About Precious Moon
Ella
Postpartum Doula
(Trained and soon to be certified by Doula Canada)
2020 is a very unpredictable and challenging year for many people including me. Everything has to be paused, changed or even shut down. I am no exception. But when I asked myself if I would love to make a change for a better me, I knew very clearly that I am determined.
I took a period of time to find out what I really want to do. I love cooking, I enjoy helping others and taking care of others, I remember how fulfilling I felt when I offered my helping hands to some new moms. Being able to witness the healing and recovery of a mom is incredibly rewarding to me. There I began to consolidate myself and started my journey to become a Certified Postpartum Doula.
As a mom of two, I have always been proud of how I survived my two postpartum days in 2016 and 2018 all by myself. Being able to handle all housework, baby care, my own recovery and every meal for the whole family. I was like juggling balls every moment. Although I had a very smooth recovery, I still would suggest every mom to consider having some support in place to ensure a happy, nourishing reboot. It will only do you good than anything.
In some of my friends’ eyes, I am a super-mom. I should be grateful of the approach I have taken during my postpartum period. I couldn’t thank all the traditional wisdoms and therapy enough for recovering my body and bring it to a level better than before. If babies are gifts for moms and parents, the opportunity to RESTART moms health is indeed another hidden gem from our little ones.
Precious Moon is all about it, treasuring this precious first month for healing and recovery would mean a lifetime gift for every mom.
My Philosophy
The first month postpartum (or some suggest the first 6 weeks), is a period of completing a circle. With the birth of your baby as the starting point of this circle, and the 1 month mark as the end.
In Chinese culture, we use the term “sitting the month” to refer to the gracious period of mom’s recovery after giving birth. The word “month” in Chinese shares the same pronunciation as “moon”, which actually how Precious Moon got its name. We hope everyone, not only moms but also their partners and family members would remember the preciousness of this important period. Hiring a postpartum doula who speaks and understands your language and culture, is a way to pamper yourself or your loved ones.
In Hong Kong, Postpartum doula is often known as “Pui Yuet”, meaning “Companion for the month”. It was so popular for moms to hire a postpartum doula to take care of themselves and the baby, and to learn the hands-on skills of baby care. Some might also have regular domestic helpers, their own parents, parents in law to surround and help out in this festive month.
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However, moms in Vancouver are not as fortunate. Local postpartum care is not as popular in Hong Kong, Taiwan or China. New moms either rely on their parents and in-laws or take up everything by themselves.
Like many moms here, my family is not around. Having no family and a very small friends circle means I need to back myself up with the best preparations I could arrange before welcoming my little ones to come. It was not easy at all. Googling online for information seems handy but also stirred queries, doubts and even anxiety. Yet I knew what I learnt will benefit me and others around me in the future.
With a background and experience as a Chinese/English translator, I feel I have more that I could bring than other postpartum doulas. Being able to understand Chinese culture and interpret things in English had brought me valuable experience in helping other moms to transition through postpartum. While Chinese medicine may be too advance and technical to many people, the concept of food therapy is much more approachable to everyone, regardless of nationality or culture.
From pre-packing soup kits to sharing simple therapeutic ideas and offering reassurance to new moms, every little help means a lot and I am just ready to do more, to do better.
Family members may enjoy being in a cheering team, senior members are always telling new moms what to do (while suggestions could be non-scientific or just by recalling something they had heard from someone) but offered no better advice. The role of a postpartum doula could actually help to ensure everyone can focus on the joy and capture the best, sweet moments.