Tisdale Birthwork

Little baby update. Almost halfway there!

I thought I would give a little update on why I've been quiet here. Our family is growing and I have been trying to focus on myself and my current two kiddos.
I will still be available for some postpartum shifts and I hope to be fully back in business in November of 2024 ❤️
I may do some posts about what I experience throughout my perinatal care to keep you all updated on what there is out there ☺️

No words can come to mind when I think of everything that the Indigenous communities have been through. I look forward to being able to help those that have been affected bring peace and change to their lives if they want/need.

Embrace the journey together! Building stronger bonds as parents starts right here. 💕 ⁠
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Imagine the joy of having not just one, but two bundles of laughter and love. Would you eagerly embrace the adventure of twins, or does the thought leave you with mixed feelings? Share your thoughts below!

Colostrum, often referred to as "first milk," is a nutrient-rich fluid in the first few days following childbirth. It is particularly important for newborns as it provides essential nutrients, immune-boosting compounds, and growth factors that support the development and health of the infant.

How it looks: Colostrum is thicker and more concentrated than mature milk, and it has a yellowish or creamy appearance.

These numbers are from Fraser Health. It is hard to say if the inductions and the meddling with the birth process are what cause a need for an emergency C-section.

Emergency/Urgent C-sections can be decided upon using various factors. Cord prolapse, placenta previa, uterine rupture, and or urgent health concerns of the baby and/or birther.

Teamwork makes the dream work. Partners are one of the most important team members of a birth support team. They are able to help the birther in intimate ways that no doula could.

For those who are single, friends or family can be equally as beneficial as support.

Comment below how old YOU were when you had your first. According to stats canada, the average age of first-time mothers is the highest in B.C — 31.6, compared to a national average of 29.2.

It is never too late nor too early to book a doula for your birth or for your postpartum experience. I am available last minute (within reason).

Doulas and Midwives can be the perfect combination for any birth! So far I have worked with 3 different midwives and they have all been amazing.

Contractions: Painful yet powerful! They work wonders during childbirth, shifting, softening, and thinning the cervix. 🌊💪 These contractions pave the way for dilation, baby rotation, and descent. Remember, it's all part of the journey to welcome your little one! 🤰✨

All hail the snack holes!!!

Does anybody have any other good toddler/child names for specific things.

Calling all the September Babies!⁠
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This is the best or worst month depending on who you ask; the end of summer and the beginning of fall! Also the beginning of school in BC.⁠
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Is anybody expecting a September baby or was born in September?⁠⁠⁠⁠

Are you unsure of what delayed cord clamping is?⁠
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Instead of immediately clamping and cutting the umbilical cord, as was traditionally done in the past, DCC involves waiting for a certain period before performing the clamping.⁠
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In standard practice, the umbilical cord is often clamped and cut within a minute or two after the baby's birth. With delayed cord clamping, the healthcare provider waits for an additional period, usually between 30 seconds to 3 minutes, or until the cord stops pulsating. This allows more time for the baby to receive blood from the placenta, and it is believed to offer several potential benefits.⁠
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Note: while delayed cord clamping has shown several potential benefits, it might not be suitable for all births or babies. In some situations, immediate cord clamping may be necessary due to medical reasons, such as certain maternal or fetal health conditions. Therefore, it is crucial for expectant parents to make an informed decision based on their specific circumstances.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or when you can have a hot cup of tea...Do you relate?.⁠⁠⁠⁠

The parasympathetic and sympathetic systems are an important part of our unconscious nervous system. The Sympathetic system is activated when we feel stressed and or in danger it helps in these situations by releasing adrenaline and catecholamines which then trigger our fight - flight or freeze response. While our parasympathetic system is active while we feel relaxed and safe, it is responsible for keep our body in a stable condition. It also then releases oxytocin and endorphins.⁠
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In birth, we want our parasympathetic system to be the main system activated as it allows everything to flow and go as our bodies intend it to be. This allows blood and oxygen to move freely between mom and baby during labour. It also allows the amount of oxytocin (the hormone that helps with contractions) that your body needs to be produced which then help produce endorphins (the bodies natural pain killer and relaxant) to create an amazing birthing system.⁠
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If we are in the sympathetic system during birth (caused by unfamiliar environment, time limits, etc) it can cause labour to slow down. We can see this happen when people are in active labour at home and then head to the hospital for go time, only to arrive at the hospital and realize that its slowed down.⁠
If you are admitted, you can help the birthing person go back into their parasympathetic system by making the room dim, making sure that they are resting, massaging them, anything that can make them feel safe and calm.⁠
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What helps you when you feel stressed? ⁠⁠⁠⁠
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What's in the bag...⁠
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When I come to you (wherever that may be) you will see me with my bag. My bag has everything that I will need from a change of clothes to my notes/paperwork. I also like to carry hair ties for the birthing person just in case they lose theirs and a portable fan. ⁠
For postpartum visits, it most likely will have snacks for myself, things to help occupy older siblings and then anything else I may need to help the postpartum family.⁠⁠⁠⁠
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When you hire my support for birth, you can choose to have some prenatal appointments to help plan what you would like for your birth and for your postpartum time.⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Have you heard of hypnobirthing? It is created by Marie F .Mongan Hypnobirthing is a childbirth preparation technique that aims to help you have a more relaxed and positive birthing experience. It involves using relaxation, breathing techniques, visualization, and self-hypnosis to manage pain and anxiety during labor. You can learn the technique from trained hypnobirth educators or by reading the book. I personally only read the book during my last pregnancy, and even with that I only read the science and philosophy behind it.⁠
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It may not guarantee a completely pain-free birth but it can significantly contribute to a more positive and empowering birthing experience.⁠⁠⁠⁠

When I first met Keeka, we instantly clicked and were both excited to start on this journey together. We met on a Monday and had plans to have our first prenatal visit on the following Friday. Roberta had other plans and was excited to be earthside with her family. I got a text on the Wednesday of that week saying that Keeka's water had broken and that they were unsure if they should go to the hospital at that point. I had told them that it was up to them and then told them what could be expected if they stayed home or left. I was visiting with my great aunt that day across the street from the hospital, when they said that they had arrived and that things were progressing. So I rushed over to do a quick prenatal summary of what to expect with a VBAC. End of the day, Keeka had chosen to have a repeat c-section that was planned for later in the day and Roberta was born on that Wednesday.⁠
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I feel that this birth was a healing moment for Keeka and her family, as she was able to be in the driver's seat of her birth experience.⁠
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Thank you Keeka and Roberta for letting me be apart of your birthday

Well depending on your feelings towards the pregnancy your options are either to consider abortion, adoption or to parent.⁠
If you are excited/ choose to parent: Congrats! First thing I recommend is research who your ideal provider is. If you would like a midwife, most allow you to self refer to whichever one you wish to have attend your birth. If you are unable to find a midwife with availability or you don't want a midwife, I would suggest speaking with your family doctor or a walk-in clinic to see if you have a local maternity clinic or if your family doctor is able to provide birth care. If your family doctor is unable to provide birth care they will be able to still see you during your pregnancy and then hand over your care to someone who is able to be there during your birth.⁠
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If you are considering abortion: Most of the clinics in BC are in Vancouver and allow you to self-refer. All of them consider your safety and privacy by having you create a codeword for when you call the clinic or a fake scenario for if they need to leave a message. Please know you are not alone and it is a brave and strong decision that you are making. ⁠
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Lastly, if you are considering adoption there are two different ways that you can go in Canada. Publically (within your province) and privately. There is also 3 different types of adoption: Open, semi-closed and closed. Please remember that you are choosing what you think is best for your baby.

I loved helping Kristina out prenatally by using my resources and knowledge to help her with any questions she had or situations that she was facing.

Empowering mothers, nurturing futures. 🤱💕 Celebrating the bond of love and nourishment during National Breastfeeding Week! Let's support, encourage, and normalize breastfeeding, ensuring a healthier and happier generation.

August babies hold a special place in my heart as I myself am an August baby. Having a birthday in the summer is awesome because there is a very low chance that it will rain on your birthday!⁠
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Swipe along to find out more little facts about your little August baby..

This is a journey of self-acceptance, honoring the incredible vessel that has given life, and celebrating the unique stories etched upon our skin. It's about acknowledging the softness, the stretch marks, and the scars as symbols of strength and triumph. Each mark tells a tale of love, sacrifice, and a bond that transcends everything.⁠⁠⁠⁠

While physical support often takes center stage, let's not overlook the impact of emotional support in birth experiences.⁠
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a. Understanding the emotional needs of expectant parents.⁠
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b. Building trust and fostering a supportive relationship.⁠
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c. Providing continuous reassurance and encouragement throughout labor and delivery.⁠
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d. Helping families navigate unexpected challenges and make informed decisions.⁠
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As a certified doula, a mother, and a passionate advocate for empowering women through informed choices, I am honored to provide unwavering emotional support during this transformative time.⁠⁠⁠⁠

37.8%⁠
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The percentage of c-section births in BC 2020/2021⁠
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It's important to note that while cesarean sections can be lifesaving in certain circumstances, efforts can be made with a Doula to promote evidence-based practices, reduce unnecessary interventions, and ensure that women have access to supportive and informed decision-making during childbirth.