We Birth Beautifully

02/09/2021

Enter our instagram giveaway for a chance at a free pool rental and 100$ credit 🥰

01/29/2021

01/28/2021

My journey to becoming a doula has been a road with lots of twists and turns. It's been one of unexpected events and a path I didn't even know I would venture on. My journey technically started in high school, although I did not yet know it at the time.

I loved school. I know I know. That person, right? Who likes school haha. But in all truthfulness I LOVED it. I loved learning and I took pride in my work. I joined all the extracurriculars and clubs I could and worked my way up to important leadership positions (swipe ➡️ to see me in high school accepting the distinguished lieutenant governor award at the International Convention for Key Club). I went on to graduate honours and attended the University of Toronto. This is where things unfolded in a way that I did not expect. I was majoring in French Linguistics and doing a double minor in Environmental Biology and East Asian Studies, but I just wasn't passionate about it. I stayed for 2.5 years, unhappy with schooling and it was the first time I had experienced that. I ended up leaving Toronto and taking time to find myself. I worked at a factory to bring in money and decided I wanted to go to college for sonography or medical lab technology - wrote the entry tests, got accepted, but it still wasn't what I wanted. That's when my sister was like - Ainsley, you've always been passionate about babies and birth... why don't you look into that?

And there it was. The answer I was looking for. I signed up for my doula training and I've never looked back ♡

01/26/2021

What is a Doula?

Have you ever wanted your own cheerleader to cheer you on through all the hard stuff?

Ever dreamed of unwavering support?

How does having a physical presence to hold you up when you feel like you can't stand on your own anymore sound?

As doulas this is what we do. We encourage you and cheer you on. Whether that's during pregnancy to advocate for yourself, during your labour to get you through that contraction or telling you how amazing you are doing in those early days.

We support you throughout your journey to becoming a parent and beyond with emotional, physical and informational support.

We work with you and your birth team to give you the best possible experience. We do not replace your partner, we enhance the support they give you by supporting them. They know you best, we are there to support you both.

We work together with your OB/Midwife, nurse or partner whether in your home or at the hospital. We listen to your questions and concerns and provide evidence based information/answers.

We help prepare you for labour and birth. We stand by your side supporting you as you bring life into this world. We witness you in both your happiness and your doubt and are there to lift you up and let you know you can do hard things.

We are there to make your postpartum easier. We support you during those early days when you are getting to know your baby, when you are recovering and need help or have questions. We are there for you and your family to lean on.

We want you to feel strong and confident in the decisions you make. We nurture you, offer advice, give options and create a safe space free of judgement.

Have any questions about how a doula can support you? Comment below or send us a DM.

If you are looking for doula support and would like to book a complimentary consultation with someone on the team send us a message we would be happy to help.

Now booking clients for February 2021-September 2021.

Visit our website www.lunadoulacollectivelondon.com

01/20/2021

I told myself that with the new year, I'd try to be more open and vulnerable on my social media as I have the voice and platform to do so.

I will be sharing more about my own personal experiences with pregnancy, loss, and raising a tiny human, as well as tips and tricks for pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

I'm really excited for all the new changes happening and that you get to be a part of this journey with me!

And if you haven't, make sure you head over to the new collective I've become a part of ♡

01/18/2021

I've been quiet on social media but quite busy behind the scenes! I've teamed up with some lovely ladies from London to create . We are so excited to service the london and surrounding area - as I'm based out of Tillsonburg I can service the Norfolk and Oxford areas.

We also have a birth pool that clients and non-clients can rent out!

01/02/2021

I asked if your little one wakes and/or feeds at night and their age bracket.
This was an informal poll and is most definitely not scientific in any way! But did have nearly 10 thousand responses so will hopefully reassure you that you're not alone.

12/17/2020

Watch your baby 👶 ...not the clock. ⏰

Today I saw a PDF from a sleep trainer that included very detailed, hour by hour scheduling for sleep, eating and awake time. While this looks good on paper and works within how we usually function within society (schedules!) it makes absolutely no sense for a breastfed baby and can cause so much worry and anxiety trying to fit a baby into the schedule.

Babies breastfeed for MANY different reasons. These reasons include; hunger, thirst, tiredness, unsettledness, boredom, needing connection with their caregiver, comfort...the list goes on. These needs do not fit into a schedule. Not to mention that your milk supply depends on following your baby's cues with frequent milk removal.

Also, breastfeeding and sleep go together. They don't happen separately. Breastfeeding happens before sleep, during sleep and after sleep. They are interconnected. And regardless if baby is full, gaining weight well, has a clean nappy and has their obvious needs "met"...it doesn't mean that they don't need a breastfeed. ♥️

11/02/2020

Milk blebs/blisters and blocked ducts can be stubborn to shift sometimes. A trick that is being used sometimes is some hot water in a silicone one piece pump which you then suction on to the b**b. A bit of warm steam at the same time as some gentle suction can work really well.
Have you tried this?

**bspa

10/22/2020

Babies often need a "mid-nap b**b" once they have reached the end of their first sleep cycle. This is very common and is not a sleep problem. Many kids need some reassurance and breastfeeding so they can fall back to sleep. For others, they will wake after that first sleep cycle and be ready to play! This is very normal too. Not every child will have a 2 hour nap during the day. xx

{For more on sleep and what to expect: https://themilkmeg.com/i-wrote-a-book/}

10/19/2020

Have you ever wondered what that thick, white layer on a fresh, new baby is.....?

Well, this waxy substance is called Vernix Caseosa - and it is a result of an important secretion - of a special oil - created in baby’s sebaceous glands.

Vernix typically begins to accumulate in the last trimester of pregnancy and is thought to not only protect the baby in utero, but it also serves as a mechanism of defense after baby is born.

In the past, as soon as baby emerged from its protective womb, it was quickly whisked away from its mother - to have that “gunk” wiped off, be given its first bath, have a whole series of tests taken, procedures done, and injections given.

Luckily, research has shown that (beyond leaving the baby alone with its mother) delaying baby’s first bath- and allowing that vernix to reside on the skin - has a number of health benefits!

•It has antimicrobial properties.
Recent studies have shown that vernix contains antimicrobial amino acids that block invasive bacteria present in the amniotic fluid from meconium contamination. After baby is born, these amino acids work to protect against harmful bacteria such as: B. streptococcus, E. coli, Staph aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Listeria monocytogenes, Serratia marcescens, and Klebsiella pneumonia.

•Vernix has wound healing properties.
It has been shown to help with the quick regeneration of skin following a wound. In fact, the use of vernix with skin grafting on burn victims is currently being investigated!

•It moisturizes and hydrates baby’s skin.
The newborn’s integumentary system undergoes immediate changes following birth, including dehydration. Because of its high water content, vernix acts as a natural moisturizer for your baby, protecting its skin from dryness and environmental exposure.

•It can help regulate baby’s body temperature.
There is only very rarely a need for a warmer and lights! Babies almost always do better skin to skin on their mother (even tiny preemies). Studies show that infants who have it washed off have a significantly higher rate of heat loss.

As the movement toward evidence-based practice has become standard, more hospitals are no longer bathing infants.✨

So, when you deliver your baby, don’t be surprised if they arrive with a thick coat of vernix. It is there for a reason! Instead of washing it off, use that time to snuggle up to your baby and enjoy the magic of skin-to-skin..... celebrating this perfection in its entirety.

*And if you are a friend or a family member of someone who chooses not to bathe their baby after birth, make sure you support - and even celebrate them - for working so hard to keep their new baby healthy. ✨💛

To get free diapers and other baby goods visit: http://pennypinchingmomma.com