Earthside - Pregnancy to Parenthood

02/09/2025

If you do not have any current family photos taken within the last year or so, take this as a suggestion to book in with Thread and Film's next shoot under the cherry blossoms - short and sweet sessions to capture the family and your vibe.

Email us at: threadandfilmnz@gmail.com to book a spot or ask any questions you have.

14/08/2025

I didn’t become a doula because birth is easy.

I became a doula because I saw what happens when whanau feel informed & supported during their pregnancy, birth and beyond and I knew I could be of service.

Please get in touch if you would like to feel more informed and supported in your journey.

01/08/2025

Its WABA World Breastfeeding Week and its been amazing to see the posts from all the places that offer support and encouragement in the Manawatū, here is the ever growing list of support available locally.

There are a lot of different places that you can reach out for breastfeeding and lactation support in the Manawatū, some free and some paid, hopefully you can find the right fit for you and your whānau in the list below.

📌Te Whatu Ora Lactation Service - Free booked appointments with Lactation Consultants. Self referrals can be sent through to lactationservice@midcentraldhb.govt.nz or call/txt on 0273094183

📍Donor milk:

Whāngai Ora Milk Bank - Te Papaiōea
Milksharing Manawatu

📌Peer to Peer support:

Palmerston North Breastfeeding Support Group - Meets every second Monday, see their page for details.

Parents' Circle - Every Wednesday from 10.30 -12.30pm in Feilding

📍Free drop-in support with Lactation Consultants:

Milk Cafe - Te Papaioea Birthing Centre - Every Wednesday 10 -12pm upstairs in the Pohutukawa room

📌Private Lactation Consultants (Costs will vary)

Unique Beginnings

Supported Lactation

Breastfeeding Manawatu, Jackie Wheeler IBCLC

📍Raukawa Whanau Ora - Free breastfeeding and lactation support from Manawatu to Horowhenua. Self referrals can be sent through to 027 225 3229

📌Breastfeeding Medicine (Costs apply)

Cradled by Dr Heather Johnston

(For any extra curly breastfeeding challenges or anything that needs a doctor lens or ability to prescribe - including unsettled babies, inducing lactation, tricky stuff with low milk production or pain/ wound/ infection management)

17/07/2025

Following on from last weeks post, when thinking about ensuing that those friends and family you invite to be apart of your birth space are on the same page as you, here are some things you might like to ask:

• What would get in the way of you coming to my labour and birth? Birth is unpredictable so you need to know they will be available even I you go into labour in the middle of the night or during their workday.

• Would it be okay if I needed to ask you to leave or if I decided not to call you until after our pēpi was born? Because birth is a wild ride you just don’t who you will want when the time comes weather this is your first or subsequent birth and you want to be sure you won’t be concerned about others and their feelings during this special time.

• If we make decisions, you would not have made, how will you manage that? You don’t want to have your decisions coloured by others and what they think, its important you are free to make the decisions that feel right for you, your pēpi and your whanau.

• What do you see as your roll during our birth? You really want to be sure that you are on the same page in all things.

You can also ask these questions of your doula, either as part of your birth planning appointment or even at the start of your relationship when you are interviewing potential members of your “birth team”.

15/07/2025

Did you or a member of your whānau experience birth as traumatic?

Do you want a safe space to share or just hang out?

This week is Birth Trauma Awareness week and Kate Hicks from Birth Trauma Aotearoa is joining this week's Pou Matua Rōpū/Parent Support group.

Birth Trauma Aotearoa is a mother/birthing parent and whānau-centered organisation. They focus on education, advocacy, research and support regarding all forms of birth trauma in Aotearoa. Please check out their page and follow them for more information.

Kate will be doing an informal chat with the group at approx. 10:30am and be available to connect individually with those who wish it at Friday's session.

Pou Matua Rōpū/Parent Support Group is held at Barnardos Bumps to Babies, 117 Ruahine Street Palmerston North. This is a drop in clinic running weekly every Friday from 10am - 12noon.

Lactation support is present and refreshments available

10/07/2025

Your labour and birth can be one of the most miraculous and life-changing experiences you will have. Who you invite to be apart of this experience really matters, so it’s essential that you take time to consider beforehand who you would like to be apart of your “dream team”.

Friends and family would often like to be apart of your birth, with the very best intentions, however before you decide to invite them into your birth space, have a conversation where you share your preferences, boundaries and expectations of your support team – so they know what you want and if they can provide you with the support you need.

03/07/2025

Newborn, baby and toddler sleep can be such a polarizing topic, it was over 12 years ago now that I was in the thick of it and i can still remember the emotions, the hormones and crisis of confidence.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that my chiropractor and I had the same ethos when it comes to sleep and that she gently supports new (and subsequent) parents on their sleep journey.

Some bangers from her website:

"No sleep training. No BS. Only support to find your ease with sleep"

"We live in a society that is obsessed with infant sleep. Sleep training culture is LOUD and dare I say it, full of contradictions, lack of evidence-based information and overall absolute BS."

"HOW YOUR BABY SLEEPS IS NOT A REFLECTION OF YOUR PARENTING ABILITY. You are doing an incredible job."

is putting connection back in sleep, so if you would like support, strategies, and real understanding you need to turn it around, without sleep training or rigid rules take a look at her website:

https://www.babysleepwithainslee.com/

28/06/2025

Caught up with some of the practicing doulas in the Manawatu yesterday for a doula cuddle (group of doulas 💜)

It was lovely to support each other and provide some peer support, it was clear we all love what we do and look forward to all the clients we work with.

Looking forward to catching up with them all again soon.

05/06/2025

Doulas offer a wide range of support services during significant life events. As a Birth Doula, I am present to be in service to you and your birth partner during your labour and birth, ensuring you have all the support you need.

As your birth doula, I can be by your side from the beginning (it is your choice when you ask me to join you), providing practical comforts and working together to keep you positive, relaxed, and calm throughout the process. I'm here to help you and your birth partner every step of the way, from fetching drinks, snacks or ice-cold flannels to setting the scene with lighting, I have got it covered!

Doulas may still be relatively new in Aotearoa, but the recognition for our services is growing and research from overseas shows that hiring a doula can positively influence birth outcomes. So, if you are looking to have a supported and informed birth experience, consider having a doula on your team.

01/11/2024

Sarah of Thread and Film and I are helping you get those cute Christmas pictures, while fundraising for a local school.

We aim to make it as relaxed and fun as possible while documenting some memories for you, in time to turn them into gifts for Nana.

Send us an email at threadandfilmnz@gmail.com to book.

P.s If you cant make this date we are doing it all again on the 24th of November, so either way send us an email.

Mt Biggs Christmas Photo Fundraiser

All booking fees will go towards Mt Biggs Home & School fundraising.

Sunday 10th Nov 10am-2pm

$30 per booking and this includes one digital photo - Additional images will be available for $20 per photo or $100 for the entire digital gallery.

Email threadandfilmnz@gmail.com to secure your spot today!