Oh my! SO much to acquire, so many products, so many opinions!
Opinions, opinions, opinions! Influencers, AI and Bots!
The web offers information, insights, and opinions. It can be overwhelming to know which information is a true nugget that can have an impact on you, your health and the health of your child. Below are a few links to information I find particularly powerful and important.
One of your first stops on your birth journey may be making contact with the Midwifery practice closest to you. Do this as early as possible. There are a limited number of midwifery care spaces available and, they can fill up quickly! Ask to be put on the practice’s waiting list if they are full. Needs can change and spaces often become available.
The Consumers Supporting Midwifery Care website makes it easier for you by listing all the Midwifery practices in our region.
9 months x 4 weeks = 36 weeks!
SO, When Is My Baby Coming?
An informative Slate article by Dr. Chavi Eve Karkowsky on around the language and expectation around the length of a pregnancy.
Delayed Cord Clamping
A most wonderful thing has happened since I first shared this information!
Delayed cord clamping has become the standard of care at the The Ottawa Hospital.
For infants born after 34 weeks, delayed cord clamping of 60-120 seconds is now the standard of care. This may vary from one care provider to another and on the health and well being of your baby. You’ll still want to include it in your Birth Preferences document or Birth Plan.
Continue reading below to understand why this important to your newborn-
Presented in 2012 by Dr. Alan Greene this Ted Talk is well worth your time. It provides a simple understandable explanation of the importance of delayed cord clamping not only to individual infants but globally.
90 seconds to change the world | Alan Greene | TEDxBrussels
Renowned Educator, the late Penny Simkin recorded this simple folksy visual explanation of the effectiveness of delayed cord clamping.
Penny Simkin on Delayed Cord Clamping
“What the heck? You’re a birth doula?
Is THAT like a midwife?”
Actually not at all!
Many of the wonderful Ottawa area doulas got together and created a video about what a birth doula does. And then the members of Ottawa Valley Doulas did it again to tell you A Bit About Postpartum Doulas.
And speaking of doulas, I want to be your doula! Let’s talk.
Realistically, I may not be available for the period surrounding the expected birth of your child or perhaps I am not the doula for you. Luckily many of the professional doulas in Ottawa and the surrounding communities belong to the Ottawa Valley Doulas Association. You can find links to their profiles here.
So why would you want a Doula?
Listen to Dr. Rebecca Dekker of Evidence Based Birth explain.
Listed below are links to a few products or services I and my clients have found to be exceptional, practical, or just plain awesome!
LACTATION CARE– Prepare before you get there!
Prenatal breastfeeding course for parents – Breastfeeding with Confidence: Getting Ready Prenatally . Find it here: https://courses.lactationcare.ca/course/prenatal-breastfeeding
Onya Baby Soft Carriers
Designed and developed by a local mom Onya carriers are now marketed worldwide. Practical design, ethically sourced materials. Onya carriers are suitable for children from birth to well beyond toddler. Give them a look.
Cloth Diapers-Ottawa Cloth Diaper Service
You’d like to cloth diaper- you think …
BUT ewwww!
I have an idea for you! What if each week freshly laundered cloth diapers arrived at your door and the dirty ones were whisked away? This sounds as easy as running to the store for a new box of diapers and emptying the Diaper Genie of garbage day~
All information contained on this website is provided for your personal information only and is the original intellectual property of Gertrude Wilkes. All rights reserved. Do not replicate without advance written permission.®2025
