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.
Plan for parental leave – If you are eligible for employment insurance, you may be entitled for up to 78 weeks of parental leave. You can find more details about this program on the CRA website here. Also ensure you determine your employer’s parental leave policy and plan how you will financially manage the time off. You may be eligible for a top up which can supplement your income during this time.
Are you a parent-to-be or already navigating the challenging waters of parenting? If so, we have some exciting news for you! Brood is proud to announce the expansion and relaunch of our online family membership program, offering a wide variety of invaluable resources and support for families.
Many people are drawn to becoming doulas after experiencing pregnancy, birth, and postpartum as a parent or birthing person themselves. The care they received, or in some cases, the lack of care, can inspire them to be part of the change they want to see. While it’s not necessary to be a parent to be a great caregiver, these experiences can shape a doula’s approach and bring a unique perspective.
Looking for a prenatal class in Vancouver Lower Mainland that isn’t boring, way too long or full of gendered language? Don’t want to spend a whole weekend sitting on terrible plastic chairs, in a cold unfriendly environment? We don’t either so we created a class just for you!
A cesarean or c-section (also known as a belly birth), is a surgical procedure in which a baby is delivered through incisions in your abdomen and uterus. Scheduled c-sections may be suggested if your baby is breech, you have placenta previa, you are expecting multiples, or you need a guaranteed delivery before you reach full-term gestation. Unscheduled cesarean sections are when there is a reason for imminent birth and it is necessary to have a surgical birth within the next few minutes to hours.
While c-sections can be life-saving for parents and babies in certain situations, they are also associated with higher risks of complications compared to vaginal birth. Additionally, c-sections and its ensuing healing can have long-term health consequences for both the parent and baby. In saying this, belly births continue to be one of the most stigmatized journeys to birth a family can take.
This actually happened BEFORE I officially knew I was pregnant, that in a matter of days, my chest grew exponentially. I thought I was either pregnant or finally hitting puberty at age 30. If I was pregnant I had imagined this would happen over time, but it seemed to happen overnight, and was painful! So painful that I couldn’t even sleep on my stomach for a few weeks. The pain is no longer there – but they are still growing – and don’t show signs of slowing down!
As our friend, LC and doula Allie Mennie says, “A doula is someone who is there for you. The medicine is out of our scope, so we are there as someone supporting you and your partner. We make sure you’re fed and hydrated, you’re remembering to pee, your room/environment is calm and supportive for the birth process
I don’t know about you, but I would rather save lives than complain about how difficult it is to make a switch in language. If gender affirming language means I have to go through mental shifts in order to learn how to be more of a respectful person who is rooted in community care – then count me right in.
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.
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