Cowichan Women’s Health Collective

Here We Grow, a

local mom and baby program, is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and open space for parents through pregnancy and the fi rst couple of years to connect with one another through their triumphs and struggles. Facilitated by full-spectrum doulas Kaya Edwards (Cowichan Doula) and Samara Ferguson (Wyldfern Doula), the weekly meetups, monthly workshops, and online community have grown substantially during the past 18 months as families seek support and connection during these isolating times. As of September 1st, the new home, of Here We Grow will be moving into Unit F at Whippletree Junction where they will be hosting parenting workshops, classes, dropin groups, doula services, and more!

Being pregnant can be challenging in the best of times, but in a pandemic it becomes even more so. Fortunately, many people working remotely have had the fl exibility to deal with pregnancy exhaustion, morning sickness, and the general discomfort of pregnancy in the privacy of one’s own home.

However, there remain many challenges that can affect your mental health. Support has often been harder to come by with less in-person appointments with your care provider, feeling isolated in the weeks after bringing baby home, and not to mention, online birthing classes are just not the same.

That said, there are some easy and helpful ideas for creating and fostering connection during pregnancy and the early postpartum days.

Celebrating pregnancy in a virtual world

● Virtual baby shower. Zoom parties can be an outpouring of support. By sharing food, games and well wishes means we can still experience the connection that is present in a tradition baby shower. ● Entrust a family member with your ultrasound results, and arrange a piñata for a livestream surprise gender reveal. ● Regular check-ins. it’s probably the weekly socially-distanced coffee date or a walk with close friends that makes biggest impact on mental health.

The best gifts for a pandemic pregnancy

● For new parents their ‘fi rst child’, may be a dog! A cool dog care kit can be key to relieving “dog mom” guilt when bringing home your new baby. ● No hospital visitors due to COVID-19 means lots of pictures. Comfy nursing pajamas can be the perfect gift. Not only are they cute for postpartum photo ops, they’re also fully functional for breastfeeding. ● A good wireless charger is a blessing when your hands are busy with baby other tasks. A wireless pad with fast charging capabilities allows multiple devices to stay charged and keeps you connected!

Supporting new moms from a distance

● Meal delivery are a lifesaver and meal kits that work best postpartum are often ones that required minimal prep. ● Give the gift of laundry! A diapers service or even having the rest of the household laundry picked up dirty and dropped off clean feels like magic to new parents. ● Self-care! Getting an hour to yourself each day makes all the difference to postpartum mental health. Getting a DIY care package from a friend can be the best present ever.

For more information about upcoming events visit: www. herewegrowcowichan. com

These things combined ensure that, no matter how physically isolated someone is, they aren’t navigating their pregnancy alone. While the pandemic certainly changes the experience for a mom-to-be, it can help those stepping into parenthood know they have love and support of family and friends behind them. And that is the always greatest gift of all.

Submitted by Emily Graham mightymoms.net

The Cowichan Women’s Health Collective acknowledges our settler relationship to the unceded territory of the Hul’q’umi’num’ speaking peoples upon which we live.

PRACTITIONER & SERVICES AT MATRAEA CENTRE: Dr. Rikst Attema, ND and Dr. Jenna Waddy, ND--Naturopathic Medicine; Sophie Barbant-Hayward, M.A., RPC--Substance Abuse Therapy; Sonia Furstenau, MLA—Cowichan Valley Constituency Offi ce; Kate Koyote, RM—Midwifery Services; Candice Wray, RN--Two Moons Lactation Consulting; Amanda Slydell--Tax Preparer Extraordinaire; Amber Burwash and Erin Sheen—The Place to Mortgage; Hayley Sinai, M.A— Youth and Family Counselling and Intuitive Reading; Pamela Boechler - Physiotherapist and Kendra Thomas, CVAP & Warmland Women’s Support Services Society--Sexual Assault Support

and Crime Vicitim Assistance Advocacy

www.matraea.com I 170 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan I 1-844 Matraea