Author: Alyssa
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Ambivalence in Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a magical time, isn’t it? For once, this isn’t a rhetorical question. For many women the answer is yes: pregnancy does stir up a near-magical power that buoys us through nausea, fatigue, aches, worries, heartburn and finally labour. Pregnancy is a time of unlimited potential, full of dreams about the baby/babies growing even…
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Newborn Essentials Every Baby Needs
Congratulations on your pregnancy! Waiting to meet your baby is one of the hardest things to do, but it doesn’t have to be the spendiest 9 months of your life. The internet will tell you there’s a long list of essentials you must buy for your baby, and baby books do it too! No wonder everyone…
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Doulas and Epidurals
What’s the deal with doulas and epidurals? Some people are under the impression that doulas are only for women planning a natural childbirth, or that doulas look down on/discourage epidurals. In fact, a professional doula will support her client’s birth choices regardless what they are, and we are skilled at helping women adapt and stay in…
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TSH Birth Doula Program
The Scarborough Hospital’s birth doula program is a ground-breaking initiative that allows more families to hire a doula and experience the powerful difference that comes with a doula’s care. Founded in 2010, this program is open to all women who plan to deliver at either campus of the Scarborough Hospital. Clients who register are charged…
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When to Call the Doula
In the movies, it usually happens like this: a pregnant woman is out at a restaurant or walking along the street with friends, when her water breaks with a gush. Immediately she must find a cab or get a ride to the hospital because the baby’s birth is imminent. (You wouldn’t know it, but I…
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Celebrities Who Love Doulas
I saw this article on parents.com about celebrities who have hired doulas to support them through labour and/or postpartumThis article was a fun read for me, and then it got me thinking. Why does it matter if a celebrity had a doula? Does it change anything for the “ordinary” women who make the same choice…
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Doula vs. Midwife – What’s the Difference?
FAQ: I have a midwife, so why would I hire a doula? Aren’t they basically the same thing? Midwives and doulas are not the same, but hiring a doula to attend your birth with a midwife sounds like a GREAT idea! Here’s why: Women choose to have a midwife for many reasons, but commonly they…
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Passing the Time Before Baby Arrives
So the final weeks of pregnancy are dragging along, or perhaps your due date has come and gone, and your baby has yet to make his or her grand entrance into the world. It may seem like a cruel twist of fate after you’ve been counting down the days to meet your little one, but…
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Planning Beyond Your Birth
Toronto zoo shared this picture update of their female panda Er Shun and one of her 6 week old cubs (she delivered twins). This photo is extra cute to me because this exact pose is featured in so many human family photos in the weeks following birth! This photo may strike you as funny, or…
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Book Review: Natural Hospital Birth
Not every woman wants a natural birth, but of those who do, achieving natural birth in a hospital can be a daunting challenge. The medical system has saved countless lives, but it is not well set-up to allow for the unfolding of a natural process. For the women who do not see birth as a necessarily…