Blog
A collection of my writing about: postpartum holistic healing; holistic preparation for childbirth; the wisdom of women’s circles; village building for new mothers; birth trauma healing; perinatal mental wellness; perinatal anxiety and depression; art making as healing; mindfulness; seasonal and cyclical living; ceremony and ritual; womb healing practices; traditional women’s folk medicine; and ancestral connection and reverence… and more!
Love + Solidarity,
Anne
Postpartum Doula FAQ
I have a history of anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, sexual violence, or other mental health issues - how would a postpartum doula help me? Mental health challenges can be difficult to manage during a vulnerable time like birth and early parenting. As much holistic,...
Just had a baby? Why you need a Postnatal Doula!
Maybe you’ve heard about doulas who attend your birth and who provide continuous support (like massage and help to cope with pain) during your labour. But have you heard about doulas who come and serve newborn mothers and parents with their newborn babies?...
Radical Self-Care for New Mothers
Let’s talk self-care. Yeah, I know you’ve heard it before - you need to fit your own oxygen mask first, etc… But really most of us aren’t that good at doing this. And for good reason, we’ve got little people (and others) depending on us. And we’ve been taught to...
Placenta Remedies: 3 Ways to Use Your Placenta Without Eating It
Much attention has been given lately to placenta encapsulation and consuming placentas through smoothies. These practices have been said to help with the postnatal transition. When I was planning for my son’s birth I didn’t feel interested in encapsulation. I knew I...
Calling for Visions: Womancrafting in the Wilderness
It’s a sweet feeling when all of your being sinks into remembering. A deep, in-the-bones kind of remembering. A state of knowing who you really are and what you need to do. This is how my visions came to me. As a series of awakenings that I felt so viscerally in my body that came during dreams and meditations over this time.
An Autumn harvest full moon blessing
"Shine This is your time You are glowing under the moon You are shining near the fire You will arise Each morning Moving yourself up To the highlands Of your own heart Keep going You delisciously sweet framework Of brains and bones Your existence is a miracle…" - Kim...
What is Womancrafting?
I study with the School of Shamanic Womancraft, and this is a wonderful explanation of what that's all about! From the website, What is Shamanic Womancraft. Shamanic Womancraft is the art of facilitating transformation. The School of Shamanic Womancraft creates the...
2016… The year of the handmade life
“The central fact remains that our connection to meaning, passion, soulfulness, and the deep nature is something we have to keep watch over. There are many things that try to force, sweep, seduce away... (the handmade life)... seemingly simple things like saying,...
Can Castor Oil Help Heal my Womb?
Castor oil packs for womb health are for women who are NOT currently pregnant. Do not use castor oil packs during pregnancy. Castor oil can stimulate the uterus and may induce labour. How is the health of your womb right now? Do you experience...
Massage during pregnancy… yes please!
I’ve heard a lot of women during their pregnancy say that they’re not sure if getting a massage is safe or worth the effort. Well it’s no secret that I am big fan of regular massage treatments, especially when you know enough about your body and how you hold tension....
Vagina Steaming for womb well-being & fertility
I’m always speaking with pregnant women and new mums about the importance of self care. Taking the time to care and nourish our bodies through times of stress and busyness is a challenge most of us know well. One practice that I return to when I’m feeling tired,...
Holistic Birth Preparation (part 3) Learn Ways to Cope With Pain!
In my work with pregnant women one of the most common things I hear is that women are afraid. Afraid of pain. Afraid of not knowing what will happen. Afraid of birth. There is lot to talk about with this and why this might be the case socially and culturally, but I'm...
Holistic Birth Preparation (Part 2) – Birth as a Journey
“The Labyrinth is an ancient, universal symbol representing our journey through life ordeals and initiations... The journey into the labyrinth’s center is symbolic of death (psychic and physical), and the journey out of the labyrinth represents birth or rebirth.”...
Holistic Birth Preparation (Part one) – Look Within
What does it mean to prepare for birth in a holistic way? "Ho·lis·tic adj. relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems… to treat both the mind and the body." In a culture that mostly confines childbirth to the medical realm, many women are now...
Why Have a Doula at Your Birth?
I just love when science 'discovers' through research what women have been saying forever. What we know actually works for most women in labour and birth is being supported throughout the experience, not to feel alone, abandoned, or more vulnerable then is needed....