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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. 🤍
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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