New support group for Burlington Mothers - meets in a coffee shop.

News 100 yellowBy Pepper Parr

May 24th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

Heidi Rand has two children.

She gave birth to one on Hwy 407.

She is one of two women who formed a support group for new mothers in Burlington.

Is there a connection between the two – certainly is Heide Rand is a going concern and appears to be one of those people that makes things happen.

Two momsThe first of what she calls West end Moms took place earlier this week. Heidi lived overseas in England where she raised her first child, Jackson, for his first two years. Moving back to Canada she noticed a huge difference in the mother culture here- mothers have less access to social groups for new moms and children to bond and socialize or to just get out of the house and meet other mothers going through the same struggles and milestones.

Heidi worked closely with her friend, Laura Kennedy.  Together they  started the group together. As a new and first time mom, Laura also felt the need for a stronger social network of moms in Burlington. Together we hope to bring mommy’s together, give them a platform to connect and provide exciting and stimulating events for little ones.

Heidi seems to be one of those natural news makers. A teacher by profession she was bombing down Hwy. 407 just after midnight with her husband Joe on her way to the Credit Valley hospital. The Burlington mother-to-be felt her water break and a head appear just two contractions later.

Group photo MomsAn anxious situation had just become harrowing. Joe was torn between focusing on the road and worrying about his wife and child; Heidi delivered her own baby girl in what felt like an eternity but in reality lasted less than two minutes.

Born in the wee hours of the morning near the Bronte Rd. exit in Oakville, seven-pound, eight-ounce Mila was healthy and in the care of Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.

“It felt so incredibly surreal,” Heidi said. “My head was in two places. One, I’m thinking, ‘Is this really happening in my car?’ But then, your instincts kick in and you’re literally doing everything you can to keep your baby safe.

Group + Heidi

The mothers gathered around tables in the coffee shop while children scrambled after their toys. Heidi Rand is seated on the left.

It was a miracle . . . she’s safe, healthy and happy.”

Joe, the husband was much more than a spectator.

After gathering all the clothing he could find to keep Mila warm — including the shirt off his back — he used his shoelace to tie off the umbilical cord, following advice from a Halton paramedic who coached him over the phone.

Moms signContacts social media suggested the child be named Shoelace or Lacey. This is the couple’s second baby, joining 20-month-old Jackson, whose delivery — by stark contrast — lasted roughly 36 hours.

Several of the Mothers were out with their child for the first time since the child was born; “just being able to get out and chat with other mother’s and relax is something I really appreciate” said one of the group.

There were Mothers from the east side of Oakville in the room as well as a Mother who was walking by and saw the sign on the sidewalk outside the Lakeshore Coffee Shop.

The West End Moms social media pages arebelow:

https://m.facebook.com/groups/437033276703185

https://www.instagram.com/westendmoms

 

Return to the Front page
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

1 comment to New support group for Burlington Mothers – meets in a coffee shop.

  • Judy

    Great idea. So important for Moms to get out and meet other moms and see that everyone is in the same situation. New moms need support. Thanks to Lakeshore Coffee Shop!!!