Both Hands Doula Care

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Both Hands Doula Care

Certified Postpartum Doula, providing evidence based, inclusive support to Kamloops’ birthing peop

10/21/2023

Hello my friends. As my maternity leave begins to wind down, I’ve made the difficult decision to pause my practice for the time being, as I’ve accepted a new education opportunity at the hospital. This wasn’t an easy choice to make, however I’m excited to take on a new challenge and stretch my legs in the medical field.

I am so grateful to all of the families who have made me a part of their births and postpartum journeys. You made Both Hands Doula Care what it is and will be again one day, when the time is right.

Thank you, my friends. This is such an incredible community to be a part of.

Chelsey

06/22/2023

I’m thrilled to have received the bronze award for Home Health Service for Best of Kamloops. Thank you to everyone who voted, and to everyone who has ever let me be a part of such a sacred time in your life.

02/05/2023

Remember when your nurse or midwife told you about PURPLE crying? And you sort of nodded along with glazed over eyes? Well if you’ve now found yourself in the land of unrelenting scream crying, here’s a helping hand from someone right there with you.

Of course you’ve tried the 5 S’s: swaddling, shhh-ing, swaying, side and sucking, but nothings working! Don’t panic, some babies need all five, some babies need one or two, and for some babies, sometimes, none of them work.

When nothing but time will make it stop, these are my 3 tips for getting through this challenging time.

01/03/2023

// B I R T H //

In my 28th week of pregnancy, we were once again faced with a diagnosis of placental insufficiency causing potential IUGR. So for the next 9 weeks I had weekly dopplers and bi-weekly growth scans. It was a hard pill to swallow that this birth would not look like how I had imagined, again.
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In collaboration with my OB, we planned for a 37th week induction, and because my first birth was so long and ultimately traumatic, we scheduled a cesarean the following day as a back up.
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On December 23rd, I started having mild, gentle contractions that came and went. This carried on over Christmas Eve, Day and Boxing Day.
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On the morning of December 27th, we came to the hospital to begin the induction, but on assessment I was already 3cm and 70% effaced. I was elated! We elected for a stretch and sweep which started some good contractions, and 2 hours later we decided to break my water to encourage progression of labour. This got things going nicely until the evening when contractions started spacing out and not increasing in intensity.
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I was initially very opposed to Pitocin because of my first labour, but I knew that if I didn’t try, I’d regret it. I didn’t want to become so fixated on a vaginal birth that I betrayed the birth plan that I put so much consideration into. So we tried a small dose with the decision to titrate in my hands. I labored for about 3 or 4 hours but the intensity of the Pitocin was too triggering for me and I asked to turn it off at 3am. Between 3am and 7am, I had contractions about every 5-15 minutes so rest was hard to come by, but eventually it was time to prepare for our cesarean.
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I was brought to the OR and was so happy to see my OB. I knew it was right for her to be the one to deliver me of my second babe. I contracted hard during my spinal injection but soon after I was finally comfortable after about 17 hours of labour. Within minutes of the surgery beginning, I heard the beautiful sound of a loud and proud cry and sweet Llewyn was born.
•
For now, I’ve been leaning hard into the intentional, slow pace of recovery and fourth trimester.

xx Chelsey

12/29/2022

Friends, join me in welcoming Llewyn to the BHDC family. We are over the moon with happiness that he is here!

11/23/2022

There is something truly special about this season.

📸:

10/04/2022

25 weeks coming in hot! Feeling large and in charge these days, but generally pretty good. I’m starting to get a few aches and pains where the sun doesn’t shine but nothing that a good rest doesn’t alleviate. Mostly I’m feeling very grateful that this pregnancy has been a comfortable one! xx

08/26/2022

Do you know your baby’s ? Newborns have a whole language of grunts, body movements and of course crying to let us know what they need. Once you can dial into those early feeding cues, it’s a game changer!

08/19/2022

Want to be the real MVP to a new parent? Try out one of these phrases instead of “what can I do to help?” or “lemme know what you need!”

Here’s what I remember about those first few weeks:

“I don’t know what I need and I’m too exhausted to think of what you can do to help. I want to be able to do it all but it’s impossible and I’m kind of drowning but I daren’t ask for help.”

Not comfortable in the kitchen? Ask what their favourite restaurant is and have it delivered. Maybe you’re a busy parent yourself and don’t have time to come do a load of laundry; consider going in on a gift card for a cleaning service with some friends. Organize a meal train. Offer to walk the dog or take an older sibling to the park. There are so many ways to support new families!

08/09/2022

We’ve had such a lovely summer so far with plenty of camping and clear skies. Last weekend we enjoyed a quick trip to Green Lake where this happy snap was taken.

I’m now 17 weeks pregnant and feeling *pretty* good with the exception of continuing to feel suuuuper gaggy pretty much all the time. Any and all tips accepted!

I hope you’re all having a wonderful summer with plenty of fun and as many opportunities for a good rest.

xx Chelsey

07/22/2022

Hello my friends! As we make our way through the dog days of summer, I’m already looking forward to the cool temperatures of fall (don’t @ me! It’s too hot for this girl! 🙇🏻‍♀️). I’ll be wrapping up my practice in November before my maternity leave, and I have space for one postpartum client in September, maaaaaaybe two if the dates align.

If you are looking to invest in your fourth trimester by hiring a postpartum doula, then I highly recommend reaching out ASAP before this spot gets snapped up!

Want to have a chat and see if we are the right fit? Reach out via my website, email or DM and let’s connect!

07/16/2022

Don’t mind me, just poppin’.

18 weeks with #1, 13 weeks with #2. 😬

06/16/2022

I remember sitting in my 6-week postpartum check up appointment, and my obstetrician was borderline obsessed with making sure I had appropriate birth control in place. I told her that s*x was the last thing on my mind, as my episiotomy incision was just starting to heal, the Both Hands Babe was sleeping maybe 2 hours at a time, and I was in the throes of postpartum anxiety. She tilted her head to the side, and looked at me with pity and concern in her eyes. The concept that I had no interest or energy to express myself s*xually seemed so foreign to her. But in reality, there are so many postpartum people who felt and feel exactly the way I did. But it’s rarely talked about. And even more rarely do we talk about why. So we start to feel guilty. And different. And alone.

Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s ok if you’re not feeling it. Affection with your partner can look a little different these days, and as long as you are feeling the love, then it’s OK if you aren’t ready to get down with your bad self.

As with all things in this season of life, be gentle and patient with yourself.

*x

05/05/2022

I am so so so excited to announce that Both Hands Doula Care has partnered with Photography to offer in-home newborn photography sessions. Even more exciting is that BHDC clients receive a special 10% discount on their photography package! Inquire via my contact page, or email!

03/24/2022

This week we celebrate the wonderful and in our communities. I’ve come to know some incredible birth workers over the last few years, and I can’t even tell you how much I value the knowledge, insight and advocacy they all bring to the table. Birth work is truly heart work, and I’m so proud to be part of a growing community of doulas. Happy !

03/11/2022

Let’s talk about postnatal bonding and attachment (and why it doesn’t always happen right away)…

As a vital part of development, bonding and attachment are about responding to your infant’s needs with love, compassion and care. A secure attachment shows your baby that the world is a safe place to enjoy and explore, and a strong bond with their caregiver builds trust, and helps them grow mentally and physically by allowing their brains to release hormones which actually help it grow!

Sometimes it can be difficult to initially feel a strong bond with your baby, and it can be a scary and isolating feeling. Hormones, sleep deprivation, physical discomfort and chestfeeding challenges can all contribute to an interrupted bond. The important thing to remember is there’s nothing wrong with you, it’s nothing to be ashamed of, you’re definitely not alone and it can get better with time and help.

So how do we lay the foundation for a strong bond and secure attachment with our newborns? Regular touch (skin to skin), cuddling, singing, humming, gazing into your babies eyes and talking to your newborn all release , the love hormone, and help to form pathways in babe’s rapidly growing brain. Responding to your baby’s cry helps them understand that you’ll always be there, they can trust you, and that they are safe and cared for.

One of my favourite parts of being a is watching the relationship between a parent and their newborn develop. To see a loving gaze between a parent and their baby is such a special moment, and to be able to help facilitate opportunities for bonding by taking tasks off a family’s to-do list? There’s nothing better.

Address

Kamloops, BC

Telephone

+12508195227

Website

http://www.bothhandsdoula.com/

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