Having a Baby Guide Greater Vancouver 2020-2021

HAVING A BABY 

in Greater Vancouver 

a resource guide 

2020/2021 EDITION 

• Adjusting to Pregnancy 

• Mama’s Choice Award Winners 

• Mothering Through 2020

what ’s INSIDE 

Having a baby in Greater Vancouver 

A RESOURCE GUIDE 

PUBLISHED BY 

MODERN MAMA 

EDITOR 

LEAH DOYLE 

SALES & MARKETING 

KRYSTAL BROKOP, EDMONTON 

TINA EVANS, GREATER VANCOUVER 

LEAH DOYLE, CALGARY 

DESIGN 

GUPPY DESIGN 

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS 

JA SURROGACY 

PACIFIC LIFE CHIROPRACTIC 

EDMONTON AREA FAMILY DOULAS 

KEPLER ACADEMY 

PINE INTEGRATED HEALTH CENTRE 

THE MOTHERHOOD PROJECT 

LITTLE NURSING CO 

EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY 

Claudine Lavoie has been a professional 

photographer in the Edmonton area since 

2004. She specializes in newborn, maternity, 

child and family photography. Claudine has won 

awards for her work, and has been featured in 

local and international publications. You will see 

displays of her newborn photography in the labour 

and delivery ward of the Sturgeon Community 

Hospital in St. Albert. She takes yearly courses to 

keep up her portfolio with current trends, and her 

knowledge of newborn safety up to date. Her 

custom built, fully equipped studio is located in her 

home in the Estates of Sturgeon County, where she 

lives with her husband and two children. 

www.claudinelavoie.ca 

Visit www.modernmama.com today! 

On Instagram at @modernmama 

On Twitter at @modern_mama 

CONTACT US LEAH@MODERNMAMA.COM 

PUBLISHER’S NOTE 

Your guide to having a baby in 

Greater Vancouver 2020 is here! 

Be sure to check us out at www. 

modernmama.com/vancouver/ and 

www.modernmama.com/fraser-valley/ 

for our weekly locally-focused content. 

Modern Mama has been sharing 

resources and connecting moms with 

local businesses for almost 13 years. 

Come find us, check out the site and 

follow us on social too! 

Leah Doyle 

Owner, modernmama.com 

On Instagram at @vancouvermodernmama 

@modernmamafv 

On Twitter at @ModernMamaVan 

@ModernMamaFV 

Facebook at ‘Modern Mama Vancouver’ 

And Pinterest at 

pinterest.com/modernmamateam 

www.modernmama.com | GREATER VANCOUVER | A RESOURCE GUIDE | 2020/2021 Edition • 3

2020|Vancouver 

GREATER 

Mama’s Choice 

Awards Winners 

05 Mamas Choice Award Winners 

You vote and we tell everyone about your 

top picks. Local Greater Vancouver winners 

for everything mom & baby in the city. 

06 Adjusting to Pregnancy 

You don’t need to suffer with backpain 

during your pregnancy. Find out why 

adding a chiropractor to your health 

team can make all the difference. 

09 Childcare Checklist 

Finding the right fit for you and your 

family is no easy task. So, here is a 

checklist of what you should look for 

in your childcare facility. 

10 Postpartum Pelvic Floor Health 

Childbirth is an incredible physical 

accomplishment for the female body! 

While most the time our bodies bounce 

back easily, sometimes we need the help 

of a specialist to get our pelvic floor 

health back to what it used to be. 

12 Tips for Successful Breastfeeding 

One of the biggest struggles new mothers 

face is – breastfeeding. Check out our list 

of tips and advice from a certified lactation 

consultant. 

14 Mothering Through 2020 

How a global pandemic has affected the 

physical, mental, emotional, and social 

wellbeing of perinatal women. 

18 How to Rock Your Birth and 

Postpartum? Hire a Doula! 

What if I told you that you could have your 

very own guide and guru to support you 

and your partner through all thing’s 

pregnancy, labour and newborn? 

20 Is Gestational Surrogacy 

Right for You? 

Imagine, being able to change the life 

of another person by helping them become 

a parent. 

22 Local Resources: Bump 

The very best businesses Greater 

Vancouver has to offer you throughout 

your pregnancy. 

24 Local Resources: Nesting 


Vancouver has to offer in preparing 

you for living with your new bundle. 

25 Local Resources: Baby 


Vancouver has to offer you throughout 

infancy and the first few years with baby. 

We heard from you, loud and clear, the best of the best for new moms 

in Vancouver! All of you had something to say, and here they are … 

the winners of the first annual Mama’s Choice Awards: 

Best Baby Store? 

TJ’s The Kiddies Store 

Best Kids Furniture Store? 

West Coast Kids 

Snuggle Bugz 

TJ’s The Kiddies Store 

Best Baby Clothing Store? 

Carters 

Best Childcare Facility? 

Cambie Montessori 

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant? 

White Spot 

Rocky Mountain Flatbread 

Best Prenatal Class? 

Fit 4 Two 

Best Postnatal Class? 

Safe Beginnings First Aid 

Best Mommy & Me Class? 

Fit 4 Two 

Best Birthday Party Venue? 

Chuck E Cheese 

Best Kid-Friendly Café? 

Circus Café 

Best Maternity Clothing Store? 

Thyme Maternity 

Old Navy 

Best Doula? 

Birthing Embrace 

Best Local Service For Moms? 

Free public health nurses 

Best Maternity Photographer? 

Aly Photography 

Best Newborn Photographer? 

Brandie Coe 

What Business Would You 

Like To Tell Your New-Mom 

Friends About? 

The Mama Coach- Jenn Leckie 

4 • www.modernmama.com | GREATER VANCOUVER | A RESOURCE GUIDE | 2020/2021 Edition www.modernmama.com | GREATER VANCOUVER | A RESOURCE GUIDE | 2020/2021 Edition • 5

Pregnancy 

ADJUSTING TO 

BY DR. CAROLYNE HIEBERT 

Pregnancy is one of the most exciting times 

in a woman’s life. Whether her path to 

conception was a surprise, planned, or 

a longer journey, this is a time of flux and 

change in her life. 

Having a healthy body, able to function at 

her best is a top priority for most women. 

With the growing demands of baby growing 

in-utero and a changing body, change to the 

spine and biomechanics of the pelvis begin 

in the first trimester. 

With conception, a woman’s body begins 

producing elastin and relaxin, hormones that 

create ligament laxity in preparation for birth. 

Even without showing, a woman’s body is 

now changed as it relates to her spinal 

health. With ligament laxity, the spinal 

structures and vertebrae become more prone 

to spinal subluxation or areas of joint fixation. 

The pelvis can also be affected due to the 

same hormones, creating sacro-iliac 

dysfunction and increased low back pain. 

Headaches can often occur due to increased 

stress in the upper cervical spine (neck). This 

can be exacerbated or made worse by 

sitting postures at work, commuting, or even 

taking care of other children at home. 

What many people disregard as “normal” 

pregnancy symptoms can commonly be 

addressed through chiropractic care. The fact 

that so many women undergo similar 

physiological changes during pregnancy 

perpetuates ideas that these symptoms are 

part of a pregnancy and that care does not 

need to be sought. More and more women 

are educating themselves about their 

changing bodies during pregnancy and 

recognizing that care for their spinal health 

can not only minimize symptoms but can help 

to maximize function during a crucial time 

in a woman’s life. 

There is further change in the biomechanics 

of the spine as the baby continues to grow in 

the womb with a woman’s centre of gravity 

shifting forward, increasing the low back 

curvature or lumbar lordosis (sway back). This 

can increase pressure in the low back during 

many activities of daily life including work 

and exercise. Walking or standing prolonged 

periods can frequently be affected and this 

is often a time when women want to stay 

physically fit and active. 

Sciatica can also occur as the sacral rotation 

secondary to hormonal change and the 

growing baby continues to increase pressure 

on the woman’s spine. These are symptoms 

that can be alleviated through chiropractic 

care. 

Proper biomechanics of the pelvis also allows 

for lessening of soft tissue entrapment in the 

front of the pelvis, often creating one sided 

round ligament pain due to asymmetrical 

loading of the soft tissues holding the uterus 

within the pelvis. 

Increased pressure at the pubic symphysis 

can also create separation of the pubic 

bones resulting in Symphysis Pubis 

Dysfunction (SPD). 

Having your spine and pelvis assessed by a 

chiropractor early on in pregnancy allows for 

the chiropractor to create a plan of care to 

not only “get you through” your pregnancy 

but for you to actually feel comfortable, enjoy 

your pregnancy and stay as physically active 

at work and at play as you wish during this 

very important time. 

Having a healthy spine and biomechanically 

stable pregnancy, whether you are symptomatic 

or not, is a great way to stay well during this 

time and promotes better healing postpartum. 

Post delivery, the hormones of the pregnancy 

are still dissipating, and the pelvis is coming 

together. Whether a woman has had a 

vaginal delivery or a Caesarean birth, it is 

important for the spinal structures and pelvic 

bowl to be assessed for stability and function. 

The demands of the baby outside the womb 

are increasingly present as feeding and 

cradling the newborn create postural stress 

in the neck and upper back. 

Having a proper functioning spine brings 

comfort and healing to the woman during this 

fourth trimester and allows for optimal function 

of her body for new activities as a mother. 

Chiropractic care is an amazing fit for this 

important time of life. Adding a chiropractor 

to your health team creates a great opportunity 

for health and function during the prenatal 

and postpartum periods. 

Having a healthy body, able 

to function at her 

best is a top priority 

for most women. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Dr. Carolyne Hiebert owns and 

operates Pacific Life in Abbotsford, 

British Columbia. She practices with 

her husband and has a focused practice 

with women and children’s care. She 

has completed her 200-hour post 

doctorate program with the International 

Chiropractic Pediatric Association, 

earning her CACCP credentials with 

the Academy of Chiropractic Family 

Practice, including being a Webster 

Technique practitioner. Dr. Carolyne is 

currently finishing her Doctoral program 

with the Academy of Chiropractic 

Family Practice. 


Kepler Academy 

CHILDCARE CHECKLIST 

Greetings, Mamas! Our team at Kepler Academy knows that your decision for childcare is based 

on trust, and many other important considerations unique to your family. For new mothers – 

finalizing care can seem overwhelming, especially with a brand new baby or an upcoming 

return back to work. Use Kepler’s checklist below to make planning for care a little bit easier. 

Planning for Childcare: 

A Checklist for Moms 

1. Determine Your Family’s 

Childcare Needs 

Full-Time 

Part-Time 

Flexible or Evening/Weekend Care 

Casual/Drop-In 

2. List What’s Most Important to You 

Location & Price? 

Educator/Caregiver Qualifications 

& Training? 

Nutrition, Allergies, Dietary Restrictions 

or Sensitivities? 

Education & Enrichment Programming? 

Environment & Physical Space? 

3. Start Your Search Early 

Find childcare options through friends, 

neighbours, coworkers and Google 

searches. 

List your top 3 choices. 

Book a tour of each! (For example, 

Kepler Academy offers safe and 

private in-person tours for families) 

4. Ask Questions 

Who provides care, and what are their 

qualifications and special qualities? 

Do Educators/Caregivers genuinely 

connect and build relationships with 

children? 

What is the daily routine like for my 

child’s age? (Independent Play + 

Scheduled Activities) 

5. Enroll & Get Excited 

Decide which option is the best 

fit for your child. 

If a space is available – pay a deposit 

with confidence to secure your child’s spot. 

Transition slowly – talk about your new 

routine, your feelings & plan lots of 

one-on-one time with baby. 

Best wishes in your 

search for childcare! 


POSTPARTUM 

PELVIC FLOOR HEALTH 

Childbirth is an incredible physical accomplishment for the female body! Women work hard to 

grow, carry and birth their babies and approximately 1 in 4 women experience pelvic floor 

symptoms because of it. In a vaginal birth, the work of pushing brings the baby down from the 

uterus, through the vaginal opening in the pelvic floor muscles, and into the world. Crowning is 

when the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor, and the surrounding skin, are stretched to 

their maximum. 

After the baby is born, the pelvic floor muscles have to close back up and resume their normal 

duties of supporting the pelvic organs from below and controlling urine and stool. This can be 

difficult if there’s been perineal tearing, or other injury, at the time of birth. 

If pelvic floor recovery has gone well, by 6 weeks postpartum, a woman should no longer be 

experiencing problems related to her pelvic floor and should be able to slowly resume sexual 

intercourse and gradually begin to exercise again. 

The following are signals from the body that pelvic floor recovery 

is not complete: 

Bladder Control Problems 

The involuntary loss of urine is the most 

common pelvic floor problem for women after 

childbirth. There are two main types called 

stress and urge. Stress incontinence is when 

urine leaks out when the bladder is under 

pressure, such as during a cough or a sneeze. 

Commonly, women who return to high impact 

exercises before their bodies are ready, will 

experience stress incontinence during running 

or jumping. 

Urge incontinence is when urine leaks out on 

the way to the bathroom. It is often associated 

with ‘urinary frequency’, which is going to the 

bathroom more than every 2-3 hours (or 6-8 

times during the day). 

Other bladder signs include having to sit on 

the toilet and wait for urine to come, standing 

up and having more urine dribble out, or the 

sensation that the bladder hasn’t fully emptied 

after urinating. 

Bowel Control Problems 

Being unable to control gas or stool could 

be a flag that the pelvic floor is not working 

properly. Other bowel signs that the pelvic 

floor is not working optimally include chronic 

constipation, a feeling of heaviness in the 

rectum, and the sensation that the bowels 

aren’t fully empty after a bowel movement. 

Pelvic Organ Prolapse 

Sometimes after pregnancy and childbirth, 

the pelvic floor has a difficult time supporting a 

woman’s pelvic organs from below. When this 

happens, women can experience a sensation 

of vaginal heaviness, especially when 

standing for long periods, or carrying heavy 

loads. Some women describe this sensation 

as if there is a tampon in, when there isn’t. 

Other signs that a woman may have prolapse 

are if she notices a bulge vaginally in the 

bathroom when wiping, is unable to keep 

a tampon in, or finds intercourse unpleasant 

due to something being in the way. 

Pain 

Back Pain: The pelvic floor is one of a 

woman’s “core” muscles, so if pain persists 

for more than a few weeks after birth, it could 

mean that the abdominals and pelvic floor 

are not supporting her as well as they could 

be. One study found that in a group of 

women with chronic low back pain, 96% 

also had pelvic floor dysfunction! 

C-section Scar Pain: In the case of a 

Caesarean birth, the incision should be 

healed by the 6 week mark. If a woman is 

still experiencing pain, pulling, or sensitivity 

to touch after that, the scar tissue and 

surrounding structures may need some 

attention. 

Sexual Pain: It is never normal for sexual 

intercourse to be painful for a woman.The 

pelvic floor muscles surround the vagina from 

its opening all the way up to the cervix. If 

those muscles aren’t able to relax enough 

to allow for intercourse, a woman may 

experience pain externally, internally, or both. 

The Pelvic Floor and Age 

Contrary to popular belief, leaking urine 

is not a normal part of aging. None of the 

symptoms listed above are. A very common 

pattern is that after pregnancy and childbirth, 

women begin to experience minor pelvic 

floor symptoms that rapidly worsen once they 

become perimenopausal. For this reason, all 

women with pelvic floor symptoms should 

address them while they’re young so that the 

issues don’t advance to the point of needing 

surgical treatment later on. 

References: 

Kegels Are a Good Place to Start 

A Kegel is a pelvic floor muscle contraction. 

To correctly contract these muscles, try the 

following cues: 

• Imagine you are stopping the flow of urine 

mid-stream 

• Imagine you are stopping gas from coming 

out 

• Imagine you are picking up a small object 

with your vagina and pulling it up 

If connecting to the pelvic floor is easy for 

you, then try these types of contractions daily: 

• Contract maximally and hold for 10 

seconds, relax fully, repeat 5 times 

• Contract as fast as you can and fully relax 

as fast as you can, repeat 10 times 

Research has shown that up to 50% of 

women are not able to connect with the 

pelvic floor muscles properly. If that is the 

case, or if you’ve been doing these exercises 

for several weeks and your symptoms are 

not improving, consider seeing a Pelvic 

Physiotherapist to figure out why. In the same 

way that someone with knee pain would see 

a Physiotherapist to regain full movement, 

strength and function, a woman experiencing 

pelvic floor dysfunction should see a Pelvic 

Physiotherapist to treat symptoms and regain 

function. 

Wu JM, Vaughan CP, Goode PS, Redden DT, Burgio KL, Richter HE, et al. Prevalence and 

Trends of Symptomatic Pelvic Floor Disorders in U.S. Women. Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Jan; 

123(1):141-8. 

Dufour S, Vandyken C, Vandyken B. Mechanical Low Back Pain: An Orthopaedic Problem, 

a Urogynecological Problem, or Both? 


Happy Birthday Baby! Your baby 

is here and in your arms, now what?!.... 

Tips for Successful 

Breastfeeding 

Before baby….. 

1. While you are pregnant, find your tribe! 

Surround yourself with like-minded people 

who are going to support your decisions 

and you along the way! Seek out local 

groups and follow positive breastfeeding 

support on social media. 

2. Educate yourself about breastfeeding. Get 

informed and arm yourself with knowledge! 

Include your partner so they can provide 

support to you as well. If possible, take a 

“Prenatal Breastfeeding” class and/or talk 

with a Lactation Consultant. 

3. Breastfeeding is not complicated but it can 

be difficult- learn where you can go for 

help. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s something 

you’ve never done before- it is necessary to 

ask for help! Just like anything else in life 

that is new to you. In your area, look for 

peer support groups, government run breastfeeding 

clinics and private businesses. 

4. Practice makes perfect. Breastfeeding is 

a learned skill for you and your baby. 

Be kind to yourself! 

1. Skin to skin! As much as possible! This can’t 

be stressed enough. 

2. Watch for baby feeding cues and attempt 

to latch baby during the early cues 

3. Feed, feed, feed! Feed at least every 2 

hours or less, especially in the first few days. 

Interesting fact: The more times your brand 

new baby latches and sucks in the early days, the 

quicker your “milk” will come in and the more 

abundant it will be over the long term 

4. Your baby will appear hungry on day 2 of 

life (approx.) You’ll think, “I must not have 

any milk...my baby is starving…” But this 

is normal behaviour & your baby is not 

starving! It may seem like they are 

constantly feeding and hopefully they 

are so your “milk” comes in! 

5. Find a comfortable position to nurse in and 

focus on getting a GOOD latch every time. 

One bad latch can really do harm to your 

nipples. 

6. Know that your baby’s tummy only needs 

1tsp (5mL) of colostrum per feed in the first 

one to two days. It is easily digested which 

is why they feed often. If you are trying to 

exclusively breastfeed, try not to give 

formula as a top up if your goal is to 

exclusively breastfeed. Formula is less easily 

digested and will delay the next breastfeed 

as the baby is not hungry yet, which delays 

your milk coming in and decreases your 

overall milk supply. 

7. Try to avoid soothers (at least until around 6 

weeks) until you have learned breastfeeding 

and feel confident with latching. Also 

ensure baby is gaining weight and having 

sufficient amounts of wet and soiled 

diapers. The concern with soothers is that 

feeds can be missed or delayed as the 

baby is content sucking on a soother. 

8. Keep record of baby’s wet & soiled 

diapers. This is one way to know if he/she 

is staying hydrated! 

9. If breastfeeding is painful, ask for help right 

away!! It may feel like a strong suction and 

tugging feeling but should not be painful! 

Your nipple should not be damaged - 

cracked or bleeding after feeding; it 

should not be oddly shaped after a feed; 

you should not dread the next feed. If 

these symptoms do occur, seek help. 

There are ways to prevent further issues 

and frustration. 

10. Most baby’s lose weight after delivery. 

By day 5 they should be gaining instead 

of losing and by day 10-14 they should 

be back at birth weight. If not this is a 

sign breastfeeding needs to be evaluated. 

Give yourself grace if breastfeeding 

doesn’t work out- there are lots of other 

options including pumping your milk, 

donor milk, mixed feeds & formula. 

Your LC can help you with whatever 

choice you make- judgement free! 

Seeking the right help can relieve a lot 

of stress and make breastfeeding the 

wonderful experience it can be. 

You’ve got this mama!!! 

Melissa & Mychelle 

Little Nursing Company 

www.littlenursingco.com 


MOTHERING 

THROUGH 2020: 

How a global pandemic has affected 

the physical, mental, emotional, and 

social wellbeing of perinatal women 

BY JENNIFER DELMAIRE, FOUNDER OF THE MOTHERHOOD PROJECT 

With less than 80 days left in the year, I think 

it’s safe to say, this was not what we expected. 

Not what we planned and not what we 

hoped for. 2020 has been, so far, a year 

like no other. We are changed, like it (and 

prepared for it) or not. It has changed the 

landscape of our lives, for better or worse, 

and on the flip side, it has also found a way 

to highlight the strength, resilience, and 

determination of mothers in new and 

profound ways. 

Through the lens of motherhood, these are 

complicated times. Pregnancy, postpartum 

and what comes next, redefined. We are a 

community experiencing anxiety, depression, 

isolation, grief, loneliness, uncertainty, anger, 

fear, and lack of connection like never before. 

Mothers are left wondering if they are 

struggling as a result of our new “normal”? 

Or could it be something more? As it stands, 

pre-COVID, 10-28% of perinatal women will 

experience a mood disorder. Reports of 

perinatal mental health challenges have 

greatly increased and it is predicted that 

there will be a further increase in perinatal 

mood disorders over the months and even 

years ahead. What we do know, is that we 

are not alone. 

Pregnancy has changed. Gone are the days 

of large in-person baby showers, gender 

reveal parties, prenatal classes or even 

celebrating with friends. Prenatal appointments 

look different and our ability to 

anticipate labour, delivery and life with a 

new baby has been replaced by the 

unknown and a greater loss of perceived 

control. Women are going through 

miscarriages, stillbirths and fertility struggles 

in a whole new, less supported way which is 

hard to fathom. Many supports have pivoted 

online, which works for some, but others are 

“Zoomed out” (likely a new phrase for the 

Urban Dictionary) or do not have access 

to this option. It’s all enough already. 

Birth has changed. Choices have been 

limited; women have delivered their babies 

alone, without their partners or chosen 

support people. There has been a back and 

forth of protocol, compounding uncertainty. 

As a result, how the birth experience is 

perceived has, for many, been altered. There 

are reports from both sides – some women’s 

experiences lean closer to trauma as their 

births were very far from their desired plans; 

and fortunately, some report that they were 

actually able to have a more peaceful, quiet 

experience than they imagined possible. 

Several contributing factors may lead to 

these differences but a commonality lies in 

anticipatory emotions. We are navigating 

uncharted territory and while some excel at 

rolling with it, others have expectations that 

will not be met. 

Postpartum has changed. It may be that 

the increased boundaries are a good thing. 

This allows for rest, adjustment and bonding. 

However, there comes a time when you need 

HELP! It truly does take a village, and we are 

not meant to do everything on our own. Not 

having access to a support system can be 

crippling. Whether it’s family or friends being 

able to meet the baby, support mom, help 

around the house, keep older children busy 

(the list goes on), we have been forced to 

a short list. Forced to choose who can 

be close. Forced to postpone visits with 

grandparents, forced to literally isolate. One 

thing is for sure – motherhood was already 

isolating during the best of times. Further 

isolation is one of the top barriers perinatal 

professionals are spending our careers trying 

to prevent. 

Community programs have been paused 

or cancelled, imperative supports such as 

lactation consultation, newborn hearing 

screen follow-ups, pelvic floor physiotherapy, 

in-home postpartum doula care, mental health 

screening and appointments have become 

less accessible (if available at all), and 

although some have recently begun to 

resume, many have not. Our ability to 

connect socially with other moms has 

changed. Less baby groups, less in-person 

everything, less hugs, less other people 

holding the baby… less. 

Some have lost their job security, some have 

had to return to work early. Those with older 

children are trying to keep them safe. Send 

them to school and trust, or keep them at 

home and then figure out how to manage 

parenting, homeschooling, childcare, work, 

and all the other responsibilities we face. 

There are so many balls in the air. We are 

rightfully stressed and overwhelmed. We are 

not okay. Or we are, but we’re working hard 

for it. 


There are, of course, two sides to this story, 

and we must acknowledge the fact that lots 

of positives have come from this time of great 

challenge. We have had time to evaluate our 

priorities, spend time with our families that we 

wouldn’t otherwise have had. We have been 

forced to slow down, and unbusy ourselves. 

We’ve had boundaries forced upon us that 

have turned out to be healthy, we’ve found 

new ways to do things, we’ve had to get 

creative, we’ve learned to pivot and expand 

our ideas of what is possible. We have, 

in fact, survived. But we deserve to thrive! 

So, what can we do? 

If you are pregnant: 

Get prepared! Educate and empower 

yourself with information. Find your village, 

and know how to reach them. Create open 

dialogue with your partner or support 

systems. The easier it is to talk about how you 

are feeling and what you need, the better! 

Heads up – this takes practice. In addition to 

considering your birth plan, consider your 

postpartum plan. Find the local resources you 

*may* need, and include them in this plan. 

If you never need to use them, great! If you 

do, you won’t waste any time searching. 

Build resiliency with self care. Becoming 

proficient at this in pregnancy will set you up 

for postpartum success. If you are struggling 

with any symptoms of a Perinatal Mood 

Disorder, stay connected and seek support as 

soon as possible. It’s very common for a mood 

disorder to present during pregnancy, less 

common is the awareness around this fact. 

If you are postpartum: 

Stay connected to, or find, community! 

It might look different, it might be online, it 

might be physically distanced, but community 

sustains us through the good, the bad and the 

ugly. Accept help. Whether it’s a partner, 

a friend or family member, who can drop 

off groceries or take the baby for a walk – 

say yes! Practice expressing your feelings, 

thoughts and needs. Communicate, instead 

of bottling it up or trying not to “burden” 

anyone. If you are struggling, speak it. Seek 

support that is accessible to you. These 

places do exist and can support you during 

this time. Take care of yourself! Eat well, rest/ 

sleep when you can, drink enough water, 

move your body, and create some healthy 

habits of self-care. Self-care is anything that 

makes you feel good! This does not need to 

be elaborate or complicated. 

Mothers at any stage: 

You are not alone. While we do not know 

how long these circumstances will last, we 

do know that we are in this together, and we 

are getting through one day at a time. We 

are doing our best each day in the face of 

unprecedented adversity. Your feelings are 

valid – all of them – and it may take time to 

process them and heal. This is okay. You 

are strong. You are resilient, and you are 

mothering through a time that will long be 

remembered. Be proud. Show yourself grace 

and compassion. You are doing a great job, 

and, worth the repeat, you are not alone. 

Pelvic Floor Physio - 

more than just kegels. 

We are a team of pelvic floor 

physiotherapists working together to 

optimize the journey of each client. 

We’re here to support birthing 

parents through every stage of the 

process, from pregnancy to full 

recovery post birth. 

We offer a whole person, whole body, 

trauma aware approach. 

PREGNANCY | BIRTH | POSTPARTUM | FULL RECOVERY 

501 - 1750 E 10th Ave, Vancouver | 604-879-6046 | thecheerfulpelvis.com 

The Motherhood Project: www.themotherhoodproject.ca 

Postpartum International: www.postpartum.net 

Pacific Postpartum Support Society: www.postpartum.org 

Maternity Care Alberta: 

www.maternitycarealberta.com/mandates/maternal-mental-health/mental-health-guide/ 

www.albertahealthservices.ca/services/page15072.aspx 

Alberta Health Services-Perinatal Mental Health Resources: www.calgaryfamilymedicine.ca/ 

residency/dox/container/7a59b8664d09ce271f0d3a981868c252.pdf 


How to rock your Birth & Postpartum? 

Hire a Doula! 

The support you need for pregnancy, birth & babies first year 

You see the positive pregnancy test and 

couldn’t be more excited (and maybe 

terrified) of all the new and unknown things 

to come. What if I told you that you could 

have your very own guide and guru to 

support you and your partner through all 

things pregnancy, labour and newborn? 

Your doula(s) will do all of this and much 

more! They are essential members to have 

on your birth/postpartum team. 

What exactly is a doula you ask? There are 

doulas who specialize in pregnancy/labour/ 

birth, some specialize in postpartum/early 

parenting and some do both! There are also 

doulas who support families through fertility, 

loss and abortion. Regardless of the area(s) 

of expertise, doulas are all about YOU, and 

they know that how you feel and your 

experience with birth and postpartum matters! 

Doulas are comfort, trust and respect no 

matter how you choose to approach birth 

and early parenting. 

“Doulas dedicate their professional lives to 

ensuring women get the best experience 

possible,”...“For something as important as the 

birth of your child, that is the kind of person you 

want on your team.” 

Labour/Birth Doulas 

You have a doctor (or midwife), so why hire 

a birth doula? Your medical care team is 

focused on a safe and healthy delivery for 

you and baby. Your doula has (almost) 

everything else covered! She is your constant 

and unbiased guide to help you navigate 

pregnancy and the medical system. 

“Perhaps most remarkable, however, is the fact 

that doulas don’t simply reduce the risk of 

negative outcomes. Rather, they reframe an 

experience that’s widely seen as “traumatizing” 

into one that’s positive, empowering, and 

even spectacular…words that aren’t typically 

used in the same sentence as “giving birth.” 

Your doula will bring both her heart and her 

hands into your birth space and she will help 

you and your partner feel confident and have 

less fear when contractions intensify. She will 

remind you to breath and hand your partner 

cold clothes to place on your neck and chest. 

“Doulas support all types of births, from the au 

naturel to the au-want-an-epidural-asap — and 

there’s zero judgment for those whose decision 

falls in the latter category. 

Your doula might help you decide when to 

call your midwife or head to the hospital. 

They will help you set up and tidy up for 

a home birth or they will get you settled into 

the hospital. She will share your emotions, 

but she knows when to step back and let you 

and your partner enjoy your special moments. 

“It is important to remember that people have 

goals other than simply emerging from 

childbirth unscathed,” said Dr. Neel Shah, 

M.D., an assistant professor of obstetrics, 

gynecology and reproductive biology at 

Harvard Medical School. “Safety during labor 

is the floor of what people deserve. What we 

should all really be aiming for is the ceiling: 

care that is not just safe, but also supportive and 

empowering.” 

Postpartum Doulas: 

Baby’s fourth trimester and first year 

You now have a beautiful tiny human and 

they let you take it home (without a manual 

haha). As you embark on the wild roller 

coaster ride of parenthood and caring 

for your little one, your doula will handle 

everything with a smile, with respect, 

and without judgement. 

The work of a postpartum doula can be 

difficult to describe. They support and guide 

families through the rough waters during 

those first few hours, days, weeks, and 

months at home with their new baby. She 

might help disrupt the monotony and isolation 

of being (sometimes alone) with your newborn 

24 hours a day. She can answer newborn 

care questions, laugh with you, cry with you, 

and make the days and or nights feel a little 

easier. They give mothers permission to share 

openly how hard it is to be a new mom. 

Postpartum doula care means having an 

expert with you to help you decode those 

mysterious baby cries, help achieve the 

perfect breastfeeding latch or formula ratio, 

and—your soon-to-be favourite part—take 

care of baby while you catch some serious 

Z’s. Her goal is to give you the physical, 

emotional, and informational support that 

you need to understand your own physical 

and emotional recovery, and to best care 

for your baby on your own terms. 

“The work of providing non-medical support 

during an important life transition is something 

that’s gaining a lot of traction,” said Dr. Katy B. 

Kozhimannil, Ph.D., an associate professor of 

health policy at the University of Minnesota. 

Pregnancy, birth and early parenting are all 

part of one of the most significant transitions 

you will ever experience. The investment of 

birth and/or postpartum doula support will 

undoubtedly help you feel more confident, 

have less fear, and the reassurance of 

knowing you have an expert in your corner! 

“I didn’t think twice about hiring a wedding 

planner for my big day, or 

a bookkeeper for my business,”… “ 

As a first-time mother, you can bet 

I wanted a project manager for my birth!” 

April Fermaniuk is the owner of 

Edmonton Area Family Doulas agency 

and mother of three. A certified birth and 

postpartum doula she is passionate about 

empowering families through pregnancy, 

birth, and postpartum. She enjoys teaching 

Newborn Care & Prenatal Education classes, 

drinking Chai Latte’s and listening to music. 

Image by Teresa Bolinksi of T.Bolinski Creative, 

yeg photographer 


Is Gestational Surrogacy 

Right for You? 

BY MICHELLE AVERY, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AT JA SURROGACY CONSULTING 

Being a gestational surrogate 

is an amazing and fulfilling 

adventure. Imagine, being 

able to change the life of 

another person by helping 

them become a parent. 

Current statistics show that worldwide, 

1 in 6 individuals struggle with infertility. 

This can be for a variety of different 

reasons. These individuals may not be able 

to conceive or carry their own children and 

need the help of a third party to create the 

family they’ve always dreamed of. 

So what is gestational surrogacy? Well, it 

is a type of surrogacy where the surrogate 

carries an embryo that is already fertilized 

at a fertility clinic. This embryo is created 

by gametes from other parties (either from the 

parents-to-be or an egg and/or sperm donor) 

and will have no genetic or DNA link to the 

surrogate. You are quite literally, just growing 

a baby. The transfer process is performed 

using a catheter and takes less time than 

the average PAP test. 

Many women choose to become surrogates 

based on their own journeys with motherhood 

and their compassion for those who are not 

able to take this journey for themselves. 

Couples and individuals from around the 

world choose to pursue their surrogacy 

journeys in Canada based on the safety and 

legislation that our country has to offer. For 

some, surrogacy is illegal in the country they 

reside, or their government may not allow for 

them to gain legal parentage of a child born 

through surrogacy. 

Each province has its own laws that relate 

to how the parents of a child born through 

surrogacy will not only gain legal parentage, 

but have the birth certificates as well as any 

passports or other legal documentation issued 

in their names. The parents are also required 

to purchase insurance policies for the baby 

or use a cash pay system for the care that 

the baby receives while in Canada. 

Both the surrogate and the parents are legally 

protected with a contract, and all legal fees 

are covered by the parents-to-be. Each party 

is represented by their own lawyer who 

is a specialist in Canadian fertility law. 

Let’s talk legalities. There are many 

misunderstandings when it comes to “paying” 

for surrogacy. In Canada, surrogacy cannot 

follow a compensation model and legally, 

surrogates cannot be paid. Instead, all 

related expenses are reimbursed. These 

reimbursements are spread out over ten 

months and can be anywhere from 

$1,500-$2,500 each month. 

There is so much more to surrogacy in 

Canada and so many amazing things that 

come from choosing to give the gift of family. 

Want to learn more? 

We would love to hear from you! Visit our 

website at www.jasurrogacyconsulting.com 

or our Facebook Page, JA Surrogacy 

Consulting. Messages and emails 

can be sent through either platform. 

To connect with a team member today, 

please email michelle@jasurrogacy.com 

We cannot wait for you to take this step that 

will change your life and allow you to make 

someone else’s dreams come true! 

At JA Surrogacy Consulting, you will become 

part of a community that will provide you 

with support from start to finish. We are here 

to answer all of your questions and concerns. 

“To the world you may be one person; 

but to one person you may be the world” 

– DR.SUESS 


VANCOUVER | resources 


Bump – Maternity Fashion 

Bump – 3D Ultrasound 

Bump – Wellness 

Reformotiv Physio + Pilates 

604-684-5826 

Bella Baby Maternity Clothes 

604-512-5103 

3D Baby Ultrasound 

604-738-3858 

Olive Fertility Centre 

604-559-9950 

The Cheerful Pelvis 

604-879-6046 

Boomers & Echoes 

604-984-6163 

Hazel & Jools 

604-730-8689 

Along Comes Baby 

360-671-5523 

New Genes Maternity 

778-251-7502 

Not For Long Boutique 

780-294-0401 

Room for 2 Maternity & Baby 

604-255-0508 

Stevenson Village Maternity 

778-297-7379 

Yaya Baby 

604-831-7847 

Bump- Baby & 

Maternity Photography 

Aida Miri Photography 

778-558-5190 

Amanda Dams Photography 

(604) 401-5727 

BB&B Photography 

bbandbphotography@shaw.ca 

JLS Photography 

(778) 242-8617 

Jana Photography 

604-724-0531 

Kim Forrester Photography 

778-229-9353 

Rachel Yoon Photography 

604-367-7559 

3D Mom & Baby Ultrasound 

604-507-1002 

3D Sono Image 

604-468-7999 

Belly Bean Imaging 

604-779-5431 

Cross Roads 3-D Fetal Ultrasound 

604-872-5484 

My 3D Ultrasound 

604-267-3387 

UC Baby 

604-708-8853 

Bump- Pre-Natal Fitness 

Bare Fit & Pregnant 

604-312-3814 

Barre Fitness 

604-669-6906 

CoreBody Pilates & Yoga 

604-916-9335 

Fit 4 Two 

604-602-1546 

Form Body Lab 

604-687-6870 

Heart Centre Yoga 

604-294-4954 

Into Yoga 

604-421-9872 

Semperviva Yoga 

604-739-2009 

Uphoria Yoga 

604-326-2995 

Yoga With Lori Lucas 

604-603-7947 

Acumamas 

778-323-3973 

Bloom Family Wellness Centre 

604-988-1411 

Bump Physio Co 

Bumpphysioco.ca 

604-562-2867 

Canopy Integrated Health 

604-973-0210 

Cheryl Leia Physiotherapy 

604-973-0210 

Coco Chiropractic Wellness 

604-688-5437 

Crossroads Obstetrics 

604-872-5484 

Dayan Physiotherapy & Pelvic Floor Clinic 

604-739-3133 

Evolve Nurturing Vitality 

604-255-7777 

Hennessey Salon & Spa 

604-981-3303 

Jassal Chiropractic 

604-731-3006 

Listening Hands Physio 

604-460-7890 

Nubaby Wellness 

604-360-7753 

Optomeyes West Vancouver 

609-922-0413 

Pacific Life Chiropractic 

604-850-0551 

Pollock Clinics 

604-717-6200 

Vancouver’s Pediatric & Family Wellness 

Chiropractor 

604-566-9088 

Warm Buddy 

877-649-9276 

West 1st Chiropractic Clinic 

604-736-8353 

West Coast Health Collective 

(604) 746-2258 

Bump- Birth Doulas 

Apple Blossom Families 

778-836-6736 

Bunky Bambino 

(778) 928-5012 

Devine Child Doula Services 

604-916-8926 

Doula Services Association 

604-515-5588 

Doulas of Vancouver 

604-356-7702 

From Tummy to Mummy 

778-266-7191 

Miracle of Birth Doula Services 

604-562-4708 

Mother Me Newborn Care 

604-524-1793 

Mothers Way ( Full Spectrum Birth + 

Postpartum Doula) 

(778) 968-1814 

New Mummy Company 

1-844-237-4868 

North Shore Doulas 

604-202-8523 




Spark Doula Services 

778-288-5448 

Urban Doula 

604-314-9683 

Yellow Bird Birth 

(778) 933-2229 

Yellowbirdbirth.com 

Bump – Midwives 

Babease Midwifery 

604-983-0949 

Bloom Community Midwives 

604-609-3550 

Westside Midwives 

604-224-0686 

Birth & Beyond Midwives 

604-822-8800 

Canadian Birth Products 

604-340-2452 

Coast Midwifery North Shore 

604-296-9669 

Commercial Drive Midwives 

604-875-1899 

Midwifery Care North Shore 

604-984-6960 

Midwives Association of BC 

604-736-5976 

Mission Midwifery 

604-820-2424 

Richmond Midwifery 

778-297-1678 

The Midwifery Group 

604-877-7766 

Bump – Pre-Natal Classes 

Ostara Midwifery 

604-385-0535 

Baby Prep 

778-389-0048 

Beautiful Birth Hypnobabies 

604-782-0824 

Childbearing Prenatal Classes 

604-878-1031 

Dancing Star Birth 

604-254-1100 

Douglas College Prenatal Classes 

604-527-5472 

Down to Birth 

info@downtobirth.ca 

Hypno Mammas 

604-375-8831 


1-844-237-4868 

Nesting – Baby Gear 

& Layette 

Active Baby 

604-986-8977 


604-984-6163 

Crocodile Baby 

866-761-2762 

Handsome Baby 

604-328-5352 

Happy Baby Canada 

604-339-2522 

Hazel & Jools 

604-730-8689 

Lagoon Baby 

604-380-1232 

Babes On 4th 

604-739-9870 

BabyGoRound 

604-558-4840 

Lusso Baby 

778-340-0648 

The Button Box 

(604) 795-2492 

The Mama Shop YVR 

themamashopyvr@gmail.com 

TJ’s Kids 

800-755-4857 

Wee Woolies 

250-889-4770 

West Coast Kids 

604-288-1168 

Nesting – Safety 

Active Baby 

877-986-8977 


604-984-6163 

BCAA Road Safety Foundation 

877-247-5551 

Beesafe Solutions 

604-526-3548 

Kidproof BC 

604-605-0522 

Baby – Consultants 

for Parents 

North Shore Pediatric Dentistry 

604-971-3940 

Pediatric Dental Group 

604-263-2422 

Dancing Star Birth 

604-254-1100 

Empowering Moms 

Pregnancy 

& Birth Education 

empoweringmomscanada@gmail.com 

empoweringmomscanada.wordpress.com 

Heavy Eyes Happy Hearts 

604-805-4925 

JA Surrogacy 

877-640-5685 

Kids Physio Group 

604-730-6966 

Leap Therapy for Kids 

604-770-0101 

Mamavita 

778-918-0251 

Mommy’s Milk Lactation Consultant 

604-783-2507 

Nurturing the New Parent 

778-847-6464 

Rockababy 

604-499-4044 

Sleepy Miracles 

604-788-3044 

Sleepy Dreams 

604-985-2991 

The Sleeping Child 

michelle@thesleepingchild.com 

Vancouver Breastfeeding Centre 

604-738-1912 

Vitamin K Nutrition Consulting 

karine@vitaminknutrition.ca 




Baby – Mommy 

& Me Classes 

Brightstars : Performing Arts 

604-725-1607 

Cineplex Odeon: Stars and Strollers 

604-985-4215 

Gymboree Play & Music 

604-945-4967 

I Hope Family Centre 

604-988-5281 

Kindermusik 

604-813-0831 

Movies for Mommies 

vancouver@movies4mommies.com 

Music for Young Children 

800-561-1692 

Salsa Tots & Salsa Babies 

604-492-3688 

Shop N Stroll 

604-492-3688 

Staccato Music Studios 

604-421-3753 

Tiny Tinkles Music Studio 

(604) 791-7749 

Baby- Moms Groups 

Modern Mama 

Vancouver & Fraser Valley 

Modernmama.com 

tina@modernmama.com 

Meet Up 

Meetup.com 

Baby – Childcare 

Ace Personnel Domestic Services 

604-321-2778 

Brightpath 

888-808-2252 

CEFA Early Learning 

604-708-2332 

Budding Children’s Garden & Daycare 

604-569-3951 

Child Care Resource & Referral 

604-569-3951 

Jellybean Park 

604-431-8850 

Kids & Company 

kidsandcompany.com 

MyBestHelper 

604-347-7338 

Nannies On Call 

604-734-1776 


844-237-4686 

Baby – Post-Natal Fitness 

CoreBody Pilates & Yoga 

604-916-9335 

Fit 4 Two 

604-719-7981 

Kalev Fitness Solution 

604-568-6006 

New Westminster Parks Culture & Rec 

604-527-4567 

Surrey Recreation Centres 

604-591-4011 

The Motherhood Project 

604-318-7244 

West Vancouver Community Centres 

604-925-7201 

Yoga Buttons Studio 

604-739-9642 

Baby – Community 

Resources 

Archway - Best for Babies 

604.859.7681 Ext: 288 

Babygoround 

604-558-4840 

Family Services North Shore 

604-988-5281 

HealthLinkBC 

811 

La Leche League 

800-665-4324 

Mamas for Mamas 

(604) 275-3969 

Pacific Post Partum Support Society 

604-255-7999 

The Motherhood Project 

604-318-7244 

Vancouver Costal Health 

604-736-2033 

Vancouver Community Dental Health 

Program 

800-748-1144 

Baby – Publications 

Modern Mama 

Modernmama.com 

KidsVancouver.com 

Kidsvancouver@shaw.ca 

Vancouvermom.ca 

604-764-9177 

Westcoast Families Magazine 

604-249-2866 

Yoyomama.com 

778-868-9097 

Family Fun Vancouver 

info@familyfuncanada.com 

Mommy Connections 

604-240-1001 

North Van Rec 

604-987-7529 

Richmond Parks & Recreation 

604-276-4000 

Vital Statistics Agency ( Online Birth 

Registration ) 

888-876-1633

Having a Baby Guide Greater Vancouver 2020-2021

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