Alynn the Doula
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diary of a doula

What is OLO ?

8/14/2017

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OLO stands for Oeufs, Lait, Orange (eggs, milk, orange). 
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source: La Fondation OLO
The OLO foundation in Quebec has created a program which supplements the diets low income mother's during their pregnancies. Vouchers for milk, eggs, orange juice, and a multivitamin are distributed at prenatal meetings at the CLSC or CSSS. This support to the OLO mamas and babies continues through the infant's first 2 years of life. 

1000 days = 270 days pregnancy + 365 days 1st year + 365 days 2nd year
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The babies partaking in this program are 50% less likely to be low birth weight than those who do not receive this support. The overarching goal is to foster healthier eating habits for families which is great for bonding, development, and positive life skills.
source: La Fondation OLO
eggs - an easily accessible source of protein.
milk - good source of energy, protein, calcium, vitamin D... B2, zinc, omega-3. (non-dairy alternatives also offered)
orange juice - source of vitamin C, iron
vitamin - prenatal vitamins, Materna brand.

donate to OLO
Just because it's a good thing to do.
Perhaps a donation on behalf of a new baby could be an idea for a baby shower gift.

​To learn more, visit 
Fondation OLO ​
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The Birth Hour

4/4/2017

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When asking mamas what they love to read while pregnant, I often hear a few of the same titles. Mother's need not feel compelled to read every book on the market or feel like reading all of the books will lead to an easier birth. The reason for mamas to be reading about birth is to become familiar with it. Learn how a woman's body is made for birth. Learn how babies are born naturally, how interventions work, that there are different ways and locations to give birth. Some of the most common birth books are, Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth, The Birth Partner, and The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

All good books. I would definitely recommend them to clients as helpful information for not only mama but mama's partner as well. However, there are some mamas who feel they don't have enough hours in the day to read all of the books that are recommended. I encourage those who enjoyed the birth stories from Ina May Gaskin's book to delve into the stories shared on the Birth Hour. It can be found on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.
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This podcast features a new mama each week as she details her birth or births. Oftentimes the mamas being interviewed have a background in birth or have since become involved in the birth community as nurses, midwives, lactation educators, and the like.  The website offers practical information to mamas who are looking into everything from fertility to loss, natural birth to elective cesarean. I strongly encourage everyone to check it out! 

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Asking for Help

3/28/2017

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In the past few weeks I have heard a bunch of stories of postpartum depression, failed breastfeeding attempts, traumatic births, and overwhelmed mamas. I am saddened by the reality that these mamas and families are facing. In most all of these cases, the families did not seek help until much later, until the issue had become a larger battle. This is my urging mamas and their families to be educated and seek out help. Ask for resources. Ask for a hand. Ask for support. Ask ask ask. We, your village, will be there.
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Nourri-Source Montreal
There are many people in your community who are there to help.
  • partner, mother, friend
  • postpartum doula
  • 8-1-1 - Info Santé: speak with a registered nurse (dial 8-1-1)
  • doctor, midwife, nurse
  • community organizations and support groups
  • Nourri-Source Montreal 
  • lactation consultant
  • ​...
Sometimes it is tough as new parents to know when something is wrong or when we might be overreacting. It is difficult to know what is normal and what is a not normal. Many new parents have little experience with babies - especially newborns. To know how much crying is too much crying is difficult to explain. It is normal to be unsure if baby is getting enough milk. It is ok to wonder and talk through what happened in your birth. All of these reasons and more are valid times for seeking out help. 

Being a mama can be really hard.  
But it can be --- oh so rewarding as well.


Accepting that it is hard is the first part. Affirming all of your other emotions is a good second. You are having all the feels because you have just had something huge happen to you, your body, your life. Everything is different and some remain the same. Reaching out and asking for help is one of the best things a mama can do for herself. Having help is a good part to proper self-care.

Examples of asking for help
  • Asking your partner to help with nighttime wakings
  • Asking a friend to come help with dinner
  • Asking for a lactation consultant to help you with breastfeeding
  • Asking your doctor to examine you because you are not quite feeling ok after birth
  • Asking a postpartum doula to come help with housework, baby care, and give mama some time to sleep
  • Asking a nurse if your baby's diaper output is normal
  • Asking your care provider to speak more about your birth and answer questions at a postpartum followup
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WE ARE BACK in Montreal!

3/20/2017

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We bought a house! 

We just recieved official word this week. It had been almost two years since we moved to Toronto from Montreal, leaving our friends, family and our support network behind. We are so excited to be coming back to raise our family in Montreal. 

We are moving back to Montreal! 

I really love the city. It is a big change from small town Nova Scotia farm living where I grew up. I arrived in Montreal almost 10 years ago on university scholarship to study developmental psychology and play hockey at Concordia University. In that campus hockey rink, I met my wicked-cool husband. We became adults together and started our lives in a humble little apartment near Snowdon Bakery. He is a Montreal native and his family quickly welcomed me as one of their own. My brother and his lovely lady now live there, and my sister and her really tall dude spent some time living there too. My parents raised us to be die-hard Habs fans, so of course they love visiting. For my husband and I, family is such a big part of our life, so being away from Montreal meant being away from family. We are soooo looking forward to getting back to all of that.
Painting: Vivian Bennett
But what does this mean for ALYNN the DOULA? 

As far as birth work goes, I started in Montreal just over 4 years ago and I look forward to getting back into the birth community. I did some time volunteering with the non-profit Montreal Birth Companions while maintaining a private client base aside. Now that my baby is 13 months old (?!!??), I feel ready to get back to births. To get back to the mamas and the babies. I feel ready to grab my doula bag and head out the door. I can't wait to get back to educating parents and the community about the wonderful world of birth and parenting. 


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I will be accepting clients with due dates as of  June 2017.


​Check out the services I will be offering to Montreal clients below.


DOULA SERVICES
POSTPARTUM SERVICES
CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION SERVICES
CONTACT ALYNN
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​I am looking so forward to getting back into the groove of things. Now I have experience as a first time mother, I am eager to share and help mamas in Montreal along their journey. 


If you know anyone who would be interested in working with me, let me know! 
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