Here's to all you breast-feeding mamas out there! No one should be embarrassed to feed their baby in public!
Thank you Hollie McNish
Tuesday 20 August 2013
Wednesday 14 August 2013
We Really Don't Know the Effects Of Labour Interventions
"Inducing labour may contribute to autism
Why babies were being induced in the first place still needs to be considered
The Associated Press
Posted: Aug 13, 2013 12:01 PM ET
Last Updated: Aug 13, 2013 12:00 PM ET
It's possible that labour-inducing drugs might increase the risk — or that the problems that lead doctors to start labour explain the results. These include mothers' diabetes and fetal complications, which have previously been linked with autism.
There is a growing consensus that risks for autism occur before birth or soon after. (Veejay Villafranca/Getty )Like
most research into autism causes, the study doesn't provide conclusive
answers, and the authors say the results shouldn't lead doctors to avoid
inducing labour or speeding it up since it can be life-saving for
mothers and babies.Simon Gregory, lead author and an associate professor of medicine and medical genetics at Duke University, emphasized, "We haven't found a connection for cause and effect. One of the things we need to look at is why they were being induced in the first place."
Government data suggest 1 in 5 U.S. women have labour induced — twice as many as in 1990.
Smaller studies suggested a possible tie between induced labour and autism, but the new research is the largest to date, involving more than 600,000 births. The government-funded study was published online Monday in JAMA Pediatrics.
The researchers examined eight years of North Carolina birth records, and matched 625,042 births with public school data from the late 1990s through 2008. Information on autism diagnoses didn't specify whether cases were mild or severe. Labour was induced or hastened in more than 170,000 births.
Overall, 5,648 children developed autism — three times as many boys as girls. Among autistic boys, almost one-third of the mothers had labour started or hastened, versus almost 29 per cent of the boys without autism. The differences were less pronounced among girls.
Oxytocin and prostaglandins are used to start or speed up labour but the study doesn't identify specific medications.
The strongest risks were in boys whose mothers had labour started and hastened. They were 35 per cent more likely to have autism.
Among girls, autism was not tied to induced labour; it was only more common in those born after labour was accelerated; they were 18 per cent more likely to have the developmental disorder than girls whose mothers had neither treatment.
Autism affects about 1 in 88 U.S. children. Symptoms may involve communication problems including avoiding eye contact and unusual repetitive behaviour including arm-flapping. Causes are uncertain but experts believe it probably results from a combination of genetics and other factors. These may include mothers' illnesses and medication use while pregnant, fathers' age at conception, and problems affecting the fetus during childbirth — all suggested but not proven in previous research.
The study's biggest strength is bolstering the growing consensus that risks for autism occur before birth or soon after, said Dr. Byron King, director of Seattle Children's Hospital's autism centre. He was not involved in the study."
The above is an article from cbc online and can be found here.
I am aware that nothing in this study is conclusive but it really makes you think about our lack of knowledge when it comes to the effects of any labour augmentation or assistance. There has simply not been enough research done or time elapsed to really see the full effect of the medical system's actions in pregnancy, labour and birth. It is terrifying to think about but the fact of the matter is we just don't know. I am NOT suggesting that there is no place for medical intervention when it comes to labour and birth because there most certainly is. In my short time as a doula I have witnessed labours that indeed would have ended in tragedy had medical advances not been available. Conversely, I have also attended births where medical interventions used were seemingly unnecessary and in some cases even harmful. I do believe there is a place in labour and birth for modern medicine but I know it is grossly overused in our society. Because long-term effects of these medical interventions are unknown I think we should not be so nonchalant with there uses and greater care and consideration should be used by those caring for women in labour.
Thursday 18 July 2013
Tuesday 16 July 2013
Ina May Gaskin and Reducing Fear of Birth
Ina May Gaskin, MA, CPM, PhD (Hon) is legendary in the world of Midwifery. She is founder and director of the 41 year old Farm Midwifery Center in Tennessee.
You can read a Bio of the lovely Ina May on her web site here.
One of my favorite 'birth prep' books is Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. It was the only book I found useful while awaiting my own birth journey and I have since lent it to many friends and family. Instead of filling your head with all the things that could possibly go wrong during labour, Ina May provides a much needed dose of positive birth stories and confidence boosting facts about the natural ability of a woman's body to birth a baby. She has an amazing ability to bring a pregnant woman and her obsessing thoughts back to the reality of the entirely natural process. Ina May focuses on reducing fear in labour and birth and talks much about the fear-pain response of a labouring woman. Much of the work a doula does before and during birth is to reduce that woman's fears and therefore the pain she experiences. I entered my labour with 100 percent confidence in myself and my body's ability to birth and believe Ina May's words have much to do with that.
Very Recently a movie was made called Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin and the Farm midwives which look amazing. The trailer alone is beautiful.
Thank you Ina May for all that you do to empower women and families and allow people to view birth the way it should be - "unadorned, unabashed, and awe-inspiring"
 |
| Ina May Gaskin, photo credit: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/birth%20story |
You can read a Bio of the lovely Ina May on her web site here.
One of my favorite 'birth prep' books is Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. It was the only book I found useful while awaiting my own birth journey and I have since lent it to many friends and family. Instead of filling your head with all the things that could possibly go wrong during labour, Ina May provides a much needed dose of positive birth stories and confidence boosting facts about the natural ability of a woman's body to birth a baby. She has an amazing ability to bring a pregnant woman and her obsessing thoughts back to the reality of the entirely natural process. Ina May focuses on reducing fear in labour and birth and talks much about the fear-pain response of a labouring woman. Much of the work a doula does before and during birth is to reduce that woman's fears and therefore the pain she experiences. I entered my labour with 100 percent confidence in myself and my body's ability to birth and believe Ina May's words have much to do with that.
Very Recently a movie was made called Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin and the Farm midwives which look amazing. The trailer alone is beautiful.
Thank you Ina May for all that you do to empower women and families and allow people to view birth the way it should be - "unadorned, unabashed, and awe-inspiring"
Monday 1 July 2013
Pelvic Floor Muscles - A topic for EVERYONE!
As a doula I like to attend as many secessions and classes possible so I have the most up-to-date information for my clients. A while ago the Women's Health Clinic (WHC), which operates out of Winnipeg's new birthing centre, offered a class on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) health. PMF is a huge topic in the birthing world so I was most definitely there. A large part of the class was a refresher for me but there were also many new things I learnt. Most moms and moms-to-be have lots of questions on this topic so I thought I would share some information with those who care to learn. Although, as it turns out, it is not only mams and preggos that should be learning about PMF, this is a topic that affects EVERYONE. Yes, that means you too gentlemen.
All the information that follows comes from my doula training and the information presented at the PFM health class provided by the Women's Health Clinic (WHC) and their informational brochures and handouts. Much of this information can be found on their site www.womenshealthclinic.org. More great information can also be found here www.pelvichealthsolutions.ca
This information should not be used to replace a visit with your health care provider.
What are the PFM? The PFM are muscles that originate from the tailbone and insert onto the pubic bone forming a sling that fills the bowl of the pelvis. These muscles not only create a muscular hammock but they also form an intricate network that weaves around and throughout the pelvic organs. The PFM serve five major functions which include supporting the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, vagina, rectum), they also act as the sphincters to control the passage of urine, stool and gas. The PFM assists in respiration through interactions with the diaphragm while also working with the abdominal and core muscles to help stabilize the trunk and spine to improve posture. As if that wasn't enough, the PFM play a significant roll in sexual function and enhanced pleasure. How does that grab ya?!
There are two types of PFM dysfunction: Hypotonicity (Weak pelvic floor muscles) which can contribute to stress incontinence (aka: peeing yourself when you cough, sneeze, run or jump ect.), urge incontinence (feeling like you need to go all the time) both of which are NOT a normal part of aging, pelvic organ prolapse (yes, this can happen), uncontrollable passing of gas or stool (you know who you are), and a feeling of pelvis/sacroiliac instability. Conversely, Hypertonicity (Tight pelvic floor muscles) contributes to urinary and fecal urgency, urge Incontinence, chronic pelvic pain, constipation, dyspareunia, vaginismus, vulvodynia, pudendal neuralgia, interstitial cystitis and chronic prostatits. Both weak or overly tight PF muscles can also cause hip, pelvic or low back pain and stiffness or fatigue.
One of the most shocking things I learnt in this class was the population percentage of those with some form of PFM dysfunction. 96% of the population is affected by at least one aspect of PFM dysfunction and 87% show 2 or more symptoms! That is nearly every one!
Causes of unhealthy PF muscles are plenty. Many things can lead to either weak or tight PF muscles like pregnancy and childbirth, hormonal changes (as in menopause), chronic constipation and straining, chronic coughing (like smokers cough), surgery, recurring UTIs, poor posture, excess weight and lack of exercise are but a few. Some PFM dysfunction symptoms like urge incontinence are made worse by consuming food/drinks that cause irritation to the bladder. For example, the following list worsen symptoms in most people: Coffee, caffeinated tea and sodas (some medications also contain caffeine), alcohol, chocolate and smoking. Some people's symptoms also worsen with the consumption of the following: acidic foods (including tomato and tomato products), citrus fruits and juices, artificial sweeteners, spicy foods, milk and milk products, sugar and honey for some, corn syrup and cranberry juice. I know this last one seems weird considering that cranberry is used to cleanse the kidneys and is good for bladder infections, but it is best to consume cranberry extract. Also, concentrated urine (which happens when we don't drink enough fluids - which most people don't) can irritate the bladder and result in greater symptoms of urgency and frequency. Further, I personally know many of you out there who refuse to use the bathroom anywhere but in the comfort of your own home or, when forced to use a public washroom, hover over the toilet seat in order to avoid any contact with said toilet. Both of these actions (or lack of action I should say) can also wreak havoc on those oh so important PF muscles. Holding in your pee or bowel movement regularly can cause PFM issues while hovering counteracts what you are trying to do by tightening everything up instead of releasing. Also, terrifyingly, propylene glycol and other chemicals found in many soaps, shampoos, perfumes ect, can weaken the muscles which absorb these chemical through your skin. Gross!!
Fortunately, most PFM disorders can be corrected although it may take time and work. Whenever the topic of PFM comes out the first thought is usually 'kegels' or PF exercises (I'll let you look up how to do kegels). Although these are extremely important and crucial in strengthening PF muscles they may not be the answer to all forms of PFM dysfunctions or symptoms. For those with symptoms caused by tight PFM, Kegels would be the last thing you would want to do. It is important to maintain a balance of taught and firm pelvic floor muscles without being overly tight or too weak. Thankfully there is PF physiotherapy available for those who need it. The Incontinence & Pelvic Pain Clinic (IPPC), a division of the Nova Physiotherapy & Sports Fitness Clinic, is run out of the medical arts building and specializes in PFM therapy. Another local physiotherapist that specializes in PFM is Donna Sarna. Also, the WHC has a pelvic pain nurse, Lynn Crocker-Loat who helps women with pelvic issues.
So please be kind to these muscles that serve so many purposes. Keep healthy, drink lots of water, eat well, exercise, do go to the bathroom once when you feel the need and don't hold it forever. Just sit on that dang toilet seat (you can clean it first if you so desire) instead of hovering and try not to strain so much. Do exercise your PFM if they are not overly tight and do see a physiotherapist if you are experiencing unwanted symptoms (you don't have to live with them!).
Thank you for visiting and taking the time to read! Please leave comments and tips for other readers if you so feel the urge.
Happy Summer Guys!!
All the information that follows comes from my doula training and the information presented at the PFM health class provided by the Women's Health Clinic (WHC) and their informational brochures and handouts. Much of this information can be found on their site www.womenshealthclinic.org. More great information can also be found here www.pelvichealthsolutions.ca
This information should not be used to replace a visit with your health care provider.
What are the PFM? The PFM are muscles that originate from the tailbone and insert onto the pubic bone forming a sling that fills the bowl of the pelvis. These muscles not only create a muscular hammock but they also form an intricate network that weaves around and throughout the pelvic organs. The PFM serve five major functions which include supporting the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, vagina, rectum), they also act as the sphincters to control the passage of urine, stool and gas. The PFM assists in respiration through interactions with the diaphragm while also working with the abdominal and core muscles to help stabilize the trunk and spine to improve posture. As if that wasn't enough, the PFM play a significant roll in sexual function and enhanced pleasure. How does that grab ya?!
There are two types of PFM dysfunction: Hypotonicity (Weak pelvic floor muscles) which can contribute to stress incontinence (aka: peeing yourself when you cough, sneeze, run or jump ect.), urge incontinence (feeling like you need to go all the time) both of which are NOT a normal part of aging, pelvic organ prolapse (yes, this can happen), uncontrollable passing of gas or stool (you know who you are), and a feeling of pelvis/sacroiliac instability. Conversely, Hypertonicity (Tight pelvic floor muscles) contributes to urinary and fecal urgency, urge Incontinence, chronic pelvic pain, constipation, dyspareunia, vaginismus, vulvodynia, pudendal neuralgia, interstitial cystitis and chronic prostatits. Both weak or overly tight PF muscles can also cause hip, pelvic or low back pain and stiffness or fatigue.
One of the most shocking things I learnt in this class was the population percentage of those with some form of PFM dysfunction. 96% of the population is affected by at least one aspect of PFM dysfunction and 87% show 2 or more symptoms! That is nearly every one!
Causes of unhealthy PF muscles are plenty. Many things can lead to either weak or tight PF muscles like pregnancy and childbirth, hormonal changes (as in menopause), chronic constipation and straining, chronic coughing (like smokers cough), surgery, recurring UTIs, poor posture, excess weight and lack of exercise are but a few. Some PFM dysfunction symptoms like urge incontinence are made worse by consuming food/drinks that cause irritation to the bladder. For example, the following list worsen symptoms in most people: Coffee, caffeinated tea and sodas (some medications also contain caffeine), alcohol, chocolate and smoking. Some people's symptoms also worsen with the consumption of the following: acidic foods (including tomato and tomato products), citrus fruits and juices, artificial sweeteners, spicy foods, milk and milk products, sugar and honey for some, corn syrup and cranberry juice. I know this last one seems weird considering that cranberry is used to cleanse the kidneys and is good for bladder infections, but it is best to consume cranberry extract. Also, concentrated urine (which happens when we don't drink enough fluids - which most people don't) can irritate the bladder and result in greater symptoms of urgency and frequency. Further, I personally know many of you out there who refuse to use the bathroom anywhere but in the comfort of your own home or, when forced to use a public washroom, hover over the toilet seat in order to avoid any contact with said toilet. Both of these actions (or lack of action I should say) can also wreak havoc on those oh so important PF muscles. Holding in your pee or bowel movement regularly can cause PFM issues while hovering counteracts what you are trying to do by tightening everything up instead of releasing. Also, terrifyingly, propylene glycol and other chemicals found in many soaps, shampoos, perfumes ect, can weaken the muscles which absorb these chemical through your skin. Gross!!
Fortunately, most PFM disorders can be corrected although it may take time and work. Whenever the topic of PFM comes out the first thought is usually 'kegels' or PF exercises (I'll let you look up how to do kegels). Although these are extremely important and crucial in strengthening PF muscles they may not be the answer to all forms of PFM dysfunctions or symptoms. For those with symptoms caused by tight PFM, Kegels would be the last thing you would want to do. It is important to maintain a balance of taught and firm pelvic floor muscles without being overly tight or too weak. Thankfully there is PF physiotherapy available for those who need it. The Incontinence & Pelvic Pain Clinic (IPPC), a division of the Nova Physiotherapy & Sports Fitness Clinic, is run out of the medical arts building and specializes in PFM therapy. Another local physiotherapist that specializes in PFM is Donna Sarna. Also, the WHC has a pelvic pain nurse, Lynn Crocker-Loat who helps women with pelvic issues.
So please be kind to these muscles that serve so many purposes. Keep healthy, drink lots of water, eat well, exercise, do go to the bathroom once when you feel the need and don't hold it forever. Just sit on that dang toilet seat (you can clean it first if you so desire) instead of hovering and try not to strain so much. Do exercise your PFM if they are not overly tight and do see a physiotherapist if you are experiencing unwanted symptoms (you don't have to live with them!).
Thank you for visiting and taking the time to read! Please leave comments and tips for other readers if you so feel the urge.
Happy Summer Guys!!
Thursday 9 May 2013
Aida is TWO!!
Nope, I still cannot believe that I am the mother of a two-year old. Just like every other parent out there, I'm continually amazed at how fast these babies grow and change into little people with very distinct and sometimes very large personalities. Every second of everyday they are growing!
Every month for the last 2 years my husband and I have been recording our little lady's growth alongside Alfie (a childhood toy of Curran's). I thought it was pretty interesting so I decided to share it with you all.
We had a very nice birthday day with Aida. The hubby took the day off and we spent it with our lady.
Thank you for being such an awesome person Aida. We love you more than anything else! We are so lucky to call you ours. Happy Birthday my little lady!
PS: Happy Summer!!! And in case you were wondering, my 30 day yoga challenge went swimmingly. I accomplished 34 yoga classes in 30 days! I feel great and most definitely rejuvenated. It was a great experience but I am ready to slow it down a bit. The hardest part of this challenge was feeling like I was constantly rushing off and missing out on lots of family time. I have taken a week off of yoga since the end of the challenge which has allowed me to spend some much-needed time with my favorite people but has not been the best for my body. I love yoga and I am going to continue practicing 3-4 times a week, which I hope will bring the right balance into my life. Thanks again to my family for being so patient during the last month and encouraging me to take care of myself. Love love love!
Every month for the last 2 years my husband and I have been recording our little lady's growth alongside Alfie (a childhood toy of Curran's). I thought it was pretty interesting so I decided to share it with you all.
We had a very nice birthday day with Aida. The hubby took the day off and we spent it with our lady.
PS: Happy Summer!!! And in case you were wondering, my 30 day yoga challenge went swimmingly. I accomplished 34 yoga classes in 30 days! I feel great and most definitely rejuvenated. It was a great experience but I am ready to slow it down a bit. The hardest part of this challenge was feeling like I was constantly rushing off and missing out on lots of family time. I have taken a week off of yoga since the end of the challenge which has allowed me to spend some much-needed time with my favorite people but has not been the best for my body. I love yoga and I am going to continue practicing 3-4 times a week, which I hope will bring the right balance into my life. Thanks again to my family for being so patient during the last month and encouraging me to take care of myself. Love love love!
Thursday 11 April 2013
Detoxifying My Mind and Body into Spring
Like most everyone else right now I am feeling pretty done with this winter. I keep hoping for spring to show it's messy, wet, mucky self but it seems to be rather shy this year. Try as I might, I cannot coax it from winter's grasp. I begin to feel this way every year, but lately my desire for warmer weather seems particularly huge. This winter has been a tough one by bringing a never ending onslaught of frustration for us. Seemingly non-stop colds and flus piled on top of a teething, non-sleeping toddler mixed in with breaking appliances, cars, roofs, ceilings, phones, and wallets all rolled into a cluster cuss of bad luck. I was also handed my first ever traffic ticket, which I will say on record was complete BS and I did not actually violate any road rules. Non-the-less I still got the ticket. Having a toddler that needs to run and play outside and who easily becomes stir crazy doesn't help much either. We just want to be able to go outside without the mitts, the jacket, the tuque, the boots, the icy sidewalks and piles of snow that have taken up all the space everywhere. Its time for grass and sun and picnics and parks and evening drinks outside with friends and family.
The past months have been weighing heavily on both my mind and body. I have fallen into the terrible circular habits of poor eating and little exercise that cause me to feel sluggish and put my mind into an unhealthy state. I decided that I needed a change. I needed to jump-start my body and my spirit out of this slump and ready myself for the spring. I need to un-fog my mind and re-discover the beauty in the calm, the simplicity, the humor, the frustrations, the happiness, the crazy that is everyday life.
One week ago today I challenged myself to do a minimum of 30 yoga classes in 30 days. I have practiced yoga on and off for about 8 years and through that time I have found that my yoga passion lies in Moksha. For those who don't know, Moksha yoga is practiced in a room kept at about 40 degrees Celsius and fairly high humidity. It is definitely not everyone's cup of tea but I love it. I love the heat and I love the sweat! When I leave each class I can literally wring the sweat from my clothes, and as grossed out as you probably are right now, it makes me smile every time. Sweating allows your body to rid itself of toxins that build up and are stored in your tissues. When I am sweating to the point of a steady stream flowing off the end of my nose I can't help but think of all the nasty stuff leaving my body and it makes me feel great. I find the heat makes the practice much more challenging and because of this my mind has no option but to focus on the task at hand. For the hour or hour and a half of each practice my mind is shut off from the outside world. I don't think about my day or what I am going to make for dinner or when I am going to have time to finish this project or that, or anything else. I just am. I am able to be solely in the moment and this is so rejuvenating. All my thoughts melt away and the constant background chatter of my mind dissolves into nothing.
Yoga feeds both my mind and body. By allowing my thoughts to turn inward and focus only on my breath and the postures, I come away feeling rested, calm and in good spirits. The physical aspects of yoga stretch and strengthen my muscles while detoxifying my body. Since having Aida I have discovered muscles I didn't know I had and discomforts I had never experienced before. The physical toll your body can take simply from nursing a child really blows my mind. I have neck and back issues I have never had to deal with before. And try as I might to carry my daughter evenly with my left and right side I still become unaligned and muscles on one side become tighter than the other. Yoga has REALLY helped me begin to correct these problems and I feel better and better with each class.
Also, for all those mamas-to-be out there, Yoga is a fantastic way to stay comfortable and healthy throughout your pregnancy. Many women begin to experience discomfort and pain at some point in their pregnancy. Often, this discomfort is caused by the much needed hormone called Relaxin that begins to course through your body almost immediately following conception. This hormone functions to soften the joints that will need to stretch and alter for delivery. Unfortunately, Relaxin doesn't specifically target the pelvic area and many women experience lose joints all over their body which, as you can imagine, can become quite uncomfortable and even painful. I personally began to feel the effects of this hormone almost immediately. My hips and pubic bone got more and more painful throughout each day. I started taking prenatal yoga when I was just 8 weeks pregnant and continued until just days before Aida was born. I also regularly visited a chiropractor who specialized in pregnancy. The combination of these two things kept me extremely comfortable and pain-free through my entire pregnancy. As soon as I began yoga and chiropractic care, I felt completely normal. No pain, no achy joints, no stiffness, nothing. I had the best pregnancy one could ask for and I attribute much of that to the yoga that kept me strong to balance my lose joints and opened my pelvis with ease and control.
So, the challenge. I will do my absolute best to attend at least 30 yoga classes in 30 days. It has been exactly one week that I began my challenge and so far (by the end of today) I will have done 10 classes in 7 days! Big thanks to my hubby for encouraging me to do this and taking on more so I can take this time to care for myself!
I will let you know how things are going as I progress through this month. Wish me luck!
 | |
| The snow is making us all crazy! |
 |
| But we are doing our best to make the most of it! |
The past months have been weighing heavily on both my mind and body. I have fallen into the terrible circular habits of poor eating and little exercise that cause me to feel sluggish and put my mind into an unhealthy state. I decided that I needed a change. I needed to jump-start my body and my spirit out of this slump and ready myself for the spring. I need to un-fog my mind and re-discover the beauty in the calm, the simplicity, the humor, the frustrations, the happiness, the crazy that is everyday life.
One week ago today I challenged myself to do a minimum of 30 yoga classes in 30 days. I have practiced yoga on and off for about 8 years and through that time I have found that my yoga passion lies in Moksha. For those who don't know, Moksha yoga is practiced in a room kept at about 40 degrees Celsius and fairly high humidity. It is definitely not everyone's cup of tea but I love it. I love the heat and I love the sweat! When I leave each class I can literally wring the sweat from my clothes, and as grossed out as you probably are right now, it makes me smile every time. Sweating allows your body to rid itself of toxins that build up and are stored in your tissues. When I am sweating to the point of a steady stream flowing off the end of my nose I can't help but think of all the nasty stuff leaving my body and it makes me feel great. I find the heat makes the practice much more challenging and because of this my mind has no option but to focus on the task at hand. For the hour or hour and a half of each practice my mind is shut off from the outside world. I don't think about my day or what I am going to make for dinner or when I am going to have time to finish this project or that, or anything else. I just am. I am able to be solely in the moment and this is so rejuvenating. All my thoughts melt away and the constant background chatter of my mind dissolves into nothing.
 | ||
| Aida's version of Downward Facing Dog |
Yoga feeds both my mind and body. By allowing my thoughts to turn inward and focus only on my breath and the postures, I come away feeling rested, calm and in good spirits. The physical aspects of yoga stretch and strengthen my muscles while detoxifying my body. Since having Aida I have discovered muscles I didn't know I had and discomforts I had never experienced before. The physical toll your body can take simply from nursing a child really blows my mind. I have neck and back issues I have never had to deal with before. And try as I might to carry my daughter evenly with my left and right side I still become unaligned and muscles on one side become tighter than the other. Yoga has REALLY helped me begin to correct these problems and I feel better and better with each class.
Also, for all those mamas-to-be out there, Yoga is a fantastic way to stay comfortable and healthy throughout your pregnancy. Many women begin to experience discomfort and pain at some point in their pregnancy. Often, this discomfort is caused by the much needed hormone called Relaxin that begins to course through your body almost immediately following conception. This hormone functions to soften the joints that will need to stretch and alter for delivery. Unfortunately, Relaxin doesn't specifically target the pelvic area and many women experience lose joints all over their body which, as you can imagine, can become quite uncomfortable and even painful. I personally began to feel the effects of this hormone almost immediately. My hips and pubic bone got more and more painful throughout each day. I started taking prenatal yoga when I was just 8 weeks pregnant and continued until just days before Aida was born. I also regularly visited a chiropractor who specialized in pregnancy. The combination of these two things kept me extremely comfortable and pain-free through my entire pregnancy. As soon as I began yoga and chiropractic care, I felt completely normal. No pain, no achy joints, no stiffness, nothing. I had the best pregnancy one could ask for and I attribute much of that to the yoga that kept me strong to balance my lose joints and opened my pelvis with ease and control.
So, the challenge. I will do my absolute best to attend at least 30 yoga classes in 30 days. It has been exactly one week that I began my challenge and so far (by the end of today) I will have done 10 classes in 7 days! Big thanks to my hubby for encouraging me to do this and taking on more so I can take this time to care for myself!
I will let you know how things are going as I progress through this month. Wish me luck!
Thursday 4 April 2013
The Mama's Story of My Very First Birth
One of the most amazing birth experiences I have had as a doula was my very first one. I was so incredibly honoured to be invited into this birth. I was ecstatic that I was going to be able to work alongside a midwife, for in my mind, they are truly magical beings. When I first spoke to Sila on the phone I was nervous that she might not want me present since it would be my first birth, but instead she welcomed me and wanted to help me learn and gain experience. Also, purely by chance, the doula whom I ended up working alongside was the very one who guided me through my birth with Aida. That alone was very special to me.
It was a long but incredibly beautiful birth. I surprised myself at how calm and not nervous I was. It felt completely natural to me, like I was exactly where I belong - next to a powerful labouring mama. I loved every minute of it. Sila is a woman with such strength and beauty, inside and out, and was nothing less than wonderful to be with. We spent a lot of time chatting and laughing and bonding and when it came to the more difficult parts of her labour we worked so well together. I could feel the absolute trust she had in me and it fed my drive to do everything I could to help her have the beautiful birth she wanted and deserved.
I witnessed for the first time the birth of a tiny, gorgeous human being and I was filled with such happiness for the mom and her new baby that I could not contain my tears. The emergence of this new baby triggered a rush of so many emotions in me along with the memories of my own birth and I was so thankful to feel these again. It was nothing short of amazing. I will forever be great full to this mama for the wonderful birth I ended up experiencing by her side.
Sila, who is back home in Kenya, sent me her birth story to share with you all. I hope you enjoy reading it! Thank you Sila for sharing with me and those who read this blog and thank you again for being an all around wonderful woman.
"When
I was in my early 20’s I remember wondering if a magic genie came to me
and said I could only have one thing in my life but not both – a true
love or to be a mother – which would I choose. In my head I always chose
to be a mother. If I couldn't have both then that was the one I’d
choose. In 2011, I was pregnant at 31 and in a troubled relationship. I
was advised, "You need a doula to be with you through it!" and yes, you
guessed it I googled it first and later decided I did need a doula!
After asking my friends about doula services in Winnipeg, a friend
recommended her friend friends' wife, who happened to be Bree. I later
learnt that it would be her first birth! As a new mum-to-be, I was a
little bit apprehensive but if there is something you will learn about
Bree is that she can calm a storm. We met shortly after I reached out to
Bree and she explained the package she will be providing me - but since
she was still in training she will be shadowing a certified doula. I
registered for a pro-bono doula
with another well known doula service in Winnipeg. Bree was a great
support for me 3 months leading to my birth. And when Barbara Harper was
in town for a talk on water births - we made a date to attend the
event. She kept me informed and also advised me on what/how I should
prepare. The fact that Bree was a mother too made her a good
birthing 'companion' for me. We talked about how I felt, how to improve
my energy levels (I was pretty tired) and how I was coping with
everything.
On
Nov 21st I started laboring at 4:30am and my midwife confirmed that I
was indeed going to have my baby today. I called my doula's Jessica and
Bree - Bree was to shadow another certified
doula for her practicum to be validated. Bree was the first to arrive
by my side and she brought me some homemade pasta sauce and a pack of
sanitary towel that remained from her last birth. Bree kept me
distracted from the pain as I crotchet my baby a sweater in between my
contraction. Bree truly felt like a sister at that moment. At 9pm (yes,
17 hours later) my midwife suggested we go to the hospital since I was
6cm dilated. Bree checked my bag to confirm I carried everything and
helped me finish my packing. We arrived the hospital and thank fully I
got my own huge room. I got settled in as my bath was prepared. Bree
excused herself to pump milk for her daughter and I remember she had
mentioned that she often pumps at work as well. Now, I had never heard
the weird sound of a breast pump before and when she started pumping, I
thought it was the funniest thing I have heard ever! Of course it wasn't
so funny after I started pumping but at that time I laughed so hard I
teared up. It was hilarious!
After
Midnight, my pain intensified and Bree stepped-up and made sure I was
breathing right and when the pressure was too much for me, she walked me
though techniques to ease the pressure. At 7:25am I was ready to push
-- Bree was there to cheer me on as she snapped pictures from her phone.
The photos she took are the only once I have of Mariela's birth.
Pictures that I shared with my family who were back home in Kenya.
Mariela was born at 7:45am on November 22nd 2011 and I asked Bree to cut
the umbilical cord.
Bree
was my star during my 25 hour labour. One thing that I love about Bree
is that she loves what she does as a doula and because she is so
passionate about her work, she is also so great at it too! I remember my
midwife telling Bree that she will make an incredible midwife some day.
She is just not a doula, she is a phenomenal doula.
Thank you Bree."
Thank you again Sila! And thanks to you all for taking the time to visit my blog.
Have a great day!
Thursday 21 March 2013
Interview
I was recently interviewed about being a doula by Jennifer for her blog, Regular Everyday People. Her blog is one of inspiration. The entire concept of her blog is captured perfectly in her tag line "Finding magic in ordinary life, because that's where it is." You should take a bit of time, grab yourself a cup of coffee and dig in to the richness of the everyday people she interviews. It's worth it, I promise. At least read my interview:) Enjoy!
Wednesday 20 March 2013
Who Doesn't Love Fresh Juice?
My daughter and I are both fighting colds at the moment so it has been juice mania around here. Juicing is a great way to pack your body full of the vitamins and nutrients it needs, especially when trying to overcome illness. Juicing separates the juice from the fiber of the fruits and veggies which allows your body to easily absorb their nutrients. Releasing the vitamin filled liquid from the fiber before ingesting it means that your body doesn't have to work as hard to digest it, allowing that energy be used for other things like fighting off colds.
Juicing has saved my sanity lately as my daughter has decided to go on a vegetable strike. I have been amazed at the lengths she will go to avoid consuming the vegetables I put in her food. She has mastered the art of separating the foods in her mouth and spitting the vegetables back onto her plate. She has not always been this way and I know it is just a stage, but it makes me feel better knowing she is getting most of the benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables through their tasty juices. Making juice has become a daily event that my daughter gets excited about. She pulls a chair up to the counter and clambers up to help as soon as I mention juice time. She loves to help in the kitchen so once I get everything prepped I let her put it all into the feed tube of the juicer. We have definitely had some spills to clean up but letting her be a part of her own healthy food preparation is worth all the beet juice pooling on the counter top and running down our white cabinets.
I wish I had hopped on the juice train much earlier, especially when I was pregnant. One of the hardest things I encountered through my pregnancy was my inability to eat lots of fresh veggies. Just like most pregnant women, I experienced the most painful bloating and gas whenever I would eat uncooked vegetables. It was awful! I hear this complaint a lot from my clients too. Pregnancy can be such a catch-22; the very foods that contain so many vital nutrients for growing a baby can be so unforgiving to your digestive system while trying to do just that. Pregnancy changes everything in your body including hormones and the way your major systems function. One of these major changes is the speed at which your digestive system moves. Since your body is trying to capture every morsel of nutrient for that growing baby, your digestive system slows to a near halt. This is why so many pregnant women complain of bloating, gas and for some, the feeling of constantly being full. Although fiber in your diet is essential to avoiding constipation, a consumption of too much fiber can contribute to even slower digestion causing more gas and discomfort. So, the question is, if we are supposed to eat so many of these fresh fruits and vegetables to maintain a health pregnancy, but these foods put us in a state of constant discomfort, what is there to do? One solution would be to JUICE! Juicing would cut down on your intake of fiber without cutting out all those important nutrients that both you and your wee baby need. Remember though, fiber IS important to proper digestive functions so DON'T cut it out completely.
Have a happy healthy day!
Juicing has saved my sanity lately as my daughter has decided to go on a vegetable strike. I have been amazed at the lengths she will go to avoid consuming the vegetables I put in her food. She has mastered the art of separating the foods in her mouth and spitting the vegetables back onto her plate. She has not always been this way and I know it is just a stage, but it makes me feel better knowing she is getting most of the benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables through their tasty juices. Making juice has become a daily event that my daughter gets excited about. She pulls a chair up to the counter and clambers up to help as soon as I mention juice time. She loves to help in the kitchen so once I get everything prepped I let her put it all into the feed tube of the juicer. We have definitely had some spills to clean up but letting her be a part of her own healthy food preparation is worth all the beet juice pooling on the counter top and running down our white cabinets.
I wish I had hopped on the juice train much earlier, especially when I was pregnant. One of the hardest things I encountered through my pregnancy was my inability to eat lots of fresh veggies. Just like most pregnant women, I experienced the most painful bloating and gas whenever I would eat uncooked vegetables. It was awful! I hear this complaint a lot from my clients too. Pregnancy can be such a catch-22; the very foods that contain so many vital nutrients for growing a baby can be so unforgiving to your digestive system while trying to do just that. Pregnancy changes everything in your body including hormones and the way your major systems function. One of these major changes is the speed at which your digestive system moves. Since your body is trying to capture every morsel of nutrient for that growing baby, your digestive system slows to a near halt. This is why so many pregnant women complain of bloating, gas and for some, the feeling of constantly being full. Although fiber in your diet is essential to avoiding constipation, a consumption of too much fiber can contribute to even slower digestion causing more gas and discomfort. So, the question is, if we are supposed to eat so many of these fresh fruits and vegetables to maintain a health pregnancy, but these foods put us in a state of constant discomfort, what is there to do? One solution would be to JUICE! Juicing would cut down on your intake of fiber without cutting out all those important nutrients that both you and your wee baby need. Remember though, fiber IS important to proper digestive functions so DON'T cut it out completely.
Have a happy healthy day!
Tuesday 19 March 2013
I saw this on the Mother Health International Facebook page today and think it is such a great message. We are not supposed to be the ones deciding when it is time for baby to be born. Our society needs to re-learn patience and realize that the baby will begin the process of birth when they are ready. It is so incredibly rare that this natural process will not happen on it's own, and it breaks my heart every time I see or hear about unnecessary interventions that try to force a woman's body into labour.
Here's to patience! You're going to need it as a parent anyways...you might as well practice it before you become one.
One Powerful Mama
A while back I attended the birth of a friend of mine who was having her second baby. It was an amazing experience for me. I felt so completely honoured to be present during this beautiful and fast birth. It was a home birth, a first for me. It was such a wonderful and relaxed setting. Surrounded by all the people she wanted, in the place she felt most warm, secure and comfortable, Heather laboured like a champ! It was fast, very fast. I was there less than an hour before she birthed her beautiful baby girl. But a crazy hour it was! Everything happened so fast. I new her first was a fairly quick labour and that this was going to be even faster, but I was even shocked at how quickly things were moving. The way Heather laboured was completely inspiring! She is so incredibly powerful and makes it look so easy.
Heather's photographer was not able to make it in time for the birth so I tried my best to fill both roles: the doula and the photographer. I am by NO accounts a professional photographer but I tried to capture this amazing event as best I could. It was a challenge to go from taking pictures to massaging to pictures to climbing over furniture to providing counter pressure to pictures to assisting getting in and out of the tub to pictures and all over again, but such a FUN challenge! You can read Heather's birth story here and see some of the pictures I took during her labour (she created a very nice slideshow at the end of the post). While your at it, check out the rest of this mama's great blog, careful tho, you might just lose a few hours of your day getting lost in all its inspiring glory.
Since Heather's birth I have had the great honour of being a doula for another wonderful friend of mine. Having these experiences has been too amazing to put into words. I have been witness to the birth of two children who will grow alongside my own daughter, who will pay together, learn together and journey through life together. I will know these souls from birth until forever and that fills me with such joy.
Happy Tuesday to you all!
Heather's photographer was not able to make it in time for the birth so I tried my best to fill both roles: the doula and the photographer. I am by NO accounts a professional photographer but I tried to capture this amazing event as best I could. It was a challenge to go from taking pictures to massaging to pictures to climbing over furniture to providing counter pressure to pictures to assisting getting in and out of the tub to pictures and all over again, but such a FUN challenge! You can read Heather's birth story here and see some of the pictures I took during her labour (she created a very nice slideshow at the end of the post). While your at it, check out the rest of this mama's great blog, careful tho, you might just lose a few hours of your day getting lost in all its inspiring glory.
Since Heather's birth I have had the great honour of being a doula for another wonderful friend of mine. Having these experiences has been too amazing to put into words. I have been witness to the birth of two children who will grow alongside my own daughter, who will pay together, learn together and journey through life together. I will know these souls from birth until forever and that fills me with such joy.
Happy Tuesday to you all!
Monday 18 March 2013
What Some Clients Had to Say
"As a first time Mom, I had so many questions. And when I found out I was having twins, I had double the questions! Bree-Ann was there to offer support, education and advice. She helped us solidify our birth wish list and while in the hospital she helped make sure our every wish was met. When changes from our original plan occurred she always made sure we knew why the changes were happening, what the changes meant, and that we were okay with what was happening. She was a solid support system for both my husband and myself and was there for anything we needed. She went above and beyond what I could have ever imagined a Doula doing and will forever hold a special place in our hearts."
— Lisa
"Being a Dad holds a lot of responsibility during the birthing process. Bree-Ann played a critical role during our labour allowing me to give my full attention to my wife. She was always able to answer any questions I had, explained procedures step-by-step and I always felt that I had someone who I could count on. I would easily recommend Bree-Ann to any Dad who wants to have a great support system during child birth."
— Mike
— Lisa
"Being a Dad holds a lot of responsibility during the birthing process. Bree-Ann played a critical role during our labour allowing me to give my full attention to my wife. She was always able to answer any questions I had, explained procedures step-by-step and I always felt that I had someone who I could count on. I would easily recommend Bree-Ann to any Dad who wants to have a great support system during child birth."
— Mike
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)