Community Birth Program
#201 - 15149 Highway 10 V3S9A5 Surrey, BC, Canada

from @she.found.motherhood There are SO many different ways you can push during the second stage of labour. There is a common misconception that in the hospital many women are forced to birth in their backs (lithotomy position). A lot of people find this a comfortable positions (that’s how I had all three of my babies!) but there are other options too! ... Work with your body and your birth team to find positions that work for you! And yes, even many people with epidurals still have enough strength to get into different positions. See more

not forgetting your needs dads ... from @raddadcollective Mother: How can an expectant fathers best support their pregnant partners? Part of the Rad Dad Collective is collecting and sharing resources with each other so we can support other men in their journey into fatherhood.... We have an entire section in our free online community on Mighty Networks dedicated to expectant fathers (Words by Co-Founder @davestegman) . . . #singledadlife #motherhood #fatherson #fatherdaughter #parenthood #fathers #fathersday #fatherhood #son #dad #blessed #dailyparenting #life #dedicateddads #kids #family #fathersontime #momblogger #baby #momtribe #daughter #babygirl #mothering #dads #familytime #parentlife #happyfathersday #dadlife #father #parents

Internet sources report that in the last 3 months of engagement a bride spends an average of 11 hours a week working on her wedding. That's 132 hours! How about spending 132 hours on childbirth preparation? Here are some great resources to get your head in the game. Share some of your helpful books with us!

Tongue tie can affect bottle feeding too.

looking forward and not looking back ...

We can all use more support and connection ... This group is continuous enrollment ... so connect by calling 604-255-7999 #pacificpostpartumsupportsociety #communitybirthprogram #communitybirth #postpartum #postpartumdepression #postpartumjourney

common questions ... answered #communitybirthprogram #communitybirth #miraclelcsupport #bcmidwives #lalecheleague #breastfeeding #clusterfeeding #bottlefeeding #babyfeeding

from Mother Well Breastfeeding & Birth paced bottle feeding Feeding when baby’s cues indicate hunger, rather than on a schedule. Held in an upright position; it is especially important to avoid letting the baby drink from a bottle when lying down flat. With a switch from one side to the other side midway through a feed; this provides for eye stimulation and development, and thwarts the development of a side preference which could impact the breastfeeding mother.... For 10-20 minutes at a time, to mimic the usual breastfeeding experience. Care providers should be encouraged to make appropriate quantities last the average length of a feeding, rather than trying to feed as much as they can in as short a time as possible. This time element is significant because the infant’s system needs time to recognize satiety, long before the stomach has a chance to get over-filled. Gently, allowing the infant to draw nipple into mouth rather than pushing the nipple into the infant’s mouth, so that baby controls when the feed begins. Consistent with a breastfed rhythm; the caregiver should encourage frequent pauses while the baby drinks from the bottle to mimic the breastfeeding mother’s let-down patterns. This discourages the baby from guzzling the bottle and can mitigate nipple confusion or preference. To satiation, so that baby is not aggressively encouraged to finish the last bit of milk in the bottle by such measures as forcing the nipple into the mouth The elevated side lying position is helpful because it replicates the physiologically normal feeding position of baby feeding at the breast and allows for properly pacing the feed! It’s helpful because you can support baby with a pillow and it creates postural stability for baby which can make for a more relaxed feeding experience. Have you tried the elevated side lying bottle feeding position? #bottlefeed #breastfeed #pacedfeeding #infantnutrition #combinationfeeding

from @breastfeeding.dietitian CAN YOU DRINK ALCOHOL WHEN BREASTFEEDING? Alcohol does get into your breastmilk, but the amount can be so small it’s basically irrelevant. . . inspo from @the.lactation.dietitian quote! .... . The amount of alcohol that is in your blood will be the amount in your milk. Where I live, you can’t drive if your blood alcohol content is over 0.04%. So even if you drink to that amount (meaning you still could drive), your milk alcohol would be 0.04%. . . For perspective, any beverage is considered non-alcoholic under 0.5% - so your milk would be over 10 times less than the non-alcoholic limit. . . Plus it’s not like your milk alcohol levels magically jump to that amount after drinking a drink. On AVERAGE, 1 standard drink takes about 1 hour to peak and 2 hours to clear from your system (but highly dependent on how well your liver is, how fast you drink it, and if you ate anything too). . . So how much alcohol would your baby get at the peak? At 0.04%, your milk would have the same alcohol in it as if you put 1oz of 40% vodka into 125 cups of water. Then they’d drink a few ounces of this. So they would get next to no alcohol even at the peak. . . Not allowing mother’s to drink when breastfeeding is just another constraint that does not hold value to risk NOT breastfeeding (or delaying a feed/replacing a feed with a bottle and putting your supply at risk). . . Sober enough to drive, sober enough to breastfeed! . . Note: this same logic does NOT apply in pregnancy (alcohol is not safe in pregnancy). . . #breastfeedingmama #feedingondemand #thebreastfeedingdietitian #informedisbest #breastfeedingsupport #breastfeedingishard #momlife #mommyneedswine #communitylatch #communitybirthprogram #communitybirth

yep, it’s a bit of a journey. Get help, early and as often as needed. It may be a multidisciplinary approach ... midwife | lactation consultant | doctor | la leche league | cranioscacral therapist | chiropractor | pediatric dentist | herbs | prescriptions | hugs & tears ... repost @communitylatch from @breastfeeding.life I wanted to take a moment to share my struggles with breastfeeding. This photo was captured by Rob moments after Kate was born. It was my first attempt to br...eastfeed her. Some might think it’s gross because it is so raw but it is also so real. It was honestly one of the most precious moments of my life. Breastfeeding did NOT come natural for me. It was quite the struggle the first month. I was super insecure because Kate did not latch properly for first little while. I thought something was wrong with me. Thankfully with the help of my midwife and an LC, although it was painful (VERY PAINFUL) at first, Kate started latching properly and I was able to exclusively breastfeed for a full year. It was a learning process for both of us. Mama: @fitchickscook . . . . #breastfeeding #breastfeedingmom #breastfeedingjourney #breastfeedingweek #breastfedbaby #realityofmotherhood #thebump #communitybirthprogra#drtrangduong #lalecheleague #postpartumlife #motherhood #newborn #reallife #momistired #whattoexpect #communitylatch

more info re: COVID vaccine from the Society of Obstetricians & Gynecologists to keep you informed to make your choices.

common questions ... answered

play-doh visual of c-section surgery ...

from @avivaromm As the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations took place yesterday, many of you have reached out to ask my thoughts, so I wanted to take a moment to share what I know so far. There is a tremendous amount unknown about the virus, the cure, and even prevention. With a vaccine coming to market so quickly, there are inevitably uncertainties, including about safety and efficacy. As with all pharmaceuticals -- adverse effects often don’t come to light until post-ma...rket surveillance of many users over a length of time. Without being able to rely on years of clinical studies and longitudinal outcomes tracking there’s a lot we just don’t know at this time. Whether to receive this vaccine is a matter for deep personal consideration and decision-making, weighing personal concern and lifestyle, risks, and a very real and very serious global pandemic. Therefore, as with all vaccines, I do not share what I will do, or what I think you should do. According to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), there are no data as yet on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy, either from human or animal studies. Given the lack of evidence, JCVI favours a precautionary approach, and does not currently advise COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. For breastfeeding mamas, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG) says that, women who are breastfeeding are also currently advised not to have the vaccine. Mamas at high risk - including frontline workers - are encouraged to consider the vaccine when they are done breastfeeding. ACOG recommends they not be withheld from pregnant or BF’ing women who meet criteria for vaccination based on benefits outweighing risks. FDA cautions pregnant and breastfeeding moms against getting the vaccine due to lack of data. As data evolves, I’ll update you. PS. This post is meant for your information and support - vaccine infighting, trolling, etc., will not be tolerated and any such posts - and those who post them - will be removed from this page. Please be respectful - these are scary and uncertain times, with tough decisions to make. This page is about education, community, and caring.

keep connected and keep moving your bodies ... while keeping safely separated.

Posted from our very own Community Birth midwife @nushinbollinger.rm My YEAR ROUND gift guide While many holiday gift guides are coming out this season, I thought I would post a gift guide for new moms that can be used year round. As we know it’s always the right time to get a mama a gift ... The items in the picture are all things I came up with for a colleague, and I’m also leaving a list below of very useful things some other mama’s have suggested: Pictured: 1. Sitz Bath - this is a blend of herbs to help with perineal/muscle healing after delivery. (This one can be found at @communitybirthprogram) 2. Chocolate - because how can you go wrong? 3. Vitamin D drops - since breast milk alone does not provide infants with an adequate amount of Vitamin D, it is recommended that infants get about 400 IU of Vitamin D daily 4. Onesie - so many sweet onesies around and you can never go wrong with one of these, baby’s are constantly being changed 5. Frida Baby Snot Sucker - this one is an interesting one, may not sound appealing but I have recently spoken to a few new moms who HIGHLY recommend this product (don’t worry there are filters - check out the @fridababy page for more info) 6. Baby’s First Toothbrush by Frida. This one is for 3+ months but is a small toothbrush that you can fit on your finger that will brush your baby’s first little teeth 7. Bum Bum Balm - diaper salve to keep your baby’s bum nice and smooth (not a medical necessity but always a great luxury for your little one) Some other handy things that new moms want: Alcohol, good breast pads, witch hazel spray, stool softeners, food or a skip the dishes/door dash gift card, nipple butter, any #fridababy or #fridamom products, a day off from motherhood Anything else you can think of? Comment below! #pregnancy #midwiferycare #holidays #gifts #fridamom #fridababy #healthypregnancy

be informed so you can make a choice ... from @thevbaclink What has your provider said about induction and VBAC? Did you ask them about it? Did they bring it up? Let's discuss below. We are huge fans of Rebecca and her team at ebb. They are really, REALLY good at breaking down the evidence into bite-size chunks, have an informative article on due dates, and have a section at the end just for #VBAC parents. ... In this week's podcast episode, we interviewed Bec from Australia and talked about due dates, going past them, and what that means for VBAC. It can be tough to face pressure from providers at the end of your pregnancy to either schedule a repeat #Cesarean or induce labor by (or before) or before your due date. Make sure to read up on due dates on Evidence-Based Birth's blog, so you know what to expect near the end of your third trimester. #duedate #duedates #40weeks #39weeks #40weekspregnant #39weekspregnant #thirdtrimester #induction #evidencebasedbirth

happy H A L L O W E E N community families! #communitybirthprogram #communitybirth #communitybabies #communityfamilies

In 2018, a randomized clinician trial found that pregnant people assigned to the exercise group (moderate aerobic exercise three times a week) had shorter first stage of labour and total duration of labour! from @she.found.motherhood At Community Birth, we recommend 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise following screening & guidelines you can find on the PARmed-X Pregnancy form. Ask your Community Birth midwife to review with you and get you moving for your best birth.

from @motherdwell With new studies of evidence based research constantly coming to the surface, it can be confusing when hearing conflicting opinions and protocols. When you are uncomfortable and your gut tells you to ask further.. use your B.R.A.I.N. B - BENEFITS: What are the benefits for me and my baby? Why is this suggested or necessary? ... R - RISKS: What are the risks to me and my baby? How will this effect the rest of my birth? What other procedures may follow? A - ALTERNATIVES: Are there any alternatives or other options? I - INTUITION: What is my intuition telling me? How does my partner feel? N - NOW? NOTHING?: Can we wait an hour and decide? What happens if we do nothing? Remember that YOU HAVE OPTIONS. You are in charge of your body! You have a natural right to bodily autonomy. It’s important to find a care provider that is willing to explore all options with you. Find someone who will respect you and your gut feelings. . . . #birthfacts #birth #pregancy #informedchoice #autonomy #brain #doula #communitybirth #communitybirthprogram See more

Latch clinic is next Thursday Oct 29 instead of the usual Friday. Call 604-575-7275 to book in, only a few spots available!Latch clinic is next Thursday Oct 29 instead of the usual Friday. Call 604-575-7275 to book in, only a few spots available!

If you are iron deficient or anemic and one of the Community Birth providers has recommended Bob’s Iron formula, it can be purchased at our clinic or at local pharmacies like #pureintegrativepharmacy. You may find it as Bob’s Iron Formula or as #Ferapro. Please confirm with your Community Birth #midwife, #nursepractitioner or #naturopathicdoctor the proper formula dose you will need to treat your specific level of deficiency and tolerance.