Welcome Baby
Parenting Resources
The following suggests focus primarily on pregnancy and childbirth, but are great sources of information even if you are not currently pregnant or planning to have children in the future. http://www.health-e-learning.com/resources/free-lectures The above is a series of free online lectures. I haven’t listened to all of them yet, but I highly recommend Brian Palmers: The [...]
…Guide to Breastfeeding
Dr. Jack Newman is a well-know authority on the subject of breastfeeding. I would very much like to attend a clinic where he is assisting moms who are learning to breastfeed effectively. Reading the book, Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding, does not, however, provide the same kind of learning experience – nor would I [...]
Childbirth Quiz
Where do natural childbirths take place? A. In the middle of nowhere with no access to doctors and hospitals? B. At home? C. In birth centres? D. In hospitals? Yes. Yes. Yes. And yes…though far less frequently. Where do wonderful childbirths take place…natural or otherwise? A, B, C, D, or E. all of the above? [...]
The Doula! Film
The Doula! film is a great introduction to the role of birth/labour doulas and postpartum doulas. “What’s a doula?” you ask. It’s from a Greek word that means “servant.” And what a wonderful description! Doulas have the privilege of serving expectant and new moms. Before birth, doulas supply information and resources so clients can make [...]
One World Birth Interview
I first connected with Toni Harman online. When she was in Canada at the midwives’ conference in Niagara Falls, I had the privilege of meeting her in person. Toni and her partner, Alex Wakeford, began One World Birth to educate and empower mothers-to-be, their loved ones, and all those concerned about pregnancy and childbirth. They [...]
Childbirth Questions Answered
How is a doula different from a doctor or midwife? A doula doesn’t make medical decisions or perform medical procedures. Isn’t it enough to have my partner with me during labour and childbirth? Though the best doulas care deeply for their clients, there is not the same kind of emotional attachment. It is easier for [...]
A Doula Worthy of Imitation
As a labour doula-in-training, these are the traits I find worthy of imitation… 1. compassion (I want to see the compassion in her eyes as well as sense it in her demeanour and hear it in her voice.) 2. encouraging (Without the ability to encourage clients, she will not succeed as a doula.) 3. patience [...]
Welcome Baby Interviews
I hope to set up a series of interviews with those involved in pregnancy and childbirth…doulas, midwives, childbirth instructors, lactation consultants, moms… If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. (If you pass along a name, please make sure you’ve contacted them and they are willing for me to get in touch. [...]
What is a Doula?
I originally posted this on another site. I invite you to check out my older posts there. I get a variety of responses when I tell people I’m a labour doula-in-training. But the most typical is a raised eyebrow. If you, like them, don’t really know what a doula does, let me explain. But first, [...]
Welcome, Little Ones
For all the little ones who joined us in 2011… Welcome to the world To all the little ones, Welcome to the joys Of being Dad and Mom. Welcome to the wonder A little one can bring, Welcome to the song You heart will surely sing. Welcome to the feelings Bursting now with [...]
