Womb Now Doula Services

04/08/2023

https://annastasiawells.wixsite.com/neesasupportandconsu

Neesa Support and Consulting: I'm an experienced full spectrum doula located in Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton) on Treaty 6 Lands, and I'm grateful to be here today! I offer virtual services as well. Annastasia is a naturally calm presence. The human body has fascinated it since its y

07/31/2022

www.doulaedmonton.com

07/03/2022

Abortion is Healthcare

06/29/2022

It’s true.

Every once in a while I like to re-share this post to make sure you’ve all seen it.

Lying on your back to give birth closes down your pelvis and almost always increases pain. So why is this the most commonly used position for birth in the world today?

Because of King Louis XIV & Dr. Françios Mauriceau.

At a time when only women attended births, it's reported that King Louis XIV insisted on watching his offspring be born. He didn't like the obstructed view caused by a birthing stool (most common position at the time), so he insisted his wife or mistress give birth on her back with her legs in stirrups.

Once word got out that this is how royalty gave birth, the new position began to gain popularity.

At the same time, French doctor Mauriceau, who treated pregnancy as a pathology (which continues today) thought women would breathe more easily and have reduced pain when lying in bed for birth. His view of pregnancy as a disease had a hand in the change from midwife-attended birth to the primarily surgeon-attended birth that we see today.

Though this position is usually the worst option for the woman giving birth, it is still the easiest & most comfortable for those attending the birth. The doctor/midwife/nurse can simply sit on a stool and have a perfect visual, which is a good part of why it is still used today.

Many women are told this is the only position "allowed", when in fact positions that allow gravity to assist (standing, hands-and-knees, squatting) are usually better choices, and are always options. Even if you have an epidural you can still get into some of these positions with assistance.

05/28/2022

They tell us how to grow a baby. What to eat.
What not to eat. What vitamins to take and what bras to buy. Allll the prenatal yoga moves to do.

But they forget to tell us how to put ourselves back together once that baby is born.
They forget to tell us how we might feel like we’re drifting.
Afloat. Alone. On a life raft with leaky breasts and sore stitches and a tiny little being dependent upon us for survival.
They forget to tell us how weird and wild it feels to have loose organs shifting about inside of us. How there will be so much softness still.

I get it. You don’t want to startle us. You don’t want us to be scared about what’s ahead.
But….a little heads up would be helpful
We’re brave enough for the truth.
And those things you find so scary- loose skin and leaky breasts and big feelings- we might just be bold enough to welcome them.
To see the beauty there.

So here’s the truth mama-
Your pelvic floor will probably need work and attention. You’ll have to put in some effort to regain that muscle strength, no matter how gentle your birth. Your breasts and belly will probably never be the same. Love them anyway. Love than more than before!! Celebrate them! Buy bras that make you feel sexy. Then move on.

Your identity and sense of self will change radically. Buckle up for the ride. You’ve got this. Your partnership and friendships and general relationship with the outside world might feel foreign for awhile. Or forever. Those relationships might crack and break under the weight of new parenthood. Live your truth. Leave the rest behind. In love.

The whole world might feel shaken up.
You’ll probably feel shaky and raw
That’s normal (they just forgot to tell you.)

You’re new here. In this skin. In this role. In this love. You’ll find your way. You’ll find your rhythm. It will all fall into place- with time.
Until then- breathe.
As deeply as you can.
Drink your tea before it gets cold.
If you can.
Rest -
whenever you can.
And love on your new self.
As deeply as you can.

05/08/2022

Beloved Mother's Day, from your doula! 💗

04/30/2022

Looking for a birthwork mentor?

Neesa Consulting & Support (that's me)

Background & Training:

Growing up with herbs, crystals, essential oils, nourishing foods and traditions, storytelling, chanting, and maybe most importantly meditation.

Dance. Massage Therapy. Had babies and pregnancies of my own. Various "bodywork" healing modalities (including Reiki, Thai Yoga Massage, and Acupressure).

Administration and Sales.

Recent (8 years ago) lived experience with AISH/Disability benefits, chronic health conditions, and poverty.

Birth Doula since 2014 (CAPPA). Recovery, Wellness, Su***de Intervention, Mental Health, etc workshops and classes. Continued Education in doula care - the Rebozo and its applications in birthwork, business course for doulas, bereavement and loss for doulas, end of life companioning classes. Full spectrum doula training 2020-2022 (to be continued...).

Now mentoring newer full spectrum doulas. Contact me about details! 💗

04/02/2022

03/17/2022

https://www.instagram.com/p/CbNQkIJAMM8/?utm_medium=copy_link

03/16/2022

Mary Blair, the woman who animated the scene “Baby Mine” in the Disney movie “Dumbo,” did so as she was pushing through the nightmare of recurrent miscarriages. In the scene, Mrs. Jumbo, the mother elephant, holds Dumbo, the baby, through a window. She is locked away from the ability