 World Doula Week - Thank you!As World Doula Week comes to a close, we want to thank you.
Without you, we wouldn't have the business we do, to back up our passion for this work. It is thanks to the continuous support of you, our clients, that we get to keep being apart of such beautiful moments in your lives. With that being said - we have one major and final giveaway happening! (We had an emergency trip and too much sickness, to keep up with out daily ones - sorry!) Enter here for your chance to win one (1) of six (6) prizes! One (1) - SleepBelt One (1) - 20$ Gift Card to Wildwood Flower Emporium (Salmon Arm) One (1) - 50$ Gift Card to EO Healing Essentials oils (Anything on their website) One (1) - 50$ off Gift Card for Amber Elizabeth Photography One (1) - One (1) hour float from Okanagan Float (Vernon) One (1) - Covered Goods Gift Card for $34.99 (Online) Bonus entries: Tag your friends on Facebook who may want to win One name tag per comment, please Share the Facebook post, and tag us in it (or let us know if you are unable to tag) x5 extra entries per comment/share One winner per prize, per person. Winner must pay shipping, if needed *Canadian residents only, please *Contest closes in 48 hours A major thanks to all our awesome vendors for donating prizes, all week, and for this one! SleepBelt Wildwood Flower Emporium EO Healing Essentials Oils Amber Elizabeth Photography Okanagan Float (Vernon) Covered Goods Hayden Fitness Studios (Vernon) My lil Buttercup Little Zen One Again, from our Maternal Oak family, to you, thank you for the love
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 Day 3 - Fitness Friday!
Today brings an awesome prize, for those mamas who want to stay relaxed during pregnancy and get some fresh air and socializing postpartum. Hayden Fitness Studio, in Vernon, has four (4) passes up for grabs! That's right - there will be four (4) winners today!
Enter here: https://goo.gl/forms/PbremONC2lKNN4Q83 They also offer a variety of other fitness programs for all levels
Check out their schedule, here. They are located at: #201 - 2500 53rd Ave in Vernon 250.306.7474 Make sure to head on over to out pages, Maternal Oak Doula and Hayden Fitness Studio, on Facebook, and tag your friends for bonus entries! This contest will close in 24 hours and a winner will be drawn shortly there after.  Day 2!
Today brings us another fantastic prize - donated by Heena at My lil Buttercup, in Penticton. Heena carries an array of babywearing carriers, accessories, and other assorted items for parenthood! She has amazingly gifted one lucky winner a set of Tula blankets! Valued at $100 *Winner to pay shipping Keep an eye on her page, My lil Buttercup, for an upcoming sale on many items! Enter here: https://goo.gl/forms/6G7H54OBsfaFJWiv1 Make sure to head on over to out pages, Maternal Oak Doula and My lil Buttercup, on Facebook, and tag your friends for bonus entries! This contest will close in 24 hours and a winner will be drawn shortly there after.  It's World Doula Week! The purpose of World Doula Week is to empower doulas all over the world to improve physiological, social, emotional, and psychological health of women, newborns and families in birth and in the postpartum period. The World Doula Week events will take place all over the world during the same week, stating the benefits of the presence of doulas in birth and in the postpartum period:
Here at Maternal Oak, we decided to add in some fun giveaways to go along with World Doula Week.
Up first, is Little Zen One. Owner Allie Dennis, resides in Toronto and runs her company along side her beautiful family of 4. Allie takes great pride in educating parents & caregivers and selling beautiful wraps, buckle carriers, ring slings and Asian style carriers as well! She has graciously offered up a Gift Certificate, for one lucky winner! One winner - $30 gift card. Also, anyone who uses Maternal Oak Doula's code will get 10% off orders over $100. (http://rwrd.io/mik4ctk) Little Zen One sell's incredible baby carriers. They're functional, beautifully designed, and easy to use. Want to buy one? www.littlezenone.com/collections/all/ada or Get great advice and message us at m.me/littlezenone Thank you, Allie, for all that you do for the Babywearing Community in Canada and abroad! Enter: https://goo.gl/forms/eNwtlQYcCpmwlgKz1 Earn extra entries by tagging your friends over on the the Facebook post!  It all started, when a recent client had a Facebook post up, in search for newborn photo props. I remember I had a bag of adorable headbands....somewhere.
This is a topic, that is rarely spoken upon. It is almost taboo - because how could you be disappointed about your own child's gender, when they are healthy. I wonder, though, how many other mothers, or even fathers, having this tugging feeling on their hearts. I know I do - and I never ever talk about it. Are you wondering, yet, what the topic is? Gender Disappointment. It is real, yes. Haven't heard of such a thing? I don't doubt that. Not many people have. Why would someone openly and honestly just state 'No, actually, I wish I had a girl instead'? How shallow, does it sound, and unloving as a parent? I know what most people are thinking - how could anyone ever think such things? I have, for years, and will continue to battle with it for potentially the rest of my life. Opening up and being raw and honest, is putting me in a very vulnerable state - but I needed to get it off my chest not knowing if other families are experiencing this. Actually, I know they are. I have been approached on multiple occasions, asking me about Gender Disappointment and if I had ever experienced it. Being a mom to 3 boys - the comments almost always are: 'Are you going to keep trying, till you get that girl?' 'Aww man - another one?!' 'Don't you wish you had a girl?' 'No - we aren't. But thank you for being concerned about our sex life' 'Yes - another one. It's like somehow you think we can control our child's gender' 'Yes - I do. I desperately with all my heart and soul wish I had a daughter to call my own' Of course, all everyone wants is to be able to, first of all - get pregnant. Second of all - carry a healthy baby to term. Of course. But that does not take away from the sting. One of the biggest questions asked, to pregnant woman is, 'Do you want a girl or a boy?' Often times, women will say they do not care, yes, but just as often you will hear a choice. And instantly - the judgement starts. 'Well you should just be happy that you got pregnant' 'It doesn't matter, right? As long as they are healthy' When I got pregnant, with my first, I wanted a boy, and when we found out he in fact was, a boy - I was over the moon. When the second, came along, I had my boy so naturally was more drawn towards wanting a girl - who doesn't want that million dollar family? Being in Canada, you had to wait till your 20 week ultrasound to find out. We just so happened to be in Las Vegas, on vacation, around 16 weeks. We found a place down there to get a 3D ultrasound, to find out earlier. I remember waking up, that morning, and feeling sick to my stomach. I already knew what they were going to tell me. After the appointment, and out of sight of the tech, I broke down. I was angry. I was disappointed. I was devastated. I felt robbed and cheated, at my chance of having a daughter in that moment. As time went on, I grew to like the idea of two sons, and the fun bond they would have growing up. And, to this day, I love that boy with all of my heart and always will. The twang, though, has never gone away. I do not wish I did not have that son - do not get those two confused. I would not give him up for any daughter. I don't think any parent wants to trade a gender for a gender. The big misconception, with Gender Disappointment is the what if's. 'What would my life look like, if I had a daughter?' 'Would she want to dance? Or play football, like her brothers?' 'Have long brown hair like me? Her dads beautiful hazel eyes?' When we started trying, for another, I still had that hope in my heart that maybe one day I would have a girl. I got pregnant, and within days had a miscarriage and lost that baby - 2 weeks before our wedding. I woke up, that morning, knowing something was wrong. As soon as it set in, what was happening - my gut and heart instantly went to - 'it's a girl and this was my only chance at a daughter'. To this day, I cannot shake that feeling. Be it a coping mechanism, or not - my gut was right the other times. Along came child number 4 - and can you take a guess at what that sweet baby was? I went into that ultrasound, already knowing what he was. I told the tech and, shocked, he confirmed it. I didn't feel anything. Maybe numb, was the right feeling? I knew, with each consecutive pregnancy, my chances were getting slimmer and slimmer. Statistic wise, and - well my husband came from 3 boys. As did his dad. And his dad before him. It would have to be a major fluke, with nature greatly on my side, to get that daughter I always dreamed of. I try my best, not to feel guilty over my feelings that surround this. As I already said, it is not my children themselves, that bring on the Gender Disappointment feelings - it is the mourning of something that will never be. I believe that all feelings are valid, and it is up to ourselves to process those as best we can. Sometimes, it takes days, other times - years. I am not ungrateful for being fortunate enough to carry healthy, term, thriving children - so please, do not think that. As women, from an early age, we all (mostly) envision how our life will look. Our prince charming of a husband, the wedding, our children - the white picket fence home. We play to these roles, and let our imaginations run as wild and free as they can. But, the truth is, life is not like that. Our imaginations, needs and wants are not always correct and going to work out how we want. Disappointment, in life, happens on many levels and it not just on what our child's gender may be. It is an emotion and feeling, that sometimes feels gross, and uncomfortable. And it is okay, to feel that. It is okay, to wish you had something you didn't - because let's face, everyone wishes they had something others have. It's human nature. It's okay to love your current children, while mourning the child you will never have. Do not let anyone ever tell you that your feelings are not valid. Ever. Whatever it is you are feeling, is okay and normal, and you will work through those feelings at your own pace. If you find you are struggling - reach out. You are not alone. There is always someone out there going through something similar to you. Please, when you see someone with all one gender - actually any children at all - do not assume what they want. Maybe we are trying for that other gender, maybe we aren't - but that is our families choice.  Most care providers, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, suggest and encourage women to breastfeed. You and your baby are unique, and the decision is up to you. This insight into breastfeeding can help give you the information you may need, to make a decision that will benefit you and your baby. There is something so intimate and beautiful in those quiet moments of breastfeeding, with your new babe. Developing a feeding relationship, with your newborn, can be full of emotional and physical ups and downs in the early days, especially as a first time mom. Seeking out and advocating for the proper supports, though, can make a difference between success or struggle. There are so many benefits, for mother and child, when it comes to breastfeeding. Not only can your body provide nourishment and protection, for your baby, it can for you as well. There have been several studies that have shown it reduces ovarian and breast cancer. Post delivery, the oxytocin that is released when nursing will help your uterus contract and shrink back down to size quicker than those mothers who do not breastfeed. Exclusively breastfeeding (EBF) shows there has been success in being able to naturally space your children, due to the natural birth control you body experiences. Psychologically, it gives mothers a greater sense of empowerment in being able to sustain their child's needs. For babies, breastfeeding provides immune support, which is crucial in their early days when they have not yet developed one. It reduces their risk of SIDS, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Breastfeeding also helps babies learn to self regulate their food intake, which has been shown to reduce childhood obesity. The skin to skin bond, you create, also helps your child feel more secure and confident in you as their care provider and reduces stress for you both. The link between breastfeeding and society, is also large. Not only do breastfed babies tend to be sick less often, thus minimizing the health care system, parents are also able to take less sick days to tend to their ill children. It also helps reduce waste and pollution by not requiring packaging, shipping and disposal of bottles, liners, and cans of formula. Financially, the formula industry in sales and marketing of their products, is a multi billion dollar industry. With breastfeeding, we can substantially cut that number down and create more WHO compliant locations. Don't delaying that bond and connection, with your babe. As soon as possible, post delivery, start skin to skin and practicing your latching with baby. Give yourself patience and space, while you learn to work with one another. Breastfeeding is like a dance - you both need to learn the steps to success. As you head home, make sure you have items in your home to encourage this. Be it a cozy corner with snacks, a water bottle and Netflix or your bed. Having quick and close access to items so you are able to sit, and nurse, is important. Breastfeeding might seem lonely and individual, but it is not and you do not have to go about it alone. In the past, women learned proper techniques from their mothers, grandmothers, and sisters. They had a support system to lean on, to help them succeed. Reach out to your friends and family, who have children and have gone through this journey, and ask for guidance should you need it. Social media is also full of many amazing support groups, for women, to ask questions and connect with like minded mothers. Locally, we have Vernon Breastfeeding Cafe and Breastfeeding Mothers of the Shuswap. Making sure you are adapting your diet, to your breastfeeding needs, is also crucial. You will be burning 200-500 calories, while nursing, so making sure your nutrition intake reflects that will help with your supply. Don't fill your calorie gap with empty foods - stock your pantry and fridge with wholesome and healthy foods to snack on while sitting in your nursing chair. Preparing freezer meals, can also help with this, and make for easy and quick meals in the early postpartum days. If you find you are struggling with breastfeeding - reach out. Do not give into the fear that you are not doing a good enough job, or not producing enough milk. If your baby is outputting the appropriate amount of diapers for their age, you are giving them enough. There are many supports available for women, and many ways to go about making sure your child gets breast milk. Be it a SNS sytem, pumping and bottles, or doner milk - insuring your child has that 'liquid gold' is possible with some hard work and support. We must increase awareness and education in order to support a healthier future for the good of humanity to ensure that all children, irrespective of their gender, whether they are from a rich country or a poor one, can get the best possible start in life and start from a very even basis. It is everyone's responsibility to create and educate our population as a whole. Acceptance is key, knowledge is power. Together we can create a safe and educational environment so that all mothers who choose to breastfeed, can with success. In conjunction with the Shuswap Children's Association, we are pleased to be hosting MILK: The Film in the Spring of 2017. Stayed tuned to our Facebook, for an announcement of a date and time. Resources for support, information and help: International Lacation Consultant Association Le Leche League International References: Benaroch, Roy MD. (2015, December 13) Breastfeeding Benefits. Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/nursing-basics#5 Filmblanc (2017) MILK Educational Program. Retrieved from: http://www.milkhood.com/programs Rusch, Elizabeth (2017) 5 Simple Steps to Breastfeeding Success. Retrieved from: https://www.fitpregnancy.com/baby/breastfeeding/five-simple-steps-breastfeeding-success Unknown (2016, June 16) Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Enviroment and Society. Retrieved from: http://www.tensteps.org/benefits-of-breastfeeding-for-the-environment-society.shtml   After my last blog post, I was asked by a few women '...but what do you do for childcare?' I find myself lucky to have the support system in place, that I do. I am surrounded by loving family and friends, and a husband who is continually at my back, catching me when I fall and pushing me forwards. With these people - I would have another path to walk down. I have a very near and dear friend, who is responsible for a lot of my childcare when I have prenatal appointments, or get called into a birth. She does this, every time, selflessly and lovingly. And did I mention - with 4 kids of her own & for free? It took me 28 years, to find a friend like her, and I hold her close in my heart. Without her, my business would not be flourishing as much as it is. Find your tribe, and love them hard. They will catch you when you have fallen, lift you when you do not think you can go on. Another great path I am exploring, in terms of childcare and being an entrepreneur - is trading. Being able to find a doula, within your community, and work with each other to provide support - be in as a back up, swapping childcare, or idea bouncing. Having that steady hand to fall on, is so beneficial for all involved. Regardless if you are a solo doula, like I am, there are avenues to explore to find what suits your family best. The great thing about the birth and parenting biz, is that everyone has a different idea of what they want and need for their business. I myself have the flexibility to weave work into my life, not work my life into my work. So how can you build yourself a solid support system? Seek and you shall find Don't be scared of networking and reaching our to your community. Find like minded mothers, doulas, and caregivers. This is essential to building that trust you will need, to leave your children with someone for when you need to go to work. And should you become back ups, for one another, having the same business ideals and philosophies will make it possible for you to have the potential for client sharing. Make sure your partner has your back. Do they support you? Do they want to see you succeed? Are they willing to make sacrifices, for you, so you will be as successful as you can be? Having these conversations, before and during your journey, is crucial. We all like to think that our spouse wants us to succeed, but with success comes a lot of work on both partners parts. Everyone will have to step up their game, in the home, to make the smooth running's of every day life work. Ask. Ask your friends for support. Ask your parents in-laws for support. Don't be scared of what they will say - because the worst it can be is, no. But what if it is yes? We continuously worry and avoid conversations because the fear of the what if scares us. But being scared, could be hiding the answer you have had all along but not known. What if you have no family close by? Again, this is where seeking your community and friends is majorly beneficial. We are not all so lucky to have our families close by, as nice as it would be. It is not always possible. Reaching out and creating friendships, bonds, and networking in your town or city can create beautiful relationships. I have made some of best of friends, when I stepped out of my comfort zone and allowed myself to be open to new people. What if you have to pay someone, for childcare? When you start your business, accounting for childcare into your fees - whatever the amount may be - will help you cover the costs if ever the need should arise. Setting prices accordingly not only provides you the income you require to cover basic living expenses (child care included), but puts you on an equal playing field with those doulas around you. Doing this, keeps doulas valued on all levels. Accounting for childcare costs can mean a small amount accumulates over several clients so you have funds set aside for if and when your typical care is unavailable or, building in a standard amount as you would with any other expense with each contract is an option too so that you know your covered regardless. As you build your business and become better known in your area, both success and a steady income will become a given, making paying for your childcare expenses a breeze. I have always said to myself - if not now, when? Will next week, month or year be better? Will I have more supports in place to better help me succeed? Maybe - but maybe I won't. Maybe jumping in with two feet will force me to face my fears, head on, and push my limits. When you set your standards above the bar, and reach them there is nothing quite as satisfying. I have pushed every limit I have given myself, thus far, and plan to continue. I truly believe that if we are not pushing ourselves harder than we believe we can, we won't get where we want to be. Be it 1, 2 or 40 years. Always strive for more than you think you can do; you will surprise yourself.  'How do you do it?', is a question that I get asked, almost every week. By friends, relatives, clients, and fellow doulas alike. The answer - I have no idea most days!
Before I started Maternal Oak, I had not worked in almost 4 years. I had been very fortunate to be able to stay at home and be with my children, while my husband was the sole provider. And before that, I was a university student. When my business, was born, I didn't have the first clue about what it meant to run one, let alone do it with 3 kids running at my feet (all...the...time). In came bebo mia, and their Maternal Support Practitioner program. I left their training, feeling like I could conquer the world. The in depth programs bebo offers have left me feeling confident, well rounded in my knowledge, and I was ready to run my own business. A huge part of that is because of bebo mia's programs. The undying and constant support from my mentors and classmates alike have helped me achieve all that I have done. Juggling being a mom to 3 very busy boys and an entrepreneur is tough; really tough. To me, there is no such thing as the perfect balance, and week by week - hell, day by day, it changes. I find working smarter, not harder, has really helped. I work very hard on prioritizing certain tasks, and uni tasking. Something bebo mia taught me. I used to have a million lists and try and do 87 different tasks in a day. I was always exhausted (and my husband would probably say cranky, too). Uni tasking, is doing one task at a time, be it per day or hour. I was running around trying to do laundry, website building, phone calls, and make lunch all the same time. It was chaos! Now, I set aside time and lump together tasks that make sense to get done at the same time. I won't make phone calls, when it is not nap time or my husband is not home, will work on my Instagram and Facebook at the same time, and food prep like crazy to save the dinner time scramble that always happens. It's extremely important to be realistic, and know your own limits. Thankfully, my husband and boys have been patient and kind, with me, as I navigate these new waters. There has been more than one occasion, where I have caught myself staring at my laptop at 2am, wondering what I had actually got done. Knowing my boundaries, has helped, with the cranky mom my kids get when I have put so many works house into the day. I have also learned that, it is okay. It is okay if my kids sit in their pj's all day. It is okay we order take out twice a week if that means I was able to work on my certifications or book another client. It's okay to hire a house cleaner, so I have one less task to think about at the end of the day. It is okay to put myself, first. My children's entire lives, have been about them and their wants and needs. It was a long time in the making and hard to realize that my life besides being a mother, desires and passions do matter. I matter. Me making a difference in the world and women's lives, matters. Being able to take the financial strain off my husbands shoulders, matters. Working a career that I am passionate about, matters. I am extremely proud of how far I have come in the short 7 months I have been doing this. I have managed to partake in 4 bebo mia courses, start up a mother to mother group at my local Children's Association - a casual group to get together with like minded mothers and caregivers to discuss all things pregnancy, birth and postpartum, to breastfeeding, babywearing and all things that come with parenting a newborn through into toddler hood. The near future brings CPSAC (Child Passenger Association of Canada) and placenta courses, as well as expanding Maternal Oak by 2 doulas. My future is very bright and my hard work and the ever constant balancing act is beyond worth it. Don't drive yourself crazy trying to find a balance between being an entrepreneur and a 'super mom'. No one has the perfect answer for managing a business along side raising children. Achieving success, as a mother and entrepreneur won't come easy, but both will have a spot in your heart that will fill you with pride, joy, and everlasting love. Parenting children and building a business both take time and patience, and as the days and years go by, you will witness them both grow into amazing parts of your life - and your children will be able to have a constant appreciation for hard work and dedication watching their mother achieve all her dreams and goals. |
