and so does my daughter. It's a struggle to support her in the way that she needs to be supported. - I worry every damn day that she will fall behind and it will destroy her confidence going into grade 1. All because her mum couldn't figure out how to teach her to read. - My son is dying to get out, be loud, run around and break things. But I am often relying on Netflix to get through the day. He needs more attention and he needs his friends. - My house is a disaster no matter how hard I try to keep it clean. I realize how stupid this sounds but I take pride in having a clean home. This is part of my own mental well being. - I’m yelling more than I ever have and it's killing me inside. I am frustrated that I have to keep telling my kids no because of the virus. I am mad that they can't come to the grocery store or that they are mad at me because they can't hang out at the park with their friends. The kids genuinely need a break from each other, something I can not give them. - I wake up feeling like a belt is being tightened around my chest and wander aimlessly from room to room in search of distractions, motivation and answers. - The lesson. IT IS OK TO NOT BE OK. - My children still love me. They still want to cuddle and they still want to share their every moment with me. - They do not see me as a failure and I know in my heart I am not. - AND NEITHER ARE YOU - If you are struggling to get through the day because being your best self feels impossible, you are not alone and you can PM me ANYTIME. - Sending you all a huge hug, these are hard times. You are in my thoughts every single day. See more

SILICONE BANDAGES FOR C-SECTION SCAR : "Do silicone bandages really work?" : It depends on what you are hoping for? ... I have heard nothing but good things from moms post c-section that have used silicone bandages for scar appearance. Many have raved that they took down redness and visibility of their scar. They WON'T take away extra skin or change the sensitivity or numbness around the area... More in my stories today. I would LOVE to hear from those of you who have used silicone bandages for your scar. Any advice for others out there? #CSectionRecovery #CSectionAwarenessMonth See more

Whew! A very important Easter notice you can show your littles!