Maple Ridge Doula

No, I’m not excited about Kindergarten- A parents perspective.

September 2, 2015

Kindergarten was a day I dreamed of when my little one was 2, 3, 4 years old.. But now that she is 5, and on her way so soon… I’m not excited. My head is filled with many rational (and many irrational) thoughts. For a while I smiled and pretended Kindergarten was going to be a great place for my child to learn and socialize. Now my daughters fears are my fears and as a parent I feel helpless. Will I get her to school on time? Will she eat her lunch? Will she get to the toilet on time? I know many children for many years have manged…. (now I’m back to my rational side). many kids cry in the beginning and a few weeks or months later they cry when a parent comes to pick them up because they don’t want to leave. Rationally I know this. I mean heck, my child has gone to daycare and preschool and excelled at both. Why is kindergarten different?

As I asked my other Mom friends it turned out we all had this eternal struggle we were all hiding. All pushing aside our emotions as we bought school clothes, bought new lunch kits and searched for the few last minute school items. When we started talking about it, there were tears and fears… From the adults. We all worry if our child will be liked by peers and teachers, will our child be a bully or be too passive and overlooked. Will they eat their lunch, run outside of the school boundaries on the playground or cry for me all day.

I’m thankful I have woman to talk to to make this transition for a parent easier. Our fears are not irrational, they are feelings and they are REAL and are VALUABLE.

On the day we signed up my daughter for Kindergarten we documented with an image of us, 2 parents navigating the new life of a school aged child. Kindergarten is a big step for children, but also as parents. I know in weeks and months to come I will embrace Kindergarten and probably learn to love it just as my 5 year old will. But in the mean time, I am ok with feeling uncertain and it will help me remember my daughter may be insecure, and her feelings are real too.

What to get your doula wife, girlfriend, friend, sister….. For Christmas

August 26, 2015

I started writing this post on August 25th 2015, 4 months before Christmas day, on a day that was 26 degrees celsius. I wanted to find the very best birthy items to add to this post so all of us birthy folks can get a new fun stocking stuffer. Doulas, Midwives and Childbirth Educators are a breed of our own. We are up all night, we dissect placentas for fun, we talk about vaginas and labias around the lunch table and are always reading/learning and talking birth. We deserve a little something special from our close friends and families.

1- Who in the world doesn’t want a stuffed placenta? Ok, I hear ya… it’s not for the common folk, but us birthy peeps think this is adorable

2- A beautiful way to proclaim your calling! is what this website boasts. Look closely, they are “crowning” earnings

3- Full Moon mothering makes all types of baltic amber necklaces for children and adults. I’m in love with my mama zen necklace and I wear it all the time… Now I need the matching bracelet.

4-This tiny pelvis is a great educational tool, and I’m sure it wold be a great conversation starter at the dinner table!

5- What birth worker wouldn’t want this Oxytocin Molecule scarf?

6- Need an ornament to add to a stocking? This “Pregnant Mother Goddess” ornament is perfect.

7- This pin…. Really everyone needs it.

8- Everyone loves mugs, for real… Everyone. And doulas love their vaginas. It’s a fact really.

9- Car bling? A gift that keeps on giving… As advertisement.

10- And lastly they need some eye catching gear to wear to a birth. If this shirt doesn’t say doula, really… What does.

Have you seen any other fun items that would be great for gifts? Add it to the comments.

Happy Birthing- Nicole

Ridge meadows Doula Services is a collective of 6 doulas that work out of Maple Ridge BC. We provide birth doula and postpartum doula support, placenta encapsulation and childbirth education in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland.

How doulas can support you in a cesarean birth

August 26, 2015

Clients can choose to have a doula with them for a planned cesarean birth just as they would for a vaginal birth. Other times, cesarean is the way your baby needs to be birthed and your doula can assist you on making that transition as well.

Before you have a cesarean, your doula can help explain procedures to you and help you get answers to any questions thatyou have. This is much like she would during a vaginal labor setting. Some conversations are music, hands strapped, curtain height…. Your doula will use grounding skills and keep you focused during administration of an IV, epidural or any other points where you may feel anxious.

Once inside the operating room, your doula will assist you in knowing what is going on by giving you details of whatever you wish to know. She will be by your side, making eye contact and even wiping that single tear that may fall in anticipation of your newest family member.

The OB is very busy getting ready for surgery, the nurses are preparing the room for the baby,your partner may be anxiously awaiting the baby and will soon go to the warmer to meet the new little one after s/he is born. While everyone else is busy, your doula will be at your side reminding staff of your birth plan, talking you through the routine and encouraging a calm and peaceful birth.

After your cesarean birth your baby may go back to labour & delivery with your partner. Your doula stays, she is by your side, talking you through the procedure, reminding you how cute your babys nose is and holding your hand. We can help you find you voice and ask for baby to come into recovery with YOU, and we can help with the first moments of breastfeeding.

RMDS has had the opportunity tobe in the OR with clients. It is a little tricky to navigate but makes the world a difference for the client. Read a cesarean families testimonial here.

Happy Birthing, Nicole

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A Postpartum Doula is more than a babysitter

August 25, 2015

As Postpartum Doulas, RMDS offers a lot of care that is typical to the job. Some examples are assisting with breastfeeding, offering education, companionship and nonjudgmental support, offering baby wearing and cloth diapering support, evidence-based information on infant feeding, infant soothing, emotional and physical recovery from birth and coping skills for new parents and making appropriate referrals when necessary. But there are other experiences that Postpartum Doulas have….

-cuddling a sleeping baby and hoping you can make that transition to the crib

-helping baby breastfeed, while mom is sleeping (overnights)

-baby baths

-walking baby stroller on a movie set because mom is in the industry

-washing baby clothes

-playing pokemon cards with a sibling

-making waxing appointments for mom while loading the dishwasher

-rocking a colicky baby all night once a week so mom can get SOME sleep

-sweeping while singing baby beluga to an older sibling

Our role as a postpartum doula is to support a new mother. We do nearly everything (minus yard work and bathrooms!) If that means making her feel supported, comfortable and confident by keeping her precious new baby safe and cared for while Mom goes to the gym, gets her nails done, gets a physical from her care provider, has a nap or shower then that’s what we do. We are trained professionals that have seen many, many babies, understand child development and know the community well for referrals. We are not teenage babysitters that are eating chips and using you for free wifi, we are doing this job to educate the mother and to mother your own intuition.

Birth pool rentals

August 20, 2015

Ridge Meadows Doula Services now has an Aquaborn birth pool for our home birthing clients for only $175 additional to your doula fee. These pools are the highest quality inflatables available on the market and made from strong, durable eco-vinyl. With 6 handles it gives more position choices than ever before, and a white non-slip bottom ensures optimum safety and visibility. To achieve buoyancy in water and allow easy movement between positions, 21″ of water depth is required. the Aquaborn Eco Birth Pool a little deeper so that your waist can stay in the water even when you want to lean over the pool.

Pool Rentals includes

Pool Instructions

Air Pump

Tarp

Tap Adapter

Submersible pump

The best part about hiring Ridge Meadows Doula Services is we will clean up after the birth, put a load of laundry in, change your sheets, tuck you in and make sure you and your partner are fed. Set up and take down the birth pool are included leaving your house seemingly clean shortly after you have a baby. (And doula clients get a discount on pool rentals)