my new boots!

I love my new purchase! Being VERY pregnant, there is not much that i can wear at this point and still feel/look good in...my tall boots are getting too difficult to pull on (well, it just bending over is gymnastics for me!)...i saw these faux leather boots..and coupled with some prego jeggings...i'm good for my last 8 weeks!!

Birth Doula Services

   I am a mother of three, wife, Herbalist, Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator. I have been attending births since 2006 and have a passion for helping pregnant mothers find their inner strength and courage for birth and future mothering!

 

  My doula services include:

- Prenatal herbal & nutritional consultation

- Three organic belly butters (Ovio Organico)

- Three visits (after the initial meeting) for discussing your birth plan, answering your questions, and childbirth education.

- Being on call 24 hours/day for two weeks prior to your "guess date", and two weeks after.

- Staying up to 2 hours after the birth (or untill breastfeeding is established).

- One postnatal visit to discuss any questions and concerns.

 

  My fee is $500.00 including all of the above, $200 to be paid at the second meeting as a retainer fee, and $300.00 to be paid within two weeks before your "guess date".

 

  Other services offered: 

 

 - Pregnancy photo session: 25+ photos to document this special  time in your life, your choice of location and partners welcome! $100.00

 

 - Nutritional Analysis with customised prenatal food and supplement plan. Suitable for vegetarian and vegan mothers, as well as for anyone wanting to nuture themselves and their growing babes with whole, real foods and proper supplementation. $50.00

 The first Doula meeting is free, to schedule an appointment:

 

 abarker54@gmail.com

  (250)376-8331

  (250)320-3980

 

 Blessings,

 Amanda Barker

 

An amazing woman...

Please read this post over at Marvelous Kiddo...its about Jeannine Parvati Baker ; a mother and midwife who changed many peoples perspective in her lifetime, and afterwards...

Allergies and Pregnancy

Many women suffer from seasonal allergies, and dealing with them when you're pregnant is not fun! As a Herbalist and Doula (and fellow hay fever sufferer), I get asked all the time if i know of any natural methods. I spoke with a Naturopathic Doctor and Midwife, and they told me about some remedies that do work well AND that you can take during pregnancy:

1. WATER! Drink plenty...minimum 8 glasses per day (flushes out the allergens from your system).

2. Homeopathics are safe during pregnancy and lactation. Pollinosan Tabs by A.Vogel help regulate your immune system. I use this myself and this literally worked overnight.

3. Echinacea is safe during pregnancy and is also great for regulating the immune system; making it strong enough to fight invaders, yet smart enough to know what to attack and what not to.

4. Vitamin C is an effective natural antihistamine, and you can take up to 2000mg/day. Try to spread 500mg doses throughout the day.

5. A healthy diet of anti-inflammatory foods! Follow The Gentle Birth Method nutritional guidelines for a healthy, glowing pregnancy and better birth.

  

Gloria Lemay's Anti-Bleed Tea

Recipe for Anti bleed tea

2 Tablespoons Shepherd Purse

1 Tablespoon Fennel

1 broken Cinnamon stick

Put all herbs in a big pot. Boil water separately and pour boiling water (at least 5 cups) over the herbs. Let steep. (You may have to re warm but do that with least heat possible. Leaf and seed herbs are not boiled).

Get your big mug ready before the baby is born.

Put 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey in the cup with a spoon. Have bendy straw ready. Put tea strainer (small strainer with a handle) over the top of the cup. As soon as the baby is born one attendant runs to get a cup of the tea and the straw. Make sure it’s warm but not hot enough to burn mother’s mouth with a swallow. Give it to her and say “This tea will help your placenta come out smoothly, all in one piece.” Say this only once. Keep offering the tea liberally.


The mother’s body needs warmth inside and out after the birth and women seem to love the taste of this tea plus the hydration.


We use this tea for primips. With multips we use a crampbark/cinnamon tea for helping to reduce the afterpains. Barks and roots are boiled so there is a different method for preparation.



Multip Postpartum Tea

2 heaping Tablespoons Cramp Bark

1 broken 4 ” cinnamon stick

Cover with 6 cups water in a metal pot and boil slowly on the stove for about an hour. Remove from heat. Sweeten with maple syrup or honey as for the other tea.

This tea will warm the mother inside and the Cramp Bark is very effective for reducing the pain of the uterus contracting down (”after pains”).

                  teacup cozy made by KnitStorm

BOOB

Maternity clothes can be so...typical. Boob maternity is an on-line shop out of Sweden that delivers original prego wear...even if its just to look at and be inspired by the interesting pieces. Its like Thyme maternity meets Forever 21.

Green and Prego!

Green Smoothies are wonderful for pregnant mothers (and lactating ones too!) They deliver food based vitamins and minerals in a easily digestible form. Check out Get Fit and Yummy for some great information and recipes!