Sydney here.
Iāll never forget the way my doctor looked at me when I asked her about cannabis during my pregnancy confirmation appointment.
āI cannot and will not give you advice on that, sorry.ā
She wasnāt sorry.
I had just gotten my medical card in the mail just a few days before.
āSoā¦.what should i do then?ā
With one swift motion she closed the manila folder containing all my medical records and it was the last time Iād ever see her again.
āGoogle itā and I swear the door didnāt close behind her fast enough.
I cried all the way home.
And then I cracked open my computer, and I did just that.
& that was the very beginning of a rock solid foundation that landed you here in my space of the internet. It was 2018.
Fast Forward to today: Your official welcome to Cannabirth.
CannaBirth is an online resource and education platform here to spread information, tools, and resources about cannabis and how it relates to birthwork.
I'm a dedicated doula, cannabis interpener, and published writer, mom, and independent researcher.
I just keep taking courses on the things Iām passionate about. I LOVE learning. I am a perpetual student of life.
I spent all of 2021-2022 working 1-1 with clients and doing my own studies/research including an 825-person survey on cannabis and pregnancy. I took those results and turned them into educational material in an attempt to bridge a gap that I experienced firsthandā¦..
The lack of information on something that saved my life.
(if you havenāt read that FREE piece of material you can download it by clicking HERE!)
I can teach you things likeā¦.
The benefits of cannabis consumption and harm reduction practices during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Self-Advocacy
How to uncover your own bias and stigmas around cannabis
How to navigate through shame and fear surrounding use
How to support a pregnant medical cannabis patient as a birthworker
What quality cannabis is, and how to evaluate it
Navigating the legal system with cannabis, barriers, and safety concerns
BUT at the end of the day, if youāre still questioning whether or not women should be able to consume during pregnancy, or if it should be allowed as an alternative medicineā¦this really isnāt the place for you.
We arenāt here to discuss that.
Weāre here to discuss and shed light on the potential benefits cannabis has, not just the risks.
āØ Iām here to support women in their choice to consume, because shaming them has long-lasting negative impacts on their babies AND families, which has a ripple effect on entire communities.
āØ Iām here to bring the nuance into this conversation, leaning into the complexities. We are cognizant that mainstream research on the subject of pregnancy and cannabis is flawed and inconsistent.
āØ Iām here because women deserve access to safer alternatives. They deserve to seek those alternatives without shame or fear.
āØ Iām here because I believe that if you simply give people the information they seek, theyāll make the best decision for themselves.
Soā¦.that's my schtick.
You can find out how to work more closely with me here.
Credentials, Experience, + Other Hats
Program Manager at Soulside Healing Arts Center (Community-based Doula Program est. 2023) Trauma-Informed + Inclusivity Training at Soulside Healing Arts 2023Interpener Course Trichome Institute - 2022BEST Doula Training - 2021Cannabis and Motherhood Online Course by Michele Ross 2023Dispensary Agent Training at Illinois Central College - 2022 Cannabis Consultant Course Trichome Institute - 2020Illinois Social Equity Coalition Member - 2020-Current Self-Reported Survey: āCannabis and Pregnancyā of 825 women (international) - 2022Speaker: āReducing Harm and Social Stigma Regarding Cannabis use During Pregnancy (Peoria IL) 2023CNA Certification 2011Substance Abuse Awareness + Support Podcast Appearances Birthworker Podcast with Kyleigh Banks the somatic mother with Amy LowneyPure Doula Podcast with Kathryn The Cannabis Connoisseur (women's wellness series) with The Mommy Jane (Jessica Gonzales) WTFH Podcast with Samantha Conrad Women of the Wild with Jenni Dias (link coming soon)