…which contains an article I wrote on doula support!
If you live in Northumberland, Peterborough, Hastings or Prince Edward Counties pick up your copy today! If not, check it out online, here. My article is on page 24 and my gorgeous new ad, courtesy of Shoshana Coodin is on page 25.
Happy Saturday everyone!
I’ve finally done it! At the beginning of July I officially moved to Cobourg. I am so thrilled to be here. Cobourg is such a lovely little town; I’m going to the beach every day and we have bunnies in the yard. What’s not to love?
I’m still working with clients in the east end of Toronto (I’m on-call for a couple of Toronto clients right now as a matter of fact!), but will now also be serving clients in Northumberland County and surrounding counties (e.g. Peterborough County, Prince Edward County and eastern parts of the GTA such as Oshawa and Ajax). I will also be continuing to teach group prenatal education classes – primarily weekends in Toronto, along with weekends and weekday evening classes in Cobourg, Peterborough and possibly other nearby towns as well.
I’m not taking on any more clients for the summer or early fall at this point, but if you or someone you know is expecting October through February, I have availability at those times. I’ll keep you posted on my group classes once I’ve got myself a teaching space.
Don’t forget that BirthFire – originally scheduled for May 10th, but postponed due to rain – is this Friday, June 14th at 7pm in Dufferin Grove Park. We’ll be at the main campfire site (the one nearest the rink house).
Check out the website for more info. Remember, this is an event for anyone* with an interest in birth, not only those who have given birth themselves. All are welcome, regardless of whether you wish to share something or simply to listen and support others. I hope to see you there!
*We would like to remind expectant mothers that there may be upsetting stories and information shared at this event. No one will be turned away, but we do not encourage pregnant women to attend, out of concern that negative birth stories may adversely affect your mindset as you prepare for your own labour and birth.
After the tremendous success of last year’s BirthFire, we have decided to make it an annual event! I hope that you’ll join us on May 10th as we share our fears, past experiences, expectations and frustrations about birth. This event is a wonderful opportunity for anyone with an interest in birth and a desire to let go of something associated with it to do so in a supportive, respectful and safe environment.
Learn more about BirthFire 2013 here. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the event.
Related: Is Birth Fire For Me?
Too busy to attend a six-week prenatal series? Then you’re in luck! Due to popular demand I am now offering weekend prenatal courses at CSI Annex (720 Bathurst St.). Email me now to register!
The first weekend course will be held Saturday March 16th and Sunday March 17th, 2013 from 10am to 5pm.
The course is $240 per couple.
Topics will include (but are not limited to):
-pain management and coping strategies for labour
-the physiology of labour and birth
-positioning for labour and birth
-risks and benefits of common interventions
-breastfeeding
-newborn care, characteristics and abilities
-parenting options
Education is the key to having a birth experience in which you feel confident, calm and in control.
I have another upcoming prenatal series starting at the Centre for Social Innovation, in the Annex, on March 5th. This course will run Tuesday evenings from 6:30-9 pm for six weeks.
If you are expecting a baby between late April and early June, this is the class for you! I cap my courses at six couples, so that my students can get to know one another and start building those new parent networks early. This course will give you and your partner the information and skills you need to cope with labour and birth; self-advocate effectively with your healthcare providers; know how breastfeeding should look and feel; know what to expect of a newborn; and make decisions about parenting that will work for you and your family.
The course is $240 per couple. Discounts are available for doula clients. Email me for more information, or to register.
Topics for the series include (but are not limited to):
-pain management and coping strategies for labour
-the physiology of labour and birth
-positioning for labour and birth
-risks and benefits of common interventions
-breastfeeding
-newborn care, characteristics and abilities
-parenting options
Education is the key to having a birth experience in which you feel confident, calm and in control.
I still have room left in the prenatal series beginning on Tuesday, January 8th at CSI Annex (720 Bathurst St.). This is a six-week course, running from 6:30-9pm Tuesday evenings.
Register now! heather@socialinnovation.ca
Check out my brand new referral program. Now, not only will you be helping a loved one find support for a satisfying, empowering birth experience, you’ll also get a treat for yourself!
I will have two new prenatal education series’ starting in the new year for those expecting a baby between late February and early April, 2013. Classes at the Centre for Social Innovation (Annex) will be on Tuesday evenings, from 6:30 – 9pm, beginning January 8th. Classes at Women’s College Hospital will be on Wednesday evenings, from 6:30 – 9pm, beginning January 9th. Both courses are six weeks in length. You can choose the series that best suits you in terms of day and location.
In taking the role of prenatal instructor at Women’s College, one of my top priorities was that I would be able to use my own curriculum and that there would be no imposition of a hospital agenda upon my prenatal course content. In other words, these two courses will be identical in content and will focus on preparing for birth as a normal, healthy experience that can be anticipated and experienced without fear and in a calm an relaxed manner. We will also cover topics related to the postpartum phase and parenting.
To register for the course at CSI Annex (Tuesdays), email me at heather@socialinnovation.ca. To register for the WCH course (Wednesdays), email janelle.noel@wchospital.ca or call 416-323-6494.
For more info on topics that will be covered, hit the jump! Continue reading
I’m excited to post another lovely testimonial from a recent client!
I was initially hesitant to hire Heather due to her age and perceived lack of experience. However, after our first meeting with her and our subsequent experiences we couldn’t be happier with her expansive knowledge on not only birth coaching but everything you could ever want to know about pregnancy, labour, birth and post partum (we had her not only for our doula but also our prenatal class teacher). The enthusiasm she has for what she does is apparent in her thirst for knowledge and connection to the community.
Empowered Birth 