I don't know about you, but May has very easily become my favourite month of the year. This is the month I get to celebrate how my beautiful girlos who made me a mama (after being told my body would never carry them), plus... it's also the month of my birthday!

Fun Fact: I was born on a Mother's Day.

This seems so fitting now that I am a mom and have a career in nurturing moms!

I decided to find something we could do every year to celebrate (drum roll) - Introducing THE ULTIMATE MOTHER'S DAY GIVEAWAY!

While I am still gathering the prize, I am so excited for the things we've gotten from local businesses so far (Sally Beauty, Bill's House of Flowers, Prairie Homestyle Bakery - to name a few).

Every year, The Nest Co. is going to work so hard at gathering as many things as possible to give away to one very deserving mama. Let's make this thing bigger every year!

Keep your eyes peeled for the start of the giveaway later this week on instagram. You're going to want to get your name in the draw!

I finally got to be in the cesarean recovery area for the first time!

You may have heard that JPCH has a new rule in the OR that we are very unhappy with. They now only allow one support person in during cesareans. Of course you'd want your partner present during the birth, however, we soooo wish we could be there for advocacy and support as well!

We have found a loophole for postpartum support though! There aren't any rules against doulas providing support in the recovery area immediately after surgery (even though they haven't been granting us access... until recently).

I've been trying to get in there for months now and was finally let in to support my client ASAP by a wonderful nurse.

How can you help make a difference?

If you are heading into a cesarean (scheduled or urgent) and have a doula supporting you, please voice your need for support immediately postpartum. The nurses need to put their attention in so many areas, so the added help is very beneficial.

How can you advocate for yourself in a kind but direct manner?

Begin by requesting that your doula be brought to the OR recovery room before you ever go to surgery (in prenatal doctor appointments and on your birth plan).

If a nurse or doctor says that we "aren't permitted" back there, voice that you know doulas that have been in there. If they still do not permit it, ask to see the policy that restricts doulas from being in the OR recovery room. Remind them that you want the best birth experience possible, that you're already deeply saddened that your doula cannot support you during the actual procedure, and that you should absolutely be able to have support immediately post op. Fight for your rights!

Keep in mind that a kind and respectful approach go a long way! However, that doesn't mean that you can't be direct.

As always, thanks for being here. Reach out anytime!

Your Doula,

Briona Wiebe (Owner and Founder of The Nest Co. Maternal Care)