The Hive Yyc Doula Services, Calgary, AB (2026)

01/01/2026

What a privilege ♥️🐝

Turning 40 was something I once thought I might never see.
Reaching this milestone felt deeply special, tender, grounding, and oh so powerful.

2025 was the year I stood in so many rooms, holding space while life cracked me wide open.

I attended 39 births.
Watched strength show up in quiet ways and loud ones.
Held hands. Adjusted pillows. Whispered “you’re doing it” more times than I can count. Wiped bums. Was peed on. Cried with you and without you. Panicked when babies started to overlap. Trusted whole heartedly. Loved each of you, deeply.

We hosted our classes…rooms full of questions, laughter, nervous excitement, and that moment when things click.
I rented out pools, then realized families needed more…so the home birth kits were born.
Practical, thoughtful, held with intention.

I signed up to become a certifying breastfeeding specialist. Because feeding support kept showing up, asking to be met more fully.
And in the meantime, I supported so many families with latch, positioning, tears, relief, and that soft exhale when feeding finally feels okay. Also tears of happiness when things worked out after WEEKS of working at it. So proud of you. Each of you.

This year wasn’t flashy.
It was steady.
It was relational.
It was built one conversation, one birth, one family at a time.

What a privilege it is to be invited into these moments.
To witness beginnings.
To be trusted in the tender, ordinary, extraordinary hours of birth and early parenting.

I’m tired in the good way.
Grateful in the deep-in-my-bones way.
And so honoured to do this work, in this community, with all of you.

Same time next year ♥️🐝

01/01/2026

This is what a year of Birth & the Bees looked like 🐝

Hands on learning, questions asked out loud, support people finding their role, and a lot of “okay… I feel better about this now” moments.

We show up to talk about birth, the postpartum period, and everything in between…honestly, practically, and with a lot of care for the humans in the room.

Thanks to everyone who sat with us, learned with us, and trusted us this year.
See you next year 🐝♥️

12/30/2025

A true knot in the umbilical cord and a little placenta tour to go with it.

This placenta did such a beautiful job. You’ll notice the cord is attached closer to the edge rather than right in the centre, that’s called a marginal cord insertion. In many cases, it works just as well, quietly doing its thing throughout pregnancy.

True knots themselves are rare, less than 1% of pregnancies, and most are only discovered after baby is born. Even though the word knot can sound scary, many true knots never cause any issues at all.

One of the reasons is Wharton’s jelly. It’s the thick, cushiony, gel-like layer that surrounds the blood vessels in the cord. It helps protect blood flow and gives the cord flexibility and movement, even when there’s a knot involved.

When you look at the placenta up close, it’s kind of incredible to see how much it adapts. Different cord placements, different shapes, different stories…and still, it nourishes and supports baby every single day.

Birth is full of these quiet, behind-the-scenes marvels.
This placenta was one of them 🤍

12/21/2025

Looking ahead to 2026 with a full heart 🐝♥️

Some months are already spoken for, others still holding space and I’m feeling really grateful for the families who have trusted me with their stories, their births, and their becoming.

If you’re planning a 2026 baby and wondering about doula support, reach out. We can talk through what you’re hoping for and see what feels right.

Quiet work. Deep trust. Always an honour.

12/19/2025

Birth is collective.
It’s trust passed hand to hand.
It’s shared presence, steady support, and people showing up for one another in ways that don’t need to be loud to be powerful.

I’m deeply grateful for the families who trusted me with their most tender moments.
For the colleagues who became friends.
For the reminders that I don’t have to do this loudly or perfectly but just with care.

I’m so forever thankful to be part of that.

Photo 📸 by (thank you for sneaking in photos 🐝♥️)

12/16/2025

This is one of those quiet, old-school tools that doesn’t get talked about enough. And in all my 16 years supporting births, this was actually the first time I’ve seen it used during labour.

Moxibustion (or moxa) comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine and uses gentle heat from burning mugwort near specific points on the body. In labour, it can be used to support baby’s positioning, encourage space in the pelvis, and help the body soften and respond, rather than force or rush.

It’s not about “fixing” baby.
It’s about inviting movement.
Encouraging balance.
Giving the body a little nudge in the right direction.

I love tools like this because they’re non-invasive, calming, and work with the physiology of labour. Sometimes it’s the smallest, simplest things that create the biggest shifts.

An important note:
I’m not a TCM practitioner or trained in moxibustion. This treatment was provided by a licensed TCM doctor, and if you’re curious about moxa during pregnancy, labour, or postpartum, I always encourage connecting with an acupuncturist or TCM practitioner you trust as part of your care team.

Birth doesn’t always need more doing.
Sometimes it needs more listening.

(Always used thoughtfully, with consent, and as part of a bigger picture of support.

12/09/2025

We’ve been dreaming up a little something for The Birth & The Bees classes… and look what came to life. 🐝♥️

I asked the wonderful Dr. Melissa if she wanted a new project and showed her this wild little idea. “Could we make a crocheted uterus, placenta, cord, and baby for teaching?”
And without missing a beat, she was so down for it.

I can’t wait to use it in our classes, to help families see how things actually work inside the body. To make learning feel gentle and hands-on, and to bring a little joy and playfulness to something that can feel big and overwhelming.

Huge thank-you to Dr. Melissa for jumping into this project with me.

The Hive really is full of the most incredible humans.

More little creations (and classes!) coming soon.

12/06/2025

We’re tucked in the bathroom, lights dim, everyone just giving her the space she needed.

No talking.
No looking around the room.
Just that slow, instinctive rocking on the toilet…

Her partner was right behind her, holding her in that full-bodied, steady way only they can. No words, just presence. You could feel the whole energy of the room settle into that quiet rhythm: her moving, him grounding, and the two of them locked into this little world only they could access.

Leaning her head back into him just this tiny surrender that said, “Okay… I’m in it now.”
You could almost feel her body opening, softening, saying “trust, relax, allow”.

She was deep in this process, supported by the person who loves her most, with her doula (and shadow doula) quietly holding space so she could go exactly where she needed to go.

These lil moments I always make me teary watching their love shared. I’m so honoured to have been witness to their story ♥️🐝

12/02/2025

❄️🎁✨ Spread Holiday Cheer: Diaper & Food Drive for Families in Need ✨🎁❄️

This holiday season, let’s come together to support our local families in need! We’re gifting Made by Mama these donations, as they are in dire need of these items: diapers, food, and other essential items to help families in our community have a brighter, more joyful holiday season 🎄

🍼 What we’re collecting:
Diapers (all sizes)
Non-perishable food items
Baby wipes
Hygiene products
New or gently used baby gear
Formula
Toys
Items for a parent
Gift wrapping items
Gifts for parents

📍 Drop-off Location:
Naturally Balanced

⏰ Drive Dates:
Now until December 21st

Your donations can make a world of difference to a family in need. Whether it’s a pack of diapers (they can be an open pack as well!)or a few cans of food, every little bit helps! 💖 Let’s make this season brighter for those who need it most.

11/30/2025

Warm water. Dim lights. Privacy. A deep breath between surges.
This is why some people choose a waterbirth.

Not for the trend, but for the way it helps them feel:
safer. calmer. more in control.

And the cool thing?
Research says it’s not just a vibe, it’s valid.
Waterbirth can lower pain, reduce the need for interventions, and still keep baby safe when it’s supported by the right team.

It’s not magic. But it is powerful.

11/30/2025

Are doulas worth the cost? Let’s stir the pot for a second.

Every now and then someone online says, “Doulas are too expensive.” Or “my midwife will support me.” Or “I’m going to just go with the flow.”

Meanwhile, doulas everywhere are like:
“Bestie… do you know what we actually do?”

We’re not just showing up for the birth and dipping.
We’re texting with you at midnight, supporting early labour before anyone else is awake, rearranging our holidays, missing family dinners, walking into triage with you so you don’t go alone, staying for 4 hours or 46 (we’ve done both), and then coming back postpartum to help with feeding, healing, and those emotional spirals no one warned you about.

Add in:
• on-call 24/7
• continuing education
• backup doulas
• turning down other clients during your due window
• business expenses that definitely don’t pay themselves

…and suddenly that fee starts looking a lot less “mystery” and a lot more “math.” One birth is equivalent to a 40-60hr work week after everything is said and done.

And the evidence?
Chef’s kiss.
Lower cesarean rates, shorter labours, better outcomes, AND families report feeling safer and more supported.
(Hi , we see you.)

So yes, doulas are always worth it (in my very bias but evidenced based opinion).
Not because we say so, but because the care is real, the work is deep, and the impact lasts long after the birth day.

With love your doula

11/21/2025

Join me and some other rad doulas to come watch this documentary.

📣 Community Screening Invitation
We are delighted to invite you to a special Private Premiere screening of The Microbirth Plan, a groundbreaking new documentary exploring how the very first moments of life can shape lifelong health.
From birth practices to the incredible role of a mother’s microbes, this film reveals the latest science to help give every child the healthiest possible start.

📅 Date: November 29, 2025
📍 Venue: Calgary Birth Essentials
🎟 Tickets/Entry: $10-15. Purchase tickets at the door or via Eventbrite

The Hive Yyc Doula Services

01/01/2026

01/01/2026

12/30/2025

12/21/2025

12/19/2025

12/16/2025

12/09/2025

12/06/2025

12/02/2025

11/30/2025

11/30/2025

11/21/2025

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