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The Journal — Reflections & Knowledge

Vintage Books : Birth Without Violence

29/1/2020

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Recently coming into the possesion of some gorgeous vintage birth books, I knew I had to share them with you all!

First up, we have Birth Without Violence by Frederick Leboyer. A groundbreaking title showcasing a new gentle way for babies to enter the world, and shifting perspectives on awareness of newborns.
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When I first cracked open this book, the images are quite jarring with classic and slightly brutal birth images strewn about the pages. As you get deeper into the book, the tone shifts and the babies are shown in a new light. Massaged, held gently in water, caressed and held with love. A new era of newborn care was being heralded in, in 1975. A good reminder to us all, to love on our babies and give them a gentle entry into the world.
This book and many others are found in Emma's lending library, all my (Emma's) birth clients have access to these resources - just ask!
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Birthing and affirmations...

28/1/2020

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Affirmations, mantras, and visualizations. These words are often peppered into conversations tied to labour & birth, but what use are they really? Is it all fluff? What are the differences?

When working with birthing families, I find that they can all be so helpful, aid in grounding and can tether you into your own strength. I tend to recommend affirmations for those last few hard weeks of pregnancy, as a visual / written meditation of what you hope your birth journey to be. They can help centre your thoughts to one place, give you something to focus on and help gain some perspective on what is coming. I include some birth affirmations in my package’s resources. Here are some teasers for you all!
A tagline or mantra and visualizations are most helpful in the throws of labour. An anchor and tool to help you in the hardest moments, in the biggest and longest contractions. I find something short and simple for you and your birthing team to repeat is most helpful. I have heard many in my years of being a Doula; from soothing, to powerful and comical. My favourites are: “open”, “I can”, and the simplest I have heard by far is “OK”. Paired with visualization, these can be great coping tools for the intensity of active labour and beyond. A wave, a flower / plant opening and closing, your uterus muscles contracting and loosening are all common visuals for the ebb and flow of contractions rising and releasing. 
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These tools are most beneficial if practised during pregnancy, so taking stock of what feels right for you and implementing it during moments of hardship, frustration, Braxton Hicks and overwhelming thoughts is great to practise. Keep in mind that for some people, you don’t even know what may work for you until the moments in labour present themselves. So don’t pressure yourself into choosing, or practising too much. 
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Best of luck during your birthing journey, and enjoy finding the power of affirmation!
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Bunky Families : Amelia, Lee Sullivan & Hilary Joy

24/1/2020

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Supporting you and your family into a balanced, strong, confident and joy-filled (life-long) parenting journey is our ultimate goal.

Amelia and Chris found us and put their cards on the table "we're having twins, we want support, what should it look like?". With their needs outlined and their lifestyle (twins!) we suggested starting with strong night shift support, an eventual weaning off slowly and then petering off into day shift support.

Outlining what was most important, good sleep, partnership nurturing and figuring out this tandem breastfeeding made the top of our list.
With pointed advice, local practitioner recommendations, and some hard-fought determination we got both babies from exclusive pumping/bottle-feeding combo to tandem feeding on the breast (with the addition of some formula to bring an element of balance - twin feeding ain't no joke)! No easy feat...

Amelia's elbow grease, long-term vision and strong support systems were the foundation of what got her babies feeding on her breast(s). The awesome inspiration boards with other badass twin moms & tandem feeding moms didn't hurt either ;-)

If we can glean anything from this hard-fought transition (those don't stop...), and purposefulness for what was right for their family - it's this. Find your support team and invest in them : tell them what you need, when and your plans in place. Find the holes and patch them up, with people, systems and care. You can get there, even if at the beginning of your climb it may seem like you will never get to the other side.
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Bunky Families : Kat, Kenji & Malia

22/1/2020

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Meeting Kat and Kenji you can't help but feel their connection, their big smiles and warm attitude bring you right into the fold. 

Sharing a meal, watching some hockey and getting to know each other we fell into comfort easily. With every day growing nearer to meeting little Malia.

Getting the call and swinging by in the dead of night, and giving the bad news of "not time yet, go back to bed and rest before working so hard...". I dropped off a TENS and headed for a nap as I had a sense things would turn a corner shortly...
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As dawn broke and I weaved through the commuter traffic, my knowing was confirmed. Things were rocking and a rolling for Kat. Kenji had to "holy shit!" look on his face of witnessing a powerful active labour and Kat was deep in labour land.

Getting her comfortable in her tub, and seeing if it would change her labour pattern - spoiler alert, she was going full steam ahead. I quickly made the call to Krysta (her cousin and photographer) and her midwives (the awesome team at Canopy). 
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Colleen rushed over and Krysta got into traffic herself, the team arriving as I was furiously blowing up the birth pool for Kat to get more comfortable in.

​With everyone realizing Kat was seeming like she was progressing steadily and rapidly, Colleen gave us the confirmation that we were close to being able to push. Transferring into the birth pool with more room, I gave Kat hip squeezes as she opened and roared powerfully. Kenji staying close by with cold compresses, and such loving words. And Krysta swiftly and so silently, photographing every phenomenal moment.
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With a loader and more guttural roar than before, me and Colleen gave each other a look - we know that sound. Kat's body started pushing and taking her over into the next phase. Her amniotic sac emerging, and repeated deep strength into her pushes. Making sure to lean back, and take her breaks when they came.
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After her sac stayed put - even with some poking and checking it out, Malia was determined to be born en caul! Thought to be good luck and happening in only 1 in 80,000 babies - Malia Lois proved to be the one.

Coming right up to Mom and an awe filled snuggle was head for the new family. She was finally here, with the dawn of a new day.

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If you are ever in need of a photographer, please do check out Krysta Shore - we absolutely love her! She melts into the background and still manages to get "the shot". Following your flow, energy and birth, what more could you want?
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Bunky Team : Bri

19/1/2020

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Hearing about Bri, from numerous people in my life and from all different angles. I knew I had to meet this woman! And boy did she meet all expectations. Her personality is warm, bubbly, and felt hugely. She can light up a room with her laugh, smile and energy and we are so grateful she cares for our Bunky families during their postpartum and birthing journeys. 

Here are some words from the woman herself : 
​How did I come to Doula work? Honestly I've always been curious, I got some BIG cat energy, I am a Leo Lady. I know that my intrigue of all things life affirming is what lead me to searching. I felt as though I wandered for most of my life, in-search of my raw-naked-stripped down self. As I started to uncover myself, literally excavating and disabling points of view and ways of thinking that didn't belong to me, I became able to hear my souls song. 

In searching for MY genuine likes I found tight-knit community to be like a petri dish of sorts; catalyzing-supporting-protecting my growth. In my deep love of community I recognize and respect its important power. My day dreaming still tells me that, I crave to be in loving community. Community is the first of three ingredients I discovered essential for my souls song to play properly. 

At first, when I only had the one ingredient my song was elegant, yes, feminine, absolutely but also, haunting. I learned how to turn up the volume of my unique tune so I could listen while I searched. I noted when the tempo switched and the timbre shifted, and when the elements were just right to my liking vs. when they were not. 

Through recognizing the feminine aspect of my song, I pursued work along side women. I choose to work with women who were and still are involved in the sex trade. I learned the second essential ingredient was, feminine energy, and LOTS of it. I was raised by the hands of many strong-capable, self-identified women. And, I can honestly say that I've grown plump off the nourishment from all the Mothers-Aunties-Sisters I've come to know in my life and that the light from their beings have afforded me strength and anything else I've ever needed to maintain my courage and remain persistent on my path. These humans have breathed life into my soul time and time again, I need feminine, like fire needs air.
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My searching wasn't always rose-y or even fun, it felt like work I didn't want to do but needed to do. Sometimes my search led me to some very dark places, in some deep holes which were extremely isolating. People who loved me would encourage me to pick something, commit to it and fall-in line sort of deal. But, the haunting echo of my tune wouldn't leave me alone or allow me to convince myself that I ought to be, (fill in the blank). I tried so many careers, akin to trying on clothes, I'd wear a new look and just when I thought I was comfortable I'd catch a glimpse of myself and recognize it wasn't me, being reflected. 

The third essential ingredient for creating the perfect conditions for my souls song is, learning. I have a mother who worked very hard to attain her undergraduate degree and master's of counselling while my sister and I watched. She taught me the pursuit of knowledge is a window to empathy and graceful power. I was jaded after going to university myself and discovering there was nothing truly noble about my time there. I always knew I loved to learn but for sometime after university I disassociated myself from higher learning. Years later, in the same summer my grandmother passed I found out my sister was pregnant, expecting her first girl. I felt ready to pursue knowledge again, on my own terms. I wanted to empathize with my sister and learn to wield a graceful power.

My searching lead me to Pacific Rim College. I applied to their Holistic Doula Program and was awarded acceptance on my birthday, August 22. The day I stepped into that school and attended the introduction class with my fellow peers was the day I came home, set my soul at peace and quit my searching. I then started on the mountain of self work, formal education and practical experience needed to transform myself into the professional working doula I am today. 
I have a beloved Auntie who likes to tell me often that, "these are your preparation days, Bri!". One of my favourite poets, Nipsey Hussle has a line that says, "only a matter of time before opportunity meets preparation". Every experience I have shapes me, humbles me and helps me to grow bigger than the limiting beliefs I once held about myself. I am so blessed that in my searching I discovered three key ingredients that afforded me the courage to seek and seek some more. I am ten fold fortunate for having found what I have been prepared, all my life, to do. The preparation continues, everyday a new lesson. 

Because this work gives me so much I always aim to give back as much. I know sometimes who we give to, isn't who we get from. None-the-less my goal is for every single one of my clients to see and feel the value of my service. To feel that they have what they need,  and in turn to continue to be courageous in hearing their own soul songs. My wish is that we walk together for as little or as long as is helpful to YOU!
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    A deeper dive with Emma (owner, birth & postpartum Doula) into social media and our posts. 
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  • ABOUT
    • COVID-19 Protocols
    • testimonials
  • OUR TEAM
    • meet alana
    • meet allie
    • meet arti
    • meet chloe
    • meet emma d
    • meet emma m
    • meet hayaat
    • meet michelle
    • meet shaz
    • meet tamara
    • meet yvette
  • OUR SERVICES
    • birth doulas
    • postpartum support
    • lactation consultant
    • birth rentals
    • chef at home
    • placenta encapsulation
  • client portal
    • free info-graphs
    • staff portal
  • the journal
  • contact