CHILDBIRTH KINGSTON
Est 1969
Birth Reflection
Birth is a profound experience not only for the person giving birth but also for their partner, chosen support people, and anyone who witnesses it.
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Reflecting on your own experience can help process the emotions, surprises, and challenges that come with witnessing and supporting birth. It offers space to acknowledge your own feelings — pride, amazement, fear, awe, or even helplessness — that often go unspoken.
Taking time to reflect can help strengthen understanding between partners, support emotional well-being, and deepen the sense of connection to the birth story and your new family journey.
Option One
Birth Reflection Tool
A self-guided reflection
A community-driven resource that focuses on the emotional and mental aspects of postpartum recovery, offering space for storytelling, reflection, and healing.
The tool includes both guided prompts for self-reflection and a basic framework for supporting your Birth Reflection.
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There are specific Reflection Tools for the different perspectives of the experience:
This tool is for anyone who has ever given Birth, it doesn’t matter
how long ago. The feelings and emotions we experience during labour stay with us our whole lives.
It’s easy to focus entirely on your loved one’s birth experience — and to forget
that you went through it, too. You were part of this story, and your memories, reactions, and emotions shape how you move forward as a partner, parent, or family support.
Those who witness birth — nurses, doulas, midwives, students, and other
care providers — hold powerful stories, too. Witnessing intense moments of power, “magic”, or suffering, stays with us. Taking time to reflect isn’t a luxury — it’s a form of care.
Other tools that can be helpful are: How to build a relaxing reflection space and BRT: Info packet for Clinicians
Option Two
Birth Sharing Circles
Peer support group
This is a Doula led peer group that meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 10am - 12pm. This is a very low-key and empathetic space to come and share your story, hear other stories, and/or ask any questions you want! Birthers, Partners and Babes are always welcome!
Upcoming Dates: January 13, February 10, March 10, April 14
Where: 263 Weller Ave, Kingston - KCHC
Option Three
Birth De-brief with a Doula
Private Birth De-brief
A one-on-one birth debrief with a Doula offers a safe, supportive space to process your birth story with someone who is trained to listen with empathy and without judgment. Doulas are skilled at helping you make sense of what happened, clarify moments that felt confusing, and validate the full range of emotions that can follow birth.
While doulas are not mental health professionals, we are trained to hold space, offer grounding support, and gently guide you through your own reflections.
Reach out if you'd like to set up a time to chat!
Option Four
Chat with a Professional
One-on-one support therapy
Sometimes the experience feels too heavy to process alone.
It’s normal for some recollections to bring up strong feelings. If thinking about the birth leads to panic, flashbacks, ongoing anxiety, or makes daily life hard, please reach out for professional support.
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Please click here to find a list of Mental Health professionals that serve the Kingston area and who are empathetically trained to help you process big Birth feelings. ​
More Options
If you feel you are in a crisis:
Emergencies: Call 911
KGH Emergency Department: 76 Stuart Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7
Telephone Aid Line Kingston (TALK): Call 613-544-1771 daily from 6pm to 2am for confidential and anonymous listening service
211 Ontario: Helpline that helps connect you to social services, program, and supports
988 Ontario: Call or text 9-8-8 for an immediate crisis or suicide-related concerns and talk to a responder without judgement