Melissa Best, Doula

11/27/2018

😂😂

11/09/2018

Even goats know that doulas are important!

10/06/2018

09/28/2018

Accurate.

09/16/2018

Rock EarlyON Child and Family Centre, in partnership with McMaster University, is hosting a FREE one-day Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) workshop for postpartum depression in Burlington, Ontario.

This is the final week to register for the workshop! If would like more information or to register please email me at halton1daycbt@gmail.com.

08/15/2018

A video has emerged showing the magical moment between an adult and an infant chimp, in which the pair appear to be playing airplane

07/28/2018

Ever wonder what a doula really is?! Here’s some clarification! And feel free to ask away any other questions below!

Let's start with the difference between a doula and a midwife.

07/23/2018

07/23/2018

A great blog post by my friend, written on fellow doula, Erika’s page, about pelvic floor health! Check it out!

Extra, extra, read all about it.....guest blog post alert!!!!! The Maternal Sidekick is a firm believer that ALL WOMEN should see a pelvic floor physiotherapist as part of maintaining their overall health and quality of life. Kate Jones from www.katejonesphysio.com, a Hamilton Ontario Pelvic Floor P...

07/02/2018

What if there was a proven way to shorten labour, reduce the risk of a c-section and improve your chances of a positive birth? Would you want to know?

06/27/2018

06/12/2018

That sweet babe is 6 weeks old and you feel generally good other than that hit by a truck feeling that comes with the sleep deprivation. So now you’re good to go, right? Time to start running and cross fit again!
🙅‍♀️🤦‍♀️
Hollllld up! Did your healthcare provider do a pelvic exam? Do you know what your pelvic floor strength and endurance are like? Do you know if you have a prolapse or not?
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A visit to a pelvic physiotherapist should be part of EVERY mama’s postpartum recovery. For some mamas this visit will be a one time deal to confirm that things actually are a-okay and it is a chance to talk about smart ways to get back into fitness. For other mamas this is a time where they learn their pelvic floor isn’t as strong as they thought or that they have a diastasis or prolapse. Either way, this is a POSITIVE experience! It’s a great opportunity to learn how to optimize your postpartum recovery without over-stressing a healing pelvic floor.
🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️
So mamas, PLEASE please please book yourself an appointment with a pelvic health physiotherapist postpartum, whether that’s 6 weeks, months, or years later. You’re doing your best for your babe, remember to take care of yourself too
💜

06/01/2018

I could personally relate so strongly to each of these paragraphs! After My first born joined our family it took a long time for me to feel like myself again.

So, in the early days when you're still struggling to find out what your new normal is with this new and beautiful little being so dependent on you, remember, you are not

05/05/2018

What a beautiful tribute to cesarean birth! ❤️❤️

05/05/2018

I’ll be at “tugboat park”, at Pier 4 today on the Bayfront for Midwife Reunion day! The event runs 1-4. Will I see any of you there?

04/18/2018

This made me tear up!!

04/16/2018

This gave me a good giggle!

04/14/2018

Here’s some helpful tips for babywearing!

Baby carrying like this has many benefits. Healthy hip/lower back position for baby, close enough to kiss/smell/see mom or dad and a great way to include your baby as you go about your day.

03/28/2018

I love this blog post so much by a fellow Hamilton doula and owner of Hamilton Family Doulas.

You shouldn't experience shame and judgment for your birth choices or your feelings around them. Your Hamilton Family Doulas knows that birth feelings are messy.

03/25/2018

This is a great blog post done by a doula colleague on the recovery of the uterus postpartum! Give it a read and tell me what surprises you! Mine is in the comments.

Your uterus plays a huge role in pregnancy and birth. It is important to give your womb time to heal during your postpartum period. Read more for what to expect and tips to recover easily.

03/24/2018

Love this!!

One of these ladies is 40+2 and the other is 40+4 weeks pregnant. Both went into labour within 24 hours of these pictures. Both had 8lbs2oz babies, both girls.

Another thing both these baby bellies have in common? Their Symphisis Fundal Height is identical, 40cm.

When you hit 22-24 weeks in your pregnancy, your midwife will start measuring your belly. From your p***c bone, to the top part of your uterus - the fundus. This is how they monitor your babies growth curve. Usually the number of weeks you are is the number of centimetres you measure, give or take 2cm. If you fall off the curve your pregnancy has been following, your Midwife will offer you for necessary testing.

So the next time someone tells you you’re “too small” or “too big” for the number of weeks pregnant you are, point them this way!

03/22/2018

While it’s been so amazing being off to take care of my own little baby, I also take great pride in my role as a doula!! It has been one of the most fulfilling journeys I’ve taken and have felt so incredibly privileged to share in the lives of my clients as they start their new journeys as well!! I’d love to hear your positive experiences with birth and the postpartum period! Did you have a doula? Did you have a Midwife or OB that you loved? Did you have a family member that cared for you in unexpected ways? Share in the comments and feel free to tag them!

03/13/2018

This is such a helpful visual for breast milk storage! Anybody else feel like printing this out and popping on the freezer? 💁🏼‍♀️

Breastmilk storage guidelines for the healthy infant. ~Jennifer Beck RN IBCLC

02/02/2018

I absolutely loved this post by a fellow Hamiltonian, Julie, about her long and difficult journey with breastfeeding! It made me laugh, it made me cry, and I loved hearing about her experience!

I mean, sometimes you just have to name a post for what it is. Sure, you can buy a box of hair colour called “ICY COPENHAGEN” but sometimes it’s much easier to just buy the one th…

01/16/2018

Do you ever wonder what your new baby can see or why they are always going cross eyed?

You know what’s pretty amazing about your new baby? I mean, aside from the button nose and new baby smell. Your brand spankin’ new little one is hardwired to be interested in things that promote her learning and development. Awesome, right? Finally an aspect of parenting an infant that’s strai...

12/11/2017

As we prepare to welcome our second little human into our home in the next few days or weeks, I found this blog to have some helpful tips for how to treat the older sibling when visiting baby! For those of you who have had more than one child, do you have any other tips to add?

Visiting a new baby is so exciting! If there is an older child/children at home, follow these simple rules so you don't rock the boat.

11/20/2017

Preparing herbal baths for myself for postpartum. Right now they have uva ursi, shepherd's purse, and chamomile flowers in them, which I bought at the Goodness Me on Upper James. When I'm ready to use them, I'll add slices of ginger and sea salt to the mixture and steep them in a big pot for a minimum of 20 minutes, the longer the better- before adding the steeped mixture to a nice bath.

Was postpartum healing something that you thought about as part of your "nesting" activities? If so, what did you do to prepare?

11/16/2017

Looking for a way to give back this holiday season?! This is a fantastic initiative in Hamilton!

11/03/2017

This looks like a great event to learn more about different options for feeding your baby!