Intimacy and the Transition to Parenthood
Sexual health is an integral part of our physical, mental, emotional, and social health. It’s about pleasure, identity, and intimacy. It’s always influenced by gender norms, expectations, and power dynamics and it changes and evolves throughout our lifetime.
5 Reasons To Hire a Doula
You may have heard this word swirling around your OB or Midwive’s office, dotting your friend’s birth story or on your social feeds, and it may have you going “Doula-what?”, “Doula-who?”. Before reading ahead, make sure you peek at this blog post to get all of your questions answered on what the heck a doula is! Now that you know what we are all about, let me break down some of the ways doulas can support you and your family.
Community Gifting – Give the gift of doula care!
Investing in your birth and postpartum care can set you and your family up for the first year of parenthood, and beyond. Many of our families are receiving support from their friends and family to book Brood services - adding them to their Baby Registries. And we’ve made it easier than ever for your community to give you the gift of Brood. Some call it Doula Care Funds, or Crowdfunding, and here, we call it Community Gifting.
3 Ways To Feel More Connected To Yourself
“Embodiment” is a buzzword thrown around much like “self-care”. It’s easy to sell but hard to practice, which probably explains why the wellness industry is projected to be worth over $7 billion by 2030. When we talk about self-care, what we often mean is community care—and when we talk about embodiment, what also needs to be abundant is safety and support.
What the heck is a Night Nurse?
Night nurse. Night nanny. Postpartum doula. Newborn care specialist. If you’ve never heard of these terms – or have frantically searched them while questioning, “will I ever sleep again after having a baby?” – let us explain what they mean. Generally, we’re talking about a professional care worker who supports families by prioritizing sleep and routine throughout the night. The goal is the same but they way each care worker practices might be different—and like most things, what’s right for you might not be right for the next person. Let’s dive in!
From Conception to Parenting, Language is a Powerful Tool
When what we say really does matter.
What is it about a pregnant person that elicits such free social commentary ...
Bringing Amedeo Into the World: A Pandemic Birth Story
Amedeo Hope was born on September 14th, 2021, at 3:37am. Having conceived in December of 2020 after making a choice to become a solo parent, my pregnancy was as idyllic as possibly could have been (with the exception of that pesky first trimester!). I chose a long-term friend to be an anonymous donor — it felt important to me that my child would have access to the person who contributed to their genetics, and understand the importance that chosen family and community would play in their upbringing.
Brood Care Inc. is now in Victoria!
We are excited to announce that we have expanded our Brood doula postpartum and birth services to Victoria, BC and the surrounding areas. This is the land of the lək̓ʷəŋən People, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. We have an amazing team of doulas that are excited to bring the Brood energy to those living and birthing on Vancouver Island.
Brood’s Gift Guide: Supportive Gifts for Pregnant People and New Parents
Oh the holidays. Wrought with everyone’s mixed and varied expectations, constant safety negotiations and delayed flights (thanks covid!) and finding the perfect gift for everyone from “friends” at work, to your father-in-law, to kids and friends. And what about the pregnant people or parents-to-be in your life? Or maybe that’s you!
Give the gift of pregnancy & postpartum support
As a parent and caregiver myself, I know what the most valuable gift is for a new family. Spoiler alert: it’s not the tiny little onesies, classic books or soothing stuffies. Don’t get me wrong, I loved those too, but the most valuable gift I received when I was pregnant and postpartum, was the gift of support.
How Chronic Pain Inspired a Thriving Newborn Photography Business
I felt trapped by my condition, and I hit rock bottom. After a pep talk from my husband, I picked up my entry level DSLR and learned it inside out, carried it with me on my doctor-prescribed daily walks, and kept my creative juices flowing and my mind fresh by offering quick photoshoots for friends. I started assisting and second shooting with other photographers so I could learn more. My camera became my therapy— physically and emotionally.
Abortion Care Workers Need Support Too
At Brood we believe you can’t talk about pregnancy, birth and postpartum without talking about miscarriage, pregnancy loss and abortion. Sharing about the full spectrum of reproductive care is one piece of the puzzle in helping to eliminate the stigma when it comes to topics like miscarriage and abortion.
Supporting People Through Pregnancy Loss
Unless you have lived experience of pregnancy loss or training that guides you in supporting people who have, knowing how to hold friends and family through such tender times can feel heavy. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with grief can take your breath away—it’s human nature to want to back away from that. Sometimes, that resistance is immobilizing, other times it helps create space and time to process your own emotions.
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We work and live on the unceded and occupied territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. Since time immemorial, the original peoples of these lands have cared for their families and communities. We are committed to honouring their teachings, legacy and their sovereignty.
