Doula Kait

11/22/2022

During pregnancy it can be easy to get overwhelmed with all the new information you're learning and all the decisions you have to make. "What's right for me and my family?" isn't an easy question to answer.

This is a quick reminder to use your BRAIN to help you with all the options and opinions being presented to you!

B - what are the BENEFITS?
R - what are the RISKS?
A - what are the ALTERNATIVES?
I - what does my INTUITION tell me?
N - what if I do NOTHING or say NOT YET?

As a doula, I remind my clients of these questions during our prenatal visits and empower them to make decisions that feel right.

Don't be shy to ask your care provider these questions so you can make confident and informed decisions!

08/19/2022

I’m nervous about breastfeeding; can you help me with that?

Yes, I can and yes, I will! Firstly, we will spend time before baby comes preparing for your breastfeeding journey with information and education. We’ll talk about what’s making you nervous, and address all of your concerns. Then, in your baby’s first few hours of life, I can help you initiate breastfeeding, so you’re set up for success when it comes time to feed baby again. We can spend time making sure you and baby are comfortable and getting off to the right start. I also offer a breastfeeding support add-on that you can combine with your other services, so I can help you and baby after you’ve given it a few tries.

07/26/2022

Hearing your doctor say “we’ll have to induce you” may feel scary, but being armed with the right information means it doesn’t have to be!

Here are some important things to know about medical induction:
👉 induction could last days and be pretty intense if your body and your baby aren’t ready for labour
👉 a “little sweep” is a form of induction/an intervention
👉 your estimated due date is just that … an estimation! If you’ve passed your due date and your baby is still comfy, that’s not a medical reason to need an induction

You may wish to help labour along naturally if you feel like you and your baby are ready to go, and that’s okay! This can be considered more like labour encouragement than labour induction.

Medical induction can be beneficial for some, but usually only when it’s medically necessary - like if you or your baby are having health issues, or if you have low amniotic fluid.

While it might make you nervous, induction can be positive! Just be sure you’re prepared and using techniques to help you through labour that work with you, not against you. Know your options and make informed choices! …your doula can help you there 😉

05/12/2022

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
A real glimpse into those precious postpartum days (and nights).

04/29/2022

People often ask me, "What if I end up needing a c-section? Will you still be able to support me?", or "What if I need an emergency c-section? ... I need you there!"

While hospitals have different policies around the number of people allowed in the operating room during caesareans, my goal is always to support you wherever you need it and however you need it - including before, during, and after c-sections (whether scheduled or not).

When it comes to doula support and c-sections, not only will you still be able to benefit from all the prenatal preparation we'll have done together, I will also be able to support you in the operating and recovery rooms, and to support your partner by keeping them informed and letting them know how they can support you, too.

04/04/2022

April is Cesarean Awareness Month - a time to bring awareness to all topics surrounding cesarean birth, including reducing preventable cesareans, supporting cesarean recovery, and advocating for vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).

Join me, , and families around the world in raising awareness and encouraging informed decision making in pregnancy and birth!



Information gathered from International Cesarean Awareness Network
https://www.ican-online.org/

04/01/2022

Proud to announce my partnership with Bornbir - where you can find the best local providers for your pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum!

Check out my profile at

Disclaimer: Bornbir does not employ any providers and is not responsible for the conduct of any providers listed. As a user, you need to perform your own diligence to ensure the provider you choose is appropriate for your needs and complies with applicable laws and licensure requirements. Bornbir is...

04/01/2022

Have you always dreamed of having a calm and comfortable home birth, but wonder if you'll still be able to get the support you need there?

Don't worry ... I got you covered!

Whether in the hospital, at home, in a birthing centre, or anywhere else, I will be by your side during labour and birth to support you emotionally, comfort you physically, and make sure your voice is heard.

03/21/2022

Today we celebrate the parents who are pulling double duty.

Whether by choice or circumstance, single parents carry a heavy load. This is why I am partnering with The Cove Global] to provide resources and support to single parents in our community. It really does take a village, and The Cove Global and their group of trusted partners like myself are the village that single parents can lean on when they need an extra hand (or two or three!).

If you're a single parent-to-be and nervous about birth, having support from a doula can be such a comfort - knowing that there is someone in your corner to guide you through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period can really empower you in a time when you may feel scared and alone.

And regardless if you're single-parenting a baby, a toddler, or a teen, the folks at The Cove Global aim to give you the tools to master each day and can help you spend less time searching for answers, and more time enjoying life!

Reach out to your single parent friends today and let them know they're doing a great job. Tag them in the comments and share this post!

And to the single parents reading this ... you got this! And if there are days when you feel like you don't, you can reach out to me or the great people at The Cove Global] for support.

03/18/2022

Happy Friday! 🎉

I get so many questions about my work as a doula, so I decided to start a "FAQ FRIDAY" series!

I'll be answering YOUR frequently asked questions here on Fridays to share information and knowledge about my work as a doula.

To kick off our series ...

"Can I have a midwife AND a doula?"
YES! 🤱Midwives and doulas work as your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum dream team to ensure you get all the support you need (and more)!

Do you have any questions you want featured on future FAQ Fridays? Send me a DM!

01/25/2022

Waiting to clamp and cut the umbilical cord until at least one minute after your baby is born is often referred to as “delayed cord clamping”; waiting anywhere from one to five minutes after your baby is born (or until the cord stops pulsating and turns white) is considered OPTIMAL.

Since about a third (33%) of your baby’s blood is still in the umbilical cord at birth, waiting for the cord to turn white will ensure that your baby gets their full blood volume, more white blood cells to ward off infection, over a million stem cells, and protection against iron deficiency.

The time it takes for your baby to get all this good stuff from the cord may vary … most studies acknowledge benefits of waiting at least one minute after the baby is born, but many studies have shown benefits of waiting five minutes or longer. Since every baby is different, we use the term “WAIT FOR WHITE” – when you wait for the umbilical cord to stop pulsating and turn WHITE, that’s a good indication that all the good stuff has made its way to your baby. That could take 30 seconds, 3 minutes, or longer! There have also been many cases where the baby remains attached to the placenta until after the placenta is delivered!

If you’ve done your research and decided that waiting for white sounds like the best option for you and your baby, be sure to share your desire with your OB/GYN or midwife, state it clearly in your birth plan, and know how to advocate for yourself! In the rush of birth, sometimes it’s difficult to get your thoughts and words together if you find the hospital staff getting ready to clamp as soon as baby is out – this is when your partner and/or your doula can remind the doctors and nurses of your birth plan and your desire to WAIT FOR WHITE.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments! What is optimal for you and your baby?

01/11/2022

Your birth doula is an invaluable resource to both you and your partner (spouse, sibling, friend, parent) not only during labour and birth, but also during pregnancy leading up to birth and in the immediate postpartum period.

Overall, the goal of your birth doula is to enhance your birth experience and ease your partner’s burden. Your partner is an expert in you and your relationship, and your doula is an expert in labour, birth, and postpartum support – and they’re both there to support YOU!

During pregnancy, you and your partner will meet with your doula to discuss your birth plan; your fears, concerns, and questions; your feelings; and plan how you will all work together effectively. Your doula will provide both you and your partner with information, peace of mind, and comfort measures to use during labour.

During birth, your doula can provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions and facilitate communication with your clinical care providers – this frees up your partner to be by your side 100% of the time (if you want). Sometimes, partners are unsure of what to do during labour and birth – your doula will be there to give encouragement and suggestions to your partner about how they can support you, and ensure they are a participant in the birth process (within your comfort level and theirs). The presence of your birth doula complements and strengthens your partner’s role.

After birth, your doula can assist you with breastfeeding initiation, help make you comfortable, and give you space to greet your new baby with your partner. During postpartum visits, your doula will be a listening ear to help you process your birth experience, and will be able to answer any questions you have, now that baby is at home with you.

The bottom line: having doula support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum has proven to lead to overall positive outcomes for the birthing person, their partner, and their baby!

What was YOUR favourite part about having your doula by your side?