Mother Nurture Birth Services

09/11/2025

This is a true conversation that happened. And I was present.

17 years ago, a friend of mine was newly married and expecting their first baby. They were visiting from out of town and a few friends had gone out for lunch at a local pub.

While it was still early in her pregnancy, conversation quickly came to how they were feeling about giving birth, when her (then) husband (who was quite a bit older than she was) piped up and said-“it’s so stupid. I don’t p**p when I pee!”

A few of us turned to him in disbelief and awkward laughter when his friend looked at him and said the words in the post above, “Dude. There’s three holes.”

I swear, you could see his brain exploding a little.

And that’s when I found myself teaching an anatomy/biology lesson to a 30 year old man in a pub on a Sunday afternoon.

And I’ve had this conversation many times in my 20 year career.

So, here’s the thing. As our kids get older and the questions come, now we have to jump hoops for them to learn these basic anatomy lessons. And I get it. It’s an awkward conversation-but could it be that it’s awkward because *our parents made it awkward?

I promise that teaching your kids anatomy won’t make them promiscuous. It will lesson their curiosity if they have a safe space to ask questions.

So this year, when the consent form comes home and you’re asked to “opt in” to sexual health education-please do it. Otherwise you don’t know where they’ll be learning it from.

And while we’re at it they aren’t learning it from banned books in the library.

09/10/2025

Birth story time;

This story came to me after we chatted about having doulas in the OR.

I’m thankful to this family for sharing their story.

Birth with my second child - I was told that she was measuring quite large - 97th percentile I believe. So, I was going into an induction prepared to be pushing out a big baby. I had given birth once, I could do it again. I was induced with my first so I knew what the drill would be. This time, I was given oxytocin to get contractions going. Everything felt as it should at the beginning - it wasn’t too bad. I had my husband there making me laugh and supporting me, the nursing staff were incredible.
Towards the evening that day, things started to ramp up. I was doing my best to breathe through, but I opted for an epidural.
This is where things kind of went sideways. I could still feel a ton of pain overnight, even with the epidural...
And every time I had a check, baby girl wasn’t engaging into my pelvis. At some point over night, every time I laid on one side, she would decel and the pain was unreal. I absolutely knew something wasn’t right. I told my husband that I think I’m going To need a c section. But the doctors were pretty positive she would come, so I waited. It didn’t get better.
I think I knew way before any of this that she wasn’t coming vaginally. But, I still listened to the doctors and let them try forceps. At that point, I was in an incredible amount of pain so the anaesthesiologist gave me extra good drugs and numbed me pretty good. After trying three times with the forceps, I began to bleed and it was an emergency C-section.
My husband couldn’t come as I was rushed off. I was very out of it, had pain in my shoulders and was shaking so they gave me a sedative. I woke up to my husband and baby not there - rushed to NICU. More transpired after that, and she’s now a healthy almost 5 month old.

All this is to say - trust your gut. You know your body. I also desperately wish I could have had someone else there to advocate for me who wasn’t so scared like my husband and I were.”

08/27/2025

I want to clear something up.

While inductions aren’t always ideal (and *sometimes seem un-necessary) they can be important procedures in some high risk pregnancy situations.

It isn’t unusual that when I have clients who have been recommended induction, that they feel defeated before they even get started. That what they’ve heard about induction from *some people is inevitable.

What do they think?

That if they have to be induced, they’ll need an epidural.
And then it’s likely they’ll need a cesarean birth.

Neither of which they had hoped for.

What’s true?
You don’t know how you will respond until you are in it.

Inductions are meant to go slow and steady, and depending on the method used *can feel intense.
Are the contractions worse because of induction?
Not likely (although pain is subjective) but they *can tend to come on fast and furious, rather than a gentle ease in like what might happen if you went into spontaneous labour.

Will you have to have a cesarean birth?
Maybe. Caesarean birth is a possibility in all births.
Why does induction increase your risk?
Trying to induce something that isn’t ready (body and baby) might mean that it doesn’t work. Your body just might not progress in labour. Your baby may not like the contractions.

What I always tell my clients, induction or not when they get anxious about these possibilities (not probabilities) in labour, is not to get ahead of themselves.

Take it each step at a time. You never know how you will respond until you are in it. When there is a change in the plan, give yourself grace to allow yourself to change your mind.

Inductions, while not always ideal do not always mean epidurals and they don’t always end in cesarean birth.

Your birth is your own. You write the story

08/19/2025

2020 seems, in some ways so long ago.

For folks who became parents in the early months, there wasn’t much different about your entry into parenthood. It was likely you had baby showers and things at hospital weren’t any different than you’d imagined.

But just a few months later, the world was tipped off its axis and we all learned about living in a pandemic.

For new parents at this time, it created a heightened anxiety, concern and isolation no one could have ever predicted.

Babies being introduced to family and friends through windows and doors, drive by baby showers, online lactation appointments and everyone around in masks.

It was unusual for everyone, and unfair for those learning how to parent a new baby.

Most of us have moved on, trying not to remember what those days were like.

But if you had a newborn 5 years ago, you’re about to send them off to kindergarten for the first time.

Those sweet babies who felt more fragile than ever are big kids now.

The excitement of backpacks and school busses, new teachers and friends might be exciting or it might bring back some of those worries from when they were new (for all families, but especially babies from 2020.)

What a big step. What a big exhale. What a big transition.

Be gentle with your hearts as you send them off. It’s a big day for any parent, but for the parents of babies born in a pandemic, it’s a bigger milestone than ever.

08/12/2025

When birth partners write the reviews
🥰

I am always thankful to walk alongside families through this journey, especially when it becomes a journey of healing and redemption.

07/24/2025

“Parenting is easy when you have a pile of rocks”

Incidentally, a pile of sticks is also applicable.

That was the caption on this photo and Facebook Memory that came up. I don’t remember what was so challenging about this time, but it must have been.

I expect it was just life with two littles and feeling overwhelmed.

The truth is, my husband was right. Any time, even now that my kids are big kids-any time they are getting on each other’s nerves, getting outside helps.

And to this day, if you find us at the beach in Waterton-there isn’t a rock or stick they haven’t found to occupy their time.

Sticks, rocks and water seem to be the best inexpensive way to calm this anxious mama’s nervous system.

What is your best trick?

07/17/2025

I’ve been in the room when the plan changes.

When the air gets sucked out.

I’ve been in the room when folks have heard they don’t even get to labour and have to give birth via cesarean birth.

I’ve been there when people have said, “this is literally everything I didn’t want.”

I’ve watched families sink in what appears to be defeat and resignation.

I’ve been in the room when if fills with staff trying to manage an emergency, and no one saying a word-the birthing person with eyes wide feeling every word not being spoken, their partner frozen and pushed to the side.

I’ve been in the room days, months and years later when people are still trying to understand how to all unfolded. Why it all happened. How they could have made it different.

I’ve seen the grief, even if they don’t know that that’s what they are feeling. I’ve seen it from birthing folks and from their partners.

When you are planning to have a baby, no one prepares you for the grief that could come from a change in the plan.

I know it’s not what you wanted.
I know it’s not what you’d hoped for.
I’m so sorry.
I see you and I understand.

You are not alone.

07/08/2025

FYI

Important Update for Potential Clients
If you applied for midwifery care between February 1 and July 7, 2025, please re-submit your application.

Due to an unexpected system issue, some applications were unfortunately lost. This was not a security breach, and we’re working hard to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
We truly apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. 💛
If you need support, please reach out to clientcare@alberta-midwives.ca — we’re here to help.

06/30/2025

There is a heatwave this week and I thought I’d share some tips to help you beat the heat!
🌞

1. Get to the water. Not only will it help you stay cool, the weightless feeling of swimming and floating will feel good on your aching body as it grows with pregnancy.
💦
2. Stay hydrated. It’s more important to keep up your fluid intake than ever. Getting dehydrated can cause you to feel lightheaded and dizzy and can also cause contractions. Remember to drink electrolytes as well as water.
🥤
3. Stay indoors. While you may not want to miss out on the summer fun, if the heat is too much there is nothing wrong with staying inside. Get to a movie theatre, walk in the mall or set up your bed in your basement.
4. Stay in the shade. If you do get out to enjoy summer activities, find some shade. It’ll feel good to take breaks from the hot sun.
5. Be mindful of picnic foods. Picnics, potlucks and barbecues are popular and the food is a big draw. Be careful with food that’s been sitting out in the sun for a long time if it should be refrigerated. This is where deli meat might be something to avoid, as well as creamy salads.

With the holiday this week? It should be a fun one!

06/23/2025

If you are expecting, there is a team of folks that you might want to seek out for support while you go through your pregnancy, birth and postpartum period.

1-First, you find a care provider like a midwife, general practioner or Obstetrician. If you are local to Southern Alberta, you won’t get the option like most literature suggests to interview doctors. You’ll rotate through several doctors and whoever is on call will deliver your baby. If you’d like a midwife, apply immediately to ensure you get a spot.

2. Often disregarded and underused, pharmacists can be real friends to expecting families. Not all medications are safe for expecting people, or for breastfeeding. Your pharmacist is the expert on medications.

3. A body worker like a massage therapist, chiropractor, physiotherapist or acupuncturist. As your body changes, you may find discomfort that comes along with it. These providers will help you manage the temporary discomfort that comes with a rapidly changing body. Be sure to watch that they have appropriate training.

4. A plan for movement and nutrition. If you aren’t already doing rigorous fitness routine, don’t start something aggressive. Simple walking, prenatal yoga and swimming are good options.

5. Keeping an eye on your emotions is important . Certainly with hormone changes, you might feel a little out of sorts, but watch for prenatal anxiety and depression. Check in with friends, or if you need more support talk with your doctor or counsellor.

This is a village you don’t want to miss out on.

06/18/2025

What I see often in birth environments is “informed procedure” not informed consent.
Not really.

And while I know that providers mean no ill intent by just doing, it’s not actual consent.

Why does this happen? I expect that it’s culture mostly. The idea that because you have agreed to the care, that anything that is offered will be agreed to because they are the “expert” and you want to make sure everything is okay.

“I’m going to ________” and you’re going to agree. Because you are there and you trust your provider.

But you can’t give informed consent if no one actually asks you a question.

For example, I often hear people say, “I’m going to check your cervix”. Then, assuming the birthing person nods, the provider will say something like, “you’ll feel my touch” and then they might say, “okay some pressure here” as they continue.

But no where in those statements does anyone ask, “is it okay if I check your cervix?” And “is it okay if I go in?”

If care providers are reading this, you may wonder why it matters. But keep in mind that approximately 45% of adult Albertans have experienced sexual assault in their lifetime. (Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Survey-2020)

So if almost 1/2 of the folks giving birth have experienced SA, wouldn’t it be trauma informed care to assume as much and provider as much consent as possible, just in case?

Informed consent always requires a question.
For students to be present
For internal exams
For interventions

“I’m just going to….” is not consent

Source:
https://aasas.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Prevalence-of-Sexual-Assault-Childhood-Sexual-Abuse-Summary-of-Key-Findings_FINAL.pdf

06/15/2025

Watching over their babies before they even enter the world

Happy Father’s Day to the ones who are steadfast in strength, courage and love. For the steady hands and comfort that starts long before that first cry.