baby ready

My story, or: the long and winding road to Doulahood.

~ Doulamay ~ Leave a comment

Writing a bio has always been a challenge for me.

My career path has been a winding one.

As a teenager I was a budding ballerina but I chose to study Biology and Chemistry at University rather than pursue a dance career. Two years in a Science lab was enough for me to learn that I’d made a mistake.  I took some time off and after  working for three years as a professional Nanny in the UK I took my half a Science degree and transferred what credits I could to York University’s Theatre School and after graduation I became a professional Wardrobe Attendant or dresser.

I often felt that no one really knew what I did for a living (including the theatre managers who hired me.)   But I’ll tell you – I helped people be ready. Not just physically, but psychologically too. I did people’s hair and listened to their problems. I was there for them in the dark when they had 30 seconds to change their clothes but being there, consistently there, dependably there meant they didn’t have to think about that costume change but could instead think about their next lines or dance steps or song lyrics. And doing the same thing every show satisfied my inner dancer’s need for a choreographed routine.

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 I was one of the last of my friends to have kids so I benefited from their experiences, and I knew I wanted midwifery care when I was pregnant, and I knew to call as soon as possible and I was lucky enough to get a spot. Having my own children changed things. You know that it will, everyone says it, but it takes a while to figure out how it changes you.  Working in the theatre and having small children was too hard for me. I wanted to be home with my kids. I don’t want someone else to be raising them, even though as a former Nanny I know that it is possible for someone else to love your kids as much as you do.

A few friends had asked me to be present when they gave birth – to be their doula though the word was new to me then. Experiencing births – their births, my own births, listening to the birth stories of others I meet at drop ins and parks and Baby and Me classes – it has made me more and more interested in working in the birth world.  I’m curious about the differences in OB care and midwifery care and the reasons why those differences exist. I want to learn more.  I decided to do my doula training with Bebo Mia and finally I have found a job that combines all my diverse skills. Changing from a Wardrobe Attendant to a Doula is not so big a jump as you might think. What I loved most about working in theatre was that I was constantly meeting new people, and you can’t get any newer than a brand new baby. I’m still massaging shoulders and egos and telling people “You’ve got this.” I’m still helping people get ready, physically and psychologically.  Maybe there aren’t too many other Dancer/Scientist/Nanny/Dressers in the birth world, but this career path of mine has led me here, and I love it.

Contact me here for more information about doulas and to book your free consultation!

5 steps to an awesome induction.

~ Doulamay ~ Leave a comment

251814_10151795813205514_1168844160_nI know what you’re thinking: “aren’t inductions always awful?” “Don’t you hire a doula to avoid an induction?” “aren’t doulas all anti-intervention at all costs?” The answers to these questions are no, yes and not at all. Sometimes inductions are necessary. Doulas are not magicians. Interventions have their place. Last month I was privileged to attend the birth of a sweet-faced little girl. Her Mother had developed complications and the decision was made to induce at 38 weeks. Here is what my client taught me about how to have an awesome induction.

Step 1. Keep a positive attitude. So your birth plan was to have a water birth at home with midwives, and you find yourself checking in to the hospital for an early induction. Oh well. It’s still your birth and your baby, let’s make the best of it.

Step 2. Take one step at a time. The OB is most likely to offer you gel, AROM, Pitocin, and an epidural as a welcome package. Try to space out these interventions. See if the gel will work by itself. Try to relax, sleep, and let your cervix do its thing. Put off the next intervention for as long as possible.

Step 3. Walk walk walk. Try and move around as much as possible. The longer you can stay mobile, the better position your baby will slip into for an easier birth. Remember, gravity is your friend. There are many upright positions for labouring even if you want to rest in bed. A portable fetal monitor even allows you to shower or get in the bath. You can still move around with ruptured membranes and a Pitocin drip if you are determined to do so.

Step 4. Don’t be a martyr. You don’t have to suffer. Pitocin induced contractions are much harder and stronger than the natural kind. Very few women can manage them without pain relief. Getting an epidural does not mean you’re a failure, it means you can enjoy some pain-free time to rest up for step 5.

Step 5. Wait till you feel pressure on your rectum and push that baby out like a boss. That’s what the epidural does best – gets you through transition without batting an eyelid. If you stop pressing the top up button when you begin to feel pressure in your bum you should have enough sensation to push effectively when the time comes. Slow steady pushing is the way to go.

That’s it, my 5 steps for an awesome induction. Remember, it’s still your birth and your baby and you are the one in charge.

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Hello world!

~ Doulamay ~ Leave a comment

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Welcome to Baby Ready.

Is your baby lucky enough to have his or her own room, or will they be rooming with you? Have you got a crib or bassinet ready to go, or is it still flatpacked and making you anxious? Have you been pinning nursery ideas for months, but have no crafting skills?

Let Baby Ready help!

We can set up that crib and assemble that rocker for you.  We can paint and decorate your baby’s room so you don’t have to. We can help you make that pom-pom mobile that looks so cute in that design magazine, or make it for you!

contact info@baby-ready.ca