Calgary Birth Essentials

That stage is called transition — the final part of active labour, when your cervix is opening from about 8 to 10 cm.

It can be one of the most intense parts of labour. Contractions may become very strong and close together, and you may feel shaky, nauseous, overwhelmed, emotional, or suddenly think:
“I can’t do this anymore.”
That feeling can be surprisingly common during transition.
And because transition is usually relatively short, you may be much closer to meeting your baby than you realize.
Understanding this before labour can help you recognize what’s happening instead of immediately thinking something is wrong.

Share it with your partner — knowing what transition can look like can help both of you feel more prepared when it happens.

New parents have lots of questions — especially when it comes to newborn care.

The more you understand about pregnancy, labour, birth, and newborn care, the fewer questions you’re left wondering about — and the more confident you can feel.

Follow for daily labour, birth, and newborn care tips for expecting and new parents.

Share this video with another new parent who might be wondering the same thing.

10 cm doesn’t mean it’s time to push!

And this is just one of the things that can completely change how you experience birth.

I’ve been a birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator for 28 years and a mom of 4.

In our in-person and online prenatal courses I help you understand what’s happening, what you can do, and what your options are.

You’ll learn things like:

💫 How to recognize what your body is doing during each stage of labour, instead of wondering, “Is this normal?”

💫 What you can do to work with contractions and make labour more manageable — with or without medication.

💫 What your partner can actually do during labour to support you, rather than simply standing beside you wondering how to help.

💫 What different medications and interventions mean, when they may be offered, and what questions you can ask before making a decision.

💫 What happens if your birth takes an unexpected turn, including a C-section, so you’re not hearing unfamiliar terms for the first time in the middle of an emotional moment.

💫 What those first hours and days with your baby can really look like — from feeding and newborn care to postpartum recovery.

💫 How to advocate for yourself and your baby when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or unsure what to ask.

📍 In-person prenatal classes in Calgary
💻 Online prenatal course — learn from anywhere

Education is the key. Knowledge gives you the confidence to walk into birth prepared.

Will you still feel your contractions after getting an epidural?

Yes — you may still feel pressure, tightening, or the sensation of a contraction, but the intensity can be very different.

Share it with an expecting parent who’s considering an epidural.

We share daily tips for expecting and new parents.

Think of it as having a map with all the options and tools available to you.

Which path you take is up to you.

My role is to give you the education and information you need to understand your options and make informed decisions.

We even share decision-making techniques in our prenatal classes to help you choose what feels right for you.

Sleep matters — not just for your baby, but for the whole family.

Newborn sleep can be unpredictable, but understanding your baby’s sleep needs can help everyone get more rest.

🕐 Don’t wait until your baby is exhausted. Overtired babies can have a harder time settling.

👀 Watch for sleepy cues. Yawning, staring off, turning away, becoming fussy or less active can be signs that it’s time to wind down.

⏰ Keep awake time appropriate for your baby. Newborns have short awake periods and often need your help transitioning from awake to asleep.

🔁 Create a simple routine. Doing the same few things before sleep — feed, diaper, dim lights, cuddle — gives your baby predictable cues that sleep is coming.

☀️🌙 Help your baby learn day from night. Keep things brighter and more active during the day, and calm and quiet at night.

And remember: you can’t control every part of newborn sleep. But you can learn your baby’s cues, avoid overtiredness and create an environment that supports healthy sleep.

Better sleep for baby means more opportunity for everyone in the family to rest, recover and enjoy those newborn days.

Planning an unmedicated birth? Here are a few things that can help you prepare:

• Know your why — when labour gets intense, remember why you chose this path.

• Learn what to expect during each stage of labour so you’re not caught off guard by the sensations.

• Practice breathing, movement, positions and other coping techniques before labour — not for the first time when contractions are intense.

• Make sure your birth partner knows your plan and understands how to support you through contractions.

• Create a birth environment where you can move, change positions and use comfort measures that work for you.

• Prepare mentally. Contractions come in waves — they build, peak and come back down. Focus on one contraction at a time.

And remember: preparing for an unmedicated birth doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind. The goal is to feel prepared, supported and informed throughout your labour.

Save this for later and share it with your birth partner

Baby crying? Before you panic, work through this quick checklist:

🍼 1. Feed
If it has been a while since the last feed, offer breast or bottle. Look for early hunger cues like rooting, sucking on hands, or turning toward the breast/bottle.

💩 2. Check comfort
Open the diaper and check if it’s wet or dirty. Make sure it isn’t too tight. Check baby’s clothing and feel their chest or back — if they feel sweaty or hot, remove a layer; if they feel cool, add one.

😴 3. Check sleep
Ask yourself: How long has my baby been awake? If they are approaching the end of their usual wake window, stop the activity and start the nap routine — quiet room, dim lights, feeding if appropriate, cuddling and settling.

🥁4. Reset if overstimulated
Stop the activity, move away from noise and people, dim the lights, put away stimulating toys and keep interaction calm and minimal. Hold your baby close and give them a few minutes to settle.

Tip for new parents: Keep a simple note of feeds, naps and awake times for the first few weeks. It can help you spot patterns and recognize what your baby usually needs.

You won’t always get it right — and that’s completely normal. You’re learning your baby, and they’re learning the world

You do NOT need every newborn gadget on the market.

But a reliable thermometer? Absolutely.

There are so many types and so many opinions about which one is “best” — so here’s what I recommend parents look for before baby arrives.

One less thing to figure out at 2 a.m.