A Wee Blog Catch-Up: Birth, Doulas, and Postpartum Reminders

I haven't been around here much, but this week I decided to make a wee blog post that sums up my social media posts. On the personal side, it was actually a good week, even though I’ve been in my luteal phase.

Angie McMahon and Sharon Van Etten at Mandella Hall

Midweek, I went to a gig — Sharon Van Etten with The Attachment Theory, and Angie McMahon opened. OMG, it was incredible. The feminine energy in that room was just buzzing, honestly, it filled me right up.

I also had a lovely pregnancy session with a mum-to-be, and I have to say, I love these sessions so much. They’re never formal or stiff, no laptop presentations or very structured. They’re organic, free-flowing chats where we cover everything from TV licences to episiotomies to birth plans. It always reminds me that birth is part of real life, and real life is messy and funny and deep all at once.

Then there was the East Belfast Business meeting, organised by sweet Juliana from Yellow Zest at the Boundary Taprooms. I always say it’s a lufada de ar fresco (a breath of fresh air). Meeting other entrepreneurs, hearing people’s stories, and having those proper, honest chats about creating something of your own.

By Friday night, I was ready for some calm, so I joined the Hot Mamas Reset, organised by Charlotte from Pauluce Studio. We began with grounding yoga led by Dani , such a beautiful soul, and then Charlotte guided us through journaling and vision boarding. Bringing words, images (in my case), and intentions to life. It felt like the cherry on top of my week, especially being in the lovely Asha Wellness Centre, which really is a wee gem here in North Belfast.

And today? I climbed Cavehill. Standing at the top, I just felt grateful. Grateful for my body, for the chance to walk up there, for the abundance all around me.

One of the big themes this week on my socials was birth support. People often ask: “Do you support all types of births?”  And the answer is always yes. Whether it’s a home birth, a hospital birth, a water birth, a C-section, or something completely your own vibe, I’m there for it. If you’re local, I often support births at the Royal or the Ulster, but if you’re not sure if I cover your area, just send me a wee WhatsApp message. Because here’s the truth: this is your birth, your way. I’m not here to push an agenda or tell you what you “should” do. I’m here to walk beside you, making sure you feel informed, cared for, and supported in whatever choices you make.

Another question that pops up a lot is: “Do doulas replace midwives?”  And the answer is nope, nope, nope! Midwives are the clinical experts; they handle the medical side of things and they are amazing at it. My role as a doula is different; I’m there to hold your hand (or your heart), keep the snacks flowing, remind you to breathe, and support your partner so they feel confident and included too. Think of it as midwife = medical magic, doula = emotional hugs and practical help. Together, we’re a dream team.

And of course, birth is just the start. Postpartum is a huge transition, and it’s not just about the baby, it’s about you too. I shared 6 Postpartum Tips, just six wee reminders this week for those early days:

• Rest, your body’s just done something massive.

• Set boundaries with visitors — yes, you can say no.

• Accept help, it’s not cheating.

• Feed yourself warm, nourishing meals.

• Find emotional support, someone who really listens.

• And repeat this every day: “I deserve care too.”

Because you do. Always.

So that’s my week — a mix of gigs, fresh air, community, and conversations about birth and beyond. If you take one thing from all this, let it be that you have options, you have support, and you deserve care — in birth, in postpartum, and in life. Ânia 🧡