Janice Bowdler Doula Services

09/02/2022

I'm excited to share that I have the privilege of getting back into birth work as a doula in Oahu, working with BEST Birth Hawaii! I will only be taking on a few clients, but I'm excited to have this opportunity and love some moms and dads as they welcome a new life into the world!

My first baby is due October 11th, and I'm honoured to be part of welcoming this little one into the world, supporting the mom and dad as they enter into the world of parenting.

10/22/2021

Truth.

10/22/2021

Hi friends,

I've now landed in San Diego, California until the end of the year! I'm also refining my virtual doula services and officially have my first virtual doula client.

As much as I would prefer in person services, I know that what can be provided virtually is incredibly valuable, especially if someone ins't able to have a doula, or can't have one in the birth room due to current and ever changing covid restrictions.

How we prepare for and process our birth experience really establishes the foundations for our family. I'd be more than happy to help you with this process.

If you're interested in more information, please send me a message or e-mail! janicebowderdoula@gmail.com

Much love, Janice

08/11/2021

I’ve been so blessed to be part of this new family. Only having met them a few weeks before due date meant that there was a lot of ground to cover, but it has really been so wonderful to work with them. This mama did incredible throughout the labour and birth, with such a loving and loyal man by her side. Life has thrown them a lot more than most could handle, yet they’ve made it to a place to raise a beautiful little girl.

For me personally, I’ve learnt so much from this journey, with situations I couldn’t imagine or have been prepared for. I’m so grateful to have had this time with them and for the opportunity to be part of their support network.

Congratulations!

*shared with permission

08/04/2021

"Breaking the waters" to speed up labour, can come with side effects. If you have a choice, leave you bag of waters alone, and let it go at it's own time. It could help with your baby rotating through your pelvis, helping baby decent, and help labour progress. - This article is very helpful.

"The amniotic fluid around the baby is protective and helpful in pregnancy and birthing. In birth, the water in the womb is known to protect the head during descent, and I believe able to aid in fetal rotation by cushioning and by the uterine contraction creating a current passing the baby’s head."

The amniotic fluid around the baby is protective and helpful in pregnancy and birthing. In birth, the water in the womb is, I believe, able to aid in fetal rotation while its known effect to protect the head during descent.

07/22/2021

It has been a true joy to come alongside this mama as she welcomed her little boy into the world. She laboured with such grace and strength, and then finished it off with 5 minutes of pushing, and he was here. I enjoyed our chats and catch ups, and I know this little one will be so well loved.

*pictures shared with permission


06/10/2021

I’ve been spending my Wednesdays job shadowing at the Kamloops Pregnancy Care Center, and I love it! Basically, I’m trying to glean as much as possible from Maureen and Maralee and their experience over the years. Maureen has been doing amazing work with this centre, and seems to really be leading the way in providing love and grace motivated care, that brings change in many lives. Maralee is the perfect one to coach, mentor and journey alongside moms that decide to parent, and also those that don’t.

We’ve been working on our wording to explain our ‘why’. To really know who we want to be as a centre, how we want to love and come along side clients, as well as how to love them in a way that points them to the kindness of God.

There is so much fear of offence, or politics that can get in the way of truely loving those experiencing unplanned pregnancy. All woman, and men, no matter who they are, their background, sexual orientation or life choices deserve to be invited into a supportive, loving and grace filled space. May we not only find the words to definite this, but also let it be evident in all we do.

Pregnancy Care Centre of Kamloops

06/07/2021

"fully grieve your losses
and also, let yourself feel
the full weight of your joys..." MHN

There is so much that surrounds the process of birth, and it be such a mixture of grief and joy. The importance to debrief and process through the events of birth, and work through the challenges is essential. If there is trauma, we need to name that, so we don't carry that with us into the new season ahead.

Debriefing a birth with my clients is one of my favourite meetings. Usually it's filling in gaps, answering questions, and letting go of disappointments. Then, we are able to celebrate the joys, the process and the beauty that was there through it all, even when at times it was hard to see.


Morgan Harper Nichols;

fully grieve your losses
and also, let yourself feel
the full weight of your joys.

if the conversation that night
felt like poetry,
then let it be poetry.
if their laughter
felt like music,
then let it be music.

let what is beautiful
be beautiful.
let it speak to you forever.
even if beautiful things
only ever seem to live in your memory,
as old photographs,
turning into closed-off portals
to a time you can never get back to you
may you know this to be true:

it’s really hard to fully notice
what is beautiful in real-time,
but when you look
you will find
it was real,
and your soul
still knows it.
so hold on to it
and trust:
there is still
more to come.

let joy be joy.
let what was beautiful
be beautiful.
even if it seems fleeting,

trust

you will find it again.

we tell ourselves
so many stories.
here’s to making room for
beautiful ones.

06/07/2021

Doing this inversion daily, along with a series of other stretches and movements is the best way to put baby in a good position for labour and delivery. There is so much that influences birth progressing by the babies position. Ladies - it is so important to do your homework this final trimester!

You and your baby are working together! Your job is to dilate, baby’s job is to rotate. Empower yourselves with our daily activities, body balancing techniques, and smart birth positions for a more comfortable, confident birth. Learn more at SpinningBabies.com

📸 : via Instagram

06/05/2021

It was an absolute pleasure being part of this journey to family for this couple. The husband had no idea what a doula was when we first met, or why they would need one, but looking back, he realised how important it is to have good support, especially with all the unknowns of birth. We made a good team, along with some wonderful labour and delivery staff, which was so important. It was a long induction process that was quite the wild ride! They definitely got to experience all things labour and birth, but did so incredible through it all, and it was such a joy when they welcomed their beautiful baby girl into their family.

06/03/2021

I had my first postpartum doula client this week! For me, I'm loving this season of trying and learning new things, both at the Pregnancy Care Centre, and as I work as a doula. I'm not sure if I'll continue to provide postpartum services, but it's been a good experience so far, and it is such a big need for mums who are on their own. The transition and healing that mums go through after baby arrives is so significant, and my heart is to see them loved and thriving through this time.
(I also really look forward to not having a mask on!)