Megan Boone Doula- Pregnancy & Childbirth Services

What a year! Here is a little glimpse of what it looked like. On the last day of 2021 I feel so much gratitude! Thank you to all the families that trusted me to hold space for them and walk along side them on their journey. It is an immense privilege to be welcomed into your birth spaces and families. I am also so very grateful to all the people who have referred to me this past and coming year. I am currently booked solid until September and that is thanks to all the amazing support from others recommending me to their clients, patients, friends, and family. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! It is because of all of you that I can continue to do what I love.

We're a finalist for the @FieldLaw Community Fund Program, and we need your vote to win funding! Vote for our #FieldForward idea by November 12: https://fieldla...wcommunityfund.com//comfort-boxes-for-fami/ In one easy click you can help many bereaved families find comfort in their journey. You can vote multiple times across all devices!

BIRTH SUPPORT AVAILABILITY: September- Full October- Full... November- 1 spot (late November) December- Full January- Full February- 1 spot (early February) March- 3 spots April- Full See more

I am safe I am strong and capable I will meet my baby soon... What affirmations were helpful for you during pregnancy, birth and postpartum? Did you write them down to remind yourself? See more

Client Testimonial For my third birth, I was attempting a VBA2C. I knew I needed an incredible support team to get me through it. I reached out to Megan because I was drawn to her incredible birth photos and her experience of over 200 births. From the first interview, I noticed her calm and gentle nature. I knew I wanted her as my doula. ... Before the birth, I knew she was just a text or call away. I had a lot of anxiety related to my past birth trauma, and this upcoming birth. She was there to talk things through with me. Upon request, she provided great book recommendations and even lent me one from her personal library. The morning of the birth, I had started labouring on my own, but we felt it was time to call Megan and bring the older kids to the sitter. Moments before she arrived, I was starting to panic, and was unsure if I could do this. The minute she walked in, I felt her calming presence and was reassured by her words. I was so afraid that something may go wrong, but she helped me remember this was a different birth and a different baby. Once we arrived to the hospital, she was at my side the entire time. She provided emotional and physical support as well as guidance for my husband to support me. Her words and touch were so important during my labour. In the end, I got the VBA2C I had dreamt of. Things took a little longer for the placenta, but she was there to remind me I had options. Megan's presence was 100% a factor in me getting the birthing experience I needed to heal. A few weeks after the birth, I was struggling with breastfeeding, and I reached out for advice. She was able to listen and answer my questions without me having to seek further help. Megan also took some beautiful birth and family photos that we will treasure for many years to come. See more

Have you noticed that newborn’s heads are not always very round? The reason is pretty amazing! Babies heads have a beautiful design to help them with their trip through the birth canal. At birth, the newborn's skull consists of five major bones (two frontal, two parietal, and one occipital) that are separated by connective tissue junctions known as cranial sutures. The sutures function as seams, and they are very necessary to facilitate the movement and mo...ulding of the cranium through the birth canal during labour. When a baby is born in a head first position, pressure on the head may mould the baby’s head. These sutures between the bones allow the baby’s head to change shape and may even overlap. Fluid under the scalp (caput succedaneum) or Blood under the scalp (cephalohematoma) can also be common reasons for further distorted shape and appearance. Babies heads most often return to their round shape in just a few days after birth. See more

In this photo AJ (one of my amazing backup doulas) is baking a groaning cake. I think baking a groaning cake during labour is a beautiful tradition. Many find it to be a great distraction during labour if they are doing it themselves. Even if you are not the one baking, the smells of cinnamon, molasses and cloves can be relaxing and it is such a wonderful way to celebrate your baby’s birth with a slice of birthday cake. I have included a recipe below. Th...is Groaning Cake recipe is from Ami McKay, author of The Birth House. The Birth House is one of my favourite books. (If you have not read it you should!) Have you baked a groaning cake during labour? Or have a special tradition that you have practiced during labour? 2 1/2 cups flour 3 eggs 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 cup oil 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 cup orange juice 2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 cup molasses 1/2 tsp cloves 1 c sugar 1 1/2 c grated apple, no skin 1 tsp almond extract Sift dry ingredients. Add apple. In another bowl, beat eggs. Add oil, juice, molasses and sugar. Add wet to dry ingredients. Mix well. Add almond extract. Pour into greased muffin tins, 9 x 13 pan or 2 loaf pans. Bake at 350 F for 35-45 minutes. Optional: raisins, dates, nuts See more

I was very fortunate to be off call with my family for August. We filled our time with lots of camping and adventure. It was a perfect recharged and I am excited for the full month I have ahead! Can’t wait to meet these sweet September babies! I have just one opening at the end of October/early November for birth support. Contact me through my website if your estimated due date is around that time.

Birth Wishes Many people believe if they make a birth plan they will be perceived as being unreasonable or that they will be setting themselves up for disappointment. I believe that the purpose and benefit of making birth wishes is in the opportunity to learn and research about your choices in the many birth scenarios that can happen. This process also facilitates conversations between you and your team.... Careproviders who strive to provide trauma informed and evidence based care will not hesitate to listen to and respect your birth wishes. Go ahead and learn about your options and how to ask questions that will help you advocate for yourself. You are in charge of your own body, and do not need to behave apologetically when exercising your own agency and autonomy. See more

Chatting about anything pregnancy, birth or newborn related is my thing! I would love to meet with you over a coffee or tea if you are interested in how a doula can support you along this journey. If you are interested in connecting with me to see if we are a good fit or to learn more about my services I offer a free, no-obligation consultation. You can request a consultation using the request form on my website. (Which you can find in my bio)... What drink do you choose when in a coffee shop? My go to is a London Fog. See more

DOUBLE HIP SQUEEZE How? The double hip squeeze can be done with the birthing person standing, kneeling, leaning or sitting by placing your hands on either side of the curve of their hips (iliac crest and gluteal muscles). With finger tips pointing to midline, squeeze and provide steady, firm pressure toward the sacrum throughout the contraction. ... It is important that the birthing person communicates the positioning that gives them the most relief, as well as the amount of pressure they prefer. I recommend slow on and slow off as the contraction begins and ends. Listening to your partner’s breathing can help you know when a contraction is beginning and coming to an end and you can gently begin to release the counter pressure. I have seen some people who love the double hip squeeze so much you will be doing it for hours at a time! Of course having a doula is very helpful for having an extra set of experienced hands to help with this. Why? As the baby moves down in the pelvis there is increased pressure on the mothers back from the baby’s head. Counter pressure can ease this pressure, especially when contractions present as pain in the lower back and sacrum. Besides helping offset contractions intensity an added benefit is that it can slightly alter the shape of the pelvis. The manipulation stabilizes the pelvis and frees the baby from pressing on the sacrum and can help baby rotate as it moves down. Touch during labour has also been shown to decrease muscle tension, provide reassurance, reduce anxiety, enhance sense of control, distract from pain and decrease blood pressure. See more

Stick close to those that make life feel a bit shinier. **Post inspired by AJ and Amy

This kitty doesn’t typically love being around new people and I was told he would likely hide. Instead he was bathed in oxytocin and super affectionate. Here he is giving some of that love to the student midwife. How did your pet behave while you were in labour?

Oxytocin (the love hormone) Oxytocin is involved with lovemaking, fertility, contractions during labour and birth, and the release of milk in breastfeeding. It helps us feel good, and it triggers nurturing feelings and behaviours. Oxytocin is responsible for signaling contractions of the uterus during labour. The hormone stimulates the uterine muscles to contract, so labour begins. During labour and birth these powerful contractions help with effacem...ent and dilation of the cervix, move the baby down and out of the birth canal, birth of the placenta, and helps limit bleeding at the site of the placenta. Adrenaline (the fight or flight hormone) is the antagonist to oxytocin. People who feel threatened during labour may produce high levels of adrenaline. Adrenaline can slow labour or stop it altogether. Especially now, it is important to decrease stress, stay well informed as to what to expect, know what coping tools will be helpful to you, and surround yourself with only the most loving support. This is my main focus when working with families. How can I wrap you in the most loving support so that you feel informed, safe, and comforted. See more

B I R T H S T O R Y Looking back, my labour started two days prior to the birth - I was having trouble sleeping, feeling crampy and very restless. I had been ten days late with my first, so I was holding out no hope for anything close to an on time birth. I visited my midwives for a 40 week check and got my fourth stretch and sweep (can you tell I didn’t want to be induced?!), then headed home to rest. I had a great sleep that night but woke up the morning of his birth ...with some irregular and painful contractions that wouldn’t stop or speed up. I spent most of the day hiding in our bedroom, in and out of bed and the bath, willing something to progress as I was getting frustrated. After a few check ins with the midwife and our doula Megan, we decided I should try to relax and get some rest instead of chasing labour into the night. I took one final bath around 7 pm and as soon as I stood up to get out, I knew instantly it was go time. Chris called the midwives and Megan right away; they both came very quickly and things went fast - I was birthing our son within about an hour of their arrival at 9:35 pm! At the last minute, they encouraged me to get into the bath and I was able to have a beautiful water birth, which I had always wanted but didn’t want to commit to in case it didn’t work out. Our son entered the world to share his birthday with his dad, still in his bag of waters until the last moment (en caul) and with his hand up by his face, which is a particularly special memory for me. After an emotionally trying pregnancy, gestational diabetes diagnosis and thinking I might not be able to have the home birth I had envisioned, my birth story turned out to be everything I had pictured and more. Being cared for in our home by an amazing birth team during the uncertainty of this pandemic, tucked into our own bed at the end of the night and having these beautiful birth photos to look back on was the icing on the cake See more

As I said to Megan during our post-partum follow-up - 'this was the best money I've ever spent'. When my wife got pregnant and said she wanted a doula, I was skeptical because I had no idea what a doula was. But hiring Megan to take this journey with us was one of the best decisions we've made. I called Megan at 4:30am once my wife's contractions started to get intense and she came over immediately and spent the next 36 hours with us, through labour and after delivery. I ca...n't stress enough how important the extra and experienced support person was for us. She was there to coach my wife, be gentle with her, get tough with her when it was time to push and allow me to get the rest I needed to be as useful a husband as I could be throughout the whole experience. The relationship Megan has, in particular, with the staff at the South Health Campus was amazing and made the experience that much more seamless. After seeing what Megan does and did for us, it's quite clear that being a doula isn't something you can do on a whim. It requires a certain type of person and Megan was definitely born to do it! Thank you so much Megan. Would 10/10 recommend to any pregnant women in Calgary thinking about extra support and with absolutely be hiring Megan again when the time comes for baby #2! Scott See more

I see you Doulas. This year has been full of obstacles and your hard work has not gone unseen. You act as a guide to families through pregnancy birth and postpartum. You build relationships with the families you work with. You provide relevant and up to date information and resources. You encourage families to advocate for themselves and make informed decisions, then you help them to communicate those wants and needs clearly. You help families feel prep...ared and to follow their own intuition. You are confidence builders- planting seeds as you go. You do endless hours of hip squeeze, counter pressure and massage. You listen, wipe tears, hold hands, walk stairs and do squats along side the birthing people you support. You are the ultimate cheerleader encouraging them and reminding them of their own strength every step of the way. You hold space. You create calm atmospheres. You reassure them and put them at ease. You hold people at their most vulnerable, at their most sorrowful, and most elated moments. Your heart breaks and expands with theirs. You give your all. I love birth and all that surrounds it. I love supporting people through it all... I truly could not imagine a more fulfilling job and am so honoured to walk alongside every family that has invited me. Many people are perplexed why it is such a passion of mine, but other doulas get it. I know this because this work is not for the faint of heart and only passion can drive you to stay awake for days on end and be away from your family not knowing when you will return. I am so grateful for the doulas I have in my life who share this passion and support me in mine. I could not do it without them. Happy World Doula Week See more

My greatest contributions are definitely my 3 children.

I am feeling grateful for the bright sunshine coming through my windows and filling my house with light on this cold day. Over the holidays my kids and I built an igloo that we were sad to see melt with the warmer weather. It looks like the weather is getting chilly in the forecast to come, so we may try to rebuild. What activities do you like to do when the weather turns colder?... (I don’t suggest igloo building with a newborn ) See more

PARTNERS + DOULAS + HEALTHCARE PROVIDER= Amazing support and optimal outcome to birthing people. If I have been your doula you have likely heard me say I know birth, and you know her One of my favourite parts of being a doula is helping support partners so that they can support the birthing person and show that love-because we know what an important role oxytocin (the love hormone) has in birth.... (*Love this quote but want to acknowledge that not all birthing people identify as women and their partners are not always men.) Quote by: @penny.simkin

Today I am sharing Maverick’s birth story in the words of his Mama on my Instagram feed. I hope you can follow along. @Megan_Boone_Doula

How are you connecting with others during this time? Socializing and connection are important and we are living in a time that it is hard to build new connections. Please share in the comments how you are connecting with other pregnant people and parents during this time. You may just help someone else who is feeling isolated.

Is your estimated due date in February? With covid allowing for less in person health care and shorter postpartum stays in hospital I feel as a doula I have an opportunity to fill the gaps for families during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Are you seeking more support and a smoother transition into parenthood? I would love to be that support for your family as you navigate these times.... I have some availability still left for February. Please contact me through my website to set up a free no obligation first meeting to learn more about the support I offer and to see if we would be a good fit for each other. See more

How did you announce your pregnancy? How far along were you? Some people choose to tell everyone around the same time or do more of a slow roll out. For example telling your close family and friends first and telling others like work later on. There is actually no wrong time or way to announce that you’re pregnant, use your discretion. The decision is entirely up to you.

See the yellow line on this disposable diaper? Did you know it changes to blue when your baby’s diaper is wet? A helpful trick to keep track of your baby’s pees and know when to change them.

Tell me, do you have one of those apps on your phone that tells you the size of fruit your baby is at each week pregnant? I know, It’s a bit cheesy because obviously your baby is not fruit but in my first pregnancy I recall enjoying knowing what size fruit my baby was because it helped me visualize how big my baby was at each stage and this helped me to feel more connected to him. So, this got me thinking- what else could we compare the size of baby to that would be relatable...? At week 20 you are approximately halfway into your pregnancy, your baby might be about 6 1/3 inches (160 millimeters) long from head to toe and weigh around 11 ounces (320 grams). Just like this dragon fruit. What other items could you compare a 20 week baby to?