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Welcome to
the Blog
Welcome to the blog. I’m really glad you’re here.
This space is where I share thoughts, research, stories, and honest conversations about pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and everything that comes with becoming and being a parent. You’ll find posts about the science behind our bodies, the emotional parts of the journey that don’t get talked about enough, and practical support for navigating pregnancy, birth, and life with a new baby.
Some posts will be educational, some will be personal, and some will simply be things I wish more families were told. My hope is that when you leave here, you feel a little more informed, a little more supported, and a little less alone in whatever season you’re in.
Take a look around, read what resonates with you, and come back anytime. 🤍
Understanding Prenatal Mental Health and Hormones in Pregnancy
Prenatal mental health is one of those topics that everyone knows is important, but not enough people actually talk about. Pregnancy gets painted as this glowing, magical time, and yes, it absolutely can be beautiful. But it can also feel overwhelming, confusing, emotional and heavy in ways that sometimes catch you completely off guard. And honestly, none of that means anything is wrong with you. It means you’re human and you’re growing a whole person while your brain and hor
Maighen
Feb 182 min read
The 5 S’s of Soothing Newborns: Why They Actually Work
If there’s one thing I’ve learned working with families as a doula across London, Strathroy-Caradoc and Sarnia, it’s that newborns are beautifully simple and completely complicated at the exact same time. People love to say, “babies just cry,” but when you’re the one pacing the hallway at 3 a.m. trying to figure out why your tiny human is losing their mind for the fifth time that night, those words aren’t exactly comforting. This is where the 5 S’s come in. You’ve probably he
Maighen
Feb 163 min read
How to Tell If Your Partner Is Struggling With Postpartum Mental Health
Postpartum mental health conversations usually centre around the birthing parent, and for good reason, but that doesn’t mean they’re the only ones who struggle. Partners often slip through the cracks because they feel they have to be the strong one, the calm one, the rock everyone can lean on. And when someone is busy holding up the whole house, it’s amazing how quietly their own foundation can start to crack. I’ve seen it more times than you’d expect during my work as a doul
Maighen
Feb 133 min read
Understanding Neonatal Vaccines and Why They Matter
Talking about neonatal vaccines can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re freshly postpartum, exhausted, and trying to make decisions with a newborn in your arms. There is so much information online, some accurate and some not so accurate, and it can leave parents feeling confused about what’s actually important in those first hours and days. So I want to keep this simple, gentle, and real, because your baby’s health matters and so does your confidence as a new parent. Wh
Maighen
Feb 113 min read
Bridging Modern and Traditional Practices in Pregnancy and Postpartum
There’s something so fascinating about pregnancy and postpartum care when you step back and look at it from a wider lens. On one hand, we’re living in an age of incredible medical knowledge, research, and technology. On the other hand, some of the most grounding, effective, and nurturing practices come from traditions that have been lived, shared, and passed down for centuries. It’s not an either/or situation. In fact, I find that the most supported families are the ones who
Maighen
Feb 93 min read
Blood Pressure in Pregnancy and Why It Matters More Than You Think
Blood pressure in pregnancy isn’t just another routine check box. It’s one of the most important indicators of how your body is coping with the huge changes of pregnancy, and it can offer early signs of conditions that affect birthing people all over the world. When I support families, this is something we talk about often because understanding your own body truly is empowering. Most people have heard the word preeclampsia, but very few are taught what it actually means. Pree
Maighen
Feb 63 min read
Where Should the Fundus Be Postpartum? Understanding What’s Normal
One of the biggest surprises people experience after giving birth is how much attention their stomach suddenly gets. You spend hours (or days) bringing a baby into the world, and just when you think you can finally breathe, someone presses down on your abdomen with the confidence of a chef checking rising dough. If you’ve ever flinched, gasped or mentally screamed during a postpartum uterine check, you’re definitely not alone. But there’s a reason for it, and understanding th
Maighen
Feb 44 min read
Why Vitamins, Supplements, and Nutrition Really Matter in Pregnancy and Postpartum
Nutrition in pregnancy and postpartum is one of those topics that everyone has an opinion on, yet somehow no one really explains in a way that feels grounding or simple. You probably hear things like “just take a prenatal” or “make sure you’re eating enough,” but that barely scratches the surface of what your body is actually doing. Growing and nourishing a baby, and then recovering afterward, is a huge metabolic and emotional load. Your body needs support, and that’s where g
Maighen
Feb 23 min read
Supporting You Through Every Step of Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum in London, Strathroy Caradoc, and Sarnia
There is nothing I love more than supporting families through the entire arc of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Now that I’m officially certified in all the areas I have been training toward, I’ve been reflecting on how beautifully my services connect. It’s not just one moment or one type of care. It’s a full circle of support designed to meet you where you are. Whether you’re in London, Strathroy Caradoc, Sarnia, or nearby areas, I’m here to walk with you through the entir
Maighen
Jan 303 min read
Birth Photography in London, Strathroy Caradoc, and Sarnia: Capturing the Story of Your Baby’s First Moments
There is something so incredibly powerful about birth photography. It is raw, emotional, and honest in a way that no other kind of photography can match. Every time I walk into a birth space with my camera, I know I am witnessing one of the most important days of someone’s life. Whether you are birthing in London, Strathroy Caradoc, Sarnia, or any of the surrounding areas I serve, the experience deserves to be documented with care and respect. A lot of people are surprised wh
Maighen
Jan 283 min read
Nourishing Your Body in the Postpartum Period
The postpartum period is often talked about like it’s something you can simply “bounce back” from, but anyone who has actually lived through those first few weeks knows how wildly untrue that is. Your body has just done one of the most intense things a human body can do. You are healing, adjusting, feeding a baby, barely sleeping, and trying to remember what day it is. And in the middle of all that, you’re also somehow supposed to nourish yourself in a way that supports recov
Maighen
Jan 263 min read
The Truth About Breast and Chestfeeding: Why It’s Not Actually “Free”
People love to say breast or chestfeeding is “free,” like it’s the easy, accessible option that costs families nothing. And while human milk itself doesn’t come with a price tag, the process absolutely does. As a doula and perinatal educator, I hear so many new parents talk about feeling guilty for choosing formula because they were told breastmilk costs nothing. But the truth is that both feeding paths require time, energy, resources, and support. There is no milk that is “f
Maighen
Jan 232 min read
Doulas and Partners: The Misconceptions and Why You Really Need Both
There’s this big misconception floating around that hiring a doula somehow pushes a partner to the sidelines. I hear it all the time, and honestly, I get why people ask. Birth is intense, vulnerable, emotional, and completely unpredictable, and everyone wants to feel like they belong in the room. But the truth is pretty simple. Doulas and partners aren’t in competition. We’re a team, and when everyone understands their role, the support becomes unbelievably powerful. Partners
Maighen
Jan 212 min read
How to Find a Doula in Ontario: What to Look For and Where to Start
Finding a doula in Ontario can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you search online and suddenly realize there are hundreds of us offering support. The good news is that you don’t need to know everything right away. You just need to know where to start, what to look for, and how to figure out which doula feels right for you. And the truth is, the relationship matters just as much as the services themselves. Most families begin by Googling “doulas near me” or “Ontario
Maighen
Jan 193 min read
Is Doula Support Covered by Private Insurance?
I hear people say all the time that they wish doula support was covered by insurance. Honestly, same. Doula care is such an important part of how people feel seen and supported during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. The good news is that more insurance providers are starting to recognize the value of doula work, and there are actually quite a few ways to get reimbursed if you know what to ask for. Many extended health plans and wellness benefits in Ontario now include optio
Maighen
Jan 163 min read
Agencies vs. Collectives: how to choose whats best for you
There’s a point in almost every doula’s journey where the big question comes up: Should I join an agency, join a collective, or stay fully independent? And honestly, it can feel overwhelming. Everyone seems to have opinions, horror stories, or glowing reviews, and it’s hard to know what actually matters until you’ve been in it for a while. So let’s talk about it and keep it real. When you hear the word agency , the first thing that usually comes to mind is structure. Agencie
Maighen
Jan 142 min read
Birth Alerts in Canada: Why They Hurt Families and What Needs to Change
There’s something I think about often as a doula, especially when I’m working with families who’ve already had the world on their backs long before labour even starts. It’s the way some parents step into parenthood, already treated like a risk instead of like human beings who deserve care, compassion, and support. And in Canada, one of the clearest examples of this has been birth alerts. If you’re not familiar, birth alerts were notifications sent by hospitals or social worke
Maighen
Jan 123 min read
When to Take a Pregnancy Test, Find Your Birth Team and Hire Your Doula
One of the most common things people ask during early pregnancy is when they should take a test, when they should start looking for their birth team and when they should hire their doula. The early weeks are full of excitement and nerves, and it helps to have a clear idea of what to expect and when to start planning. Most people take a pregnancy test right around the time their period is due. Home tests are very accurate once you have missed your period, and some of the more
Maighen
Jan 92 min read
Capturing Your Journey: Birth and Photography Packages
Becoming a parent is one of the most transformative experiences of your life, and having support along the way can make all the difference. That’s why I combine full-spectrum doula care with professional photography to help families feel supported, seen, and celebrated every step of the way. My Birth Story Package offers birth doula support plus birth photography for $2,400. This package ensures you have continuous emotional, physical, and informational support during labour
Maighen
Jan 72 min read
Birth Control, Abortion, and Women’s Rights: What You Need to Know
Conversations around birth control, abortion, and women’s rights can feel overwhelming, but understanding your options and rights is empowering. Every person deserves access to safe, affordable contraception and reproductive care without judgment or barriers. Birth control comes in many forms, from pills, patches, and rings to IUDs, implants, and barrier methods like condoms. In Ontario, many options are available for free or at low cost through local health units, family doc
Maighen
Jan 52 min read
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