To say the business of mothering is tough work is a bit of an understatement. It’s hectic, stressful and downright excruciating often times. And making the right choices and of practising proper self-care during and after pregnancy can be difficult.
That’s why a group of like-minded women trained in the art of “mothering the mother” have started Doulas of Cochrane online as a starting point for mommas looking for guidance.
Erin Moyen and Lucy Lovelock, both doulas who live and work in Cochrane, said the idea behind the group was to give mothers a local, reputable source of mothering information.
Moyen explained that it came from the concept of “where they can find the good information based on our community because I think that’s the challenge. Googling things is OK, sometimes it works in your favour but we also know it’s a place where it’s scary for a lot of new parents.
“Dr. Google is not your best friend.”
As a recent mother herself, Lovelock could empathize with that sentiment.
“When I had my kids, I had to Google everything or post on Facebook ‘where can I find this, where can I find that?’”
For those unfamiliar, a doula is a person who provides physical and emotional support to a mother and her family during and after pregnancy. (Doulas assisting in providing support with birthing are birth doulas; doulas who help after birth are postpartum doulas). Unlike midwives, doulas do not perform medical procedures.
What they are aiming to provide is an all-encompassing resource for both the public and doulas themselves.
“We definitely are a resource to the women after the fact and provide the ultimate support so they’re well nourished and cared for,” said Moyen. “If they have questions related to baby feeding, baby care, just the basics of navigating that journey as a family that they’re able to have a single point of contact and be well supported.”
She said a doula’s services can range in cost, but ball-parked an average of $25 to $40 per hour. However, she was quick to mention the importance of being flexible when it comes to what families can afford.
“I’ve taken everything from a barter system or a payment plan. We are open to communication about cost.”
Moyen said although they can have a big role in a mother’s life, they are only meant to act as support and guides, not “crutches.”
“We’re supposed to provide them with the skills and the tools and the confidence necessary to feel empowered. As soon as we see that as professionals, we’re able to back away and allow them to be a family.”
Although they’re just starting out, Moyen said they already have a breast-feeding seminar in partnership with the Town of Cochrane’s Parent Link Centre in January 2015.
To find out more, visit Doulas of Cochrane on their Facebook page under the same name.
