Baby Magic, Granny Sense: talking about women's bodies: reproductive rights, running, birth attendan...

This International Women's Day, I have been thinking a lot about my goals for women during their reproductive lives. Here is my joyful manifesto: find out how YOU can join the cause!
You can always reach out to me @montrealdoulaschool or here.
Happy International Women's Day and every day! Let's celebrate: joy, power, love and peace!

Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

Part three of the Placenta Miniseries presents business partners Emma Mogg and Shelby Duggan, from Toowoomba (Australia).
Eating the placenta does have the Ew factor.... but if you get it dried and encapsulated, you have a ready-made product that can ease postpartum blues, increase milk production, and more. Have a listen!

Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

What is Lotus Birth? Baby Magic chats with two women who decided to keep their baby's placenta attached to the umbilical cord until it falls off (3-9 days after birth).
And here is an article written by a mother of two: Elizabeth Adams describes her home birth and Lotus Birth.
Yes, it might not be for everyone. Is it dangerous? Scientists weigh in here, in the Journal of Clinical Pediatrics.
Did you have a Lotus birth? Send us a message, we'd love to chat!


***a word of advice: this podcast tells stories, explores realities, and is a platform for women's opinions about their bodies.
It is NOT a place where you can come for medical advice. Do not use this podcast as a guide for treatment, or as a substitute for qualified professional advice and care.

Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

In the first of our Mini-Series on the placenta, we chat with Patricia Edmonds, a longtime midwife and placenta expert. She takes us on a journey to explore the placenta, its relationship to the mother, and how it keeps baby alive during the months of pregnancy.
Want to know more about this magical organ? Listen up!

Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

This is a guided meditation for any pregnant woman to use, daily if she wants. A doula can also share it with the women she supports. It helps you relax, energize, and connect with your baby.

Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

Racism in maternity care in the US is something we all may have heard of, but many families are living it. Baby Magic Podcast wants to help you learn more so you can act more, so that together we can make a change.
Racism doesn't just mean someone acting in a racist way to a birthing woman. Institutionalized medical racism in the US goes back to the times of slavery, and is informed by it. I spoke with Dana-Ain Davis about racial disparities in maternity outcomes; her new book about prematurity rates among Black women in the US and the afterlife of slavery; and where we can go from here.
Davis has been engaged in social justice, particularly reproductive justice, over the last 30 years. She has worked with a number of national reproductive justice organizations; the New York City Department of Health’s Sexual and Reproductive Justice initiative; and Scholars for Social Justice. She served on the New York State Governor’s Task Force on Maternal Mortality and Disparate Racial Outcomes and currently serves on the Birth Equity Collaborative in San Francisco.
Reproductive Injustice: Racism, Pregnancy and Premature Birth
This is the first of several shows on justice and change. Listen up! And let me know if there are topics you want to hear about, or if you are an activist - we want to hear your words!

Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

Here in Montreal,Canada, and around the world, pregnant women and their families are facing new challenges. Do I have to wear a mask while I'm giving birth? Do I have to pick between my partner/mother/friend and my doula to be present with my in the hospital/birthing centre? Can I have a home birth? What does a virtual doula do?
Life goes on, and people are still having babies. I spoke to Sylvia Otvos, who leads a special group of doulas here in Montreal. Hear how she and her colleagues answer these questions and more, and follow the links below for community and action.
Virtual Mom and Baby group
Pregnancy Community group (paid)
If you're interested in writing a letter to your local MP, requesting a change in the "one support person" policy in your hospital or birthing centre, message me for template letters.
Parents Matter! Birth Matters! Rise Up!

Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

Lewis Mehl-Madrona is a healer. He is a medical doctor, specializing in obstetrics, geriatrics, family medicine, and in psychiatry. He is also a storyteller, drawing on his indigenous heritage to create a breed of narrative medicine that is true Coyote.
I have personally witnessed his magic as he accompanied a mother working through a traumatic event in her childbearing life: he guided her as she dissolved blame, so that she could proceed with true grief.
Lewis and his wife Barbara Mainguy live in rural Maine, and while Lewis is not working as a physician, he and Barbara present workshops and classes on healing:
https://www.mehl-madrona.com/upcoming-events/two-eyed-counseling-bringing-indigenous-approaches-to-improving-social-and-emotional-well-being

Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

Sovereign birth? Sovereign music! Here is our chat from the livestream we made on Dec 22 ... we talk about autonomy, babies, homebirth, homeschooling, and artistic endeavour.
Have a listen to this beautiful woman, a powerhouse of love and change!! Mother of seven, birth companion, home-birther, wife, artist and sister: you'll be inspired!!

Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

I spoke to Alison about her experiences as a new mother. Her baby was born in October, 2020, and she shares with us her plans, expectations, challenges and joys of her childbearing year.
Are you expecting a baby and wondering about your choices? Drop me a line!

Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe