Natalie Anu: maternity wellness

11/14/2025

Connection is an absolutely essential part of an infant’s developing social brain. Studies have shown infants who have limited or no physical connection can develop socio emotional dysregulation issues, sensory processing issues and as they get older, seek touch and affection from inappropriate scenarios and situations. Massage is sometimes prescribed as therapeutic recovery treatment for childhood neglect survivors; so important is it believed to be for a well-integrated nervous system.bb. Conversely, infants who have received consistant nurturing touch, consistant connection & responsive parenting are more confident, intelligent & independent as they mature: ergo less clingy, less anxious, less emotionally fragile.

Our current society’s values prioritise productivity, over-scheduling, competition and disconnection in our parenting is, I believe, highly problematic. It glorifies “business” as a marker of successful parenting, whilst undervaluing the key basic needs of infants:
- love
- time/attention/prrsence
- safety/protraction

Globally, infants sleep on or with their parents for at least the first two years of life. There is often a family bedroom rather than separate Bedrooms. Activities take a family centred approach, rather than an individualistic approach. Parenting is a community responsibility, not solely on the shoulders of one or two designated adults. Infants are held or carried for most of the day and kept close at night.

The concern with modern society in North America and northern Europe is that separation, independence and disconnection is being pushed as the * right * way to parent. This flies in the face of the biological, developmental and emotional needs & maturation of our babies. Normal, physiological infancy is being pathologised because it doesn’t fit the social requirements.

Babies are wired for connection. They are wired for closeness. They are wired for consistent, respectful and responsive love and care.

This is nuanced, by personality, economic instability etc, but the basics are clear - loving, nurturing touch is a biological necessity, so feel confident that responding to your baby’s needs day + night boosts brains

11/04/2025

Hi Natalie! Here are some words and photos that please feel free to share on your website or wherever. Thank you so much for everything, you made my pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience so so much better than I could have thought 🥰💕

“We had the absolute best experience with our doula, Natalie. From the moment we hired her in my third trimester, she was kind, thoughtful, and incredibly knowledgeable. You can truly tell how much she loves her job, babies, and supporting families through pregnancy and birth.

When I went into labour at 2:30 a.m., Natalie was the very first person I reached out to—and she immediately began guiding me through the early stages with such calm reassurance. She arrived at the hospital right when we needed her most and helped me advocate for the birth experience I wanted. Her support through the pain of labour, before I had any pain relief options, was amazing—I honestly don’t know how I would have managed without her.

Even after our baby arrived, Natalie continued to be such a wonderful support. She offered so much helpful guidance around postpartum recovery, sleeping options, and breastfeeding—her knowledge and encouragement made such a difference in our transition to parenthood.

We are so grateful for Natalie and would recommend her to anyone looking for a doula. She is compassionate, attentive, and truly exceptional at what she does💕”

you can find your purse anywhere. I met this client at the garage sale!

❤️

11/04/2025

Sunday 21st Dec 2025
Village Prenatal - Equinox/Solstice gatherings

M is for Motherhood… and so much more.

Step into a nurturing space designed just for you in your third trimester — a time to slow down, connect, and prepare for one of life’s most powerful transitions.

M is for…

Mother – stepping into your new role

Maiden – gently releasing who you were

Meditation – grounding into presence

Mantra – awakening your inner strength

Movement – flowing with your body’s wisdom

Mapping – bonding deeply with your baby

Music – calming your nervous system

Musings – sharing stories and sacred sisterhood

Village Prenatal: A Mini Retreat for Mothers-to-Bee. A soul-led gathering of women, wisdom, and wellness to honour your Pregnancy as a sacred Rite of Passage.

This intimate retreat blends ceremony, embodiment, and connection —supporting you physically, emotionally, and spiritually as you prepare for birth and beyond.

Perfect for women in their third trimester & leave feeling grounded, empowered, and held

Spaces are limited to keep this experience personal and sacred 9 Reserve your place in the circle today.

11/03/2025

“Through pregnancy and labour, Natalie was a steady, caring presence, always encouraging, and ready to help with whatever was needed. Her expertise gave me confidence, and her kindness made me feel supported. Whether it was offering calming words, capturing photos, or bringing toast and tea after birth, Natalie was there with thoughtfulness. I’m grateful that she was part of our birth team!“ - LB

❤️ ❤️

11/02/2025

You have made a fantastic choice to learn how to connect with your baby through nurturing touch. The skills and connections you make during this course will last you and your baby a lifetime; then they can pass on the gift to the next generation.

Benefits include:
-better sleep
- better growth
- lower rates of jaundice
- high breastfeeding rates
- fewer/improved digestive issues
- better connection
- more relaxed parents

Next course begins:
Tuesday 18th Nov - 16th Dec
11am-12/12:30pm
Ranchlands, NW Calgary

BOOK THROUGH THE WEBSITE

11/02/2025

My dear friend recently had her third baby, at home under a stormy skies. She shared this very real and raw summary of the first hours and days postpartum. It felt like the perfect summary to honour the transformation after the threshold:

“Ah these early blurry days of:

Thank goodness for Lanolin… argh sore boobs… leaky boobs… sleepless nights… early morning nappy changes… worrying about his weight and lack of poos… counting the wet nappies…is he drinking enough???… brushing my teeth whilst holding Kiran… realising how tiny he is… appreciating having my mum around… loving food that can just be popped in the microwave… being thirsty all the time… constipation(!)… entertaining the other two… realising how little N and G still are… spending so much time on the sofa… backache from sleeping upright with Kiran on me… utter exhaustion… laughing… crying… snapping at everyone… better days… really hard days…mum guilt that I can’t play with the other two in the same way as before… emotional rollercoaster… glad that P has paternity leave!!!!!”

d

10/18/2025

As a former clinical midwife and continuing birth worker, I am passionate that healthy women with healthy babies and healthy pregnancies should have access and support from midwives to ensure a healthy birth.

Holistic, integrated, supportive and client centred care is essential for a positive pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience and memory

in the UK and Canada we have access to midwives, but the numbers are not enough and the levels of burnout are high.

In Calgary, the number of midwives that can receive licensing each year is being capped. This means that there are not enough midwives to serve the number of families who want them. This limits the birthing choices and options.

Globally, in some countries, midwives are still considered radical, renegade practitioners. We need to change this narrative and we need to give families the respect and care that they deserve.

consider signing this petition to help increase the global number of midwives and improve pregnancy and birth outcomes for everyone

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10/11/2025

🐦‍🔥 🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥
sometimes I think we just need to get rid of the mythological rulebook

Time to shake off the “should”

indulge your hopes, dreams, visions, and wishes.

But release yourself from self constraint.

let go of self imposed or external expectations.

Let go of attachments to a prescribed way of being or doing.

Open up to flexibility, flow and fluidity.

Break free of limiting ideology, dogma or philosophies.

Be strong in your convictions , welcome in the chaos.

The truth about birth is that nobody can predict how it will go. It is the wildest of transformations. You will shed a layer of yourself and remerge the other side forever changed.

As you birth your baby, you are also reborn.

I invite you to liberate yourself from the shackles of expectations & attachment and fly high, free and wild.

🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥

09/22/2025

This is your chance to sign up for a childbirth education course that not only teaches you what you need to know about what happens to your body during labour and birth, but this course also gives you tangible tools and techniques to help you feel,, more connected and more confident About how to ride those waves.

Hypnobirthing: the Mongan method, is a comprehensive and proven preparation course that improves birth outcomes, reduces fear and anxiety, is linked to fewer pregnancy and birth complications and most of all helps to create a better birth memory, experience And sense of empowerment.

With specially crafted and curated techniques to help support a relaxed body and mind in pregnancy, birth and parenthood, this course is not one to skip over.

So, if you are a first-time parent feeling anxious or fearful about birth; if you are a returning parent and carry some trauma from your previous birth; if you’re looking for a course that addresses the physical and the emotional elements of labour and birth, then don’t wait, step right into this incredible birth preparation course and start your journey to a calm, connected and confident birth

09/02/2025

September is international infant Massage month.

It’s hard for me to put into words just how magical massaging your baby is. It’s so much more than simply placing your hands on them, but even that is enough.
Feeling your loving, nurturing touch.
Feeling The warmth of your hands and your heart
Feeling the deep connection between you.
soothing physical elements such as gas, constipation and teething.
Soothing emotional disruption such as separation, overwhelm and dysregulation.

Through the power of infant Massage you can cur regulate, connect; & communicate;all whilst building your own community with other parents.

Build your baby’svsocial brain and fill your cup at the same time.

For the month of September only, the 5 week international Association of infant massage course is available for $125 (usually $150).

Come and learn how to communicate with your baby through the power of loving nurturing touch so that you may understand one another better. A simple tool to support your parenting journey and boost your confidence as you transition into parenthood.

Spaces are limited in our intimate space, so don’t delay, register your place today

08/11/2025

Have you ever wondered how it would feel to be excited about Labour and Birth rather than scared?

Have you ever wondered how people can have a pain-free birth?

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to completely trust the process of birth and be able to surrender to it?

would you like your partner to feel confident and calm during birth?

Would you like to learn different positions to support your birth?

Would you like to take birth prep courses from a former Midwife, Current Doula and perinatal movement specialist? 🙋🏼‍♀️

In this five week online HypnoBirthing®️ course – the Mongan method – you will learn tools and skills to make this happen.

Perfect timing for end Oct-Nov-Dec due months.

You will understand the physiology of birth.
You’ll understand the deep connection between your mind, your body and your baby.
You will understand How your response to the waves of labour can change how you feel them.
You will learn how to quickly and deeply relax your body and mind.
Your partner will learn tools for self relaxation and how to support you in your Hypnobirthing journey.

You will leave this five week course feeling prepared, positive and peaceful about your upcoming birth.

You will go into your labour feeling calm, confident and connected.

Yes, all this is really possible.

Next online course starting on Sunday, September 14
10 am to 1 pm
Online via zoom

Watch for the booking release on my website, or join our mailing list to stay in the loop about when registration opens

see you there

❤️

08/11/2025