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. Whether it was a home cooked meal or meal delivery service, someone who came over and did the dishes or tidied up, refilling my cleaning and diaper supplies, or quality time where I didn’t have to entertain, this is the stuff that keeps new parents going. Let’s be honest, it’s what keeps them alive. I know it did for me.
I was put on bed rest towards the end of my pregnancy in 2020, due to placenta previa (hello, exit blocker!) and 3 large fibroids. There was a lot going on down there! Then, the day of my baby shower—Covid-19 came a calling—and all in-person gatherings and in events were cancelled. My baby and pregnancy celebration was cancelled. It wasn’t the upset of missing out on opening gifts in front of people (so awkward!), or eating tiny sandwiches off a plate on my belly — it was the terrifying realization that I wasn’t going to be surrounded by my community before or possibly after my birth.
That week, my friends and family did something amazing and gifted me with postpartum doula services. They pooled their money and crowdfunded a postpartum doula, so that I would be supported in a way that they couldn’t do for me. Getting a doula was something that felt like a luxury, an add-on, and a serious investment that I hadn’t been able to make on my own. Little did I know, my doula Emma (of then Bunky Bambino), would be the only person we would see for six weeks.
Yes, your mother-in-law could come over and support you postpartum. Your partner will likely be at your birth and change diapers and rub your feet (I hope!). Your friends can accompany you to appointments, or bring over treats. I hope that all of these things happen for you! But those people aren’t trained birth attendants, advocates, or postpartum and newborns experts. Not only was my doula able to support me in nursing and feeding my baby, they also cleaned my house, brought me nourishing food, and worked night shifts so we could sleep and I was only woken up when my baby needed to be fed. They checked in on my mental health, and checked in on my partner who was also doing this for the first time (in a pandemic no less).
My wish for all people is to at some point experience the life changing care of a doula. It’s why I co-founded Brood! Whether you’re someone who can afford to pay for a set of doula services, or want to crowdfund for a friend, the gift of Brood is perfect for anyone who needs support during birth or postpartum. Hint hint: it’s everyone!
gifting Brood doula services
Brood’s In-Home & In-Person Birth & Postpartum Doula Care
Wether your friends and family are already using Brood’s services — or you know that they could benefit from doula support, we are here to make care and the magic of gifting, happen! Brood services are customized to our families and their specific needs and we’ll work directly with you to gift these services, all you need to do is reach out via our Contact Us page.
Let us know their name, how much you’d like to gift, and we’ll take care of the rest! We’ll then surprise them with paid services, or direct them to book a Meet Brood call, where we discover what they need, when is ideal, and how we can provide life changing support.
GET IN TOUCH → Here!
Of Note: Brood currently operates and services Vancouver’s Lower Mainland, Bowen Island, and Victoria, BC. If you’re outside of those service areas, consider gifting one of Brood’s online courses!
Brood’s Online Courses, $28 – $48 USD
Wherever your friends or family members live, and however far along they are in their parenting journey, Brood’s 5 online courses are an easy and inexpensive way to give support! From pregnancy and birth, to postpartum and feeding your baby, through to early parenthood — our courses offer a flexible, accessible way to learn. Our courses were developed by doulas and educators, and peer-reviewed by a Clinical Advisory Board made up of doctors, therapists, midwives, nurses and parents with lived experience.
Check out all our courses here, follow the prompts for gifting and an email will be sent to the lucky recipient within the day!
CHECK OUT & BUY COURSES → HERE!
Brood’s Family Membership, $99 CAD
Want to bundle all the goodness and give access to the virtual support of your dreams? Check out out our Family Membership! It includes our library of online courses, access to our portal of trusted resources, articles, checklists, podcasts, and practitioners. Not to mention special members deals and offers from our community of caregivers and other related services! You’ll also be invited to the Brood Clubhouse, a private chat with families and our team of doulas, here to answer your questions and gather in community. This is valued at over $500!
Online community and care has never looked better → BUY IT HERE!
The Set Up Package, $600 CAD
Are your loved ones interested in postpartum doula care but not sure what they need?
The Set Up Package by Brood offers a complete experience of postpartum doula care with one day shift and one night shift. Brood’s postpartum doulas provide trusted, in-home newborn and family care, which includes nursing and feeding guidance, sleep support and more. Plus, the Family Membership is included in this rate!
PACKAGED POSTPARTUM CARE → LEARN MORE HERE!
Got more questions or curiosities about gifting Brood’s support? We’re always here to answer them! Just drop us a line here via our Contact Page.
