ridge meadows

Baby Box Event

April 19, 2017

We are so excited to be the Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Host group for the baby box event. We have partnered with Maple Ridge Wellness Center to offer these no cost boxes to the community.

For more than 75 years, Finland’s expectant mothers have been given a Baby Box by the state that serves as a starter kit for their new baby. It contains clothes, blankets, and other newborn necessities, and the Baby Box itself–which is lined with a mattress–is used as the child’s first bed.

The Baby Box Co. guarantees a non-toxic, chemical-free and environmentally safe sleep space.
*Natural and organic linens, designed to be soft and allergy-safe for babies.
*Stylish and comfortable baby clothing for both day and night.
*Must-have infant care products curated with an emphasis on safety and sustainability.

To sign up for your box just go to http://www.babyboxuniversity.com/ Sign up and then call RMDS st 604-897-5847 to find out when our next event is.

Ridge Meadows Doula Services is your Elite Doula Collective. We work all over the lower mainland but primarily in the Ridge Meadows Area. Our services include birth doula, postpartum doula, childbirth classes, placenta encapsulation, car seat check by techs and of course events!

the 411 one “rule”

November 10, 2015

The 411 rule is what most Childbirth Educators use when teaching a prenatal class. It’s in reference to going to the hospital. Ridge Meadows Doula Services believes there is more to this simple formula, we suggest parents don’t get hung up on the numbers and timing every contraction. We suggest you are mindful to the emotional precursors as well. With regard to waves (contractions), you will want to wait until your contractions are:

· 4 minutes apart or less.

· Lasting 1 minute long or longer

· Stay home with the contractions 1 minute long for 1 hour (or longer)

Emotional precursors that can also be signals are:

· Very serious

· Aren’t talking during contractions

· Are not walking during a contraction

· Are very focused only on their contractions and can’t be distracted

· They may be ritualistic behaviours

· They may start to make deep groaning sounds

While these are all guesstimates on when to go to the hospital, they aren’t perfect science. Each woman enters their birthing time and has a different experience. having a doula with you to help you relax and cope with waves (contractions) can be helpful. doulas have seen may births and can give you a good idea of when it is time to leave for the hospital.

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

fin us on FACEBOOK

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.