A Girl and Her Doula

06/29/2021

"Matriarchies are not just a reversal of patriarchy, with women ruling over men – as the usual misinterpretation would have it.

Matriarchies are mother-centered societies, they are based on maternal values: care-taking, nurturing, motherliness, which holds for everybody: for mothers and those who are not mothers, for women and men alike.

Matriarchal societies are consciously built upon these maternal values and motherly work, and this is why they are much more realistic than patriarchies. They are, on principle, need-oriented. Their precepts aim to meet everyone’s needs with the greatest benefit.
So, in matriarchies, mothering – which originates as a biological fact – is transformed into a cultural model.
Heide Göttner-Abendroth

Artist Ben Pease

05/10/2021

Trustworthy info to help you navigate this challenging time as a pregnant or breastfeeding person 💛

Trying to navigate pandemic life while pregnant or breastfeeding can be overwhelming and scary. It’s natural that you’d be feeling all the feels - it’s a lot to take in. It’s also natural that you’d have questions about the vaccine, and whether it’s safe to get while you’re creating and sustaining this new little life!⁠⁠
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And yet, in a year where we’ve had so many questions, there have been so few clear answers that we feel we can fully rely on - so many voices and opinions and so little data. In fact, at the beginning of the pandemic it looked like pregnant women might just be skirting under the major COVID risks for the most part, completely.⁠⁠
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Now, a year later with a lot more information to work with, we know that pregnancy can slightly increase the risk of pregnancy complications. But by how much, really? When we’re faced with a subject that can make us feel afraid and unsure, it’s helpful and even reassuring,t to look at the numbers, which are often a lot less scary than the headlines we see on the news.⁠⁠
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In this week’s new blog and podcast, I unpack:⁠⁠
⭕ How much does getting Covid-19 while pregnant put your health and your baby’s health at risk?⁠⁠
⭕ What are the known pros and cons of breastfeeding if you have the virus?⁠⁠
⭕ What do we know about vaccine safey in pregnacy?⁠⁠
⭕ What do the data really say about the vaccine and fertility?⁠⁠
⭕ If you are pregnant, is it safe to spend time with vaccinated friends or family members?⁠⁠
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I’m not here to tell you what to do, or be another voice telling you what is “right” or “wrong.” There is no right or wrong. My goal is to help you sort through all the information, clear up misinformation, and help you gain clarity; that way, you can make confident and informed decisions that feel right to you, after weighing your personal priorities and risk factors. You do have options, and the choice is yours, and nobody else’s.

04/10/2021

Came across this via the lovely Nadia Houle- RAc, Indigenous Birth Doula

It’s my personal belief that a lot of postpartum mood disorders are birthed out of this grief. Grief for the type of birth and postpartum we feel in our bones we are entitled to, and yet, very rarely experience.

While it’s hard to change how our current society perceives these experiences, the first step you can do for yourself is mourn this loss and validate this pain for yourself. It is real and it is valid.

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It’s not you, mama. It’s the absence of the village.

04/10/2021

Doulas can offer a nonjudgmental space for listening — sometimes all you need is some gentle acknowledgment and validation for your experience. Other times you might need more. Either way, how you feel before, during, and after childbirth is important. 💗

04/08/2021

A very worthy read ✨💗✨

"Our bodies are temples. Reject all the other narratives that say otherwise.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It can be very scary to put ourselves out there breastfeeding a child that is no longer an infant, but, here we are, a toddler! 'Mama, we made it!' 👋🏾 Save your judgement, if you will. 🤐⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It’s still very misunderstood in our objectified and overly sexualized culture. Breastfeeding past the infant stage is called, 'extended breastfeeding.' The rest of the world and our ancestors simply called it: breastfeeding. I have breastfed all three of my children [ First: 13 months & supplemented at 9 months, not by choice. Second: 28 months Third: currently 23 months].⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I recall, the big and wide eyes 😳 in embarrassment when I’d breastfeed, and even ‘til this day I still get the looks and snarky comments — 'You’re still breastfeeding?' 'You aren’t going to cover up?' 'Doesn’t it hurt?' 'Aren’t they too big, now?' Save me with alllll of that.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I like to believe people have the best intentions but imagine someone coming to you and asking why you’re chain smoking? What caused you to start smoking? Aren’t you too old or young to be smoking? So why, fix your mouth to ask a Mother about how she is going about feeding her child?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Everyone’s pregnancy and motherhood journey is different. Be compassionate. When I see a breastfeeding Mama, I compliment and encourage her. It’s a sacrifice like no other." // photo & words by on Instagram

03/31/2021

I’m slowly, slowly putting my business together piece by piece.

Something you may not know about me >> I’ve worked as a self-employed entrepreneur on and off for 7 years helping other small business owners with their online appearance and marketing.

I’ve always wanted to take full control over a brand and their website and social media platforms, and now I finally get the opportunity to have full creative control over my own business.

It will all come together soon as I stitch my dream together a little bit at a time.

So if it seems like it’s taking awhile — just remember a mom with two little kids is building a website and a dream behind the scenes ✌🏻