Sarah McCabe

Renewed funding has finally arrived for the Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program! What a huge relief, as this is such an important program.

Sad news came from the BC Aboriginal Friendship Centres last fall: the DAFGP had run out of its government- and Island Health-sourced funding, which means it ceased running the doula program for over 5 months. 

The DAFGP exists to match birth postpartum doulas with Indigenous families, many of whom face barriers to accessing doula services and other forms of perinatal education and care.

I first joined the DAFAGP in 2021; it was the first organization I felt compelled to be a part of in my community, as I wanted to work in service of Indigenous families locally.

For more information and to donate, check out these websites:

https://bcaafc.com/dafgp/

The Birthing Families Foundation is a local non-profit charitable organization that focuses on reproductive justice on individual, communal, and national levels. I first joined the Birthing Families Foundation in 2023 as a birth postpartum doula. In my role as the board's Volunteer Coordinator, I am responsible for recruiting and engaging both new and continuing members. My plan includes traveling to various communities around the Vancouver and Gulf Islands to spread our message and support the talented, nurturing individuals we connect with, including those interested in infant sleep coaching and night nurse services. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, please check out our website: Birthing Families Foundation - Home.

Sun Life Financial announced it will cover certified doula services! This is big news for our profession, including those providing birth postpartum doula support, and also for birthing families. 

Access to doula support continues to be a huge challenge in our communities nationwide. As a Victoria doula, part of my standard practice is to provide doula support to anyone who wants it; however, there is only so much I can do until I must consider my own livelihood and cost of living. This kind of news is a long time coming as birth workers advocate for better supports and resources, including perinatal education.

Check with your insurance policy to see if they offer any doula coverage. Usually, the doula must be certified with a recognized organization. Sun Life covers Doula Canada, CAPPA, and DONA International (that's me!) doulas. If your insurance does not cover a doula, it may still cover things like:

- TENS machine rental

- purchasing a breast pump

- childcare

- health spending account

I am still hoping for more measures that increase access to doula care. The news about Sun Life at least propels more insurance companies to follow suit. I, for one, will be writing to my insurance company to follow Sun Life's example and cover doula support, as well as services like infant sleep coaching and night nurse assistance.

I sat down with colleague and friend Meggan Oliver, a physiotherapist and birth postpartum doula, and I learned so much. Meggan is a physiotherapist who specializes in pelvic floor physiotherapy (PFP) and is also an experienced birth postpartum doula. Her two worlds complement each other in more ways than she ever thought possible.

Top 5 things I learned:

1. Urinary incontinence, though very common, is not normal! It can be treated with PFP.

2. Pain during sex, pelvic pain or discomfort, and injury and change caused by pregnancy and childbirth can all be treated with PFP.

3. It is vital to select a physiotherapist who is experienced and who can work with you towards your specific goals.

4. PFP can help you give birth by teaching you to push effectively, reduce tearing, and heal well afterward.

5. PFP is mostly about education and discussion, and your physiotherapist will touch you as much or as little as you are comfortable with and consenting to.

One of the powerful takeaways from our discussion was the importance for pregnant people to have support and care from an experienced physiotherapist. Meggan emphasized that compassion and trauma-informed care are essential qualities in a pelvic floor physiotherapist. This is especially true for those seeking perinatal education. Prospective clients should ensure these qualities are in place before they book. Additionally, for new parents looking for assistance, Meggan can help guide you towards options like infant sleep coaching or finding a night nurse.

Meggan is one such physiotherapist, and I would strongly recommend her services.

Check out Meggan's website:

https://www.adventurephysicaltherapy.com/