Enjoying the Journey….

Well, it’s been exactly a year since I attended my doula training “retreat”. I have been reminiscing about my experience and long to be back there again. The wonderful meals, the morning chai lattes, the women who share the same passion, the weather, the beautiful Okanagan scenery, the support of my husband and children, and of course the invaluable information I learned. I have been welcomed by four families to share in their births, each and every one so amazing! I am especially grateful to the couple who put their faith in me and became my very first clients, what an amazing gift they gave me 🙂

I feel that I am a good doula, I am comfortable, and at ease with my clients. Being a doula feels so natural and right for me. I often wish I had taken the leap to become a doula years ago when I first looked into it, but I know that everything is falling into place on its own time. I have a lot to learn still, and enjoy every opportunity to do so – whether it be in a book, an article, or being with a client. I am excited to be closer and closer to becoming certified!

Thank-you again to my wonderful trainers Nicki and Sheri, my husband and friends and to the families who have let me share in their births I am forever grateful to you all 🙂

The Benefits of Having a Doula by Yourside

Well September is here! My favorite time of the year – the air is cool and crisp, the meals are warm and comforting, the kids are back in school and the daily routine of life resumes!  With that comes a new post, FINALLY 🙂

What are the benefits of adding a doula to your birthing team? The benefits of having a doula by your side goes beyond just easing a labour.

Effects on the birth outcome:

– Labors are shorter

– Fewer complications

– Reduced cesarean rates

– Less need for oxytocin to speed up labour

– Reduced need for forceps

– Women request less pain medication and epidurals

Effects on the Mother:

– Greater satisfaction with their birth experience

– More positive assessments of their babies

– Less postpartum depression

Effects on the baby

– Babies have shorter hospital stays

– Babies breastfeed more easily

– Mothers are more affectionate to their babies postpartum

For the partner:

– Offers guidance, making suggestions for physical comfort measures

– Provides information with the process and language of birth,  to understand  medical procedures and hospital protocols

– Reasures the partner and helps him or her feel more relaxed in an unfamiluar situation

The Benefits of continuous support in labour is recognized by:

– The world Health Organization

– The Medical Leadership Council

– The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist of Canada

A doula does not take the place of the mother’s partner, doctor, midwife or nurse – she is an added team player helping the mother and her partner before, during and after labour.  The doula’s role is help the mother to have a positive and memorable birth.

Welcome to my new journey!!

Doula: a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to expectant mothers and their partners before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

I am thrilled to be starting a new chapter in my life, a chapter that has been waiting a long time to be opened! My name is Brandy Rees, I am a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mama to 4 beautiful, healthy children. Even before the birth of my children I loved watching a Baby Story, or any other t.v. program that I could get my hands on. Since the births of my children I have become a birth junkie!!  The last 4 years or so I contimplated taking a Doula training workshop – I did some of the required reading, looked up the DONA website time and time again, but did nothing.  Finally this past April, with the amazing support of my husband, I took the plunge!! I am so thankful I did and had an amazing time – I refer to my 4 day training as a “retreat”. The food was great, the trainers were wonderful, I made new friends, and above all the topics covered were incredable! (no dozing off, daydreaming , or wishing-I-wasn’t here for this girl!)

From this chapter forward, I hope to be able to help women and their partners to experience their own memerable births – whether the births go as planned or not. I look forward to helping women through pregnancies, labour and postpartum in any way I can. I am excited to start sharing my knowledege with whomever will listen and am eager to continue learning (I can’t wait to get my next book)!!

I dedicate my very first blog to my supportive husband and my wonderful, talented girlfriend who has spent many hours on helping me get started on the business end of my new journey ( I LOVE my new logo) I can’t thank-you enough!