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! 💜

One spot left in the hypnobirthing series beginning this Thursday, Sept.19th! Suitable for babies expected mid-November onwards (and the November classes for babies expected December onwards are full). Move through your perinatal experiences with greater empowerment and teamwork -- EMAIL to register

Tell your friends expecting mid-August onwards!

I've had to step back from teaching since September due to other commitments, so I'm delighted to announce that I'll get to facilitate a Zoom series July 7th & 21st.

The lovely Michelle Hache of has been teaching in-person classes in Burlington for some time now, and she'll continue to facilitate those in September onwards 💜

There are so many things that could be said in relation to Mothers Day, so many ways each of us might experience it, so many feelings that might sound within us.

This year, I'm choosing to celebrate one aspect: All those who are doing what they can to interrupt intergenerational trauma. We may not be able to stop all of it from being passed on to our children, but every bit we do save them from matters. When we replace, transmute, transform through the gifts of our greater resources, awareness, and (on the more balanced days) capacity, we make the world a safer, more whole and loving place. Every act of acceptance of ourselves and our children creates possibility for growth, healing and freedom.

If you have been hurt by intergenerational trauma and are working to prevent the same injuries from happening to your child, you deserve a standing ovation. It is often not easy to do. Your own wounds can so easily get stimulated when your kiddo simply does typical kid things, things you did but were mistreated for doing. If you were raised by emotionally damaged or immature people, you're having to unlearn unhelpful ways of interacting, and find new ways to navigate the world of feelings, find new language that can sometimes be as difficult as learning a different dialect.

May you be gentle with yourself. May you have reverence for yourself. May you feel proud of this tremendous legacy you're creating for your family. On this Mother's Day, may you acknowledge and celebrate all the beautiful mothering that has come to this world because of you 💜

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 💖

A little yoga with your snack?

Here's to some time on the couch! 💜

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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

May you honour yourself and be responsive to your needs and capacity on any given day 💜

Great image showing the two arteries and one vein in the umbilical cord 💖

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