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.

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!

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.

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...

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). 

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.

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.

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?

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.