Cariad and Care Doula Services

My favourite time of year 🍂🍁

L A B O U R • T I P

QUICK! Grab a comb!!!

Swipe through to see how the use of a comb (preferably a wooden one as they’re less inclined to snap) can help you during your contractions

As always, get in touch to find out more about my one on one prenatal classes, how I can support you in labour, & how I can support you during the postpartum period

YOU DESERVE SUPPORT

B I R T H • S U P P O R T

People reaching out for support is an undervalued strength & I’m so proud to be beside them as they bring babe into the world

As of right now, here is my birth support availability, &, as always, I’m here to answer any questions about what that support may look like for you

Remember! I also offer one on one prenatal classes too!

Reach out to find out more

Www.cariadandcaredoulaservices.com
[email protected]

E L E V E N • Y E A R S • A G O

After labouring for around 34hrs, I had a baby

My first. The one that made me a Mum.

Still not quite sure what they were thinking letting us leave the hospital with a tiny human to care for.

I was wearing a nappy (that’s a diaper to all my Canadian/US friends 🤣) to rival hers, everything felt sore, & I felt like I was walking this weird path of pure exhaustion & exhilaration

She came home with us. She napped primarily on me, or in the pushchair (stroller) for the first four months of her life. She fed every two hours on the nose (my cracked ni***es were not a fan), was calmed by a nap with me & loved lying on my husbands knees

In a blink, she’s now off out biking with friends solo, listening to music on repeat (the same songs over & over 🤯), being a fab big sister, loving her life, finding her likes & dislikes & challenging us to be better parents all the time

We love ya chick 🫶🏻

W A T E R • B R E A K I N G

Myth vs Fact

• Myth
Everyone’s water breaks with a big dramatic gush

• Fact
Nope. It can look very different from person, to person & pregnancy, to pregnancy

Get in touch to find out how I can support you through pregnancy, labour & delivery, & during the postpartum period 🖤

S T • D A V I D ‘ S • D A Y

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus pawb
Happy St. David’s Day everyone

Daffodils are said to be a symbol of rebirth, new beginnings, hope, joy & good luck, they are the national flower of Wales, & these bad boys bloomed just in time for St. David’s Day

These particular daffs were bought for me by an amazing friend, on quite an awful day (so they’re extra special), & for this Welsh girl living in Canada, they never fail to make me smile & think of home…now if we could ditch the minus temps I’d be one happy chicky!!!

Q U E S T I O N S • A N D • C O N S U L T S

Have a look through this post to see some questions you may want to ask your potential Birth Doula

Finding the right fit for you is important

For those of you who have done this before, what kind of questions did you ask your Doula? What did you find most helpful about a Doula consult?

Drop a comment & share 🖤

G U E S S • W H A T

It was drawn to my attention lately that not everyone knows that they absolutely have the option to change care provider during pregnancy

• When you go to your appointment with questions or concerns, you should leave with answers & with your concerns having been addressed

• When you’re in your appointment, all options should be explained to you, not just presented to you as fact

• If your care provider doesn’t have the same take on your birth plan as you do, or they don’t agree with how you want to be supported-how will that look in the delivery room?

• If the provider has health concerns for you or the baby that may impact the way you want to deliver, that should be talked through. Explanations should be given, & options explored.

• There may of course be valid reasons for you to need to stay with a certain provider (high risk/specialists etc), but that doesn’t negate the need for positive communication & respect

• Remember, you deserve to be treated with respect. You deserve to be listened to. You deserve support

Finding someone who makes you feel as though they are truly listening & explaining things to you is important

If you can, talk to your care provider if you feel you aren’t getting that & don’t be afraid to look for something else if this just isn’t working for you

🖤

O U T • O F • O F F I C E • O N

For the first time in five years I’m headed home!

I will be checking emails periodically, but please be patient if replies are a little slower than usual

I’ll be back Nov 1st

Getting some prep work done for my prenatal classes before my consult arrives…& also hanging out on the ‘gram obvi 💁🏼‍♀️

If you, or someone you know is interested in one on one Prenatal classes, get in touch!

P R E G N A N C Y • A N D • I N F A N T • L O S S

October is recognized as Pregnancy & Infant Loss awareness month. For those who have lived through such a loss, every month may feel like this

• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Infant/Child Loss
• Late Term Loss
• Ectopic
• Embryo Loss
• Chemical Pregnancy
• TFMR
• SIDS
• Neonatal Loss
• Abortion
• Molar Pregnancy

Your journey matters, & I’m here to listen, no matter the month 🖤