 If you are going to write a plan while pregnant, write a postpartum plan.
Think about how you will be taken care of while you are consumed with your sweet new baby. In those early days, your main tasks are feeding and sleeping. All the other household chores, errands, and meals can be delegated to those well meaning family and friends. They want nothing more than to help… and maybe get a glimpse of the baby. Even with the current restrictions, they can still help by dropping off meals, taking your dog(s) out for a hike, pulling your garbage bins to the curb and back… Over a week, write down all the chores and errands done in and around your house, then put them on your postpartum plan. Hang that plan up or have it on your phone so when someone asks what they can do to help, send them your plan!
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 At this point, my clients have been receiving emails regarding doula support with the latest details as they become available. I have attended several virtual meetings and webinars to uncover as much information as I can for myself and my clients. Working closely with the North Shore Doulas through Zoom meetings, we are supporting one another so that we may support you. Our commitment to you all at this time is stronger than ever. Navigating this uncharted territory is not easy for any of us, but with information, support, and connection (albeit virtual), we are doing what we can in a very unpredictable time. The point of this post is not to give medical advice but rather to provide a starting point for gathering information so that you can make informed decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. For specific protocols and policies, always speak to your care provider.
I am pretty darn excited to be part of this special event! On March 30th you will find us nestled in at the stunning Cheakamus Center preparing growing families to thrive through comprehensive workshops, building community and celebration with nourishing food! Glow is a prenatal day retreat set in an ancient cedar rainforest, aimed at: - Empowering and Inspiring confidence in expectant women and couples, - Guiding women and couples in creating personalized family plans to THRIVE into the "4th trimester" - Reclaiming birth as a sacred ceremony and celebration; dispelling fear and embracing trust - Celebrating life, birth, family and community. We will explore everything no one tells you about having a baby, including such topics as sleep, returning to intimacy, taking maternity leave, proper self care, baby care basics and more. Think beyond birth and prepare for the lifetime that follows it. Glow is an inclusive space. All genders and gender expressions are welcome. All variety of family types are welcome. 
Workshop includes information on; how milk is made, how supply is set up, instincts and reflexes in parent and baby, latching and attaching baby at the breast, normal baby behaviour, common breastfeeding challenges and how to cope if they arise, local support resources, setting realistic expectations of the early weeks, and creating clear individual postpartum plans.
An ideal time to take in this workshop is anytime after 20weeks.  I am very proud to be presenting this interactive workshop for expectant folks preparing for the reality of pain-coping in labor. Join Judy Mclaren, a certified Birthing From Within® Childbirth Educator, seasoned Doula, owner of Dancing Star Birth and an integral member of Vancouver’s birth community for over 12 years, to discover and understand your perception of pain in childbirth. Gain confidence in your ability to cope with the intensity of labor and birth while exploring the pain coping mindset in preparation for the transition into parenthood.  Before we were even pregnant with our first, I dragged my husband to a Midwifery Info Night in Vancouver. He obliged, as the partner of a fresh newly trained Doula, and was curious to find out what midwives do and how they support families. He was blown away by the amount of information we left with. If you are expecting, or plan to in the future, I would highly encourage you to start gathering information from care providers now. Our local midwives, Roots Community Midwives, are holding an information night and will be happy to answer all your questions about midwifery care. Join the midwives on December 13th at 7pm, 210-38026 Second Ave. (Grinning Weasel Photography Studio). RSVP to rootsadmin@rootsmidwives.ca  What better time to celebrate this work than when the ground itself starts to show signs of new life. Spring equinox, return of fertility and of course...world Doula week. I don't really need a reason to celebrate this work, after-all, this work is my life, it's the kind of work that is all encompassing. And I love it. I get to witness new life coming into this world and the transformation of couples into parents and families growing by one (or two!) at a time. Someone asked me recently what I like about this work, they couldn't fathom the late night/early morning calls to births, the long hours, the not knowing when you get to sleep or eat or see your own family. I smiled, like birth itself, it's hard to explain the most tender moments that strike right into my heart and make it all worth while. Seeing the unbelievable strength of a birthing woman as they make it through transition, watching their partner see that same strength and be beyond proud...locking eyes with a laboring woman and not speaking a word but being able to translate to her that she's safe, she's strong, she's going to be alright. Seeing a new life emerge, watching the new parents in awe of their baby, supporting the first latch...these are just a few of the moments that keep the fire burning to continue doing this work.  Image credit: Bloom Business SolutionsMy two cents on why just using the internet and reading some books on birth might not cut it when it comes to your labor and birth...  |
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