Ridge Meadows Doula Services

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

Going Paperless

As an Apple lover, I’ve always had apps on my iPhone I use for my Doula Services- To keep an eye on my clients, track due dates and keep in contact via email, text or phone (heck! even Skype once!). I recently bought an iPad to add to my service and now I’m making all my paperwork paperless… Although now I’m not sure it’s called paper work?!?  Nonetheless, I have apps where you can sign my contract from the comfort of a coffee shop table on our first meet. This makes my green crunchy side happy and my busy doula/mommy life more organized.

 

The newest app I found is called Square.  I download this FREE app and they send me a deceive that connects to my iPhone or iPad and turns it into a portable debit machine. Awesome right! Now after the family has a new baby, or I drop of placenta pills we can conveniently use my device and there is no cheque or cash required. So easy!  Read more about Square here.  https://squareup.com/ca

 

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Have you liked my Facebook Page?  https://www.facebook.com/RidgeMeadowsDoulaServices

 

 

 

 

 

Placenta Encapsulation

November 2013 is a new step for Ridge Meadows Doula Services. We have added a new service, Placenta Encapsulation. Now before you barf in your mouth or tell your friends about this crazy witch doula’s blog you read- take a minute, a breath, a sip of water to relax and read on.

 

I heard about placenta encapsulation through other doulas, mostly on social media. Then I became intrigued. Why would someone pay to ingest their own placenta? As soon as I did any research I found benefits, and multiple benefits.  One that stood out to me was that 80% of woman report having the baby blues (me!) having the baby blues makes every day tasks mentally and physically exhausting, this includes taking care of a new baby.  Placenta encapsulating gives you back the hormones and vitamins you lose after you birth your baby and placenta and  lessons the risk of postpartum depression.

A few other Benefits are………………….

– Increased milk supply

– Increases your iron

-Encourages your uterus your uterus to return back to it’s pre-pregnancy size

-Combats stress

-Increases energy

 

For the germaphobes out there-  It can be safely done if you have a trained Independent Placenta Encapsulation Specialist. Part of training with Full Circle Placenta is the  requirement of a blood born pathogens certificate and a Food Safe certificate. We always wear gloves, masks and goggles and we sanitize the surface we work on and all the utensils we use with bleach.

My extensive training makes me a great choice for encapsulation. We can meet, have a coffee, chat about your pregnancy and if we are the right fit- go from there. If you feel we aren’t a match- I trained with some amazing doulas that are also encapsulating. So if im not the right one in your eyes I will find you the right Placenta Encapsulation Specialist. The benefits and research are there. So lets get you some  happy mama placenta pills.

 

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Business cards are in!

Woohoo! my business cards are in. Now to share with friends, co-workers and the local midwifery.

I’m not in love with them but they are good for a first timer business owner. next time I’d likely make the font a bit bigger and lose the grey (hard to read). The positives are my logo rocks! Who wants one?

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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.