top of page
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 Back Labour: What It Means and How to Cope
Back labour can be one of the more intense experiences during birth, and it often leaves birthing people wondering what’s happening and how to manage it. Unlike a typical (occiput anterior) labour, back labour causes pain in the lower back, and it can feel different depending on your body, the baby’s position, and your labour pattern. Back labour usually happens when the baby is in an occiput posterior position, meaning they are facing your abdomen rather than your back (imag
Maighen
Jan 22 min read
Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding, and Bottle Feeding: Tips for a Successful Start
Feeding your baby is one of the most intimate and important parts of early parenthood, and it’s also one of the things people have the most questions about. Whether you’re breastfeeding, chestfeeding, or using bottles, there’s a lot to learn and a lot of ways to make it work comfortably for both you and your baby. One of the most common concerns is getting a proper latch. A good latch helps your baby get the milk they need while preventing pain or injury for you. Make sure yo
Maighen
Dec 31, 20252 min read
How Perinatal Education Can Help You Be Prepared for Parenthood
Becoming a parent is one of the most exciting and challenging times in life, and honestly, it can feel overwhelming. There’s so much to think about, from the birth itself to newborn care, sleep, feeding, and even adjusting your relationship as a family. That’s where perinatal education comes in. Taking a structured class or working with a certified educator can help you feel confident, supported, and ready for what’s ahead. Perinatal education covers everything from pregnancy
Maighen
Dec 29, 20252 min read
The Importance of Bereavement and Infant Loss Photography
Talking about infant loss is never easy, but it’s incredibly important. Families who experience loss deserve tenderness, support and options that honour their baby’s life in whatever way feels right for them. One of the most meaningful ways to do that is through bereavement and infant loss photography. These images are not about posing or perfection. They are about holding space for love, grief, connection and the memory of a baby who is deeply wanted. Many families feel unsu
Maighen
Dec 26, 20252 min read
Understanding Placenta Location and How It Can Affect Pregnancy and Birth
The placenta is one of those things most people don’t think much about until they’re pregnant and someone mentions where it’s sitting in the uterus. Suddenly, it feels like a big deal, and honestly, it can be. Placenta location can influence how pregnancy feels, what movements you notice, and sometimes even the way birth plans are shaped. It’s one of those pieces of information that can help you understand your body better, and it’s something I talk about often with clients.
Maighen
Dec 24, 20252 min read
Understanding Postpartum Bleeding and What to Expect After Birth
Postpartum bleeding, also known as lochia, is one of those things nobody really talks about until you are suddenly living it. It can feel surprising even when you think you are prepared, and it is completely normal for it to look different for every birthing person. Knowing what to expect makes the whole experience so much less stressful, and it helps you understand what is normal, what might need medical attention, and how to make yourself as comfortable as possible in those
Maighen
Dec 22, 20252 min read
Preparing for Labour and Birth
Preparing for labour and birth can feel like a huge task, especially if it’s your first baby or if you had a very different experience in a previous pregnancy. Most people want to know exactly what to expect and how to get ready in a way that feels calm and grounding instead of overwhelming. The truth is that preparing for birth isn’t about doing everything perfectly or checking off every single box. It’s about building confidence, learning what your body can do, understandin
Maighen
Dec 19, 20253 min read
Postpartum Mental Health in Men, Partners and Support People
Postpartum mental health is often talked about in relation to the birthing parent, but partners and support people go through huge emotional shifts, too. The transition to parenthood is intense for everyone involved. There is a mix of excitement, exhaustion, fear, responsibility, and pressure that can build up fast, especially when sleep is limited and life changes overnight. It is completely normal for partners to struggle during this time, yet so many feel like they cannot
Maighen
Dec 17, 20252 min read
Understanding the Stages of Labour and What Actually Happens in Each One
When people talk about labour, it can sound like one long, intense experience, but it actually happens in clear stages. Knowing what each stage looks and feels like can help you feel more grounded, more prepared, and honestly just less surprised when things start shifting. Every birth is different, but the stages themselves stay pretty consistent, and having a general idea of what to expect can make the whole process feel more manageable. Labour usually starts with early labo
Maighen
Dec 15, 20252 min read
Postpartum Mental Health Disorders and When to Seek Help
Postpartum mental health is something that so many people quietly struggle with, yet it is still one of the most misunderstood parts of the fourth trimester. After birth, you are adjusting to your new body, your new baby, your new routine and your new identity. It is a lot, and while it is completely normal to feel emotional or overwhelmed, there are times when things become heavier than the usual baby blues. As a doula, I see this often, and I want families to know they do n
Maighen
Dec 12, 20253 min read
Understanding Different Pelvis Shapes and How They Can Affect Birth
Something that comes up a lot in birth work is the idea that your pelvis shape can determine how your birth unfolds. Many people hear things online or from friends and start wondering if their body is “built” for birth or if their pelvis will make things harder. The truth is that most people have no idea what type of pelvis they have, and even if they do, it rarely changes the overall plan for their birth. But learning about pelvis shapes can still be helpful because it can g
Maighen
Dec 10, 20252 min read
What to Expect at Your Hospital Birth and How Long You Might Stay
Walking into the hospital in labour can feel exciting and overwhelming all at once. Even if you have read all the books or watched every video, there is something about actually arriving that makes everything feel very real. Knowing what to expect can make the whole experience feel calmer, more grounded and a lot less intimidating. Every hospital and every birth is different, but there are a few things that most people can expect when they give birth in a hospital setting. Wh
Maighen
Dec 8, 20253 min read
Affordable Birth Control in Strathroy, London and Middlesex
Birth control should be accessible, uncomplicated, and affordable, but for a lot of people, the cost can feel overwhelming. The good news is that if you live in Strathroy Caradoc or the London Middlesex area, there are actually some great options for low-cost and even free birth control. I wanted to put everything in one place so you can find what works for your budget and your body without stressing about where to start. One of the best resources in our area is the Middlesex
Maighen
Dec 5, 20252 min read
The Truth About Red Raspberry Leaf Tea in Pregnancy
Red raspberry leaf tea is one of those things people hear about all the time during pregnancy. Some swear by it, some are scared of it, and others are completely confused because every website says something different. So let’s talk about what it actually does, what it does not do, and why it is not the magical labour starter people make it out to be. Red raspberry leaf tea has been used for generations in different cultures and traditions, mostly as a uterine toner. The idea
Maighen
Dec 3, 20252 min read
Understanding Pregnancy Tests: False Negatives, False Positives and Everything in Between
Pregnancy tests seem so simple. You pee on a stick, and it tells you yes or no. But anyone who has ever tried to conceive or has been surprised by a pregnancy knows it is rarely that straightforward. There are so many things that can affect the accuracy of a test, including timing hormones, individual cycles and even twin pregnancies, which can make testing a little more confusing than people expect. Most people take a pregnancy test around the time their period is due. That
Maighen
Dec 1, 20253 min read
When Hospitals Ignore Black Women: Why These Stories Matter and Why I’m Speaking Up
Lately I’ve been seeing more and more stories of Black women being ignored in labour, brushed off when they’re clearly in pain, or sent home when they should have been admitted. And honestly, as a doula and as a woman, it makes me sick. This isn’t rare, and it isn’t new, but seeing it all happen publicly makes it impossible to pretend it isn’t happening every single day behind closed doors. One story that broke me was about a mother in Indiana who went to the hospital in acti
Maighen
Nov 28, 20253 min read
Pregnancy and Nutrition: What You Can Actually Eat and What to Avoid
Nutrition in pregnancy can feel overwhelming because everyone has an opinion, and every Google search leads you somewhere different. One person says pineapple will make you go into labour, another says you cannot eat seafood at all, and someone else swears you should only eat organic everything. It gets confusing really fast. The truth is that pregnancy nutrition does not need to be stressful. Most foods are completely safe, and your body is incredibly good at telling you wha
Maighen
Nov 26, 20252 min read
Do Doulas Need to Be Certified? What You Should Really Know
One of the questions I get asked all the time is whether doulas have to be certified to practice. The short answer is no. Doulas do not need to be certified to support families, and certification is not what makes someone a good doula. What matters most is experience, compassion, communication, and the ability to show up for families in a steady, grounded and knowledgeable way. But there is another side to this conversation that is worth talking about, because certification c
Maighen
Nov 24, 20252 min read
Rising Cesarean Rates and the Pressure to Deliver Before the Holidays
Something I’ve noticed more and more over the years, especially as a doula, is how often people feel pressured into birth interventions that weren’t part of their plan. One of the most common examples is being pushed toward a cesarean birth or an induction that leads to one — and it tends to happen even more often around the holidays. It’s heartbreaking, because for many families these decisions aren’t being made because there’s a true medical emergency. Instead, they’re made
Maighen
Nov 21, 20252 min read
How to Dress Your Newborn for Changing Temperatures
Bringing home a newborn in the middle of changing seasons can make you second-guess every outfit choice. You want to keep your baby cozy without overheating them, and it can be a fine balance to find. The simple rule of thumb is that your baby usually needs one more layer than you’re wearing. If you’re comfortable in a long sleeve, your baby might need a sleeper and a light blanket. If you’re adding a sweater or jacket, your baby may need an extra layer too. As the Canadian w
Maighen
Nov 19, 20252 min read
bottom of page