All tagged Christine
How?
How are we supposed to do this?
There use to be clear and defined spaces in our schedules. When I was working, I could compartmentalize my brain and turn off family for a hot minute.
Now, we’re home and our work space is our home space.
Our family time is bled right into our work time.
Five years ago, I was pregnant with my first daughter.
I was a birth doula, attending births in my 33rd week of pregnancy.
Round and ripening, I supported other birthing families as their babies made their way earthside.
I knew my time was coming soon.
The doulas are the guides.
When the way feels uncertain and unknown the doulas pause, hold the space, and ask the questions until your way forward declares itself. Doulas know how to hold the unknown. We know that the world is rarely black and white. When we hold our fear in the light we observe the uncertainty. Naming the fear and allowing it to be held in safety offers up the opportunity to see solutions.
Doulas know their fellow doulas are our net and the safe place to land when the fear gets too big. Doula work is community. We are community and we are love. To my doula colleagues out there doing their work, this one is for you.
Stephanie and I recently took the four-day DONA International Postpartum Doula Training here in Calgary taught by AJ Hadfield, PDT/PCD(DONA), CD(DONA), CLE. With so much valuable knowledge shared with Stephanie and myself, we wanted to share some of the wisdom with you directly. I sat down with AJ to share her experience on what families REALLY need to know about bringing their new baby home. Here’s what AJ generously offered us.
In my oldest daughter’s first year of life, I took her on 17 plane rides. I wanted my family outside of Alberta to spend as much time with our new baby as possible. We went to Ontario twice and to BC six times. At the time it didn’t seem like a big deal, but reflecting back on that first year it occurs to me that it was A LOT of flying! And it gave me the perfect opportunity to hone the process.
Whether you’re facing a quick 45 minute flight or eight (or more) hours, here are my top six tips for flying with your littles.
Stepping into new motherhood, I felt really prepared. I had an arsenal of doulas in my corner and I had a library of resources to draw from (should I need them). I felt quite confident that I could face the unknown and roll with the punches. Even with all the reassurances, it was still an initiation that my heart wasn’t prepared for.
It can be challenging enough trying to navigate our own choices in childbirth. When we add the expectations of others into the mix, it gets downright stressful. How can we manage the expectations of others? Let’s dig a little deeper.
I have had two sugar babies. "Sugar babies" is a term used online by expectant parents who are pregnant with, or have given birth to, babies when they have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
In this post we will explore how gestational diabetes is diagnosed, options for management, options for your birth, and resources to learn more.
Congratulations! You're pregnant.
We're good friends. I love you dearly and I consider you one of the closest people in my life. I'm over the moon for you and your partner. I seriously love you guys.
Here's where it can get sticky.
Seeing the person you love working hard to cope with the intensity of labour as she works to bring your baby earth side can be a powerful, and at times overwhelming, experience. Here are 10 practical things you can do...
As a doula, I love supporting women through transition. If you have never seen transition, here's what it can look like:
