Trish Steele, Doula
24 Irene St P1H 1W3 Huntsville, ON, Canada

Let's stop greenwashing birth. Can we? . By saying 'natural' birth you are eluding to the idea that there is an 'unnatural' way to give birth. Whether through v...aginal birth, or caesarean birth... birthing your child is innately 'natural'. . If medical assistance was used to give birth, then say medical assistance, or 'with an epidural'. Using the tools provided to us, that we are so lucky to have, does not make your birth unnatural or abnormal. See more

ATTENTION We could all use some good news, right?! Something to bolster us up as we face the dark, cold months of winter (already challenging) made even more ...ominous with this silly pandemic. Well, guess what???! #fillyourcup2020 IS HAPPENING! We have pivoted our event to an on-line forum, and our #virtualhomeedition will start in January and run until June! 5 months of seminars, LIVE events, 'Ask the Expert' Q&A sessions, and the sense of community we have all been craving. Stay tuned to our social media this week for announcements about how it will roll out... we are so glad you stuck it out with us! See more

And then the nurse and the midwife leaves the room, and it's quieter, calmer, but your hear still feels like it's grown bigger than the world. You press your l...ips up against your baby, still wet and covered with fluid/blood. But it doesn't matter...because they're here, in your arms, and you love them even more than you imagined you would. See more

THIS! . From @thebirthhive Optimizing your prenatal health takes a village, y'all. And contrary to popular belief it DOESN'T all filter through the birthing pe...rson from a doctor and it’s not a one-size-fits-all sorta thing. No way, Jose. This model of care recognizes the birthing person as the boss of their birth, not one care provider over all else. In fact, it’s the birthing person who outranks everyone else! Novel, I know . In this model, all care providers provide a circle of support around the birthing person, working in collaboration - not in competition - with one another. Information about the birthing person's care flows freely with between applicable parties in order to best serve the birthing person. Collaborative care puts the birthing person exactly where they belong: at the centre - the heart - of the care team. The team holds her in a circle of support. The mission of the team is to work collaboratively with one another via information sharing while being free of bias and open to the expertise, techniques, skillsets of the other providers. Sounds simple enough, right?! *Heavy sigh.* If only it were. In practice it can become complicated by the almighty ego. An antiquated view of the hierarchy of birth often places one provider as the pinnacle of supreme knowledge; reigning above all others. In other words, boo-urns. Every care provider has something unique to offer that enhances the birthing person’s experience. There's no room for ego in birth - not from the birthing person and definitely not from a care provider. I'll even go a step further and say that ego in birth is very dangerous. It only works to serve one person and, that person is often NOT the birthing person. Go figure. On the other hand, when the team works harmoniously, and respectfully, with one another, it's the birthing person that See more

Some things happen outside of time. Moments that are endless, or minutes stretched long: seemingly astral, possibly holy. Small commission from back in the spri...ng- it feels a world away. While I haven't had that sublime feeling of holding babies or being in the birth space lately, I'm thankful for 6 months at a slower pace, with more presence and openness and extended time. There's a lot to be confused and angry about, so these moments of peace, bliss, mindfulness and wonder are exceptionally beautiful. See more

Love this! See you in 24hrs....

Nestled up against her chest. She breathes in air for the very first time as her mother exhales the hard work and tension that brought her earth side. Inhale. Exhale. As one becomes two.

Our breasts tend to not be celebrated very often for what they were actually created to do. Women are shamed for breast feeding their child in public and is con...sidered unacceptable. What our bodies are capable of providing for another living being is incredible and nothing short of perfection and should never be shamed, but celebrated. Our milk ducts are intricate and life giving network of channels nestled among fat cells and glandular tissue. These milk ducts branch off near our chest wall and are called ductules which have small cluster of sacs called alveoli. A cluster of alveoli are called lobule and a cluster of lobules are called lobe. AXILLARY LIMPH NODES The axillary lymph nodes help fight infection in our bodies by filtering lymph fluid from your breasts. FATTY TISSUE Fat tissue surrounds the ducts and lobules. LOBULES Produces milk during pregnancy and breastfeeding. FIBROUS TISSUE This tissue helps support your breasts and is what makes them feel firm. MILK DUCTS The milk ducts carry milk from the lobules to your nipple during breastfeeding. AREOLA Is the dark area around your nipple. Designs: Designs By Duvet Days / All Rights Reserved Shop:DesignsByDuvetDays.com Promos: BUY 10 or more GET 5 FREE Discount applied at checkout. Ensure you add 15 or more into cart to receive the BUY 10 GET 5 FREE. *Cannot be used with any other promo and must be all regular priced items valued at $10 or more each See more

They been here before

I love that one of this baby’s very first images...shows just how much love and passion surrounded her. Birth images aren’t just a gift for you, but also a gift for your children to look back on in the years to come

Today....I miss birth SO MUCH. I miss supporting my clients and watching their babies come earthside. I miss teaching in class and empowering families. I miss being close to all of the magic and wonder and emotion. It’s almost an ache in my bones. I’m beginning to look at other ways to offer my services while I wait patiently for the government to recognize Doulas as essential or at least as important as getting your haircut (insert eye roll).... I can’t wait to connect with you soon. Photo credit: Jocelyn Collins featured in Birth Becomes Her

Cervical fluid is an important part of our cycle but no one ever talks about it. I know, it can seem yucky but it’s a game changer if you’re trying to conceive. I encourage all women to learn a little more about it and their own bodies.

They told you about the contractions, but did they tell you about the expansion? Did they tell you how your body would open to make way for the whole universe ...to pass through? Did they tell you how your heart would explode with a love bigger than anything you’ve ever known as you pulled your baby to your chest? They told you about the ring of fire but did they tell you about the crown of stars? Did they mention that there’s a moment when your baby enters the world and you leave your body and touch the heavens and become the light of a million galaxies? Did they tell you how the pain of stretching to receive your child would be more exsquisite than any sensation you’ve felt? They told you would scream but did they tell you about how you would roar? Did they tell you about the power that would rise up from your belly as you called your baby forth with your mighty voice? Did they tell you how you would embody the wild woman within you and breathe fire with your song? They told you would bleed, but did they tell you how that sacred blood wouldn’t scare you? How you would feel grateful for that magical liquid of life as it trickled down your leg- how you would honor its flow and how it would help you heal a lifetime of hating your body’s bleeding cycles. . They told these stories and taught you to fear birth, to fear your power, to fear yourself. But you’re stronger and wiser than that mama. You know that birth is your divine dance, your soul’s song, your moment with God, and you walk fearlessly into her open arms. Written by, @spiritysol Photo by Richard Gero of Marley Art and River Gero at two minutes after birth . . . . . #pregnancy #birth #postpartum #birthofamama #spiritualbirth #becoming #transformation #matrescence #transitionintomotherhood #postpartumdoula #womanhood #divinefeminine #womensbodieswomenswisdom #motherhood #womenaremagic