Ridge Meadows Doula Services

Your experienced Doula Collective (Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and beyond!)

I already have a midwife, do I need a doula?

Iv’e heard the question asked in many different ways time and time again….

 

“I have a midwife, do I need a doula”

I have a doula, do I need a midwife?”

“what is the difference between a midwife and a doula”

 

The difference is sizable, midwives and doulas have entirely different training and roles in your birth. As I explain the differences I want to be clear that both midwives and doula have many, many more examples of what they do than I will provide right now. Im hoping to make this blog post clear and simple so you the reader will know the difference.

 

Your Midwives will…

  • Run prenatal tests
  • Advise you on health during pregnancy, birth and postpartum
  • Monitor you and baby during prenatally, during labour and birth and for 6 weeks postpartum
  • Perform physical examinations prenatally, during labour and postpartum

**Please note-  Midwifes in Canada are all licensed medical Professionals.**

 

Your Birth Doula will:

  • Meet you before the birth and establish a realationship with the mom and dad
  • Help you articulate your vision for your birth (birth plan)
  • Refer you to resources in the community (for prenatal and postpartum)
  • Do their best to keep you and your partner relaxed and calm in labour
  • Use a variation of massage and grounding tequniques during labour
  • Suggest postitions for you in labour and during birth
  • Reminding hospital staff about the mothers birth plan
  • Provide postpartum emotional support and help with breastfeeding initiation.

Some Doulas (ME! ME!) are also trained as a postpartum doula. Read more about Doulas  https://ridgemeadowsdoulaservices.com/?page_id=125

 

Your Postpartum Doula will:

A Postpartum Doula

  • Offer education, companionship and nonjudgmental support after the baby is born
  • Assists with newborn care and family adjustment
  • Offers evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant soothing and coping skills for new parents and makes appropriate referrals when necessary
  • Assist with basic household chores and meal preparation
  • Assists with breastfeeding

 

If you have any questions or concerns, contact me. I can share about what I do personally, my experience, training etc. More importantly I can see if I am the right doula for you.

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Why only one?

 

 

Something I’ve been hearing more and more often is “when are you having another baby?” My daughter is 3.5 years and I can tell acquaintances and clients at work are on ‘baby bump spotting’. Continuously judging my belly and really I just skipped my run for the day and had an extra helping of dinner the night before.

My answer is often “not anytime soon” or “I get my baby fix with my doula clients”… On occasion I get really adamant people who are insisting I am not being the best mother to Mia because I’m not giving her a sibling. I mean, is it really their business? They don’t know my personal life, my family life or my health issues I have been working through for the last 4.5 years (edit- 7.5 years). They don’t know I had a hysterectomy a year ago because i had cancer. And do they need to? Part of me wants to say “I’d love to but I’m missing my uterus” (spiteful maybe?!) The other part of me wants run away and cry and the 3rd part wants to educate. I want to educate people about cancer below the belt and I want people to get regular pap testing. I want to educate people on the challenge it was to get pregnant and the fact that many other woman have a challenging time as well for varying reasons…. And lastly educate people on being happy, content and mindful of their own lives and kiss all the sweet children they have been blessed to have.

 

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Edit- June 2016 and Mia is 6.5 years old. She now has the knowledge of anatomy to know that Mommy doesn’t have a uterus and proudly shares this with alone that will listen. Do her friends or class mates know what a uterus is?! Probably not, but after spending some time with Mia, she will teach them.

My website

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My Aunt Terry went above and beyond her “Auntie Duties” and helped me design this website. Just a week ago I was deciding on what name I should use for my Doula Services and today I have a fully functional website. I truly admire the strong woman my Aunt is and I’m sure the calm confidence I have is in the bloodline. Without Aunt Terry, Ridge Meadows Doula Services would still be a dream.

My Aunt is an author and has a successful series of books for youth. Check out www.todaysgirls.com