Month: April 2017

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Labour Doula Members

A Comfort Measure & Traditional tool: The Rebozo

Kelly a student of Doula Canada and owner of Blossom Doula Services has a passion for supporting the labouring person. She wanted to share one of the many tools in her toolbox. Here is her take on using a traditional Mexican rebozo in labour and birth.

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http://www.loheerebozo.com/birth-tool
Labour and Birth doulas are always trying to find different ways to help support a person in labour. A Rebozo is a great tool for a labouring person, the best part is that it can be used prenatally and in the postpartum period.What is a Rebozo?
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A Rebozo is a woven piece of fabric used by Mexican women as a shawl, a baby carrier , and a comfort and positioning tool for pregnancy and childbirth.

It is generally long enough to wrap around a person’s body. It can be used with the help of your support people/person in labour, as not only a comfort measure but also it can help baby move into an optimal position. After baby is born it can then be used as a baby carrier.

​A Rebozo can be used between contractions during early labour, and early active labour.

While there are multiple different techniques used out there, some of the more common uses of a Rebozo during pregnancy and labour are listed below;

  • Sifting the belly
  • Supported squats
  • Abdominal lift
  • Hip squeezes
  • Rebozo used on a birth ball
  • Used with hot/cold packs
  • Used while pushing
  • Postpartum as a carrier for baby

A doula could help you with some of these techniques, and it would be optimal to discuss the uses and even try them out before baby comes! When trying out a Rebozo for the first time you should always use caution and use your resources to learn how to preform the techniques properly and always be aware of how the mom is feeling throughout. After a few demonstrations it will be easy for you and your partner to catch on.

​​During your third trimester you may find the “abdominal lift” very comforting to help lift the belly up, this could ease any back troubles you are having. Hot and cold packs are great during pregnancy and labour and the Rebozo can help keep them in place. A Rebozo can also help the partner and or the doula help hold positions for longer, (it may be easier than solely using your hands) which is beneficial for everyone.

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http://www.loheerebozo.com/birth-tool
A Rebozo is a great option to help you relax during your pregnancy, labour, and delivery. As a Doula it is a great tool to add to your toolbox. Do your research, honour the tradition and find a tool that works for you.
Kelly became a doula because she is passionate about strong women, their families and welcoming those beautiful bundles of joy into the world with positivity and encouragement.
Her career in sonography led her to expand her education into the doula world, and how she could work more in depth with expecting mothers and their partners.
Kelly Elliott, Labour and Birth Doula Blossom Doula Services www.blossomdoulaservices.com
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Members

Where My Doula Journey Began…meet Ashley

 In November of 2007 my best friend gave birth at just 17, to a beautiful baby girl. I walked with her through her entire pregnancy and motherhood journey. It was a journey that no one is ready for at 16 years old, but as her best friend I stood by her and provided endless support while everyone else walked away. She was a single mother at 17 and together we raised this little girl for the first year of her life. Then her little brother came along and everything changed. Now there were 2!

In October of 2008 she gave birth to a precious little boy. Not only did I get to stick by her side and support her prenatally through this pregnancy, this was my first birth experience. It was the most amazing, crazy, scary moment of my life, at 17 years old that’s not usually what you think you’ll love to witness. I remember supporting her through the birth, not knowing a damn thing, but when she felt that she couldn’t do it any more and I was right there beside her giving her empowering words, some maybe a little blunt (lol), but I got to support her through that moment in her life, ME, her best friend. The rush I felt was unexplainable, I felt like a million bucks. We were closer than ever!

In October of 2014 she gave birth to her third child, another precious little boy. I remember the call like it was yesterday. Just after 10pm at night she called me to tell me she was in labour and out the door I went. Again as her best friend I supported her through her birth, giving her the empowering courage and support she needed to birth her son. Thus being the third time with her down this road together, I knew exactly what she needed from me. And once again this amazing rush of excitement, empowering energy and exhaustion rushed over me. Every moment was amazing; again watching her bring life into the world was priceless.

WHO knew that there was an actual word for this! Not just a word, but a career.

After this wonderful journey I never thought any more into it, other than knowing how much I love birth and babies. Then in June 2015 I found out I was pregnant and in August 2015 we found out we lost our baby, he/she stopped growing at about 7 weeks although I carried till 11 weeks. We were devastated at the loss of our baby but were so very blessed to become pregnant shortly after. October of 2015 we found out we were pregnant again! And in June 2016 I gave birth via Cesarean to a beautiful baby boy, Mason James. He was perfect in every way. But my birth experience was far from what I had planned. I was open going into my birth but did not expect at all what I actually went through. Having almost every medical intervention possible; my water broke due to super low amniotic fluid, induction because I wasn’t progressing on my own, an epidural because “I didn’t need to be a hero during my birth” and listening because I trusted my nurses, to a Cesarean birth because Mason’s heart rated dropped and he reacted to the Pitocin. All after 12 hours of labour.

I was so excited to have my little boy in my arms and being his mommy was the best feeling in the world, no matter what I experienced, so I told myself. And it was, but at the same time I had this hole inside me that felt sad and empty about my birth experience. This changed me and how I looked at life and so my life changing decision began as I searching for a way I could help women experience birth in a better way. Thus leading me to finding out what a “Doula” was!

WHAT I’ve been doing this since I was 16, blew my mind!

I instantly knew this is what I wanted to do. I had done it three times before and loved every moment of it! From 16 years old to now my passion for birth has only grown stronger. It just took 10 years for my true path to shine.
I loved my career as an ECE but after the birth of my son, it was time for a change. I was different; I knew I had grown and that growth lead me to find my inner passion for birth work. I felt so passionate about becoming a Doula and I knew I loved everything about it before I started, as I had done this so called “Doula” thing a few times before!

I started MyDoula journey training with Doula Training Canada and created my business, MyDoula+ Birth & Wellness Services in December 2016. Since then I have climbed my mountain quickly with the amazing support of the Doula Training Canada family of students and wonderful instructors and mentors I have around me.

I my friends am a Kick Ass Birth & Postpartum Doula with the DTC organization, a Lactation Educator and soon to be Reiki Practitioner, specializing in fertility, birth and postpartum treatments. I own my own Business and all my dreams have manifested into my reality. I love all things fertility, pregnancy, birth and postpartum! And supporting and empowering women and their families through the most intimate, amazing, scary experience in their life, on this journey we call parenthood, is what I do!

Please stay tuned for the next big step in the MyDoula+ journey! To be revealed soon!

Ashley is a mama to a handsome little boy, Mason and a wife to a wonderful man. She has an open outlook on life and love things that bring positive energy into our lives! Laughter is the best medicine.
She is an Early Childhood Educator; The owner of MyDoula+ where she is a Birth & Postpartum Doula; Lactation Educator and soon to be a certified Reiki Practitioner specializing in fertility, birth and postpartum energy work.
www.mydoulaashley.ca         Facebook & Instagram @mydoulaashley
 Doula services Serving Prince Edward County, Quinte West, Belleville, Northumberland and Lennox & Addington. 
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Members

Doula: Just the Right fit. Meet Kelly a Doula Canada Graduate

 Two years ago, I was a new Massage Therapy graduate. Throughout my Registered Massage Therapy (RMT) schooling, I had always been interested in pregnancy and pediatrics. I thought I wanted to be a midwife- I loved the idea of helping women feel empowered bringing their infants into the world. I quickly realized how difficult midwifery school is to get into (in Ontario they only accept about 10% of applicants). I had recently heard of Doulas, and thought that becoming one would look good on my midwifery application.

About a week after hearing about Doulas I found myself applying for a position at a local maternity studio that was searching for an RMT to provide massage to six clients per week. I based my cover letter and resume off the fact that I was planning to be a Doula and would be a good fit for the company. Little did I realize that my interview was with Shaunacy, a then-instructor for the Healing Arts Learning Organization (HALO); a Doula training company. She quickly convinced me to take my certification through HALO. I had the lovely benefit of one-on-one training with Shaunacy. A couple months after beginning my certification, HALO became Doula Training Canada (DTC), with Shaunacy as director.

After going to a couple births, I realized that being a Doula was more fitting for me than a midwife. As a Doula, I can choose when and how often I want to be on-call. I appreciate that it allows me to easily run my business as a Massage Therapist and Doula simultaneously. I also appreciate that we are non-medical support. The only thing I feel responsible for is supporting the birthing person. I know that I am not responsible for the baby, an IV, a monitor, checking dilation, etc. and this frees me to focus all my attention on the person giving birth. I love that fact, and that it allows doulas and midwives to work harmoniously alongside one another.

Throughout my training with DTC I have experienced the lovely, close-knit community of students and alumni that offer true support to one and other as we navigate the profession. DTC incorporates Education Units as part of its certifying process which is wonderful because it places value on continued learning. Since becoming a doula, I have taken courses in the pelvic floor, pediatric massage, prenatal massage, advanced comfort measures, breastfeeding, business, water birth, birth trauma, belly casting, and henna belly blessings. I have also begun teaching Childbirth Education Classes, started my Childbirth Educator Certification through DTC. I plan to teach infant massage classes and prenatal massage classes in the Peterborough area this summer/spring. I am always interested in learning and growing within my profession and DTC provides me with avenues to do so- while working it into my certification.

I have learned that being a doula is the right fit for me and I am so appreciative that Doula Training Canada is the community that taught me that.

Kelly is a Doula and RMT as well as practices Henna, and teaches childbirth education classes in Peterborough and the surrounding area. She enjoys spending time furthering her education, so you can often find her attending workshops, reading books, teaching classes, etc.  http://kellyswiftdoula.wixsite.com/kellyswift
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Members

Doula: Funny Word, Big Meaning – Jessica’s Story

At Doula Canada our students and Alumni are the heart of the organization. Every Wednesday our hope is to profile one of our family members and their journey to birthwork. ​

This week you are meeting Jessica. A Dual Stream certification student and passionate mom. This is Jessica’s story in her words. Thanks Jessica for sharing with us!

 

​Being 18 years old, I didn’t know anything. Well, that’s not completely true:  I was an honours student, involved with multiple extra-curricular activities. But when I saw those two lines on that pregnancy test, I really didn’t know what to do. My brain turned to mush. I knew sex could lead to pregnancy, but after that I was clueless.

​​My family is not what I would call extremely supportive. There’s a few select members that I know I can count on, but usually they have their own life stressors to deal with that I found myself mostly alone. My small city didn’t have an extensive midwife network so I had an OB/GYN. A man. Not someone I could really talk to about my feelings or fears going through my pregnancy. I was so used to doing everything on my own, and I chalked it up to this being just one more thing I had to do.

Books were my best friend. Always. I took them out of the library by the stack, trying to educate myself about birth, labour and postpartum. I didn’t have very many “mommy” friends to hear stories from (even if they were horror stories. No idea why every birth story is always a horror story!). I quickly realized that some things you just can’t learn from a book. And the pain of labour was one of those things. I was terrified. I had only the internet to answer my questions.

Never trust Web MD with symptoms. I swear half my pregnancy I thought I was dying.   

I didn’t realize I was in labour. Six days overdue, I just assumed labour wasn’t for me. It just wasn’t in the cards. Turns out that back pain I had for the past hour was it starting. I remember being in the bed, unable to walk around, having the fetal monitor around my stomach (and it wasn’t even a high-risk pregnancy!). I cried. Oh, more like I BAWLED. I started crying for a mommy. It didn’t need to be my mommy, just a mommy. Someone who knew what was going on and what to do. I was more scared and alone than ever.

Little did I know they had a word for that.

I didn’t want to be a statistic; just another teen mom living off the system. I managed to graduate high school while pregnant, and applied for university. I was doing this. I pushed myself to work, go to school and raise my son, again on my own. I breastfed. I tried my best to do what all the other “older moms” were doing. Yet, still I got judged. I am still judged. But that won’t stop me.

Supporting teen parents through their prenatal and postpartum period was always a passion for me.  I wanted to show them that it IS possible to be a success story. Despite what they thought, it is most certainly possible. I was at the side of young moms labouring, helping them with the initial latch, educating them with whatever information they wanted to know. Supporting them.

Doula. This was a word I had never heard before. It even sounds a little funny when you first say it. DOOOOOUUUUULLLLLAAAAAA. A support person for pregnant or postpartum persons. Someone there to support you in whatever way you need that support. Someone I wished I had at my side during my own labour. Someone I wanted to be.

I still struggle with this journey. It’s taken me to places I forgot about back then. Being alone. My son is now seven, and I have the most amazing support system around me. Somehow, I still wished I had that support when I was younger. My goal is to make sure every person taking the journey towards birth or parenthood, has a me.

Let’s say it one more time for kicks.

DOOOOOUUUUULLLLLLAAAAA

Jessica Hart is a graduate from McMaster University with a B.A. in Sociology and Applied Behavioural Analysis. She is a Birth/Labour and Postpartum Doula at Rainbow Spectrum Doula Services, who loves showing birthing persons, young or old, exactly how strong their bodies can be. www.rsdoulaservices.com/  
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Members

Finding your path through passion…meet Jennifer

 

Meet Jennifer.
Her passion for birth began at 12.
However her practical thinking got in the way. She quickly learned that for her, believing in herself and what she did for work was vital. Now she owns 2 small businesses and is rocking the birth world in Labrador City and Wabush, Newfoundland.

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image credit:Jenna Mouland Photography

​Why am I a doula? And why should you care? To explain my journey I will need to go WAY back to the beginning… well, to when I was 12 years old (THAT beginning is a story only my mom can tell!). At the ripe old age of 12 my passion for birth began. 12?!?!? You might say, in varying degrees of alarm! But don’t worry, it wasn’t as bad as it seems. I knew I wanted to work with babies, and moms went to the hospital to have their babies (something I would later learn is not always the case), so I put two and two together and got nurse.

But you’re not a nurse, you’re a doula…. I know! I know! Let me continue.

As a child and even into my early adulthood I had never heard of a doula. You see, I live in an isolated community where we have been known to be sheltered from the “real world”. A Birth Doula is a relatively new concept to my hometown, and some other birth related professions (such as midwives) do not practice here at all. So, in my tiny twelve year old mind that left nurses and doctors.
This all boiled down to my very narrow minded, 12 year old thoughts… a young girl who loved children, knew nothing about birth (except that it happened)  and therefore decided to become a nurse.

​ Fast forward about a decade and where was I? Not a nurse! Somewhere along the way I realized that nurses have to do A LOT of work. HARD WORK. This is not to say that I, or any other individuals who are not nurses don’t work hard. It just means that I realized a nurse gets stuck with all of the difficult jobs, long hours, and often underappreciated work. Nurses are AMAZING, but I didn’t want to be one.

I wanted babies! All of the babies! I wanted to help families on their journey into parenthood and show them that it will be ok! That they can do this and they will rock it! ALL of it: pregnancy, birth and parenthood.

​Unfortunately, by this time I had realized that I was a “grown up” and needed to get a job. I wanted to work with babies, but I didn’t want all of the other responsibilities that came with being a nurse. So where did that leave me? Studying to be a Pharmacy Technician at Niagara College in Welland, Ontario. I know! I know! But that is a “real job”. A job I had to go to school for and it didn’t involve babies?!?! What was I thinking?

​In hindsight, I didn’t know at the time what I know now. I just knew that a person has to live and to live a person has to work. So, I studied hard, graduated and then worked in my field for about a year until…. my nervous breakdown… Yeah, I am THAT guy. The one who fell apart within a year of becoming an independent adult. In all fairness though, I had suffered with anxiety for the majority of my life and I was still only newly learning to cope with all of the changes that come with growing up.
Luckily for me I have an INCREDIBLE support system. Everyone was so understanding and they all seemed to know what to do to help me get through the worst of it. Believe me, I know how genuinely blessed that makes me!

During that time, my boyfriend (now husband)  and I agreed that it would not be in my best interest to return to work right away. So here I was; an emotional disaster who was jobless with no clear view of her future. I felt like I was at the bottom of a very dark pit and my shovel was only helping to tear more dirt out from under my feet.

And then it happened. IT! The moment I was waiting for my entire life. At 24 years old I heard the word doula for the first time. Not only to I HEAR it, but an instructor was coming to town to train a group of women how to become one! That’s right! You did hear me correctly! I know it is a lot to take in and let me tell you, I couldn’t believe it myself!

Within a matter of 3 months I went from not knowing what a doula was to beginning my certification process to become one through Doula Training Canada. Have you ever had that moment? The one where you knew this is what you were meant to do and these are the people you are meant to do it with?! Then you know exactly how I felt! If not, keep searching because I know it is out there for you <3

Every part of my being knew instantly that this is what I was my calling. Was it going to be easy? Nothing worth having ever is. But I didn’t care. I wanted it, and I was going to have it. I was finally going to have ALL of the babies!
​
So here we are. Two year later and I am a certified Birth Doula, a certifying Childbirth Educator and a certifying Postpartum Doula with a never ending list of dreams and educational opportunities. I get to wake up every morning doing what I love (I KNOW RIGHT?!?!) and I have been able to meet so many incredible individuals along the way.

So?!?! What is a Birth Doula?

A Birth Doula is an individual who is trained in emotional, informational and physical support for expectant families during pregnancy, labour, birth and the early postpartum period. I am NOT a medical professional! You’re nurses and doctor(s) are amazing at this and they do not need me! I am there for YOU. To help YOU figure out what you want from your birth. To help YOU focus, relax and breathe through your labour. To help your partner or support person help YOU.
This means:
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  • Shorter Labours
  • Reduced need for pain medication
  • Decreased chance of a caesarean birth
  • Increased breastfeeding rate
  • And more!

Doesn’t that sound AMAZING?!?

 Jennifer Byrne Labour and Birth and Postpartum Doula, Childbirth Educator,
Bellies Birth and Beyond www. belliesbirthandbeyond.ca
https://www.facebook.com/Bellies-Birth-Beyond-401777609981909/
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About Us

Becoming Doula.. Meet Sondra, your Doula Canada program coordinator

 

Reflection is always challenging for me. It requires honesty and insight and a moment to breathe. Sitting here watching my babe sleep it seems like a lifetime ago that I stepped through the chiropractic office in Kingston and began this journey to becoming doula with Doula Canada.

My path to becoming doula started from pain and desperation. That is hard to admit. I was burnt out in my job, desperately trying to get pregnant and seeking anything that could help. Social media lead me to a fellow birth professional and instructor, and in turn led me to Doula Canada. I needed hope. Hope that life could be different, that I could love what I did again, that I could be connected to pregnancy and birth even if I could never bring a child onto the planet through my body.

That weekend was both difficult and inspiring. Sitting in a room, some women with babes and some without, talking birth. I did not know a lot. I realized that weekend a passion that I had been missing for a long time.  I was absorbed in learning and excited to start this new path. I dove in. Signed up for any course I could afford, bought all the required readings and started in. In 6 months I had completed all my written requirements and had 2 births scheduled. I signed up to support teen moms through Jessies Centre. I was on a mission.

My first birth was a teen mom. My connection with her was amazing. The birth was beautiful. Then I was berated by the nurse after for interfering with her relationship with the mother. I left that birth in tears. Terrified that my personality meant I could not do this. I realize now that birth planted a seed of doubt I would find hard to shake. A voice in my head that was fed through my personal struggles. One that would get in the way of stepping into my vision.
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I attended many more births, holding on to the ideal but there was a voice that kept telling me there is no way you could make a living at this. It stalled me. I started to question my validity as a birth professional, the viability of this as a career, and I was drowning in personal pity.

Then, what feels like a miracle happened. I got pregnant. Life got real. Do I return to a job that leaves me depleted or do I dive into something that has the potential to feed my soul and offer me the time to be with my child. More barriers to work through, more junk, but then it clicked. I needed to shed my skin, that happened literally and emotionally for me. Now was the time. Jump in or let go.

Now I have 2 beautiful girls ( one newbie at 3 months old) and I am an Instructor at Doula Canada. My passion for birth  and postpartum evolves with each new turn of this career. I LOVE teaching and sharing wisdom with the diverse community that attend our trainings. I love my littles and am a bit of a TV queen. ( Who doesn’t love to escape into some trashy TV?)

My route to certification is not an unusual one. Often, life gets in the way. Working as a doula is not an easy path. Life on call, hustling to build your business. It can be bumpy. It definitely was for me.

So why Doula?

Passion is only part of the process. If you love birth and all things baby then that is a great start. This work is rewarding and filled with both those things. You will walk away from most births glowing with excitement, but let’s get real.

  • Doula because you are passionate but also want to work hard
  • Doula because you love babies but also want to help create a supportive birth environment for the birthing person
  • Doula because you want to work for yourself and are willing to hustle to get your business off the ground or connect with others who already have
  • Doula because you want to support birthing women and families in their journey and know that sometimes it will be difficult
  • Doula because you want to find a support network that builds you up. ( I promise you here at Doula Canada that will happen)
  • Doula because you always want to learn and grow and know that diving in will fill you up in ways you never expected.

These are just some of the reasons I Doula. I can wait to hear why you Do?

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About Us

Part Rockstar, All Heart: Doula Canada’s Director, Shaunacy

Doula Canada would not be what it is without our intrepid leader!

In the year since Doula Canada separated from the umbrella agency Healing Arts Learning Organization the organization has grown and grown.  So on the anniversary of her becoming Director we sat Shaunacy down to answer some questions about just who she is and what she sees in the future for Doula Canada. 

Who are you? 
I am career doula mother of two, lover of concerts, and Director of Doula Canada.  My journey into the doula world fell into place after a career as a graduate student student who felt the calling for supporting those in her community.  

What do you love? How do you fill your days? 
If I’m not answering the call to action from our passionate Doula Canada family you can find me sipping a cold cider by a camp fire, or playing baseball with my family in the backyard.  I love 3 seasons of the outdoors (staring you down winter), and crave adventure – especially in tropical destinations with pacific sunsets.  

What is your  favourite movie:
Almost Famous  “It’s alllll happening.”

What plays in your ear when you want to rock out? :
Anything loud and obnoxious (but most definitely NOT Nickleback).

Tell us about where you were before you became a Doula?:
12 fun years of University, from Canada to Scotland and back.

What drew you to birth work?
It can’t really be explained in words.  I woke up one day and just thought “I want to do that.”  So I did.  There was a need in our community for doulas, and so I created the market.  After the first couple of clients I was hooked, and have been working with between 36-60 clients a year since beginning.  This year I am semi-retired and only taking 12 (ok, I have 14 booked).

What have you learned over the years in the business? 
I have learned that collaboration is key, that you are only as successful as the sum of the parts that work with you.  It can be difficult starting a business, operating a business, supporting a business, and staying passionate about your business all at the same time.  Seek adventure and inspiration from those around you, those who make you want to be the best person you can be; for your community, and for yourself.  There will also be others who seem more ahead or who seem to be copying everything you do.  Sage advice I once received:  “You can’t win a race if you are always looking behind you.”  

Why Doula Canada?
Doula Canada is more than a training organization.  It is a family.  We are open to our students 24/7, in order to ensure they are feeling well supported and mentored in their journey.  We understand what they are working towards, because we are living and breathing it every day.  We are passionate about supporting our communities and recognize that this means developing doulas and programs that speak to the Canadian experience.  Our team comes from a variety of educational, professional, and organizational backgrounds.  We are a mosaic of learning, just like the depth and beauty of this great nation we call home.

What do you want students to walk away with from the organization?
I want our students to take away confidence.  If we remove the term “doula” from the description of what we do, then what are we?  Confident communicators.  Our students leave our program feeling ready to meet, support, and herald the power of continuous support by highly trained professional support persons.  In short, when you become a Doula Canada student you immediate learn the affirmation “I’m going to effing kickass at this doula thing!”  Why can our students say that?  Because we set them up to succeed in their respective communities.

What inspires you?
People.  Our journeys are so complex and interwoven with vulnerability and wonder.  When I see the joy a person has after they succeed it gives me inspiration to move forward.  When I see the vulnerability that each person possesses it reminds me that we are all similar in so many ways, and it inspires me to stay true to my passion and my purpose.  Life is full and every day is an inspiration is more ways than one.

What do you see for the future of Doula Canada?
Doula Canada has a bright future because of the hundreds of individuals who create its personality and its focus.  We will be aiming to provide further learning opportunities, both within Canada and abroad.  I am also currently working on some fun events for our current student body and alumni, so that we can come together as a strong and vibrant organization at least a few times a year.  We have quadrupled in size this past year and this train is not about to stop moving down the tracks anytime soon.