Brave Start for Families

Something I would tell expectant parents during my prenatal classes is that sometimes labour and birth doesn't go the way we expect or plan. While it is important to enter the birthing experience as informed as possible, we must also hold all things with an open hand because some things are entirely out of our control.

This past summer the truth of this became very clear in a personal way as we unexpectedly said goodbye to our beloved baby girl. And while I still feel like I am trying to figure out our new 'normal', I know that it is important for me to get back into doing the things that I love. And that includes teaching prenatal classes.

If you (or anyone you know) are currently pregnant and are looking for prenatal classes in Olds and area, please let them know they can now register for classes starting January 2026. More information and contact information is available through my website: www.bravestart.ca

It has been a new experience teaching a prenatal class while currently pregnant! A great reminder of all the things I can be doing to get ready for baby #4.

Last night in prenatal class we discussed how to prepare the body for labour, including things like daily stretches, walking, mental health and nutrition, as well as creating a birth plan and getting the hospital bag ready. Now I feel like I better practice what I preach! 😂

Watch my new promo video for my business! I have been working with Invest Olds to develop my promotional strategy, and they made a video of what I offer at Brave Start for Families. While I only have one group class available before I take some time off for the birth of my 4th child, I am looking forward to begin offering classes again in January 2026!

Copy and paste this link to see the video:

Brave Start For Families: Nurturing Your Journey to Parenthood with Comprehensive Prenatal Classes - Invest Olds Discover Brave Start For Families in Olds, Alberta! Our blog highlights their comprehensive prenatal classes, offering support and knowledge for expecting families.

One thing I have learned this year is that I'm not very good at keeping up with my business social media account! 😬 But at least there has been a good reason for that...in October we found out we were expecting baby #4!

There have been a few unexpected twists and turns along the way, but I am still teaching prenatal classes. My last group class will be in May, and I will be wrapping up all private classes by May 31st.

I plan to take at least 6 months off and will re-evaluate starting up again in the new year 2026!

If you know anyone who might be interested in a prenatal class in the next few weeks please direct them to my website: www.bravestart.ca

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I realized the other day that I haven't made a post on here for over 6 months! But that's not to say that Brave Start for Families hasn't been active - in fact, I can thankfully say that my first full year of business has been more of a success than I could have hoped for! I'm so grateful for the families that I have met and worked with over the past year.

At the start of a new year I always feel a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead. Some things known, many things unknown. This photo was taken about a month before my first child was born - I felt great anticipation then too!

Today, I'm excited for what 2024 may hold. For the families I will meet, for new babies to be born, for the new activities I just added to my classes, and for staying more on top of my posts ;)

Dads are essential. With it being Father's Day today I wanted to highlight the key role that fathers play in the life of a child.

During pregnancy, the concept of having a baby can seem a bit surreal to an expectant father. But even in the womb a baby begins to recognize the sound of his Dad's voice.

During labour, husbands provide strength, comfort and encouragement that is truly irreplaceable. And when baby finally arrives - the look of joy on a new Dad's face is a sight to behold (and there may even be tears!).

During parenthood, fathers give their children a unique form of love that often serves as a foundation for the rest of their lives. Dads typically parent differently than moms - and that's a good thing! My kids love that their Dad plays hard, teaches them skills, takes them on adventures, and helps them problem solve (because my brain just doesn't work that way)!

So to all the fathers out there - thank you for all you do, for the sacrifices you make, for the gifts you bring. You are making a difference, and you are essential.

Postpartum anxiety: a debilitating condition that steals your joy, and replaces it with a sense of dread that just won't leave you alone.

This post is more personal than my others but it's part of my story. I took this photo when I was 6 weeks postpartum with my 3rd child. As with all pictures, it does not convey the myriad of deep, dark emotions I was feeling at the time. Fear that I wouldn't sleep that night. Guilt that I was ignoring the needs of my other children, ages 4 and 2. Worry about pretty much everything possible. Panic that I would never feel normal again.

Postpartum anxiety hit me hard - nausea, insomnia, and a perpetual sense of dread. My midwife recognized it before I did, and encouraged me to get help early, something I'm grateful for. For weeks it took everything in me just to get through the tasks of the day. Slowly, with the help of therapy, medication, and the support and prayers of a loving community, I felt joy again.

Perinatal mood disorders can happen to anyone, and are more common than you might think. The symptoms are different for everyone - some experience depression while some, like me, have anxiety. It can be dark and overwhelming - but getting help is the first essential step.

You are not alone.

It has been a very busy few months...which is why there haven't been any posts for a while! But I'll be back to positing regularly again (that's the plan!), continuing with the postpartum period.

Something you are told to do a lot of in the first few weeks after having a baby is to rest as much as you can. There are a lot of reasons for that:
- Your body has just gone through a marathon giving birth
- You have likely lost some blood
- Your body needs to heal
- You will be getting up every few hours to feed your newborn
- Your emotions will be more stable

Resting can be challenging with a newborn. You likely won't be getting an 8-hour stretch of sleep for a long time. But the more you rest now, the more your body will thank you later. So don't plan to do too much in those first couple of weeks, lie down every couple of hours even if you don't actually sleep, and let others help you with everything else. You'll get back to a normal routine... eventually :)

Let's talk about feelings. Postpartum emotions can often be surprising in their intensity - you might feel like you are riding an emotional rollercoaster and don't know how to get off! There are a lot of reasons for this, but mainly it results from all the hormone shifts your body experiences. Add in a few nights of interrupted sleep (and the fact that you are now a new parent of a needy little person) and it's no wonder you are left feeling a bit (or a lot) emotional.

Everyone experiences postpartum emotions differently, but here's a general timeline of what you can expect:
- Days 0-2 - Adrenaline rush leaves you feeling elated, but tired after labour
- Days 3-5 - Adrenaline wears off leaving you feeling more unstable, overwhelmed, weepy or anxious
- Days 6-21 - Emotional highs and lows may continue for a while as your hormones continue to stabilize

Many women feel like everything is falling apart on days 3-5, so this is when you might need to lean on those you trust. Try to eat regularly (protein!), rest when you can, and be honest about what you are feeling. Remember is these 'baby blues' are normal, and will eventually pass. If they don't, tell a trusted healthcare professional that can give you support - don't try and get through it alone.

Expecting a baby in the new year? I am a local RN that teaches prenatal classes at the Olds Pregnancy Care Center. My goal is to keep my classes affordable so if anyone needs prenatal classes and is unable to pay full price please contact me anyway! I will be running classes on Tuesday evenings starting in the new year. See my website for more info: www.bravestart.ca

The word 'postpartum' is latin for 'after childbirth'. Sometimes referred to as the '4th trimester', the postpartum period begins the moment your child exits the womb and lasts up to 6 months, according to most researchers. During this time your body experiences significant physical and emotional changes, some of which can be surprising!

A good prenatal class should not only prepare you for what to expect during labour and delivery, but also what to expect afterwards. With almost 15 years of experience as a postpartum nurse I'm excited to share some tips that will hopefully shed light on this beautiful, challenging and unique season.

Did you know that pleasurable sensations can actually block pain sensations because they reach the brain first? This is based on research called the 'gate-control theory', and is very useful in labour and delivery when it comes to pain management. If you can find a way to send a message of pleasure to your brain before or during a contraction it can help to numb or lessen the pain of the contraction itself.

Think of pleasurable ways you can engage each of your senses during labour...feeling a back massage, a heat pack, warm water. Hearing your favourite music, encouraging words, nature sounds. Tasting cool water, juice, a mint. Smelling lavender, cinnamon, gingerbread. Seeing the mountains, the reflection of a lake, your baby.

As your brain receives the message of pleasure, it will provide you with a greater ability to cope with whatever else you are feeling and let your body do what it needs to do.

Did you know that pleasurable sensations can actually block pain sensations because they reach the brain first? This is based on research called the 'gate-control theory', and is very useful in labour and delivery when it comes to pain management. If you can find a way to send a message of pleasure to your brain before or during a contraction it can help to numb or lessen the pain of the contraction itself. Think of pleasurable ways you can engage each of your senses during labour...feeling a back massage, a heat pack, warm water. Hearing your favourite music, encouraging words, nature sounds. Tasting cool water, juice, a mint. Smelling lavender, cinnamon, gingerbread. Seeing the mountains, the reflection of a lake, your baby. As your brain receives the message of pleasure, it will provide you with a greater ability to cope with whatever else you are feeling and let your body do what it needs to do. #prenatalclasses #bravestartforfamilies #mountainviewcounty #townofolds #prenatal #childbirth