The approach of a sliding scale model seeks to enable individuals to pay for services or resources based on their financial capacity. This approach fosters inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring everyone has the possibility to participate equitably. You can read more about ‘The Green Bottle’ Sliding Scale here: https://www.radicalhistoryclub.com/sliding-scale

Imagine for just a moment that your body is a person, someone who is with you always. They travel alongside you through life, doing everything with you and for you. They continually seek creative ways to make your desires possible, delaying sickness and compensating for your demands. Yet, we often fail to give it the credit it deserves.

In mid-September, I became sooooo sick with the flu. The sickest I have ever been. This came after I had planned for a period of rest from birth work, hoping for a slower pace with less pressure.

Instead, I found myself caught up in the same frenetic rhythm as always—fast and busy. I had manifested this intention quite intensely, and as a result, I got exactly what I asked for. Because I wasn’t willing to slow down intentionally, my body took matters into its own hands. I ended up in bed for nine days, and for five of those, I barely slept a wink.

There were many moments when I wondered if I would be sick forever. While I knew I would eventually recover, I often felt as though it would never end. Being unable to do much for an extended period allowed me plenty of time to think and reflect, and I certainly did.

I had achieved what I wanted: I was slowed down and resting. It wasn’t the way I had envisioned it, but I got what I asked for.

Over the course of 14 days, I moved in and out of sadness, self-pity, and occasional optimism. Emerging from this germ zone, I felt an overwhelming gratitude for my body and for my health.

Birth mapping or Birth Cartography is a new way to approach how we plan for birth. It was developed by Catherine Bell and is a book, game and tool that is created over several weeks throughout pregnancy to help families have informed decision making during their births.

Birth is unpredictable. We cannot concretely predict or plan how birth will go; but this does not mean that we should just go with the flow or whatever happens, happens. When we approach birth with either no plan at all, or a very rigid plan, then we may find ourselves in an unexpected situation that we don’t know our options and are adding to the stress of an already stressful situation by trying to figure out what we want to do in the moment.

Tips for visiting new parents and babies in the early newborn and postpartum days.

Reflecting on my first doula experience with my first every family who I supported as a sibling and postpartum doual.

Free downloadable tool for planning self care in postpartum.