Do I *Really* Need a Birth Doula?
Your Downtown Doula’s own Dr. Olivia Chubey, ND, breaks down the questions you should ask yourself to decide if doula care is right for you!
Alternative Options to Pain Medications
Your Downtown Doula’s own Dr. Olivia Chubey, ND discusses the realities of an epidural during childbirth – and whether or not you NEED one!
You *just know* how to parent!
Dr. Kim Abog, ND Have you ever had a strong hunch about something and it turned out to be true? Have you ever defied that little voice in your head (much to their dismay) and felt regret about it? As a parent, you may have already had several introductions, friendly or rude, with your parental […]
Things Your Care Provider Can’t Predict
by Dr. Ee Von Ling, ND Care providers of pregnant people (OB, midwife, nurse and MD) seem to take pride in somehow being able to predict the future of your labour and childbirth. Do they have a special sense or skill set to be able to do this? No. They are regular humans just like […]
Choosing the Best Bottle for Baby
Your Downtown Doula’s Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Dr. Sarah Winward, ND, walks you through how to select the best bottle for baby!
Paced Bottle Feeding
What is paced bottle feeding and why should you care? As a breastfeeding advocate, I am very much in favor of babies breastfeeding anywhere and all the time. But, it would be naive of me to think that this is realistic for every breastfeeding dyad. Lots of families choose to bottle feed some of the […]
What disservice do we do to women?
Dr. Olivia Chubey, ND Think about the last movie you saw that featured someone giving birth. I’m guessing there was a woman screaming, a man freaking out, and a doctor yelling “Push, push push!” Now tell me how many of your friends are terrified by the thought of giving birth? Maybe you’re included in that […]
Perineum Discussion Part 2: Besting Your Chances for Minimal Injury
Dr. Ee Von Ling, ND Trigger warning: Discussion about vaginal birth and perineum. Discussion about perineal injury and tears. This post will go right into the discussion of how to reduce perineal tears and injury. To learn about the 4 different types of perineal injury and read my personal account of having a 2nd degree […]
YDD is turning 5!
Dr. Sarah Winward, ND Five years ago my classmate, Olivia, convinced me to do a doula course because she thought I’d really enjoy it. I hadn’t heard of ‘doulas’ before but students got a discount and I had been enjoying our maternal and newborn care class, so I figured why not? It was so fascinating […]
Are Prenatal Classes Necessary?
The birth of your baby should not be a traumatic experience! Even if there are unexpected circumstances, you should not come away from your birth feeling traumatized. It has always been my goal to reduce this statistic and prenatal classes are a KEY element.