MamaAssist London, Ontario | Birth Doula Services, Bellycasting, Postpartum Support, Organic Products

Mama’s Going On Vacation

Mama — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:49:46 +0000

Hi everyone. The mamas are taking a break next week, so this Saturday, August 28 we will not be in our clinic. We will be checking our voicemail periodically throughout the week as well as our e-mail, so if you need to leave a message, do so and we will get back to you as quickly as possible. We will be back in the clinic on September 4. Check back in a few weeks though, because our clinic hours will be changing and for some of you it may be more convenient. See you soon!

Congratulations!

Mama — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 03:18:41 +0000

To Allyn and Kevin on the birth of their baby girl. She was born on Friday, August 13, 2010 with Rachel as their doula.

Congratulations!

Mama — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 03:15:47 +0000

To Anna and Colin on the birth of their baby boy on August 2, 2010. Rachel was their doula

Mama’s New Phone Number

Mama — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:49:50 +0000

Please update your contacts and phone books! Our new phone number is officially (519) 963-0652. Thank you!

Happy Mama Body Wash is Here!!!

Mama — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:26:30 +0000

Naturally Safe Body Wash for Mamas and Babies!

Happy mamas mean happy babies! Earth Mama Angel Baby’s exhilarating new body wash is safe for pregnancy and ideal for noses that are sensitive from morning sickness. And since Earth Mama Angel Baby products are formulated to be safe for pregnancy they are safe, and perfect, for the entire family. With fresh Ginger to combat queasiness, Happy Mama Body Wash is USDA Certified Made With Organic ingredients, including zangy organic Lime and organic Pink Grapefruit essential oils to give spirits a lift, in a naturally safe organic olive oil castile soap base. No harsh detergents and zero toxins mean it’s safe for pregnant women and the whole family.

A queasy-busting companion to Happy Mama Spray, Happy Mama Body Wash is the perfect lather for pregnancy, baby, or anyone who could use a little bottled happiness!

Just $11.95 for a 5oz bottle! Buy through our online store or come to our clinic Saturdays 10am-3pm. Cash only at the clinic.

Since When Does Vaginal Birth = Superwoman?

Mama — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:33:58 +0000

The last year or so we have listened to moms talking about their upcoming birth. For the most part, the moms we meet are pretty well informed. They know what they want when they go into the hospital, which is very important. Participating in your birth is the difference between the positive birth story and the birth story where mom is wondering what just happened to her. It seems, however that there are a lot more women going into childbirth with the idea that trying to do it vaginally unmedicated it just pompous and absurd.

“After all, I’m not superwoman” is a phrase I have heard over and over again, and in fact I recently had a client tell me that she was in an all moms group of about 8 or so that all said the same thing. She had a difficult time facing that entire group and saying the unthinkable: “I am going to have my baby vaginally and I don’t want to use any meds…and I have a great team so I am pretty sure I can do it”. I was shocked at her story. When did vaginal, unmedicated birth become all about the ego? If a mother tells other mothers that she birthed vaginally without medication, does she have to apologize and humbly look away? Does that same mother risk being called “superwoman” behind her back and being shunned by the epidural moms?

We are at a place in time when more people are questioning unneeded medical intervention and with good reason. Yet, somehow in all this realization of how birth can be it seems there are more moms out there doubting themselves out loud than ever. While it is true that labor has levels of discomfort for everyone, trying to guess how it will feel before even experiencing it makes very little sense. We have all had various discomforts(aka pain), but labor is the only time you are going to be able to have resting periods throughout, do something about it, and predict when it is going to end. It is the only discomfort that brings forth someone worth every effort to cope through contractions regardless of the road taken.

Vaginal birth with a positive outcome is good for everyone involved, and it should not be about whether or not a mother considers herself a “superwoman” or not, but should be more focused on the choices she was given along the way. The ones she makes are the best ones for her, and if at the end, she feels it was the best experience of her life, then she is going to feel like a “superwoman” anyway.

Yes, It Does Matter

Mama — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:24:44 +0000

I recently supported a birth client at St. Joseph’s hospital who needed to birth her baby by Cesarean section after a failed induction. While I was sitting in the recovery room waiting for her to come out of surgery, a nurse came in and started chatting with me. I have seen her before; she is an older woman, has been in nursing for over 20 years and is a very kind woman.

She said to me, “At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how it went as long as we have a healthy mom and baby.”

And then it struck me. Before I could think about what I was going to say, I just said it all. “Yes, it does.” I said. “Healthy mom and baby should be an unspoken given.”

“The whole experience does matter”, I continued. “Women come to our clinic, sit on our couch and recount their traumatizing past birth experiences. They cry. They come to us for help.”

She nodded and smiled, gathered some supplies and said, “Well, we try our best.”

Nurses are with their patients all throughout delivery, clean them up after birth, help them initiate breastfeeding and then send them to the postpartum unit. They never see those patients again. They don’t get to see them days, weeks, months–even years after delivery. It’s not their fault–they don’t even have a chance to know the impact of the birth experience on the mother. We see these women though. They walk through our door years later, pregnant with their next child and have a whole lot of processing to do.

When I support women in birth, I am part of their experience. I know that it matters. I see and hear everything going on around them. I tend to women directly and am usually quite connected with their feelings and emotions. Lately, I am hearing things from medical staff that are disheartening, non-supportive, contradictive and sometimes completely uncalled for. As a doula, there isn’t anything I can do about that, except continue being the support my client needs.

It’s not always like that though. The client I spoke about in the beginning of this post had a positive experience despite her birth going in the complete opposite direction of the one she had been imagining for 41 weeks. It helped that she had medical staff that truly informed her of her circumstance, and explained options to her in an unbiased way. She had nursing staff that reminded her that she ALWAYS has a choice, regardless of what the OB resident’s recommendation was. She was reassured and empowered; and able to make the right choice for herself.

In the end, I agree with the nurse about it not mattering if your child was born by cesarean section or vaginal birth. It doesn’t matter if you had an epidural or not. What matters is the experience as a whole. When a woman KNOWS the medical team is on her side and that they are giving her the BEST chance at the birth she prefers, it sets her up for a positive experience regardless of how she has to give birth.

The bottom line is: Birth experiences stay with women until they die. They tell their birth stories forever. So yes, it does matter.

Postpartum Healing

Mama — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:41:34 +0000

Did you know we carry herbal products to facilitate and speed healing after childbirth?

$10.95

Postpartum Bath Herbs – This soothing, comforting blend of organic herbs has historically been used to support postpartum women. Wound-healing, styptic and antibacterial organic yarrow, wild harvested witch hazel, organic calendula, marshmallow and plantain combine with soothing organic oatmeal and salts to help reduce swelling and speed healing of vaginal soreness, episiotomy and perineal bruising.

Fill the included muslin bag with herb mixture and steep in a pot of hot water like a tea. Use the tea as a sitz bath (especially great if you have stitches) and place the herb-filled muslin bag in the fridge for later use as a perineal compress.

$17.95

New Mama Bottom Spray – A cooling and soothing mixture of astringent witch hazel, cucumber, antibacterial lavender and cooling peppermint pure essential oils. Keep in the fridge for an extra refreshing feeling, and use after toilet use.

Monthly Comfort Tea – Use as a postpartum herbal tonic by brewing and drinking a cup immediately after birth and as often as you like the next 24 hours. Can help control bleeding and aid the uterus in clamping down. Bring in a thermos to your hospital birth or have at home on hand after your homebirth.

Interested in any of these products? You can purchase these Earth Mama Angel Baby items in our online store! In-store pickup or shipping available.

Welcome New Baby Boy!

Mama — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:06:17 +0000

Congratulations Margo, Colin and big sister Meredith on the beautiful birth of your new baby boy Eric! Born Saturday June 12 at 10:49am, weighing 7 lbs 5 oz, 21 inches long. What a strong Mama who got her VBAC!

Mama’s Update: June 2010

Mama — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:11:47 +0000

Wow, what an amazing year we are having so far! And it’s only June! Speaking of June, YAY–Summer is here! We have some great news and exciting updates to share with you.

NEW Pricing for Hot Stone Therapy
This purely amazing and extremely beneficial treatment should not be overlooked. We want it to be within everyone’s reach, so we’ve adjusted our prices accordingly. If you’ve never experienced hot stone therapy before, NOW is the time! Your first 60 minute treatment is just $50! Call or email to book your appointment. Pregnant or not, and women only.

Super Saturday Specials
As you may already know, our regular store hours this summer are Saturdays 10am-3pm. Reminder: If you need your product during the week, please call us and we will arrange a time to meet you at our store. Every Saturday throughout the summer, we will have an awesome new special! Here they are for the next couple Saturdays:

June 12 – ALL Belli Skincare products are 20% off!
June 19 – Pre-order a 1 liter baby wash and receive a 5.3oz pump baby wash FREE. Also, pre-order any of the new Earth Mama Angel Baby kits and receive 10% off!
June 26 – ALL in-stock teas are $1 off!

Cash only at the store please!

New Product Line
Mama is launching a new product line for the Fall. Our “Natural Professionals” line will consist of unadulterated, pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils, carrier oils, pre-blended oils (like our famous “epidural oil” that our birth clients just love!) and more. If you would like to be notified when these products come out, please send us an email through our contact form!

Belly Casting + More Pampering
Our bellycasting sessions now include an aromatherpy neck and shoulder massage. Our full casting service is just $90 and should be booked for when you are at least 36+ weeks pregnant. Casting is done in our clinic and appointments can be booked pretty much anytime.