Prenatal
Every doula in our practice has their own individual schedule and birth guideline. But all of us offer at least one prenatal visit to get to know you and your birth partner. At this appointment we recommend you and your partner take this opportunity to discuss your birth plan with your doula, and express any concerns you may have about your pregnancy and labour.
Make sure you ask your doula how many prenatal visits they offer. Often we suggest prenatal classes for first time parents or a refresher course for parents wanting to experience birth “their” way. The Collective offers great childbirth classes. Please feel free to inquire about them.
Labour & Delivery
Labour and delivery doesn’t have to be a stressful time. With the aid of your doula and the support of your birth partner, birth can be a wonderful experience. A labour doula is there to help partners communicate with each other, and their birth team. A home birth or hospital birth, it doesn’t matter on the location. What affects the birth most is trust in your birth team, and belief in your bodies ability to deliver your child into your loving arms.
A doula will assist in labour positions, pain control techniques, mental and physical labour support. We also help enhance your partners birth experience. D in doula means dad’s can do it! With the aid of your birth plan, we help guide you, your partner and your birth team to your desired birth experience.
Please feel free to email us at: thedoulacollective@sympatico.ca.
Postpartum Care
Postpartum can be a hectic time. With a new baby, and the processes of healing, you may be overwhelmed at times. Our postpartum doulas help organize this event to make it a more joyful, relaxing time for you and your family. Postpartum doulas vary from practice to practice, so be sure to ask your postpartum doula about what responsibilities they will cover in their care.
Some responsibilities may include:
- Breastfeeding support
- Newborn care
- Sibling care
- Minor house cleaning
- Meal preparation
- Medical transportation
- Physical and emotional support
Classes - In-Home Midland/Collingwood Area
Nicola Syed CPD, CLA, CBE is a certified labour and postpartum doula and childbirth educator. She teaches childbirth education and works as a second attendant with local midwives.To book a private In-Home class in any of the following pregnancy related subjects, please e-mail Nicky at Britishdoula@rogers.com.
I am now taking bookings in the Midland/Barrie/Collingwood area. Prices are subject to change.
We provide community classes at the office of Midwives Nottawasaga, 9811a Hwy 26, Collingwood
Childbirth Education:
6 hours (split into two 3 hours classes) - $160
Sit back in the comfort of your own home as we travel through the journey of pregnancy and birth together. Discover the many different options that can shape your experience into a better one and how to avoid the more common interventions that may take you down a much bumpier road. Learn how to make your pregnancy and birth an experience that is enjoyable and memorable. I can teach you how to stay healthy, try to achieve optimal fetal positioning for a faster, easier labour, cope with discomforts along the way and fill in any information gaps you may have about your experience. We will devote time to comfort measures in labour and natural options for pain relief, birth plan preparation and induction techniques used in the medical field today. Learn the truth about epidurals and hospital procedures and policies. Educate yourself about both obstetrical attitudes to pregnancy and birth versus the more family centered and holistic views and exemplary continuity of care from a registered midwife. Breastfeeding can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life as a parent and I can teach you how. Bringing baby home from the hospital or learning how to read your baby’s in the first few weeks can be a stressful time. Learn how to respond to your baby and how to care for him/her with help from me, a mother of three and a certified postpartum doula. I have a lending library and DVD’s for you to watch to help you gain confidence as a new parent.
Comfort Measures in Labour:
3 hours - $50
If you do not require the extended full childbirth education classes but would like to know some techniques for coping with the discomfort/pain of labour, then this is the class for you. Educate yourself and your labour support person/partner to be able to advocate your wishes for you and know what to do to keep you comfortable. Learn how to help speed your labour up, reduce your chances of a cesarean section and make better choices for better breastfeeding afterwards.
Breastfeeding:
2 hours - $50
I have spent six years of my life breastfeeding my own three babies and would like to share with you, the superior physical and emotional benefits of breast milk. We will learn about the very important first hours and days of your baby’s life and what we can do to ensure a good milk supply and more importantly a good latch. Educate yourself about the misinformation you may be given and learn to recognize problems when they arise and how to solve them quickly. Learn where you can go for breastfeeding support. Learn how to wear your baby in a variety of ring slings, wraps and Mei teis and educate yourself about the emotional and practical benefits of hands free baby wearing. We will also learn about colic and how there are things that you can do to ease this period of life for both yourself and baby. All clients have access to my lending library of books, DVD’s and CD’s.
Classes - In-Home Windsor/Essex County
CBE and Breastfeeding classes are offered by two of our Essex County Doulas, Kimberly Hasson and Rhea Eady. They can be contacted separately based on your preference. Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga is offered by our Essex County Doula, Laurel Hicks.
Private In home Childbirth Class (4 hours)
Power point presentations:
All my teaching courses are on power point presentation for a clear presentation. All shown with the convenience of a laptop
Video presentations:
I have a lending library of many videos that benefit any expectant parent’s view of birth
175 page manual:
A detailed manual with all the material from my power point presentations, plus medical and holistic based birth material. Including topics:
- Growth and decision making
- The process of birth
- Medical interventions
- The newborn, post partum and the family
- Breastfeeding and attachment parenting
* Plus free sample packages from local Canadian businesses and magazines
Located at your home $150.00
Breast Feeding
Breastfeeding support classes are provided at your home in a private setting. A manual and hands on teaching are used to help bring ease to this wonderful experience.The class will touch base on positioning, latching, support from family and friends, and nutritional elements. Please feel free to contact us at thedoulacollective@sympatico.ca for more information.
Some great online Resources are:
- http://www.ameda.com/breastfeeding/elibrary/videos.aspx
- http://www.breastfeeding.com/
- http://www.breastfeedingcanada.ca/
- http://drjacknewman.com/
- http://www.ilca.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
- http://www.kellymom.com/
- http://www.infactcanada.ca/index.htm
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
Vaginal Birth after Ceserean is an emotional and physical barrier that needs to be nutured . Our in home private classes are available upon request. Please email thedoulacollective@sympatico.ca for more information.
Some great online resources are:
- http://www.ican-online.org/
- http://www.freewebs.com/myvbac/thestorybegins.htm
- http://www.vbac.com/
- http://www.homebirth.org.uk/vbac.htm
- http://www.caesarean.org.uk/
For more info on CBE, Breastfeeding or VBAC classes contact either Kimberly Hasson toomums@sympatico.ca or Rhea Eady rhea.eady@gmail.com
Pre natal/ Post natal Mommy and Baby
Classes are offered:
For babies 4 weeks - crawling - Friday @ Eastside Yoga Studio 12:15pm - 1:15 p.m. (preregistration needed)
Mommy & Baby (4 weeks - crawling)
Mommy & Baby Yoga is a 75-minute yoga class designed to get the postpartum mother back in shape while playfully bonding with her new baby.
For the mother, the class focuses on postpartum needs such as regaining alignment, toning the pelvic floor and re-establishing core strength. The class challenges the mother, giving her a sense of physical fitness and well-being.
The babies participate with mothers throughout the class, enjoying age-appropriate stimulation exercises as well as being integrated into the breathing, chanting and asana practice.
Babies age 4 weeks through crawling are welcome.
Bring a blanket for your baby and a small toy to share and wear loose, comfortable clothes. No prior yoga experience necessary. Newborns and their moms are welcome and may participate as gently as you like; if you have questions about when to start, do ask your midwife or doctor.
Mommy's & Mobile Babies (walking - 18 months)
This intimate 75 minute yoga class will provide mommy's with mobile babies (crawling - 18 months) a chance to improve their strength and agility through a Vinyasa level 1 class. The babies participate with mothers throughout the class, enjoying age-appropriate stimulation exercises as well as being integrated into the breathing, chanting and asana practice.
The studio will be a safe place for the children to interact with their parent and other babies.
Bring a blanket for your baby and a small toy to share and wear loose, comfortable clothes. No prior yoga experience necessary.
Prenatal Classes are offered:
Sunday
Prenatal Yoga @ Eastside Yoga Studio 10:45am - 12:00 p.m. (preregistration needed)
Tuesday
Prenatal Yoga @ The Downtown Yoga Studio 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. (preregistration needed)
Call 519-564-1326 or email laurelhicksyoga@gmail.com to register for the next 6 week session.
Why Prenatal Yoga?
The classes provide an opportunity to develop greater vitality and awareness of your body that is now home for two, as well as deepen your relationship with your baby.
Gentle postures, breath work, vocal toning and meditation will be explored to cultivate flexibility, calm and confidence in preparation for labour and childbirth.
It will enhance relaxation, comfort, and enjoyment to help manifest a calm birthing process, thus reducing pain and increasing the joy of giving birth.
Practicing yoga will help prepare you for an active and natural birth.
No previous yoga experience necessary.
Physical Benefits of Prenatal Yoga
Yoga is truly ideal for pregnant women. When practiced mindfully, yoga increases flexibility, strength, circulation and balance. Pregnancy is such a physical experience and a woman often becomes hyperaware of the many changes her body is going through.
Yoga allows her to adapt more gracefully to these changes and to feel a sense of integration and appreciation for her body. Many women find that regular yoga practice helps to reduce swelling, back & leg pain, and insomnia.
Mental Benefits of Prenatal Yoga
1.
-Create deeper bond between Mom and Baby
2.
-Lessens anxiety and fear about labour
3.
-Reduces feelings of stress and thereby reducing stress to your baby
4.
-Open and supportive environment for moms-to be to connect and share experiences.
Testimonials
“Each week I looked forward to Laurel's prenatal class. Finding my breath, meeting other mom's to be and staying active motivated me to sign up for three sessions in a row during my pregnancy. I have since stayed in touch with many of the yoga moms. Laurel had a way of making us feel like a community. -- Thanks, Kristen”
“I took Laurel’s class while I was about 5 months pregnant with my second child. I loved it and so did the baby! The relaxed pace and peaceful atmosphere was wonderful. Laurel has a beautiful vibe and she gently encourages you into selected poses. I found the class beneficial both mentally and physically. I know the practice helped my labour and delivery, especially for the breathing and pushing! I would recommend her class to anyone (expecting or not)! In fact, once I renew my passport I’ll be enrolling my son and I in her ‘Mommy & Baby’ class! Namaste~ Chani Crutchfield”
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my Prenatal Yoga classes with Laurel. I was thrilled to hear that she will be continuing the class after the six week session is nearing the end. I am in my 22nd week with twins and the weekly 75 minute session leaves me feeling exhilarated and stress-free after a long day at work. The prenatal class is my first experience with yoga and I will definitely continue after the birth of my children. - Lori Stuart -1st time Yoga Student”
“This class was my first exposure to yoga, and it has done just what I hoped it would. Laurel's classes make me feel relaxed and strong in my body at the same time, which is a wonderful preparation for labour. As an instructor she is aware of the specific needs and possible limitations of the pregnant body, which is very reassuring: I know she won't ask me to do anything that wouldn't be healthy for me or the baby. I plan to keep going right until I'm due! -- Barbara”
Call 519-564-1326 or email laurelhicksyoga@gmail.com to register for the next 6 week session.