Back in the saddle ;)

There is nothing like a little break to renew ones love for another.

Having taken some time off after the birth of my son in May of this year, I am back in a big way. Exciting new changes and a busy schedule of births, postpartum and special events. My passion for the work that I do as a Doula is greater than it has ever been. Of course like everything there are many contributing factors for the joy that I am feeling about my job. My clientele current and past, the people in my life who support me and my business partners.  

 My clients are wonderful, truly each of them are so sweet, kind hearted and have the most beautiful families. Continually pushing me in the direction I need to go and learning through each experience.  My family who has been supporting me in every way they can making it not only possible but sharing in my drive to support the families of Lethbridge through their time of pregnancy to postpartum. Of course last but not least my new doula partners. First let me just say how much I love these Doulas. Where to begin is hard to know, I have never known women so understanding, trustworthy and knowledgeable. Loree and Chantelle share the same values as I about supporting families.  Their business drive can only be admired. I am so proud to be apart of this up lifting group.

Pregnant Momma & Doula

My resolutions to learn new things, get creative, and enjoy each moment for all it's worth has been great fun and occationally busy!

Nature walks with my son riding in the wagon or on his sled when the ground is covered is snow.

Parent a Tots FREE ice skating at out local areas.

A fun family ski trip to Castle Mountain.

I won an Award for Surprise Blocker with the Deathbridge Derby Dames.

Finished the hooded baby blanket. (my first knitting project for baby #2)

I have created some amazing art pieces, enjoyed learning many new technics and refining my skills at artistic talents.

We have really enjoyed a creative family focused winter. Along with the 8 birth I attended.  

More learning... because growth is good!

My first education session of 2011! :) So glad I made the arrangements necessary for me to be there. (Child care and a schedule shift)

The Seven Deadly Sins of Business (yep that was the title) by Loree Siermachesky. I made sure to attended this because I know I have some learning to do in this area.

I won't go into all the details of each and every deadly sin, but I will share some of my own personal journey in this area. Though I'm still not sure I totally understand. Maybe I never will but this informative session shed light on what we Doulas naturally do all wrong!

When I started my career as a Birth Doula I was so excited and full of it. My excitement, that is what I was full of!

Now I just needed the clients.

SO I hung out my sign and believed they would flock to me. They didn't. I did what?

Exactly what I saw other Doulas doing in attempt to find these clients that needed a Doula but didn't know it. I handed out business card like candy thinking each would turn into a client. Applying cheap advertising magnets to my vehicle's doors which only got the attention of a few local news reports. Thankfully my parents raised me well enough to know better and I was able to see that accosting expectant mother's in public, asking if they knew what a Doula could do for them and rubbing their tummies was not only annoying but an abrasive turn off.

Clearly I understood very little of how much is involved in the business side of this work.

I left my first birth knowing I had done my job but thinking the money was terrible, the hours sucked, and the clients are too few and far between, (my next client wasn't due for over a month)

Then after attending my seventh birth I completed my Certification with DONA International. This was a start in the right direction for me to get my name out as a Birth Doula. As one of the first to become certified in the area I work, it helped a little. I remember when a change in my thinking happened. I attended a workshop by Sheri Deveney and Nicki Albrecht titled "Politics, Boundaries and Change" I took the magnets off my car, the business cards stayed in my wallet unless my contact info was wanted, and I focused on my self and becoming the best I could be, not on what all the other Doulas were doing.

By this time I now had a number of new mother's and dad's with new babies talking about their experiences with their Doula at their child's births. (Did you notice how this went for me and my, to them and their?) AND so the shift happened for me. Though I didn't notice this right away I started getting calls. Having interviews and I attended more births than was my goal.

It's not about showing off pictures of yourself holding your clients babies on your blog, facebook fan page, website or any other public forum and outlet. It is about Families receiving the support they want through their birth and postpartum experience. Doulas are to support and be paid for it.

Lesson: DON'T chase bellies it's annoying and a big turn off! DO sell yourself, your services as a SOLUTION!

Enjoyment or Fulfilment

Taking my new years plan to: have more fun, get serious about relaxation and enjoy a much needed slow down in our schedule has been more work than one might think.

As young girls my mother taught all of her daughters to knit and crochet so the reality of starting my first project of 2011 and for the new baby should be fairly easy, but seriously it took me 2days of scanning my mothers knitting books for me to find the perfect "start me off on this adventure project" I finally settled on a hooded baby blanket that can easily double as a new born's bath towel. I bought 5 balls of 100% cotton yarn (machine wash and dry). I stopped of at the Public Library picked out a few audio books and last night I began knitting my first project for our baby (who is due at the end of April)

I will be starting my art classes tomorrow evening. Then I will be writing about the beautiful things I am making and the process for learning art. Like everything I dive in with the greatest dreams of becoming the best, famous, and loving a new hobby to the fullest. This one is no different.

I will say that the lack of stress in my life feels absolutely amazing and I sure don't miss it!

Resolutions & Reflections

Starting this off with my current hopes and dreams or "My Resolution" for 2011.

To get my hands busy in some knitting and crocheting again.

Reading some books I already have before buying more.

Taking some artistic classes locally.

Taking Hypnobirthing training.

Relaxing, putting my focus on the health and well being of me and my fetus.

Then Back into Derby.

2010 was an amazing year! Looking back I know I could not have done it with out my family. SO Thanks to all of you My Shaner, Mummy, DC, Pookie, Dad & Keith. I don't know how we did do it. (My hormonal preggo brain can't get passed how tiring just thinking about it all is)

In the beginning of last year my big resolutions were to be the best Doula I could be, assisting as many clients through the birth of there choice as I could.
Getting my certification with DONA International.
Continuing my education as a childbirth supporter.

I was honoured to be chosen to support many couples and families through their childbirth and postpartum experiences. I have kept records of certain details of the out come of each labour, birth and other fun facts! Some of the Statistics over the past year I found very interesting.

Age Group of Clients
16-20 12% . 21-25 45% . 26-30 35% . 30-35 8%

Number of Children
1st time Mother's 71% . 2nd time Mother's 14% . 3rd time Mother's 9% . 5th time Mother's 3% . 6th Time Mother's 3%

Weight of Babies
Biggest 10 lbs 12 oz, Smallest 5 lbs 2 oz, Average 8 lbs 6 oz

Clients breastfeeding 96%

Hours in Labour
5-10 hours 3% . 10-15 hours 26% . 15-20 hours 30% . 20-25 hours 20% . 25-30 hours 18% . 30-35 hours 3%

Spontaneous Vaginal Birth 97% . Unexpected Surgical Birth 3%

Pain Medication
Epidurals 23% . Other 11%

Induction Medication/Procedures
Induced Labour 26% . Augmentation 32% . Assisted Rupture of Membranes 31%

Less than 38 weeks 3% . Over 42 weeks 26%

Deliver with an Obstetrician 46%
Deliver with a Family Doctor 38%
Deliver with Other Medical Professional 16%

Father of Baby present during Labour 82%
Father of Baby Not present during Labour 18%

I became Certified with DONA International in March. This was a longer process than I had thought it would. Making me all the more proud once I received my certificate, name tag and the privilege of using the initials CD(DONA) after my name. I had thought this was a big deal. It was! But at the time I didn't understand how much more was to be required of me. Learning to bite my tongue till it bled, keeping my self from gasping to the point that I almost explode, and holding an eye roll making me dizzy. Up holding the name of Doula's in my area by a professional conduct becoming to a Doula at all times was not easy in the thick of it all and continuity of care for each and every client even when there are only an hours break between. I got what I wished for and I am a better Doula because of it... but had I known then what I know now, I might have changed my wish.

My continuing education for the year of 2010 began in April with a bang! A trip to The Farm, located near a little place called Summer Town so small many people living nearby didn't even know it was there or could give directions, all just outside of Nashville Tennessee. I have dreamt of seeing this place since I was about 14. The reality of it in person was far beyond what I had imagined, The Farm really existed! Then meeting Ina May Gaskin, sitting under her trainings and teachings was awesome. But meeting Pamela Hunt and her daughter-in-law Stacy Hunt 2 of the famous The Farm Midwives among many others, they did not disappoint. Learning from these women was one of the greatest things I may ever experience in my whole life.

In May I participated in the "Politics Boundaries and Change Workshop" taught by Sheri Deveney and Nicki Albrecht DONA International approved trainers to our local community of doulas. An insightful workshop on the Code of Ethics, Standards of Practise and the perception of Doulas as professionals.

Later in May I took Postpartum Doula training from Do Stier DONA International approved trainer. I started my work as a Postpartum Doula the next week this was more rewarding than I had thought it would be.

September an education session on Birthing From Within by a local Doula, Victoria Platenaude. I attended another education session in November on Pelvic Shapes & Fetal Positioning during labour and birth my Loree Siermachesky. My passion for my work growing all the time with experiences and the education to back me up.

On reflection of 2010, I did accomplish many of my dreams they just never come out as I think they will. As you may see my focus has changed, and my passion has matured.

So to 2011 and all the very best.

Birth is like playing POOL... you gotta know your angles!

One of my favourite hobbies is attending Education workshops and sessions about childbirth.

Yesterday evenings Education session taught by Loree Hosted by the local Doula Association left me once again in awe of the amazing female anatomy and the miracle of childbirth.

It's not all about the knowledge of the four pelvic types of women though this is very important. Using the Caldwell-Moloy system Loree explained the surprisingly wide variety of combinations of these four very different pelvic shapes.

More importantly is knowing how to assist each type of pelvis when fetal presentation raises an issue or restrictions to the labouring woman. Then knowing her pelvis shape and how to maneuver a fetus through it can be experience changing.

What type of pelvis do you have? In just a few short and painless exercises you can find out.

This morning I have gone to my book sources and made a few purchases for my Doula library after attending this amazing education session.

(just few books off of) Loree's recommended reading for all birth professionals.

The Female Pelvis
The Labor Progressions Handbook
The Belly Mapping Workbook

Patiently waiting for my books!

DO I have a Guru?

I always find my self in these deep, yet enlightening conversations with my ART massage therapist. The last time (a few days ago) we talked of many things: religion, my son & parenting, (as he is yet to have children of his own I find his "ideas" are sometimes a little funny) tooth paste, dental issues and.. being disappointed by ones Guru(s).

This I have been considering. Many Doctors, Midwives and Doulas have inspired me over the past. I have grown a list of sorts 'Birthing Professionals" which have been an idol to me in some way. I have thought them each to be without a flaw.

WHAT? ... REALLY?

Then I am almost always shocked by something I learn about each, and I become disappointed how could this be? Learning that these people to are human! That there are going to be things about all of them I find to be unbelievable. Walking away I have always come to the conclusion that no matter else they may stand for, I have learned amazing valuable things from them. It's not like they are my Guru... but only one of many teachers along my way.

My massage therapist pointed out the spelling of guru.

G-U-R-U.

This I found to be an interesting point. I am my own guru! I make of my self what I am to be. No idols needed just teachers, trainers, and mentors.