Doula Tantie - Airdrie Perinatal Support

03/19/2020

Attention Doula friends and parents alike!

In light of the current circumstances, I wanted to contribute to everyone's ability to offer stellar digital support to their clients AND to parents ability to access easy to read and digest resources during this stressful time. I've created a listing in my Etsy shop to purchase the 10 most useful digital handouts at a deeply discounted rate.

I would like to add that IF for any reason the discounted price is still outside your range of affordability, please shoot me a private message and I can arrange for you to "pay what you can"

*PLEASE READ TO THE END* During this time of uncertainty, many Doulas are having to make the difficult decision to support their clients digitally. In order to help Doulas still be able to provide next level, quality resources and practical support to their clients, I have put together a package of

01/28/2020

Wow! First of all, welcome to all my new followers!! I kid you not, every 50 or so I do a little dance because I am SO grateful and excited to see growth!!
Speaking of growth! My business has expanded! I am so excited to now have a line of beautifully designed, easy to digest, useful tools and handouts for Doulas and parents alike!
When I jumped into my Doula business with both feet, I quickly realized I wanted (and needed) some coherent tools, documents and handouts not only to run my business but to give my clients an above and beyond experience.
Creating my own quickly snowballed into creating and branding some for other Doulas and VOILÀ! By Design was born 🥰 A one stop shop for all (or at least most) of your Doula biz design needs!
While I’ve been at this for some time now, I am beyond excited to finally share what I’ve been doing with all of you!
Birth and Postpartum Doulas, Childbirth and breastfeeding educators, If you’re looking for simple, coherent and useful tools for your Doula biz or beautiful, evidence based resources for tour clients, click Shop Now!
Don’t see a handout you were looking for? PM me and I’ll create it!
Thank you all for your love, encouragement and support! I look forward to serving and growing with you all in the future!!

01/21/2020

Informed consent is not “well I signed a form so they must have explained it” 🙌🏾

While telling me her birth story, a client of mine shared how she felt completely unprepared and blindsided by the induction process.

“I remember asking questions but most of the answers sounded the same and the Dr seemed to be rushing through the appointment. Looking back afterwards, it would have been helpful to have specific answers to my questions cause I didn’t really understand what I was consenting to. I kept saying to myself, well I signed the forms so they must have explained/told me about this part”.

This got me SHOOK y’all!!

Let me be clear. It is your ethical and legal right to ask questions, for more information and to receive specific answers to YOUR satisfaction, not just the providers.

As a Doula, part of my job is to help you make informed decisions about your care! Sometimes it can be difficult to ask pointed questions on the spot when faced with difficult or overwhelming options. That does not negate your right to be informed!

To help ensure you are giving INFORMED consent (or choice) use the acronym BRAIN.

What are the Benefits?
What are the Risks?
What are the Alternatives?
What’s my Intuition?

What if we do Nothing and re visit this discussion later?

Know what else? You can say “no”. With the exception of emergencies (where you or your baby are in danger), it is your right to refuse any treatment, procedure etc.

No healthcare provider can force you to do anything you don’t want to without taking appropriate legal action.

Use your voice to advocate for the pregnancy and birth you want! You have autonomy over your BODY and your baby!

01/18/2020

Doulas, if you bring your ego into the birth space, you’re gonna have a bad time! 🙌🏾
As a newer Doula I’m still working on a lot of things. One is leaving my ego OUT of my practice. 😬
Don’t get me wrong, I ALWAYS support my clients in whatever they want and need, no questions asked. But it was brought to my attention (very lovingly by a recent client) that I need to work on EDUCATING without letting my own biases sneak through.
“It seemed like you were really against the epidural” 😬 Ouch.
Looking back on our prenatal visits and where my own focus goes (especially when a client says they want to avoid an epidural) I can totally see how my language and focus betrayed my bias.
So I had a think. Am I against epidurals? HECK NO! Am I afraid that if a client gets an epidural, they will experience negative effects and cascading interventions that I won’t be able to control or support? YUP! (See how that worry is about my own control there?) 😏
My fear impacted my confidence and ability to support my client in an unbiased way. Damn.
I am so grateful for this feedback and am going to do my best to work on addressing my own fears and biases, leaving them OUT of the pregnancy and birth space. 🙌🏾
Has your ego ever impacted your care for a client?
Here’s to another year of personal development!

01/16/2020

Ive been quiet lately, mostly because I’m COMPLETELY booked and loving how busy things have been.

Looked at my calendar today and realized it was a super special day yesterday!

My very first Doula baby was born a year ago yesterday!! 😍 And this time last year I was passed out wondering how I would survive another birth 🤣
Happy (slightly belated) birthday baby J!!
This family will always have a place deep in my heart ♥️

01/01/2020

Happy New Year! Sending out so much love and gratitude to each and every person who has journeyed with me this year!

To the families who have invited me into their homes and birth spaces, thank you for that honor!

To the parents who have reached out for support and encouragement, thank you for sharing your stories with me!

To the people who follow and support my business(es), thank you for believing in me!

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2020!

12/23/2019

Tis the season.... For RSV! 😬
As you gather with your friends and family over the coming days, remember that babies immune systems are so vulnerable!
That "little sniffle" or "scratchy throat" that's only a little bother to you, could be life threatening to an infant. .
Not only that, but wee ones still get a TON of benefits from being close to their parent(s), especially those who are nursing!
Remember that newborns and parents are still getting to know each other and that staying close is the best way for them to do that.
Quick snuggles (WITHOUT kisses), or even just a peek inside the wrap are both great 😉
Who's venturing out with a newborn this season!? How will you navigate the "newborn paparazzi"? 😆
Pro tip: If you wear the baby, less people ask to hold them! 😏