Olive Branch Doula and Birth Services

01/31/2018

Hello everyone! As some may know, I have relocated to Grande Prairie AB with my family! I am thrilled to report that I am currently accepting limited birth clients and open to booking in private and semi-private childbirth education sessions. Please feel free to call/email/message me for more details!

07/30/2016

For many women, pregnancy can be a very uncomfortable experience. First, there are the initial hormonal changes and morning sickness; the feeling of being on an emotional roller-coaster for no good reason whatsoever and the unusual food cravings at all hours of the day (such as early, early morning…

06/01/2016

This documentary looks amazing. It will save lives, I am sure! It's time to talk about Postpartum Depression and how it drastically affects families like yours and mine. Less negative stigma, more awareness, and more SUPPORT will make a world of difference!

“I was very quiet and withdrawn. I thought, ‘Well, I can’t tell anybody my secret.'”

06/01/2016

Would you like to know more about the when, where, why, and how? I can help! Contact me and we can discuss!

05/24/2016

Love this! My mom's support in my births is what inspired me to become a doula! Although she is not a doula, her support and energy was very helpful to me and to my husband. I can't wait to experience the miracle of birth with my kids when they are becoming parents, if they choose to have me there. 💗

Wow!

05/12/2016

Wainwright and area families, are you having your first baby??

Our first Welcome to Parenthood Baby Kits were built last night, with these 4 beautiful moms- to- be. If you are expecting your first baby or know of someone who is, please have them contact our Wainwright Parent Link Centre @780 842-2585. Our next session is June 14th @ 5:30-7:30pm

05/12/2016

This is so true. Regardless of the technicalities or circumstances surrounding a birth, how a woman is made to feel can create a positive experience or add to trauma. It's important to feel supported, and if there's one thing that I hope my clients get out of their birth experience with me there as their doula, it is that they feel that I was in their corner supporting them. ❤️

04/27/2016

❤️

Gentle Parenting Memes

04/09/2016

I like birth plans for the simple fact that the encourage families to really THINK about some of the options and possibilities, and sometimes they contain very good information for hospital staff, but this is a pretty great birth plan in a nutshell!

04/03/2016

Feeding cues! It is so helpful to watch for these, and try to feed before they get to late cues if possible, as sometimes by the time you get there, getting a good latch is a challenge!

Great baby cue visuals!

01/13/2016

Transformation to Parenthood is a series that brings attention to the challenges and successes of the Alberta maternity care model and practices. I am regional leader on the Maternity Care Consumers of Alberta Network (MCAN) for Wainwright and area, so having this kind of attention brought to our provincial need (including rural areas like Wainwright) brings me a lot of joy and hope for the future.

https://vimeo.com/148677696

Transformation to Parenthood is a 6 part TV series that supports parents in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting. The series airs on Shaw Channel 10 in southern…

12/21/2015

Way to go Quota Club! Proud to be part of a community so rich in support for families.

We are excited to announce the arrival of 10 new breast pumps for donation to the T.I.P.S. Program mothers. Two new babies born just this December will benefit from the pumps who will be given to the new moms! Pictured below is Quota President Judy Tattersall and T.I.P.S. Program coordinator, Carina Fletcher. Merry Christmas to all of the families on behalf of the Wainwright Quota members!

10/01/2015

I can't count how many times I have said this! Any predictions made based upon the condition of the cervix are generalized estimates, and if you fall somewhere outside of that estimate, it doesn't necessarily mean there is something wrong with your body. It means that your body (like everyone else's) doesn't perform like a robot and doesn't operate on the basis of how things "should" happen.

Some care providers do routine cervical exams when you are full term. Just remember......

09/16/2015

Halloween ideas for all the babywearers out there! These are so cute!

09/15/2015

It's a start!

Alberta families will have access to more midwifery services and supports thanks to increased investment from the Alberta government that will fund up to 400 more midwife-supported births this fiscal year. | Alberta.ca

09/10/2015

Knowledge is power when it comes to PPD! Make sure your support system knows the signs to watch for, after you give birth. New moms often cannot identify the symptoms within themselves, so having people you trust looking out for your mental wellbeing can be a huge benefit. The misconception that postpartum mood disorders affecting only the "weak" is just not true. It can affect anyone. Awareness will help destroy the misconceptions about these very serious conditions, and help more families get the help they need.

09/10/2015

Here is a great recipe for great tasting cookies to support lactation! There are also helpful hints on supply, if you feel you could use a bit more!

http://www.bellybelly.com.au/breastfeeding/lactation-cookies/ #.U3k8Z3Y4oRI

Lactation cookies recipe that works FAST and tastes great! 90% of our members say that our lactation cookies increased their breastmilk supply.

08/31/2015

Vitamin K is routinely given to infants via injection after birth. If this practice is something you are looking to research and make an informed choice on, here is a great article on it by Evidence Based Birth. Knowledge is power!- http://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-the-vitamin-k-shot-in-newborns/

And here is a condensed version in form of a printout!http://evidencebasedbirth.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Evidence-Based-Birth-Vitamin-K.pdf

What is the evidence for the vitamin K shot in newborns? What can happen if a baby does not have enough Vitamin K?

08/30/2015

Such a cute story! This lady busted out some great moves to birth her baby! Good for her! Another reason to have only people around that will help you feel free and uninhibited during your birth! If your body tells you to dance, you need to be able to dance without feeling self conscious at all!

08/28/2015

I love this article! Epidurals are a valid and sometimes NECESSARY option to have. Epidural or no epidural, you still deserve to labor and birth in a supportive environment. You deserve the OPTION to use an epidural, and have the right to make an informed choice on the matter. As a doula, I have the utmost respect for my clients' choices, and help them stay informed along the way. Physical and emotional support are two BIG bonuses of having a doula, and for some women, these components (or the lack thereof) can mean the difference between an empowering birth experience, and a traumatic one. It's not always just about getting through the next contraction :)

http://www.yourbirthsong.com/ #!Doulas-and-Epidurals/chgi/5515c95c0cf22035305f3148

I began addressing this topic briefly in yesterday’s post about doula myths , but I wanted to delve a little more deeply into it. Based on the U.S. Centers for ...

07/10/2015

Many mothers struggle with what they believe is "low milk supply" but is it actually a true diagnosis? Another version of normal? Or perhaps a real issue that can be solved by information and action? Read to find out! Such a great blog piece.

Forgive me for asking but... Do you REALLY have low milk supply? This is a very important place to start. Please bear with me. I don’t mean to doubt your situation and be annoying patronising...

07/03/2015

Are you pregnant or do you know of someone who is expecting a child? I offer doula services to families in Wainwright and within a 1.5 hr radius. As a birth and postpartum doula, my focus is on prenatal, labor/birth, and postpartum education/resources/support.

If you would like support but are not interested in the birth doula package, I now offer private birth consultations where we can spend time going through your birth plan, working on hands-on comfort measures, and more! These may take place in the location of your choosing.

Visit my website and page for more information on how a doula can help you in your journey to parenthood! Read through my testimonials, and please feel free to call/email/message me with any questions you may have.

www.facebook.com/OliveBranchDoulaBirth
www.OliveBranchDoula.com

06/09/2015

Always warms my heart to receive testimonials from previous clients! Here is what I received today:

"Having Brittany as my doula was very empowering and I'm certain my pregnancy and delivery wouldn't have gone as well as it did had it not been for her. She was an amazing support when I needed it most and provided me with the seemingly endless information and reassurance I needed. I highly recommend her to anyone thinking of using a doula!"

Please visit www.olivebranchdoula.com for more testimonials and information on doula services. Feel free to contact me via Facebook, email, or phone with any questions or to book your free consultation!

05/27/2015

The spring issue of Birth Issues is here! If you would like an issue for yourself, or if you know of a business or clinic that would like to have them for customers/clients, please contact me by message. They are full of birth stories and information, and FREE! I am so happy to be distributing these magazines in Wainwright and area!

-Brittany

05/19/2015

Your birth is a milestone in your life! Don't allow it to be cheapened or downplayed. Whether you are rejoicing, grieving, healing, processing, or a mixture of feelings (which is completely normal) please be open and surround yourself with people who you trust to embrace and support you in the often bittersweet postpartum period.
-Brittany

www.olivebranchdoula.com

05/10/2015

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, especially my own mom and all of my clients from this past year, who are celebrating their very first Mother's Day today! Hope you are all having a very special day making happy memories!

05/05/2015

NOW OFFERING: Prenatal comfort measures classes. Private and group options available. I will provide you with tools to help you cope with the discomfort that can be a challenging part of labor and birth. My class places a lot of emphasis on having your birth partner (spouse, family member, friend, etc) help you through the monumental experience of birth!

This class is great for those who are hiring a doula, and also for those who are not! If you are interested in being actively involved in your labor and birth, and having tools to increase your ability to experience birth in a physiologically proactive way, this would be the class for you!

Dates/locations for group classes TBA. For private classes, please message me for details, or call me at (780)842-4649.

-Brittany

04/07/2015

When building a birth support team, it is MUCH more beneficial to have one or two people with you who will remain calm and supportive of your birth, than having 5 people who may not be able to provide effective support present to watch. Make sure everyone who is to be alongside you in labor and delivery is informed of your birth plan, so everyone is on the same page. Designate one person to advocate for you when you cannot advocate for yourself. Having a doula present for continuous, knowledgeable support and encouragement can be a huge benefit, also! I know it can be tempting to invite the entire family into your room during labor, but before doing that, please give a lot of thought to personality types of the people you will be asking to support you, and realize that birth is best experienced when you are not too self conscious to go with your body's urges. Sometimes your body may tell you that labor would be best experienced with little to no clothing on, with very loud primal vocalization. That is completely normal, and can help you through the process. It is important to listen to your body. Would you be comfortable with your aunt or grandmother or your friend being present, or might they impede your ability to do as your body tells you to? Keep in mind ALWAYS that when you invite someone into your birth space, if you feel their presence isn't helping you or is hindering your ability to cope with labor, you can excuse them.

03/26/2015

I am a doula :)

www.OliveBranchDoula.com

I AM A DOULA