Gestational diabetes can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to be. This guide explains what GD is, why it happens, how it is tested in Canada and how to manage it naturally using evidence based nutrition and lifestyle tools. Learn how to balance blood sugar, understand glucose targets and feel confident working with your provider through pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Packing your hospital bag should not feel overwhelming. You do not need three suitcases. You need a few things that keep you hydrated, grounded and comfortable during labour. As a doula, these are the items I see used every single time: water bottle with a straw, electrolytes, lip balm, snacks, cozy socks, slip on shoes, a long phone charger and something soft to wear. Baby only needs an outfit, blanket and toque. Partners need snacks and a phone charger, that is it. This guide walks you through exactly what to pack, how to keep it simple and what can stay home.

Your body gives little hints that labour is getting close, but those signs can be confusing when you are experiencing them for the first time. Losing your mucus plug, seeing a bloody show, feeling Braxton Hicks tighten your belly, or even having your water break can all be totally normal as your cervix softens and your body prepares for birth. These signs do not tell you exactly when labour will begin, but they do tell you that change is happening. This guide explains what each sign looks like, what is normal, and when it is worth calling your provider.

Colostrum is your baby’s first food and first medicine. Learn what makes this “liquid gold” so powerful, how to collect it before birth, and how to store and use it once baby arrives. Simple, evidence informed, and written to make you feel confident and prepared.

When you reach the final weeks of pregnancy, it is normal to feel ready. Ready to meet your baby. Ready to have your body back. Ready to move from waiting into doing. Natural labour induction is less about forcing your body into labour and more about creating the conditions that make labour more likely. This guide walks through the most commonly suggested natural methods and what evidence exists behind each one. Some approaches have promising research, some are based on tradition or anecdotal stories, and some come with risks that deserve careful thought. The goal is not to “make labour happen.” The goal is to feel informed, calm and connected to your body as you approach birth, trusting that your body and your baby know what to do.

A birth plan is not a test or a rigid set of instructions. It is a conversation tool. Birth is unpredictable, and your strength is not measured by how closely your experience matches a document. Instead of controlling every detail, we explore preferences, possibilities and informed decision making. With education and the BRAIN acronym, you can navigate choices confidently and pivot without feeling like you failed. Birth is not about perfection. It is about feeling informed, supported and respected through every turn.

Considering a VBAC can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. You may be navigating emotions from your previous birth, weighing risks and benefits, or wondering if a vaginal birth is even supported in Calgary. VBAC is not about proving anything. It is about choice. It is about options. And it is about having a care team that trusts you as an active part of the decision making process. This guide breaks down what VBAC means in Alberta, how local hospitals assess candidates, what factors increase success rates and how to build a support system that understands your goals. You deserve care that is collaborative, evidence informed and centered on what matters to you.

Choosing between breastmilk and formula is not about doing things the “right” way. It is about finding what works for your baby, your mental health and your family. In this guide, Calgary doula Lauren Hale explains the benefits of breastfeeding, the advantages of formula feeding, and how combo feeding can offer flexibility and shared responsibility. Breastmilk provides antibodies and biological benefits, while formula is a safe, regulated and nourishing option that allows parents to rest, recover and share feeds. The blog includes real support options in Calgary such as AHS lactation clinics, formula feeding communities and postpartum doula care. No judgment. No pressure. Just informed choice and encouragement. A fed baby and a well supported parent are what truly matter.

Breastfeeding is natural, but it is not instinctive. Both parent and baby learn together, and the early days can be confusing without guidance. This blog offers a realistic, evidence-informed roadmap so new parents know exactly what to expect and how to troubleshoot common challenges. It covers what happens in the first 24 hours, how to hand-express colostrum, how to achieve a deep and comfortable latch, and what signs indicate baby is feeding well. Parents learn what nipple pain means (when it’s normal, when it’s not), how to manage engorgement, and what to do if baby is sleepy or struggling to stay latched. The blog also provides a clear breakdown of milk supply and explains why frequent nursing or pumping increases production through supply and demand.

A detailed pumping section helps parents decide whether to rent a hospital-grade pump or use a wearable, and when to start pumping without interfering with early milk establishment. The guide includes nipple care options such as hydrogel pads, silverette cups, and natural balms, as well as positioning support like cross-cradle, football hold, and laid-back breastfeeding. Readers also receive troubleshooting checklists plus Calgary-specific support options, including AHS lactation clinics, IBCLC visits, and doula-based feeding support. The overall message is that breastfeeding is a skill — not a test — and parents are not expected to navigate it alone. The goal is a fed baby, and a supported, confident parent.

Pain in labour is not a sign that something is wrong. It is a sign that something powerful is happening. Your body is opening, stretching and shifting to bring your baby down. You do not have to simply endure it or “be strong enough.” There are practical tools that reduce pain, lower stress and help you stay connected to your body. Many are simple and can be used at home or in Calgary hospitals, including movement, counter-pressure, water therapy, breathwork, aromatherapy, hypnosis and even something as small as squeezing a comb in your hand. Medical options like nitrous oxide, IV fentanyl and epidurals are also available if you need more support. This guide explains how each method works, when in labour it is most effective and what the real benefits and considerations are. Birth feels different when you feel safe and supported, and you deserve to have every option available to you.

Midwives and doulas are both part of your birth team, but they support you in completely different ways. Midwives are your medical care providers. They monitor your health, order tests, catch the baby and manage clinical decisions. Doulas are your continuous emotional and physical support, guiding you through contractions, comfort techniques, decision making and advocacy. When the two work together, you get both clinical safety and steady, grounded care. You are supported not only in your body, but in your mind and experience. It is a powerful partnership.