Doula - Laurette C Brand - Calm Birth & Mothercare

Doula - Laurette C Brand - Calm Birth & Mothercare Doula Services in Midrand, Johannesburg & Centurion, by Laurette Brand of Calm Birth & Mothercare.

🤍 September is NICU Awareness Month - A time to shine a light on the experiences of babies and families who spend precio...
04/09/2026

🤍 September is NICU Awareness Month - A time to shine a light on the experiences of babies and families who spend precious days, weeks or sometimes months in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or, NICU.

A neonatal unit provides specialized care for babies who need additional medical support. This may include babies born prematurely, babies who are unwell, or babies who require close monitoring and specialized treatment after Birth.

NICU journeys can be filled with uncertainty, long days, unexpected challenges and emotions that are difficult to put into words. For parents, the experience may look very different from the pregnancy and birth they had imagined. There can be moments of fear and exhaustion alongside immense love, hope and gratitude.

⚪️ Why Is Nicu Awareness Important?

Awareness helps us better understand the realities faced by NICU babies and their families. It encourages compassion, helps reduce feelings of isolation, highlights the importance of neonatal care and recognizes the vital work of the healthcare professionals who care for these tiny patients.

It also reminds us that parents are an important part of their baby's journey, even when their baby needs intensive medical care. A parent's presence, voice, touch and love can remain deeply meaningful during an unfamiliar and overwhelming time.

This month, and always, we honor every tiny baby who has needed neonatal care and every parent who has sat beside an incubator, waited for an update, celebrated a small milestone or found strength they never knew they had.

And to the incredible neonatologists, pediatricians, neonatal nurses, midwives, lactation consultants, therapists, social workers, psychologists, counsellors and every member of the neonatal team - Thank you. Your knowledge, dedication, compassion and care make an immeasurable difference to so many families. 🤍

We also hold space for the parents and families whose NICU journeys have been difficult, and for those whose stories have not had the ending they hoped for.

May NICU Awareness Month remind us to lead with kindness, listen without judgement and support families with compassion - Not only during their time in neonatal care, but in the days, weeks, months and years that follow.

To every tiny fighter, every loving parent and every person who helps care for them. . We see you, we honor you, and we hold your stories with tenderness. 🧸🎀

🌸 Birth Wishes: Preparing for Your Birth, Your Way . .A Birth Wishes document is a written outline of your preferences, ...
02/09/2026

🌸 Birth Wishes: Preparing for Your Birth, Your Way . .

A Birth Wishes document is a written outline of your preferences, hopes and priorities for labour, Birth and the immediate postpartum period. It can help you communicate what matters to you with your Birth Team and encourage meaningful conversations before your baby arrives.

It is important to remember that Birth Wishes are not a guarantee or a rigid plan. Birth can be unpredictable, and circumstances may change. Instead, they can serve as a flexible guide - Helping you feel informed, heard and involved in decisions about your care wherever possible.

⚪️ Why Are Birth Wishes Important?

Creating them gives you an opportunity to . .

~ Explore your options and become more informed about your choices.

~ Discuss your preferences with your midwife, doctor, Doula or other members of your care team.

~ Communicate what is important to you during labour, Birth and the early postpartum period.

~ Consider how you would like to be supported emotionally as well as physically.

~ Think through different possibilities, including how your preferences might change if circumstances require intervention.

⚪️ A Few Tips For Creating Your Birth Wishes . .

~ Start With What Matters Most To You.

~ Learn About Your Options.

~ Consider Different Scenarios.

~ Include Your Support Preferences.

~ Keep It Clear And Concise.

~ Talk It Through With Your Birth Team.

Most importantly, your Birth Wishes are yours. They are not about achieving a “perfect” Birth. They are about entering your Birth experience with knowledge, preparation and a voice in your care. 🤍

Your wishes can change, and that is completely okay. Flexibility is not failure. Sometimes the most empowering preparation is knowing your options while remaining open to what you and your baby may need.

🌸 May you always feel informed, supported, heard and respected.

02/09/2026

🌷 Hello, Spring 🌷 . .

There is something beautiful about a new season. A gentle reminder that we are always growing, changing and beginning again.

May this spring bring fresh hope, softer days, beautiful moments and the courage to bloom in your own time.

Here’s to new beginnings, renewed energy and all the beauty this season has waiting for us.

Happy Spring! 🤍 💛 🩷 🤍 . .

02/09/2026

🤍 🤍 🤍 . .

28/08/2026

Go gently into the weekend. You do not need all the answers; You do not need to hold everything together and you do not need to become anything more than who you already are.

Breathe, soften, and let yourself be held by the quiet moments.

🤍 🌼 🌸 🌼 🤍 . .

Therapeutic Massage | A Moment To Pause, Breathe & Receive 🤍In the busyness of everyday life, it can be so easy to keep ...
26/08/2026

Therapeutic Massage | A Moment To Pause, Breathe & Receive 🤍

In the busyness of everyday life, it can be so easy to keep going without noticing how much our bodies are carrying.

Tension in the shoulders.

A tired, aching back.

Muscles that feel tight and overworked.

A busy mind that never quite seems to switch off.

Or simply the feeling that you need a moment to slow down and breathe.

This is where Therapeutic Massage can offer something truly beautiful. 🌸

Therapeutic Massage is not simply about relaxation. It is a form of intentional, nurturing touch that works with the body to help ease muscular tension, encourage circulation and promote a deeper sense of physical and emotional wellbeing.

It can be a wonderful way to reconnect with your body and create a little space for yourself; A moment where you don't need to achieve anything, care for anyone else or rush to the next thing. You can simply be.

❕ Some of the Benefits of Therapeutic Massage May Include the Following . .

~ Helping to ease muscle tension and everyday aches.

~ Supporting circulation.

~ Encouraging deep relaxation.

~ Helping the body release built-up physical tension.

~ Supporting a calmer, more settled mind.

~ Creating a sense of grounding and wellbeing.

~ Offering valuable time for rest and self-care.

~ Supporting relaxation before restful sleep.

And while Therapeutic Massage can be beneficial at any stage of life, it can be particularly nurturing during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is an extraordinary journey, but it also asks so much of the body. As your baby grows and your body changes, you may experience muscular tension, tiredness, back or hip discomfort, heaviness in the legs or simply a longing to feel cared for.

A pregnancy-focused Therapeutic Massage can provide a gentle and supportive space to relax, soothe areas of tension and reconnect with your changing body. 🌸

It is also an opportunity to pause during a season that can feel wonderfully exciting, but sometimes overwhelming too.

Pregnancy is not only about preparing for the arrival of your baby. It is also about caring for the woman who is carrying baby. 🤍

There is something incredibly special about giving yourself permission to receive care during this time - To breathe deeply, soften your shoulders and remember that you matter too.

✨ Perhaps your body is asking you to slow down . .

Perhaps you have been carrying tension.

Perhaps you feel physically tired.

Perhaps your mind needs a little quiet.

Perhaps you are pregnant and would love some gentle nurturing care.

Or perhaps you simply feel that you deserve an hour that belongs entirely to you.

Whatever your reason, you don't necessarily need a reason at all.

Sometimes, “I need some time for myself” is reason enough.

Therapeutic Massage can be a beautiful way of honoring the connection between body, mind and soul; Creating a peaceful space where you can rest, restore and reconnect with yourself.

If you are interested in Therapeutic Massage, whether for general wellbeing or during pregnancy, please feel welcome to get in touch with me. We can chat about your individual needs and whether a session may be right for you during the season you are in.

🤍 You spend so much of your time caring, giving and carrying. Allow yourself a moment to be cared for, too.

21/08/2026

Some of life’s sweetest moments are the ones we allow ourselves to slow down enough to notice.

Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead. May it be filled with moments of joy, peace and rest. 🤍

19/08/2026

Remember Your BRAIN 🤍 | A Gentle Tool for Pregnancy & Birth Decisions . .

Pregnancy can bring so many questions, decisions and conversations with healthcare providers.

Sometimes you may be given information that you need to process, a test or intervention may be recommended, or you may simply find yourself wondering, “What does this mean for me and my baby?” . .

And in those moments, it can be difficult to know exactly what to ask - Especially when you are feeling overwhelmed, emotional or unsure.

This is where BRAIN can be a wonderfully simple tool to keep close.

BRAIN is a decision-making acronym that can help you slow down, gather information and feel more involved in conversations about your care.

⚪️ B - Benefits

What are the benefits of this recommendation, test, treatment or intervention?
How might it benefit me or my baby?

⚪️ R - Risks

What are the possible risks, side effects or disadvantages?
Are there any risks I should understand before making a decision?

⚪️ A - Alternatives

Are there other options available to me?
Is there another approach we could consider?

⚪️ I - Intuition / Instinct

How do I feel about what is being suggested?
What is my intuition telling me?
Do I feel that I have enough information to make a decision?

⚪️ N - Nothing / Not Now

What happens if we wait?
Is it safe for me to take some time to think about this or decide later?

⚪️ And sometimes BRAIN is extended to include S - Second Opinion . .

Would it be helpful or appropriate for me to speak with another healthcare professional?

🌸 So, how can you use BRAIN in real life?

Before an appointment, you might write the acronym in your phone, pregnancy journal or notebook so that you have it readily available.

If you know that a particular decision may be discussed, write down a few questions beforehand.

During your appointment, don't be afraid to ask your medical / Birth team to explain something again, use simpler language, or give you a little more information if you don't fully understand.

If it is medically appropriate to do so, you can also ask whether you have time to consider your options before making a decision.

And remember - Asking questions does not mean that you distrust your medical / Birth team.

Your healthcare providers have their knowledge, training and experience. You also bring your own knowledge of your body, your experiences, your values and what matters to you.

There can be room for both.

BRAIN isn't about automatically saying yes or no. It isn't about refusing medical care or avoiding interventions that may be important for you or your baby.

It is simply a gentle reminder that you can be informed, ask questions and participate in conversations about your care.

You don't have to remember every question perfectly.

You don't have to know everything. And you certainly don't have to feel embarrassed for asking for something to be explained again.

Sometimes, the most powerful question you can ask is simply -

“Can you help me understand why this is being recommended?” 🤍. .

Pregnancy is a journey filled with decisions, and you deserve to feel heard, respected, informed and supported as you navigate them.

So, when you find yourself facing a decision, remember your BRAIN 🌸

Benefits.

Risks.

Alternatives.

Intuition.

Nothing / Not now.

And, when appropriate, a Second Opinion.

Pause. Ask. Understand. Listen. Then make space for your own voice, too.

🩷 Gentle Reminder: BRAIN is a helpful decision-making prompt and is not a substitute for individual medical advice.

Every pregnancy and situation is different, and urgent or emergency circumstances may require immediate medical care. Always discuss your individual circumstances and options with your medical / Birth team.

15/08/2026

Ever noticed that soft, fluffy hair on a newborn baby? 🥹

It’s called lanugo, and it actually has an important job before baby is born.

Lanugo is the fine, soft hair that develops on baby’s body during pregnancy. It helps the vernix stay on baby’s delicate skin, providing protection while they’re surrounded by amniotic fluid.

Most of it is shed before birth, but some babies arrive with a little lanugo still covering their shoulders, back, forehead or ears. It’s especially common in babies born a little earlier.

There’s absolutely no need to remove it. It will gradually disappear naturally during those first weeks of life.

Just another incredible little reminder of how perfectly babies are designed for their journey into the world. 🧡

15/08/2026

Postpartum doesn’t come with a six-week deadline. 🧡

Your body has been through pregnancy, birth, and an enormous physical and emotional transition. Recovery takes time, and that timeline will look different for every mom.

Some changes happen over weeks, others over months, and some can take much longer. There is no rush to “bounce back” or feel like your old self again.

Be gentle with yourself. Give your body the time, care, and support it deserves through every stage of postpartum recovery.

From all of us at M&V Midwives, remember: healing is a journey, not a deadline.

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