It is a fact that the last weeks and months have been difficult for our entire planet.  For all of us who work with expectant families, we are tasked with offering support through the strange unknown of this global pandemic, where the answers to many questions are “we simply just don’t know.”  For many families, their pregnancy, birth and postpartum experiences are nothing at all like they expected or planned.  Worry and fear have increased to almost unmanageable levels for many.  On top of all this, perinatal professionals also have fears and concerns on a personal level as the COVID-19 situation spares no one.

Today, I want to share a free resource that, when I saw it, simply lifted me up and made me smile.  It reminded me that families are strong and will get through this uncertain time.

Daybreak Star Doulas is a Seattle organization led by the amazing Camie Goldhammer, MSW, IBCLC.  Daybreak Star Doulas is a full spectrum doula program providing free-of-cost services to pregnant people living in King County, WA who identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander. They work to improve birth outcomes and reduce personal, cultural and systemic barriers that disproportionately affect Indigenous parents.

Camie and the Daybreak Star Doulas program in collaboration with Indigenous artist Wakeah Jhane created a free set of seven birth affirmation prints that are available in your choice of four different sizes.  These powerful images and their messages are uplifting to Indigenous people across Turtle Island (Indigenous name for North America) as well as people from many other cultures.  The affirmations are truly relevant to all the people who are bringing a baby earthside.  Educators and other perinatal professionals can share these with families who will find great joy in both the images and the messages.  If you go to Wakeah Jhane’s Instagram page, you can learn a bit more about her thoughts when she created these images.

While the collection is completely free through the generosity of the organization and the artist, with the only restriction being not to sell or modify them, you can consider donating to Daybreak Star Doulas if you are so inclined.

This birth affirmation collection really made me smile and lifted me up!  I know it will do the same to many of you and all the families we work with.  Please check them out and share with those who are currently growing their families.  You can even relate many of them to the Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices.  Wishing you all safety and good health.

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