Hypnobirthing Hamilton

Big news!!!

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In 2007 I had a baby, and it’s about to be adopted. Here is our story: After attending births for several years, I stumbled upon the possibilities of hypnobirthing, and in 2007, I trained to teach it, giving life to Hypnobirthing Hamilton. As I found my feet as a childbirth educator, I came to see that my original fascination with this non-pharmaceutical way to reduce physical pain in labour was valid, but hypnobirthing’s power to connect people to peace, resilience and resourcefulness was even more of its value. After learning much from teaching another’s curriculum for six years, I developed my own recordings and content, and this change marked a turning point in the business. The expanded material meant that more families could benefit — every choice was welcome, and when choices were taken away, those folks had a safe place to still find power, too. With the beautiful support of clients, colleagues and allied professionals, I’ve had the joy of serving thousands of families, and I am profoundly grateful to have met so many wonderful parents and care providers. However, the only constant in life is change, and change in my world has involved retiring from attending births and providing postpartum doula services for almost three years now, shifting my focus to providing counselling and therapy services. It’s now time for me to fully let go of Hypnobirthing Hamilton, and the stellar Michelle Hache of @birthbeginnings is adopting my baby. She’s been teaching my curriculum for the past year and a bit, and she’s going to continue to provide hypnobirthing classes from her location in Burlington. Michelle brings a wealth of experience as a childbirth educator and birth doula for over twenty years, plus she’s a skilled reflexologist, and she’ll also be taking over birth pool rentals in addition to renting TENS units. While bittersweet, this change is in right order. Thank you for sharing your joys and sorrows, your power and vulnerabilities, your magnificent humanity. Text or email are the best ways to reach me going forward, and I welcome ongoing connection! You can also see if I manage to post at @larastewartpankorsw Much love to you and yours! 💜

Yesterday the iconic Penny Simkin left this world, and she left it better than how she found it. Penny was a co-founder of DONA (Doulas Of North America) and the author/co-author of several important books about birth. She championed birthing people, helped birth workers develop myriad skills, and held compassion as a guiding value. I had the pleasure of meeting her several years ago at a midwifery conference in the US, and her signature smile will forever be a fond memory.

Demonstrating a hip squeeze with Penny (left) is stellar Hypnobirthing Hamilton associate instructor, Michelle Hache (at right in red) of

We are saddened by the loss of Penny, are so very grateful for all she contributed to the world of birth and babies, and wish comfort and peace for all who knew and loved her 💜

Sadly, I won't be doulaing for kitties. I'm appreciating all you sweet souls who expressed support for such an endeavour 💜

New service announcement! If you follow my stories, you know I love Caturday, and I've decided to return to doula work in a way that fits a bit better with my phase of life. I'm.pleased to announce that I'm now offering doula services for felines (for home births, of course, but can also attend at a vet clinic if indicated). As this is a labour of love, services are pro bono 😻 If you know of an expectant kitty that could use some TLC during labour and postpartum, do be in touch! ❤️

This beauty was from the days when it wasn't routine to credit artists and photographers, so I can't cite the source, but I can say that I continue to celebrate the depiction of a baby favourably positioned! I 💖

I've had an idea swimming around in my head for years, and after a lengthy gestation, I present to you the Postpartum Community Care Fund.

For more details and to donate, please visit https://gofund.me/12252a25

Every dollar you give eases suffering and facilitates wellbeing. Thank you for your care 💜

Postpartum Community Care Fund, organized by Lara Stewart As a social worker and childbirth educator, I come into contact with families experiencin… Lara Stewart needs your support for Postpartum Community Care Fund