Featured Post! 13,000 + Mamas Took The Quiz!

Let's Dish Series No. 1: Take Mama's Sex Quiz

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I'm Joanne Ilaqua.

a.k.a MamaSoup

I’ve spent about 20 years serving women as a nurse, doula and Lamaze educator. I also have 4 kids so I know first-hand how lonely and isolating it can be to be a mama. That’s why I created Mamasoup.

Most days you can find me working away in my home office (without a bra on), bopping out to Hip Hop (which I’m WAY to old to listen to, btw- but I just can’t quit it!) and searching my teenagers’ rooms for all the plates and bowls.

Featured Posts...

labour and delivery

Take Mama's Sex Quiz

As part of a new series, “Let’s Dish,” we’ll be sharing interactive quizzes related to a number of mom topics that will give you a bit of ‘virtual girl talk’ by revealing answers of other moms once you've completed the quiz yourself.

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labour and delivery

5 Commonly Missed Signs of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Don't miss out on this incredible information on pelvic floor health from Jessica Dalliday of Pilates on Demand (POD), along with FREE video access, a printable to help fix the dysfunction and a fabulous deal to get you started on POD!

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labour and delivery

5 Things First Time Moms Wished They'd Known Before Giving Birth

If you’re pregnant with your first baby, this information is for you, Mama! This post is full of information and helpful (& FREE!) printables to help prepare you for the incredible birth of your baby!

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breastfeeding newborns

How to Succeed at Breastfeeding in the First 48 Hours

Breastfeeding is something every mom should have the best chance at - and the foundation of a great breastfeeding journey stars in the first 48 hours of baby's life. This post has incredibly detailed instructional printables that will help you succeed at breastfeeding!

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All of Mama's Posts:

The Ultimate Postpartum Gifts for a New Mom: Holiday Edition

Check out our ultimate holiday gift guide for the postpartum mom on your list this year! These six gifts are practical and cost very little money.

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Plan a Gentle C Section Using our Free Birth Plan Template

A gentle c section is when the birth team works with the birthing family to create a cesarean birth experience that feels as though it's happening in a birthing room. Our free gentle c section birth plan template can help you plan for a positive planned cesarean.

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Guide to Hiring a Virtual Doula

Doulas are a wonderful resource for new parents and hiring a virtual doula is a great solution for many people who don't have the time to attend prenatal classes and who're looking for private prenatal and postpartum support.

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One of my Favourite Ways to Show Cervical Dilation as a Prenatal Teacher

Prenatal teachers are forever looking for fresh new ways to showcase cervical dilation and the stages of labour. I was no different! The problem was that I couldn't find anything I liked, so I made it. See how I use it and how you can have a set of cervical dilation rings for your prenatal practice, too.

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How my Postpartum Client Overcame Exhaustion, Breastfeeding Difficulties and Loneliness by Working With Me!

It’s no secret that having a baby comes with a lot of sleepless nights. And most of the time, you’ve got to just buckle in and deal with them until your baby is old enough to sleep through.

But sometimes, there are strategies that you can implement to help you maximize your awake time to minimize your awake time, you get my drift?

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How to Choose the Right Postpartum Support

Sometimes, the best way to learn about something is to look to people who've already done it. The postpartum experience is no different!

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The 3 Stages of Postpartum Bleeding

It’s not that normal for us to chat with our friends about what to expect when you’re bleeding after you have your baby. Afterall, it’s not a sexy topic. In fact, feminine bleeding when it comes to menstruation and the postnatal period is a little bit taboo in many social circles. But here at MamaSoup, we bust through all of the barriers so YOU can have an informed birth experience.

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3 Reasons to Hire a Virtual Postpartum Doula

Any doula worth their fee will tell you that the whole point of hiring a doula is to make sure you have the birth or postpartum support you need. It’s not up to us to decide what’s best for you, but it’s on us to help you figure it out and support the hell out of you.

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Vaginal vs C-Section: How your Recovery is Different

The way you give birth affects the way you recover. And while the one thing having a baby does is unite us in the Mom Club, every person experiences their postpartum differently.

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Postpartum Audio Series: Episode 2, 7 Signs that you Need Postpartum Help

A 5-minute audio that outlines seven signs that you need help after you have a baby and where to find it. This is a must-listen!

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Postpartum Audio Series : Episode 1, Making Post Birth Support a Priority

An 8-minute audio that outlines 8 reasons you need to plan your postpartum support. If you're pregnant right now, this is a must-listen!

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Common Signs That you Need Help After Having a Baby

Show me someone with a brand new baby and I’ll show you someone who needs some kind of help. Whether they realize it or they literally can’t see it, there are some serious signs when it comes to postpartum overwhelm.

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8 Reasons Pregnant Moms Should Make Postpartum Support a Priority

A lot of women create a birth plan, but did you know that a postpartum plan is just as important? The fourth trimester is the longest stage of birth and we can help guide you through it!

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Are You Scared Sh*tless About Giving Birth, Mama? Here Are 5 Ways to Conquer Your Fears!

 “I can’t believe I’m pregnant!” “Wow. I’m pregnant.” “I can’t believe I’m pregnant.” And then finally, “Oh crap.”

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7 Reasons You Need to Hire a Doula (Even if You're Having an Epidural)

I have to give full disclosure here: I’m a doula. I’m also a nurse. I have supported birthing women on both sides of the stirrups, so I have some real insight here.  Believe me when I say, a doula can make the difference between a good birth experience and a great one.

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Twenty Questions a Mama Should Ask in a Doula Interview

So Mama, have you thought about hiring a doula? It can be overwhelming to find* and interview them, so I put together a list of questions that you can use to find the perfect doula for you and your partner!

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