Birthworkers are a dedicated bunch. The phone rings at all hours, and we answer, ready to roll. We offer comfort for the aches, balm for the fears, and remind our clients to believe in themselves, find their power, love their bodies, and nurture their babies. We wipe away tears without judgment and celebrate joys without […]
Healthy Self-Care and Preventing Burnout Continue reading »
Several years ago, I kept coming across this list titled, “10 Keys to Success that Require Zero Talent”. The “zero talent” portion of that title intrigued me and made me want to delve deeper into the meaning. Over the years, it has become a part of my business and has also become a part of
Keys to Success Continue reading »
In my work, I hear the secret fears women have about childbirth. Today’s mothers are keenly aware of how their mindset affects the way they live their lives and wisely, they assume the same must be true of childbirth. They are ready and willing to seek out ways to become more mindful, more aware, and
The Practice of Birth Inventory Continue reading »
I remember the very first time that I held a newborn baby. I remember the sensation in my heart as I held her like a fragile tea cup. I was a young and wide-eyed first year nursing student assigned to teaching newborn care. I was invited to hold her while listening to her mother share
Self-Compassion: “We Were All Babies Once” Continue reading »
Did you ever wonder why after taking care of yourself including getting enough rest, eating whole foods, exercising etc., that something is still not right? Perhaps you feel fatigued after otherwise being well earlier in the day or have a sudden feeling of fatigue after working with a co-worker or listening to a client, friend
Releasing Yourself from Energy Vampires Continue reading »
One of my favorite things for me as a labour doula, labour doula trainer and a childbirth educator is to help prepare them with tools to build confidence and strength as they head through their journey of pregnancy, labour, birth and beyond. When I can have the time with them to dig deeper, that’s great
Preparing For Your New Baby Continue reading »
Did you know there are four types of responses to stressful events? Most of us are familiar with the Fight or Flight response, but there are two others that many people experience as well. Those are Freeze and Fawn. Helping our clients (and their support partner) understand how they might react can be very beneficial—not
Helping Our Clients: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn Stress Responses Continue reading »
I’ve seen many internet posts recently on doula support platforms, discussing how doulas should deal with clients who make choices contrary to individual beliefs or strong biases. Topics such as circumcision, religious rituals, marijuana, and alcohol use are often the source of conflict in these posts. As I read through the MANY responses I was
Working with Your Beliefs and Biases Continue reading »
What comes to mind when you think of childbirth classes? Women and their birth partners sitting around in a semi-circle listening for two hours while someone drones on and on about how birth unfolds? One evening a week for a few hours? Or the new one-day exhausting eight or nine hour marathon class? A few
Challenges of the Childbirth Educator in a Hurry Up World Continue reading »
“What do I do when my client gets an epidural?” When this question is asked of other doulas the answer invariably is something along the lines of, “You hold the space.” But if you say that to a potential client who wants a doula and an epidural, you may get quizzical looks and they may
Epidurals and Holding the Space Continue reading »