Tia Biggs Doula

04/30/2022

"Sometimes, when you pick up your child, you can feel the map
of your own bones beneath your hands, or smell the scent of
your skin in the nape of his neck. This is the most extraordinary
thing about motherhood - finding a piece of yourself separate
and apart, that all the same, you could not live without"
-JODI PICOULT

This mama went into labour a tad early and was flown to Edmonton. I quickly reached out to my doula family and they were eager to support me, supporting her. My heart knew she would be taken care of, supported, encouraged and loved.

I met this mama in my prenatal class only weeks ago but I feel like I know her. I realized later this feeling of knowing is the understanding mothers share. The knowing her strength and her love for this new life. I know her in a Special way only another mother can. I am so proud of her.

And to my good friend you jumped in and rushed to be by her side and I cannot be more thankful. The photos you took are something this family will cherish forever. You are so incredibly talented.

Birth is amazing. Mothers are amazing. Sisterhood is amazing.

Photo cred Tia Biggs Doula

11/17/2021

My latest adventure has taken me into the realm of photography & I couldn’t love it any more 😍

Take a peek!

Capture genuine moments with birth, newborn and lifestyle photography | Edmonton & Area

02/08/2021

01/31/2021

Evidence shows that doulas contribute to birthing people having spontaneous births more often, less pain medication/epidural when not part of their birth plan, less negative feelings about childbirth, and 40 minutes less time in labour! We love working with . Thank you so much to the .association.edmonton for this gorgeous gift, it is so incredibly thoughtful 💕

Unfortunately, as doulas are not yet covered by public healthcare, there is a financial barrier to accessing this support. Many doulas offer sliding scale fees. If you are a BIPOC, q***r, trans, or otherwise targeted/marginalized client, and you cannot afford a doula, please talk to your midwife. We have a fund set aside to support our clients in need. At EMC we aim to increase equity among our clients, and we are here to help you navigate your journey into parenthood empowered, respected, and supported ✊🏻

09/21/2020

T R U T H 👆🏻

⁣Aside from fastening your birth warrior cape, Doulas are non-medical professionals who support birthing people and their families during pregnancy, childbirth and in the first few months of the life of their new baby.
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Doulas are usually either birth doulas or postpartum doulas (although sometimes they provide both services). They provide very different, yet vital roles during the perinatal period.
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Birth doulas provide prenatal support, are there continuously during labour and birth, and help with the initial postpartum concerns.
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Postpartum doulas provide the important ongoing support after the baby's birth at home while a new family adjusts to life with a newborn.
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Get ready for an exciting week coming up. ✨As we at the Doula Association are back at it kicking off with membership meetings! (Virtually)
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08/24/2020

Dates have been used around the world for centuries as a natural approach to preparation for labor. Several studies now support their effectiveness. Though we don’t know exactly why, they do have an impact on the start and progress of labor - likely due to an impact on the hormone oxytocin which helps labor start and progress effectively.⁠
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A 2011 study found that women who ate dates starting at 36 weeks were:⁠
🔸 Significantly more dilated when they got to the hospital⁠
🔸 Had a significantly higher rate of intact membranes⁠
🔸 Were significantly more likely to go into labor spontaneously (i.e. without induction)⁠
🔸 And had nearly half the length of first stage of labor⁠
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A 2014 study found that women who ate dates from 37 weeks on had:⁠
🔸 Greater cervical dilatation at admission⁠
🔸 Higher success rates of labor induction when needed⁠
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A 2017 study concluded that all the above was accurate and yet another study found that eating dates in pregnancy led to less bleeding immediately after birth.⁠
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Any type of dates work! The ‘dose’ is about 2.5 ounces of dates ( ~6 to 8 small dates or ~4 larger dates) daily, starting at 36 or 37 weeks and until labor begins. I love eating them plain, but you can include them in my “herbal bliss bites” (recipe on my IGTV), use them to sweeten cashew or almond milk, or include them chopped in yogurt or oatmeal. Amazingly, they also haven’t been shown to be a problem for blood sugar.⁠
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Did you use dates to prep for your labor? Do you know a pregnant mama who is prepping for labor? Tag her in the comments below so she can learn about the power of this ancient medicine!⁠
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07/07/2020

This morning I had the opportunity to chat with a group of moms about postpartum wellness while navigating the joys and trials of the postpartum period in a time of physical distancing. While it tempting to think that our progression into Phase 2 and beyond is a return to normalcy, many new parents continue to need support from afar 🌸 If you know someone who has welcomed a baby over the past several months, I would encourage you to reach out to them and ask about the ways in which you can continue support them. 💕I say several months because the postpartum period extends far beyond the first few weeks and as a community, it is our job to continue support beyond this initial period as well. If you have recently welcomed a new baby, I encourage you to screenshot one of these posts and share it with your friends and family along with a list of things you may find helpful 🌼 Community is key!

07/02/2020

Posted •

This Canada Day, we wanted to highlight , offering culturally inclusive practices in reproductive health, birth preparation, postpartum care, and parenthood. Visit https://www.indigenousbirthalberta.org/ for more information!

06/25/2020

The freedom to move during the second stage (pushing) is well supported by evidence 🌷 Health Canada has shared the following statement on the topic: “Ideally, hospitals and birthing centres have equipment that enables women to give birth in different positions. Providers need to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to comfortably assist women to give birth in different positions and encourage women to be upright as this is optimal for birth.” Our current hospital culture lends to back-lying birth however, we hope to see evidence-based change on the horizon!

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📸 by Tia | posted with permission

06/10/2020

McMaster University is offering free online treatment workshops for women who have been feeling depressed, down, or anxious after the birth of a baby. These workshops are based on Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) and are being offered as part of a research study.

Women will be eligible to participate if they are living in Canada, over the age of 18, and have a baby under 12 months.

06/03/2020

Posted • As a collective, our hearts are breaking and we will not tolerate the systemic racism that is pervasive in our culture. We stand with BIPOC and believe that all people should have equitable access to maternal healthcare, birth education and prenatal, breastfeeding and postpartum support.
As a group of white, female-identifying birth workers, we know we need to do better. We openly acknowledge our inherent privilege and the part we play in a system of violence and oppression. Birth support is for ALL people and dismantling systemic racism is reproductive justice. We must do better.

We believe that positive, empowering birth experiences are a basic human right and we recognize the high rates of maternal and infant mortality, obstetric violence and traumatic birth outcomes experienced by Black, Indigenous and People of Colour in our community. We hear you. We see you. We stand in solidarity with you. We will listen, in silence, to BIPOC voices and amplify those voices at every opportunity.
For stories & information:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/07/health/pregnancy-deaths-.html
http://micemagazine.ca/issue-two/story-indigenous-birth-justice
https://www.chatelaine.com/living/black-birthing-experience-canada/
https://socialinnovation.org/it-is-time-for-racial-justice-in-maternal-health-care/
https://medium.com//from-granny-nurse-to-doulas-11-black-birth-workers-you-need-to-know-c022693fe5f
https://medium.com//from-granny-nurse-to-doulas-11-black-birth-workers-you-need-to-know-c022693fe5f

Wondering how to support in YEG? Join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/539058500097306/?notif_id=1591040604724343¬if_t=group_name_change.



📸: Vanessa A Simmons

05/19/2020

Doula work is not complete without advocacy & support for our community ❤️ This self-care basket was put together by UAlberta Women Empowering Women in support of Nisa Homes thanks to donations from several local businesses 🌸✨Tickets are $15 each or 5 for $65 via this link ( https://forms.gle/rpUMHaLLc3qzwPar9 )! I would encourage you all to enter this draw for self-care items valued at over $500 and in doing so, you will help provide shelter for immigrant, refugee and Muslim women fleeing abuse 💞
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Kolya Naturals Skincare & Botanical Apothecary
Misiyo Candle Co
Alpine Ember Co.
Botaniful
Soap So Co.
Caramunchies
R3juvenate Klass3n
Pretty Plum Boutique
Aflatus Hijab
Glass Palace Studio

04/28/2020

The 5 Minute Rule! This is one of my very favourite tips to share to ensure that choice remains a priority throughout a birth 🌸

04/25/2020

Bullet Journaling - where perfectionism and novice art (read: making mistake after mistake) collide... 📚🎨 The Type-A in me absolutely loves the opportunity to track and analyze anything and everything, but quite honestly detests when the watercolours go south or the calligraphy gets funny.

While life was in full swing, this book was filled with practicalities- meetings, assignments, exams, appointments, you name it! However, since settling in at home, I have transitioned more into using it as a creative outlet as well as a way to keep track of all things wellness.

A pretty significant part of me wishes I could tear out the page at the first sign of a mistake, I am doing my very best to simply accept the inevitability of imperfection (cue some lessons from my one of my favourite humans- ). While a relatively surface level way to combat a much larger push and pull that many of us face, I find it quite helpful nonetheless. 🌸

That said, I am curious- what are you all finding most helpful and/or comforting right now? @ Edmonton, Alberta

04/18/2020

a lovely community initiative we stumbled upon during our evening walk ❤️🌸