Melyssa the Doula

3 TIPS BIRTHING DURING COVID After supporting birthing couples during Covid, I have realized that having a heads-up for a few things would be really usefu...l! #1 Pack snacks! Us doulas sure love to make sure that both you and your partner are taken care of, including keeping your energy up! Right now, at our local hospital, we don’t have use of the kitchenette. So whatever you bring, is what we have access to. (Along with hospital food) but that’s more miss then a hit lol #2 Pillows! Bring a couple pillows from home because hospital ones are pretty terrible. Yours from home will have that familiar smell and comfort, promoting relaxation and calm. Bringing 2 ensures your partner will have a spot to rest their head if they can. #3 Doula Support Request! The allowance of a doula to support you at your birth is on a case by case basis right now. You are your best advocate, so inform anyone who will be apart of your birth team, that you have a doula. On the day you are headed to the hospital, you or your partner can reach out and request the support and presence of your doula! Do you have anything to add to this list? Whether a birther or birth worker, fee free to add your tips to the comments! Have questions about your upcoming birth? As away in the comments or send me a message! #covidbaby #covidbabies #bringsnacks #doulasareessential See more

Please donate if you are able

Sometimes I'm feeling super inspired to write. Other times I'm glad photos speak for themselves. @melyssabircham #normalizebirth #normalizebreastfeeding #wbw2020

Post birth bliss. Do you remember that after birth high? The one where you were so tired, and knew you needed to sleep, but couldn't? That's this. Right here. @melyssabircham... #wbw2020 See more

World Breastfeeding Week 2020 We celebrate for the 1 time chest feeds, the full term feeders and every single person in between. Celebrate that this natural and normal way to feed our babies doesn't always come easily. Not without struggles and challenges. But to acknowledge that it is normal and natural and not to be shameful or taboo. Not to be censored or covered with a blanket. We celebrate you, and with you. @melyssabircham ... #wbw2020 #worldbreastfeedingweek2020 #worldbreastfeedingweekcanada #breastmilk #chestfeeding #breastmilk #humanmilkforhumanbabies #reddeer #blackfalds #lacombe #sylvanlake #innisfail #ponoka #centralalberta #alberta See more

MILK CALL A local mom in our community is looking for donor milk and we need your help! Their babe is not quite 3 weeks old and the mother is struggling to produce the milk her baby needs. Her current means of feeding are donor milk, with enough to last them a week at this point. Their goal is to be able to breastfeed and provide donor milk until their little girl is 6 months old. The family prefers donors to not be taking any medications or smoking please. ... The family is located in the Red Deer area and can pick up locally, and is willing to travel to North Calgary and South Edmonton as well. If you know anyone in these areas, please tag them in this post, or share so your friends and family will see it. If you are able to be a donate please message me with your contact info so I am able to relay it to the family. Any comments of suggestions of what the mother can do to increase milk production will be deleted. The struggles this mother is having cannot be fixed with medications, teas, or certain foods. These comments are frustrating to read when they are not helpful. Please be respectful. Thank you to everyone who reads, likes, comments, tags, and shares. The family and I appreciate all the support given. See more

Who's your person? Who's your partner, friend, family member that you were able to help you through your pregnancy and birth? Did you have a doula to help fill in the areas of birth care and exterpertise? Maybe you had multiple people! I wanna know. Tag your person or your people below. ... @melyssabircham #melyssathedoula #doulawork #birthsupport #reddeer #rdrh #cesareanbirth #cesareandoula #normalizebirth #hospitalbirth #doulasupport See more

Definitely conversations you want to have before baby/babies come home

Chelsea has saved my photos from births on more than one occasion, and now that's available to you!

Hello everyone it's been quiet on my social media front as I've been going in, while my family figures out our latest version of normal, while staying in, practicing social distancing, and our best version of self isolation. If you're currently pregnant, you might be anxious with all that's happening in your community right now. These times are unpresedent with the situation so fluid and changing day by day. In our community we have protocols being placed and asked to be a...bided by for the safety of all of you and the wellbeing of our community in regards to social distancing and we fight for community wellness. The @reddeerdoulaassociation members have been working hard gathering current information, creating a network of support for not only each other, but also for all the families in our Central Alberta community to ensure no one is left feeling isolated and unsupported. If you have concerns or questions I encourage you to jump over to our Facebook page Red Deer Doula Association- Let's be Real.. Know even if your doula cannot physically be with you right now we are still here to support the best ways we know how. With love, care, education and information. I am still available by DM, messenger, emails, calls and texts. Solidarity to everyone right now. We're all in this together Photo: @melyssabircham Featuring @theprairiemidwife @prairiemidwives #reddeer #centralalberta #blackfalds #lacombe #sylvanlake #innisfail #communitysupport #penhold #communityagainstcovid19 #rddadoulas #covid19canada

Gosh I love our community. Deanna with 1000 words is just incredible, and I've personally been blessed with her photos a couple times. I just love this video, I love watching Deanna in action, and hey look, one of my doula babies I'm so fortunate the community working as a doula continually brings me.

Day in the life of Melyssa the Doula. Wake up and go for breakfast with doulas. Check Check in for a postpartum visit with my clients- deliver food, and snuggle babies. Check. Check. Cook for dinner at the Ronald McDonald House with some of the @reddeerdoulaassociation Doulas and Chef Bootsy @chrisbootsman. Check. Check. Check. ... Bootsy Butter Chicken from scratch- it's seriously the best. Salad and homemade dressing and vinaigrette. Naan bread and cucumber mint raita. Apple crisp and ice cream for dessert. I'm drooling thinking about it a day later. Just a doula living her best life. #reddeer #reddeerdoulaassociation #ronaldmcdonaldhouse #cookingfordinner #centralalberta #community #indianfood #butterchicken #instaeats #postpartum @ Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta, Red Deer House

So I'll admit, I actually didn't know this! I knew that milk struggles with a first baby doesn't guarantee the same struggles with any subsequent babies. Did you know this?!

Aint this the truth ?

Yes. The others need to hear it.

Who's on your birth team? Read Chelsea's recent blog about it! Chelsea Celeste Designs

Birth protocols and procedures. What's recommended. What you prefer. What you consent to. What different scenarios look like should they occur. What your hard nos are. What you're afraid of. What could trigger a past trauma. We talk about it. Your time spent with your doula is much more than just getting you acquainted to having a baby. It's building a relationship and creating a team, an environment, a support system that moves as you do with you; through pregnancy, birth, ...and into postpartum. There is no perfect time to hire your doula. No magic month or week. But hiring early on gives lots of time to foster and develop a trusting relationship and time for your doula to get to know you beyond the surface of your birth plan. Photo @melyssa.bircham #melyssathedoula #doulaadvice #hospitalbirth #homebirth #cesareanbirth #cesareandoula #vbac #trialoflabour #reddeer #blackfalds #lacombe #sylvanlake #birthsupport #birthmatters #birthwithoutfear #centralalberta

Birth is pretty surreal. You've known this baby. First by their their flutters then their kicks, and hiccups. That first time you hold this precious tiny new being, and look into their soul, they seem to look exactly how you envisioned, even though you never really thought about it at all. .... Photo @melyssabircham . #birthdoula #reddeer #hospitalbirth #blackfalds #birthmatters #birthwithoutfear #cesareanbirth #cesareandoula See more

Creamy smooth baby skin, with perfectly wrinkled shoulders. A woman who has been a Mother already, for as long as she carried her unborn child. A Mother awakened as she birthed. Proud Father who stands back in awe, and inlove. I get asked all the time "so you're a doula, that's cool! I bet thats the best, you get to see babies be born."... . No. I watch parents be born. However you're spending today, I hope it's magical. Photo @melyssabircham #reddeer #doula #birthwork #birthwithoutfear #thebeautyofbirth #birthmatters #becomingparents #pregnancy #lacombe #canadiandoula #birthincanada

Why do The Black Eyed Peas come into my head immediately when required to think of a caption to write here Mix your milk with my cocoa puff Milky milky cocoa Mix your milk with my cocoa puff... Milky milky Riggggghhhhtt See more

After a couple births last week, with some exceptionally milky mamas, and a conversation with one of my expectant mothers at our prenatal last night about her recollection of literally being milked for her first baby, I thought I'd share something with all of you. I am the milk Ma'am!! I will help you get that first latch, and help you work that colostrum down. I'll manually help you express that liquid gold to collect in cups and tiny syringes if you need. If this is you...r first breastfed baby you've probably never been woman handled quite like the first time you were shown how to manually express. Or maybe even your first latch. In this photo, I was helping this Mother who was fresh out of our surgery for her cesarean birth- move that colostrum down, and helping to get a nice deep first latch. The proud new Father picked up my camera to capture this moment and I'm so thankful he did #milkmaam #doulawork #breastfeedingjourney #expressedmilk #milkymama #liquidgold #colostrum #reddeer #blackfalds #lacombe sylvanlake #breastfeedingsupport #canadiandoula #doulasupport

Occupational Therapist Lindsey at @emotiontherapy is a wealth of knowledge. I love listening to her talk about pelvic floors, vaginas, peeing your pants (or rather not), and what happens to your core during pregnancy, and birth, but especially interesting after birth by cesarean. Tag anyone in your life you know that's expecting or had a baby, because although pain/discomfort/pants peeing while sneezing etc are all common IT AINT NORMAL! Do yourself a favor, give your mama self some self love, and sign up for this class

They told you about the contractions, but did they tell you about the expansion? Did they tell you how your body would open to make way for the whole universe ...to pass through? Did they tell you how your heart would explode with a love bigger than anything you’ve ever known as you pulled your baby to your chest? They told you about the ring of fire but did they tell you about the crown of stars? Did they mention that there’s a moment when your baby enters the world and you leave your body and touch the heavens and become the light of a million galaxies? Did they tell you how the pain of stretching to receive your child would be more exquisite than any sensation you've felt? They told you would scream but did they tell you about how would you roar? Did they tell you about the power that would rise up from your belly as you called your baby forth with your mighty voice? Did they tell you how you would embody the wild woman within you as breathe fire with your song? They told you would bleed, but did they tell you how that sacred blood wouldn't scare you? How you would feel grateful for that magical liquid of life as it trickled down your leg - how you would honour its flow and how it would help you heal a lifetime of hating your body's bleeding cycle. They told these stories and taught you to fear birth, to fear your power, to fear yourself. But you are stronger and wiser than that mama. You know that birth is your divine dance, your soul's song, your moment with God, and you walk fearlessly into her open arms. Beautiful words and art by: Catie from Spirit Y Sol .

Doula Bonus! Looking smart in my new specs and repping my @reddeerdoulaassociation hoodie after a prenatal visit this afternoon, and being super grateful for this unexpected gift. Because having babies isn't always the only perk to this gig! It's actually not homemade wine either, it's the amazing families I meet and work with. My clients make my whole doula world go round, and I'm so lucky to get to know and work with the people I do. Best. Clients. Ever. ... #doulawork #reddeer #centralalberta #homemadewine #gratefuleveryday #birthwork

So happy mothers like Tammy have found such a great outlet, and community within Breathing Room Yoga Studio + Café

We are collecting donations for the Ronald McDonald House until February 25th, and will be delivering them when the Red Deer Doula Association Doula go cook Dinner at the End of February! Check out the wish list on the original post, and drop at Breathing Room Yoga Studio + Café Help be involved supporting our community

It was my family's first night cooking for guests at the Ronald McDonald House in Red Deer. Ervin (@mrginger_ ), my Dad (Papa), and I, made Papa's famous pizza with dough from scratch, with a variety of of toppings. Meat lovers, fully loaded veggie, cheese, margherita, and more. We didn't see a lot of families but we knew it was a full house. We made enough dough for 20 pizzas and cranked out 14 pizzas hot and ready!... We are humbled to he able to give, and do when we could, and hopefully provide families a little taste of comfort. Like I tell my clients; the best gift to receive is food. Tonight there were 2 requests for the dough recipe, someone asked if it was wrong to have a 4th piece (heck to the no!), and comments about how good the homemade pizza was. Now that we feel pretty comfortable in the kitchen, we're excited and ready to go back! #giveback #community #reddeer #ronaldmcdonaldhouse #familydatenight #yeschef

What is a doula? Think you know? Read the wise words from Shelby Story Photo & Film and see how your idea compares.

it's been a hot minute since I shared a babywearing video, and longer since I wrapped anyone! Someone lend me a baby.

October Throw Back Placenta selfie with photog Kaylee Rae Doula & Photo because that's what the cool kids do

Unexpected doula perks take 2! Here it seems I've manifested the surprise gifts from clients thing. Today's package was from another doula and recent past client x2 @erica_bolze . Pretty sure there's coffee in this box. Of course to pair perfectly with my sangria from the other day from @ambercavers. ... Andddd my favourite! A scrunchie from none other than @haircloudco in what I think is my next favorite colour after black. It's like everyone knows my soul. Costco sangria (must be Costco because wine is yuck), coffee cards, chocolate, spa cards, and scrunchies! And that's just in the last few days. I literally get to work at the most amazing job in the world with the most amazing people evaaa! #costco #sangria #boxofchocolates #scrunchies #doulawork #doulasoffcall #thedoulasdoula #blackfalds #lacombe #reddeer #sylvanlake #lovelanguage #spoiled #humblebrag #birthwork #birthsupport

Unexpected doula perks When past clients surprise you with gifts on my door step. Today's sangria brought to you by @wildrosebirthservices Also ... Get the look! "Jesus touched my water" wine glass from @kiwicraftsalberta Believe in Kindness Tee from @savinggraceanimalsociety Husbands cozy pajama pants- @mrginger_ Oversized scrunchie- @haircloudco #doulasoffcall #doulassupportingdoulas #rddadoulas #reddeer #boymomlife #familyof5 #sangria #costco #animalrescue #cestlavie

I believe that births work out the way they're meant to. We might not always know the answer to a change in a plan, but sometimes after everything unfolds we do have more insight! I encourage preferences but not plans. You can't plan birth and sometimes letting that go is really hard. You cannot fail at birth. Read Chelsea's post below.

Doula Tribe. These 3 women have had my back now for 5 plus years. @lilappledoula Christa welcomed me with open arms at an @reddeerdoulaassociation info night. She was the first to approach me with the abundance mentality. She helped me get out of the little fish big pond feeling when I was a scared, intimidated brand new doula. @baby_mine_birth Laura I still remember the first time she hugged me. We both showed up at a @rd.vbac meeting, and have been friends ever since!... Chelsea @thebootsylife is my doula twin. We took our first @donaintl trainings together. I remember meeting her and thinking- I'll be friends with her. We've since completed many more trainings together and have close doula-ing styles. However she is infinitely better at photography and anything else creative These girls, along with many many more doulas, make up my tribe. I might be pretty millenial when I say it, but I really am so #blessed. So whose your tribe? Who is apart of your village? Tell me who your bottom hands are. Tag them! #communityovercompetition #reddeerdoula #rddadoulas #hashtagblessed #dona #canadiandoula #internationaldoula #littlefish #doulalife #reddeer #centralalberta @ Red Deer, Alberta

Week in a paradox. Life is busy AND life is good. As my good gal pals say These bags are designer It's been a busy week full of birthy things, postpartum deliveries, and mom life. ... I'm sitting at swimming lessons reflecting on my current week so far and mentally preparing for October to fininish up everything that's still to come. How's you week going? #momlife #swimminglesson #lacombe #doulawork #oncalllife #birthsupport #birthdoula #balancinglife #reddeerdoula #blackfaldsdoula #centralalberta #familyof5 #boymomlife

It’s not easy for mothers to accept support from another . . Is it because our society deems that we ‘do it all’ when we become a mother or is this the pressur...es we put on our Selves as women and mothers? . To be everything to everyone except to ourselves. To sacrifice so much of our owns needs and wants in order to care for our family and loves ones? . I can only speak from my own upbringing where my mother was selfless and dedicated all of her energy and being to others so much so that it made her sick. . This epidemic of exhausted mothers needs to end with our generation of women. We need to get back to our ancestral roots of asking for support from women in our community, offering support and most importantly, accepting support. . This picture makes my heart explode with joy. The beauty @greentarahealingandyoga spends her days in service to others as a healer and yoga instructor and the blissful mother/teacher @mama_tadasana giving her the gift, expertise and energy to another as she too does every DAY as a mother to two young boys. . Both of these women this weekend opened their hearts and leaned into some powerful healing and as a group we held hands and witnessed their pain and their love. . This is what women have the capacity to do for one another if only we just accepted the love and each other . . #womensupportingwomen #sisterhood #prenatalyoga #prenatalteachertraining #yogateachertraining #thaiyogamassage #friendship #grief #healing #postpartum #postnatal #postpartumgrief #birthtrauma #birthing #awareness #postnatalyoga #motherhood #support See more

One day prenatal workshop! I highly recommend Jenna with Mother Willow Birth

#Repost @reddeerdoulaassociation 2 weeks to Halloween! 2 weeks minus 1 day until our Halloween Bowl! Do you have your costumes picked out?? #halloweencostumes #mommyandme #rddadoulas #heritagelanes #reddeer #piratebaby #basic #costumeparty

I wanted to read these wise words from the original post from Refuge Midwifery, and I have to say I'm glad I did. Sharing the original copy because this photo they shared is also so amazing!

This. This captured right here. This is the why you should not overlook having a doula all in one photo. The reason is the feeling you can feel looking at this photo. That doula pouring out her love, holding space for that mother, physically holding her in her hands, a comforting touch and if I know that doula, I'm sure comforting words. ... Shelby Story Photo & Film Shannon Mcquiag - Holding Hands Doula See more

Wise words shared by a friend and colleague Keshia with KC Doula Services Pain in life is much different than pain in labour. Pain in labour is pain with a purpose!!

This event is being held tonight at the Holiday Inn Chalet, at the Westerner grounds. All are welcome in this special evening event to honour and remember our babies weve lost during pregnancy, birth, and infancy

Post turkey tea I hope your weekend had you surrounded with loved ones, a plate full of holiday food, and some time to reflect on what's good. Happy Thanksgiving.... #givethanks #gratefulthankfulblessed #canadianthanksgiving #happyturkeyday #teatime #orangepekoe

Everyone, Meet baby Blakelee & baby Everly Yesterday and the night before were my postpartum visits to end the week. I was laughing to myself looking at the placenta and rotisserie chickens that were both passengers in my car. ... Thank you families for opening up your homes, sharing pizza, and baby snuggles, and questioning if you're now friend stalking me(you're not) Welcome to the world these 2 beautiful baby girls Blakelee and Everly Congratulations to your families And to your little girls who were both promoted to big sisters for the first time!! @erica_bolze @amandaladoulaservices #doulababy #octoberbaby #placenta #postpartumjourney #blackfalds #reddeer #birthsupport #birthwithoutfear #birthmatters #octoberbabies #centralalberta #doulalife #hashtagblessed

Did you know the oven can be great beyond just making food?? If you've had a hospital birth you might be making the connection. Your house has a built in blanket warmer/towel warmer!!! And it's not the dryer because you're not fooling anyone- you need to go empty it- don't you? Cool nights are coming. Newborn bathtime? Perfect then too. Need a little extra for your kiddos after playing outside this Winter- there you have it. Planning a homebirth? BINGO. ... Set your towels or blankies on a cookie sheet and turn your oven to the lowest temp setting or 'Keep Warm'. You're welcome @thebootsylife #doulatips #birthpro #empoweredbirthproject #momhacks #homebirth #warmbodies #birthcaptured #birthphotography @ Blackfalds, Alberta

Shelby Story Photo & Film

Lip Sync Battle! Next week! At Bos!! These doulas have a routine nailed that's going to blow your socks off! Buy your ticket, in section comments write "the Forum". All money raised is going to our local Womens Outreach and Sucide Prevention Centre. SHOW ME THE MONEY... See more

TOLAC? VBAC? CBAC? How adorable is this cutie?! This little doula baby was beside me at the Mom 2 Mom show a couple weekends ago! Her mama @courtneysheptycki is a friend and colleague of mine in our local birth community. She is one of the facilitators along with @wulff.kaylee of the Central Alberta VBAC and CBAC Support group @rd.vbac ... The VBAC group is an online support group that hosts in person monthly meetings. Their goal is to be supportive and provide information to women who have previously had a cesarean and are hoping to have a vaginal delivery. They also offer support to mothers post their delivery as well and are happy to give Evidence Based information and helpful resources. Have you had a cesarean? Trial of Labour? VBAC? CBAC? Drop it below- tell me your story. AND If you're located in Central Albeta, drop a comment below and I'll get you hooked up with this amazing community #empoweredbirthproject #birthmatters #vbac #cbac #tolac #birthsupport #birthwithoutfear #reddeer #blackfalds #lacombe #sylvanlake #rockymoutainhouse #evidencebasedbirth #VBACsupportive #trialoflabour #cesareandoula #cesareanbirth #cesareanawareness #birthstory

Photographer Doula Duo with @kayleeraedoula this morning at our local big hospital. Send all the good birthy juju #birthwithoutfear #birthmatter #allthecoffee #babiesfordays #birthteam #birthsupport #rddadoulas #reddeer #blackfalds #sylvanlake #lacombe #innisfail

Love when these girls crash my pad for visits, clothing swaps, and snacks! Honestly friends this is the best way for plans to end up working out, just tell me you're coming over! #thatmomlife #cheesecakelove #coffeeandchaos #rddadoulas #reddeer #blackfalds #innisfail #lacombe #sylvanlake #boymomlife

Throwback to the first RDDA meeting of the yr. We got as many of us in here as we could.. we're still missing 10 plus doulas from this night! #birthwithoutfear #birthmatters #doulalife #reddeerdoula #rddadoula #communityovercompetition

Everyone welcome!! Join in for mom & me bowl at Heritage Lanes Oct. 30th at 10am $8 for mom and me bowling pair. Includes 1 game, shoe rental and a refreshment! Babes in arms and babywearing mommas welcome! Dont forget to dress up. ... High five will go to the best kids costume Click interested or going on the event below See more

That doula life. What's that all about? Let me recap my current. On call life. My doula bag is in the car, and theres gas in my doula mobile. Or atleast enough to get me to a gas station because I am THAT person My phone is turned up high, and I'm never far from a charger...except for while I'm typing this from the passenger seat of Ervin's truck... I hang around the general vicinity of Blackfalds/Lacombe/Red Deer mostly. Ervin is ready to fully take over our kids, along with their commitments, school and activities at the drop of a hat. Thank yooouu self-employment life. And for being my husband I stay in touch with my doula amigos everyday. We often know each others happenings incase theres a chance we need eachother for back up. It's rare, but it does happen, and having doulas I trust is crucial for my business. In that on call time, I have a variety of births. Homebirths, hospital births, scheduled cesareans, etc, etc and I'm on high alert always. Having a Fitbit helps. Yesterday morning I was at my local big hospital, supporting a family I've had the pleasure of being their doula x 2 I attended a workshop last night with my doula crew, and doulas are always a good time! Today has been pretty chill. I downloaded some photos of yesterday's birth, checked in with my mama who delivered yesterday, and had a prenatal visit with another. Tomorrow the plan is a 1st birthday party for a special doula baby, a cranialsacral therapy session with someone I originally met when she hired me for her birth, and then ending the day off visiting another family I'm working with!... I could finish that with 'as long as I'm not at a birth'. What is your lifes' recap slogan? Is it "if I'm not at work"? "If the baby isn't napping"? "If I'm not at home snuggling my cat"? #birthwithoutfear #birthmatters #rddadoula #reddeerdoula #blackfalds #lacombe #reddeer #sylvanlake #ponoka #innisfail #momlife #runningonempty #coffee #bossmom #coffeealways #amigos #hospitalbirth #homebirth See more

The RDDA believes in inclusivity with an abundance mindset, and exists for the purpose of doulas supporting doulas, and educating families and the public about doulas and services that doulas offer. This community is THE community you want to be a part of if you're: A doula A new doula starting out A birth or parenthood professional of some kind! ... Our new year starts now, with a yearly membership of $50 for Associate doula membership! If you've been thinking about it, DO IT. You won't regret it See more

A month of honoring, and remembering.

Kiwi Crafts is one of my biggest supporters, and recently made the Mama epoxied tumbler for my table at the Fall 19' Lacombe Mom2Mom Event that I was giving away last night. I'm starting my very own collection of "fancy cups". If you saw me at the show, you would have seen I had 2 with me One for water, one for coffeeeee These cups work amazing for labour cups. They keep your water cold, and your ice frozen. and THEY HAVE A STRAW! Straws in labour are a must. Hands up to ...those I've almost drowned trying to water you by pouring water in your face Kiwi Crafts opens up for custom orders in ONE HOUR. Set your alarms <3 See more

So I was live, but if you saw it, it was laughable Here's a boomerage for our winner announcement! Thank you to everyone who entered!! Also maybe if we get enough congratulations sent to Santana, she'll post her photo in the comments

W I N a Kiwi Crafts tumbler cup For those of you who ate tadpole and heart cookies yesterday at my booth Make sure you hash tagged #melyssathedoula and your posts are either A-public or B- following me so I can follow you back For those who were not able to attend the Mom 2 Mom event yesterday and still want a shot at entering- post a photo. Any photo- but preferably a photo with cookies...or coffee. Or babies. I like those.... And tag me before 9pm to be added to the entries draw happening tonight. Live at 9! Winner will have 24 hours to message to claim their insulated epoxied Mama cup! #kiwicraftsab #doulalife #blackfaldsdoula #reddeerdoula #reddeer #centralab #rddadoula #lacombedoula #sylvandoula #penholddoula #albertadoula #cookiesandcoffee #spermies #uterus See more

I'm a left side holder and I'm right handed. So tell me. Are you a righty or lefty and what side do you or did you hold your bubs on??? Drop it like its hot

Here at the LMC for the Fall 19' Lacombe Mom2Mom Event show until 4! Come see me, grab a Kavaccino's Cafe & Catering cookie, post a selfie and be entered to win an epoxied tumbler from Kiwi Crafts

I'll be at the Fall 19' Lacombe Mom2Mom Event this Sunday! I have a table prize from Kiwi Crafts A treat for the adults from Kavacinno's (wait until you see it!!!) A treat for the kiddos A gift certificate from Beet Top for the door prize ... And I'll be there alllll day telling you about how I fit into your birth team! Limited availability ahead! Ask me about your due date See more

This exact technique I've pulled out only a few births. A variation can also be done in a hospital bed with the squat bar and a sheet or gown. Mamas who babywear- wraps work great for this! Especially great way to utilize all the space in your house if you are planning on labouring at home, or having a homebirth. Tip #2- place another knot just below where your hands will be, so they don't slip down.

M I L K C A L L Lactating Mamas! I need you! Doula friends! I need you too!! Tag your over supply Mamas! Know someonebreastfeeding? Tag them on the off chance they have some milk to spare... I'm on the hunt for donor milk, and I need your help getting this post to reach as many possible donors in the Red Deer area as we can, to help a mother and baby in need. This sweet babe's mama is Aimee, and her adorable like bub just turned 5 months old. Feeding has been a struggle for them since shortly after birth and it’s been hard to find support that was willing to rectify the issues they were having. Her little one had a tongue and lip tie and like any of you Mamas who've struggled with this as well- you know that if serious and left untreated, ties can lead to pain while nursing, poor latch, frequent feedings, less weight gain, and a low milk supply. Now after the revision, this Mama is feeding and pumping, but still struggling with low supply and keeping up with her baby's needs. She is going through her frozen stash very quickly. The family would be so grateful if they could have any amount of donated milk to feed their little guy. Donor must be non smoking and no medications please. Aimee is located in the Coronation area but she is willing to pick up in Red Deer Area. Milk can also be dropped off to her sister who lives in Red Deer and stored there until she can get in to get it. Please tag, and share with anyone you may know who can help See more

Still one of the best posts

Love this. Birthismessy!!! It's normal. It's all part of the physiological process. Let's get comfortable with sh.t a second.

NINE MORE HOURS TO ENTER!! WIN A CARSEAT and accessories from Carseat Techs of Alberta, and the Red Deer Doula Association Pick up tomorrow at the free carseat clinic at The Forum Inc. 1-4pm Or have it shipped to you!