I had never heard of a doula, but I did have internet access. Pregnant with baby number one I spent a lot of time researching online to learn what I needed to know about childbirth. Mind you, this was 2001, the internet wasn’t quite the giant resource that it is now. One thing I read […]
My Doula Journey-The First Four
I had never heard of a doula, but I did have internet access. Pregnant with baby number one I spent a lot of time researching online to learn what I needed to know about childbirth. Mind you, this was 2001, the internet wasn't quite the giant resource that it is now. One thing I read consistently online was that I needed a midwife. A doctor was apparently going to do horrible things to me that I didn't want so I must get a midwife (said the previously experienced moms in my pregnancy groups). I ... continue reading...
Baby Five
I don’t expect you to read this; it’s going to be long. I’m writing it for me, and for the three people I know that devour birth stories the way other women devour 50 Shades of Vampires. So if you are one of those three…enjoy. “I would never have a baby at home.” I’d said it plenty of times. I said it in a judgmental tone when my sister did it, when anyone I knew even talked about it. “I would never forgive myself if something went wrong. You just never know.” My 5th pregnancy started out ... continue reading...
Did That Really Just Happen?
So let's spill...pregnancy is just a roller coaster of, well, adventure I guess. Everything from the amazing craziness of a little body that is flipping around inside you to the most uncomfortable and even painful trials as your body continues to adjust in ways you didn't think possible. I doubt anyone has ever escaped a pregnancy without having an embarrassing moment or two, or ten. I asked a group of women to be brave enough to share their worst stories and here they are, with permission of ... continue reading...
What Do You Do For You?
Self-care is a trendy new term for a once forgotten concept, you have to take care of yourself to be able to take care of others. I think we all have different limits and tolerances but whatever those are it's important that we give ourselves permission to have some downtime, do what you do to recharge and refresh. I have a hard time going for so long with no one to talk to that doesn't want to argue with me (why did I think having a teenager and toddler at the same time would be fun?!) I need ... continue reading...
Silliest Old Wives Tales
We've all been stopped by strangers or had well-intending family members make some weird claims about our bodies during pregnancy, here are some of the silliest! Belly Shape-If your belly is shaped like an egg you're having a girl, if it's shaped like a basketball you're having a boy. This one has more to do with torso length than gender. If you have a short torso there just isn't much room for that baby to go but out so out it goes. Milk-Some say if you drink a lot of milk while pregnant ... continue reading...