Spectrum Doula Services

25/04/2022

happy le***an visibility week to all the lovely le***ans out there! you and your identity are valid and important 🧡🤍💗

04/09/2021

30/08/2021

Asking for help can feel like a daunting task, and you may have some feelings and emotions that are holding you back. This is your reminder that you are worthy of taking up space and that you can and should ask for help when and if you need it.

Prioritize yourself and your mental and emotional well-being. Reach out to trusted friends or loved ones and ask for the support you may not only need but deserve.

26/08/2021

Identity first language vs. Person first language; what is it, and which is preferred?

This post will be using the acronyms IFL (identity-first language) and PFL (person-first language) to make things easier.

Widely speaking, IFL (autistic person) is preferred by autistic people. "Wait, I was taught to always put the person before the disability!" Many people are taught to use PFL, to put the person before their disability; because they are more than their autism and their autism doesn't define them. And that isn’t necessarily true. Most likely, these people learned from someone neurotypical. This is when it is important to listen to autistic people, to make an active and conscious effort to relearn what might have been taught.

Now, of course, every autistic person you meet is unique and we need to recognize and appreciate this. That's why it's important to ask each autistic person you meet which they prefer since we are all different! However, having said this, the general consensus amongst autistic people is that IFL is preferred.

"Why?" You ask, unaware of how an assumption that we are more than our autism is harmful. Autism affects the entire world around us, how we perceive things, react to things, and how we experience our lives. It is an intrinsic part of who we are.

Looking at other examples of IFL we find that these identities are important and affect the way these individuals see and experience the world: Deaf people, trans people, Black people, q***r people. Not only are these a huge part of someone's identity but there is a subsequent community, rich with its own culture.

PFL also supports the rhetoric that autism is an accessory to the person, something that can be separated from them, and something that could be cured. Autism cannot be cured, but this is not a tragedy, as much as it is a celebration of who we are. Autistic people shouldn't need to remind others that we are people or that we should be treated as such. Being autistic isn't a bad thing, autistic isn't a dirty word and shouldn't be treated as such. It's a part of who we are and how we were born, you cannot separate it from us.

We are autistic.

21/08/2021

Slowing down, setting boundaries, and taking time for yourself isn’t selfish, it’s self-care.

Carve some time out to reconnect with yourself this weekend. Go for a walk, read a book, take a nap, pick up a hobby, listen to your favourite music! The options are endless!

How do you like to take care of yourself? What are some things you do to feel balanced again?

14/08/2021

Keep hearing the term “birth plan” but confused as to what it is or where to start?

A birth plan is a document created by the birthing person that contains their preferences and wishes for before, during, and after labour and delivery. This is typically a “best case scenario”, as we cannot fully prepare and plan how birth goes! Some items on the birth plan may include:

- being able to walk around during labour
- labouring in the water
- using specific birthing/pushing positions
- use of pain relief medications
- delayed cord clamping
- uninterrupted first hour after birth

A birth plan is not only a useful guide to birthing people and potential support people, but also to any staff or health care practitioners present during the birthing process. It may help you feel more prepared for what to expect and to have informed conversations beforehand.

Still feeling lost? Don’t know where to start? A doula can help walk you through potential preferences or requests, allowing for time to have conversations about your options!

11/08/2021

No matter who you are or what you’re doing, you are deserving of rest.

09/08/2021

The go-to for many people when both labouring and pushing is laying on their back. While that may work best for some, did you know there are other options that come with their own unique benefits?

Try out a few of these positions before your due date to see how they feel in your body and to practice so you’ll know what feels best and can be relied upon when labour starts!

20/07/2021

09/06/2021

Along with a new virtual business card, my new website is also live! The link is in my bio! Feel free to share this post and/or my website with anyone you think may be interested in my services!

01/06/2021

Getting super close to being able to launch the new and improved Spectrum Doula Services website! Keep an eye out!

In the meantime you can still access information and resources through my temporary website, linked in bio!

30/05/2021

Language is important- especially for q***r, trans, and gender non-conforming people!

The pregnancy and birth space is highly gendered and can feel anywhere from slightly uncomfortable to extremely triggering and dysphoria-inducing to q***r, trans, and non-binary people; which is why it’s so important to be aware of the language you’re using and try to be as inclusive as possible!

Here are just a few common words or phrases and how to make them more inclusive and gender neutral! Swipe to the very end for a more extensive list of options!

And remember, not everyone has to use or likes to use these terms! It comes down to the individual person and is always best to ask!

03/04/2021

Happy ! Here are a few ways to be an ally to autistic people:

•Use identity-first language (autistic person) instead of person-first language (person with autism). The majority of autistic people prefer IFL since we see our autism as an intrinsic part of ourselves and our identity, and as something that cannot be separated from us!

• Use the infinity symbol instead of the puzzle piece. The puzzle piece symbol was popularized by Autism Speaks, a hate organization that advocates to “cure” autism. Rather than using the puzzle piece, which insinuates that we are “missing a piece” or “don’t fit in”, you can use the rainbow infinity symbol which recognizes that autism is a spectrum!

• Realize that autism is a spectrum. There is no one way to be autistic, and the spectrum is not linear, instead closer to a colour wheel!

• Support autistic-lead organizations such as ASAN (Autistic Self-Advocacy Network) and AWN (Autistic Women and Non-binary Network).

• Recognize the barriers to getting a diagnosis. Self-diagnosis is very valid in the autistic community since there are many barriers to getting a professional diagnosis such as finances, accessibility, race, gender, and many other things. It is a well-known fact that women, those raised and socialized as female, and BIPOC have a harder time getting a professional diagnosis.

• Know that non-speaking does not equal non-communicative! There are many ways to communicate with non-speaking people, such as AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). Examples include PECS, ASL, iPads, gestures, noises, etc!

• Remember that autism is not a disease and does not need to be cured, and it is not caused by vaccines! Autism is simply a different neurotype that naturally occurs.

• Listen to, uplift, and celebrate autistic voices! We are the experts on autism and want the best for other autistic people out there! Listen to what we have to say, use your platform to uplift our voices, and celebrate us for who we are!

• Do your research! Follow autistic accounts and creators, support autistic owned and operated businesses (like Spectrum Doula Services!) and follow the hashtag !

31/03/2021

Today is , a day to celebrate trans people and their accomplishments, as well as raise awareness surrounding the discrimination faced worldwide.

The birth space has been, and still is, heavily gendered. From “new mom” groups to “maternity” wear it can be easy for trans and non-binary people to feel excluded in the birthing community. That is why Spectrum Doula Services is committed to not only including, but centring trans, q***r, and non-binary people.

As someone who is non-binary and identifies as trans I can provide trans and q***r centred birth services as well as support to individuals going through various life thresholds such as questioning gender identity, coming out, transitioning, and education surrounding the q***r, trans, and non-binary communities.

Feel free to email me at hannah@spectrumdoulaservices.com for more information or to get in touch regarding my services.

23/03/2021

Kicking off with the big question: What is a doula?

Traditionally a woman supporting another woman, the word “doula” has evolved to now mean someone who supports you through any life thresholds such as pregnancy, birth, death, coming out, having an abortion, receiving a new diagnosis, etc!

Part of my doula services include pregnancy, birth, postpartum, gender identity, coming out/sexuality, mental health, and disability guidance!

More information will be available on my new website, which is coming soon, so keep an eye out! 🧡

11/01/2021

tw: gendered language and imagery

very cool video on some of the changes a pregnant body experiences!

28/11/2020

Hello all, welcome to Spectrum Doula Services!

My name is El MacIntyre (they/them) and I am a disabled, q***r, nonbinary, and neurodivergent full spectrum doula operating on the unceded traditional territory of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, also referred to as Victoria, BC.

I recently obtained my holistic doula certification at Pacific Rim College through their 16 week program, totalling 270 hours of training. My goal is to create a safe and inclusive space that honours and centres q***r, trans, disabled, and neurodivergent families, and is an actively anti-racist space for Black, Indigenous, and non-white people.

As someone who exists at multiple intersections of identities, I find it important that there is a dedicated safe space that not only includes and accepts these families and the communities they are apart of, but centres and understands them. I have first hand experience being a disabled, q***r, nonbinary, neurodivergent person and know how important using proper names, pronouns, and inclusive language is, or how to work around accommodations and assist disabled and neurodivergent people.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or want to work with me!