If you’ve ever carried a pregnancy to “term” you likely know what I mean when I say, there are days that feel like it will never. ever. end. You feel like your body can’t possibly stretch or grow any more. Then it DOES! You feel like your baby OBVIOUSLY doesn’t want to meet anyone in the outside world. But they DO! Desperation starts to set in because you’re worried that if you “go overdue” you’ll be faced with induction. Or that maybe, just maybe, you’ll be that ONE scientific anomaly that will in fact somehow manage to be pregnant forever.
When You Break Your Own Rules {and then have a baby!}
Sometimes you eat a delicious meal, watch (and cry to) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, sit on a labor ball, and eat ice cream with a hint of Castor Oil mixed in… and sometimes… It works.
The Day I Became “Mama” {My First Birth Story}
As we’re preparing to celebrate the birthday of my biggest baby, I realized, I’ve never written down her birth story. I’ve made a tradition of writing them down on their first birthday as reflection, but with E that just didn’t happen. So… without further ado, I will share with you the experience that changed my life and forever shaped my world (in more ways than one…)
Who Needs a Plan? {You do!}
Being a childbirth educator, I’m often asked… “But do we *really* need a birth plan?!” Yes. The answer is always 100% yes. And not for the reasons that you might think.
Bamboobies ® {for the shirt soaking moments}
Picture this… You’re actually alone for a bit and you’re standing in line at the grocery store. In the aisle next to you, a baby starts crying. Suddenly you get the tingly sensation, you just can’t stop the letdown reaction, and BAM… boobies turn to fountains and your shirt is soaked in the most obvious “I’m a nursing mama” way.
Baby-“whating?!” {Babywearing Q & A with Mollie J.}
Baby wearing!! It’s aallll the rage in the Mommy-Sphere! You’re pregnant? Ya gotta get a good baby carrier! But, uh… there are like… 5 guh-zillion brands. What. Do. You. Get?!?!
Traveling While Pregnant {What’s the Big Deal?}
Something I get asked about often (especially during the holidays) is travel during pregnancy. “How far can I drive? When should I stop going on trips? Am I too far along to fly?” The answer is… there is no quick answer.
Hello, Goodbye {I am her. This is my story.}
Think about all the women you know. Think about your 4 closest friends. Chances are at least one of them has experienced a pregnancy loss.
My “Unsuccessful” Birth {no.such.thing.}
As a doula I’ve met with a lot of clients who’ve told me they want to have a “successful birth” or have told me that their first birth was “unsuccessful” and they want to be “more successful” this go around. Let me just say something… EVERY.BIRTH.IS.SUCCESSFUL.
Norah Brooke {A VBAC Success}
A little background– My first birth ended in a C-section. After my son, Liam, was born we found out that even though his head was down, his chin wasn’t tucked and he appeared to be peeking up a bit.It’s apparently known as Brow Presentation. They called it an “emergency”, but to me it wasn’t. His vitals were fine. I was fine. Some doctors just don’t like slow progression. I now feel like I should have fought it. I should have asked for help and tried different positions. However, as soon as you hear the statement “for the safety of the baby” you’re willing to do anything without questioning.
